Exosomes participate in intercellular communication by transporting functionally active molecules. Such cargo from the original cells comprising proteins, micro-RNA, mRNA, single-stranded (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecules pleiotropically transforms the target cells. Although cancer cells secrete exosomes carrying a significant level of DNA capable of modulating oncogene expression in a recipient cell, the regulatory mechanism is unknown. We have previously reported that cancer cells produce exosomes containing NANOGP8 DNA. NANOGP8 is an oncogenic paralog of embryonic stem cell transcription factor NANOG and does not express in cells since it is a pseudogene. However, in this study, we evaluated NANOGP8 expression in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tissue from a surgically removed brain tumor of a patient. Significantly higher NANOGP8 transcription was observed in GBM cancer stem cells (CSCs) than in GBM cancer cells or neural stem cells (NSCs), despite identical sequences of NANOGP8-upstream genomic region in all the cell lines. This finding suggests that upstream genomic sequences of NANOGP8 may have environment-dependent promoter activity. We also found that the regulatory sequences upstream of exosomal NANOGP8 GBM DNA contain multiple core promoter elements, transcription factor binding sites, and segments of human viruses known for their oncogenic role. The exosomal sequence of NANOGP8-upstream GBM DNA is different from corresponding genomic sequences in CSCs, cancer cells, and NSCs as well as from the sequences reported by NCBI. These sequence dissimilarities suggest that exosomal NANOGP8 GBM DNA may not be a part of the genomic DNA. Exosomes possibly acquire this DNA from other sources where it is synthesized by an unknown mechanism. The significance of exosome-bestowed regulatory elements in the transcription of promoter-less retrogene such as NANOGP8 remains to be determined.


Conjunctival papillomas are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. In children, the lesions are typically manifestations of an infection acquired during delivery. In adults, conjunctival papillomas are most likely venereal and are often associated with anogenital lesions. Papillomas due to HPV more frequently progress to malignancy in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Human papillomavirus types 6, 11, 16, and 18 have been identified in benign and malignant conjunctival lesions using various antigen and DNA detection techniques. For the first time, to our knowledge, we report the finding of HPV type 33 in conjunctival papillomas excised from an HIVpositive patient.


The birthweights of an ethnically homogeneous sample of infants with phenylketonuria, their unaffected siblings, and control infants were compared after adjusting for the effects of: mother's age, mother's date of birth, mother's height and obstetric history, the length of gestation, the infant's sex, the place and date of birth. There were no significant differences between the infants with phenylketonuria and their unaffected siblings either in adjusted or unadjusted birthweights. Control infants had slightly, but statistically significant, greater adjusted and unadjusted birthweights than the combined phenylketonuria and unaffected sibling groups. This effect of the phenylketonuria gene is a previously unreported finding but unlikely to be related to the pathogenesis of phenylketonuria. Our results do not provide support for the "justification" hypothesis that the mental and neurological defects in phenylketonuria result from prenatal tyrosine deprivation which would be reflected in lower birthweights.


It has been reported that the interleukin 4 (IL-4) specific induction of cell surface CD23 (Fc epsilon RII) is down-regulated by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in monocytes and B cells. However, the molecular level at which the inhibition occurs seems to vary depending on the cell types. In normal human B cells, IFN-gamma inhibits the IL-4 induced de novo synthesis of CD23 at the level of gene expression. Analysis of inhibition kinetics suggested a rapid signal transmission by IFN-gamma. Yet the inhibitory action of IFN-gamma on CD23 mRNA accumulation appeared as a secondary response requiring a new protein synthesis. Through nuclear run-on transcription and mRNA stability studies, we further demonstrate that the IL-4 induced CD23 gene expression is down-regulated by IFN-gamma mainly at post-transcriptional levels by decreasing mRNA stability.


Human decision-making requires the brain to fulfill neural computation of benefit and risk and therewith a selection between options. It remains unclear how value-based neural computation and subsequent brain activity evolve to achieve a final decision and which process is modulated by irrational factors. We adopted a sequential risk-taking task that asked participants to successively decide whether to open a box with potential reward/punishment in an eight-box trial, or not to open. With time-resolved multivariate pattern analyses, we decoded electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography responses to two successive low- and high-risk boxes before open-box action. Referencing the specificity of decoding-accuracy peak to a first-stage processing completion, we set it as the demarcation and dissociated the neural time course of decision-making into valuation and selection stages. The behavioral hierarchical drift diffusion modeling confirmed different information processing in two stages, that is, the valuation stage was related to the drift rate of evidence accumulation, while the selection stage was related to the nondecision time spent in response-producing. We further observed that medial orbitofrontal cortex participated in the valuation stage, while superior frontal gyrus engaged in the selection stage of irrational open-box decisions. Afterward, we revealed that irrational factors influenced decision-making through the selection stage rather than the valuation stage.


The thesis first objective was to develop field instructions for forest planning of native forests in Andean Patagonia, and the second objective was to test the plan on an actual property in the area. The thesis was limited to studies in the province of Rio Negro. Today, there are no official forest management plans for native forests in the Argentinean province of Rio Negro; thus, there is an obvious need for an official forest management plan with clear guidelines. To be granted permission to manage, i.e. through thinning, the native forests on a property it is required to have a forest management plan that is approved by the Forestry Board in the province in question (Thill, B. 2006/2007).

The methodology of the thesis was as follows: first, an thorough examination of the general conditions of forests, forest laws and forest uses and values in the region was undertaken, and then, the Swedish methodology for forest management plans was adapted to fit the Patagonian circumstances. The field study was carried out on a property dominated by the tree species Coihue (Nothofagus dombeyi) and the Cordilleran Cypress (Austrocedrus chilensis) in the El Manso-valley south of the city of Bariloche.

The results are presented as two appendices:
• Appendix 1- A field instruction for forest management planning
• Appendix 2- An example of a forest management plan for a property in the Rio Negro province

The following are conclusions based on the study:
• The making of forest management plans in the province of Rio Negro should be based on multi-use planning. Multi-use planning entails taking into consideration the many different benefits from that come from forested land like timber, berry picking and recreation.
• It is of great importance to be versatile and flexible during inventory or proposing forestry measures since there are many different interests like tourism, timber production, firewood extraction, nature conservation and other types of forest products and services that must be weighed together if the Rio Negron forests are to be sustainably managed.
• Similar to Swedish forests, the Andean Patagonian forests are relatively homogeneous and can be stratified into compartments according to species, density and age. This homogeneity is due to the presence of a relatively few number of species and to the forest being in various stages of succession after forest fires.
• The author is convinced that with more local knowledge and further research on the Patagonian forests, the field instructions and forestry management plans can be improved and adapted to a larger extent. Continued development of multi-use management plans for Rio Negron forest properties is suggested.


Immunosuppressive therapy (IST) has provided an alternative treatment option for cure of aplastic anemia patients who cannot receive bone marrow transplantation. Although there have been many recent studies on the efficacy of antithymoglobulin (ATG) combined with cyclosporine A (CsA), there is no data on the correlation between the variability of CsA levels and the response to IST. Therefore, we retrospectively assessed the factors associated with IST efficacy in patients with acquired severe aplastic anemia (SAA). Sixty‐six patients were treated with ATG combined with CsA for 6 months. In the response group, the CsA levels were increased rapidly to more than 200 ng/mL within the first 2 wk after starting the IST. However, the non‐response group had a pattern of slower increase of the CsA levels. The CsA levels, during the first and second week of treatment with IST, were significantly different in the responders and non‐responders. The factors predictive of response to IST and survival were analyzed. The univariate analysis showed that a younger age at the initiation of IST, a high absolute neutrophil count prior to starting IST, a short interval between the diagnosis and initiation of IST, and high CsA levels during the first and second week of IST treatment were positively associated with the response rate and overall survival. The multivariate analysis showed that these four factors were independent factors associated with a longer patient survival. A high response rate was associated with a short interval between diagnosis and initiation of IST as well as high CsA levels during the first and second week of IST. Therefore, early intensification of CsA levels might improve patient outcome.


The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) positioning based on the signal strength is the well know and feasible method. But the researches based on signal strength only usually make unsatisfied positioning error because of the instable of RFID signal. In this paper, we propose an indoor RFID positioning system which is based on the analysis of signal strength, the layout of sensing region, and the tracks of users. Different from the other RFID positioning systems, we use only one RFID reader with user, and the tags are layout in the positioning area systematically. The system integrates two phase work of positioning: analysis of signal strength in overlapping sensing area (Level 1), and analysis of users' movement directions with signal comparison (Level 2). The experiments show that the proposed mechanism improves the accuracy of positioning successfully.


A method of immobilizing intra-oral needle implants using an intravenous catheter is described. A loop formed by the catheter immobilizes the tongue and serves as an anchor for the needles. The technique is simple, flexible, and well tolerated.


Research is increasingly challenging the claim that distinct sources of social information—such as sex, race, and emotion—are processed in discrete fashion. Instead, there appear to be functionally relevant interactions that occur. In the present article, we describe research examining how cues conveyed by the human face, voice, and body interact to form the unified representations that guide our perceptions of and responses to other people. We explain how these information sources are often thrown into interaction through bottom-up forces (e.g., phenotypic cues) as well as top-down forces (e.g., stereotypes and prior knowledge). Such interactions point to a person perception process that is driven by an intimate interface between bottom-up perceptual and top-down social processes. Incorporating data from neuroimaging, event-related potentials (ERP), computational modeling, computer mouse-tracking, and other behavioral measures, we discuss the structure of this interface, and we consider its implications and adaptive purposes. We argue that an increased understanding of person perception will likely require a synthesis of insights and techniques, from social psychology to the cognitive, neural, and vision sciences.


The urgency of developing computational methods of high-accuracy location estimation of nearby objects on a digital image is caused by a significant increase in penetrating power of optical systems. In this regard, the difficulty of achieving the required observation accuracy of nearby objects with statistically dependent images significantly increases. The paper proposes a method that allows with potential accuracy to assess the location of several nearby objects on the CCD frame. Using sub-pixel Gaussian model for object image, high measurement accuracy was achieved. The method is based on the maximum likelihood method, which reduces the computational complexity of the method. The developed method can be used in operational automated asteroids detection systems, for example, in the CoLiTec program, to assess the location of several nearby statistically dependent objects. This method is already being used in the operational automated asteroids detection system CoLiTec. The method has shown high accuracy in estimating the location of several nearby statistically dependent objects [14]. Implementation of the proposed method in CoLiTec software has increased the measurement accuracy of objects. Due to this, program users have improved their rating by the number of measurements of small solar system bodies. Namely, in 2012, among the most productive world observatories, observatories-users of CoLiTec have taken 9, 13, 22 places. According to the RMSD parameter, in pixels, objects location estimates, observatories-partners of CoLiTec for the 2012 have: ISON-NM Observatory (H15) – 0.25 pixels (5th place), Andrushevsky Astronomical Observatory (A50) - 0.23 pixels (3 place), ISON-Kislovodsk Observatory - 0.23 pixels (3rd place). Based on the average module of residuals, observatories-partners of CoLiTec also take leading positions in their class of telescopes. In 2012, this indicator was 0.061" (H15) and 0.06" (A50). So, according to this indicator, observatories H15 and A50 have taken 3 and 2 places among small aperture telescopes.


Purpose Current knowledge of TMEM17, a recently identified protein of the transmembrane (TMEM) family, is limited, especially with respect to its expression and biological functions in malignant tumors. This study analyzed TMEM17 expression in invasive breast cancer tissue and breast cell lines and its relevance to clinicopathological factors, and investigated the mechanisms underlying the biological effects of TMEM17 on breast cancer cells. Patients and methods TMEM17 protein expression was determined in 20 freshly harvested specimens (tumor and paired normal tissues) by Western blotting. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to determine the expression and subcellular localization of TMEM17 in samples from 167 patients (mean age, 49 years) diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (38 with triple-negative breast cancer; 129 with non-triple-negative breast cancer) who underwent complete resection in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University between 2011 and 2013. Furthermore, TMEM17 was knocked down by small interfering RNAs in breast cancer cell lines. Results TMEM17 was found to be significantly upregulated in breast cancer tissues compared to the corresponding normal breast tissues by Western blotting (p=0.015). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that TMEM was significantly upregulated in invasive breast cancer cells compared to adjacent normal breast duct glandular epithelial cells (10.78% vs 76.05%, p<0.001), and its expression was closely related to the patient's T-stage (p=0.022), advanced TNM stages (p=0.007), and lymph node metastasis (p=0.012). After TMEM17 knockdown or overexpression in breast cancer cell lines, TMEM17 upregulated p-AKT, p-GSK3β, active β-catenin, and Snail, and downstream target proteins c-myc and cyclin D1, and downregulated E-cadherin, resulting in increased cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. These effects were reversed by the AKT inhibitor LY294002. Conclusion Our results indicate that TMEM17 is upregulated in breast cancer tissues and can promote malignant progression of breast cancer cells by activating the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway.


OBJECTIVE
The number of foreigners residing in Japan has increased during the past decade. The aim of this survey was to clarify the present situation and the disadvantages in the medical care for foreigners.

METHODS
In October 1997, we mailed a questionnaire to all clinics and hospitals in Chiba City. The questionnaire included questions regarding the number of foreign patients who visited during the past three months, the proportion of patients who have any health insurance, procedures for handling foreign patients, and the disadvantages in medical care for them.

RESULTS
Of the 210 respondents (183 clinics and 27 hospitals), 133 facilities (63.3%) provided medical care for foreign patients during the past three months, and 187 (89.0%) during the past year. In 102 facilities (76.7%), the number of foreign patients was fewer than 10 during the past three months. The mean number of foreign patients was 13.8 per facility (12.2 per clinic, and 23.5 per hospital). Of these foreign patients, 68.6% had any health insurance. In 172 facilities (81.9%), foreign patients were accepted in the same way as the Japanese. The main disadvantages in medical care for foreigners were difficulty in understanding because of communication problems, and default in payment of medical expenses for the foreigners with no health insurance. In 154 facilities (73.3%), no special preparation to communicate with foreign patients was provided, and few facilities could understand foreign languages except for English. In 20 facilities, fees for medical care had been left unpaid by foreign patients during the past year, and the total outstanding amount was about 23,800,000 yen.

CONCLUSION
In Chiba City, many medical facilities provide medical care for foreign patients. This study suggests that support for communication with foreigners and compensation for default in medical expenses are necessary.


We present a performance analysis technique for distributed real-time systems in a setting where certain components are modeled in a purely functional manner, while the remaining components require additional modeling of state information. The functional models can be efficiently analyzed but have restricted expressiveness. On the other hand, state-based models are more expressive and offer a richer set of analyzable properties but are computationally more expensive to analyze. We show that by appropriately composing these two classes of models it is possible to leverage on their respective advantages. To this end, we propose an interface between components that are modeled using real-time calculus [Chakraborty, Kiinzli and Thiele, DATE 2003] and those that are modeled using event count automata [Chakraborty, Phan and Thiagarajan, RTSS 2005]. The resulting modeling technique is as expressive as event count automata, but is amenable to more efficient analysis. We illustrate these advantages using a number of examples and a detailed case study.


The adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is seen with increasing frequency. It is associated with a variety of conditions even in the absence of preexisting pulmonary diseases. The treatment often includes intubation, using positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP), and other ancillary support. The mortality rate is high, and physicians caring for such patients should be on guard for disseminated intravascular coagulation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and infection.


Historical interest in the emotions leads us to question their role in feminine utopias at the end of the Middle Ages. A major source is illustrated work La cite des Dames (1405) by Christine de Pizan (1365-1430). B.H. Rosenwein, W. Reddie and K.Oatley offer psycho-social interpretative categories (emotional communities and emotional regime) useful to link utopian ideas, emotional values and interpersonal rapports between sexes. The ideal community, according to B.H. Rosenwein, as emotional community helps us to identify which feelings were rejected or rewarded to express oneself and build this city. The qualitative analysis of Pizan's work focuses the educational use of myths, the experiences of the writer in the context of the period and the cultural meaning attributed to the emotions.


The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising antibiotic combination products for delivering two or more different antibiotics simultaneously, wherein the two different antibiotics comprise one which consisting of concentration dependent killing and the other concentration independent killing or time dependant killing activity. The invention has been worked out utilizing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles to optimize antibiotic regimen , to improve clinical results and to potentially decrease the development of resistance. Combination of ceftazidime and tobramycin has been evolved to specifically illustrate the invention.


In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesia is experiencing a crisis in mental health, and it appears that social media is making the issue much worse. This study examines the impact of social media use and its elements on Indonesians' mental health as a first step towards identifying potential disasters. The study uses a convergent mixed methods approach, utilizing both quantitative data measured by social networking activity intensity scale (SNAIS) and general anxiety disorder 7 scale (GAD-7), and qualitative data collected through open-ended questions answered by 347 Indonesians aged 17-65 years old. The results indicate a significant link (p<0.05) between excessive social media use during the pandemic and unfavorable impacts on users' mental health, specifically the development of anxiety. The study also finds that hoaxes and rumors on social media about COVID-19 infections, inadequate health facilities, and the Indonesian government's slow response contributed to the population's uneasiness. According to the studies, social media literacy is needed to managing social media use during times of crisis. This study adds to the social media-mental heath literature. It illuminates Indonesians' challenges, providing insights that might improve public health policies, mental health therapies, and educational efforts to encourage good social media practises.


In this thesis, the implicit block methods presented as in the simple form of Adams Moulton method are developed for solving higher order systems of Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs). This method will solve the Initial Value Problems (IVPs) of second and third order ODEs using variable step size (VS) and variable step or variable order (VSVO) techniques. The proposed block methods will approximate the solutions at two distinct points on the x-axis simultaneously in a block. A system of higher order can also be reduced to a system of first order equations and then solved using any numerical method. This approach is very well established but it obviously will enlarge the dimension of the equations. However, the developed block method will solve the system of higher order ODEs directly without reducing it to first order. The formulae of the block method involve Lagrange's interpolation formulae in order to compute the integration coefficients. All the coefficients will be stored in the code and there will be no computation involved for the integration coefficients. The codes were executed on UNIX operating system and the algorithms were written in C language. The numerical results showed that the performance of the developed methods gave better results in terms of total number of steps, maximum error, and total function calls compared to the existing block methods. In conclusion, the proposed implicit block methods in this thesis are appropriate for solving the second and third order ODEs.


Introduction: In severe COVID-19 patients, a pre-inflamatory condition leads to a cytokine storm syndrome. This may signify the need for using immunomodulatory drugs. Patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) are prone to severe infectious diseases. Objectives: Whether the presence of the RD itself or the use of its drugs in patients with COVID-19 increases the severity of symptoms and outcomes remains largely unknown. Patients and Methods: In a prospective cohort study conducted in Khorshid hospital of Isfahan, Iran, 219 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled and divided into two groups of patients with a positive history for RD (n=19) and those without this history (NRD, n=200). The severity of symptoms and outcomes was compared between the groups. Results: Shortness of breath (P=0.001), cough (P=0.019), and weakness (P=0.001) were significantly higher in the RD than the NRD group after, but not before, recovery. All the patients in the RD group had comorbid diseases (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease), the number of which was significantly higher than that of the NRD group (P<0.001). The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was used to predict 10-year survival in patients with multiple comorbidities. It was significantly lower in the RD group as opposed to the NRD group (P<0.001). Logistic regression also showed a non-significantly higher chance of the composite outcome (ICU admission, death status, and intubation status) in the RD group as opposed to the NRD group, both before and after adjustment for confounding factors. However, no difference was found between the RD patient who received corticosteroid as a treatment (RD-CS) and those who did not (RD-NCS). Conclusion: The results showed an increased risk for severe forms of COVID-19 in RD patients. This risk is possibly attributable to a high prevalence of comorbidities in these patients.


Semiempirical
 (AM1-SCI) calculations have been performed to rationalise the experimental findings in relation to the photophysics of 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole (HBO), 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole
 (HBI) and 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (HBT). The calculations reveal that, while for HBO and HBI, two rotameric isomers are present in the ground state, there is only one stable species in the S0 state of HBT. Excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction is, however, operative in the lowest excited singlet
 (S1) and triplet (T1) states for all the three molecular systems; resulting altogether three fluorescence bands for HBO and HBI and two for HBT. The excitation, fluorescence and phosphorescence bands have been assigned
 theoretically. The calculated results agree well with the existing experimental reports. The potential energy surfaces (PES) have been generated for the intramolecular proton transfer (IPT) reactions. The PES reflect
 that although the IPT process is not favourable in the ground state, the ESIPT process is feasible, both thermodynamically
 as well as kinetically, for all the three molecular systems in the S1 as well as T1 states.


In this paper, the problem of unsteady free convection boundary layer flow past a vertical axisymmetric permeable shrinking sheet in the presence of radiation effect is studied. The governing system of partial differential equations is transformed into ordinary differential equations by using the similarity transformation, which is then solved numerically using the shooting method. The effects of the governing parameter, namely the radiation parameter on the skin friction coefficient, the local Nusselt number, and the temperature profiles are investigated. It is found that the dual solutions exists for non-zero radiation. It is also observed that when a high radiation parameter is applied, the variations in the temperature distribution become less significant.


Understanding in-situ stress orientations and magnitudes is critical in building a geomechanical model which helps in planning and execution of a development and production programme for any hydrocarbon reservoirs. The azimuthal anisotropy analysis from cross-dipole acoustic data is commonly used to derive the direction of maximum-horizontal stress. However, the interpretation of the stress orientation is challenging in inclined wells where anisotropy may also be influenced by the relative angle of bedding plane to the bore hole. Integration of the data becomes of paramount importance to correctly interpret the stress distribution.
 Cross dipole wireline acoustic, 3D resistivity and 6 arm calliper data were acquired in a deviated well, offshore, Malaysia. Acoustic data was processed for azimuthal anisotropy, 3D-resistivity data was processed for formation dip, azimuth, horizontal and vertical resistivity and 6 arm calliper data was used to generate borehole shape. Acoustic analysis provided the difference in fast and slow shear wave velocities and the azimuth of fast shear. The resistivity anisotropy, dip and azimuth and bore hole shape information was incorporated to interpret effect of the dipping bed in the scheme of relating acoustic anisotropy to the formation stress.
 Meaningful difference in the fast and slow shear velocities (in two orthogonal direction) is observed in this well. The fast shear wave azimuth of NW-SE is consistent with the regional trend. However, the presence of laminated shale interval in the inclined bore hole imparts uncertainty in relating the anisotropy to the stress field. The formation dip and azimuth obtained from the resistivity anisotropy provided the framework of the interpretation by identifying the intervals with higher relative dip and the associated anisotropy perceived by it. Bore hole ovalization also provides the necessary input to the interpretation scheme which is supported by the existing field wide geomechanical model.
 Integrating all datasets resolved potentially ambiguous interpretation of the source of azimuthal acoustic anisotropy. This approach determines the cause of the anisotropy (unbalanced stress in formation vs. dipping beds and shale transverse anisotropy). The result provides valuable information to refine the existing geomechanical model which can be used in future well placement and planning, optimum mud weight design, and constraining water injection operating limit during the life of the field.


BADEN POWELL AND CHARNWOOD FOREST. SIE,—The posthumous paper in your March number, by Baden Powell, appears out of date. More than half of its material had appeared in print before it was written in 1859 ; and the few newpoints it contains have been told over and over again during the last decennary. But what I wanted especially to note was a correction of the opening statement in the article, " That the Geology of Charnwood Forest was first systematically investgated by Professors Sedg• wick, Whewell, and Airy in 1833." Your readers will find in the' Annals of Philosophy, Jan., 1824, an elaborate memoir, with a good geological map and woodcuts, by William Phillips and S. Luck Kent, " Observations on the Rocks of Mount Sorrel, Charnwood Forest, and Grooby." This memoir is 20 pages long, and excepting the antiquated nomenclature, is as sound in its principles, accurate in its details and classification of the rocks, as are any of the recent Memoirs of Charnwood Forest, the Geological Survey, Mr. Jukes'; or the recently published memoir by Professor Ansted.


The inclusion of physical effects from sea quarks has been one of the main advances in lattice QCD simulations over the last few years. We report on recent studies with four flavours of dynamical quarks and address some of the potential issues arising in this new setup. First results for physical observables in the light, strange and charm sectors are presented together with the status of dedicated simulations to perform the non-perturbative renormalisation in mass-independent schemes.


A series of 72 type I diabetics was grouped according to the mean value of 24-h albuminuria (AU) determined from three 24-h urine collections: group A (n = 49, normoalbuminuria, AU less than or equal to 26 mg/24 h), group B (n = 16, microalbuminuria, AU less than or equal to 26 mg/24 h), group C (n = 7, clinically significant proteinuria, AU greater than 260 mg/24 h). Glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) was examined five times in three-month intervals. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BPs and BPD) were determined from four values taken in the course of one year. Glomerular filtration (GF) was established a single examination of 24-h creatinine clearance. Fluorescent angiography was used to examine the fundus of the eye. The function of the cardiovascular autonomic nervous system was assessed on the basis of three tests: variation of heart rate during deep respiration, response of heart rate to upright position, Valsalva's maneuver. Group C had the longest duration of diabetes, the highest GHb, the lowest GF, and the highest BPS and BPD values. The number of diabetics with different findings on the fundus of the eye (normal finding/simple retinopathy/preproliferative and proliferative retinopathy) was as follows: group A--15/31/3, group B--9/6/1, group C--0/3/4. Group C exhibited the most pronounced derangement of the cardiovascular autonomic nervous system, whose extent depended on the length of diabetes duration and on the quality of metabolic compensation. Between the groups A and B no significant differences were found in any of the parameters studied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


The article contributes to research methodology on fragmentary Old Celtic
onomastic data. Based on a comprehensive overview of non-affixal formations in Old Celtic toponymy, special attention is paid to the systematic representation of various structural types in name derivation.


The overall objective of Task 7 is to identify cost-effective life cycle integrated health management (IHM) approaches for a reusable launch vehicle's primary structure. Acceptable IHM approaches must: eliminate and accommodate faults through robust designs, identify optimum inspection/maintenance periods, automate ground and on-board test and check-out, and accommodate and detect structural faults by providing wide and localized area sensor and test coverage as required. These requirements are elements of our targeted primary structure low cost operations approach using airline-like maintenance by exception philosophies. This development plan will follow an evolutionary path paving the way to the ultimate development of flight-quality production, operations, and vehicle systems. This effort will be focused on maturing the recommended sensor technologies required for localized and wide area health monitoring to a technology readiness level (TRL) of 6 and to establish flight ready system design requirements. The following is a brief list of IHM program objectives: design out faults by analyzing material properties, structural geometry, and load and environment variables and identify failure modes and damage tolerance requirements; design in system robustness while meeting performance objectives (weight limitations) of the reusable launch vehicle primary structure; establish structural integrity margins to preclude the need for test and checkout and predict optimum inspection/maintenance periods through life prediction analysis; identify optimum fault protection system concept definitions combining system robustness and integrity margins established above with cost effective health monitoring technologies; and use coupons, panels, and integrated full scale primary structure test articles to identify, evaluate, and characterize the preferred NDE/NDI/IHM sensor technologies that will be a part of the fault protection system.


Exploration is a key challenge in Reinforcement Learning, especially in long-horizon, deceptive and sparse-reward environments. For such applications, population-based approaches have proven effective. Methods such as Quality-Diversity deals with this by encouraging novel solutions and producing a diversity of behaviours. However, these methods are driven by either undirected sampling (i.e. mutations) or use approximated gradients (i.e. Evolution Strategies) in the parameter space, which makes them highly sample-inefficient. In this paper, we propose a model-based Quality-Diversity approach. It extends existing QD methods to use gradients for efficient exploitation and leverage perturbations in imagination for efficient exploration. Our approach optimizes all members of a population simultaneously to maintain both performance and diversity efficiently by leveraging the effectiveness of QD algorithms as good data generators to train deep models. We demonstrate that it maintains the divergent search capabilities of population-based approaches on tasks with deceptive rewards while significantly improving their sample efficiency and quality of solutions.


An efficient gold-catalyzed oxidative cyclization of amide-alkynes is developed. A series of functionalized γ-lactams are easily accessed by employing this strategy. The tandem reaction proceeds through alkyne oxidation, carbene/alkyne metathesis,...


This paper aims to study the relationship between the Government Spending and the private investment in non-oil sectors of Saudi economy through the crowding-out effect during the last four decades. We use the Box-Cox transformation as a specification and the tests of cointegration and causality and the recursive maximum likelihood test. The findings exhibit that the crowding-out effect is verified in Saudi Arabia economy through the investment spending of the government institutions vis-a-vis the institutions of the private sector, meanwhile the results show that the government infrastructure spending supports the increase of the private investments.


The family Psychodidae includes small cosmopolitan nematoceran flies. The Phlebotominae have received widespread attention due to their public health importance, and over 400 species have been described in South America. Nevertheless, the non Phlebotominae members of the family have been poorly studied, and their knowledge in the region is poor. In Argentina, the non Phlebotominae Psychodidae are scarcely known, with 19 recorded species included in 9 genera. The aim of this contribution is to present an updated list of Psychodidae from Argentina, extending the number of genera to 11 with approximately 24 species, including nine as yet undescribed taxa and four new records for the country: Alepia copelata Quate, Alepia truncata Bravo, Trichomyia aurea Duckhouse and Trichomyia figuieroai Duckhouse, and three new records for Chubut province: Desmioza speciosa (Tonnoir), Nemoneura confraga Quate & Brown and Nemoneura dealbata Tonnoir. The sampling sites for this work included areas in the provinces of Chubut ("Los Alerces" National Park), Rio Negro and Neuquen ("Nahuel Huapi" National Park), Buenos Aires, and Misiones.


More and more requirements are given on the ability to precisely control at run time the achievement of a network and communicating systems monitoring activity. This paper gives an overview of AMSDL (Adaptive Monitoring Strategy Description Language), which is a language under development dedicated at the expression of adaptive monitoring strategies. AMSDL will provide both the network managers and the software developers of autonomic modules with the capacity to easily declare, more than the resources to be managed, the logics that will govern the dynamic monitoring behavior according to the variations of functional, informational and operational requirements.


This invention provides a highly reliable stacked coil component which is free from the formation of any gap between a magnetic material ceramic layer and an internal conductor layer, can relax a problem of internal stress, is low in direct current resistance, and is less likely to cause disconnection of the internal conductor by surge or the like. A state is provided in which an interface (A) ofan internal conductor (2) and a magnetic material ceramic (11) is rendered free from any gap while the interface of the internal conductor (2) and the magnetic material ceramic (11) is dissociated. An acidic solution is penetrated from the side face of a magnetic material ceramic element through a side gap part, which is a region between the side of the internal conductor and the side face of themagnetic material ceramic element, and is allowed to reach the interface of the internal conductor and magnetic material ceramic present around the internal conductor, whereby an interfacial bond between the internal conductor and the magnetic material ceramic around the internal conductor is broken. In this case, a plating liquid used in plating an external electrode is used as the acidic solution. The pore area ratio of the magnetic material ceramic in the side gap part between the side of the internal conductor and the side face of the magnetic material ceramic element is in the range of 6to 28%.


Objective: To investigate neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm and full-term infants who suffered perinatal arterial stroke (PAS). Methods: Seventy newborn infants with PAS were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, between 1990 and 2005. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarct was divided into main branch, cortical branch or lenticulostriate branch involvement. All infants were assessed in the neonatal period with cranial ultrasound and 55 also with neonatal magnetic resonance imaging. Age range at follow-up was 24–120 months (mean 43.6 months). A Griffiths developmental assessment test was available at 24 months in all 65 survivors. Results: Involvement of the main branch of the MCA was seen in six preterm and six full-term infants and was associated with the most adverse outcome. All developed hemiplegia (100%), six developed epilepsy (50%), with hypsarrythmia in three. Twenty-two had MCA–cortical branch involvement (16 full-term and six preterm), seven developed hemiplegia (32%) and two epilepsy. Lenticulostriate branch involvement was seen in 18 (nine full-term and nine preterm). Five developed hemiplegia (28%), which tended to be mild and only one developed epilepsy. Thirteen had either a PCA or ACA infarction. Only one developed mild hemiplegia and none developed epilepsy. A significantly lower DQ (mean ± SD) was found (82 ± 12) between those with main branch involvement compared with involvement of the other branches or PCA/ACA infarction (101 ± 10). Conclusion: Taking into account which branch of the MCA is involved helps to predict the risk of developing hemiplegia. As expected, main branch involvement was associated with more adverse sequelae.


In this article, we introduce some of the key tenets of Paulo Freire's pedagogical vision of education for peace, social justice and democracy, and some limitations in terms of its application. In doing so, we aim to demonstrate its relevance and importance to conflict-affected contexts.


A 16-year-old male with severe thrombocytopenia and progressive multiple organ infarctions was diagnosed as having catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) complicated with systemic lupus erythematosus, and was successfully treated with combination of anticoagulants, corticosteroids, plasma exchange, and intravenous cyclophosphamide. Antibodies to phosphatidylserine/prothrombin (PS/PT) complex and cardiolipin (CL)/β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) were simultaneously detected, indicating that the different pathways of both PS/PT and CL/β2GPI might be associated with the radical manifestation of CAPS.


Antigens in infected cell culture fluids can be easily concentrated by polyethylene glycol precipitation to yield suitable hemagglutinating and complement-fixing antigens for several togaviruses.


This paper presents a new technique for the detection of islanding conditions in electrical power systems. This problem is especially prevalent in systems with significant penetrations of distributed renewable generation. The proposed technique is based on the application of principal component analysis (PCA) to data sets of wide-area frequency measurements, recorded by phasor measurement units. The PCA approach was able to detect islanding accurately and quickly when compared with conventional RoCoF techniques, as well as with the frequency difference and change-of-angle difference methods recently proposed in the literature. The reliability and accuracy of the proposed PCA approach is demonstrated by using a number of test cases, which consider islanding and nonislanding events. The test cases are based on real data, recorded from several phasor measurement units located in the U.K. power system.


David Theo Goldberg postulates a paradox in present day western societies, "race is irrelevant, but all is race."1 Linda Martin Alcoff, elaborating on this paradox, writes, "the legitimacy and moral relevance of racial concepts is officially denied even while race continues to determine job prospects, career possibilities, available places to live, potential friends and lovers, reactions from police, credence from jurors, and the amount of credibility one is given by one's students."2 We live in a society that recognizes the dangers of associating the color of one's skin with inherent biological or psychological differences of the person. Yet this paradox illustrates that although the common parlance declares intolerance towards racism, the body and race still function as axes of meaning. In the hopes of addressing this paradox, I turn to grasp the lived experience of race. This project of addressing the lived sense of race focuses on the particular experiences of women of color. On the one hand, I put forward an understanding of the lived quality of race, in the hopes of providing a more thorough account of racism. On the other hand, a lived understanding of race elucidates the experiences of women of color, whose experiences are perhaps the most difficult set of experiences to portray. The difficulty lies in depicting the experience of both the racism and the sexism simultaneously. Trina Grillow and Stephanie Wildman argue that the two "isms" of sexism and racism are not entirely accessible to each other through analogies or by adding one onto the other.3 Illustrative of this positionis the fact thtat although quite a body of work on sexism and on racism exists, much of this work does not grapple with the experiences of both race and sex. These works leave unanalyzed how the two features overlap, interface, and contradict each other. My focus on the lived experience attempts to address these difficulties. Consciousness vs. Lived Racism What exactly defines the lived experience of race? I approach this question sideways by first addressing the question, why has the lived experience of race been so elusive? And to answer this latter question let me first present the prevailing understanding of racism. Gary Peller explains that racism results from a mistake on the level of conscious decisions. He writes, racism is "rooted in consciousness, in the cognitive process that attributes social significance to the arbitrary fact of skin color. The mental side of racism is accordingly represented either as 'prejudice,' the prejudging of a person according to mythological stereotypes, or as 'bias,' the process of being influenced by subjective factors."4 Racism is the result of a mistake made in reason of associating a meaning with arbitrary body features. This belief that racism is an illogical mistake presumes that attributing significance, any significance, to body features is mistaken. The arbitrariness of nature is the only meaning of distinct body features. Peller continues to explain that, nevertheless, such mistakes have been so frequently made that they have become embedded into the governmental/institutional structures of society. Theorists including Alcoff, Patricia Williams, and Elizabeth Spelman explain that in addition to these institutions, these mistakes made in thought have become embedded in the social/cultural norms, including our understanding of common sense and categories in our society.5 Goldberg, Alcoff, Peller, Michael Omi, and Howard Winant oppose precisely this conception of racism as a mistake made in reason, as sufficiently encompassing for an understanding of the more thorough ramifications of racism. Peller explains that this understanding of racism and of justice as neutrality have encouraged some to conclude that the inevitable solution ought to be the encouragement of neutrality and colorblindness in state policies and its citizens. Based on the presumption that body features are not informative about the person,6 encouraging a disconnection between the body and the person becomes the inevitable solution. …


The current study aimed to identify a comprehensive expression-profile of microRNAs (miRNAs) in expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) collected from healthy men and patients with CP/CPPS (Chronic prostatitis/Chronic pelvic pain syndrome). After clinical screening of 382 participants, 60 healthy men and 59 IIIA CP/CPPS patients with significant pelvic-pain were included into this study from March 2012 to December 2014. High-throughput sequencing was employed to identify characteristic expression-profile of EPS-miRNAs. QRT-PCR was further performed to confirm elevated levels of differential EPS-miRNAs. Finally, candidate EPS-miRNAs were measured traceably in 21 follow-up patients and their classify-accuracy on IIIA CP/CPPS were analyzed by ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve. In discovery-phage, 41 and 43 predominant EPS-miRNAs were found in pooled EPS-sample from 40 healthy men and 39 IIIA CP/CPPS patients, respectively. Furthermore, 22 abundant EPS-miRNAs were up-regulated with ≥ 2-fold in 20 patients compared to 20 healthy men. In testing-phage, elevated levels of miR-21-5p, miR-30a-5p, miR-30d-5p, miR-103a-3p and miR-141-3p were further confirmed in 33 patients by comparing to 30 healthy men. In validation-phage, relieved pelvic-pain symptom of 21 follow-up patients was found to be accompanied by significant down-regulation of miR-21-5p, miR-103a-3p and miR-141-3p. Particularly, ROC curve analysis indicated the highest area under ROC curve (AUC) was found for miR-21-5p (0.891), followed in order by miR-141-3p and miR-103a-3p. Our studies provided evidence that secretory miRNAs existed in EPS and dysregulated EPS-miRNAs were associated with prostatitis. In particular, miR-21-5p possessed a high classify-accuracy for IIIA CP/CPPS patients with significant pelvic pain.


The incorrect use of pointers is one of the most common source of bugs. As a consequence, any kind of static code checking capable of detecting potential bugs at compile time is welcome. This paper presents a static analysis for the detection of incorrect accesses to memory (dereferences of invalid pointers). A pointer may be invalid because it has not been initialised or because it refers to a memory location which has been deallocated. The analyser is derived from an axiomatisation of alias and connectivity properties which is shown to be sound with respect to the natural semantics of the language. It deals with dynamically allocated data structures and it is accurate enough to handle circular structures.


Since the 1960's, a number of models for chemisorption on metals has been
presented, most notably the Anderson-Grimley-Newns model for metals and the
d-band model of Hammer and Norskov for transition metals. The intention
of this thesis is to explore the adsorption on transition-metal nitrides and
carbides, technologically interesting materials (in, e.g., cutting tools,
microelectronics, and bio-implants, and as promising catalyst materials)
due to their combination of metallicity, covalency, and ionicity. The
aim of this study is to identify and understand the key
microscopic mechanisms behind the adsorption on the polar and reactive (111)
surfaces of titanium nitride and carbide, which have long been considered
prototypes for the early transition-metal nitrides and carbides.

The chemisorption of atoms from the first three periods in the periodic table
(H, B, C, N, O, F, Al, Si, P, S, and Cl) on the TiN(111) surface is studied
in a systematic manner by density-functional theory (DFT) and compared with
corresponding results on TiC(111). The adsorption on the TiX's (X = C, N) is
found to be more complex and versatile than on transition-metal surfaces. The
trends in adsorption energies Eads have similar characteristics on
both the Ti-terminated TiX(111) surfaces. The Eads trends for period
2 and 3 adatoms show a great variation and are found to vary along the
periods in a Sabatier-like pyramidic way, with an extraordinarily strong
chemisorption for the O atom. The preference for adsorption on TiC vs. TiN varies depending on the adsorbate element, with TiC showing a
stronger chemisorption than TiN for all elements except B and Al. This
variety in the calculated adsorption energies is explained with the
concerted-coupling model (CCM), which originally was proposed for adsorption
on the Ti-terminated TiC(111) surface and here is shown to be generalisable
to adsorption on Ti-terminated TiN(111). The model describes the
chemisorption to be based on the concerted action of two different types of
couplings: (i) between the adatom state and a Ti-localised surface resonance
(TiSR), and (ii) between the adatom state and X-localised surface resonances
(XSR's). The CCM is also able to explain the similarities and differences in
the Eads trends between TiN(111) and TiC(111).

In addition, it is shown that the theoretical stabilities in vacuum of the N-
and Ti-terminated TiN(111) surfaces are very close. Therefore, adsorption on
the N-terminated TiN(111) surface is also considered, revealing an
``inverted'' pyramid-like adsorption energy trend for period 2 and 3 adatoms
and indicating a concerted-coupling mechanism on this surface as well.


Aim: To evaluate the effect of an induced change in global metabolic rate on peripheral oxygen consumption (Vo2) in healthy full term neonates. Subjects and methods: Twenty four healthy full term neonates were studied. Peripheral Vo2 was measured by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) using arterial occlusion and measurement of the oxyhaemoglobin (HbO2) decrement slope. Global Vo2 was measured by open circuit calorimetry. Global and peripheral Vo2 were measured in each neonate before and after a routine bath. Abdominal and forearm skin temperatures were also recorded. Results: Nineteen neonates completed the study. Global Vo2 increased by 30.7% (p = 0.001), and peripheral Vo2 by 23.1% (p = 0.001). A correlation between the fractional changes in global and peripheral Vo2 was apparent (r = 0.76, p = 0.001). Abdominal skin temperature decreased by 0.8°C (p = 0.001), and forearm skin temperature by 0.6°C (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Measurement of peripheral Vo2 using NIRS with arterial occlusion is responsive to conditions that increase global metabolic rate. Any change in global Vo2 must be taken into consideration during the interpretation of peripheral Vo2 measurements in neonates.


The authors review the reasons for the contrast between the remarkable advances that hemodynamic and electromagnetic imaging of the human brain appear capable of delivering in clinical practice in psychology and their very limited penetration into practice to date. Both the heritage of the relevant technologies and the historical orientation of clinical psychology away from biological phenomena are factors. Discussion of some technical aspects and prospects of these methods and recommendations for facilitating clinical use are provided, with an emphasis on fostering the participation of and contribution by practicing clinical psychologists and professionals in related fields lacking a strong grounding in biological measurement.


Naturally occurring estrogens in animal wastes may cause negative environmental impacts, yet their abundance in animal waste treatment and storage structures is poorly documented. To better quantify estrogen concentrations in animal wastes, multiple waste samples were collected from treatment and storage structures at dairy and swine facilities and analyzed for concentrations of 17beta-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and 17alpha-estradiol by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (E2 only). Mass ratios of each estrogen to the macronutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were also determined. Because manure application rates are typically macronutrient-based, estrogen to macronutrient ratios are proportional to areal mass application rates of estrogen to fields. Swine farrowing waste (from farrowing sows and piglets) had the highest ratios of E2 to macronutrients. Mean ratios in swine farrowing waste were roughly twice those in swine finishing waste (from growing male and nonpregnant female animals) and more than four times higher than those in dairy waste (from lactating cows in various stages of their reproductive cycles); these differences were statistically significant (alpha = 0.05). Estrone followed a similar trend. In contrast, ratios of 17alpha-estradiol to macronutrients were highest in dairy operations. These results can be used to better predict estrogen loading rates on fields receiving swine and dairy wastes.


This work describes the development and experimental validation of a geometric path following control strategy with demand supervision applied to an over-actuated robotic vehicle, the ROboMObil [1]. The proposed method enables the ROboMObil to automatically follow paths while the driver is free to control the velocity along the path. Beside the longitudinal degree of freedom, two lateral degrees of freedom can be controlled relative to the path. If this demand interface were provided without supervision, the driver may potentially overwrite the path following control in a manner such that the vehicle limits are violated and the vehicle becomes unstable. To avoid such critical situations a demand supervisor is introduced into the path following framework. The work concludes by a simulative demonstration of the supervised control system and an experimental validation of the presented approach implemented in the ROboMObil.


A 69-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of slowly progressive weakness in the neck, shoulders, proximal arms, oropharyngeal muscles. From a viewpoint of clinical course and signs, it was suspected that the patient was suffered from motor neuron disease. However, serial electrophysiological studies showed the existence of local demyelination of the motor nerves. The immunoadsorption was then performed and marked recovery of symptoms was obtained. In this case, we could not detect any established anti-ganglioside antibodies which was related to pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome(PCB) or Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). It is suggested that unknown anti-ganglioside antibody may play an important role in cases of PCB. Despite of atypical slowliness of clinical progression and negative results of immunological studies, this patient is considered to be suffered from PCB, because of the results of electrophysiological studies and effectiveness of immunoadsorption therapy. Accordingly it may be important to take the possibility of PCB into diagnostic consideration, whenever the patient shows slowly progressive weakness in proximal arms, oropharyngeal muscles.


Microstrip reflectarrays typically use tuning stubs on each element to adjust the phase of the reflected field. The authors describe a new approach in which the need for tuning stubs is eliminated and phase control is achieved simply by adjusting the resonant length of the patch elements. The advantages of this approach are described, as are a full-wave analysis technique for computing the phase of the reflected field as a function of patch size and a design curve giving the change in patch size for a desired reflected field phase shift.<
 >


Although the institutional contexts of prime ministers in parliamentary democracies and of U.S. presidents are very different, both types of executive leaders influence the decision-making processes through their leadership styles. Leadership style includes how the leaders relate to those around them, how they like to receive information, and how they make up their minds. While there are numerous empirical studies and theoretical frameworks on the leadership styles of U.S. presidents, few studies of prime ministers are concerned with personality and styles of leadership. This paper reviews the literature on U.S. presidential styles and on organizational leadership in order to construct a framework for the study of prime minister leadership styles. Components of the proposed framework are illustrated with examples of British prime ministers and German chancellors. In addition, categories of dependent variables to be explained by leadership style are discussed. I argue that leadership style has the greatest impact on the decision-making process and that although the direct effect of leadership style on foreign policy behavior is less, leadership style indirectly influences foreign policy through the decision-making process.


Spatial pattern in an ecosystem composed of competing species (Lotka-Volterra model: LVM) is studied. Two-dimensional lattice systems of LVM attain the stationary state in which topological defects (vortices) are excited. It is found from the simulation that a nonequilibrium phase transition in the vortex excitation, which is essentially different from that of Kosterlitz-Thouless, takes place under the slight change of environmental parameters. By the phase transition, the average size of clumps of each species is drastically altered. The phase diagram is well explained by the stability theory for the moderately concentrated gas system of LVM.


Abstract Chronic pain affects almost 20% of the European adult population and it significantly reduces patients' quality of life. Chronic pain is considered a multidimensional experience determined by the interaction of several genetic and environmental factors. The effect of specific genetic contributions is often unclear, and the interpretation of the results from studies focused on genetic influences on pain has been complicated by the existence of multiple pain phenotypes. A step forward from genetics could be given by the application of metabolomics and microbiomics tools. Metabolomics is a powerful approach for hypothesis generation in biology, and it aims to analyze low molecular weight compounds, either metabolic intermediates or metabolic end-products, resulting from human or microbial metabolism. Microbiomics is a fast-growing field in which all the microbes are examined together, and as a result, its perturbation may indicate the development of chronic diseases. By applying these methodologies for the study of chronic pain, several differences have been identified. The alteration of the choline-PAF pathway is an intriguing finding recognized by several groups. In our opinion, metabolomics and microbiomics techniques will allow significant progress into the medical field. Patients may benefit from the possibility of being stratified and classified based on their metabolic and microbial profile, which, in the next future, may lead to personalized therapy.


In earlier papers in this series we determined the intrinsic stellar disc kinematics of 15 intermediate- to late-type edge-on spiral galaxies using a dynamical modelling technique. The sample covers a substantial range in maximum rotation velocity and deprojected face-on surface brightness, and contains seven spirals with either a boxy or peanut-shaped bulge. Here we discuss the structural, kinematical and dynamical properties. From the photometry we find that intrinsically more flattened discs tend to have a lower face-on central surface brightness and a larger dynamical mass-to-light ratio. This observation suggests that, at a constant maximum rotational velocity, lower surface brightness discs have smaller vertical stellar velocity dispersions. Although the individual uncertainties are large, we find from the dynamical modelling that at least 12 discs are submaximal. The average disc contributes 53 +/- 4 per cent to the observed rotation at 2.2 disc scalelengths (h(R)), with a 1 sigma scatter of 15 per cent. This percentage becomes somewhat lower when effects of finite disc flattening and gravity by the dark halo and the gas are taken into account. Since boxy and peanut-shaped bulges are probably associated with bars, the result suggests that at 2.2 h(R) the submaximal nature of discs is independent of barredness. The possibility remains that very high surface brightness discs are maximal, as these discs are underrepresented in our sample. We confirm that the radial stellar disc velocity dispersion is related to the galaxy maximum rotational velocity. The scatter in this sigma versus nu(max) relation appears to correlate with the disc flattening, face-on central surface brightness and dynamical mass-to-light ratio. Low surface brightness discs tend to be more flattened and have smaller stellar velocity dispersions. The findings are consistent with the observed correlation between disc flattening and dynamical mass-to-light ratio and can generally be reproduced by the simple collapse theory for disc galaxy formation. Finally, the disc mass Tully-Fisher relation is offset from the maximum-disc scaled stellar mass Tully-Fisher relation of the Ursa Major cluster. This offset, -0.3 dex in mass, is naturally explained if the discs of the Ursa Major cluster spirals are submaximal.


The Joule-/Brayton thermodynamic cycle is the base cycle of all major contemporary aero engines. Over the decades, the achievement of further significant improvements has become progressively challenging, and the increase of efficiency approaches physical limitations. In order to meet the ambitious long-term emission reduction targets, the introduction of radical new propulsion system concepts is indispensable. Various cycles promising significant efficiency improvements over the conventional Joule-/Brayton-cycle are being examined by the engine community. However, as no clear favorite has emerged from these potential technical solutions, a transparent methodological approach for the consistent evaluation of the concepts is necessary. Consistent thermodynamic description and performance metrics for three engine cycles are presented in this paper: The turbofan as reference and two radical engine cycles, namely the composite cycle and the cycle-integrated parallel hybrid. Laws for the estimation of component performance for large parametric variations are introduced. A method for the estimation of power plant system mass for the investigated engine cycles is proposed to evaluate fuel burn reduction. The studies substantiated that the turbofan improvement potential is saturating. The composite cycle engine offers a tremendous potential for fuel burn improvement of 24.5% over state of the art turbofan engines, which allows meeting the emission reduction targets in 2035. The cycle-integrated parallel hybrid engine improves the turbofan moderately with year 2035 technology, but is not capable of meeting the corresponding emission reduction targets on a short-to-medium range aircraft platform.


Anomalous diffusion dynamics in confined nanoenvironments govern the macroscale properties and interactions of many biophysical and material systems. Currently, it is difficult to quantitatively link the nanoscale structure of porous media to anomalous diffusion within them. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy super-resolution optical fluctuation imaging (fcsSOFI) has been shown to extract nanoscale structure and Brownian diffusion dynamics within gels, liquid crystals, and polymers, but has limitations which hinder its wider application to more diverse, biophysically-relevant datasets. Here, we parallelize the least-squares curve fitting step on a GPU improving computation times by up to a factor of 40, implement anomalous diffusion and two-component Brownian diffusion models, and make fcsSOFI more accessible by packaging it in a user-friendly GUI. We apply fcsSOFI to simulations of the protein fibrinogen diffusing in polyacrylamide of varying matrix densities and super-resolve locations where slower, anomalous diffusion occurs within smaller, confined pores. The improvements to fcsSOFI in speed, scope, and usability will allow for the wider adoption of super-resolution correlation analysis to diverse research topics.


Aim . To explore the effectiveness of corticosteroids in patients with lung damage caused by SARS-CoV-2. Materials and methods . The retrospective study included patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and lung damage diagnosed by computed tomography (CT), who was receiving low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). 56 patients included in Group 1 received dexamethasone 4–12 mg/day for 8–10 days after admission to the hospital. 30 patients included in Group 2 (control group) had no dexamethasone treatment. The laboratory and instrumental data obtained from the patients under admission and for the 8–10th day of the treatment were analyzed. Hospital mortality was evaluated by Kaplan — Meier method. To predict a lethal outcome, we have used the logistic regression method. Results. By the 8–10th day of hospitalization, only in the Group 1, there was a statistically significant decrease in the volume of lung tissue lesions by CT (p = 0.027), fibrinogen concentration (p = 0.001). A statistically significant decrease of the C-reactive protein concentration was noted for the both groups. Oxygen therapy was more often needed in Group 2 (26 patients — 87%) in opposite to Group 1 (36 patients — 64%) (p = 0.028). Hospital mortality was 3.6% in Group 1 and 13.3% in Group 2 (p = 0.177). There was a trend towards an increase in patient survival in Group 1 between 18 and 28 days of hospitalization (Mantel — Cox test, p = 0.095). Age (p = 0.012), percentage of CT lesions at the time of admission (p = 0.020) and assignment to the dexamethasone group (p = 0.080) were included in the logistic regression equation. Conclusion. For the patients with SARS-CoV-2 lung damage, treatment with dexamethasone 4–12 mg, started from the first day of hospitalization additionally to LMWH, contributes to positive CT dynamics on the 8–10th day and decreases hospital mortality.


This paper examines the results of a systematic analysis, organised by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research, of private psychotherapy training in Italy. Since 1989, training in psychotherapy in Italy has been governed by a national law which recognises both public and private institutions. While the public system usually comprises approximately 150 students, the private system has grown significantly over time, registering thousands of students in hundreds of schools (for example, 19,123 students in 212 schools in 2011). Systematic analysis variables included geographical distribution, theoretical approaches, training methods, student and teacher characteristics, student's personal psychotherapy, supervision and apprenticeships. Data were obtained from 92% of the schools. The primary issues discussed in this paper are as follows: the uneven geographical distribution of the schools; the disorderly amalgamation of traditional scientific paradigms; programmes which concentrate on theory and fail to meet international guidelines. One key issue is the excess supply with regard to demand, meaning that recently graduated psychotherapists (especially women) risk underemployment and financial hardship. Student enrolment is also increasingly problematic. This is the first paper to present an in-depth analysis of one European country's situation in this field. The authors believe it will foster comparison and discussion internationally.


IMPORTANCE
Increasing evidence suggests a relationship between poor sleep and the risk of developing Alzheimer disease. A previous study found an effect of sleep on β-amyloid (Aβ), which is a key protein in Alzheimer disease pathology.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of 1 night of total sleep deprivation on cerebrospinal fluid Aβ42 protein levels in healthy middle-aged men.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
The Alzheimer, Wakefulness, and Amyloid Kinetics (AWAKE) study at the Radboud Alzheimer Center, a randomized clinical trial that took place between June 1, 2012, and October 1, 2012. Participants were cognitively normal middle-aged men (40-60 years of age) with normal sleep (n = 26) recruited from the local population.

INTERVENTIONS
Participants were randomized to 1 night with unrestricted sleep (n = 13) or 1 night of total sleep deprivation (24 hours of wakefulness) (n = 13).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Sleep was monitored using continuous polysomnographic recording from 3 pm until 10 am. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected using an intrathecal catheter at defined times to compare cerebral Aβ42 concentrations between evening and morning.

RESULTS
A night of unrestricted sleep led to a 6% decrease in Aβ42 levels of 25.3 pg/mL (95% CI [0.94, 49.6], P = .04), whereas sleep deprivation counteracted this decrease. When accounting for the individual trajectories of Aβ42 over time, a difference of 75.8 pg/mL of Aβ42 was shown between the unrestricted sleep and sleep deprivation group (95% CI [3.4, 148.4], P = .04). The individual trajectories of evening and morning Aβ42 concentrations differed between the unrestricted sleep and sleep deprivation groups (P = .04) in contrast to stable Aβ40, tau, and total protein levels.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Sleep deprivation, or prolonged wakefulness, interferes with a physiological morning decrease in Aβ42. We hypothesize that chronic sleep deprivation increases cerebral Aβ42 levels, which elevates the risk of Alzheimer disease.

TRIAL REGISTRATION
clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01194713.


Background: Multi Drug Therapy approved by WHO is the best treatment option for Leprosy. There is a significant decline of mortality and morbidity after the introduction of multi drug therapy. But the adverse effects causing changes in clinical and laboratory parameters to multi drug therapy are the main limiting obstacle for the treatment course completion.
Objective: The aim of this study is to find out the effects on routine laboratory parameters including hematological and biochemical changes before, during and after the treatment of multi drug therapy in leprosy.
Methodology: A descriptive cohort hospital based study on 85 multi drug therapy treated leprosy patients using standard laboratory tools for routine investigations for 18 months.
Results: During the one year multidrug treatment period, most of the routine laboratory parameters showed mild to moderate change from normal level during the first 3 months with gradual recovery in the following months. Complete blood count assessment revealed mild decline in Hb, PCV, MCH, MCHC, and moderate decline in WBC and Platelet count. A mild increase in liver function tests (Bilirubin, AST, ALT, Alkaline phosphatase) and renal function tests (S.Creatinine, b. Urea) was observed. A moderate decline in S. Sodium with mild increase in S. Potassium was found on investigating S. Electrolytes. Patients were fully recovered from all hemato-biochemical adverse effects after 6 months of completion of the multi drug therapy.
Conclusion: Despite of mild to moderate hematological and biochemical adverse reactions with multi drug therapy, recovery was excellent after 6 months of completion of therapy.


Imatinib mesylate (IM) is highly effective in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However IM does not eliminate quiescent, primitive CML hematopoietic cells, which persist through treatment and remain a potential source of relapse. Therefore additional interventions are required to more effectively target primitive CML cells. The hydroxamic acid analogue histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, LAQ824, and LBH589, are reported to induce apoptosis and inhibit cell cycle in CML cell lines and blast crisis (BC) CML cells. Although most pro-apoptotic agents preferentially target dividing cells, HDAC inhibitors are a rare class of drugs reported to induce apoptosis in non-dividing cells. We were therefore interested in investigating whether the HDAC inhibitor LAQ824 (LAQ) could induce apoptosis in CD34+ cells from chronic-phase (CP) CML patients. CML and normal CD34+ cells were cultured with LAQ (10–100nM) alone and in combination with IM (1μM) for 96 hours in growth factor-supplemented medium. Treatment with LAQ (25–100 nM) effectively enhanced Histone H3 acetylation in CML and normal CD34+ cells as detected by Western blotting with an anti-Histone H3 (Lys9/Lys14) antibody. Although LAQ treatment by itself induced significantly less apoptosis in CML compared to normal CD34+ cells, LAQ in combination with IM was highly effective in inducing apoptosis in CML CD34+ cells (11+/−3%, apoptosis with IM alone, 18+/−3% with IM+10 nM LAQ, 22+/−2% with IM+25 nM LAQ, and 32+/−3% with IM+50 nM LAQ824, n=5). Significantly higher levels of apoptosis were seen in CML compared with normal CD34+ cells at lower doses of LAQ (p=0.03 at 10 nM). LAQ combined with IM also resulted in enhanced apoptosis of non-dividing CML CD34+ cells, identified using CFSE labeling, with 43% apoptosis observed in cells treated with 50 nM LAQ [n=5]. Combined LAQ and IM treatment also resulted in significant inhibition of CML progenitor proliferation measured in CFSE assays [n=4] and in the number of CML progenitors measured in methylcellulose progenitor assays [n=5]. In contrast to what has been described for BCR-ABL expressing cell lines and BC CML cells, LAQ treatment did not result in significant change in BCR-ABL levels in CML CD34+ cells on Western blotting. Significant down-regulation of MCL-1, a critical apoptosis regulator in early hematopoietic cells, was observed on Western blotting of CML cells treated with the LAQ and IM combination [n=5]. Levels of other anti-apoptotic proteins BCL-xL and BCL-2 were not affected. MCL-1 inhibition was not observed in normal CD34+ cells [n=4]. In contrast, normal cells treated with LAQ or LAQ and IM demonstrated enhanced levels of the pro-apoptotic protein Bim, but Bim levels were not increased in CML CD34+ cells. Q-PCR analysis revealed changes in MCL-1 and BIM mRNA levels in CML and normal CD34+ cells with LAQ and IM treatment that were consistent with the results of Western blotting. We conclude that treatment with the HDAC inhibitor LAQ in combination with imatinib results in significantly enhanced apoptosis of CML CD34+ cells, including non-dividing cells, compared with IM alone. Different mechanisms appear to be responsible for HDAC induced apoptosis in CML and normal CD34+ cells. Our results provide a strong rationale for future clinical application of HDAC inhibitors to enhance elimination of CML progenitors in combination with BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors.


We review existing methods for generating long streams of 1/f α noise (0 < α ≤ 2) focusing on the digital filtering of white noise. We detail the formalism to conceive an efficient 1/f α random number generator (white outside some bounds) in order to generate very long streams of noise without an exhaustive computer memory load. For α = 2 it is shown why the process is equivalent to a random-walk and can be obtained simply by a first order filtering of white noise. As soon as α < 2 the problem becomes non linear and we show why the exact digital filtering method becomes inefficient. Instead, we work out the formalism of using several 1/f 2 filters spaced logarithmically, to approximate the spectrum at the percent level. Finally, from work on logistic maps, we give hints on how to design generators with α > 2. The corresponding software is available from


This study aims to identify the most important key features of pre-primary education in South Korea and Malaysia and the possibility of benefiting from their experiences in the development of this phase of education in Saudi Arabia, given certain circumstances and possibilities. This study identifies the similarities and differences through a review of the experiences of South Korea and Malaysia with respect to pre-primary education. The study subsequently analyzes and compares the results with the status of pre-primary education in Saudi Arabia to conceive a proposal for the development of a pre-primary education program in Saudi Arabia. The results of this study indicate that many factors have delayed the progress of pre-primary education in Saudi Arabia, including cultural factors and the unexpected and unplanned economic boom. The study suggests increasing the complementary relationship with the private sector through the granting of facilities to invest in the creation of excellent programs and pilot projects in kindergarten. In addition, the study suggests maintaining the quality of programs offered by enriching the integration of technology into the curriculum and directing pre-primary education curricula to focus on children's self-respect and on teaching through play, cooperative learning, and role-playing. The study further suggests that Saudi Arabia can benefit from the creative approach incorporated in Malaysia and South Korea based on the educational philosophy to meet the needs of children. The outcome of this study is a proposal for the development of a pre-primary stage education program.


This paper highlights the partnership approach to mission adopted by the Atlantic-Midwest Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (AMSSND), which is working to empower the people of Haiti through collaboration with Beyond Borders, an established NGO in the region. I explore this approach in light of the spirituality of St. Augustine that grounds the charism of unity of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND). Examining the connections between Augustine and the mission and ministry of the SSND community, through reflecting on the ways partnership has been an effective means of engaging the SSND mission of facilitating unity, or "oneness," illuminates helpful ways to conceive of solidarity.


Breeding seasons are one of the most important periods for the life cycle of large mammals. The young individuals of large carnivore mammals are usually dependent on the female for food and protection. Therefore, availability of the sources and human disturbance at the breeding site are critical for a successful breeding season. The breeding site is of vital importance to the survival of the new-borns and thus to the trends in the population size. The present study assesses the breeding records of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) based on camera-trapping surveys at the Mount Ilgaz Wildlife Reserve in the province of Kastamonu. The surveys were conducted continuously over a four year period (2014-2018) and the results indicate that the camera-trap stations, which detected the cubs of Eurasian lynx, have also been used by the juvenile individuals of two other top predator large mammals, brown bear (Ursus arctos) and grey wolf (Canis lupus) and the juveniles of their prey species, red deer (Cervus elaphus) and brown hare (Lepus europaeus). Consequently, further assessment of the Wildlife Reserve Area considering the breeding records of the large mammals will contribute to have more effective protection for the Eurasian lynx and other wildlife populations in the Western Black Sea Region of Anatolia.


Anthrax is endemic in Western and North-western Provinces of Zambia. The disease occurs throughout the year and impacts negatively on the economy of the livestock industry and public health in Zambia. During 1989-1995, there were 1626 suspected cases of anthrax in cattle in Western province and of these 51 were confirmed. There were 220 cases of human anthrax cases in 1990 alone and 248 cases during 1991-1998 with 19.1% and 7.7% case fatality rates, respectively. Interplay of the ecology of affected areas and anthropogenic factors seem to trigger anthrax epidemics. Anthrax has drawn considerable attention in recent years due to its potential use as a biological weapon. In this paper, the history, current status and approaches towards the control of the disease in Zambia are discussed. Quarantine measures restrict trade of livestock and exchange of animals for draught power resulting in poor food security at household levels. Challenges of anthrax control are complex and comprise of socio-political, economical, environmental and cultural factors. Inadequate funding, lack of innovative disease control strategies and lack of cooperation from stakeholders are the major constraints to the control of the disease. It is hoped that the information provided here will stimulate continued awareness for the veterinary and medical authorities to maintain their surveillance and capabilities against the disease. This may lead to a culminating positive impact on livestock and human health in the southern African region.


A global uncertainty and sensitivity analysis is performed for a detailed gas-phase reaction set in a CHF3 plasma. The goal of this paper is to ascertain the uncertainties in plasma reactor model results (plasma and radical densities) that originate from the uncertainties in the gas-phase chemistry database. We discuss the rates of reactions and their uncertainties. Comparisons with experimental data show that gas-phase rate uncertainties do not explain the disagreements at higher pressures (>30 mTorr). We also find that electron impact dissociation reactions of dominant neutrals are the largest sources of uncertainties. HF kinetics are also found to be critical in determining radical and feedstock gas densities. Relative ion densities are uncertain due to poor understanding of charge transfer mechanisms.


Lung cancers, primarily caused by tobacco smoking, are the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and around the world. Screening of select high-risk patients using low-dose helical computed tomography (LD-CT) has been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality by 20% compared with chest radiography. However, because there are risks to LD-CT lung cancer screening, it should be performed only on current or former tobacco smokers. This article introduces readers to the epidemiology, pathobiology, diagnostic imaging, and diagnosis, staging, and treatment of lung cancer; primary and secondary prevention strategies; LD-CT lung screening parameters; research findings; and resulting practice guidelines.


Abstract Learning participation only makes sense if it is purposeful. From our perspective its primary purpose is to achieve more effective managing in situations of complexity and change. We describe our evolving understandings and practices (a praxeology) for Systems Practice for managing complexity, built on 30 years of developing supported open learning opportunities in the area of Systems within the curriculum of The Open University (UK). We ground this description in two specific examples of how notions of participation are incorporated conceptually and practically into a learner's programme of study by considering: i) the postgraduate course 'Environmental Decision Making. A Systems Approach' (T860) and ii) the undergraduate course 'Managing Complexity. A Systems Approach' (T306). From these courses, as well as a historical review of teaching practice, we identify nine pedagogic design features of our practice. Metaphorically all of the elements of our praxeology can be understood through the lens of the practitioner as chorographer (a systematic describer and analyst of regions) and choreographer (one versed in creating a dance of the emotions).


All cells of human organism are continuously damaged, and a damage of the genetic material can be especially dangerous. The reaction of the cell to DNA damage is a complex process, which includes damage signaling, repair, apoptosis or cell death. It is connected with serious changes in the cell nucleus, which are caused by posttranslational modifications and dynamic relocalizations of proteins as well as alterations in the expression of many genes. These changes are not limited to the sites of DNA damage, but involve whole cell nucleus, including its domains: PML bodies, nucleolus and Cajal bodies.


Upconn a tool that lets Unix programmers visually describe the connections between the processes in a distributed program and then execute the distributed program, is described. Upconn consists of several modules and can be extended by adding to a library of tools rather than by adding many special features to Upconn itself. Upconn has three main uses. First, it lets researchers study distributed processing in common Unix environments, reducing the dependence on specialized environments. Second, it can be used for rapid prototyping of distributed applications. Third, Upconn is a learning tool that can help students focus on writing distributed programs without dealing with the complexities of the communication links.<<ETX>>


Summary Plants are often attacked by multiple insect herbivores. How plants deal with an increasing richness of attackers from a single or multiple feeding guilds is poorly understood. We subjected black mustard (Brassica nigra) plants to 51 treatments representing attack by an increasing species richness (one, two or four species) of either phloem feeders, leaf chewers, or a mix of both feeding guilds when keeping total density of attackers constant and studied how this affects plant resistance to subsequent attack by caterpillars of the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). Increased richness in phloem‐feeding attackers compromised resistance to P. xylostella. By contrast, leaf chewers induced a stronger resistance to subsequent attack by caterpillars of P. xylostella while species richness did not play a significant role for chewing herbivore induced responses. Attack by a mix of herbivores from different feeding guilds resulted in plant resistance similar to resistance levels of plants that were not previously exposed to herbivory. We conclude that B. nigra plants channel their defence responses stronger towards a feeding‐guild specific response when under multi‐species attack by herbivores of the same feeding guild, but integrate responses when simultaneously confronted with a mix of herbivores from different feeding guilds.


The Marine Analytical Chemistry Standards Program (MACSP) of the National Research Council of Canada (NRCC) is described. This program, established in 1976, has resulted in the production, to date, of seven reference materials for the determination of trace metals and organic compounds in marine materials. Significant contributions to the analysis of marine materials have been made in the NRCC laboratories, and through MACSP contracts. Some current projects and plans for future reference materials are also discussed. 33 references, 5 tables.


Perchlorate is a new type of persistent pollutant, which interferes with the synthesis and secretion of thyroxine and affects human health. The EU's limit for perchlorate in tea is 750 μg kg-1. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique has the characteristics of a simple pretreatment method, rapid detection, high sensitivity, high specificity and great stability in the detection of perchlorate. This study proposed a novel superhydrophobic SERS substrate, which can be used to detect perchlorate in tea. Firstly, a chemical deposition method was used to deposit a silver film on the surface of a thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane. After drying, the substrate was immersed in 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane aqueous solution for 15 hours to make the surface of the substrate superhydrophobic. Then cysteine molecules were deposited on the surface of the silver film/polydimethylsiloxane by incubation. The superhydrophobic surface has a unique enrichment effect on the highly diluted solution, and perchlorate has a strong affinity for the amino group of cysteine. We collected the Raman spectra of 9 gradient concentrations (1-100 μmol L-1) of perchlorate-spiked tea samples on the hydrophobic substrate, and a linear model of the relationship between the SERS spectral intensity and the concentrations of perchlorate in tea was established. This method reached a good limit of detection of 0.0067 μmol L-1 (0.82 μg kg-1) in tea, which showed that the developed sensor has high sensitivity and could be used as a fast and simple technique for quantitative detection of perchlorate based on SERS technology.


The Oxford Encyclopedias of the Bible series is a major reference work,
 consisting of comprehensive essays by scholars from many countries and with a wide
 variety of perspectives on Biblical Studies. The Digital Collection represents an
 online expansion of the project, featuring articles previously published on Oxford
 Biblical Studies Online, now exclusive on Oxford Reference. With bibliographic
 references and suggestions for further reading, each entry provides a thorough
 overview of the topic and serves as an entrance point to further research for both
 seasoned scholars and beginning students.


1202 Activated PDGF β-receptors (PDGFRB) serve as targets of drugs with proven anti-tumoral effects. Understanding the regulatory mechanism of the receptor expression is therefore important. We demonstrate that transient transfection of p53 repressed PDGFRB promoter activity in normal MEF cells as well as in p53 defective cells, such as p53-/- MEF and SAOS-2. However, induction of p53 in tet-on SAOS-2 cells caused the promoter activity to actually increase at early time points, but after 48 h the activity was repressed. EMSA revealed a direct binding of p53 to the promoter which contained the CCAAT-motif. After 8 h of tetracycline treatment the chromatin was precipitated with a p53 antibody and reprecipitated with antibodies against NF-YB and Sp1, thus being shown to co-exist closely. Chip assay and immunofluorescence staining with the SAOS-2 cells during the p53 induction confirmed the dynamic changes of the chromatin. As p53 increased, the previously bound p73, ΔNp73, myc, and HDAC1 disappeared from the promoter, followed by binding of p53 and p300, inducing PDGFRB. Along with further increase of the bound p53, p300 was replaced by HDAC1, resulting in disappearance of PDGFRB. The immunoprecipitated p53 was hyperphosphorylated at this time. These results suggest that the regulation of p53 on the PDGFRB promoter is a part of its program to orchestrate cellular responses, survival or apoptosis, to genomic stress.


Purpose
This study aims to examine the effect of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on performance and mediation differentiation strategies and market development in small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach
This research was conducted using a survey method with a population of furniture SMEs in Jepara, Central Java, Indonesia using a sample area by collecting 158 questionnaires. The data analysis method used the partial least square.

Findings
The result shows that EO has an impact on differentiation, market development and performance. Differentiation strategies and market development mediate the influence of EO and performance. The differentiation strategy further mediates the influence of EO on market development and market development mediates the effect of differentiation on performance.

Practical implications
Managers instill entrepreneurial practice in the organization by proactively creating the market and taking high-risk jobs to provide quality products and services. SMEs require capabilities that are difficult to imitate in creating designs and product quality that are different, providing pre and post-sales services and maintaining good relationships with customers and partners. SMEs emphasize flexibility and speed of operation by adjusting the production process to short waiting times and reliable delivery. The government must support general training and market information, network development, access to capital and knowledge transfer.

Originality/value
This paper explains the importance of differentiation and market development strategies in determining the relationship between EO and performance that has not been explored in the context of SMEs in developing countries.


In a variety of her writings, Indian-born Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni who currently resides in Houston, Texas, provides new perspectives to contemporary women's literature in the United States. Positioned at the interface of various cultures, Divakaruni draws from her Bengali heritage to combine history, myth and magic, together with the respect for diversity that underscores ethics as the foundation of human interactions. Among Divakaruni's novels, The Mistress of Spices, The Palace of Illusions, The Brotherhood of the Conch trilogy and One Amazing Thing all propose new paradigms of wisdom and compassion that may bring about a better understanding among all.


The function of sterol regulator element binding proteins (SREBPs), important transcription factors in cholesterol synthesis, is associated to SREBP cleavage activating protein (SCAP), insulin induced gene product-1 (INSIG-1) and INSIG-2. In this study, the possible contribution of INSIG-2 rs9308762 and SCAP rs4858868 SNPs to CAD risk was investigated in 73 CAD patients and 58 healthy controls. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels of patients were higher than in the control group (P<0.001), while HDL-C levels were lower (P=0.015). In the CAD group, the observed frequency of the SCAP GA genotype was higher (P<0.05), while INSIG-2 rs9308762 genotypes and alleles were not different between study groups. The INSIG2 rare T allele was found to be associated with BMI compared to the CC genotype (P=0.017). Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the INSIG2 T-allele is associated with high BMI levels in controls, while low serum HDL-C in CAD patients. Based on our findings, it can be deduced that these INSIG2 and SCAP variants contribute to CAD risk.