Proximate and mineral analysis of five species of mushroom, Lentinus squarrosulus , Volvariella volvacea , Coprinus micaceus , Lepiota procera , and Auricularia auricula were examined in this study to determine their nutritional value. These mushrooms were found to contain on the average, 3.24 to 8.70% of crude fibre; 4.12 to 11.12% of ash; 0.90 to 2.58% of fats and oil; 12.02 to 27.00% of protein; 13.01 to 92.02% of moisture and 21.11 to 68% of carbohydrate. The average mineral element content of the mushrooms was found to be 144 to 1321 mg/100 g of potassium; 122 to 364 mg/100 g of sodium; 164 to 549 mg/100 g of calcium; 26 to 53 mg/100 g of magnesium; 738 to 1537 mg/100 g of phosphorus and 120 to 432 mg/100 g of iron. The overall nutritional potential of the five mushroom species was quite good. These results show that these species of mushroom are highly nutritive. These findings were discussed in line with the importance and implications of the uses of edible mushrooms to man. Keywords: Edible mushroom, mineral composition, proximate analysis


The meningeal and perivascular spaces of the central nervous system (CNS) are inhabited by specialized macrophages, but their homeostatic status and role in orchestrating the immune response against invading pathogens is not well understood. Examination of the naive brain by two-photon microscopy revealed that meningeal and perivascular macrophages are highly dynamic and constantly survey their immediate surroundings similar to microglia. Under steady state conditions, we uncovered that they are maintained in an alternatively activated state, which likely facilitates brain homeostasis. Interestingly, during the development of fatal meningitis induced by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, these cells were directly engaged by infiltrating virus-specific CD8+ T cells following acquisition of viral antigen and conversion into an inflammatory phenotype. Mechanistically, microarray analyses revealed that this transition relied on innate cytokine signaling and occurred in the absence of infiltrating inflammatory cells. Using a sub-lethal model of viral meningitis, we observed that despite elimination of previously infected cells, CNS macrophages remained activated for weeks after viral clearance, which was dependent on IFN-g signaling and associated with tissue-resident memory T cell interactions. Collectively, these data indicate that brain-resident macrophages are highly plastic cells that can quickly participate in the antiviral defense against an invading pathogen and can also become imprinted with a prolonged activation program. The inflammatory properties and localization of these cells may explain why most CNS immune responses first develop in the meningeal and perivascular spaces.


Computer algebra is a branch of scientific computation. There are several characteristic features that distinguish computer algebra from numerical analysis, the other principal branch of scientific computation. (1) Computer algebra involves computation in algebraic structures such as finitely presented groups, polynomial rings, rational function fields, algebraic and transcendental extensions of the rational numbers, or differential and difference fields. (2) Computer algebra manipulates formulas. Whereas in numerical computation the input and output of algorithms are basically (integer or floating point) numbers, the input and output of computer algebra algorithms are generally formulas. So, typically, instead of computing


Red onion is a popular ingredient in many Thai dishes and has recently been promoted for commercial cultivation. In this study, inulin-fructooligosaccharides (inulin-FOSs) were extracted from red onions in a simplified extraction method. The extract contained 24.00 ± 0.38 g/L free glucose, fructose and sucrose, while the level of FOSs was recorded at 74.0 ± 2.80 g/L with a degree of polymerization of 4.1. The extract was resistant to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, while selectively promoting probiotic lactobacilli. These outcomes resulted in inhibitory effects against various pathogenic bacteria. The in vitro batch culture fermentation of the extract by natural mixed culture indicated that an unknown sugar identified as neokestose was more rapidly fermented than 1-kestose and other longer-chain inulin-FOSs. Notably, neokestose selectively encouraged a bifidogenic effect, specifically in terms of the growth of Bifidobacteirum breve, which is an infant-type probiotic bacterium. This is the first report to state that neokestose could selectively enhance the bifidogenic effect. In summary, inulin-FOSs extract should be recognized as a multifunctional ingredient that can offer benefits in food and pharmaceutical applications.


Among 500 patients who received aortocoronary saphenous vein grafts at the Montreal heart Institute between September 1969 and August 1972, the condition in 88% of survivors with respect to angina pectoris was improved 1 year after surgery and 47% were still better after 12 years. One year after grafting, 202 patients underwent follow-up angiography; symptoms of angina had lessened in 89% who had at least one graft patent but in only 57.5% of those with all grafts occluded. This difference was still obvious 12 years after surgery. Loss of improvement decreased at a mean annual rate of 3.7%. Of the 59 angina-free patients at 1 year who had angiographic follow-up at 10 to 12 years, angina developed subsequently in 30 (51%); 25 (83%) of these were found to have obstructive changes that reduced the lumen by at least 50% in grafts or in ungrafted coronary arteries, compared with only 13 (45%) of the 29 angina-free patients who did not have angina subsequently. Improvement in the degree of angina and its recurrence after bypass surgery are closely related to graft patency and subsequent development of atherosclerosis in the grafts or in the native coronary arteries.


Abstract Natural single-crystal specimens of the montebrasite/amblygonite series from Brazil, with general formula LiAlPO4(F,OH), were investigated by electron microprobe, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and infrared absorption. Since little is known about impurities and their local symmetries, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) was applied. Six different paramagnetic impurities and radiation defects were detected by EPR. Three of them, all substituting for Al3+ ions, namely, iron (Fe3+), vanadium (V4+), and niobium (Nb4+) impurities were characterized in this work. The Fe3+ (3d5)-related EPR spectra and angular dependencies show occupation of low-symmetry sites that are revealed in the high asymmetry parameter of the electronic fine structure, E/D = 0.27. Vanadium and niobium impurities are identified through their typical strong hyperfine interactions. Both form interesting examples for which the properties of 3d1 ion (V4+) and 4d1 ion (Nb4+) in the same host matrix can be compared. It is shown that both ions form complex defects of type VO2+ (vanadyl) and NbO2+ (niobyl), showing superhyperfine interaction with two equivalent hydrogen ions and not to fluorine. The EPR rotation patterns are analyzed in detail for three mutually perpendicular crystal planes. Spin Hamiltonian parameters are calculated and discussed.


Calixarenes bearing optically pure α,β-amino alcohol groups at their lower rim exhibit exceptional and efficient chiral recognition ability in discrimination of racemic mandelic acid, 2,3-dibenzoyltartaric acid and 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid.


Chitosan have applied extensively in the field of medicine.We review the mechanism of chitosan hemostasis.The effect of chitosan on hemostasis is independent of all known"Cascade like"coagulation pathways,induding platelets and soluble coagulant factors.Chitosan induce hemostasis by coalesce erythrocytes to one another to form a blood clot.In addition,the use of chitosan in hemostat is indicated in this paper.


Neural signatures of working memory have been frequently identified in the spiking activity of different brain areas. However, some studies reported no memory-related change in the spiking activity of the middle temporal (MT) area in the visual cortex. However, recently it was shown that the content of working memory is reflected as an increase in the dimensionality of the average spiking activity of the MT neurons. This study aimed to find the features that can reveal memory-related changes with the help of machine-learning algorithms. In this regard, different linear and nonlinear features were obtained from the neuronal spiking activity during the presence and absence of working memory. To select the optimum features, the Genetic algorithm, Particle Swarm Optimization, and Ant Colony Optimization methods were employed. The classification was performed using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) and the K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) classifiers. Our results suggest that the deployment of spatial working memory can be perfectly detected from spiking patterns of MT neurons with an accuracy of 99.65±0.12 using the KNN and 99.50±0.26 using the SVM classifiers.


Over-the-counter ("OTC") markets—those for currencies, derivatives, swaps, bonds, and commodities, for instance—make up an immense and critical component of global financial markets. Certain benchmarks, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), are hardwired throughout these markets and play crucial roles in pricing and valuation. For example, interest payments on instruments ranging from student loans and mortgages to synthetic derivatives are tied to the value of LIBOR. In 2016, estimates of notional exposure to U.S. dollar LIBOR totaled about $200 trillion—ten times U.S. gross domestic product ("GDP") that year. Correspondingly, minuscule variations in a benchmark's value will impact vast numbers of assets and transactions for hundreds of millions of people.

These benchmarks have become so ubiquitous for an important reason: they have introduced substantial harmonization effects in otherwise decentralized, opaque dealer markets. These benefits fit within the prevailing view of financial regulation: because sophisticated market participants, through wealth-maximizing behavior, tend to select towards structures that maximize efficiency, in aggregate social welfare is maximized, meaning that observed equilibria are likely the most efficient equilibria. And thus, OTC markets have remained largely unregulated for decades.

This Article argues that this understanding is incomplete and identifies a fundamental misalignment between what is privately optimal and what is socially optimal in OTC markets. By undertaking a structural analysis, this Article documents overreliance by market participants on benchmarks even when they are substantially suboptimal. Thus, in contrast to existing reform proposals, which overwhelmingly assume that a single benchmark will continue to dominate, this Article proposes an alternative competitive equilibrium—one where multiple benchmarks compete.


Summary: Somatosensory evoked potentials from median nerve stimulation were recorded in 12 patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy, before and after 1 year of treatment with carbamazepine. The plasma concentrations of the drug were consistently within therapeutic range. We assessed the latencies of the early components at the level of the cervical spine (N9 and N13) and on the parietal scalp (P14, N20, P25) and the interpeak latencies (N9‐NI3, N13‐N20, P14‐N20). None of the patients presented anomalies in any of the parameters, and there was no significant difference between the patient and control means or between the patient means before and after 1 year of treatment.


The equilibrium distribution of species formed between Cu(II) and N-acetylneuraminic (sialic) acid (I, LH) at 298 K has been determined using a two-dimensional (2D) simulation analysis of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. In acidic solutions (pH values < 4), the major species present are Cu(2+), [CuL]+ [logbeta = 1.64(4)], and [CuL2] [logbeta = 2.77(5)]. At intermediate pH values (4.0 < pH < 7.5), [CuL2H-1]- [logbeta = -2.72(7)] and two isomers of [CuLH-1] [logbeta (overall) = -3.37(2)] are present. At alkaline pH values (7.5 < pH < 11), the major species present is [CuL2H-2]2-, modeled as three isomers with unique giso and Aiso values [logbeta (overall) = -8.68(3)]. Two further species ([CuLH-3]2- and [CuL2H-3]3-) appear at pH values > 11. It is proposed that [CuL]+ most likely features I coordinated via the deprotonated carboxylic acid group (O1) and the endocyclic oxygen atom (OR) forming a five-membered chelate ring. Select Cu(II)-I species of the form [CuLH-1] may feature I acting as a dianionic tridentate chelate, via oxygen atoms derived from O1, OR, and one deprotonated hydroxy group (O7 or O8) from the glycerol tail. Alternatively, I may coordinate Cu(II) in a bidentate fashion as the tert-2-hydroxycarboxylato (O1,O2) dianion. Spectra predicted for Cu(II)-I complexes in which I is coordinated in either a O1,OR {I1-} or O1,O2 {I2-} bidentate fashion {e.g., [CuL]+ (O1,O R), [CuL2] (bis-O1,O R), [CuLH-1] (isomer: O1, O2), [CuL2H-1]- (O1, O R; O1, O2), and [CuL2H-2]2- (isomer: bis-O1, O2)} have "irregular" EPR spectra that are ascribed to the existence of Cu(II)-I(monomer) <==> Cu(II)-I(polymer) equilibria. The formation of polymeric Cu(II)-I species will be favored in these complexes because the glycerol-derived hydroxyl groups at the complex periphery (O, 7O, 8O9) are available for further Cu(II) binding. The presence of polymeric Cu(II)-I species is supported by EPR spectral data from solutions of Cu(II) and the homopolymer of I, colominic acid (Ipoly). Conversely, spectra predicted for Cu(II)-I complexes where I is coordinated in a {I2-} tridentate {e.g., [CuLH-1] (isomer: O1, O R, O7, or O8) and [CuL2H-2]2- (isomer: bis-O1,O R,O7, or O8)} or tetradentate fashion {I3-} {e.g., [CuLH-3]2- (O1, O R, O, 8O9)} are typical for mononuclear tetragonally elongated Cu(II) octahedra. In this latter series of complexes, the tendency toward the formation of polymeric Cu(II)-I analogues is small because the polydentate I effectively wraps up the mononuclear Cu(II) center. This work shows that Cu(II) could potentially mediate the chemistry of sialoglycoconjugate-containing proteins in human biology, such as the sialylated amyloid precursor protein of relevance to Alzheimer's disease.


The decision of the United States Supreme Court in the Chakrabarty case marked the beginning of a far reaching process, the development of which considerably extended the field of patentabiltiy of humans, their body parts and genetic information. The author believes that a period of three decades is sufficient to draw conclusions. A critical point has been reached from a debatable decision, which had more economic support than legal, which requires serious recapitulation of the scope and the purpose of industrial property rights.


Background Psychological consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are currently neglected in burden-of-injury calculations. Aim To assess the disease burden of PTSD due to unintentional injury and compare this health loss with physical injury consequences. Methods From literature sources, the prevalence of PTSD at four follow-up periods (<3 months, 3–6 months, 7–12 months and >12 months) was estimated. The uncertainty of the estimated PTSD prevalence was modelled by a Bayesian approach. The prevalence rates were then linked to national data on unintentional injury, disability weights and duration to estimate the incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) resulting from PTSD in addition to physical injury consequences. Results The data suggest that PTSD prevalence among injury victims decreases over time. The average PTSD prevalence at <3 months follow-up was 21% (90% credibility interval (CI) 17% to 24%) for patients presenting at the emergency department and 30% (90% CI 27% to 33%) for patients who were hospitalised, tapering down after 12 months to 4% (90% CI 3% to 5%) and 6% (90% CI 4% to 10%), respectively. These estimates translate into 191 000 (90% CI 161 000 to 222 000) cases of PTSD per year in the Dutch population (1.2%) due to unintentional injury. Including PTSD increases the non-fatal burden of disease of unintentional injuries by 53% (from 116 000 to 178 000 DALYs (90% CI 150 000 to 217 000)). Conclusions Ignoring PTSD in burden-of-injury studies results in a considerable underestimation of the burden of injury. This may affect resource allocation and the identification of important prevention priorities.


In the absence of effective targeted therapies for COVID-19, optimisation of supportive care is essential. Lung injury with features of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) appears to be the principal characteristic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection.1 Recent guidance by the UK Intensive Care Society (ICS) advocates awake prone positioning to become standard of care for suspected or confirmed COVID-19, in patients requiring an FiO2 ≥28%0.2 These recommendations are extrapolated from physiological principles and clinical evidence obtained in a distinct study population—patients with severe ARDS undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV).

The physiological rationale behind prone positioning in typical ARDS is to reduce ventilation/perfusion mismatching, hypoxaemia and shunting.2 Prone positioning decreases the pleural pressure gradient between dependent and non-dependent lung regions as a result of gravitational effects and conformational shape matching of the lung to the chest cavity. This is believed to generate more homogenous lung aeration and strain distribution, thus enhancing recruitment of dorsal lung units.3 Prone positioning does not appear to alter regional distribution of pulmonary blood flow, with perfusion predominating towards dorsal lung aspects due to non-gravitational factors.4 With improvements in ventilatory homogeneity and relatively constant perfusion patterns, a subsequent reduction in shunting is observed.5 The use of positive end-expiratory pressure via non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or CPAP in the management of ARDS is beneficial by preventing alveolar de-recruitment but may also result in …


Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of strontium ranelate in patients with gonarthrosis Methods 40 patients with a documented diagnosis of gonarthrosis: women - 32 (80%), men - 8 (20%), mean age - 57.4 years (range 49 to 72 years). Comorbidities: hypertension - 24 (60%), ischemic heart disease - in 6 (15%), chronic gastro - 18 (45%). At the time of inclusion, all patients had severe pain: VAS 61,2±10,9 mm,WOMAC - 42,9±12,4, synovitis of the knee joints were recorded in 16 (40%) patients. All (100%) patients received analgetics and NSAIDs. Patients were divided into two groups matched for the main parameters: age, sex, pain intensity, duration of the disease, received therapy. The first group of patients (n=20) was appointed as strontium ranelate at a dose 2 g per day in daily intake, the second group of 20 people received chondroitin sulfate 1 g per day. Efficacy was assessed in terms of the joint syndrome, WOMAC index after 3 months of therapy. Results After 3 months of treatment with strontium ranelate patients showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in pain during movement (VAS 23,2±7,2 mm), joint tenderness to palpation (VAS =21,2±9,2 mm), index WOMAC (24,3±9,0). Dynamics of pain was significantly lower in the group of patients receiving chondroitin sulfate. The effect of treatment was evaluated as good (pain reduction of 50% or more) in 12 (60%) of patients receiving storntium ranelate and in 10 (50%) - the control group, satisfactory (pain reduction of 20-50%) 7 (35%) and eight (40%), no effect in 1 (5%) and 2 (10%) patients. Secondary synovitis completely reduced in all patients. After 1 month of treatment 10 patients (50%) of each group did not need NSAIDs, 40% (8) in the base and 7 (35%) of control group reduced by 50% of the original dose, and 2 (10%) of first and 3 (15%) patients of the second group - continued to take NSAIDs in the same dosage. No serious adverse effects, worsening of comorbidities were registered. Conclusions By observing the results, strontium ranelate has a pronounced analgesic effect, which is more than the effect of several standard conventional therapies and may be caused by the influence on the subchondral bone. Strontium ranelate is safe in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3612


In 1787, Thomas Jefferson wrote, "without health there is no happiness. An attention to health, then, should take the place of every other object." As the process of health system reform moves forward, attention and resources must be directed toward advancing America's health. To direct attention toward health, the US Public Health Service is developing strategies that: Restructure the health care system to focus on the health of populations. Define and strengthen the public health system. Ensure public health agencies and health care plans collaborate to respond to local community needs. Build infrastructure—information systems, research, workforce—to advance health. Realize responsible social policies. I call this fivefold strategy "reinventing public health." Although Congress did not enact comprehensive health system reform this year, the American health care system is experiencing profound change, particularly in the private sector. A major part of the health care system is moving away from


This paper proposes an efficient direct 2D transform coding IP design for MPEG-4 AVC/H.264. The proposed direct 2D transform coding design eliminates the data transposition registers to greatly increase the data processing rate and reduce the hardware cost. When comparing the proposed design with the existing designs, the proposed design has over 90% higher hardware efficiency through the measure of DTUA (data throughput per unit area) for computing the multi-transform in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264. By using a 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS technology, the optimum operating clock frequency of the proposed multi-transform design is 100 MHz, which achieves 800 Mpixels/sec data throughput rate with an area cost of 6482 gates. Moreover, the proposed design balances the I/O data rate and processing rate through an interlaced I/O schedule.


Combined with the natural climate and geographical location feature of Baotou chosen refining indicators, this paper built the Residential building energy saving comprehensive evaluation index system referring to the standard of residential building energy efficiency design, and that proceeding from design constructing and operating stage of constructions.


The recently developed "temperature intervals with global exchange of replicas" (TIGER2) algorithm is an efficient replica‐exchange sampling algorithm that provides the freedom to specify the number of replicas and temperature levels independently of the size of the system and temperature range to be spanned, thus making it particularly well suited for sampling molecular systems that are considered to be too large to be sampled using conventional replica exchange methods. Although the TIGER2 method is empirical in nature, when appropriately applied it is able to provide sampling that satisfies the balance condition and closely approximates a Boltzmann‐weighted ensemble of states. In this work, we evaluated the influence of factors such as temperature range, temperature spacing, replica number, and sampling cycle design on the accuracy of a TIGER2 simulation based on molecular dynamics simulations of alanine dipeptide in implicit solvent. The influence of these factors is further examined by calculating the properties of a complex system composed of the B1 immunoglobulin‐binding domain of streptococcal protein G (protein G) in aqueous solution. The accuracy of a TIGER2 simulation is particularly sensitive to the maximum temperature level selected for the simulation. A method to determine the appropriate maximum temperature level to be used in a TIGER2 simulation is presented. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011


Thirty-three outpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) with no history of manic or hypomanic symptomatology were enrolled in an 8-week open trial of valproate. By Week 4, 15 of the 28 completers (54%) demonstrated a significant clinical response as defined by a score reduction of 50 percent or more or a total score of 9 or lower on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD). Mean HRSD scores of the completers decreased 48.8 percent at Week 4 (p < .0001). At Week 8, 19 of the 22 completers (86%) showed a significant response. Mean HRSD scores decreased from 22 +/- 5 at baseline to 7 +/- 4 at Week 8 (p < .0001). With the intent-to-treat analysis at Week 8, 66 percent were responders, and total group mean HRSD scores decreased 55 percent (p < .0001). The data suggest that valproate may be an effective treatment for MDD. Double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are needed to further document its efficacy in the treatment of MDD.


While the economic fragility exposed by Covid-19 has renewed the attention paid to social protection systems and in particular to basic income, the Scottish government had already funded four local authorities – North Ayrshire, City of Edinburgh, Fife and Glasgow – to undertake a feasibility study on the introduction of a Universal Basic Income pilot in Scotland. This article explores the specific Scottish context and rationale for this study, including the factors that led the Scottish government and the local authorities to pursue this approach, as well as the impact of the study on the wider social security debate and policy context in Scotland. Specifically, it takes a critical look at the Steering Committee's feasibility study, and its two commissioned research components, and explores the financial costings and institutional obstacles identified in taking forward a pilot Universal Basic Income in Scotland. These significant challenges are considered in light of both the limits of devolution and the ongoing debate on independence, as well as the wider implications for progress in social protection in Scotland.


The lack of a procedure to determine equilibrium thermodynamic properties of a small system interacting with a bath is frequently seen as a weakness of conventional statistical mechanics. A typical example for such a small system is a solute surrounded by an explicit solvation shell. One way to approach this problem is to enclose the small system of interest in a large bath of explicit solvent molecules, considerably larger than the system itself. The explicit inclusion of the solvent degrees of freedom is obviously limited by the available computational resources. A potential remedy to this problem is a microsolvation approach where only a few explicit solvent molecules are considered and surrounded by an implicit solvent bath. Still, the sampling of the solvent degrees of freedom is challenging with conventional grand canonical Monte Carlo methods, since no single chemical potential for the solvent molecules can be defined in the realm of small-system thermodynamics. In this work, a statistical thermodynamic model based on the grand canonical ensemble is proposed that avoids the conventional system size limitations and accurately characterizes the properties of the system of interest subject to the thermodynamic constraints of the bath. We extend an existing microsolvation approach to a generalized multibath "microstatistical" model and show that the previously derived approaches result as a limit of our model. The framework described here is universal and we validate our method numerically for a Lennard-Jones model fluid.


Neutron powder diffraction and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) were used to determine the structure and hydrogen content of basic structure units (BSUs) of sp2 amorphous carbons at the atomic level. A comparative study of two natural (shungite carbon and antraxolite) and two synthetic (carbon blacks) species of the highest-rank carbonization revealed nanosize stack structure of all samples. The stacks are formed by BSUs representing framed graphene molecules (graphene oxyhydrides) of ∼2.5 nm lateral dimension. The INS study showed the presence of hydrogen atoms in the BSU framing area as well as of adsorbed water in the sample pores configured by BSU stacks. Simulated INS spectra of adsorbed water showed its monolayer disposition within the pores. BSU INS spectra were simulated for a set of particular models simulating H-standard features of the INS spectra of graphene-based species, in general, and BSU hydrogen component of the studied samples, in particular. Simulations were performed in the framewor...


Purpose of Study Cardiac acetylcholine (ACh) signaling is protective, but the role of ACh in ischemic preconditioning (IPC) remains largely unknown. We studied the effect of selective alpha-7 nicotinic ACh receptor (a7nAChR) antagonism by methyllycaconitine (MLA) on the functional benefits of IPC and the effects of this on mitochondrial complexity and inner mitochondrial membrane potential (ψM). Methods Used Male Sprague Dawley rats (n=17, 322±17 g) were heparinized and anesthetized with 80 mg/kg pentobarbital IP, and their hearts excised and perfused at constant pressure with a non-circulating Langendorff apparatus. Left ventricular (LV) pressure (LVDP) and heart rate (HR) were continually measured with a fluid filled latex balloon attached to a pressure transducer. Treatment groups were: ischemia-reperfusion (IR)(n=6): 20 min. perfusion, 30 min. of global ischemia, 45 min. of reperfusion; IPC (n=5): 10 min. perfusion, 3 min. ischemia with 2 min. reperfusion repeated 3 times prior to IR protocol, IPC+MLA (n=6): 6 min. perfusion, 4 min. of infusion of MLA at 233 nM, IPC with MLA during reperfusion periods, then IR. Mitochondria were isolated from the LV free wall, stained for ψM and for size, and examined by Flow Cytometry with a BD LSRFortessa. Controls (C) (n=4) were freshly excised hearts from similar animals with identical anesthesia. Summary of Results IPC increased LV work product (LVDP times HR) as a percent of pre-ischemia (%P) during reperfusion compared to IR control, and this effect was attenuated by MLA pretreatment (IR=24.1±4.5%P, IPC=49.8±2.8%P, IPC+MLA=33.8±3.5%P, p<0.01). IPC reduced end diastolic pressure from IR levels, and this was partially prevented by MLA treatment (IR=78.8±7.7 mm Hg, IPC=18.8±6.6 mm Hg, IPC+MLA=46.3±8.6 mm Hg, p<0.05). IPC maintained mitochondrial structural complexity compared to IR (C=65±6% of total mitochondria, IPC=61±5%, IR=32±4%, p<0.01). MLA reduced the effect of IPC on ψM in intact mitochondria to IR levels (IR=67±10% of intact population, IPC=88±3%, IPC+MLA=71±4%, p<0.01). Conclusions Signaling through the a7nAChR is necessary for the effect of IPC on maintaining ψM and cardiac contractile function after IR injury.


Laser emits a light characterised by being monochromatic, phased and collimated. Since the beginning of the '80s the fibers ND-YAG laser, whose energy may be transmitted by quartz fibres, is the type principally used for therapeutic bronchoscopy. It may be used to coagulate or to vaporize endoluminal lesions. The effect looked for depends on the level of density of power selected. During rigid bronchoscopy, YAG laser is usually applied in the coagulation mode, with a weak liberation of energy. Further resection is then achieved mechanically with the rigid tube or forceps. For malignant lesions the laser has a palliative action in eliminating endoluminal tumour mass. Its use has overturned the management of progressive tracheal or bronchial asphyxia. Outside emergencies, its action can be combined with radio and chemotherapy. For benign lesions its action may be curative. The laser is however poorly adapted for extrinsic compression and for infiltrating lesions where other more appropriate endoscopic methods should be used.


The navicular fossa can be easily and perfectly visualized with the otoscope in the office without discomfort to the patient. It is low-cost and readily available for the diagnosis and post-treatment control examination of 80% of intraurethral condyloma acuminata.


This thesis deals with physiological and mechanical properties of fast and slow twitch mouse muscles. It discusses isometric, concentric and eccentric contractions of mouse extensor digitorum longus ('EDL') and soleus ('SOL') muscles. This project primarily investigated the behaviors of muscles, to give better understanding and improved descriptions for the human system, when subjected to impact or sustained high loading conditions. Muscle force has been shown to be length and activation dependent. The effect of passive or active length changes on muscle force production was studied. Isometric activation showed a maximal force at optimum length for each individual muscle, to which all experiments were related. This optimum length was stimulation frequency dependent and maximum produced force shifted towards shorter length with increasing frequency. Active shortening of maximally stimulated muscle was shown to produce reduced force, but also a reduced isometric force (force depression) following shortening, regardless of the shortening conditions and the method of muscle stimulation. Steady state force depression (ΔFstdep) was correlated with the instant force depression ΔFidep, pre-activation time, t0-t1 and the work (WS), performed by the muscle during shortening. It was positively correlated with the ΔFidep when the shortening magnitude was varied ('VSM'). But in varying the shortening velocity ('VST'), it was negatively correlated with the instant force depression. In active stretch, force was analogously enhanced during stretch, and this effect remained after stretch. Steady state force enhancement (ΔFstenh)following muscle stretch was correlated with the instant force enhancement,ΔFienh, pre-activation time, t0-t1 and the work (WL), done on the muscle during stretch. It was positively correlated with ΔFienh when the stretch magnitude was varied ('VLM'). But in varying the stretch velocity ('VLT'), ΔFstenh was negatively correlated with ΔFienh. Furthermore, the rise time constant, (Tr) of redeveloped isometric forces following the shortening and the fall time constant, (Tf) of the relaxed isometric force following muscle stretch were calculated. In VSM, Tr and Fstdep were positively correlated with each other, while in VST, they were negatively correlated. Tf and Fstenh were negatively correlated in both VLM and VLT.


Twenty patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy were treated with an anti-androgenic agent, chlormadinone acetate ( Prostal ), 50 mg daily for 3 months. As a control, 20 patients with prostatic hypertrophy were treated with Eviprostat which was a non-hormonal remedy consisting of plant extracts 6 tablets daily for the same duration. Subjective symptoms of 14 patients (70%) in the Eviprostat group and 18 cases (90%) in the Prostal group were improved significantly. Although there were no significant changes in size or weight of the prostate after 3 months in the patients in the Eviprostat group as measured by transrectal ultrasonotomography, remarkable reduction in size and weight of the prostate was observed after 3 months in 11 patients (55%) in the Prostal group. Four cases complained of impotency during Prostal treatment, but no other side effects to the hepatic and/or renal functions were observed.


Two snow and ice cores from the Rennick Glacier area, Antarctica (study area center point lat 71°15ˈS, long 162°30ˈE) were analyzed for the chemical species: chloride, sodium, reactive silicate, sulfate and nitrate. Core E10 (6.35 m) was taken from Evans Névé, a large accumulation basin at the head of Rennick Glacier. Core M1 (4.35 m) was extracted from the accumulation zone on the central plateau of the Morozumi Range, a small mountain massif bordering Rennick Glacier. Cores E10 and M1 span the time periods from 1929 to 1981 and from 1971 to 1981, respectively, as dated using seasonal variations in chloride (E10) and sulfate (M1) concentrations. An estimated net balance of 50 kg m−2 a−1 was derived for site E10 and of 182 kg m−2 a−1 for site M1. The difference in net mass balance may be explained by elevational differences (M1 1400 m a.s.1., E10 2305 m a.s.1.). Recent (1973 to 1980) increases in sodium, silicate and sulfate at site E10 may be linked to decreases in Antarctic pack-ice extent (Kukla and Gavin 1981) for the same period.


Fire and post-fire behaviours of reinforced concrete columns confined by circular steel tubes, also known as circular steel tube confined reinforced concrete (STCRC) columns, are investigated in this paper. 5 full-scale specimens exposed to fire and 47 specimens after fire exposure were tested. Temperatures across the sections, displacement versus time curves, fire resistance, load versus displacement responses and load-bearing capacities were measured and discussed. A finite element (FE) model was developed using the program ABAQUS, and validated against the test results from the present study. Simplified design methods were proposed for predicting the fire resistance and residual load-bearing capacity of the STCRC columns under and after fire exposure, respectively.


A glacier at the summit of Ushkovsky volcano, Kamchatka peninsula, Russia, was studied in order to obtain information about the physical characteristics of a glacier that fills a volcanic crater. The glacier has a gentle surface and a concave basal profile with a maximum measured depth of 240 m at site K2. The annual accumulation rate was 0.54 m a -1 w.e., and the 10 m depth temperature was -15.8°C. A 211.70 m long ice core drilled at K2 indicates that (1) the site is categorized as a percolation zone, (2) the stress field in the glacier changes at 180 m depth from vertical and longitudinal compression with transversal extension, which is divergent flow, to a shear-dominated stress field, and (3) the frequent occurrence of ash layers can be a good tool for dating the ice core. The borehole temperature profiles were considered to be non-stationary, but the linear profile made it possible to estimate the basal temperature and the geothermal heat flux at K2. Assuming constant surface and the basal boundary conditions, we constructed two depth-age relationships at K2. These predicted that the bottom ages of the ice core were about 511 or 603 years.


The enzymes BstNI and Bell were used to detect various human mitochondrial DNA RFLPs in a sample of 104 unrelated French Canadians. These sequence variations were found in total white blood cell DNA probed with whole human mitochondrial DNA. With BstNI, 6 mitochondrial DNA restriction patterns (morphs) were identified. BstNI morphs 2–6 each differ from morph 1 by one single distinct restriction site gain or loss on the mitochondrial DNA molecule. Although BstNI morph 1 was found in most of the subjects (80%), each other morph was observed at a frequency of at least 3%. With the enzyme BclI, 4 different morphs were detected. Morphs 2–4 also result from different single restriction site alteration as compared with BclI morph 1. The morph 1 was clearly the most frequent (95%) while morphs 3 and 4 were present in only 1% of the subjects. These data indicate that the enzyme BstNI and, to a much lesser extent, the enzyme BclI detect mitochondrial Dn'A polymorphism in Caucasians. They are therefore of interest for population genetics studies.


Available evidence suggests that the average marginal propensity to consume (MPC) from the 2001 tax rebate in the US was not nearly as large as that from previous tax cuts. We examine if this phenomenon can be explained by the fact that the widespread use of credit cards has made borrowing accessible for most US households by constructing a model that simulates the dynamic effect of relaxed borrowing constraints. Our model uses Kreps-Porteus preferences which account for independent measures of relative risk aversion and the elasticity of intertemporal substitution, both of which can theoretically affect the willingness to save or spend. Our model shows that the average MPC drops substantially immediately after borrowing constraints are relaxed because few consumers have binding borrowing constraints at that time. The model also shows that consumers gradually reduce their wealth after borrowing constraints are relaxed, causing more of them to have binding constraints over time, which in turn causes the average MPC to rise gradually to a new steady state value that is slightly lower than the original value. This dynamic pattern of the MPC suggests that a greater ability to borrow with credit cards could explain the lower effectiveness of the 2001 tax rebate. In addition, the model predicts that consumers choose to hold lower amounts of liquid assets for precautionary reasons when they have a greater ability to borrow unsecured debt.


Retiform hemangioendothelioma (RH) is an infrequently encountered vascular neoplasm of intermediate or borderline malignancy. Treatment of RH is controversial. We present a case of a 44-year-old Asian male presenting with an unresectable RH of the pelvis. The patient was treated with concurrent low-dose Cisplatin and External beam Radiation (4140cGy in 180cGy per fraction). This is the first report of a clinical complete response and a long-term local control of this rare tumor. This has significant clinical implication, since it gives the first evidence of treatment of this rare tumor using concurrent low-dose chemotherapy and radiation.


Upconversion (UC) phosphors comprising Er3+/Yb3+ codoped rare-earth complex oxides, RExTayOz and RExNbyOz (RE = Y, La, or Gd), were synthesized via the gelable citrate complex method, and their UC emission properties were compared. This led to the discovery of an intense green-emitting UC phosphor, YTa7O19:Er3+/Yb3+, which is the first example of a YTa7O19 UC phosphor host material. Green UC emission obtained using optimum Er3+ and Yb3+ content was 20 times stronger than that obtained using a Y2O3 host.


A robust adaptive sampled-data feedback stabilization scheme is presented for a class of systems with nonlinear additive perturbations. The proposed controller generates a control input by using high-gain static or dynamic feedback from nonuniform sampled values of the output. A simple adaptation rule adjusts the gain and the sampling period of the controller.


Media applications are characterized by large amounts of available parallelism, little data reuse, and a high computation to memory access ratio. While these characteristics are poorly matched to conventional microprocessor architectures, they are a good fit for modern VLSI technology with its high arithmetic capacity but limited global bandwidth. The stream programming model, in which an application is coded as streams of data records passing through computation kernels, exposes both parallelism and locality in media applications that can be exploited by VLSI architectures. The Imagine architecture supports the stream programming model by providing a bandwidth hierarchy tailored to the demands of media applications. Compared to a conventional scalar processor, Imagine reduces the global register and memory bandwidth required by typical applications by factors of 13 and 21 respectively. This bandwidth efficiency enables a single chip Imagine processor to achieve a peak performance of 16.2GFLOPS (single-precision floating point) and sustained performance of up to 8.5GFLOPS on media processing kernels.


Corrosion process might occur over or beneath the surface of a material. Under-the-surface corrosion is more dangerous than other types as it is visually hidden. This research develops an imaging system to detect crevices resulting from subsurface corrosion. The system is built with a laser-generated acoustic (LGA) method, – using photoacoustic phenomena to generate acoustic waves from a laser and material interaction process, to construct a subsurface image of a metal. Though optical actuator is used, deeper penetration is achieved in the acoustic wave sensing, causing a change of intensity of the waves as they pass corrosion crevices. Measurement of the acoustic wave's intensity is used to construct LGA image illustrating the subsurface condition of an object. There are three main components of the device, which are a laser, a microphone and a data processor. The laser beam is modulated and exposed to an object to create thermal contraction. The microphone records acoustic waves generated in the process and the data processor analyses the result. Comprehensive measurement is done over the entire surface of the object to create 2-dimensional  images. This research reports an experimental result of the imaging system on an object with subsurface corrosion crevices. LGA's images produced showed reasonably clear evolution process of the corrosion. In the experiment, the crevices emerge at 230µm depth were detected in the first 5 hours of the corrosion process. An advance analysis showed that the LGA images produced were able to show the evolution process of the shape of the crevices during corrosion. A mathematical model, based on acoustic transmission intensity equation, is designed to further examine the LGA image resulting in a curve which fits the measurement result with MAPE 12% difference.


Moisture sorption isotherms of osmotically dehydrated sweet peppers were determined at 15oC, 30oC and 40oC using static desiccator techniques. In the study, seven levels of water activity in range of 0.08 to 0.91 were used by the use of saturated salt solutions. The isotherms were found to be sigmoid type and of BET classification II. Out of seven sorption models i.e. BET, modified BET, Hasley, Caurie, GAB, Oswin and Smith, fitted to the experimental data, Oswin model was found to be the best for accurate prediction of moisture sorption isotherm with highest value of coefficient of determination (R2) and lowest values of standard error (SE) and relative deviation parentage (Rd). The value of monolayer moisture content of the osmotically dehydrated sweet pepper was found to be 3.037%, 3.934% and 4.432% (db) at 15oC, 30oC and 40oC respectively. The values of net isosteric heat of sorption as calculated by Clausius–Clapeyron equation showed a regular fall with increase in moisture content.


Anterior maxillary swellings are commonly encountered in the adolescents and adults and they represent lesions ranging from cysts to tumors which can be both benign as well as malignant. However the anterior maxillary swellings are a rare phenomenon in the infants and toddlers and they generally are indicative of an aggressive lesion. We hereby present a case of a rapidly growing infantile swelling which was histopathologically diagnosed as Peripheral Giant Cell Granuloma.


Query optimizers use approximate techniques such as histograms or sampling for result size and distinct value estimation, even though these techniques may incur high estimation errors, leading the optimizer to choose sub-optimal query execution plans. In this report, we propose a novel approach to query optimization that provides the query optimizer with exact values for the result size of operators and operator trees, which we call sub-plans, and for the number of distinct values in the output of these subplans. In our approach, the query optimizer optimizes the query and records all the sub-plans for which result size or distinct value estimates are required in a data structure that we call the sub-plan memo. After query optimization is completed, the sub-plans in the sub-plan memo are executed and their actual result sizes and the number of distinct values in their outputs are recorded in the memo. The optimizer then re-optimizes the query using the more accurate result size and distinct value information in the subplan memo, which results in potentially choosing a better query execution plan. The process is repeated if re-optimization encounters sub-plans that are not in the sub-plan memo. This technique can result in potentially increasing the optimization time sharply. However, it is very effective in choosing the optimal query execution plan. Therefore, this approach is primarily suitable for frequently executed queries embedded in application programs. We present an experimental evaluation of our proposed approach based on a prototype implementation in Microsoft SQL Server 2000.


Teaching and learning in the 21st century should be markedly different from earlier times through the design of new teaching and learning environments. Through the presentation of three models of technology-rich learning environments (teacher-directed, learner-centered and mediated), this chapter provides a case study of the design and delivery of a course called Learning with Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) guided by a mediated learner approach, using new approaches to using ICTs and assessment for learning as key course design drivers. That course aims to prepare future teachers who demonstrate strong theoretical and practical understanding of designing and creating effective ICT teaching and learning experiences, and are confident and proficient users of ICTs. We provide an analysis of the implementation of that course through the presentation of the learning stories and reflections of students. Specific discussion is provided about the conceptualization and implementation of an e-portfolio approach to promote deep learning.


Following an interdisciplinary calculation procedure, the chain of events of ship collision, flooding, and loss of stability within given time have been investigated. The method established in the current work concerns the interaction between structural and damage stability computations and has been used to study the influence of various parameters, e.g., significant wave height and size of damage opening on a RoPaxferry damaged in a collision with a ship of similar size.


Two novel subgenotypes (C6 and D6) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were identified recently in Papua, a multiethnic area of Indonesia. To characterize further the HBV strains in Papua, serum samples collected from 59 viremic subjects (44 males and 15 females; mean age: 30.0 ± 15.5 years) among indigenous inhabitants in Papua, were subjected to phylogenetic analysis of an 1.6‐kb partial sequence. Forty‐five samples (76%) had genotype C HBV (HBV/C) [C5 (n = 1), C6 (n = 40), and unclassifiable (n = 4)], while seven samples (12%) were HBV/D [D1 (n = 1) and D6 (n = 6)] and six samples (10%) were HBV/B [B2 (n = 1), B3 (n = 3), B7 (n = 1), and B8 (n = 1)]; the remaining sample possessed B3 and C6. An analysis of the full‐length sequence of the four HBV/C isolates (NMB09122, NMB09124, NMB09075, and MRK89073) that were unclassifiable into any of the 10 known HBV/C subgenotypes (C1–C10) showed no significant evidence of recombination. Over the entire genome, the NMB09122 and NMB09124 isolates shared 99.8% identity and segregated into a cluster with a bootstrap value of 100%, differing from HBV/C1‐HBV/C10 by 3.8–6.9% (mean, ≥4.0%), indicating that NMB09122 and NMB09124 can be classified into a novel subgenotype within genotype C (tentatively designated C11). The NMB09075 and MRK89073 isolates were 97.4% identical to each other and differed from known HBV/C isolates, including the C11 strains, by 4.0–7.2% (mean, ≥4.5%) over the entire genome, indicating that NMB09075 and MRK89703 can be classified into another novel HBV/C subgenotype (C12). The distribution of C11 and C12 seemed to be associated with particular language speakers in Papua. J. Med. Virol. 83:54–64, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


BACKGROUND
Procedures for rapid identification and susceptibility testing by direct inoculation (DI) from positive blood culture bottles into an automated system have not been standardized. This study was purposed to evaluate DI from BACTEC 9240 blood culture system (BD, USA) into MicroScan (Dade Behring, USA) or Phoenix (BD, USA).

METHODS
From May to June 2006, bacterial pellets from positive aerobic bottles showing gram-positive cocci (GPC) or gram-negative rods (GNR) of single morphology were directly inoculated to MicroScan PosCombo1A and NegCombo32 and to Phoenix PMIC/ID-107 and NMIC/ID-53. In addition, the automated instruments were also inoculated from subcultures (standard inoculations, SI). Species identification and susceptibilities were compared between DI and SI and between MicroScan and Phoenix.

RESULTS
A total of 108, 104, and 78 specimens were tested with MicroScan, Phoenix, and both, respectively. When DI and SI were matched, 94.8% of GPC were correctly identified with MicroScan, compared to 80.7% with Phoenix, and 93.9% of GNR were correctly identified with MicroScan, compared to 95.7% with Phoenix. DI with MicroScan and Phoenix showed correct susceptibilities in 94.6% of 1,150 and 96.5% of 660 tests (with very major error [VME] of 1.1% and 1.1%), respectively, among GPC and in 94.4% of 942 and 96.3% of 781 tests (with VME of 0.6% and 0%), respectively, of GNR. Correlation of identification/susceptibilities between MicroScan and Phoenix using DI were 81.8%/98.0% for Staphylococcus aureus and 100.0%/95.6% for Escherichia coli.

CONCLUSIONS
DI warrants a reliable method for identification and susceptibility testing of both GPC and GNR in MicroScan, and those of only GNR in Phoenix.


The acridone alkaloids occur exclusively in the Rutaceae plant family. Of approximately 50 natural occuring acridones ac-ronycine was first isolated from the bark of Acronychia baueri


This paper, written as a chapter for a forthcoming book on Christianity and Global Law edited by Rafael Domingo and John Witte Jnr, scrutinises the idea of global law from the perspective of Christian political theology by focusing on the concept of sovereignty. For the purposes of the paper, "global law" is defined as the law of a universal and compulsory world community which consists essentially of individuals. The paper is organized around three questions: (1) What is sovereignty? (2) What is wrong about sovereignty? (3) What is right about sovereignty? In answering the first of these questions, I focus on the nature and extent of state sovereignty as understood in contemporary international law. In response to the second question, I turn to the highly influential theories of sovereignty advanced in the late sixteenth and mid-seventeenth centuries by Jean Bodin and Thomas Hobbes as examples of the logic of sovereignty when developed in its most absolute form. I argue that underlying the modern idea of sovereignty is a theological concept of absolute power (potentia absoluta), first attributed to God, and later to popes, kings, and states. This gives rise to a theological critique of state absolutism and an alternative account of sovereignty that I develop in response to the third question. Here I focus on the political theory of Johannes Althusius, an early seventeenth-century jurist who developed a pluralized conception of sovereignty deliberately in contradiction to Bodin's absolutism.

Building on Althusius, I argue that political authority, understood as legitimate jurisdiction, is a status rightly possessed in different degrees and in different respects by the ruling institutions of many different forms of human community, from the smallest and most local, to the largest and most global. Sovereignty is a term that can be used to designate this kind of rightful but limited authority, and understood in this sense, it represents something very important standing in the way of a concept of global law premised on a compulsory universal community consisting essentially and simply of individuals. To conceive global community in this way is to posit a kind of "simple space" in which there is one center of rule exercised over the multitude of individuals, instead of a "complex space" in which there are multiple locations of authority operating simultaneously in different places and in different respects. It is this kind of complex and multifaceted space that is a more appropriate model underlying any law having a global reach or universal scope.


In 125 early breast cancer patients who underwent multiple bone marrow aspirates, there was no significant difference in terms of disease-free and overall survival after a median follow-up of 163 months between the patients with or without micrometastasis at the time of primary surgery. However, when the time-dependent evolution of the bone marrow aspirates was taken into account, some evidence for a longer disease-free and overall survival was found for the patients with negative bone marrow.


This study focuses on troubles-tellings in calls to the Swedish Board for Student Support, where the caller wants to negotiate the repayment contract of a student loan. The study relates to research on the organization of troubles-tellings in institutional interaction, and the overall question of how talk about money is a delicate matter that is shaped by moral concerns. The data consist of 94 calls in which the caller proposes either a reduction or a temporal suspension of repayment. The analysis shows that troubles-tellings are launched to account for past failures to adhere to the contracted payment schedule. These tellings are met with minimal responses, which in turn engender a shift towards solutions that resonate with the institutional agenda. The study explores the resources recruited by the participants to deal with a potentially stigmatic situation by formulating the troubles as merely temporary and projecting a future situation where payments are made on time.


Mercury (Hg) occurs in the environment as a natural and anthropogenic element, and through the years the accumulation of mercury has affected the integrity of ecosystems and human health. This study presents a screening of microorganisms resistant to organic and inorganic mercury, the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration of Hg, the estimation of the mercury volatilization by selected microorganisms and the dynamics of volatilization. Eight Gram-negative bacteria resistant to high concentrations of mercury (60 to 210 mg L-1) were selected, and these isolates showed ability to volatilize the metal. The dynamics of the volatilization of the Proteus mirabilis M50C demonstrated that in only 4 h of incubation it was possible to volatilize 72% of the mercury present in the culture. The results showed promising application for bioremediation strategies.


BACKGROUND
Subsyndromal gambling disorder (SGD) is prevalent, but little is known regarding its longitudinal course.

METHODS
Individuals with SGD were followed for 1 year. Rate of study retention was determined along with disease status at follow-up. Possible baseline predictors of disease persistence were explored using analysis-of-variance and discriminant function analyses.

RESULTS
Among 157 participants with SGD, 112 (71.3%) were retained at follow-up. Those lost to follow-up showed significantly higher nicotine consumption, gambling severity scores, and frequency of gambling at baseline. Among participants retained for 1 year, 75.9% showed complete remission, 23.2% showed persistence of symptoms, and 0.9% had developed gambling disorder. Those who showed remission gambled significantly lower amounts of money per week. Lower age at entry and greater amounts of money gambled per week were significantly predictive of symptom persistence at 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS
Retention rates were reasonably high (71.3%) in this observational study, suggesting that longitudinal investigation is feasible in people with SGD. Approximately one-quarter of young adults with SGD who were successfully followed for 1 year showed persisting symptoms. Future work should explore the potential predictive value of clinical and cognitive measures in a larger sample over a longer period of time.


Aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) became pandemic on 11th March 2020 and it deeply stressed the healthcare system. Cancer patients represent a vulnerable population, so many recommendations have been approved to ensure optimal management. Clinical research was notably impacted by COVID too. This review aims to analyze the challenges occurred during a pandemic for the management of enrolled patients (enrollment, use of telemedicine visits, study procedures) and for the clinical trials system (from feasibility to selection visit, site initiation visit, monitorings, use of e-signature, deviations and discontinuations).
Methods: The studies included in the present review were selected from PubMed/Google Scholar/ScienceDirect databases.
Results: During the first phase of pandemic many clinical trials were suspended in accrual and, as the pandemic progressed, recommendations were established to guarantee the safety and the continuity of care of enrolled patients. In addition, lot of new strategies was found during the pandemic to reduce the negative consequences on clinical trial performance and to guarantee new opportunities of care in the respect of good clinical practice (GCP) in a bad scenario.
Conclusions: Among all modifiers, investigators would prefer to maintain the positive ones such as pragmatic and simplified trial designs and protocols, reducing in-person visits when not necessary and to minimizing sponsor and contract research organizations (CROs) visits.


An adaptive step-size algorithm [Kushner and Yin, Stochastic Approximation and Recursive Algorithms and Applications, 2nd ed., New York: Springer-Verlag (2003)] is used to model time-varying learning, and its performance is illustrated in the environment of Marcet and Nicolini [American Economic Review 93 (2003), 1476–1498]. The resulting model gives qualitatively similar results to those of Marcet and Nicolini, and performs quantitatively somewhat better, based on the criterion of mean squared error. The model generates increasing gain during hyperinflations and decreasing gain after hyperinflations end, which matches findings in the data. An agent using this model behaves cautiously when faced with sudden changes in policy, and is able to recognize a regime change after acquiring sufficient information.


This empirical study explores whether indigenous Zulu praise-poetry can inform the translation of biblical praise-psalms. Zulu youth ("poetry fans") were invited to learn about Hebrew and Zulu poetics as well as the process of Bible translation. Then they made their own translations and performances of biblical praise-psalms, following the Literary-rhetorical approach of Ernst Wendland. The results show a strong Zulu imprint from the source to the receptor text, although the original message is retained along with some of the poetic features. The literary and rhetorical power of the Hebrew is transformed into images and thought patterns that come alive to the Zulu mind while still being acceptable (to them) in terms of biblical accuracy. The performances of the translated texts (using rap, song, or spoken poetry) utilise prosody to deliver the message, thus requiring some adjustment to the texts. The audience enters into the experience, impacting the performers. Thus, there are four "voices" apparent: those of the original author, the Zulu translator, the Zulu performer, and the audience. A rich texture of cultural beauty emerges as the Hebrew and Zulu horizons merge in a panorama of literary beauty and rhetorical power.


The lfartman-Perdok theory explains the relation between crystal structure and morphology and provides the atomic surface topology of the crystalmelt interface. Hartman—Perdok theory has been applied to CaYΑIO 4 as model for all other ΑBCO 4 compounds with a K 2 ΝiF4 crystal structure. F forms are {002}, {101}, {103}, {110}, {112}, {200}, {211} and {213}. The strongly anisotropic shape caused by the perovskite-like ΑIO 6 layers || (001) is very distinct in all theoretical growth forms. The form with formal charges is planar following {001} with (101) and {110) as 1ateral forms. Disordering of the boundary ions results in the disappearance of {110}. At lower effective charge on oxygen ions, qo, the ordered forms are still tabular, while (110) and (112) are the only lateral faces. At still lesser negative qo {112} appears as well. On the disordered models {112} replaces {110}. Crystals show often variations in colour parallel to the {110} interface due to the surface topology of {110}. YBa2Cu3O7-x has, for x = 1, the following F forms: {001}, {101}, {103}, {112} and {114}. The theoretical growth form of this tetragonal phase is tabular following {001} with {101} as lateral form. For x = 0 the growth form shows important {101} and minor {103} and {001}. When the boundary ions on (001) are ordered, the outermost layer of {001} contains half of the Cu+ (x = 1) or Cu3+ and O2(x = 0) ions in a c(2 x 2) quadratic lattice which reduces tle {001} growth rate significantly. An (1 x 2) reconstriicted {010} surface can be traced for the orthorhombic polymorph which results into the appearance of {010} oii the ordered growth form. Otherwise the presence of {010) on as-grown crystals must be due to external factors.


This study describes the effect of load magnitude, frequency and duration on proteoglycan (PG) biosynthesis and loss in mature bovine articular cartilage explants. Cultured full thickness cartilage discs were subjected to a continuously applied, uniaxial compressive cyclic load. The loads were applied using a sinusoidal waveform of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 or 0.5 Hz-frequency and a peak stress of 0.1, 1.0, 2.5, or 5.0 MPa for a period of 1, 3 or 6 days. Increasing the load magnitude, as well as the duration of loading, reduced the PG biosynthesis. Reducing the load frequency abolished the inhibitory effect of a given load magnitude on PG biosynthesis, even though explants were more compressed. Increasing the load magnitude stimulated the release of newly synthesized PGs from explants, whereas an elevated duration of loading significantly decreased the release of endogenous PGs. Explants loaded for 1 or 3 days were viable as determined biochemically, whereas 6 days of loading resulted in a slightly diminished viability of explants. This study demonstrates that the duration and intensity of loading influences the inhibition of PG biosynthesis, while PG loss is only modulated by the magnitude and duration of loading.


The way people respond to messaging from public health organizations on social media can provide insight into public perceptions on critical health issues, especially during a global crisis such as COVID-19. It could be valuable for high-impact organizations such as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO) to understand how these perceptions impact reception of messaging on health policy recommendations. We collect two datasets of public health messages and their responses from Twitter relating to COVID-19 and Vaccines, and introduce a predictive method which can be used to explore the potential reception of such messages. Specifically, we harness a generative model (GPT-2) to directly predict probable future responses and demonstrate how it can be used to optimize expected reception of important health guidance. Finally, we introduce a novel evaluation scheme with extensive statistical testing which allows us to conclude that our models capture the semantics and sentiment found in actual public health responses.


The reported number of human enteric diseases caused by thermotolerant campylobacters increased in the last few decades worldwide. The microorganism gets into the food chain mostly with poultry meat or meat products. We are not aware of the way the campylobacters infect the broiler flocks, and there is little information about the real prevalence, about the reaction of thermotolerant campylobacters to the environmental factors and about the possibilities of elimination of the bacteria from the food chain. As a part of the long study, samples were collected from a broiler flock from the first day of life to the slaughter of the animals, in summer and in winter. In the summer period, at the first two sampling days (days 0 and 12) all of the samples were negative. At day 26, one cloaca sample, one sample from the surface of the wall near the ventilation aperture and an insect-sample were positive. At day 42, we found Campylobacter spp. on every sampling point at the slaughterhouse. In the winter period, we could not find Campylobacter spp. either from 0 day old, or from 10- and 31-day-old chickens, but we found them at 42 days of age on the slaughter plant. At the slaughtering place, 93.3% of the live birds were infected with Campylobacter spp., and at the end of the processing line, the infection rate was 100%. We could isolate campylobacters from the hands of the workers and from the processing environment as well. Out of the positive samples, 95.5% was contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni.


PTH resistance is characterized by elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and it is classically associated with GNAS locus genetic or epigenetic defects. Inactivating PTH/PTHrP signaling disorders (iPPSD) define overlapping phenotypes based on their molecular etiology. iPPSD1 is associated with PTH1R variants and variable phenotypes including ossification anomalies and primary failure of tooth eruption but no endocrine disorder. Here we report on a 10-month-old child born from consanguineous parents, who presented with mild neurodevelopmental delay, seizures, enlarged fontanelles, round face, and bilateral clinodactyly. Hand x-rays showed diffuse delayed bone age, osteopenia, short metacarpal bones and cone-shaped distal phalanges. A diagnosis of PTH resistance was made on the basis of severe hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, elevated PTH and normal vitamin D levels on blood sample. The patient was treated with calcium carbonate and alfacalcidol leading to rapid bio-clinical improvement. Follow-up revealed multiple agenesis of primary teeth and delayed teeth eruption, as well as Arnold-Chiari type 1 malformation requiring a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. GNAS gene analysis showed no pathogenic variation, but a likely pathogenic homozygous substitution c.723C>G p.(Asp241Glu) in PTH1R gene was found by trio-based whole exome sequencing. We studied the deleterious impact of the variant on the protein conformation with bioinformatics tools. In conclusion, our study reports for the first time PTH resistance in a child with a biallelic PTH1R mutation, extending thereby the clinical spectrum of iPPSD1 phenotypes.


This paper documents the evolution of my thinking in the area of interactive architecture over the past 15 years with students and my office. The work is framed within an overview of a long history of work in the area by others. My personal development has taken a number of clear steps in a relatively logical progression. In summary, the work began with kinetics as a means to facilitate adaptation. Work in this area led to integrating computation as a means of controlling the kinetics. The combination of these two areas led to the use of discrete mechanical assemblies as a systems approach to interaction design, which led to the thinking of control as bottom-up and emergent. Consequently I became fascinated with modular autonomous robotics and the notion that actual architectural space could be made of such systems. This in turn led to the exploration of biomimetics in terms of the processes, which eventually led to the idea that the parts in a system should get smaller to the point that they make up the matter itself. The paper concludes with an explanation of how technical advancements in manufacturing, fabrication and computational control will continue to expand the parameters of what is possible in robotics, and consequently influence the scale by which we understand and construct our environments. The future of interactive environments will most certainly involve re-examining the scale by which things operate to the extent that much of the operations happen within the materials themselves. This scaling down is beginning to force a reinterpretation of the mechanical paradigm of adaptation.


Important changes have taken place in the field of educational technology over the last few decades due to leaps in informatics, the explosive growth of the use of computers in schools, and the popularization of the Internet as a tool for teaching and learning. This scenario demands a broader understanding of the educational potential of new resources and didactic materials available to schools and innovative modes of individual and collective action in an increasingly digital society. Such changes have been faster since the start of the 21st century, which saw increased interest in educational technologies and many researchers orienting their studies to the modus operandi of the process of teaching and learning mediated by various types of digital technologies, be they presential, non-presential, hybrid, mobile, collaborative, cooperative, interactive, individualized, assistive, active, ubiquitous, and so on. With this, research in the field of educational technology has been consolidated and has begun to adopt methods of qualitative research that take account of this diversity of objects. This article seeks to point out the contributions of qualitative research methodologies in the formatting of this field of knowledge in Latin America. This is based on an examination of the most widely used scientific journals in the region, drawing on almost 100 articles published between 2016 and 2017. The analysis indicates that educational technology is evolving in Latin America, mainly due to the continuous and accelerated advance of digital information, communication, and expression technologies (DICETs). At the same time, there remains a great lack of scientific journals in the area, an issue that must be addressed given the strategic importance of this field of knowledge for the universalization of education in Latin America. Peer-reviewed journals have prioritized studies based on research and development (R&D) methods that emphasize media engineering for education and have a predominance of case studies. But they also present research problems related to qualitative issues that arise from the use of DICETs in specific teaching and learning situations. The scenario under analysis shows that research in this area has gradually evolved from a strongly technical perspective to a humanist one through qualitative analyses focusing on the limits and possibilities of DICETs. Thus, they raise important clues for future research, such as the challenges of adopting collaborative and interdisciplinary research approaches aimed at better understanding the processes and educational relations mediated by technologies; the new possibilities of hybrid education that can be addressed in different school contexts; and the question of teacher training for this new scenario. Such developments are crucial for advancing knowledge about educational technology in Latin America.


Amyloidosis is characterized by extracellular deposition of abnormal insoluble fibrils, which cause structural and functional disorders. Amyloidosis is classified into systemic and localized amyloidosis. Localized amyloidosis in individual organs is uncommon. We report a rare case of localized form of primary amyloidosis of the urinary bladder. A 76-year-old male visited our hospital with a complaint of macroscopic hematuria. Cystoscopy showed submucosal hematoma in the anterior wall and broad-based mass occupying the trigone without normal mucosa covered by calcification. Transurethral biopsy and resection were performed. Histopathological diagnosis was AL type amyloidosis occupying submucosal extracellular space. We gave the patient occlusive dressing with dimethyl sulfoxide. In 12 months, cystoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging revealed improvement of the mass-like lesion in the bladder wall.


Purpose: Acrolein has been implicated in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell death, and has been associated with diabetic retinopathy. Our purpose was to investigate the potential effect of high glucose in influencing acrolein-mediated RPE cytokine production and cell death. We investigated the influence of the acrolein effect on ARPE-19 cells in high glucose conditions and quantified the release of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ1 and 2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We assessed the ability of N-benzylhydroxylamine(NBHA) as well as TGFβ pathway inhibitors SIS3 and SB431542 to prevent this effect of acrolein on ARPE-19 cells. Materials and methods: Confluent ARPE-19 cells were treated with acrolein and/or NBHA in both 5.5 and 18.8 mM glucose conditions. Cells were also pretreated with SIS3, a specific inhibitor of the SMAD3 pathway, and SB431542, a specific inhibitor of TGFβ signaling pathway, before treating them with acrolein. Viable cells were counted and ELISAs were performed to measure the cytokines TGFβ1 and 2, and VEGF released into the conditioned media. Results: In ARPE-19 cells exposed to acrolein and hyperglycemia there was reduced cell viability and an increase in the cell media of VEGF, TGFβ1, and TGFβ2, which was reversed by NBHA. Acrolein/hyperglycemia-induced cell viability reduction and cytokine overproduction was also reduced by TGFβ pathway blockade. Conclusions: We conclude that the effect of acrolein on the reduction of viability and VEGF increase by ARPE-19 cells in hyperglycemic media is conducted through the TGFβ signaling pathway. Our results suggest that benefits of sequestering acrolein by NBHA and the blockage of the TGFβ pathway by SB431542 and SIS3 offer suggestions as to potential useful pharmacological drug candidates for the prevention of diabetes-induced complications in the eye.


Rebecca Nebres Cepe Antonio (RNCA) is a new leading and innovator business company in Dona Segunda Complex in Davao City. It is an authorized dealer of Avon Company and belongs to a direct selling business. The RNCA core competency is based upon the knowledge, expertise and success it has gathered in franchising distribution. The company excels at understanding the dynamics, intricacies and requirements around multi-level marketing service business. For nine years of service, more and more people have become their customers and for that reason the business transactions became slow to accommodate every customer. At the present they use index cards and other manual work and efforts that results to slow and poor service performance. Dueto this, they usually failed to meet their deadline and expectedly missed its dues for report submission. Because of this, they are having problems in slow retrieval of costumer file and requests, poor monitoring on updating productivity of the company, and they are unable to generate update reports such as payments dues on time, thus results to poor monitoring. Due to these problems, the proponents decided to develop the Automated Account Management System with SMS Notification. Through the use of Linear Sequential process model, the system was developed to minimize problems encountered on slow data retrieval of costumer files and to prevent the delayed generation of reports.


Tissue engineering has been touted as the solution to regenerate tissue in patients. Yet current strategies for orthopedic application are limited because of the inability to successfully manage critical sized defects without a working vascular system. Bone grafts are commonly used in critical sized defects to fill the gap in missing bone tissue. Proper vasculature is vital to the success of these grafts to promote bone growth. The aim of this review is to describe the contribution of tissues surrounding critical sized defects, focusing in particular on the progenitor cell influx and factors contributing to neovascularization. An overview of clinical techniques to visualize patient vascular supply and evaluation of clinical techniques to increase blood flow to the critical defect site illustrates the current efforts of surgical intervention to promote proper bone formation. The opportunity and need lies in the development of tissue engineered bone grafts that can use and enhance available vascular supplies.


To obtain a fair load-settlement curve of a driven pile, and to evaluate the ultimate pile capacity more accurately, a numerical model was created to simulate the ground movements during a pile being driven. After the procedure, the axially loaded behaviors of the piles in silty sand were analyzed. The numerical results are compared with those results by full scale pile load tests. It was found, although the loads added on the tested piles are different from those by the numerical analyses which applied displacement increments on piles, the load-settlement behaviors of piles calculated from the numerical model were close to those measured from field tests before the piles stressed to peak. Total load, shaft friction, and point bearing do not reach peak values at the same pile settlement; furthermore, the point bearing slowly increases all the while, with no peak. However, the point bearing only contributes 10~20% of ultimate pile capacity. No matter which relative density of silty sand, pile diameter, and pile length increased, ultimate pile capacity increased as well.


PURPOSE With advances in laparoscopy, various hemostatic procedures have been advocated with variable results. Using currently available tools, some steps in laparoscopic colorectal surgery still represent technical challenges. Our aim was to investigate the feasibility and reliability of the Harmonic ScalpelTM in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. METHODS In this nonrandomized prospective study, 34 consecutive patients (15 males; mean age, 46 (range, 24–80) years) underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery for benign disease (27 patients) and colorectal cancer (7 patients). Dissection, hemostasis, coagulation, and division of several types of vascular pedicles were performed exclusively with the Harmonic ScalpelTM. The 10-mm-blade Harmonic ScalpelTM device was used at full power mode for all purposes through a 10-mm port. Coagulation of vascular pedicles was always achieved with the blades in the flat position. The large pedicles (inferior mesenteric, right and left colic, and ileocolic) were coagulated for 20 seconds in several locations along the length (1 cm) before final division. Smaller vascular pedicles were coagulated for ten seconds before division. When the vein and the artery of major pedicles were divided at their origin, either for malignancy or for technical reasons, they were dissected and coagulated separately. For more limited resection of the mesentery, as in the case of benign disease, vascular pedicles were coagulated together as a single bundle. Operative time, minor or major intraoperative or postoperative hemorrhage, need for conversion to laparotomy, bowel injury, and trocar complications were recorded. All anastomoses were checked on Day 8 by a diatrizoate sodium enema. RESULTS There was no mortality. Mean operative time was 276 (range, 200–520) minutes. Neither minor nor uncontrollable hemorrhage occurred; no conversion to laparotomy and no vascular or bowel injury were recorded. There was one port-site hematoma. Neither hemoperitoneum, intraperitoneal hematoma, fistula, nor intra-abdominal abscess was observed. CONCLUSION Coagulation and division of minor as well as major vascular pedicles in laparoscopic colorectal surgery with the Harmonic ScalpelTM are technically easy, feasible, and reliable.


Academic procrastination can be a substantive problem for some students (Steel, 2007), and the reasons for and functions of task postponement have gained a great deal of research attention over the last 10 years. However, little research has examined academic motivation and self-efficacy as unique predictors of procrastination. We hypothesized that academic motivation and self-efficacy together would have a strong negative relationship to academic procrastination among college students, with academic motivation having a stronger relationship than self-efficacy. A sample of 101 undergraduate students (36.6% men, 63.4% women; M = 20.76, SD = 2.54, years of age) at a Northeastern public liberal arts university participated in the present study. Significant negative correlations of medium to large effect sizes between academic procrastination and 3 types of intrinsic, 1 type of extrinsic academic motivation, and general self-efficacy were shown. In a hierarchical regression model, academic motivation predicted academic procrastination, R 2 change = .33, F(7, 93) = 6.54, p < .001, but self-efficacy did not make a unique contribution to the model beyond the variance accounted for by academic motivation, R 2 change = .022, F(1, 92) = 3.09, p = .082.


Background and purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex chronic multi-component disease. Understanding the mechanisms of health related quality of life (HRQL) impairment should help identifying targets of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Research has shown positive correlations between efficacy expectations and outcome in patients with COPD (Kas¸ikci MK. Int J Nurs Practice 2011; 17:1–8; Arnold R et al., Behav Med, 2005 31:107-15). This study sought to evaluate the relative role of self-efficacy and socio-demographic variables in the prediction of HRQOL in COPD patients. Methods: A total of 103 COPD patients (60% males, mean aged 70 ± 14 years) before entering a PR program, completed dimensional rating scales on self-efficacy (Perceived Health Competence Scale) and HRQOL (Airways Questionnaire 20). Regression analysis was performed to identify the impact of self-efficacy and demographic variables (gender, age, level of education, and marital status) on HRQOL. Results: Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that age and self-efficacy were correlated with HRQOL (R²= 0.27). These findings suggest that the HRQOL is negatively correlated with age (b = -0.30) and positively correlated with self-efficacy (b = 0.36), independent of gender, level of education, and marital status. Conclusions: In a chronic diseases such as COPD, it is important to work at improving confidence in the patient9s ability to follow a self-care regimen by increasing self-efficacy, especially in older patients, as it may positively affect quality of life. Therefore, clinicians should include careful assessment of self-efficacy in their routine evaluation of patients before entering a pulmonary rehabilitation program.


The Myxovirus resistance protein 2 of Homo sapiens is well characterized in terms of structure and function but very little is known about myxovirus resistance protein 2 (Mx2) of Bubalus bubalis. Although a few functions of buffalo Mx2 protein are known, its structural characteristics have still remained unclear. In the present study, buffalo Mx2 protein was characterized by defining its possible structure and functions using several online and offline computational tools. Besides the physico-chemical characteristics, various post translational modifcations, localization, possible domains and interactions with other probable proteins were predicted using its amino acid sequence. In addition to the secondary structure, the three-dimensional structure was predicted using I-TASSER homology modelling server and a refined model was constructed in Modeller. The refined model manifested acceptable quality and stereochemistry on validation with different programs. Furthermore, a phylogenetic analysis of the protein was done and Mx2 protein of buffalo was found to have a common ancestry with that of other bovidae family members. These curated observations might provide a sound foundation for further structural and functional characterization of buffalo Mx2 protein.


A new biomimetic route for the synthesis of a conducting molecular complex of polyaniline (Pani) and a natural polyelectrolyte, lignosulfonate (LGS) is presented. A poly(ethylene glycol) modified hematin (PEG-hematin) was used to catalyze the polymerization of aniline in the presence of LGS to form a Pani/LGS complex. UV-vis, FTIR, conductivity and TGA studies for the LGS-polyaniline complex indicate the presence of a thermally stable and electrically conductive form of polyaniline. Also the presence of LGS in this complex, an inexpensive byproduct from pulp processing, provides a unique combination of properties such as electronic conductivity, processability and biodegradability. The use of this conductive complex for corrosion protection is also proposed.


Models are developed for the dc I-V curves and microwave small-signal parameters of the Al<inf>x</inf>Ga<inf>1-x</inf>As/GaAs heterojunction field-effect transistor, called the high electron mobility transistor (HEMT). An analytic velocity versus field model is used, along with the exact variation with density of the GaAs two-dimensional electron gas Fermi level. A numerical integration is used to obtain the drain voltage for a given gate voltage and source-drain current. The resulting I-V curves are in excellent agreement with the experimental data from four different groups. This model is also used to calculate the transconductance and gate capacitance, and a model is developed for the source resistance. These are used to calculate<tex>f_{\max}</tex>, the maximum frequency of oscillation, for a range of values of gate length, of AlGaAs alloy composition and doping, and of the thickness of the undoped A1GaAs spacer layer. The results are compared with measured data for HEMT's as well as for a similar GaAs FET with 0.35-µm gate length.


The call for early presidential elections, the Rajapaksa regime's decisions vis-a-vis the post-war situation and the announcement of ex-army chief Sarath Fonseka's candidacy have opened up some avenues for political dissent in Sri Lanka. But given a weak bourgeoisie, uneven development and the lack of a progressive third force, the elections, which are bound to witness the use of state patronage, would not mean much for the minorities or for the economically marginalised sections of Sri Lankan society. It is in this context that issues such as the devolution of power, the representation of minorities and demilitarisation need to be raised by progressive sections in the run-up to the elections.


A semi-blind multiuser detector based on auxiliary-vector (AV) is proposed for the inverse link of mobile cellular DS-CDMA communication systems. Distinguished from the recently developed blind AV detectors, which are a class of promising candidates for adaptive multiuser detection, the new detector makes full use of the signature waveforms of all known users at the base station to cancel the intra-cell multiple access interference (MAI) while blindly suppressing the inter-cell MAI with auxiliary vectors. Simulation results indicate that the semi-blind AV detector significantly outperforms the blind AV detectors with modest computational complexity increase.


The role of exogenous processes in sediment load formation and slope evolution of mountain land- scapes is poorly understood. The insight into the volume of materials moved by some denudation agent falls far short of describing their relief-forming activities. This is due to variation in the distance to which materials are moved as a result of the considered processes. Therefore, careful development of research methods applicable to them is required. Aerospace research methods have been widely used in the recent decades to study exogenous processes. This paper considers possibilities of using these meth- ods for identification of the spectrum of exodynamic processes by the example of mountain landscapes in the temperate zone of Northern Eurasia. Explanatory notes and thematic maps with a preliminary assessment of the contribution of exogenous processes to the sediment load of rivers are provided.


Concentrations of alpha-2 plasmin inhibitor, which is a primary and fast-reacting inhibitor of plasmin, were measured immunochemically in sera of patients with liver diseases and compared with normal controls. Serum level of alpha2-plasmin inhibitor was significantly decreased in liver cirrhosis and other severely affected liver diseases. The decrease appeared to be dependent upon the extent of liver damage, and the level of alpha2-plasmin inhibitor was closely correlated with parameters of liver functions of protein synthesis such as albumin concentration and cholinesterase activity in serum. The level of alpha2-plasmin inhibitor was fairly well correlated with the fibrinolysis inhibitor activity of serum. In contrast to alpha2-plasmin inhibitor, levels of alpha2-macroglobulin and alpha1-antitrypsin were increased significantly in liver cirrhosis. It was suggested that the reduction of alpha2-plasmin inhibitor level contributes substantially to the increased fibrinolytic activity observed in liver cirrhosis.


Promising results in the treatment of indolent lymphomas have been reported with the use of 2'deoxycoformycin. This antimetabolite, an adenosine deaminase inhibitor, also shows particular efficacy in hairy cell leukemia. Of 65 patients treated to date, 44 have achieved complete and lasting remission after a limited course of deoxycoformycin. While results are not as striking as those in hairy cell leukemia, deoxycoformycin may also be a valuable adjunct to alkylating agents in the treatment of CLL. The drug also is being studied in the treatment of mycosis fungoides and other lymphoid neoplasms. Side effects in all neoplasms are dose- and schedule-dependent.


Abstract Because of increased technology access and convenience, as well as potentially lower costs, distance education and internet courses are becoming more commonplace in higher education. As the popularity of these remote modes of instruction increases, it is important to carefully consider to what extent pre-service teachers can be adequately prepared for their role as educators via the internet compared with pre-service teachers that complete their degrees traditionally. An examination of the science education literature demonstrates serious research gaps regarding the long-term preparation of educators through online courses. The purpose of this paper was to provide a critical perspective on the teaching of undergraduate science methods courses online from the viewpoint of the students' opinions provided through course evaluations. Areas of interest included the dichotomy theory vs. practice, the role of field experiences, students' perceived satisfaction with online courses, inquiry, and the difficulties of valid assessment.


This paper presents a one-dimension kinematic hardening model based on continuous hyperplasticity with infinite number of yield surface. Continuous hyperplasticity is a development of hyperplasticity theory, an approach to plasticity theory based on thermodynamics principles. It gives ability to develop many sophisticated engineering models that can describe more realistic behavior. In order to apply to numerical analysis, the discretization from infinite number of yield surface to multiple-yield-surface is shown. Applications to 1-D Finite element model using ratedependent solution will be mentioned in this paper. The results show that this is a promising theory that can be describe nonlinear elasto-plastic response of material. By a suitable choice of some parameters, realistic behavior of a model can be derive.


This essay argues that Thomas Hardy compares the act of observing another person to the scientific practice of observing the stars in order to reveal structural obstacles to accessing other minds. He draws on astronomy and optics to underscore the discrepancy between the full perception one has of one's own consciousness and the lack of such sensory evidence for the consciousness of others. His scenes of stargazing show such obstacles being temporarily overcome; the stargazer turns away from the thick sensory detail of earthly life and uses minimal visual information as a jumping-off point for the imagination. These visual journeys into space are analogous to those Hardy's readers experience as he wrests them out of their bodies into imaginary landscapes and unfamiliar minds.


Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced fresh murine splenocytes to produce interferon (IFN)-alpha/beta presumably by stimulation of the B lymphocytes and macrophages. However, when the splenocytes were "aged" for 24 to 72 hr in culture before addition of the LPS, the IFN response was significantly increased and was determined to be predominantly IFN-gamma. Because low levels of interleukin 2 (IL 2) were found to be spontaneously produced by the unstimulated splenocytes during the "aging" process, the effect of IL 2 on IFN induction by LPS in fresh splenocytes was examined. The addition of LPS to freshly prepared splenocyte cultures that were treated with human IL 2, either native or recombinant, before exposure to the LPS resulted in the LPS inducing large amounts of IFN-gamma. IL 2 alone induced little if any IFN in the splenocyte cultures. Depletion of T cells and large granular lymphocytes (LGL) from the cultures by anti-Thy-1.2 antibodies plus complement abrogated IFN-gamma production, and the addition of polymyxin B to "aged" splenocyte cultures resulted in loss of IFN production in response to LPS. Cultures that were enriched for T cells and LGL by passage through nylon wool produced significant amounts of IFN-gamma in response to LPS only if first treated with IL 2. Furthermore, the addition of splenic adherent cells to purified nylon wool-non-adherent (NWNA) cells augmented IFN-gamma production, whether or not the NWNA cells were pretreated with IL 2. This enhancement appeared to require direct contact between adherent cells and NWNA cells, because physical separation abrogated IFN production. The addition of recombinant IL 1 or LPS-conditioned supernatants of macrophage cultures did not replace adherent cell activity. These data demonstrate that LPS, which predominantly induces IFN-alpha/beta in fresh murine splenocytes, is able to stimulate T lymphocytes to produce IFN-gamma if the T cells are first exposed to endogenously produced or exogenously applied IL 2. Because IFN-gamma is a potent activator of the bactericidal and cytocidal potential of macrophages, the induction of IFN-gamma by bacterial LPS may play an important role in resistance/recovery mechanisms against bacterial infections.