Several are the pathologies that induce functional Inbalance, leading to a constant for search for different rehabilitation techniques. One of the most common sequels is the hemiparesia that causes a functional damage, turning the stroke patients one of the principal focuses for the rehabilitation in the area. Therefore the aim of the present research was evaluate the motor control and analyze the increase of the frequency of sessions in the gait training treadmill with body weight support (BWS) in chronic hemiparesis stroke patients. Patients followed an A-B-A design with treadmill training with BWS five times for three weeks (stage A) and treadmill training with BWS three times for three weeks (stage B). The recordings were accomplished in the beginning and in the end of each stage. The collected data were temporal-spatial variables, functional activities through Rivermead test, electromyographics signs of the dorsiflexion and plantar flexion muscular groups of the ankle and electrogoniometry of the dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the ankle. Eight subjects concluded the experiment. Three patients had better outcomes after 5 times a week treatment, two patients showed improvement only when the treatment was performed 3 times a week, two patients improved gait variables independent of the training frequency and one not improved at all. The analysis of the electromyographics signs and of the data electrogonimetrics didn't allow any relationship with the performance level of the patients. Based on the reslts of the present studies we suggest that, the treadmill training with BWS comes as an effective method for the functional recovery and that it reflects in motor activities that improved activities of daily living. The increase of the frequency of sessions not necessarily reflects in an increase of the motor control, in the largest part of the patients.


SUMMARY The growth of polyoma-transformed BHK21 cells was studied in mixed cultures with normal mouse fibroblasts. On coverslips in excess medium, normal fibroblasts undergo one or two divisions after the cells become contiguous. Py-cell growth was not inhibited by contact with confluent fibroblasts which were still dividing, but the Py cells were rapidly inhibited after contact with fibroblasts which had become static. Further experiments confirmed the earlier view that the inhibitory effect was not due to a general change in the medium but was only brought about when cells were in contact or close proximity.


Abstract Cirrhotic patients with infection are prone to develop sepsis or even septic shock rendering poorer prognosis. However, few methods are available to predict the prognosis of cirrhotic patients with infection although there are some scoring systems can be used to predict general patients with cirrhosis. Therefore, we aimed to explore the predictive value of scoring systems in determining the outcome of critically ill cirrhotic patients with suspected infection. This was a retrospective cohort study based on a single-center database. The prognostic accuracy of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria, quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), chronic liver failure (CLIF)-SOFA, quick CLIF-SOFA (qCLIF-SOFA), CLIF-consortium organ failure (CLIF-C OF), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), and Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II were compared by using area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve and net benefit with decision curve analysis. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality while the secondary endpoints were duration of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay and ICU mortality. A total of 1438 cirrhotic patients with suspected infection were included in the study. Nearly half the patients (50.2%) were admitted to the ICU due to hepatic encephalopathy and the overall in-hospital mortality was 32.0%. Hospital and ICU mortality increased as the score of each scoring system increased (P < .05 for all trends). The AUROC of CLIF-SOFA (AUROC, 0.742; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.714–0.770), CLIF-C OF (AUROC, 0.741; 95% CI, 0.713–0.769), and SAPS II (AUROC, 0.759; 95% CI, 0.733–0.786) were significantly higher than SIRS criteria (AUROC, 0.618; 95% CI, 0.590–0.647), qSOFA (AUROC, 0.612; 95% CI, 0.584–0.640), MELD (AUROC, 0.632; 95% CI, 0.601–0.662), or qCLIF-SOFA (AUROC, 0.680; 95% CI, 0.650–0.710) (P < .05 for all). In the decision curve analysis, the net benefit of implementing CLIF-SOFA and CLIF-C OF to predict the prognosis of cirrhotic patients with suspected infection were higher compared with SIRS, qSOFA, MELD, or qCLIF-SOFA. CLIF-SOFA and CLIF-C OF scores, as well as SAPS II were better tools than SIRS, qSOFA, MELD, or qCLIF-SOFA to evaluate the prognosis of critically ill cirrhotic patients with suspected infection.


An axial flow fan developed in the previous study is tested in order to characterize its performance. The M-fan, a 7.3152 m diameter rotor only axial flow fan was designed to perform well under the challenging operating conditions encountered in air-cooled heat exchangers. Preliminary computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results obtained using an actuator disk model (ADM) as well as a periodic three dimensional model indicate that the fan meets the specified performance targets, with an expected total-to-static efficiency of 59.4% and a total-to-static pressure rise of 114.7 Pa at the operating point. Experimental tests are performed on the M-fan in order to determine its performance across a full range of flow rates. A range of fan configurations are tested in order to ascertain the effect of tip clearance, blade angle, and hub configuration on fan performance. Due to the lack of a suitable facility for testing a large diameter fan, a scaled 1.542 m diameter model is tested on the ISO 5801 type A fan test facility at Stellenbosch University. A Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes CFD model representing the M-fan in the test facility is also developed in order to provide additional insight into the flow field in the vicinity of the fan blades. The results of the CFD model will be validated using the experimental data obtained. Both the CFD results and the experimental data obtained are compared to the initial CFD results for the full scale fan, as obtained in the previous study, by means of fan scaling laws. Experimental data indicate that the M-fan does not meet the pressure requirement set out in the initial study at the design blade setting angle of 34 deg. Under these conditions, the M-fan attains a total-to-static pressure rise of 102.5 Pa and a total-to-static efficiency of 56.4%, running with a tip gap of 2 mm. Increasing the blade angle is shown to be a potential remedy, improving the total-to-static pressure rise and efficiency obtained at the operating point. The M-fan is also shown to be highly sensitive to increasing tip gap, with larger tip gaps substantially reducing fan performance. The losses due to tip gap are also shown to be overestimated by the CFD simulations. Both experimental and numerically obtained results indicate lower fan total-to-static efficiencies than obtained in the initial CFD study. Results indicate that the M-fan is suited to its intended application, however, it should be operated with a smaller tip gap than initially recommended and a larger blade setting angle. Hub configuration is also shown to have an influence on fan performance, potentially improving performance at low flow rates.


Background

In diabetic patients, the occurrence of ischemic events such as myocardial infarction is significantly higher than that of normal patients. L-arginine and vitamin C are commonly used adjuvant drugs in clinical practice. But whether L-arginine and vitamin C can be used together, the role of promoting angiogenesis to improve vascular dysfunction and its mechanism of action are not clear. To this end, we investigated whether L-arginine in combination with vitamin C promotes revascularization after myocardial infarction in patients with type 2 diabetes by inhibiting angiogenesis disorders associated with NADPH oxidase.
Methods

Experimental myocardial infarction (MI) was induced by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation in diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats and non-diabetic controls. Cardiac function was studied by echocardiography and LDH activity. Western blotting was used to study VEGF, Nox4, Nox1, Nox2, eNOS and phospho-eNOS (Ser1177), CAT-1. Angiogenesis, cell proliferation and migration were detected by micro-vessel density assay, cell viability assay, scratch wound-healing assay and tube formation assay.
Results

First, we cultured rat aortic endothelial cells in a high glucose environment for 48 hours, then treated L-arginine and vitamin C alone or together. It was shown that high glucose significantly damaged cell proliferation, migration and tube formation, which was normalized by L-arginine with vitamin C combined application. Furthermore, we found that co-treatment of L-arginine and vitamin C activated NOS/NO signaling pathway via inhibited NADPH oxidase activity, which regulated angiogenesis in RAECs. In vivo, L-arginine and vitamin C co-intervention improved cardiac function by implementing echocardiographic examination and LDH activity. This therapy also relieved the vasodilatory response to acetylcholine and restored the expressions of p-eNOS and VEGF, together with reducing Nox2 and iNOS production in the ischemic myocardium of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats following streptozocin (STZ) injection.
Conclusion

Overall, for the first time, this study reveals that the combination of L-arginine and vitamin C restores the blood supply to myocardial infarction in rats with type 2 diabetes by promoting angiogenesis, which was attributed to activating NOS/NO signaling pathway via blocking NADPH-dependent O2− generation.


Introduction Post ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) occurs in 3.5% of unselected cases 10% of which are severe. PEP is significantly higher in certain patient groups, for example patients with Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction or with a pre-cut sphincterotomy. The 2010 European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) guidelines on PEP prophylaxis recommend routine use of rectal NSAIDs and the insertion of pancreatic stents (PS) in high risk patients1. This study surveys UK practise of PEP prophylaxis in view of ESGE guidelines. Methods 220 ERCPists were invited to complete an online survey concerning their awareness of ESGE guidelines, patient selection for PEP, and use of rectal NSAIDs and insertion of PS. 67 responses from 53 UK hospitals were received (response rate = 30.4%). Results 79% of respondents were aware of ESGE guidelines, of which 47% had subsequently changed their practise. Only 9% of respondents used PEP for all patients as recommended by the ESGE. The majority (66%) used PEP in selected patients, whilst 25% never used PEP. Choice of PEP is demonstrated in the below table. Concerns relating to ESGE guidelines were expressed in a free text comments sections Abstract PTU-027 Table Form of PEP used by survey respondents Rectal NSAID 16.4% Pancreatic Stent 23.8% Both (NSAID/PS) 34.3% Never use PEP 25.4% Conclusion If this study is representative of wider practise it would suggest there is widespread variation in the administration of PEP in the UK. Only a minority of respondents were adherent to ESGE guidelines, although the majority had considered them. A significant number of departments were in the process of developing separate local guidelines. Stenting otherwise uncannulated pancreatic ducts and NSAID nephrotoxicity were commonly raised reasons for not adopting ESGE guidelines. Given there are currently no UK guidelines for PEP, this may be an opportunistic time for collaboration. A coordinated strategy of national guidelines or research may contribute to creating a consensus in practise across the UK and ultimately reduce the incidence of PEP. Disclosure of Interest None Declared Reference European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline: Prophylaxis of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Dumonceau, J.M., Andriulli, A., Deviere, J., Mariani, A., Rigaux, J., Baron, T.H. & Testoni, P.A. Endoscopy 2010; 42: 503–515.


Suppression of androgen levels of stage D2 prostate cancer patients has been the prominent treatment for advanced prostate cancer. An arithmetic formula expressing disease aggressivity computed by the pre-treatment levels of alkaline phosphatase (AP), degree of tumor differentiation and number of bone metastases correlated well with disease response and outcome in stage D2 patients treated by chronic administration of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonistic analogues (GnRH-As; buserelin) or orchiectomy. In the present study we analyzed retrospectively disease response and outcome in 262 previously untreated stage D2 prostate cancer patients who received combination hormonal treatment (GnRH-A plus flutamide) using this aggressiveness score. Mean value of this aggressiveness score between patients who were grouped with reference to type of disease response according to the criteria established by the National Prostatic Cancer Project (NPCP) was statistically different (Kruskal-Wallis, p > 0.001). Pairwise comparison documented that this was true between all but the stable and progression groups. Linear regression analysis documented significant correlation of this aggressiveness score with length of response and survival (r = 0.59, and 0.45, respectively: p > 0.0001). Analysis of slopes obtained by linear regressions between aggressiveness score and survival in patients treated with GnRH-A plus flutamide and with GnRH-A monotherapy documented that disease response and outcome was superior among patients who received combination hormonal treatment. These data indicate that this aggressiveness score correlated well type of disease response, length of response, and survival with patients given combination hormonal treatment, and as such it can be used as an objective tool for analyzing clinical data.


The idea of time slot interchange (TSI), the fundamental concept of implementing time switches in digital switching systems, was first conceived by Dr. Hiroshi Inose, then at the University of Tokyo, Japan, in 1957 while he was a visiting consultant at Bell Telephone Laboratories. The TSI collects each subscriber's pulse code modulation (PCM)-coded voice information to be stored into a small time interval (time slot), and then aligns multiple time slots on a common transmission bus to constitute a repetitive frame. The TSI enables any time slot to be interchanged with another time slot within a frame once the time slots in the frame are buffered in memories. Thus, TSI gives the time switch functionality equivalent to N-input by N-output space switch functionality. He built a prototype digital time-division multiplexing (TDM) electronic switching system called CAMPUS, which is based on the TSI principle, using a magnetostrictive delay line as a memory device. TSI received little attention until the end of the 1960s because memory devices were very costly. However, with the rapid advancement of semiconductor technologies in the 1970s, the TSI scheme became more widespread. TSI was first commercially deployed in 1976 as the time switch of AT&T's no. 4 ESS, the world's first stored-program control time-division switching system. Since then, TSI has been used in almost all digital central office switching systems and digital private branch exchanges (PBXs). Dr. Inose's contributions were not limited to research on such things as switching systems, PCM integrated communications, computer communications, and road traffic control systems; he was also actively involved in a number of Japanese governmental and international activities in the area of communications and information processing technologies. His final work was the establishment of the National Institute of Informatics (NII) in 2000, Japan's sole comprehensive academic institute in the field of informatics that seeks to advance integrated research and development activities in information-related fields.


As the massive increase of electronic mail (email) usage continues, SPAM (unsolicited bulk email), has continued to grow because it is a very inexpensive method of advertising. These unwanted emails can cause a serious problem by filling up the email inbox and thereby leaving no space for legitimate emails to pass through. Currently the only defense against SPAM is the use of SPAM filters. A novel SPAM filter GetEmail5 along with the design rationale, is described in this thesis. To test the efficacy of GetEmail5 SPAM filter, an experimental setup was created and a commercial bulk email program was used to send SPAM and non-SPAM emails to test the new SPAM filter.

GetEmail5's efficiency and ability to detect SPAM was compared against two highly ranked commercial SPAM filters on different sets of emails, these included all SPAM, non-SPAM, and mixed emails, also text and HTML emails.

The results showed the superiority of GetEmail5 compared to the two commercial SPAM filters in detecting SPAM emails and reducing the user's involvement in categorizing the incoming emails.

This thesis demonstrates the design rationale for GetEmail5 and also its greater effectiveness in comparison with the commercial SPAM filters tested.


The ignition of plasmas in liquids has applications from medical instrumentation to manipulation of liquid chemistry. Formation of plasmas directly in a liquid often requires prohibitively large voltages to initiate breakdown. Producing plasma streamers in bubbles submerged in a liquid with higher permittivity can significantly lower the voltage needed to initiate a discharge by reducing the electric field required to produce breakdown. The proximity of the bubble to the electrodes and the shape of the bubbles play critical roles in the manner in which the plasma is produced in, and propagates through, the bubble. In this paper, we discuss results from a three-dimensional direct numerical simulation (DNS) used to investigate the shapes of bubbles formed by injection of air into water. Comparisons are made to results from a companion experiment. A two-dimensional plasma hydrodynamics model was then used to capture the plasma streamer propagation in the bubble using a static bubble geometry generated by the DNS The simulations showed two different modes for streamer formation depending on the bubble shape. In an elliptical bubble, a short electron avalanche triggered a surface ionization wave (SIWs) resulting in plasma propagating along the surface of the bubble. In a circular bubble, an electron avalanche first traveled through the middle of the bubble before two SIWs began to propagate from the point closest to the grounded electrode where a volumetric streamer intersected the surface. In an elliptical bubble approaching a powered electrode in a pin-to-pin configuration, we experimentally observed streamer behavior that qualitatively corresponds with computational results. Optical emission captured over the lifetime of the streamer curve along the path of deformed bubbles, suggesting propagation of the streamer along the liquid/gas boundary interface. Plasma generation supported by the local field enhancement of the deformed bubble surface boundaries is a mechanism that is likely responsible for initiating streamer formation.


A large amount of engineering and medical research has been devoted to the assessment of aortic valve stenosis severity in the past decades. The net transvalvular pressure drop has been recognized as one of the parameters that better reflect stenosis effects on left ventricle overload, and its adoption in clinical assessment of stenosis has been proposed. Flow unsteadiness has been shown to have a non-negligible impact on the net drop; however, a simple formulation for net drop calculation that includes not only flow pulsatility but also the effects of valve dynamics is still lacking.

 The present contribution is hence aimed at developing a complete unsteady one-dimensional model of the net aortic transvalvular pressure drop that just requires non-invasive data to be implemented.

 Transvalvular flow is described as a jet of incompressible viscous fluid through a circular orifice placed in a concentric rigid circular tube. The classical one-dimensional mass and total head conservation equations are applied. The effective orifice area and transvalvular flow rate are assumed to vary with time throughout the ejection period.

 The model is found to capture pressure drop oscillations occurring when the valve opens/closes and/or leaflets flutter, thanks to the inclusion of valve dynamics effects. The model is also proposed as a numerical tool for the calculation of the instantaneous effective orifice area once net pressure drop and flow rate are known.

 The model may contribute to the improvement of non-invasive aortic stenosis assessment.


The X-linked mouse Rhox gene cluster contains more than 30 homeobox genes that are candidates to regulate multiple steps in male and female gametogenesis. The founding member of the Rhox gene cluster, Rhox5, is an androgen-dependent gene expressed in Sertoli cells that promotes the survival and differentiation of the adjacent male germ cells. Here, we report the first identification and characterization of a Rhox5-regulated gene. This gene, Unc5c, encodes a pro-apoptotic receptor with tumor suppressor activity that we found is negatively regulated by Rhox5 in the testis in vivo. Transfection analyses in cell lines of different origin indicated that Rhox5-dependent down-regulation of Unc5c requires another Sertoli cell-specific cofactor. Examination of other mouse Rhox family members revealed that mouse RHOX2 and RHOX3 also have the ability to down-regulate Unc5c expression. The human RHOX protein PEPP2 (RHOXF2) also had this ability, indicating that Unc5c repression is a conserved RHOX-dependent response. Deletion analysis identified a Rhox5-responsive element in the Unc5c 5′-untranslated region. Although 5′-untranslated regions typically house post-transcriptional elements, several lines of evidence indicated that Rhox5 down-regulates Unc5c at the transcriptional level. The repression of Unc5c expression by Rhox5 may, in part, mediate the pro-survival function of Rhox5 in the testis, as we found that Unc5c mutant mice have decreased germ cell apoptosis in the testis. Along with our other data, these findings led us to propose a model in which Rhox5 is a negative regulator upstream of Unc5c in a Sertoli-cell pathway that promotes germ-cell survival.


Anisotropic adapted unstructured triangular surface grids are generated using a new and efficient procedure based upon the Delaunay principle. The mesh anisotropy is controlled by a change of metrics over the surface. In order to improve the surface grid definition, a generalization of the Farin's algorithm has been developed to obtain \lq $G^1$\rq surfaces by joining triangular Bezier surface patches. Different local mesh operators are proposed to control the surface grid generation process and a remeshing anisotropic grid generation algorithm is described. This algorithm has been developed keeping in mind its 3D generalization.


Background: Studies on the application of complex adaptive systems (CAS) framework to describe variations in free healthcare policies during implementation are limited. This study uses a CAS framework to explore interactions among actors and to explain how specific characteristics of CAS framework change in institutional designs of a Free Maternal and Child Healthcare Program (FMCHP) in Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A qualitative, case study approach was used to collect data on variations in features of FMCHP from policymakers (n = 16) and providers (n = 16) selected by purposeful sampling from the Ministry of Health and two health districts in Enugu State based on their posts in FMCHP, using semi-structured interview. Additional qualitative data were collected through document review. Main actors, their roles, incentives, and power were identified. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis guided by a CAS framework. Results: Six core features of FMCHP changed during implementation, namely, revenue collection, the role of Ministry of Health, the role of the state teaching hospital, introduction of evidence of tax payment, provider payment process, and establishment of a Financial Monitoring Committee. Formal rules alone did not guarantee consistency and stability of policies. Power imbalances, coordination, and cooperation among actors affected fidelity of policy implementation. The CAS phenomena associated with these changes include path dependence, feedback, lever points, emergent behaviors, and phase transition. Conclusion: Managing changes in free healthcare policies requires recognizing the power shifts, nonlinearity of outcomes, unpredictable consequences and feedbacks, and addressing the context, adaptive behavior, and network of actors.


A refined single-layer thermoelastic model of composite laminated cylindrical shells is presented using a mixed variational approach. The present model accounts for Reissner-Mindlin?s displacement assumptions and continuous stress distributions through the thickness. Therefore the present first-order shell theory recovers the actual interlami nar stress state without losing its simplicity and leads to a consistency with the elasticity theory. Furthermore, the stresses are consistent with surface conditions. So, the rationale for the shear correction factors used in other first-order theories are obviated. Governing equations including thermomechanical effects are deduced with the required boundary conditions. A wide variety of numerical results for cross-ply symmetric and antisymmetric laminated circular cylindrical shells are presented for various boundary conditions. A bending analysis is made to illustrate the influences of orthotropy, the length-to-radius ratio, the radius-to-thickness ratio, the number of layers, and boundary conditions on the thermal responses.


Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer amongst American women. Mammographic density has been strongly associated with breast cancer risk. Previous quantitative assessments of percent density have shown that women with higher percentage of fibroglandular tissue have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. It has also been established that mammographic density is associated with higher water and lower fat content in the breast. This implies that women with breasts containing higher volumetric percentage of water and lower percentage of lipid are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. The ability to quantify water and lipid in the breasts with mammographic images has the potential to stratify women based on breast cancer risk. Thus the purpose of this project was to employ dual-energy material decomposition technique to demonstrate the feasibility of quantifying water and lipid in breast tissue. Calibration study was performed to determine the fitting coefficients in the dual-energy non-linear inverse function to determine material thickness.Postmortem breasts were imaged using a spectral mammography system and dual-energy material decomposition was implemented to quantify water and lipid in the breasts. The results from mammographic images were compared to results from chemical analysis, the reference standard. The thickness of water and lipid could be measured with RMS errors less than 1mm and density with RMS error less than 1% demonstrating a linear relationship. A high correlation between the two datasets was observed concluding that dual-energy mammography demonstrates the potential for breast cancer risk assessment based on water and lipid content.Suspicious lesions detected during early screening requires the patient to undergo needle biopsy or further imaging examinations to determine the nature of the lesion. However, due to mammography's low specificity for malignant lesions, several healthy women are often recalled for diagnostic procedures. Prior studies have suggested that breast lesion tissue containing higher than normal percentage of water and lower lipid have higher tendency of being malignant. The purpose of this project was also to further extend the application of dual-energy mammography to breast lesion characterization. Dual-energy images of postmortem breasts with lesion phantoms were studied. The measured thicknesses and densities of the lesions were compared to known values and a linear relationship was observed. RMS errors of less than 1mm and less than 10% were calculated for thickness and density respectively. The small errors were indicative of a good match between the measured datasets and the applied fitting function and further emphasized the accuracy of dual-energy mammography in lesion characterization.


The study examined the determinants of capital structure decision and compared the capital structure of quoted and unquoted agro-based firms in Nigeria. Data collected through a multi- stage random sampling from the financial statements of 28 quoted and 60 unquoted agro-based firms for the period 2005-2010 were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Z-test and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression. The result revealed significant differences in capital structure (long term debt and total debt use) between quoted and unquoted agro-based firms. Short-term debts constituted a higher proportion of total debts of both sampled groups. The regression result showed that firm size, asset structure andgrowth coefficients had significant positive relationships with both long and short term debt finance for both listed and unlisted agro-based firms respectively. Result further showed that age of firms, educational status of CEO, export status of firms, and gender of firm owners were positive and significantly related to long term debt for both listed and unlisted firms. Also, highly profitable firms depended on internally generated revenue, thereby lending credence to the pecking order theory (POT). Therefore, The study showed that pecking order theory dominated the financing behavior of agro-based firms in Nigeria while the agency cost argument was only relevant for listed agro-based firms. Hence, policies that would enhance the acquisition of tangible assets, encourage exportation, ensure appropriate record keeping and encourage the use of more long term finance in place of short-term finance should be pursued.


The epithelium lining airspaces of the human lung is maintained by regional stem cells including basal cells of pseudostratified airways and alveolar type 2 pneumocytes (AT2) of the alveolar gas-exchange region. Despite effective methods for long-term preservation of airway basal cells, methods for efficient preservation of functional epithelial cell types of the distal gas-exchange region are lacking. Here we detail a method for cryobanking of epithelial cells from either mouse or human lung tissue for preservation of their phenotypic and functional characteristics. Flow cytometric profiling, epithelial organoid-forming efficiency, and single cell transcriptomic analysis, were used to compare cells recovered from cryopreserved tissue with those of freshly dissociated tissue. Alveolar type 2 cells within single cell suspensions of enzymatically digested cryobanked distal lung tissue retained expression of the pan-epithelial marker CD326 and the AT2 cell surface antigen recognized by monoclonal antibody HTII-280, allowing antibody-mediated enrichment and downstream analysis. Isolated AT2 cells from cryobanked tissue were comparable with those of freshly dissociated tissue both in their single cell transcriptome and their capacity for in vitro organoid formation in 3D cultures. We conclude that the cryobanking method described herein allows long-term preservation of distal human lung tissue for downstream analysis of lung cell function and molecular phenotype, and is ideally suited for creation of an easily accessible tissue resource for the research community.


The purpose of this research was to delineate the effect of maternal parenting stress and verbal abuse on emotional maladjustment behaviors in children. The sample consisted of 542 pairs of fifth/sixth graders and seventh/eighth graders, and their mothers. The major findings of the research were as follows: First, looking at the correlation between the mother's age/education level and the maternal parenting stress level, the maternal parenting stress level factor showed differences correlating to the mother's education level. Second, looking at the correlation between the mother's age/education level and the verbal abuse, the verbal abuse factor showed differences correlating to the mother's age/education level. Third, looking at the correlation between the maternal parenting stress level and the verbal abuse, the verbal abuse factor showed differences correlating to the maternal parenting stress level. Forth, the result of multiple regression analysis on the effects of the maternal parenting stress and verbal abuse on the children's emotional maladjustment behaviors indicated that verbal abuse was the significant contributing factor.


Formation of hepatocyte spheroids is a necessary strategy for increasing liver-specific function in vitro. In this study, HepG2 cells showed good viability when grown on a polylactic acid-chitosan (PLA-CS) nanofiber and aggregated to form multicellular spheroids on the PLA-CS nanofibers with a diameter of approximately 100-200 mm in 5 days of culture, whereas no such aggregation was observed in cells cultured on 24-well plates. Hepatocyte spheroids formed on the PLA-CS nanofibers displayed excellent hepatic-related protein expression, such as albumin and urea, compared to HepG2 cells cultured on the 24-well plates. These results indicated that formation of the hepatocyte spheroids in nanofibers can increase and maintain hepatocyte functions for a longer time, supporting a new strategy for bioartificial liver development.


The Central Problem The therapeutic problem in coronary artery disease is created by the existence of structural coronary narrowing or complete occlusion causing diminished coronary blood flow. The reestablishment of a satisfactory blood supply then becomes the central objecttive. The Nature of the Occlusion Excluding the more unusual causes, such as embolism, syphilitic narrowing of the coronary ostia, necrotizing arteritis, or calcific aortic stenosis impinging on the ostia, one deals with coronary atherosclerosis as the causative process in more than 90% of patients with angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction. An effective therapeutic approach must be based on knowledge of the anatomic changes and of the pathologic physiology of the atherosclerotic process. The Anatomic Characteristics of Coronary Atherosclerosis. —The obstructing atherosclerotic lesions are arterial, not venous, and reside in the main stems and primary branches. They are almost entirely epicardial. The highest incidence of occlusions is not directly at the


The mixed convection in an open trapezoidal lid-driven cavity connected with a channel is investigated in the present paper. Four different cases were considered depending on the movement of the cavity sidewalls. For case I, the left sidewall moves downward; for case II, the left sidewall moves downward and the right one moves upward; while for case III, only the right sidewall moves upward. A comparative case (case 0) is accounted when both sidewalls are assumed stationary. The base of the cavity is subjected to a localized heat source of constant temperature Th. The effects of Richardson number Ri and Reynolds number ratio Rer on the flow and thermal fields have been investigated. The results indicated that for cases I and II, the average Nusselt number increases with the increase of the Richardson number and Reynolds number ratio. Moreover, it was found that the maximum average Nusselt number occurs with case I. When the lid-driven speed is three times that of the inlet airflow velocity, the augmentations of the average Nusselt number compared with stationary walls are 163%, 158%, and 96% for cases I, II, and III, respectively.


The Java-Bali - Power Sector Restructuring and Strengthening Project for Indonesia has been categorized under World Bank environmental guidelines as a Category B, or low impact, project. Adverse environmental and social impacts of all of the planned subprojects are likely to range from minor to negligible. Proposed activities consist of replacing or upgrading the conductors on existing transmission lines and expanding existing substations. Likely impacts and their mitigation measures are described as follows: Access roads may be temprary and returned to their original state to minimize impacting the environment through vegetation clearance and compaction of land. Access roads adjacent to sensitive areas will be closed after construction and rehabilitated to prevent paching of wildlife. To reduce interference with or fragmenting of land uses along the right-of-way (ROW), the width of the ROW will be kept to a minimum. Traffic will be minimized as much as possible. Campsites will be cleaned up and revegetated as a part of land reclamation. Properly planning the transmission lines' routes will minimize clearing of vegetation. To control dust, water sprinklers will be used. Noise from construction of access roads will be temporary and limited to daytime only. the scientific community has not reached a consensus on specific biological responses to electromagenetic field radiation, but since the evidence suggests that health hazards may exist, actions will conform to guidelines. Placement of low-slung lines or lines near human activity increases the risk oif electrocutions. Towers and transmission lines can disrupt airplane flight plans/paths in or near airports and endanger low-flying aircraft, such as those used in agricultural management activities. Technical guidelines for design and regular maintenance of transmission lines will minimize this hazard.


Russia's hostile actions against the Estonian state structures take the form of soft power, which can be observed in such areas as the activities of the Russian-speaking minority, media coverage, or through the use of coercion when it comes to fuel sales. This article presents qualitative methods of measuring Russian influence on Estonia. An observable trend in international relations is replacing hard power with soft power, commonly used against states within the sphere of interest of certain geopolitical entities. It is more difficult to identify the latter and prove it results from an aggressor's deliberate actions. Information warfare, including disinformation and propaganda, is one of the means Russia uses to exert political influence. By accepting the offer of a political and military alliance with the Western world, the Baltic States have become a threat to the Kremlin's imperialist aspirations. Russia's direct military actions against Estonia and the other Baltic states would have provoked a strong reaction and could even have led to military confrontation. However, the Russian government wishes to avoid it and, for the time being, limits itself to soft power measures.


Drought stress is one of the abiotic stresses that limits crop production and greatly affects crop yield. Enhancement of plant stress resistance by NaCl pretreatment has been reported, but the mechanism by which NaCl pretreatment activates cotton stress resistance remains unclear. In this study, upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum cv H177) was used as the material to conducted the treatments with three replications: 0 Mm NaCl + 0% PEG6000 (Polyethylene glycol), 0 mM NaCl + 15% PEG6000, 50 mM NaCl + 15% PEG6000 to explore the molecular mechanism by which NaCl improves the drought tolerance of cotton. The results showed that pretreatment with 50 mM NaCl could alleviate the adverse effects of PEG on cotton seeds while promoting the elongation of root length. RNA-seq showed that NaCl specifically induced the expression of carotenoid-related genes. By silencing the upstream gene GHLUT2 of lutein synthesis, it was found that the chlorophyll of silenced plants decreased, and leaf wilting was more sensitive to drought. We found that NaCl enhanced the drought resistance of cotton by regulating genes related to the carotenoid and abscisic acid downstream synthesis pathways. This study provides a new reference for the study of drought resistance in cotton and a theoretical basis for the molecular breeding of cotton.


Urbanisation is widely recognised as one of the major trends of this century that offers great opportunities as well as significant challenges for poverty reduction in both urban and rural areas. In much of sub-Saharan Africa, the development of small and medium-sized towns remains largely linked to the nature of agricultural production systems. They nevertheless perform a number of essential functions from market nodes to providers of services, goods and non-farm employment to their inhabitants and that of the wider surrounding region. This research investigates the emerging urban system of the Benue Basin region of Nigeria. The data were collected on 80 urban functions across 140 settlements in the basin using a checklist, and analysed using principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The result of the Principal component analysis extracted 10 major functions out of the 80 variables that together explained 67.6% of the total variance. These functions are named workshop services; security and banking services; industrial services; education and commercial services; administrative functions; judiciary and retail services; health/social services; agro processing services; primary health services, and tertiary/secondary health services. The factor scores of the 10 major functions were examined to showcase the performances of each of the 140 settlements in terms of the functions they perform. On the basis of identified major urban functions, the cluster analysis grouped the 140 settlements in a five-order hierarchical structure. Gboko town emerged as the dominant settlement in the system with the highest number of urban functions, and is regarded as the 1st order settlement in the hierarchy. The study recommends provision of basic infrastructure in the emerging urban settlements of the Benue basin particularly settlements in the 3rd, 4th and 5th order in the hierarchy to reposition them for rapid socio-econmic growth of the region.


Smallholder producers of fruits and vegetables in the Nanggung sub-district of West Java, Indonesia practice a multicropping system of agriculture on less than two acres of land. Agricultural practices in this area are still crude, with little or no inputs such as fertilization or modern irrigation. When water is available, the furrow irrigation system is used at best. Although banana is one of the income-generating crops, farmers grow it in combination with other fruits such as durian, mangosteen, rambutan, jackfruit, and with vegetables such as chili peppers, tomatoes, sweet corn, and green beans under non-intensive management. Although market-survey reports show that the demand for these fruits and vegetables is greater than the supply, the farmers not only have limited access to markets but produce inferior quality and limited quantity (Fonsah 2003). Due to these limitations, this study is aimed at developing new markets, creating new distribution systems and market channels, and seeks ways to improve those already existing.


Citizenship Education is a form of learning democracy both theoretically and practically because the scientific structure is very supportive in forming democratic and Pancasila students. This study uses a qualitative approach with the method of literature study because it is in the form of an analysis of the concepts and dynamics of Citizenship Education as learning democracy in college students. There are also the results of research, are as follows: 1) The implementation of learning democracy, through Citizenship Education is highly dependent on the curriculum of each college, 2)Contextual learning is very suitable in implementing democational learning through Citizenship Education because it has almost the same characteristics in the object of study learning, 3) As a democracy learning Citizenship Education has a strategic position in the national constitution and curriculum, although tertiary institutions have the authority in preparing their curriculum, the position of Education Citizenship as a compulsory subject is irreplaceable, 4) The importance of creating a democratic atmosphere so that learning objectives can be achieved effectively, because it is not only through an explanation of democratic material, conceptually and theoretically, but in practice, so the integrity of lecturers and students is needed.


This study was aimed to provide a complete picture of dynamics of selected hematological and serum biochemical parameters in dairy cows from late pregnancy to early postpartum period, giving new and useful information about the guidelines for the management strategies during different physiological phases. This study was carried out on thirty clinically healthy Holstein Friesian dairy cows; in good nutritional condition. Blood samples were collected two weeks before the expected parturition , during the 1st post-partum week and during the 3rd week after parturition. Cows under investigation were clinically examined including body temperature, pulse, respiration, mucous membranes and ruminal movement. Two blood samples were collected: whole blood samples for hematological picture, while serum samples for biochemical analysis which included total proteins, albumin , globulin , AST, ALT, glucose, Creatinine, Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Total cholesterol, Beta hydroxy butyrate (βHBA), triglycerides, Nitric Oxide (No), Malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), serum calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride and phosphorus. Significant changes between pre and post-partum period were observed in values of hemogram and biochemical parameters including RBCs, PCV%, hemoglobin, MCV, MCHC, MCH, WBCS count and differential leucocytic count, total proteins, albumin, globulin, glucose, BUN, Total cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, chloride, No, MDA and TAC, while non-significant changes were observed in AST, ALT, Potassium ,Creatinine and βHBA levels. It can be concluded that late pregnancy and the onset of lactation were accompanied by marked changes in hemato-biochemical and oxidative stress markers which have great impact on dairy cow`s health, immunity and disease susceptibility.


Our study includes 15 posttransplant angiographies in 10 patients after liver transplantation and 3 cases with embolisation of the splenic artery because of a splenohepatic steal syndrome. The results of the angiographies are demonstrated and discussed. In cases with non-conclusive ultrasound or CT findings, angiography is the method of choice, if an arterial anastomotic complication or a chronical rejection is suspected.


Warm dense matter is the state between the heated condensed matter and plasma. The importance of the development of warm dense matter theoretical description is determined by the fact that such conditions may arise in the variety of different scientific and industrial applications. For instance, warm dense matter is formed: in the matter impacted by femto‐ and picoseconds laser pulses; in nuclear materials at the formation of radiation track, etc. In these phenomena, the initial state of the system is a two‐temperature state and the electron temperature may be several orders higher than the ion one. In this work, the attempt of development of the united atomistic model of a warm dense matter is carried out. The special consideration is given to the twotemperature effects and the influence of the electron pressure on the behavior of ions. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


This work is an effort to investigate and derive a simple equivalent circuit model to represent an electromagnetically coupled microstrip patch antenna. This provides a simple approach to the complicated electromagnetic coupling behaviour in the patch. A simplified theory based on the broadside coupled line and improved transmission line theories is developed to derive the equivalent circuit of EM coupled patch antenna. The design parameters are determined from the above mentioned theory. Computer programs are developed to provide a practical design of such antennas without involving complicated, time consuming, rigorous methods. A number of sample patches are designed, made and tested to verify the theory. These elements are also incorporated into an array to evaluate their performance in an array environment. The impedance and pattern measurements are made for comparison with theoretical results.


Glucocorticoid-induced glaucoma (GIG) is a chronic optic neuropathy caused by systemic or topical glucocorticoid (GC) treatment, which could eventually lead to permanent vision loss. To investigate the protective effects of rapamycin (RAP) on the trabecular cells during the development of GIG in mice, the effects of RAP on intraocular pressure (IOP), trabecular ultrastructure, and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were examined in C57BL/6J female mice treated with dexamethasone acetate (Dex-Ace). The expression of α-actin in trabecular tissue was detected by immunofluorescence, and the autophagic activity of trabecular cells and the expression of GIG-related myocilin and α-actin were detected by immunoblotting. Our results indicated that Dex-Ace significantly increased IOP at the end of the third week (p < 0.05), while RAP treatment neutralized this elevation of IOP by Dex-Ace. Dex-Ace treatment significantly decreased the RGC numbers (p < 0.05), while synchronous RAP treatment kept the number comparable to control. The outer sheath of elastic fibers became thicker and denser, and the mitochondria of lesions increased in Dex-Ace-treated groups at 4 weeks, while no significant change was observed in the RAP-treated trabecular tissues. Dex-Ace induced myocilin, α-actin, Beclin-1, and LC3-II/LC-I ratio, and lowered p62, while synchronous RAP treatment further activated autophagy and neutralized the induction of myocilin and α-actin. Our studies suggested that RAP protected trabecular meshwork cells by further inducing autophagy way from damages of GC treatment.


Introduction: Cervical cancer mortality can be controlled by use of the Papanicolaou test which detects cervical abnormalities at its most treatable stage. However, there continue to be high rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality. In particular, black women have higher cervical cancer mortality than Hispanic or white women, possibly due to low and irregular use of Pap smears as a secondary prevention strategy. Therefore, vaccination against HPV holds promise as a critical prevention strategy. The purpose of this study was to assess socioeconomic and behavioral differences in HPV vaccine knowledge and acceptability among black and white women. Researchers will gain Insight into modifying factors that influence information seeking and decisions related to HPV vaccine uptake among urban black women. Methods: Data for this study were derived from the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), a national probability survey of health communication and information among U.S. adults age 18 and over. Participants were recruited using random digit dialing (RDD) and a random mailing. The response rate for the telephone interview was 57%. The response rate for the mailed survey was 40%. The HINTS was selected for three reasons (1) large sample of black women, (2) exploration of HPV knowledge, attitudes, and acceptability, and (3) allows for comparisons among different racial/ethnic groups that drive health promotion and future health disparities research. Results: A total of 7674 individuals were recruited to the 2007 HINTS (males and females). A total of 470 black women and a total of 3300 white women from the HINTS sample were included in this study. Measures analyzed were HPV acceptability, HPV knowledge, health communication, and demographics. Salient themes included: acceptability of HPV vaccine for daughters age 9-12 years was slightly higher (53%) for whites than blacks (47%). Barriers to HPV vaccine acceptability among blacks was 'daughter is not sexually active' (10%) and 'parent doesn9t know enough about the vaccine' (41%). Barriers to HPV vaccine acceptability among whites were 'daughter is not sexually active' (8%) and 'parent doesn9t know enough about the vaccine' (39%). black women were less likely to have heard about HPVthan whites (69% vs. 80% respectfully). Black women were less likely to have heard about the HPV vaccine than whites (67% vs. 82% respectfully). A health care provider was less likely to recommend the HPV vaccine for black girls (7%) compared to white girls (3%). Blacks were less likely to have discussed the HPV vaccine (80%) with a health care provider compared to whites (89%). Blacks were less likely to have discussed the HPV test (84%) with a health care provider than whites (88%). Conclusion: Overall, our findings suggest that black women are less knowledgeable about HPV and the HPV vaccine and a health care provider was less likely to recommend the HPV vaccine for black girls. The public health benefit is a deeper understanding of the health information needs and reduction in sexual risk behavior among urban black adolescents thereby reducing HPV infection for black girls and cervical cancer for black women that is national in scope. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B98.


Objectives : Two related cases of Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (HUS) were reported to the Korea National Institute of Health in May, 2001. Shiga toxin 2 genes were detected in both stool samples. We suspected an enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infection as the cause of the HUS, and conducted an investigation to find the source of the infection and its route of transmission. Methods : We peformed case investigations on these two related HUS cases, and obtained interviews and rectal swabs form the family members and other close contacts. Additionally, we peformed rectal swabs on the cattle raised by the household of the index patient. Results : We found a 20 month old index patient and a 6 year-old cousin had developed HUS, where there had been a 2 day history of contact with the index, and bacteriological examinations for these two patients revealed, indistinguishably, the same E. coli O171. The grandmother of the index patient was found to be asymptomatic, but E. coli O26 was isolated. We also found a probable case in the mother of the cousin. She reported a history of contact with the index, and developed bloody diarrhea of 3 days duration. The test results for the cattle revealed E. coli O26 in one cow, and E. coli O26 and O55 in another. E. coli O26, which was isolated in both cows and the grandmother of the index, were indistinguishably the same. Conclusions : We found that the E. coli O26 in the grandmother had originated from the cows, and that the E. coli O171 found in the index patient had been transmitted to the cousin through person-to-person contact.


A successful business development cannot be currently imagined without the active use of cutting-edge information technologies and the Internet. Nowadays, technologies offer a wide range of opportunities for entering the international market and expanding the existing one by various methods. In 2011, Lithuania ranked 22nd by the volume of e-commerce among the EU member states with 11% of individuals purchasing online compared to the total number of the population, while in the EU the number of e-commerce users accounts for 34% on average. Therefore, although the number of e-commerce users is continuously growing, the penetration of ecommerce in Lithuania is far below the EU average. The aim of this article is to perform an analysis of the development of e-commerce in Lithuania and to identify some characteristics of e-consumers' behaviour. Research methods: comparative analysis of scientific literature, statistical data processing methods.


Fungal infections affecting the paranasal sinuses are common. They can affect normal as well as immunocompromised individuals. Aspergillosis
and mucormycoses are the most common fungal infections involving maxillary sinus. They can manifest in two forms – noninvasive or invasive
infection. These infections when properly diagnosed can be treated at the earliest without causing much tissue damage. Here, a noninvasive
form of aspergillosis in an uncontrolled diabetic, elderly female patient is presented. This article also explains the etiopathogenesis, clinical
and radiological features, as well as the management of aspergillosis.


Objective: To compare knowledge of and interest in genetic testing for hereditary colon cancer syndromes. Methods: Colorectal cancer patients, first-degree relatives of colon cancer patients and controls were recruited from a familial cancer registry. Focus groups explored attitudes about genetic testing. Results: All three groups conveyed interest in testing, but lacked knowledge about testing and its implications. After receiving information regarding the potential benefits and costs of testing (including insurance and employment issues) all three groups were disinclined to be tested. The reasons varied among risk groups. Conclusions: When informed about the costs and implications of testing, individuals may be reluctant to undergo genetic testing, regardless of baseline risk. Barriers to testing will vary depending on the perceived risk of carrying a mutation


In order to obtain as narrow as possible paramagnetic resonance signals, it is of importance to investigate the conditions under which long relaxation times can be realized. In the present experiment on sodium atoms diffusing in argon gas, relaxation due to sodium-sodium collisions was minimized by employing very low sodium partial vapor pressures (about ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ mm Hg). While at lower pressures the argon is serving its function well to slow down relaxation by inhibiting wall diffusion, at about 10 cm Hg relaxation due to sodium-argon collisions becomes the decisive factor. Nevertheless it was possible to realize a relaxation time of 0.21 sec for a 1-liter spherical bulb filled with 3 cm argon. About 0.02 sec was found for a 0.1-liter, 40 cm argon sample. In carrying out the experiments, optical pumping by circularly polarized resonance radiation was used to create an orientation of the sodium atoms which then was monitored by measuring the transmission of the pumping radiation through the sample. By suddenly reversing a small axial magnetic field, the polarization of the atoms could be made to reverse too. From the decay rates of this inverted polarization under the combined effects of relaxation and continuing optical pumping, the experimental relaxation times were deduced. The strong signals obtained are indicative of available signal to noise ratios in future radio-frequency resonance reorientation experiments using the transmission monitoring technique. A theoretical analysis of the optical pumping process, including the dynamic aspects and allowing for collisions with argon that the sodium atoms undergo while in the excited state, was carried out and used to describe the experimental data.


The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover landed in Jezero crater on 18 February 2021. After a 100‐sol period of commissioning and the Ingenuity Helicopter technology demonstration, Perseverance began its first science campaign to explore the enigmatic Jezero crater floor, whose igneous or sedimentary origins have been much debated in the scientific community. This paper describes the campaign plan developed to explore the crater floor's Máaz and Séítah formations and summarizes the results of the campaign between sols 100–379. By the end of the campaign, Perseverance had traversed more than 5 km, created seven abrasion patches, and sealed nine samples and a witness tube. Analysis of remote and proximity science observations show that the Máaz and Séítah formations are igneous in origin and composed of five and two geologic members, respectively. The Séítah formation represents the olivine‐rich cumulate formed from differentiation of a slowly cooling melt or magma body, and the Máaz formation likely represents a separate series of lava flows emplaced after Séítah. The Máaz and Séítah rocks also preserve evidence of multiple episodes of aqueous alteration in secondary minerals like carbonate, Fe/Mg phyllosilicates, sulfates, and perchlorate, and surficial coatings. Post‐emplacement processes tilted the rocks near the Máaz‐Séítah contact and substantial erosion modified the crater floor rocks to their present‐day expressions. Results from this crater floor campaign, including those obtained upon return of the collected samples, will help to build the geologic history of events that occurred in Jezero crater and provide time constraints on the formation of the Jezero delta.


We prove that the linear and quadratic nonlinear terms entering a nonlinear elliptic equation of divergence type can be uniquely identified by the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map. The unique identifiability is proved using the complex geometrical optics solutions.


The effects of administration of Curcumin and Embelin on the levels of certain trace elements and other elements of clinical significance, during experimental hepatocarcinogenesis induced by Diethylnitrosamine/ Phenobarbital (DENA/PB) was studied in Wistar strain male albino rats. The levels of calcium, potassium and sodium were determined in the serum of control and experimental groups of rats. Additionally, the levels of chromium, copper, magnesium, molybdenum and zinc were also determined in the serum, liver and kidney of these rats. Furthermore, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was also assayed in the serum of these rats. Results revealed both significant and non-significant alterations in the levels of few elements during DENA/PB-induced experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. A statistically significant increase in LDH activity was found in the serum during the cancerous condition. Pre- and co-treatment with Curcumin and Embelin was found to protect the liver against the carcinogenic effects of DENA/PB. This protection was i) due to their ability to prevent changes in the levels of elements studied and ii) by the statistically significant decrease in the activity of LDH  that increased in DENA/PB-treated rats and LDH activity in the rats given only Embelin and Curcumin indicating their non-toxic effect. Our present results demonstrate the ability of Embelin and Curcumin to protect against DENA/PB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v5i1.5576 International Journal of Life Sciences Vol.5(1) 2011 51-56


Component design decisions and choice of assembly technology ultimately impact on the final quality of a product. Problems may arise when a component's design puts limits on the technical performance of an assembly operation. Recently, efforts have been focused on predicting component quality levels through variability and process capability measures at the design stage, but the variability associated with assembly operations is rarely considered in the context of quality. This paper reviews the current assembly-orientated design techniques available to detect potential quality problems and identifies the key issues relating to assembly quality, including the relationship between the components, operations and assembly technologies used. An approach is presented for highlighting potential assembly variability problems early in the design process and its application is demonstrated through the use of an industrial case study.


The English higher education (HE) system is deeply stratified, with younger students from more privileged backgrounds comprising the majority of the student population. Over the last 15 years considerable investment has been made to widen participation but attempts to evaluate these initiatives and demonstrate impact have presented a major challenge for the HE sector. This paper explores the development and application of a framework for evaluating and researching university-led interventions. Drawing largely on the theoretical work of Bourdieu it provides a basis for designing and evaluating programmes and activities to develop student cultural capital and habitus, and foster agency and a sense of belonging in HE settings.


This Guide is designed to assist students in the Welder Fitter (WEFR) and the Welding & Fabrication Technician (WFTN) programs to find resources available to them in the Library and Learning Commons.


Introduction : Preoperation is a phase when the decision for surgical intervention is made and ends when the patient is sent to the operating theatre. The successful operation is determined by the successfull of preparation, including comfort aspect undergoing surgery. The aim of this study was to identify contributing factors of preoperative patient's comfort at Marwah Room RS Haji Surabaya. Methods : A cross sectional design was used in this study. The population was all of preoperative patient at Marwah Room. Total sample was 26 respondents, taken with consecutive sampling technique. The independent variables were age, surgical experience, anxiety, family support, and pain. The dependent variable was preoperative comfort. Data were collected used questionnaire and observation. Data were analyzed using Spearmen's Rho and Chi Square test with α≤0.05. Result : Result showed that age, anxiety, family support, and pain had significant correlation with comfort, with level of significant p=0.000, p=0.000, p=0.015, p=0.036 respectively and coefficient correlation of r=0.769, r=0.832, r=0.473, r=0.414 respectively. Surgical experience also had correlation with comfort (p=0.000; x 2 =15.367). Discussion :  Preoperative comfort has correlation with age, surgical experience, anxiety, family support, and pain. Anxiety has the strongest correlation with comfort. Further studies should identify the correlation of that variables to each context of comfort in Kolcaba's Theory


ABSTRACT Introduction: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a common hematologic malignancy with a highly variable clinical course. Frontline treatments include cytotoxic chemotherapies, immunotherapies, and small molecule inhibitors. Clinical and molecular factors guide treatment initiation and selection. Over the last decade, refinement of CLL risk stratification tools and growth of the arsenal of effective therapeutics have profoundly improved outcomes. These advances have concurrently increased the complexity of managing the early phases of treatment. Areas covered: This review describes the factors considered in the determination of first-line treatment of CLL. Areas of emphasis include assessment of patient fitness, disease classification and risk stratification, and the mechanisms, efficacy, and toxicities associated with available pharmacotherapeutics. Expert opinion: Multiple different treatments may be appropriate for a specific clinical scenario, and selection among them requires discussion of relative risks and benefits. Advances in frontline CLL treatment will continue to shift the treatment paradigm toward prioritizing quality of life alongside survival, limiting treatment and toxicity, and the development of biologically rational synergistic drug combinations and sequences.


A stabilizing adaptive controller for a nonlinear system depending affinely on some unknown parameters is presented. It is assumed that this system is feedback stabilizable. A key feature of the method is the use of the Lyapunov equation to design the adaptive law. A result on local stability, two different conditions for global stability, and a local result where the initial conditions of the state of the system only are restricted are given. >


Gemiciler Village (Evrenye) is connected to the town center of İnebolu district in Kastamonu province. In Gemiciler Village (Evrenye) Center Mosque burial ground, total 20 Ottoman gravestone sample that have been able to reach to the present steadyingly are available. Of these gravestones, while 13 of them are male head stones, 7 of them are female head stones. Marble used as mainly material on the gravestones. The processing method as the ground engraving scraping technique was applied. As for the ornament composition; herbal characters with objective characters are used. On the grave stones we studied and on which date is available, the oldest dated sample is A.D. 1857-58 and the most recent is 1873.


The meroditerpenoids atomaric acid (1), epitaondiol (2) and the peroxylactone of 5'a-desmethyl-5'-acetylatomaric acid (3) were isolated from the Brazilian brown alga Stypopodium zonale collected in two localities (Búzios and Marataízes, RJ and ES States). These compounds showed strong anti-HSV-1 activity in vitro but neither of them inhibited the transcriptase reverse enzyme of HIV-1.


In preparing to support the Army in 2025 and beyond, the Army Blood Program remains actively engaged with the research and advanced development of blood products and medical technology to improve blood safety and efficacy in conjunction with the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. National and International Blood Bank authorities have noted that the US Army research and development efforts in providing new blood products and improving blood safety operate on the cutting edge of technology and are transformational for the global blood industry. Over the past 14 years, the Army has transformed how blood support is provided and improved the survival rate of casualties. Almost every product or process developed by or for the military has found an application in treating civilian patients. Conflicts have many unwanted consequences; however, in times of conflict, one positive aspect is the identification of novel solutions to improve the safety and efficacy of the blood supply.


The determinants of savings is the subject which is studied frequently in economic literature. Because that the saving conditions are contribute to the economic growth. This study examines the determinants of savings in the APEC countries. Panel data analysis was used for sixteen APEC member countries during the period of 2000-2013. According the analysis results that income, age dependency ratio, young population, rural population and urban population affect on savings positively. Financial depth affects on savings negatively. Inflation and old population have no significant effect on savings in APEC countries.


Abstract. The study chooses the standard stripe and dual polarization SAR images of GF-3 as the basic data. Residential areas extraction processes and methods based upon GF-3 images texture segmentation are compared and analyzed. GF-3 images processes include radiometric calibration, complex data conversion, multi-look processing, images filtering, and then conducting suitability analysis for different images filtering methods, the filtering result show that the filtering method of Kuan is efficient for extracting residential areas, then, we calculated and analyzed the texture feature vectors using the GLCM (the Gary Level Co-occurrence Matrix), texture feature vectors include the moving window size, step size and angle, the result show that:window size is 11*11, step is 1, and angle is 0°, which is effective and optimal for the residential areas extracting. And with the FNEA (Fractal Net Evolution Approach), we segmented the GLCM texture images, and extracted the residential areas by threshold setting. The result of residential areas extraction verified and assessed by confusion matrix. Overall accuracy is 0.897, kappa is 0.881, and then we extracted the residential areas by SVM classification based on GF-3 images, the overall accuracy is less 0.09 than the accuracy of extraction method based on GF-3 Texture Image Segmentation. We reached the conclusion that,residential areas extraction based on GF-3 SAR texture image multi-scale segmentation is simple and highly accurate. although, it is difficult to obtain multi-spectrum remote sensing image in southern China, in cloudy and rainy weather throughout the year, this paper has certain reference significance.


Sea cucumbers have been harvested for centuries in the Far East. Overexploitation, coupled with increasing demand has led to local depletion of certain standing stocks. De novo investigation at Grande Comore (one of the four main islands of the Comoros Archipelago) allows re-appraisal of local holothuroid biodiversity. Comparison with neighbouring areas allows extrapolation of holothuroid species richness to the rest of the archipelago. The current exploitation of holothuroids has been documented and there are definite signs of overexploitation. Conservation measures are urgently needed if exploitation of sea cucumbers in this area is to become sustainable in the near future.


In the process of electrical power distribution, various types of interference can occur so that a protection system is needed to maintain the continuity and stability of electrical power distribution. Arrester is one of the main protection systems used to protect electrical equipment against overvoltages caused by lightning strikes. Penyulang Sulahan is a 20kV medium voltage distribution system that gets power supplies from Gianyar Substation 1/60 MVA and is located on a plateau that is prone to natural phenomena such as lightning. During 2016 there were three times the failure of conventional arresters. Based on these data, it is necessary to analyze the failure of arresters at Penyulang Sulahan so that the continuity of electricity can be better. The method used in this study is to collect data in the form of single line diagrams, disturbance data, and large grounding resistance on Sulahan Feeders. Next, compare Metal Oxide Arrester with Multi Chamber Arrester. The results obtained were grounding in the Feeder over 5 ohms which caused conventional arrester to not work properly. Multi Chamber Arrester is an arrester that has no effect on the value of grounding resistance. After installing the Multi Chamber Arrester, failure of arresters has decreased to one failure during 2017


Mandible or facial bone reconstruction is a serious challenge in craniomaxillofacial surgery. Careful presurgical planning or availability of objective methods to evaluate the three-dimensional (3-D) shape of the patient mandible is necessary to achieve predictable outcomes. The aim of this paper is to apply 3-D techniques of volumetric reconstruction and image processing for planning distraction osteogenesis of the mandible, involving the use of 3-D modeling. To accomplish this task, suitable two-dimensional (2-D)-to-3-D image processing is used in order to obtain a 3-D model of the mandible from standard 2-D computed tomography images. The goal of this paper is to provide the surgeon with a 3-D model of the patient mandible, where it would be possible to find, in the presurgical phase, the exact point of implant with respect to the patient's anatomy and to build a custom-made prosthesis that properly fits the bone surface of the patient for correct control of the vector during the progressive traction of the bone segments


Abstract Diagnostic and modeling results reveal that atmospheric heating typically acts to intensify extratropical cyclones. In addition, both the Petterssen–Sutcliffe and Zwack–Okossi development equations reveal that this relationship depends on the proportionality that exists between surface geostrophic vorticity tendency and the negative of the horizontal Laplacian of atmospheric heating. Because of this Laplacian relationship, the impact of a heating field with a given magnitude and vertical distribution depends on its horizontal distribution. This paper will show how horizontal heating distributions that differ by relatively small amounts over their entire extent can yield vorticity tendency responses that could contribute to either development or decay of an underlying cyclone.


Dielectric materials exhibiting high dielectric constants play critical roles in a wide range of applications from microchip energy storage embedded capacitors for implantable biomedical devices to energy storage capacitors for a new generation of renewable energy generation/storage systems. Instead of searching for new materials, we demonstrate that giant dielectric constants can be achieved by integrating two simple oxides with low dielectric constants into nanolaminate structures. In addition, the obtained dielectric constant values are highly tunable by manipulating the sub-layer thicknesses of the component oxides to control the number of interfaces and oxygen redistribution. The work reported here opens a new pathway for the design and development of high dielectric constant materials based on the nanolaminate concept.


A recently identified problem is that of finding an optimal investment plan for a transportation network, given that a disaster such as an earthquake may destroy links in the network. The aim is to strengthen key links to preserve the expected network connectivity. A network based on the Istanbul highway system has thirty links and therefore a billion scenarios, but it has been estimated that sampling a million scenarios gives reasonable accuracy. In this paper we use symmetry reasoning to reduce the number of scenarios to a much smaller number, making sampling unnecessary. This result can be used to facilitate metaheuristic and exact approaches to the problem.


In this paper, the conception of centroid of n-dimensional fuzzy number is introduced viaregarding its membership function as the density function on its support set, and some properties of it are obtained. Compared with the mean of the multi dimensional fuzzy number, the centroid takes into account the overall relationship between the edge membership functions of the membership function of the multi dimensional fuzzy number. Therefore, it can approximate (characterize) the fuzzy number more objectively and reasonably than using the mean of the multi dimensional fuzzy number. The most important work of this paper is that for two special kinds of multi dimensional fuzzy numbers (fuzzy n-cell numbers and fuzzy n-ellipsoid numbers), we respectively give calculation formulas, which can be used conveniently in application since the formulas are based on a definite integral of the level set functions of the multi dimensional fuzzy number on the unit interval [0,1], rather than the multiple integral of the membership function of the multi dimensional fuzzy number itself on its support set. Then, by using the calculation formulas, we obtain another special property of the centroid for fuzzy n-cell number and fuzzy n-ellipsoid number. Finally, as an example of application, by using the centroid of multi dimensional fuzzy number, we define a fuzzy order on n-dimensional fuzzy number space, which can be used to rank uncertain or imprecise multichannel digital information.


The purpose of this report is to compare two river flow routing schemes, TRIP and G2G, for use in global and regional climate models. TRIP is the Total Runoff Integrating Pathways scheme developed by [Oki et al., 1999]; G2G is the Grid-to-Grid routing scheme designed by [Bell et al., 2007]. In this report, the two routing schemes are tested offline using surface and sub-surface runoff data from JULES forced with GSWP-2 data. The performance of each routing model is evaluated against observed data, where available, for ten of the largest river catchments globally. The model outputs are also compared when forced with runoff data produced by HadGEM3.


CONTEXT
The current use of life-long follow-up in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is based largely on the study of individuals diagnosed and treated in the latter half of the 20th century when recurrence rates were approximately 20% and relapses detected up to 20-30 years after surgery. Since then, however, diagnosis, treatment, and postoperative monitoring of PTC patients have evolved significantly.

OBJECTIVES
The objective of the study was to identify times to PTC recurrence and rates by which these relapses occurred in a more recent patient cohort.

PATIENTS AND DESIGN
We retrospectively analyzed follow-up data for 1020 PTC patients consecutively diagnosed in 1990-2008 in 8 Italian hospital centers for thyroid disease. Patients underwent thyroidectomy, with or without radioiodine ablation of residual thyroid tissue and were followed up with periodic serum thyroglobulin assays and neck sonography.

RESULTS
At the initial posttreatment (≤ 12 months) examination, 948 patients had no structural/functional evidence of disease. During follow-up (5.1-20.4 years; median 10.4 years), recurrence (cervical lymph nodes, thyroid bed) was diagnosed in 13 (1.4%) of these patients. All relapses occurred 8 or fewer years after treatment (10 within the first 5 years, 6 within the first 3 years). Recurrence was unrelated to the use/omission of postoperative radioiodine ablation.

CONCLUSION
In PTC patients whose initial treatment produces disease remission (no structural evidence of disease), recurrent disease is rare, and it usually occurs during the early postoperative period. The picture of recurrence timing during the follow-up provides a foundation for the design of more cost-effective surveillance protocols for PTC patients.


Four monosomic alien addition lines (MAALs) for Brassica alboglabra-Brassica campestris were developed through digenomic triploid (ACC) backcrossing with the recurrent parent B. alboglabra (CC). The objectives of this study were to compare morphological traits, microsatellite markers (simple sequence repeats), chromosomal karyotypes, and meiotic behaviors. Based on the new chromosome nomenclature system established for Brassica, we preliminarily identified these MAALs as CC+A1, CC+A3, CC+A6, and CC+A7. Their alien chromosomes were transmittable through both female and male gametes at rates of 11.46%-26.53% and 4.88%-12.90%, respectively.


In this research, hornbeam chips were cooked under chemimechanical pulp (CMP) conditions, and the pulps were prepared at a yield level of 85%. The CMP pulps were separately bleached with hydrogen peroxide and sodium dithionite with and without treatment with DTPA. Then 60 gr/m2 handsheets were made. The goal was to determine whether complementary bleaching with sodium dithionite improves optical behavior of the handsheets. Following DTPA solution spraying on the surface of hand sheets, brightness, opacity, and yellowness were improved, and the K/S ratio and PC number were decreased. Among different samples and following optical aging, it was found that in long-term aging, DTPA spray has considerable effect on improving the stability of brightness and increasing the paper's durability against optical deterioration.


This paper presents an analysis of the realisation patterns of requests in British English and Uruguayan Spanish, establishing the similarities and differences between the conceptualisation of politeness by native speakers of both languages. The results obtained, based on the analysis of a discourse completion test administered to 30 native speakers of British English and 30 native speakers of Uruguayan Spanish, show that the major difference between British and Uruguayan requests is a matter of orientation. The British appear to be more inclined towards "negative" politeness, thus attaching more significance to negative aspects of "face" such as non-imposition and detachment. On the other hand, Uruguayans appear to be more inclined towards "positive" politeness thus attaching more importance to the positive aspects of "face" such as approval and involvement.


Recent developments in the field of home automation have shifted the technology away from the realms of research and into the homes of consumers. Together with the rapid adoption of the Internet, the `anywhere and anytime' accessible home environment has been brought closer to a reality. Exciting as this prospect might be, significant security challenges arise from making the home environment accessible to anyone with Internet access. Hence, providing sufficient security to offer a reasonable level of protection for homeowner's privacy and safety is crucial for successful adoption of this technology. This study examines the security issues raised by the `anywhere and anytime' accessible home environment. The existing approaches for addressing these security challenges and their weaknesses are reviewed. This study concludes with the proposal, implementation and evaluation of an improved approach for providing remote access security for the home environment.


Objective To determine the most useful findings of gadoxetic acid-enhanced 3.0 Tesla (T) MRI for differentiating focal eosinophilic infiltration (FEI) from hepatic metastasis with verification of their usefulness. Materials and Methods Pathologically or clinically proven 39 FEIs from 25 patients and 79 hepatic metastases from 51 patients were included in the study. Gadoxetic acid-enhanced 3.0T MRI was performed in all cancer patients. Size differences measured between T2-weighted and hepatobiliary-phase images for lesions > 1 cm and morphologic findings (margin, shape, signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images, enhancement pattern on dynamic images, and target appearance on hepatobiliary-phase images) were compared between two groups via Student's t test as well as univariate and multivariate analyses. Diagnostic predictive values of two observers for differentiating two groups were assessed before (session 1) and after (session 2) recognition of results. Results Mean size difference (2.1 mm) in FEIs between the two images was significantly greater than for metastases (0.7 mm) (p < 0.05). An ill-defined margin and isointensity on T1-weighted images were independently significant morphologic findings (p < 0.05) for differentiating the two groups. All observers achieved a higher diagnostic accuracy in session 2 (97% and 98%) than session 1 (92% and 89%) with statistical significance in observer 2 (p < 0.05). All observers had significantly higher sensitivities (95%) and negative predictive values (NPVs) (98%) in session 2 than in session 1 (sensitivity, 74% in two observers; NPV, 89% and 88%) (p < 0.05). Conclusion With the size change, an ill-defined margin and isointensity on T1-weighted images are the most useful findings for differentiating FEI from hepatic metastasis on gadoxetic acid-enhanced 3.0T MRI.


Oral cancer is amongst the common malignancies worldwide, hence early detection and treatment is essential. Detection of oral cancer at an early stage improves the results of treatment. One of the upcoming technologies is the use of non-invasive imaging technique to capture the molecular changes in order to improve the detection capability of early stage disease. This review highlights the Fluorescence technology and its use in early detection of malignant oral tumours.


Mushrooms are traditionally consumed as food and are known to possess nutritional and medicinal properties. However, the choice of processing methods for mushrooms are often based on preference rather than the impact on nutritional or health benefits. The effect of solar drying, steaming and roasting on the proximate, phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of two mushroom varieties (Termitomyces schimperi and Volvariella volvacea) were investigated. Proximate analysis and phytochemical screening were carried out using standard protocols. The total phenols content and antioxidant activity were determined by means of Folin-Ciocalteu method and 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, respectively. Results indicate that both processing methods and varietal differences had effects on nutrient composition of mushrooms. Solar drying retained most nutrients in both varieties. Dried T. schimperi had the highest protein content of 29.09 % whereas dried V. volvacea had the highest carbohydrate and ash contents of 60.71% and 5.56 %, respectively. Steamed mushrooms retained moisture and had the lowest carbohydrate content with steamed V. volvacea having the highest moisture and lowest carbohydrate values of 91.15% and 54.71%, respectively. Roasting also showed a high protein content of 28.65% in T. schimperi and a high carbohydrate of 58.65% in V. volvacea. None of the processing methods however had a significant effect on fat and fibre contents of both varieties used. The phytochemicals tested were present in both varieties in the processed and unprocessed forms. The steamed extract was the strongest scavenger of DPPH with 50 % inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 3.03 ± 0.40 mg/mL whereas the unprocessed extract had the least effect with IC50 value of 9.35 ± 0.42 mg/ml. Similarly, the steamed extract recorded the highest total phenol content with value of 1644 ± 39 mg GAE/100 g whereas the unprocessed extract was the lowest with value of 1336 ± 93 mg GAE/100 g respectively. The present findings suggest that steamed mushrooms possess the highest antioxidant activity.


For plurisubharmonic functions of lower order estimates of the growth of their maximum value on the sphere of radius  with centre at the origin in terms of the growth of the Nevanlinna characteristics are obtained. These estimates are best possible for . The results are new even in the case of functions of the form , where is an entire function in , 1$ SRC=http://ej.iop.org/images/1064-5616/190/2/A07/tex_sm_387_img8.gif/>.


Traditionally the use of least squares to evaluate the fit and consistency of a platinum resistance thermometer calibration requires the use of several redundant calibration points each of which adds time and expense to the calibration process. However the behavior of some secondary platinum resistance thermometers is sufficiently close to the ITS‐90 reference function to allow a simplification to the deviation function, at least for the purpose of a quality check. By using the first order deviation function the number of degrees of freedom available for a least squares fit is increased and the linear correlation between PRT resistance ratios may be explicitly written in equation form.


Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are known to be limited resources networks. These networks depend on limited energy components called sensor nodes with limited lifetime. They can be used in many applications in many fields. There are applications having limitations and restrictions on the flow rate delivered to the sink. There are others having limitations in the receiving time and latency for data that the delay in collecting, processing and sending the data is sensitive. So the trend always is to design an optimized WSN which can achieve good levels of flow rate and lifetime. Two optimization problems for a small application WSN were studied. The first was maximization of flow rate in limited energy constrained WSN. The second was related to the maximization of lifetime for the same WSN. We used genetic algorithm and the particle swarm optimization to perform the optimization processes. A combined problem was formulated from the two problems.


The state of computer and networking technology today makes the seamless sharing of computing resources on an international or even global scale conceivable. Scientific computing Grids that integrate large, geographically distributed computer clusters and data storage facilities are being developed in several major projects around the world. This article reviews the status of one of these projects, Enabling Grids for E-SciencE, describing the scientific opportunities that such a Grid can provide, while illustrating the scale and complexity of the challenge involved in establishing a scientific infrastructure of this kind.


This article point out the new features of lightning faults by analyzing the overhead transmission lines affected by lightning. From the view of different lightning protection configurations, combining with the specific test, there are Lightning Proof EHV theoretical analysis and testing in different regions, different voltage levels and different levels of importance. And then, those tests draw some conclusions, such as, a parallel gap characteristics of different shapes, apply range and installation. Furthermore, the article discusses the longitudinal and lateral reasonable distance between the insulator strings parallel gap and lower electrodes deeply, and suggests that converted the "plugging" type to the "combining guidance" type, which can reduce transmission lightning fault line outage rate effectively, while maintaining the steady rate of lightning trip. At the end, it can enhance the transmission line lightning performance and improve the reliability of grid operation.


Decisions in healthcare are made against the background of cultural and philosophical definitions of disease, sickness and illness. These concepts or definitions affect both health policy (macro level) and research (meso level), as well as individual encounters between patients and physicians (micro level). It is therefore necessary for evidence-based medicine to consider whether any of the definitions underlying research prior to the hierarchisation of knowledge are indeed compatible with its own epistemological principles.


Two cases of group A streptococcus (GAS) causing vulvovaginitis in premenopausal adults are described. A review of the literature of genital GAS is made, as this is an uncommon cause of vulvovaginitis in premenopausal adults. Contrasts are made between anogenital carriage of GAS and group B streptococcus (GBS) to highlight the differences in anogenital carriage between these two organisms.


Surface energies of several low-index surfaces of layered LiCoO2 are investigated as a function of the external lithium and oxygen chemical potentials by means of First Principles calculations in the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) to density functional theory (DFT), treating on-site electron correlation within the DFT+U framework. We find the set of surfaces contained in the equilibrium shape to be depending on environment. The (0001) and (1014) surfaces are present for all reasonable values of the Li and O chemical potentials. The (0112) surface, however, is stable only under oxidizing conditions. The equilibrium shape is sensitive to the equilibration environment because the thermodynamically favorable surface terminations and surface energies of the polar (0001) and (0112) surfaces are a function of environment. This provides a lever to tailor the crystal shape according to application requirements (e.g., as active material in lithium-ion batteries).


An elastic neutron scattering instrument, the advanced neutron diffractometer/reflectometer (AND/R), has recently been commissioned at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research. The AND/R is the centerpiece of the Cold Neutrons for Biology and Technology partnership, which is dedicated to the structural characterization of thin films and multilayers of biological interest. The instrument is capable of measuring both specular and nonspecular reflectivity, as well as crystalline or semicrystalline diffraction at wave-vector transfers up to approximately 2.20 Å(-1). A detailed description of this flexible instrument and its performance characteristics in various operating modes are given.


Living organisms endure the influence of their surface area to volume ratio in regards to temperature. Within our investigation, we are observing the differences that small and larger individuals encounter upon gaining or losing heat.  In our experiment we tested the rate of gained and lost heat.  We tested this with the materials available in the Life Sciences West laboratory (LSW).  We placed each cube into a bucket filled with ice and after we wrapped them both with a heating pad.  While conducting this experiment we concluded that the smaller cube heated up faster than the larger cube.  We ultimately came to the conclusion that the smaller badger would have to retain an amount of food equivalent to its body weight in order to replace the lost heat so they can regain their energy (McMahon 1).