E&P Notes
 Offshore Discoveries Continue Even as Shale Slows
 Stephen Rassenfoss, JPT Emerging Technology Editor
 Four recent offshore discoveries served as a reminder that exploration is migrating offshore in the Western Hemisphere.
 The discoveries off Brazil, Suriname, and the US, all in deep water, offered a stark contrast to the fast-contracting US shale business. To be fair, all the wells were spudded before the oil price crash which as forced deep cuts in offshore drilling.
 Apache, which has shut down drilling in the Permian Basin, made a second discovery in its 1.4-million-acre block off-shore Suriname, identifying what it said is a geologically distinct area.

 Russian Government Buys Venezuelan Assets From Its Own Oil Company
 Trent Jacobs, Digital Editor
 Rosneft, Russia's leading oil producer, said it has transferred all its holdings in Venezuela to entities controlled by the Russian state.
 The move involves several joint ventures, service companies, producing assets, and key trading units responsible for export operations. Rosneft said in a statement made on 28 March that the nationalization of these assets was warranted to protect its investors.
 Upon the announcement, various media reports say that three VLCCs, or very large crude carriers, contracted by Rosneft turned around before reaching Venezuelan export facilities. It is estimated that the vessels would have been loaded with nearly 5.7 million bbl of heavy crude. Venezuela is using oil exports to pay down debts with Russia.

 Chevron Hits the Brakes on Permian, Cuts $8 Billion Across Company
 As the year began, Chevron said it was on track to produce 1 million BOE/D in the Permian Basin by 2024. Instead, the international major is joining a chorus of other oil producers that are drawing down their growth plans in response to the major market disruptions caused by a Russia-Saudi Arabia price war and an unfolding global pandemic.
 Chevron announced on 24 March that it reduced its capital outlay from $20 billion to $16 billion. About $2 billion of the cuts will come from the company's unconventional programs in Argentina and the US. But a company release said the reductions will "primarily" affect the Permian where it holds about 2.2 million acres.


The need for compassion – broadly defined as noticing suffering, feeling empathetic concern, and taking action – is emerging as a crucial issue for 21st-century workplaces and organizations (Seppälä et al., 2017). This paper presents a case study of an action learning initiative that was designed to put compassion into action in a UK higher education organization. Action learning involves a small group working on real problems from practice, taking action, and learning as individuals, team/group and organization. This way of working has been part of the work and organizational psychology practitioner toolkit since its inception by Reg Revans in the 1940s (Pedler, 2021). This case study demonstrates Revans' (2011) practical approach to integrating action learning into every-day situations and enhancing the practical and professional skills of the workforce, which in this instance focuses upon compassion in action. The paper also illustrates the role of work and organizational psychologists as 'third space' practitioners (Whitchurch, 2013) in the professional field of organizational development. It demonstrates how collaborative academic-practitioner relationships and learning enabled the practice of compassion in action through creation of shared stories of self-compassion (Nowlan, 2021). It also emphasises critical action learning to illustrate practical application and use of systems-psychodynamics thinking, and the unconscious processes that play out within and between groups and individuals at work (Obholzer & Roberts, 2019). The paper highlights the importance of reflective supervision in action learning, which in this case study used the innovative concept of social dreaming (Archer, 2021).


Patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) are prone to develop thrombotic complications and thus frequently receive heparin. Surprisingly heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) has been rarely reported in MPD and is potentially under‐diagnosed due to the relatively high platelet count. We report three patients with MPD who developed HIT; all presented with a relative fall of platelet counts (although without an absolute thrombocytopenia), thrombosis or skin necrosis and a positive test for HIT antibodies (particle gel immunoassay). Risk factors for developing HIT in our patients were exposure to unfractionated heparin, a recent surgical procedure and female gender. We review the literature on HIT in MPD and discuss the diagnosis of HIT in the absence of an absolute thrombocytopenia. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Introduction: Preterm birth is the delivery of an infant before 37 weeks of gestation. It is a major public health problem. Prematurity is the leading cause of infant mortality and morbidity worldwide. The purpose of this study is to identify the risk factors of preterm birth and possible determinants among Palestinian women in the Northern part of the West Bank. Methodology: A case control study of 100 cases of preterm delivery and 201 controls of full term delivery was carried out. The cases were taken from three governmental hospitals in the Northern West Bank. The data was analyzed by using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19. Frequencies, Chi-square and multiple regressions were done to explore the relation between the dependent variable (preterm birth) and the other independent variables. The study took six months starting from the first of May 2013 to the 31 of October 2013. Face to face interviews using a questionnaire were used. Result: The results show that the main risk factors of preterm birth are the following: medical indication for pregnancy termination, (p= 0.001), (95% CI 0.328- 0.617); Preterm Premature Rupture of Membrane (PPROM), (p=0.006), (95% CI 0.079- 0.462); previous history of preterm delivery, (p=0.007), (95% CI 0.049- 0.309); and disorders associated with pregnancy, (p= 0 .015), (95%, CI 0.028-0.254t). Other risk factors identified by the study are the following: type of family, congenital gynecological problems, family history of preterm birth, previous delivery by Caesarean Section (CS), daily, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, psychological problems, and height. Conclusion: The main risk factors of preterm birth were multiple pregnancies, medical indications for preterm birth (mainly preeclampsia), placenta previa, abruption placenta, previous Caesarean Section, the presence of a disorder associated with pregnancy (mainly hypertensive disorder), preterm premature rupture of membrane, and a previous history of preterm birth.


A revision of the admissions requirements to state-supported colleges and universities included a minimum of two years' high school study of one foreign language. In response to this policy, a large group of secondary and postsecondary colleagues organized the South Carolina Council on Foreign Language Placement and Curriculum (SCCFLPAC). This independent ad hoc committee serves as a forum for the exchange of information and helps provide professional critique of plans to change curriculum and implement new placement tests at the various postsecondary institutions. Secondary teachers have been trained to write proficiency-oriented outcome statements for each of four years of language instruction; these statements are designed to serve as the basis for future revisions of postsecondary curricula.


Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) sample analysis is an entirely non-invasive novel sample collection method that is fast, easy to perform, and effort-appeared independent. EBC samples can be very useful in identifying the biomarkers of many diseases. This review provides an updated overview of EBC pH disturbances in different disorders as well as physiological levels among healthy individuals since 2012. Our meta-analysis addresses some of the key questions related to sample processing before pH measurement and discusses various methods of condensate standardization that can be employed prior to conducting a pH assay. Given the recent widespread interest in research into the use of EBC to identify biomarkers, it is necessary to establish a pathway leading from analytical methods for biomarker evaluation using EBC pH to clinical applications of this technology. This review fills a gap in the literature and attempts to connect theory to practical analytical approaches to analyzing EBC samples and making critical treatment-related decisions next to the patient's bed.


Retention mechanisms of insulin and deamido[AsnA21] insulin on the bifunctional sorbent Armsphere-C8(PR) in conditions of reversed-phase chromatography (HPLC and ion-pair HPLC) were studied. In accordance with the chemical differences of these proteins, molecular mechanisms of their interaction with silica gel modified with hydrophobic and ion-exchange groups were revealed. The possibility of simultaneous interaction of sorbed proteins with the stationary phase by both mechanisms under conditions of reversed-phase HPLC was demonstrated. The dependences of the separation selectivity and resolution on the mobile phase composition and properties (a salt buffer type, pH, ionic strength) were found. It was demonstrated that the separation selectivity can be regulated by altering the contribution of each of the two separation mechanisms and the bifunctional sorbent used allows higher selectivity in the separation of close protein analogs than monofunctional sorbents.


Amorphous materials in the form of ribbons, wires and thin films require special care to be taken in measurements of magnetostriction, the field dependence of elastic moduli and the magnetomechanical coupling factor. Problems arise in these measurements because of the sample geometry and, in some cases, because of the low anisotropy commonly found in amorphous ferromagnetic materials. This paper describes the methods that have been adapted or designed to measure the main magnetomechanical properties of magnetically soft, amorphous alloys of Fe, Co and Ni, in the three forms generally available: ribbons typically 20-50 mu m thick and 1-25 mm wide; wires typically 30-130 mu m in diameter; and films 0.01-10 mu m thick, deposited on substrates 25-250 mu m thick. The methods are described in sufficient detail, supported by numerous references, to enable readers to make a critical choice between them, taking into account such things as the temperature range, sensitivity and geometry. Magnetostriction measurements are classified as direct or indirect. The direct methods covered are the strain gauge, three-terminal and cantilever capacitance dilatometry, optical methods and the tunnelling tip method. Indirect methods include the small-angle magnetization rotation (SAMR) method, susceptibility measurements, the Wiedemann effect and strain-modulated ferromagnetic resonance (SMFMR). The methods described for measuring the field dependence of Young's modulus (the Delta E effect) and magnetomechanical coupling factor k are the resonance-antiresonance method, including the use of the impedance or admittance circle, the vibrating reed method and ultrasonic wave velocity methods. The use of a torsional pendulum for measuring the shear modulus and internal friction is also described.


Background: Most colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) patients die of distant metastasis, though there are some therapies for metastatic COAD. However, the genes exclusively expressed in metastatic COAD remain unclear. This study aims to identify prognosis-related genes associated with distant metastasis and develop therapeutic strategies for COAD patients. Methods: Transcriptomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA; n = 514) cohort were analyzed as a discovery dataset. Next, the data from the GEPIA database and PROGgeneV2 database were used to validate our analysis. Key genes were identified based on the differential miRNA and mRNA expression with respect to M stage. The potential drugs targeting candidate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were also investigated. Results: A total of 127 significantly DEGs in patients with distant metastasis compared with patients without distant metastasis were identified. Then, four prognosis-related genes (LEP, DLX2, CLSTN2, and REG3A) were selected based on clustering analysis and survival analysis. Finally, three compounds targeting the candidate DEGs, including ajmaline, TTNPB, and dydrogesterone, were predicted to be potential drugs for COAD. Conclusions: This study revealed that distant metastasis in COAD is associated with a specific group of genes, and three existing drugs may suppress the distant metastasis of COAD.


OBJECTIVES:Flat and depressed colorectal lesions are now reported in Western populations. The malignant potential, anatomical distribution, and other clinicopathological features have not been established in this group. This study aimed to assess prospectively the prevalence, clinicopathological, and endoscopic features of flat and depressed colorectal lesions in the United Kingdom.METHODS:A single endoscopist performed colonoscopy on 850 consecutive patients presenting for routine colonoscopy. All endoscopies were performed using a high magnification colonoscope with chromoscopy to facilitate detection of flat and depressed colorectal lesions.RESULTS:A total of 458 flat lesions were identified. Of these, 173 (38%) were hyperplastic and 285 (62%) adenomatous or beyond. Of the 173 hyperplastic flat lesions, 162 (94%) were located in the recto-sigmoid region. Of the 267 adenomas, 66 (25%) had areas of high grade dysplasia (HGD), with 54/66 (82%) being present in the right colon. Flat lesions <8 mm in diameter was more likely to contain HGD than those <8 mm (p < 0.001). Nine of the 10 (90%) flat invasive adenoacarcinomas were in the right colon and all had a depressed morphological component. In contrast, HGD was observed in 58/466 (12%) of protuberant (sessile/pedunculated) adenomas of which 95% (55/58) were located in the left colon. In addition, HGD was present in 17% of all sessile adenomas versus 44.6% of flat lesions >8 mm in diameter (p = 0.001). Of the 14 protuberant carcinomas, 13/14 (93%) were in the left colon. Synchronous lesions were found in 96/816 (12%) of cases. Of the 816 patients with two or more left-sided protuberant adenomas <8 mm (with or without HGD), 89 (11%) had one or more flat lesions in the right colon with HGD.CONCLUSIONS:Flat adenomas and carcinomas have a high malignant potential compared to protuberant lesions and have a propensity for developing in the right hemi-colon. Total colonoscopy is required to detect such lesions, as only 18% of flat lesions would be in reach of the flexible sigmoidoscope.


Protein kinase C (PKC) has attracted wide attention as a key enzyme for the expression of long-term potentiation in the hippocampus, a basic model for memory. It is of interest to study the detailed localization of PKC subspecies in the monkey hippocampus. We used immunocytochemistry to examine the localization of PKC subspecies in the hippocampus of the monkey, Macaca mulatta. Subspecies of PKC in the monkey could be separated by hydroxyapatite chromatography and the elution profile proved to be similar to that of the rat. Antibodies against each alpha, beta II and gamma-subspecies of the rat specifically reacted with the respective subspecies of monkey PKC. The alpha-, beta II- and gamma-subspecies were distinctly distributed in the hippocampus. The beta I-subspecies was not evident in the hippocampus. While both the alpha- and gamma-subspecies immunoreactive pyramidal cells were distributed throughout the hippocampus (CA1-CA3), the beta II-subspecies immunoreactive cells were scattered only in the CA1 region. The gamma-subspecies was found in granule cells and dendrites in the dentate gyrus, in mossy fibers and in their terminals in the CA3 region. The alpha-subspecies was also present in granule cells and in the dendrites but not in the mossy fibers. Glial cells did not stain with any of the antibodies used. Electron microscopy clearly showed that the gamma-subspecies was localized in both presynaptic terminals and post-synaptic dendrites. These observations suggest that subspecies of PKC in the monkey hippocampus may be involved in distinct functions and that the gamma-subspecies of PKC may act pre- and post-synaptically in pyramidal cells of the hippocampus.


In order to determine the pressure rise due to arc faults in electrical installations, the portion of energy heating the surrounding gas of fault arcs has to be known. The ratio of the portion of energy to the electric energy, the thermal transfer coefficient, well known in literature as kp factor, is adopted here. This paper presents a theoretical approach for the determination of the pressure rise in electrical installations. It is based on the fundamental hydro- and thermodynamic conservation equations and the equation of gas state taking into account melting and evaporation of metals as well as chemical reactions with the surrounding gas. With respect to the dependence of the arc energy on gas density, the radiative effect of fault arcs on the energy balance is introduced. In consideration of the radiation, the more reasonable arc energy is applied for the estimation of the gas temperature and of the thermal transfer coefficient in the energy balance. In order to identify conveniently which factors essentially influence the development of pressure, the thermal transfer coefficient is studied and evaluated as an alternative variable of the gas pressure. The results for a test container show that factors such as the kind of insulating gases and of electrode materials, the size of test vessels, and the gas density considerably influence the thermal transfer coefficient and thus the pressure rise


MOLECULAR NETWORKS: AN ANALYSIS ON ANNOTATIONS AND DISCOVERY OF NEW ASSETS. To speed up the discovery of bioactive natural products (NP), chemists have sought advanced approaches in analytical and computational chemistry in attempt to organize and extract information from large data sets. In this sense, the molecular networks (MN) successfully organized enormous sets of mass spectrometry (MS) data together with samples metadata information in an intuitive visualization in the spectral similarity networks format. GNPS (Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking), a free online platform for storing and processing MSn data, is a leading application of spectral matching with public databases aimed at the dereplication and discovery of new bioactive products through molecular networks. In this review, we address the concept of GNPS spectral similarity networks, as well as their complementary computational tools, benefits and limitations applied in NP studies associated with dereplication, chemical ecology, functional genetics and determination of biosynthetic pathways.


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop the method of taking the eddy current losses in the laminated magnetic circuits into account during implicit transient calculations. The nonlinear magnetization characteristic of iron and the hysteresis losses can also be considered in the simulations done with the developed method.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents complex equivalent magnetic permeability derived from the presumed angular frequency in a laminated magnetic circuit. On this basis, the synthesis of a magnetic permeability as a function of the Laplace variable "s" is presented. After transformation of the variable "s" to a variable "z" of the Z transformation, it is possible to conduct discrete time calculation of transient states of magnetic circuits including the eddy current losses. An iterative process is developed to take the saturation of the magnetic circuit in these calculations into account. As regards hysteresis losses, the scalar model of magnetic hysteresis by Juhani Tellinen was implemented. The new method is validated by calculations of a two-coil transformer.

Findings

It is important to take into account the losses in sheet metal directly in the implicit transient calculations. This possibility is provided by the presented method based on the synthesis of the equivalent magnetic permeability μ^(s). The presented method was proved to be correct and efficient. The calculated sheet metal losses were compared with the results presented in literature. Good conformance of results was attained.

Practical implications

The method enables calculation of eddy current and hysteresis losses in laminated magnetic circuits during calculations of transient states. It does not need, unlike the previous methods, previously provided information ("a priori") about the content of higher harmonics in waveforms. The method takes into account mutual dependence of transient waveforms of currents in the analysed system and losses of laminated magnetic circuit, expressed by eddy currents and hysteresis losses. Its implementation comes down to using in calculations a filter of the IIR type and corresponds to its calculation complexity. The author plans to use the presented method in the finite elements method transient calculations.

Originality/value

A new approach is a synthesis of the equivalent magnetic permeability in Laplace domain, which creates an equivalent RC circuit for permeability. Analytic equations for parameters of this equivalent circuit are original. A method for considering nonlinear magnetization characteristic and hysteresis losses was presented. In calculations of transient states of systems with magnetic circuits, one can use the developed equivalent circuit of magnetic permeability in a form of the IIR filter. Operator magnetic permeability includes fractional derivative of Laplace's variable "vs". Therefore, the equivalent IIR filter includes "history" of the processes that take place in the laminated magnetic circuit to the current, calculated time moment. This "history" in terms of its content is limited only by the degree of the applied IIR filter. It enables to calculate "step by step", without previous ("a priori") knowledge about harmonic components of the whole waveforms. It was necessary in the previously used methods, when determining parameters of magnetic permeability. The method proposed in the paper allows for calculations with taking into account direct dependence of an electric part of the system on its magnetic part.


We present measurements of the complete spatiotemporal Fourier spectrum of Faraday waves. The Faraday waves are generated at the interface of two immiscible index matched liquids of different density. By use of a light absorption technique we are able to determine the bifurcation scenario from the flat surface to the patterned state for each complex spatial and temporal Fourier component separately. The surface spectra at onset are found to be in good agreement with the predictions from the linear stability analysis. For the nonlinear state our measurements show in a direct manner how energy is transferred from lower to higher harmonics and we quantify the nonlinear coupling coefficients. Furthermore we find that the nonlinear coupling generates static components in the temporal Fourier spectrum leading thus to a contribution of a nonoscillating permanent sinusoidal deformed surface state. A comparison of hexagonal and rectangular patterns reveals that spatial resonance can give rise to a spectrum that violates the temporal resonance conditions given by the weakly nonlinear theory.


The author reports finite-field self-consistent field (SCF) and fourth-order many-body perturbation theory (MP4) calculations of the electric quadrupole and hexadecapole moments of ethane (H2C2CH2). The best values (with C2C on the z axis and the molecule on the xz plane) are Theta xx1.197, Theta yy=-2.434 and Theta zz=1.237 ea02. Phi xxxx=-14.91, Phi yyyy=16.89 and Phi zzzz=-14.05 ea04.


Botryoid odontogenic cyst (BOC) is considered to be a polycystic variant of the lateral periodontal cyst (LPC) as the specimen resembled a cluster of grapes. It is a non-inflammatory odontogenic cyst. The BOCs can be unicystic or multicystic. These cysts have potential to extend in the bone and become multilocular and they have a high recurrence rate. Till now, only 73 cases of BOC have been reported. The pathogenesis of BOC is still debatable. We review different pathogenesis proposed for BOC and discuss a rare case of BOC developing from lining of an abnormally large LPC which showed aggressive behaviour in terms of growth and size.


The veterinary practitioner has an ethical obligation to help alleviate animal pain. Although most veterinarians accept the fact that animals feel pain, still, postoperative pain relief is not a routine practice in all veterinary hospitals and clinics today. Nociception is a physiological process which involves transduction, transmission, modulation and perception of the noxious stimuli. Chemical mediators are important components of the nociceptive reflex and offer a target of pharmacologic modulation. Assessment of pain in animals is the most important step in the successful management of pain. Choosing appropriate method of pain control would depend upon the type of procedure followed, severity of pain and economic considerations for each individual circumstance. Our understanding of the pain in its manifestation, mechanisms, assessment and alleviation in animals is still although improving, limited.


For Bluetooth- or WIFI-based localization, fingerprinting data plays an important role. Mobile devices compare their received signals with recorded signals on a map (so-called reference points) and derive their most like location from that. Obviously, this method requires an elaborate offline phase to record the reference points. If this data set is too small and not dense enough, the localization accuracy is low, too. However, by just increasing the number of recorded data points, storage and comparison costs on the mobile device are also increased. Hence, the goal of this work is to find the best reference points within large-scale sets of fingerprinting data based on clustering. We present different novel algorithms for signal-based clustering and compare them with existing work. An extensive evaluation on real-world data sets shows that our approach can reduce the data set size up to 90% while keeping a mean accuracy of 1.0m in the experiments in the real world.


: Introduction: Diagnostic X-rays represent the major portion of radiation exposure from artificial origin to the general population. Objectives: The main objective of the study is to analyse the local exposure level during adult chest X-Rays. Material and methods: This descriptive study was conducted in S.M.B.B, Medical University, Larkana during June 2019 to January 2020. The current-time product (mAs) values used in the examinations were collected by the technologists in the rooms included in the survey; prospective data collection did not change the routine workflow in the institution and did not involve any additional radiation exposure to the patients. Results: The data was collected from 100 patients. These values are essential parameters in the process of optimizing the dose delivered and the quality of the images. They are directly a function of the high voltage (kV) and the load (mAs). Conclusion: It is concluded that an improvement in practices, especially in relation to the technical parameters and protocols associated with strengthening the permanent radiation protection skills of radiological manipulators, could contribute to better radiological protection of patients in this radiology department. The Local


Abstract. In the Western Alps, the Penninic Frontal Thrust (PFT) is the main crustal-scale tectonic structure of the belt. This thrust transported the high-pressure metamorphosed internal units over the un-metamorphosed European margin during the Oligocene (34–29 Ma). The PFT was later reactivated as an extensional detachment associated with the development of the High-Durance extensional fault system. This inversion of tectonic motions on a major tectonic structure has been widely emphasized as an example of extensional collapse of a thickened collisional orogen. However, the inception age of the extensional inversion remains unconstrained. Here, for the first time, we provide chronological constraints on the extensional motion of an exhumed zone of the PFT by applying U-Pb dating on secondary calcites from a fault zone cataclasite. The calcite cement of the cataclasite, formed after the main fault slip event, is dated at 3.4 ± 1.5 Ma. Cross-cutting calcite veins featuring the last fault motions are dated at 2.6 ± 0.3 and 2.3 ± 0.3 Ma. δ13C and δ18O fluid signatures derived from these secondary calcites suggest fluid percolation from deep-seated reservoir at the scale of the Western Alps. Our data give evidence that the PFT extensional reactivation is active since at least ~ 3 Ma, at the crustal scale and results from the westward propagation of the compressional deformation related to the exhumation of External Crystalline Massifs. In this context, the exhumation of the dated extensional fault is associated with the eastward translation of the seismogenic zone controlled by the deep rooting of the High-Durance fault system.


Tape-stripping is a well-established method for sampling the stratum corneum (SC). We have developed a tape with low-metal content suitable for use with particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), an analytical technique based on X-ray spectrometry. PIXE analysis of tape-stripped samples of SC is a reliable and minimally invasive means of identifying and quantifying metals present at parts per million levels. Assay feasibility and reproducibility was demonstrated using human volunteers. This new tape-strip technique has potential applications in exposure and decontamination assessment, diagnosis of metal dermatitis, forensics, and in environmental research.


Lithium–air batteries are currently limited to being operated under pure oxygen rather than ambient air, primarily due to the discharge product, lithium peroxide, reacting with water and carbon dioxide in ambient air to produce lithium carbonate, which renders the battery irreversible. A solution to this debilitating problem is to install an oxygen selective membrane that only allows oxygen to enter the battery. While theoretically sound, this method causes a significant decrease in the oxygen transfer rate due to a limited oxygen permeation area of the planar membrane and an increase in the oxygen transport distance from the membrane to the reaction sites. In this work, we create a novel solid-state lithium–air battery having a porous LATP cathode, designed using silicone-oil film coated pores that block water vapor and carbon dioxide from reaching reaction sites, but allow a high rate of oxygen transfer owing to an increase in the specific area of the films and a reduced oxygen transfer resistance. This battery can operate in ambient air at 5000 mA h gcarbon−1 for 50 cycles (125 days). Moreover, the charge/discharge rate reaches as high as 2.0 mA cm−2, a value which is about 40 times higher than that of conventional lithium–air batteries having an oxygen selective membrane external to the cathode.


Lungs taken at autopsy from 100 urban residents were studied to determine concentrations of 21 trace metals, dust, free silica and hydroxyproline. Medical, occupational and environmental histories were collected so that correlation studies might be done. The potential value of this data as a baseline for further studies of occupationally diseased lung tissue was assessed by evaluating the results of an analysis of variance. The personal histories were used as the criteria for classifying the observations (lung concentrations) into groups for the statistical analysis.


Despite the strong emphasis on ethics within the Islamic tradition, Islamic ethics itself is scarcely represented as a discipline within academic scholarship (Ansari 1989). Even within this area, Islamic ethics have predominantly been studied from Sunni perspectives, with little attention being paid to Shi'ite or other minority understandings. This paper will, therefore, use qualitative data collection methods of semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus groups, to sociologically study the perceptions, understandings, and applications of Islamic ethics in Australian Shi'ite Muslim everyday living. It will investigate the overarching understanding of Islamic ethics and its specific application in Australian Shi'ite Muslim context. The papers objective, therefore, is twofold: one to strengthen Islamic ethics as an independent discipline; and two to address the scant attention Shi'ite Islamic ethics has received in Islamic ethics scholarship generally. Conceptually, this project will contribute to the understanding of Islamic ethics through a particular analysis of Shi'ite Islamic ethics in an Australian Shi'ite context. This is significant as specific understandings of Islamic ethics in certain contexts help to explain how minority groups such as Shi'ite Muslims develop their own ethical standards to shape social relations in society.


ABSTRACT The intrinsic complexity of the flooding process on ships renders accurate quantification of the flooding risk a highly arduous task, particularly in the context of emergency management. This is especially true for large cruise vessels where convolution stems from innovative designs and complex internal subdivision resulting in a multitude of variables and their interdependencies. This augments the uncertainty and imposes challenges on the crew in obtaining a complete overview and in making fully informed decisions. This paper presents a methodology whereby sensors and analytics are combined utilising probabilistic multi-sensor data fusion to predict the flooding extent with reduced uncertainty to facilitate informed decision-making in emergencies, forming the basis for optimised implementation of emergency response measures for vessel survival and subsequent safe return to port. The accurate prediction of flooding extent as presented, is a fundamental prerequisite for, and could be of great assistance in, decision making in emergencies, thus saving lives.


New detector module based on screen type scintillators coupled photodiode has been proposed and estimated for the condition of dual X-ray baggage inspection. The new detector consisted of the Lanex Regular coupled photodiode for low energy detector and Lanex Fast-B coupled photodiode with copper filter of 1.1 mm thickness for high energy detector. By using simulation tools of MCNPX, DETECT 97, and ATLAS, optimum detector structure was designed and analyzed on Z-map. Compared with the commercialized detectors of Detection Technology (DT) and Electron Tube (ET), the proposed detector showed good performance property in the dual X-ray baggage inspection.


The seismic response of three-story one-third-scale steel frames with columns allowed to uplift is evaluated and compared with that of fixed-base frames by three-dimensional shaking table tests. The test frames were retested using four different frame conditions: uplift-base and fixed-base frames; plan symmetric and asymmetric frames. The results are: 1) While the column uplift displacements of the uplift frames is increased by the vertical component of the input motion, the horizontal response values such as the roof drifts and base shears are not affected by that; 2) The difference of the roof floor rotations between the symmetric and asymmetric uplift frames are not increased in spite of the increase of the input motion intensity; 3) The base shears of the uplift frames are effectively reduced from those of the fixed-base frames; and, 4) The deformation of the uplift frames excluding the rocking component is nearly equal to or smaller than the elastic response value of the fixed-base frames.


The double stapled colo-rectal anastomosis according to Knight e Griffen is currently used following an anterior resection of the rectum. The technical feasibility and the reduced risk of contamination represent the major advantages of the procedure. Accordingly, the Authors have adopted this technique to perform an ileo-rectal anastomosis following total colectomy. Furthermore, the use of a circular stapler with a small diameter allows to create a pseudo-valvular mechanism between the ileum and the rectum. Preliminary results obtained in 7 patients are presented.


Recently, many types of electric vehicles including a heavy duty vehicle have been developed and released because of the better fuel economy and less gas products. In this study, research about an electric bus which utilizes the wheel motor drive system was conducted. The wheel motor is a motor connected to the wheel directly only with a simple gear so that the developer can utilize the space efficiently and the whole system efficiency will be better because of simple structure. However, because it is different from former types of vehicles which use the differential gear, the development of the integrated control logic is required in order to meet the vehicle stability and driving performance. The developed control logic is composed with direct yaw moment control, regenerative braking control and slip control logics. It is compared to the control logics which does not consist of direct yaw moment control and slip control when the vehicle is exposed in tough situations. For the unification of the control logic, a few maps were developed and applied to determine the output torque of each motor according to the driving status. As a result, it is shown that the developed control logic is more safe and well follow the target speed than the other control logic applied simulations.


Purpose
The preference of firm corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending is shaped by different groups of owners and the institutional environment in which the firm operates. This paper aims to study the heterogeneity among the controlling groups and firms' internationalization in influencing the CSR decision in emerging economy firms.

Design Methodology Approach
This paper draws understanding from institutional theory to inspect the propensities of various ownership groups such as lending institutions (LI), domestic mutual funds (MF) and foreign institutional investors (FIIs). The empirical analysis was conducted from a sample of 1,594 unique Bombay stock exchange (BSE)-listed non-financial Indian firms during the 2014–2019 period using Tobit panel regression analysis.

Findings
The findings reveal that firms' CSR activities are impacted differently by ownership share of different types of institutional investors after controlling for firm-level resources and capabilities. Lending institutions, FIIs and MF are supportive of CSR investments by firms along with international investments by the firm. Further, the results show that the CSR spend is positively influenced by the business group affiliation of the firm compared to the unaffiliated group of firms.

Practical Implications
The analysis has implications for both institutional investors and multinational firms. In the merging market context, managers and owners who target long term strategies such as CSR will benefit from increasing shareholdings of creditors (lending institutions). They can also take steps to improve their transparency and corporate governance structure so as to attract foreign institutional investments, thus, in turn, helping the internationalization process of the firm.

Originality Value
This paper considers the role of the diverseness of the ownership institutional investors along with the moderating effect of business group affiliation of the firm and international investments in impacting the CSR spend. This disparity has not been previously studied with the latest data in an emerging economy context.


The ADAMs (a disintegrinand metalloprotease) are a family of multidomain proteins with structural homology to snake venom metalloproteases. We recently described the cloning and sequencing of human ADAM 12 (meltrin α). In this report we provide evidence that the metalloprotease domain of ADAM 12 is catalytically active. We used the trapping mechanism of α2-macroglobulin to assay for protease activity of wild-type and mutant ADAM 12 proteins produced in a COS cell transfection system. We found that ADAM 12 is synthesized as a zymogen, with the prodomain maintaining the metalloprotease in a latent form, probably by means of a cysteine switch. The zymogen could be activated chemically by alkylation with N-ethylmaleimide. Cleavage of the prodomain at a site for a furin-like endopeptidase resulted in an ADAM 12 protein with proteolytic activity. The protease activity was sensitive to inhibition by 1,10-phenanthroline and could be eliminated by mutation of the critical glutamate residue at the active site. The demonstration that the ADAM 12 metalloprotease domain is functional may have important implications for future studies that explore the role of ADAM 12 protein in development and disease.


The striatum is the most prominent nucleus in the basal ganglia and plays an important role in motor movement regulation. The cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) in striatum are involved in the motion regulation by releasing acetylcholine (ACh) and modulating the output of striatal projection neurons. Here, we report that muscarinic ACh receptor (M receptor) agonists, ACh and Oxotremorine (OXO-M), decreased the firing frequency of ChIs by blocking the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels. Scopolamine (SCO), a nonselective antagonist of M receptors, abolished the inhibition. OXO-M exerted its function by activating the Gi/o cAMP signaling cascade. The single-cell reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (scRT-PCR) revealed that all the five subtypes of M receptors and four subtypes of HCN channels were expressed on ChIs. Among them, M2 receptors and HCN2 channels were the most dominant ones and expressed in every single studied cholinergic interneuron (ChI).Our results suggest that ACh regulates not only the output of striatal projection neurons, but also the firing activity of ChIs themselves by activating presynaptic M receptors in the dorsal striatum. The activation of M2 receptors and blockage of HCN2 channels may play an important role in ACh inhibition on the excitability of ChIs. This finding adds a new G-protein coupled receptor mediated regulation on ChIs and provides a cellular mechanism for control of cholinergic activity and ACh release in the dorsal striatum.


Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL

The CD56-binding antibody-maytansinoid conjugate, lorvotuzumab mertansine (IMGN901), is currently being evaluated as monotherapy in patients with CD56-positive solid tumors including ovarian cancer, SCLC, and Merkel cell carcinoma. Encouraging results have recently been reported for this clinical trial, including 3 objective responses in second-line or later use (Woll, et al., ESMO 2010).

CD56 is expressed on approximately 57% of ovarian cancers, supporting the clinical investigation of lorvotuzumab mertansine for this malignancy. Lorvotuzumab mertansine has been shown to be active as a single-agent against CD56-positive ovarian xenograft tumors, including OVCAR-3 and COLO 720E (Whiteman, et al., AACR 2008). Despite the high response rate of ovarian cancer to the standard-of-care first-line paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy (approximately 60%), more than 80% of patients will relapse within 24 months of starting this treatment. Although advances in diagnosis and treatment have improved outcomes, the 5-year overall survival rate for ovarian cancer is only about 45%. Consequently, there is an unmet clinical need for treatments achieving long-term responses as first-line or second-line therapies for ovarian cancer. The possibility of achieving durable responses with combination of lorvotuzumab mertansine plus paclitaxel/carboplatin therapy was investigated in a preclinical model of ovarian cancer.

The activity of lorvotuzumab mertansine in combination with the standard-of-care paclitaxel/carboplatin therapy was evaluated against COLO 720E ovarian xenografts in mice. The two dose levels of paclitaxel (10 or 20 mg/kg weekly × 3) plus carboplatin (100 mg/kg single injection) evaluated without lorvotuzumab mertansine were both active in this model, resulting in complete tumor regressions (CR) in 1 of 6 and 2 of 6 mice, respectively, with all tumors recurring during the study. Lorvotuzumab mertansine administered at a dose of 13 mg/kg weekly × 3 was active as a single agent, resulting in a CR in 1 of 6 mice which recurred during the study. Combination of lorvotuzumab mertansine with either dose level of paclitaxel/carboplatin resulted in CRs in all mice (6 of 6 mice/group), with no tumor recurrence during the study period (123 days).

The long-term CRs observed in a preclinical model of ovarian cancer suggest lorvotuzumab mertansine in combination with standard-of-care agents would be a promising combination treatment regimen to evaluate in the clinic due to its potential to achieve an increased response rate and more durable responses compared with standard-of-care agents alone, which could represent a significant therapeutic benefit to ovarian cancer patients.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1781. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1781


There are rising cases of building occupants with health-related challenges such as irritation, asthma, lung infections, headaches, and other allergies. These health conditions sometimes disappear once the occupants live such buildings which are referred to as sick building syndrome (SBS). With the high fatality rate associated with air pollution and Nigeria ranking 4th in the poorest air quality globally, the study assessed SBS from indoor pollution in residential and office spaces. The study utilized a cross-sectional survey research design and employed the use of an air quality detector to measure a 24-h mean measurement of air conditions within the study area. The study was carried out in Zaria, Kaduna State. Statistical tools such as graphs, mean score, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and correlation matrix were used to analyze the dataset. The study showed that the major symptoms associated with SBS from indoor pollution. The indoor conditions that may contribute to SBS in the residential and office spaces were mainly lighting conditions, headroom in the building, and position of windows. While the study reported that the presence of SBS from indoor pollution can lead to increased maintenance, dizziness, and depression/breakdown. The measurement of the indoor pollutants contributing to the SBS among residential and office space occupants showed that PM2.5 and PM10 were mostly above the average 24-h mean standard. The study suggested recommendations to improve indoor air quality and reduce syndromes associated with sick buildings.


As student numbers in embedded systems lab courses increase, it becomes more and more time-consuming to verify the correctness of their homework and exam programs. Automatic verification can vastly improve the speed and quality of such tests. This paper describes a system that can carry out black-box tests to verify whether the embedded software running on a target system meets predefined requirements. To this aim, we employ a special test board using an ATmega128 microcontroller which is connected to both the target system and to a host computer. Tests can be selected and started remotely, the results are presented to the user on the host. Monitoring and control via Internet is also easily possible. A special meta-language is used to describe the correct behavior of the tested program, and this description is compiled and downloaded to the test system via a standard RS-232 interface, where the test is executed. The same interface is used to control the tests and for transfer of data and end results.


Microvesicles (MVs) are small membrane-derived fragments shed from various cell types during activation and/or apoptosis and represent a new class of biological information mediators. MVs generated from T lymphocytes undergoing activation and apoptosis exert a beneficial potential effect on the cardiovascular system through their dual capacity to increase nitric oxide and reduce reactive oxygen species production. This study investigated the effect of MVs on the apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells triggered by actinomycin D (Act D). The effect of Act D treatment on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was biphasic. Indeed, ROS levels significantly increased during the early phase of apoptosis (2 h) and after 10 h of treatment, but not at 4, 8 and 24 h. MVs significantly attenuated the increase in ROS production induced by Act D at 2 h, but not at 10 h, indicating that they normalize ROS production during the early phase of apoptosis by acting directly as ROS scavengers, owing to their ability to carry active antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and the three isoforms of the superoxide dismutase. Furthermore, the effects of MVs on the late phases of apoptosis were associated with the ability of these vesicles to increase the expression of manganese-superoxide dismutase, probably by the transfer of its mRNA, in endothelial cells, through internalization process. These findings illustrate new mechanisms by which MVs from T lymphocytes exert their vasculo-protective effects by improving endothelial function under pathological conditions in which apoptosis and oxidative stress are enhanced.


The objective was to evaluate the effect of energy and protein
supplementation in Dorper/Katahdin lambs on weight gain and carcass
quality under a confined system based on cutting green fodder. Eighty
male Dorper/Katahdin lambs weighting 20 kg and ageing two months were
used for this study. Four treatments were carried out: T1: Sorghum ad
libitum; T2: Sorghum ad libitum 613 g/d of food supplement; T3: Sorghum
ad libitum 617 g/d of food supplement; and T4: Sorghum ad libitum 620
g/d of food supplement. The food supplement was composite by 28% of
ground corn, 28% of ground sorghum, 15% molasses, 13% soy, 8% green
alfalfa, 5% barley; 3% minerals, 15% raw protein, and 70% NDT. The
sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) given contained 6.13% raw protein. Daily
records of food intake were recorded and lamb weights were recorded
every 15 days. The food supplement was given to the animals at 7 a.m.
during 90 days. The daily intake of dry material was 606.9; 823.0;
922.5; 934.3 g/animal for treatments T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively.
The average weight gain was 253, 273, 274 and 275 g/animal. Carcass
evaluation was 2, 3, 3 and 4 respectively for treatments T1, T2, T3,
and T4 and hot dressing percent was 43.56; 52.30; 53.30 and 54.01%,
respectively. The results showed that 620 g/animal/day supplement
caused a better weight gain and carcass for ovine cattle.


Pharmacological inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) and cyclin-dependent kinases have a promising potential for applications against several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Indirubins, a family of bis-indoles isolated from various natural sources, are potent inhibitors of several kinases, including GSK-3. Using the cocrystal structures of various indirubins with GSK-3beta, CDK2 and CDK5/p25, we have modeled the binding of indirubins within the ATP-binding pocket of these kinases. This modeling approach provided some insight into the molecular basis of indirubins' action and selectivity and allowed us to forecast some improvements of this family of bis-indoles as kinase inhibitors. Predicted molecules, including 6-substituted and 5,6-disubstituted indirubins, were synthesized and evaluated as CDK and GSK-3 inhibitors. Control, kinase-inactive indirubins were obtained by introduction of a methyl substitution on N1.


An improvement of a tip preparation technique of Mo by electrochemical polishing has been accomplished by using an alternating current of very low frequencies. The relationship between the currents and the voltages has been obtained and then the progress of the polishing is discussed from the view point of the formation and the removal of the oxide layer on the tip surface.


During communication, alignment between signals and sensors can be critical. Signals are often best perceived from specific angles, and sensory systems can also exhibit strong directional biases. However, we know little about how animals establish and maintain such signaling alignment during communication. To investigate this, we characterized the spatial dynamics of visual courtship signaling in the jumping spider Habronattus pyrrithrix. The male performs forward-facing displays involving complex color and movement patterns, with distinct longand short-range phases. The female views displays with 2 distinct eye types and can only perceive colors and fine patterns of male displays when they are presented in her frontal field of view. Whether and how courtship interactions produce such alignment between male display and female field of view is unknown. We recorded relative positions and orientations of both actors throughout courtship and established the role of each sex in maintaining signaling alignment. Males always oriented their displays toward the female. However, when females were free to move, male displays were consistently aligned with female principal eyes only during short-range courtship. When female position was fixed, signaling alignment consistently occurred during both phases, suggesting that female movement reduces communication efficacy. When female models were experimentally rotated to face away during courtship, males rarely repositioned themselves to re-align their display. However, males were more likely to present certain display elements after females turned to face them. Thus, although signaling alignment is a function of both sexes, males appear to rely on female behavior for effective communication.


Immune computation is burgeoning bioinformatics technique inspired from the natural immune system and can solve the information security problems such as antivirus and fault detection. And the immune model is a crucial problem of the artificial immune system. In this paper, an immune model was proposed for the application of a mobile robot simulator, which was infected by some worms, such the love worm and the happy-time worm. The immune model was comprised of three tiers, including the inherent immune tier, the adaptive immune tier and the parallel computing tier. This immune model was built on the theories of the natural immune system and had many excellent features, such as adaptability, immunity, memory, learning, and robustness. And the application example of the immune model in the mobile robot simulator showed, the artificial immune system can detect, recognize, learn and eliminate computer viruses, and can detect and repair faults such as software bugs, and so the immune computation is an excellent approach for antivirus security. Moreover, the application fields and prospect of the immune computation would be rich and successful in the near future


The authors evaluate error performance limitations in oversampled subband adaptive filter applications based on an analysis of aliasing in the subband signals. The power spectral density of the minimum error signal is given by the aliased signal components. The presented analysis closely agrees with simulation results.


We report a case series of unusual I-ioflupane SPECT imaging findings. Three patients with atypical parkinsonian symptoms underwent I-ioflupane imaging to assist in diagnosis. The patients had complete or near-complete absence of striatal activity. The imaging deficit severity did not consistently correlate with the clinical deficit severity. These cases suggest that markedly abnormal uptake patterns may be seen with atypical parkinsonian syndromes. Further research is warranted to evaluate differences in I-ioflupane uptake patterns among the various parkinsonian syndromes.


The purpose of this study was to examine the influence age and parental marital status on parent-child relationships form college students perspective. Data was collected among 150 adult students, representing 109 (73%) female and 41 (27%) male participants. The participants completed Adult Attachment (AA) Scale with 18 items and The Parent-Child Relationship Scale (PCRS) with 48 items. One-Way ANOVA showed that there was a significant difference in age and parental marital status on Parent-child relationships on college students' perspective. The study also revealed there is a significance difference on parental marital status for both fatherchild and mother-child relationships on the scale of positive effect, communication, resentment/role confusion and involvement. Keyword: close, depend, anxiety, positive effect, involvement, resentment, communication.


This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of head lice among primary school children in a semi-urban area of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. A total of 204 children aged 6 to 12 years from both genders had their hair and scalp examined by visual inspection for head lice. A questionnaire was used to assess children's knowledge about the ectoparasite – Pediculus humanus capitis. The prevalence of head lice infestation was 26.4%. More girls were infested with prevalence rate of 35.4% while boys had 18.5% (p< 0.001). Self-reported contact with another infected person was the main risk factor for becoming infected. One hundred and sixty five children (80.8%) reported sleeping with other people on the same bed. A total of 114 children (55.8%) had no knowledge of the appropriate treatment for pediculosis. Low socioeconomic status pre-disposed the children to infestation arising from sharing beds, clothing and combs. It is recommended that early detection of the infestation and effective management strategies which should target school children should be put in place for effective control of pediculosis.


The overall goal of the study is to identify key factors other than compensation that influence motivation at the Centre for Plant Medicine Research, Mampong-Akwapim. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to investigate the factors that affect motivation and retention among the senior officers and senior staff, identify the level of importance of the various motivational factors and also identify any other factor that is key to their motivation and retention. Using a cross-sectional and quantitative design with the aid of both open-ended and close-ended questionnaires, data were collected from seventy-six (76) respondents and analysed using simple descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Non-financial factors especially leadership factors such as how employees' grievances are handled and how their efforts are valued constitute about 60% of the drivers of motivation and retention. Thus, leadership style is a key determinant of motivation and retention among the Senior Staff and Senior Officers at CPMR.


We measured the intercondylar notch of the femur in female handball players from radiographs of 20 players with previous unilateral anterior cruciate ligament injury, and 26 controls without injury. The groups were comparable regarding age, height, weight and level of performance. Intercondylar fossa radiographs were obtained in a posteroanterior axial position. The anterior opening of the intercondylar notch was narrower in the healthy knee of the injured group compared to the controls. There was an increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury associated with decreasing notch opening: female handball players with 17 mm or less anterior notch width were 6 times more susceptible to anterior cruciate ligament injury compared to players with wider notch width.


This deals with the harmonic forced vibration of a circular plate surface bonded by two piezoelectric layers, based on the Kirchhoff plate model. The form of electric potential field in the piezoelectric layer is assumed such that the Maxwell static electricity equation is satisfied. The differential equations of motion are solved analytically for clamped edge boundary condition of the plate. The solutions are expressed by elementary Bessel functions. The results are verified by those obtained from finite-element analysis and results from others article.


Background In many Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, epidemic management is characterized with inaction, confusion and friction among a multitude of participating organizations. This is partially attributable to the inability to customize international epidemic management actions and guidelines to local institutional architecture, agencies and relational contexts. This results into poor coordination and suboptimal epidemic management outcomes. Using the case of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in Uganda, we explored how to clarify responsibility and collaboration across a multitude of inter-dependent actions and actors during epidemic management. Methods In July 2018, we reviewed MVD management literature and documents to identify key expected actions and actors/agencies. Data was summarized by phase and action area of MVD management. In March 2019, a 2-round Delphi survey was then undertaken to; 1) validate the identified actions and 2) assign legitimate role-bearers to each of the validated actions. We used NetDraw in UCINet to elaborate the expected network structure among legitimate role-bearers across all the phases and four selected action areas. Results We validated 304 mandated actions and 79 legitimate role-bearers in MVD management in Uganda. Across the four phases and selected action areas of MVD management, there is a high variation in the identity and number of mandated role bearers. Overall, Ministry of Health headquarters (MoH-HQs), National Task Force (NTF), District task Force (DTF) and National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) are expected to be the most central agencies during MVD management. Across the four phases and the selected action areas, actors are expected to be networked using a core-periphery network structure.Conclusions There is a multitude of agencies required to work inter-dependently to accomplish the mandated actions for MVD management in Uganda. MoH-HQs, NTF and DTF are most central in the Ugandan context. It is imperative to build/maintain the information processing, decision making and command and control capacity of these central agencies. The study findings can be used as the basis for exploring compliance and deviation in mandated actions in future MVD epidemics. The methodological approach could be replicated to other infectious disease epidemics in Uganda and beyond.


Psychiatrists diagnose and treat the mental disorders of cancer patients, but they are also concerned with pain management, the patient's adaptation to the disease, and the attitudes of relatives and health care professionals toward the cancer patient. The author reviews recent research on these areas of concern and discusses the psychiatric complications of cancer such as organic brain syndromes, depression, and anxiety; the pharmacotherapy of such complications; and the role of psychological factors in the etiology of cancer. Approaches to informing patients of their cancer diagnosis and other implications for clinical practice are also covered.


OBJECTIVE
To update the 2000 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) practice parameter on anticonvulsant prophylaxis in patients with newly diagnosed brain tumors.

METHODS
Following the 2017 AAN methodologies, a systematic literature review utilizing PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases was performed. The studies were rated based on the AAN therapeutic or causation classification of evidence (Class I-IV).

RESULTS
Thirty-seven articles were selected for final analysis. There were limited high level, Class I studies and mostly Class II and III studies. The AAN affirmed the value of these guidelines.

RECOMMENDATIONS
In patients with newly diagnosed brain tumors who have not had a seizure, clinicians should not prescribe anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) to reduce the risk of seizures (Level A). In brain tumor patients undergoing surgery, there is insufficient evidence to recommend prescribing AEDs to reduce the risk of seizures in the peri- or postoperative period (Level C). There is insufficient evidence to support prescribing valproic acid or levetiracetam with the intent to prolong progression-free or overall survival (Level C). Physicians may consider use of levetiracetam over older AEDs to reduce side effects (Level C). There is insufficient evidence to support using tumor location, histology, grade, molecular/imaging features, when deciding whether or not to prescribe prophylactic AEDs (Level U).


New anti-breast cancer compounds have been found and may prove to have stronger activity. To predict the activities of N-benzoyl-N'-phenylthiourea (BPTU) derivatives, namely N-(3-chloro)benzoyl-N'-phenylthiourea (3-Cl-BPTU) and N-(3,4-dichloro)benzoyl-N'-phenylthiourea (3,4-2Cl-BPTU) with Sirtuin-1 receptor (PDB code: 4I5I), molecular docking was conducted at the beginning of this study. The compounds were then synthesized from benzoyl chloride derivatives and N-phenylthiourea. Molecular structure was confirmed using FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and Mass Spectra, while the anticancer activity was tested in vitro against human breast cancer cells (T47D) using MTT assay. The results indicated that the anti-cancer activities of the test compounds were better than those of the hydroxyurea as the reference compound, evidenced by the Rerank Score (RS). Furthermore, cytotoxic effect of 3-Cl-BPTU (IC50: 0.43 mM) and 3,4-dichloro-BPTU (IC50: 0.85 mM) showed better result compared with hydroxyurea (IC50: 4.58 mM). Therefore, we concluded that these compounds could possess termendous potential as the candidate for a new anticancer drug.


Recent literature has been showing that conditional cooperation is essential for tax compliance. Only coercion mechanisms could not explain the willingness of people to pay tax. On the other hand enforcement costs of tax payments would be excessive high if governments depend only on coercion to collect. Based on the literature on tax morale and conditional cooperation this paper analyzes one crucial point on this discussion, which is the relationship between tax morale and perceptions on government response to tax payments and voice in Latin American and Caribbean countries. The data utilized came from Latinobarometro 2005, which is a survey carried on for several years in all LAC countries. The survey presents many useful questions concerning perception on tax morale. The results obtained show that there is a strong correlation between tax morale and the perception that money collected is well spend and voice. On the other hand the perception on being caught for not paying tax does not affect tax morale. Also demographic variables were important to the explanation of tax morale. These results show that there are some differences between LAC tax morale determinants pattern and the patterns observed in other regions of the world.


One of the main challenges in the vision-based grasping is the selection of feasible grasp regions while interacting with novel objects. Recent approaches exploit the power of the convolutional neural network (CNN) to achieve accurate grasping at the cost of high computational power and time. In this paper, we present a novel unsupervised learning based algorithm for the selection of feasible grasp regions. Unsupervised learning infers the pattern in data-set without any external labels. We apply k-means clustering on the image plane to identify the grasp regions, followed by an axis assignment method. We define a novel concept of Grasp Decide Index (GDI) to select the best grasp pose in image plane. We have conducted several experiments in clutter or isolated environment on standard objects of Amazon Robotics Challenge 2017 and Amazon Picking Challenge 2016. We compare the results with prior learning based approaches to validate the robustness and adaptive nature of our algorithm for a variety of novel objects in different domains.


Block copolymers (BCP) can self‐assemble into nanoscale patterns with a wide variety of applications in the semiconductor industry. The self‐assembly of BCPs is commonly accomplished by solvent vapor or thermal annealing, but generally these methods require long time (few hours) to obtain nanostructured thin films. In this contribution, a new and ultrafast method (using microwaves) is proposed—high temperature solvent vapor annealing (HTSVA), combining solvent vapor annealing with thermal annealing, to achieve fast and controllable self‐assembly of amphiphilic BCP thin films. A promising carbohydrate‐based BCP capable of forming cylindrical patterns with some of the smallest feature sizes is used for demonstrating how to obtain a highly ordered vertical cylindrical pattern with sub‐10 nm feature sizes in few seconds by HTSVA. HTSVA provides not only a simple way to achieve BCP fast self‐assembly in practical applications but also a tool to study the self‐assembly behavior of BCPs under extreme conditions.


Skin is the most touchy and sensitive part of the body subsequently we need an extraordinary consideration. This exploration is identified with distinguish skin ailment, for example, skin inflammation, clogged pores, dermatitis and so on. When all is said in done this sort of infection can turn out to be progressively hazardous in the event that it isn't controlled at a previous stage. This exploration will give an office to client to deciding the skin illness dependent on manifestations. In this examination the information handling of patients is utilizing profound learning apparatus which has as of late accomplished promising outcomes in a wide scope of zones, for example, PC vision, discourse acknowledgment and regular language preparing. It intends to learn progressive portrayals of information by utilizing profound engineering models. In a skin malady location framework, pictures should be naturally handled and examined. In this paper, we survey the profound learning calculations connected to contaminated skin pictures of people as far as various research themes: skin picture discovery, picture preprocessing, and picture acknowledgment and picture arrangement. Index Terms— dermatology, skin disease, deep learning neural network, DBN, contrast


The asphalt was modified with waste PVC and SBS, adopt 2%SBS+PVC and 4%SBS+PVC (the percentage of total asphalt system) two processes to compound modification of 90# asphalt. The softening point test, penetration at 25 °C test, ductility at 5 °C test and PI index were performed to characterize the modification effects. The results show that, the waste PVC/SBS compound asphalt can effectively increase both high and low temperature performance, remedy the shortage of waste PVC modified asphalt. Besides, infrared absorption spectroscopy analysis was carried out, we reason that modification mechanism was mainly for the multiphase three-dimensional network graft's formation between stabilizer, modifier and asphalt, caused internal chemical composition change of modified asphalt.


Synchronous static compensator (STATCOM) can be used to improve the dynamic performance of a power system. This article presents an online adaptive pole-shift method for stabilization of a multi-machine power system. Considering the speed deviation of the generator to which the STATCOM is connected as the output and the magnitude of the converter voltage as the input, an adaptive linear plant model is estimated. The stabilizing control is derived from a variable pole-shift strategy which moves the poles of the identified model to the center of unit circle in zdomain. The controller performance has been tested for various disturbances from a number of simulation studies on a multi-machine power system. It was observed that the adaptive algorithm converges very quickly and also provides robust damping profiles to the under damped power system. Index Terms — Adaptive control, Variable pole-shift control, Power system damping control.


ABSTRACT Clostridium difficile, the main cause of diarrhea in hospitalized patients, produces toxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB), which affect intestinal epithelial cell survival, proliferation, and migration and induce an intense inflammatory response. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a pleiotropic cytokine affecting enterocyte and immune/inflammatory responses. However, it has been shown that exposure of intestinal epithelium to a low concentration of TcdA induces the release of TGF-β1, which has a protective effect on epithelial resistance and a TcdA/TGF-β signaling pathway interaction. The activation of this pathway in vivo has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the TGF-β1 pathway in TcdA-induced damage in a rat intestinal epithelial cell line (IEC-6) and in a mouse model of an ileal loop. TcdA increased the expression of TGF-β1 and its receptor, TβRII, in vitro and in vivo. TcdA induced nuclear translocation of the transcription factors SMAD2/3, a hallmark of TGF-β1 pathway activation, both in IEC cells and in mouse ileal tissue. The addition of recombinant TGF-β1 (rTGF-β) prevented TcdA-induced apoptosis/necrosis and restored proliferation and repair activity in IEC-6 cells in the presence of TcdA. Together, these data show that TcdA induces TGF-β1 signaling pathway activation and suggest that this pathway might play a protective role against the effect of C. difficile-toxin.


Eric Barone's 2016 indie 'country life simulator' video game Stardew Valley has yet to be evaluated through the dual lenses of neo-liberal capitalism and ecocriticism. Given his intention for the game to have real-world messages, including the importance of community organization against corporate domination and of environmental conservation, there is a need to evaluate the intent and execution of his vision to determine if the resulting gameplay truly conveys those messages to his audience. This article draws on neo-liberal capitalist video game theory, or the simulation of capitalist circuits in video games as theorized by Kline and Golumbia, and ecocritical video game theory, or environmental modelling strategies in video games as discussed by Chang and Condis, to argue that video games are political texts, that the game mechanics within demonstrate the process-oriented 'work as play' mentality that simulates capitalist circuits and that the misrepresentation of environmentality through selective reproduction of real-world processes detrimentally impacts the agency and responsibility of consumers of video games. After engaging in an analysis of Barone's representations of the in-game economy and environment via the player character's origin story, methods of production, community organization and environmental interactions, this article concludes with a final discussion about the limitations of video game design, defence of Barone's intent and execution and submission of suggestions for improvement and reflections on future study.


OBJECTIVE The epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) threatens to become the major public health problem of this century. However, a comprehensive comparison of the long-term effects of medications to treat T2DM has not been conducted. GRADE, a pragmatic, unmasked clinical trial, aims to compare commonly used diabetes medications, when combined with metformin, on glycemia-lowering effectiveness and patient-centered outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS GRADE was designed with support from a U34 planning grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The consensus protocol was approved by NIDDK and the GRADE Research Group. Eligibility criteria for the 5,000 metformin-treated subjects include <5 years' diabetes duration, ≥30 years of age at time of diagnosis, and baseline hemoglobin A1c (A1C) of 6.8–8.5% (51–69 mmol/mol). Medications representing four classes (sulfonylureas, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, and insulin) will be randomly assigned and added to metformin (minimum–maximum 1,000–2,000 mg/day). The primary metabolic outcome is the time to primary failure defined as an A1C ≥7% (53 mmol/mol), subsequently confirmed, over an anticipated mean observation period of 4.8 years (range 4–7 years). Other long-term metabolic outcomes include the need for the addition of basal insulin after a confirmed A1C >7.5% (58 mmol/mol) and, ultimately, the need to implement an intensive basal/bolus insulin regimen. The four drugs will also be compared with respect to selected microvascular complications, cardiovascular disease risk factors, adverse effects, tolerability, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS GRADE will compare the long-term effectiveness of major glycemia-lowering medications and provide guidance to clinicians about the most appropriate medications to treat T2DM. GRADE begins recruitment at 37 centers in the U.S. in 2013.


Lipid-protein interactions are essential for biological membrane functions. Lipid composition and its molecular packing are the key determinants for distinct functions of the biological membrane. A better knowledge of lipid-protein interactions may be useful for preparing mixed lipid systems, for example, targeted drug-delivery systems. To elucidate the interactions between proteins and the surrounding lipids, C18 fatty acids with different degrees of saturation in their hydrocarbon chain, namely stearic acid (SA), oleic acid (L1), linoleic acid (L2), and linolenic acid (L3), and phospholipids with saturated hydrocarbon chain but different headgroup, such as sucrose stearate (SS), 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (DSPG), 1,2-distearoyl-sn-gylcero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC), and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) were used to create a monolayer mimicking a half bilayer membrane to be incorporated with various concentrations of an integral protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and a polyclonal antibody, Anti-SNAP25 (AS25) onto the respective monolayer using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique accompanied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging. Lipid-protein interactions that occur in the mixed system can be studied from data on miscibility, compressibility and thermodynamic stability from the isotherms obtained. The analyzed data would give an insight into intermolecular interactions between the lipid and protein, thereby providing useful information on the different ways proteins associate with lipid membranes. The cis-double bonds in unsaturated lipids (L1, L2 and L3) have kinks in their molecular conformation and thus could not pack as tightly and uniformly as SA. The bends and kinks in the molecular structure may interfere with the packing of the lipid monolayer which will promote fluidity as shown in the analyzed compressibility modulus (Cs-1) data. The headgroup of phospholipids with different functional groups has distinctive intermolecular interaction with both proteins. Gibbs free energy of mixing ( ) values of lipids/BSA were found to be more negative than lipids/AS25 that explained how the integral and membrane-bound protein are embedded in membranes. The amount of protein incorporated into the monolayer strongly affected the thermodynamic properties of the membrane. AFM surface roughness analyses also indicated that BSA homogenously penetrated in between the lipid membrane and AS25 molecules are strongly bounded on the surface membrane as predicted by the energetic data. Subsequently, Langmuir energetic findings were compared to fatty acid DPPC liposomes preparation. The stability of liposomes was characterized by their mean particle size and zeta potential for 28 days. The formation of liposomes was confirmed by transmission electron microcopy (TEM) images. DPPC/DP/AS25 liposome system was found more stable than L1/DP/AS25. The particle size and zeta potential measurements of DPPC/DP/AS25 liposomes remained nearly constant for 28 days and 14 days respectively. This stability showed agreement with the LB findings as large negative values of were obtained for DPPC/DP/AS25 mixed monolayer.


A rare case of a malignant hemangioma of the great toe is reported. The etiology, incidence, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and pathology of an hemangioendothelioma is presented. The basis for surgical treatment and medical management to rule out metastases was discussed. Amputation remains the treatment of choice for hemangioendothelioma.


This paper provides simple, exact, new closed-form expressions for the generalized phase crossing rate of Nakagami-m fading channels. Sample numerical results obtained by simulation are presented that validate the formulations developed here. A special case of this formulation is the Rayleigh case, whose result agrees with that obtained elsewhere in the literature. In passing, several new closed-form results concerning the statistics of the envelope, its in-phase and quadrature components, phase, and their time derivatives are obtained.


We present a hybrid model for polymeric glasses under deformation that combines a minimal model of segmental dynamics with a beads-and-springs model of a polymer, solved by Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations, whose relaxation is coupled to the segmental dynamics through the drag coefficient of the beads. This coarse-grained model allows simulations that are much faster than molecular dynamics and successfully capture the entire range of mechanical response including yielding, plastic flow, strain-hardening, and incomplete strain recovery. The beads-and-springs model improves upon the dumbbell model for glassy polymers proposed by Fielding et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett., 2012, 108, 048301) by capturing the small elastic recoil seen experimentally without the use of ad hoc adjustments of parameters required in the model of Fielding et al. With appropriate choice of parameters, predictions of creep, recovery, and segmental relaxation are found to be in good agreement with poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) data of Lee et al. (Science, 2009, 323, 231-234). Our model shows dramatic differences in behavior of the segmental relaxation time between extensional creep and steady extension, and between extension and shear. The non-monotonic response of the segmental relaxation time to extensional creep and the small elastic recovery after removal of stress are shown to arise from sub-chains that are trapped between folds, and that become highly oriented and stretched at strains of order unity, connecting the behavior of glassy polymers under creep to that of dilute polymer solutions under fast extensional flows. We are also able to predict the effects of polymer pre-orientation in the parallel or orthogonal direction on the subsequent response to extensional deformation.


In this study, we explore the diagnostic accuracy of a Radiographic-based Periodontal Bone Loss (R-PBL) method as a screening tool for periodontitis, in the form of radiographic bone loss, under the 2018 case definition in comparison to the 2012 case definition. The analysis was based on 456 patients (253 females and 203 males), screened for periodontal status in the Study of Periodontal Health in Almada-Seixal (SoPHiAS) project and subjected to a panoramic dental X-ray. Patients were diagnosed for the presence of periodontitis following the 2018 and 2012 case definition. R-PBL classification was defined by alveolar bone loss and diagnosed as no periodontitis (≥80% remaining alveolar bone), mild to moderate periodontitis (66% to 79%), or severe periodontitis (<66%). We appraise the X-ray quality to look for the influence on the performance of R-PBL. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and precision, through several indicators, were determined. Performance measurement was assessed through binary and multiclass Receiver operating characteristic/are under the curve (ROC/AUC) analyses. Our results show that the tested R-PBL method under the 2018 case definition is a reliable tool in periodontitis cases screening. This method does not replace clinical periodontal evaluation, but rather, it screens patients towards a definitive periodontitis diagnosis. These results will contribute to support the development of automated prediction systems towards periodontitis surveillance.


This study plans to figure out how the estimation and revealing of products import exercises at the Manado Customs and Extract Oversight and Administration Office are as per the Law on Pastor of Money Guideline No. 41/PMK.010/2022 and furthermore to figure out the recording of Personal Expense Article 22 on merchandise import exercises. . The insightful technique utilized is an unmistakable strategy, specifically by gathering information, ordering, then, at that point, deciphering and breaking down it by going back over the information got to give a total depiction. The aftereffects of the exploration led, the computation and announcing of PPh Article 22 on merchandise import exercises at the Manado Customs and Extract Oversight and Administration Office are as per Clergyman of Money Guideline No. 41/PMK.010/2022. The Directorate General of Customs and Extract has carried out PMK No 41/PMK.010/2022 dated April 1, 2022 which has been recorded in Article II of PMK number 41/PMK.010/2022, to this guideline beginning April 1, 2022 all imported merchandise that are remembered for the classification of Article 22 Import Annual Expense gathered has followed how much Article 22 Personal Duty assortment as per the PMK.


With a narrowband multiuser detector (MUD), multiple users can simultaneously share the same chan- nel without using a bandwidth expanding signature code when suficient power differences at the receiver are main- tained. In this paper we assess the capacity gain that can be achieved in a hypothetical cellular system with centralized power control, using a narrowband MUD based on succes- sive cancellation. The power control algorithm is adapted to multiple users per channel in a cell. Simulation results are presented for two heuristic CIR based channel assign- ment schemes. The MUD allows for a substantial capacity gain due to a tighter packing of users in a channel. The observed gain compared to a conventional single user per channel system, ranges from 1.4 to 5 for cluster sizes C = 1 and 7, respectively.


In spite of many prophylactic measures used to avoid pneumonia after laparotomies, this complication still threatens. The frequency of such pneumonias runs as high as 10 per cent, in the European literature. In this country, recent reports from the Mayo Clinic 1 show that in a series of 140 cases of acute or chronic pulmonary suppurations following operations, thirty-eight cases followed laparotomy. Although pulmonary suppurations do not belong to pulmonary complications following immediately after operation, these figures have some bearing on the question of the frequency with which pulmonary pathologic conditions follow laparotomies. There was, and still is, much discussion as to the definition of postoperative pneumonia. Years ago, Franke 2 said: "Each postoperative elevation of the temperature that is accompanied by even slight positive percussible and auscultatory pulmonary findings should be considered as a pneumonia." It is doubtful whether this statement always holds true in the morbid anatomic sense;


This analysis contributes to the body of research testing the effect of mobile phone availability on the probability of violent conflict by shifting the unit of analysis to that of distinct ethnic groups. This approach provides two important advantages. First, it tests the robustness of this relationship by determining whether this effect maintains when shifted to a more rigorous and theoretically appropriate level of analysis. Second, shifting the analysis to the group level also enables tests of specific characteristics that may condition the effect of mobile phone availability on violent collective action. The first set of characteristics test whether mobile phone availability primarily increases a group's opportunities to engage in violent collective action as a result of decreased organizational costs due to diminished communication costs. The second set of characteristics explore whether mobile phone availability makes violent collective action more likely as a result of increasing a group's motivation to organize, thanks to enabling more efficient communication about shared grievances between group members. The results yield mixed support for both of these potential mechanisms, providing needed insight into the dynamics at play in this relationship – a matter that very much remains in the 'black box' at this point in time.


In the 21st century, engineers are expected to be creative and work collaboratively in teams to solve or design new products. Research in the past has shown how creativity and good team communication, together with knowledge, can impact the outcomes in the organization. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among creativity, engineering knowledge, and team interaction on senior engineering design product outcomes. The study was conducted within the College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, at Colorado State University. A purposeful sampling of 55 students who enrolled in Mechanical Engineering Design capstone course completed the instruments during this study, which included the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) Figural Form A, and a pre and post Team Climate Inventory. Students were assigned to twelve design project teams at the beginning of the fall term, 2011, and the project outcomes were evaluated in the spring of 2012, during the senior design showcase. Eleven professional engineers and three graduate students were trained to evaluate the senior design outcomes. The students' engineering grade point average (GPA) was used as a proxy to represent engineering knowledge.
Descriptive statistics were utilized to describe the sample in terms of their engineering GPA, creativity score, and team interaction score. Correlational analyses were executed to examine the relationships among the constructs of the study. At the design team level, results from this research indicate that there was no statistical significant relationship between the teams' creativity composite score and the design outcome. There was also no statistical significant relationship between the team interaction score and the design outcome. The team composite creativity score had no significant relationship with the team interaction score. The composite of team engineering knowledge had no significant relationship to the team interaction score. At the individual level, the correlation analysis indicated there was no statistically significant relationship between student engineering knowledge and the creativity score.
Exploratory data analysis (EDA) was used to assess the interaction of the main constructs on the engineering design outcome. The EDA results indicate that only one team met the hypothesis that a team scored above average on engineering knowledge and creativity, and a positive team interaction climate would expect to score above average on their design outcome score. Two design teams scored above average on creativity and engineering knowledge, and positive team interaction climate yet scored below average on their design outcome, which went against the original hypothesis. One design team scored above average on their design outcome, but scored below average on the other three main constructs of the study. The remaining eight design teams did not show any consistent pattern of relationships among the three constructs and the design outcome score.
This research adds to the body of work within creativity, engineering knowledge, and team interaction climate in engineering design, as well as engineering education. The findings suggest that creativity, engineering knowledge, and team interaction climate had
little impact on the engineering design outcomes. The limitations and implications of the study and future research are also discussed.


Reaction of glycolaldehyde with the binary E-NADP complex of bovine kidney aldose reductase (ALR2) produces an enzyme-bound chromophore whose absorbance (lambd max 341 nm) and fluorescence (lambda ex max 341 nm; lambda emit max 421 nm) properties are distinct from those of NADPH or E.NADPH yet are consistent with the proposed covalent adduct structure [1,4-dihydro-4-(1-hydroxy-2-oxoethyl)nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate]. The kinetics of adduct formation, both in solution and at the enzyme active site, support a mechanism involving rate-determining enolization of glycolaldehyde at high [NADP+] or [E.NADP]. At low [NADP+] or [E.NADP] the reaction is second-order overall, but the ALR2-mediated reaction displays saturation by glycolaldehyde due to competition of the aldehyde (plus hydrate) and enol for E.NADP. Measurement of the pre-steady-state burst of E-adduct formation confirms that glycolaldehyde enol is the reactive species and gives a value of 1.3 x 10(-6) for Kenol = [enol]/[( aldehyde] + [hydrate]), similar to that determined by trapping the enol with I3-. At the ALR2 active site, the rate of adduct formation is enhanced 79,000-fold and the adduct is stabilized greater than or equal to 13,000-fold relative to the reaction with NADP+ in solution. A portion of this enhancement is ascribed to specific interaction of NADP+ with the enzyme since the 3-acetylpyridine analogue, (AP)ADP+, gives values that are 15-200-fold lower. Additional evidence for strong interaction of ALR2 with both NADP+ and NADPH is reported. Yet, because dissociation of adduct is slow, catalysis of the overall adduct formation reaction by ALR2 is less than or equal to 67-fold.


Background Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) with antibodies against PD-1 or PD-L1 may provide therapeutic benefits in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, most tumours are resistant and cases of disease hyper-progression have also been reported. Materials and Methods Genetically engineered mouse models of KrasG12Dp53null NSCLC were treated with cisplatin along with antibodies against angiopoietin-2/VEGFA, PD-1 and CSF1R. Tumour growth was monitored by micro-computed tomography and the tumour vasculature and immune cell infiltrates were assessed by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry. Results Combined angiopoietin-2/VEGFA blockade by a bispecific antibody (A2V) modulated the vasculature and abated immunosuppressive macrophages while increasing CD8+effector T cells in the tumours, achieving disease stabilization comparable or superior to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. However, these immunological responses were unexpectedly limited by the addition of a PD-1 antibody, which paradoxically enhanced progression of a fraction of the tumours through a mechanism involving regulatory T cells and macrophages. Elimination of tumour-associated macrophages with a CSF1R-blocking antibody induced NSCLC regression in combination with PD-1 blockade and cisplatin. Conclusions The immune cell composition of the tumour determines the outcome of PD-1 blockade. In NSCLC, high infiltration of regulatory T cells and immunosuppressive macrophages may account for tumour hyper-progression upon ICB. Disclosure Information A. Martinez-Usatorre: None. E. Kadioglu: None. C. Cianciaruso: None. B. Torchia: None. J. Faget: None. E. Meylan: None. M. Schmittnaegel: None. I. Keklikoglou: None. M. De Palma: None.


We present a number of arguments relating magnetic disorder to center disorder, in pure Yang-Mills theory in D = 3 and D = 4 dimensions. In the case of the D = 3 Georgi-Glashow model, we point out that the abelian field distribution is not adequately represented, at very large scales, by that of a monopole Coulomb gas. The onset of center disorder is associated with the breakdown of the Coulomb gas approximation; this scale is pushed off to infinity in the QED3 limit of the 3D Georgi-Glashow model, but should approach the color-screening length in the pure Yang-Mills limit.


This paper presents RF applications of metamaterials combining ferromagnetic and dielectric structures for planar devices. Materials under scope are periodic dielectric substrates including ferromagnetic inclusions or not with planar metallic patterns, forming microstrip photonic band-gap (PBG) structures. These topologies are modeled, fabricated, and measured in order to design planar sensors and filters up to millimeter wave frequencies. In addition, defect modes that make the spectral properties of the PBG devices more attractive for narrow bandpass filters and high Q resonators are also investigated. A theoretical explanation of defect modes operation in a magnetic PBG structure is proposed.


The volume of biomedical knowledge is growing exponentially and much of this knowledge is represented in computer executable formats, such as models, algorithms, and programmatic code. There is a growing need to apply this knowledge to improve health in Learning Health Systems, health delivery organizations, and other settings. However, most organizations do not yet have the infrastructure required to consume and apply computable knowledge, and national policies and standards adoption are not sufficient to ensure that it is discoverable and used safely and fairly, nor is there widespread experience in the process of knowledge implementation as clinical decision support. The Mobilizing Computable Biomedical Knowledge (MCBK) community was formed in 2016 to address these needs. This report summarizes the main outputs of the third annual MCBK public meeting, which was held virtually from June 30 to July 1, 2020 and brought together over 200 participants from various domains to frame and address important dimensions for mobilizing CBK.