Striking changes in membrane systems occur in the vicinity of replication complexes and mitochondria in rubella virus (RV) infected Vero cells. An electron-dense zone about 22-25 nm in thickness fuses membranes in 3 configurations: between the outer membrane of a mitochondrion and one membrane of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), between the outer membranes of two adjacent mitochondria, and between two apposing membranes of the RER. These junctions were called confronting membranes type 1 (CM-1), confronting membranes type 2 (CM-2) and confronting cisternae (CC), respectively. CM-1, CM-2 and CC were not observed in mock infected or Semliki Forest virus (SFV) infected cells. However, mitochondria were found to cluster around replication complexes in both SFV and RV infected cells. This suggests that replication complexes are sites of high energy requirement because of their key role in virus replication. The electron-dense zones appear to create almost continuous links between RV replication complexes and mitochondria.


Recent studies have demonstrated increased susceptibility to breakdown of the cerebral vasculature associated with repetitive traumatic brain injury. We hypothesized that exposure to two consecutive blast injuries would result in exacerbated damage to an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) compared with exposure to a single blast of the same severity. Contrary to our hypothesis, however, repeated mild or moderate primary blast delivered with a 24 or 72 h interval between injuries did not significantly exacerbate reductions in transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) across a brain endothelial monolayer compared with sister cultures receiving a single exposure of the same intensity. Permeability of the barrier to a range of different-sized solutes remained unaltered after single and repeated blast, supporting that the effects of repeated blast on BBB integrity were not additive. Single blast exposure significantly reduced immunostaining of ZO-1 and claudin-5 tight junction proteins, but subsequent exposure did not cause additional damage to tight junctions. Although repeated blast did not further reduce TEER, the second exposure delayed TEER recovery in BBB cultures. Similarly, recovery of hydraulic conductivity through the BBB was delayed by a second exposure. Extending the interinjury interval to 72 h, the effects of multiple injuries on the BBB were found to be independent given sufficient recovery time between consecutive exposures. Careful investigation of the effects of repeated blast on the BBB will help identify injury levels and a temporal window of vulnerability associated with BBB dysfunction, ultimately leading to improved strategies for protecting warfighters against repeated blast-induced disruption of the cerebral vasculature.


Placenta percreta is a condition of pregnancy associated with abnormal decidua placenta. It is characterized by invasion of chorionic villi past the myometrium and serosa, towards urogenital organs. Complications include massive hemorrhage, bladder dysfunction, and severe infections during delivery. Reports suggest an increasing prevalence of this condition. From a urological perspective, this review suggests how early diagnostic modalities, effective treatment plans, and appropriate surgical methods may aid in decreasing the morbidity and mortality of placenta percreta. The importance of maintaining bladder integrity during hysterectomy is emphasized.


We present rotation measurements performed with a passive resonant optical fibre gyroscope. The fibre used to realize the resonant cavity was a Kagome Hollow Core Fiber. Measurements were performed in two types of configurations. In the first configuration, the counter propagating beams resonate on the same cavity mode. This leads to observation of lock-in that prevents measuring rotation rates below roughly 1°/s. In the second configuration, the counter propagating beams resonate on two different cavity modes. This leads to rotation rates measurements below 0.1°/s that are currently limited by some drifts. We will describe in the conference possible sources of drifts and the solutions we consider to circumvent them.


In the Camamu-Almada basin, marine fishery is exclusively small-scale, with several structural deficiencies such as boats with low or absent navigational technology, lack of credit and low income. Local fishers complain that shrimp and lobster trawling fishing is the main factor responsible for low stock abundance, but they still persist in these activities as these two species command the highest market prices. So they feel that the target species are already over-fished. We suggest that proper management action, alternative ways of income generation and the payment of job insurance would help to mitigate the problem.


With emerging conversational data, automated content analysis is needed for better data interpretation, so that it is accurately understood and can be effectively integrated and utilized in various applications. ICSI meeting corpus is a publicly released data set of multi-party meetings in an organization that has been released over a decade ago, and has been fostering meeting understanding research since then. The original data collection includes transcription of participant turns as well as meta-data annotations, such as disfluencies and dialog act tags. This paper presents an extended set of annotations for the ICSI meeting corpus with a goal of deeply understanding meeting conversations, where participant turns are annotated by actionable items that could be performed by an automated meeting assistant. In addition to the user utterances that contain an actionable item, annotations also include the arguments associated with the actionable item. The set of actionable items are determined by aligning human-human interactions to human-machine interactions, where a data annotation schema designed for a virtual personal assistant (human-machine genre) is adapted to the meetings domain (human-human genre). The data set is formed by annotating participants' utterances in meetings with potential intents/actions considering their contexts. The set of actions target what could be accomplished by an automated meeting assistant, such as taking a note of action items that a participant commits to, or finding emails or topic related documents that were mentioned during the meeting. A total of 10 defined intents/actions are considered as actionable items in meetings. Turns that include actionable intents were annotated for 22 public ICSI meetings, that include a total of 21K utterances, segmented by speaker turns. Participants' spoken turns, possible actions along with associated arguments and their vector representations as computed by convolutional deep structured semantic models are included in the data set for future research. We present a detailed statistical analysis of the data set and analyze the performance of applying convolutional deep structured semantic models for an actionable item detection task. The data is available at http://research.microsoft.com/ projects/meetingunderstanding/.


Flash memory has recently become popular as a caching medium. Most uses to date are on the storage server side. We investigate a different structure: flash as a cache on the client side of a networked storage environment. We use trace-driven simulation to explore the design space. We consider a wide range of configurations and policies to determine the potential client-side caches might offer and how best to arrange them.

Our results show that the flash cache writeback policy does not significantly affect performance. Write-through is sufficient; this greatly simplifies cache consistency handling. We also find that the chief benefit of the flash cache is its size, not its persistence. Cache persistence offers additional performance benefits at system restart at essentially no runtime cost. Finally, for some workloads a large flash cache allows using miniscule amounts of RAM for file caching (e.g., 256 KB) leaving more memory available for application use.


An analysis of a scheme of accelerated trips for faults in the second zone of a transmission line distance protection system is given. By the use of the two-port network theory, variations of the sequence currents and voltages are analyzed when the fault occurs on the protected line followed by a trip of the circuit breaker on the other side. The analysis is supported by tests performed on a laboratory model of a power system. The new scheme can improve sensitivity and avoid improper operation. Thus, it may be possible to use this scheme instead of pilot protection and alleviate any problems caused by the nonavailability of a sufficient number of communication channels for remote control and relaying. >


Today, academic exercises begin with writing essays. As an academic tool, essays are useful just as much for writers as they are for readers. In reference to that, this article reflects about the essay and guides the reader through the steps of writing this type of text. It does not make a difference between sciences, styles, topics and intentions, but maintains the independence of knowledge. In fact, the structure of the text is designed to develop composition exercises, encouraging access to the chosen topic based on its antecedents, formal structure, language and development of learning from the essay.


The radio interfaces required for a third generation personal communications network (PCN), and the attributes of an intelligent multimode portable to operate within the PCN are speculated upon. After discussing key factors in determining spectral efficiency in PCNs, multiple access methods are considered for radio interfaces associated with high-capacity network nodes, microcellular networks, macrocellular networks, megacells, satellite mobile and private mobile radio. Modulation issues are then addressed, followed by source and channel coding. Some elements of a third generation PCN are considered next. Finally the authors present their views on an intelligent multimode mobile portable that will function in many different geographical environments and, in any one, be adaptive in changing its subsystems to variations in the channel conditions and local teletraffic loading.


The impact of HIV and AIDS on Mutambi Ward in Zvishavane District of Zimbabwe

was assessed between May 2004 and October 2006. The study was undertaken using

focus group discussions, questionnaire surveys, use of key informants, review of

records and observations. Care for PLHIV has increased household labour

requirements resulting in a decrease in the time allocated to crop production activities.

Approximately 75% of the households spent their productive time caring for the sick

and attending funerals which occur approximately 8 times a month. Resources meant

for crop production are diverted to patient care. Only 33% of the members managed

to work once a week on their plots while the rest were involved in HIV and AIDS

related activities. This has negatively affected crop productivity. In order to cope

with the excess burden of crop production and attending to PLHIV, the community

has adopted various coping strategies, the main one being a community home based

care programme run by 21 volunteers who dedicated their labour to help households

affected by HIV and AIDS at the expense of their own productive work. Other coping

strategies include change of cultural norms and values, change of roles and

responsibilities, dependency on relatives and funeral contributions. The extent to

which these coping strategies were effective was minimal. Thus coping with the

impacts of HIV and AIDS by the community is a battle being lost.

Key words: HIV and AIDS, coping strategies, care and impact.


Background:

 Factors determining inherent susceptibility to infection with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the risk of severe outcomes in infected individuals remain poorly understood. Landsteiner ABO blood groups have been linked to host susceptibility to various infections through the interaction of the carbohydrate moieties defining ABO antigens with micro-organisms and the immune system. Previous studies of the original SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1) demonstrated a decreased susceptibility to infection in group O individuals (Cheng et al. JAMA 2005; 293:1450-1) and the ability of plasma-derived anti-A antibodies to block the interaction between viral spike protein and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor in vitro (Guillon et al. Glycobiology 2008; 18:1085-93). A recent genome-wide association study of patients with respiratory failure complicating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) suggested a higher risk of severe disease in group A, and a protective effect in group O (Ellinghaus et al. NEJM 2020 DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa2020283). Since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic, a broad testing strategy was implemented in Kuwait and all individuals testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 were admitted to a single facility, including asymptomatic individuals. Here we examined the clinical outcomes of this cohort with respect to ABO blood group and compared its blood group distribution to that of the general population.

 Methods:

 All patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction assay of a nasopharyngeal swab specimen that were admitted to Jaber Hospital between February 24th to May 27th 2020 were included in the study. Relevant demographic and clinical data were extracted from hospital records. An anonymized summary of the distribution of blood types of the entire population of Kuwait was obtained from a national database and used as a control group. Clinical outcomes were in accordance with international consensus definitions. Appropriate statistical tests were used for bivariate analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine relationships between variables of interest and outcome.

 Results:

 Of 3305 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients 37.1%, 25.5%, 28.9% and 8.5% were group O, A, B and AB respectively. 69.2% were male and 30.8% were female. Median age was 42 years. 48.1% were Kuwaiti citizens and 51.9% were non-Kuwaiti. Commonest comorbidities were hypertension (21.5%) and diabetes (20.1%). 17.4% were obese. 37.2% were asymptomatic on admission. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics among the blood groups. Univariate analysis of clinical outcomes revealed no significant differences in need for oxygen support, admission to intensive care, intubation or death among the blood groups. However, rates of any adverse event and pneumonia differed significantly (Table 1). Multivariable analysis adjusted for age, sex, obesity and comorbidities showed that group A had higher odds of developing pneumonia compared to the other blood groups combined (adjusted odds ratio 1.32, 95% confidence interval 1.02-1.72, p<0.0363). We found no relationship between pneumonia and other blood groups. Compared to the general population, the COVID-19 cohort had a lower frequency of group O, equivalent frequency of group A and higher frequency of groups B and AB (Table 2). This trend was independent of nationality (Kuwaiti versus non-Kuwaiti). Incorporation of Rh (D) status did not impact the trend observed with ABO blood groups. Finally, no significant difference in Rh (D) status was found between the COVID-19 and general populations (Rh positive 93.4% versus 93.6% respectively, p=0.99)

 Conclusion:

 In a large, unselected patient population, no association between blood group and severe clinical outcomes in COVID-19 was found. Consistent with reports in other populations, we found a lower prevalence of blood group O in SARS-CoV-2 positive individuals and higher prevalence of blood group B and AB implicating a potential role of ABO blood group in susceptibility to infection. No association between SARS-CoV-2 infection with blood group A or Rh (D) group was found. Further examination of the mechanistic link between ABO antigens, antibodies and SARS-CoV-2, and its implications on controlling the current pandemic is warranted.

 Disclosures
 No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


In this paper, we derive quasi-static equivalent-circuit models for the analysis and design of different types of artificial magnetic resonators-i.e., the multiple split-ring resonator, spiral resonator, and labyrinth resonator-which represent popular inclusions to synthesize artificial materials and metamaterials with anomalous values of the permeability in the microwave and millimeter-wave frequency ranges. The proposed models, derived in terms of equivalent circuits, represent an extension of the models presented in a recent publication. In particular, the extended models take into account the presence of a dielectric substrate hosting the metallic inclusions and the losses due to the finite conductivity of the conductors and the finite resistivity of the dielectrics. Exploiting these circuit models, it is possible to accurately predict not only the resonant frequency of the individual inclusions, but also their quality factor and the relative permeability of metamaterial samples made by given arrangements of such inclusions. Finally, the three models have been tested against full-wave simulations and measurements, showing a good accuracy. This result opens the door to a quick and accurate design of the artificial magnetic inclusions to fabricate real-life metamaterial samples with anomalous values of the permeability.


The main objective of this work lies in the setting up of a database on plants used in medicines which is aimed at pharmacological development of plant resources in Morocco. We have, as a first step, made an inventory of different plant species involved in medicine making in Morocco. This survey dealt with 825 miscellaneous pharmaceutical products and reveals the use of 445 different plant species in medicine making. For each plant species, we have also noted the parts of the plant which are used in the pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, we have taken an interest in plant extracts involved in this medicine making. The results show that in all these medicines contain 46 extracts of a vegetal nature. At the top of the list, menthol is used in the manufacture of 110 pharmaceutical products. Finally, an analysis per pharmaco-therapeutic family reveals the impact of the involvement of these plants on each of these families. In fact, it turns out that 204 plant species play a part in medicines classified in the family of gastro-entero-hepatology whereas only one plant is involved in anti-inflammatory medicines.


Let p1, . . . , pk be k points (events) in (n+1)-dimensional Minkowski space R. Using the theory of hyperplane arrangments and chromatic polynomials, we determine the number of different orders in which the events can occur in different reference frames if the events are sufficiently generic. We consider the question of what sets of orderings of the points are possible and show a connection with sphere orders and the allowable sequences of Goodman and Pollack.


An experimental and theoretical study of the ignition and combustion of aluminum and aluminum/carbon-slurry fuel droplets in both dry and wet environments performed. Individual slurry droplets having initial diameters ranging from 500-1100 microns, supported on 125 microns diameter silicon carbide filaments and rapidly exposed to the post-flame region of a flat-flame burner, were studied. Burner post-flame environments were characterized by determination of species mole fractions using gas chromatography, ambient gas temperature using Pt/Pt-10% Ph fine-wire thermocouples, and ambient gas velocities using conservation of mass. Burner operating conditions were varied to provide oxygen mole fractions ranging from 0.10 to 0.25, and gas temperatures from 1250-1869 K at atmospheric pressure. Particle life histories were characterized by measurement of particle diameter as a function of residence time in the burner gases using backlit and/or natural-light motion picture photography. Ignition and burning times were measured, and low-temperature ignition limits were determined. Residual combustion products were determined using x-ray diffraction techniques and SEM. In the aluminum-slurry ignition analytic model, the processes of slurry-droplet heat-up, liquid-fuel combustion, and agglomerate heat-up were treated. To account for the enhanced convective heat transfer compared to a solid sphere that occurs for the porous aluminum agglomerates, a convective-transport enhancement factormore » was used. A value for the transport enhancement factor was determined experimentally.« less


Bleeding is a common side effect of anticoagulant use. However, the majority of bleeding events are not life-threatening and can be managed conservatively. The first step in managing any significant bleeding event is to temporarily stop using the anticoagulant. The aim of this review was to determine the appropriate management strategy for an acutely bleeding patient on DOACs. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are now widely used in treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and are recommended first-line over vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in non-cancer associated VTE. Until recently, supportive measures and infusion of clotting factors were the only available options for reversal of DOACs. Within the last 4 years, approval of specific antidotes has led to hopes for improved outcomes in DOAC-related acute bleeding, however limitations remain including cost, availability and "real-world" data. In severe and life-threatening bleeding events, use of non-specific (e.g. PCC) or specific (e.g. idarucizumab, andexanet alpha) reversal agents are recommended. However, further data is needed to compare outcomes between these two management strategies and identify the cost-effectiveness of these various strategies. Abstract


The results obtained by MRT of 100 temporomandibular joints in 12 probands with healthy dentitions and 38 patients are reported. The findings were dominated by dislocations of the articular disk. Diagnosis of this condition presented no difficulties, as the interarticular disk can be well differentiated from the adjoining bone structures and the bilaminar zone. The high quality of the soft tissue images renders MRT a valuable procedure completing other examination methods such as panoramic or Schüller radiographs for diagnosis of TMJ diseases.


The issue of sludge governance received from the wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) is extremely relevant and indisputably one of those discussed not only in Bulgaria, but also around the world. The positive role of sludge on the balance of humus as a result of activating the activity of soil microorganisms has also been proven. The aim of this article is to analyze the socio-economic and behavioral aspects of sludge utilization on farms. Extensive in-depth interviews have been conducted and summarized with farmers using and not using sludge in the Sofia region, aiming to gather complete information of production, economic, behavioral, organizational and other nature from farmers using and not using sludge. The main (economic, technological, behavioral, etc.) factors that influence the decisions on the use and non-use of sludge in agricultural production are identified. The results show that the effect of sludge utilization on crop yield is not instantaneous. It is established that there is a lag in revealing the benefits of this activity. Interviews conducted with farmers using sludge in their agricultural activities show twice the yields compared to conventional production. However, the application of sludge is accompanied by a number of challenges: public opinion, properties of sludge, as well as many issues related to the technological introduction of sludge in arable agricultural land.


Typical-case computation complexity is a research topic at the boundary of computer science, applied mathematics, and statistical physics. In the last twenty years, the replica-symmetry-breaking mean field theory of spin glasses and the associated message-passing algorithms have greatly deepened our understanding of typical-case computation complexity. In this paper, we use the vertex cover problem, a basic nondeterministic-polynomial (NP)-complete combinatorial optimization problem of wide application, as an example to introduce the statistical physical methods and algorithms. We do not go into the technical details but emphasize mainly the intuitive physical meanings of the message-passing equations. A nonfamiliar reader shall be able to understand to a large extent the physics behind the mean field approaches and to adjust the mean field methods in solving other optimization problems.


As flying robots are becoming popular, there are increased needs to use themforsuch purposes as parcel delivery, serving in restaurants, and stage performances. To control flying robots such as quad copters, localization is essential. In order to properly position flying robots, many techniques are in development, including IR (infra-red)-based systemswhich catch markers on a flying robot in order that it can position itself. However, this technique demonstrates only short coverage. Furthermore, localization from inertial sensors diverges as time passes. For this reason, this paper suggests a TWR (two-way ranging) based positioning technique. Despite the weaknesses in currently available TWR system, this paper suggests a self-positioning and outlier detection technique in order to provide reliable position information with a faster update rate. The self-positioning system sends a shorter message which reduces wireless traffic. By detecting and removing outlier measurements, a positioning result with better accuracy is acquired. Finally, this paper shows that the suggesting system detects outlierssequentially from less than half the number of anchors in localization system according to the degree of outlier in measurement and the noise level. By performing an outlier algorithm, better positioning accuracy is acquired as shown in the experimental result.


In the current study, a nano-scale perovskite LaNi0.5Fe0.5O3 (LaNi0.5Fe0.5O3NPs) was synthesized by a rapid ultrasonic-assisted co-precipitation method and characterized by various techniques. A modified glassy carbon electrode with Pd nanoparticles (PdNPs) and LaNi0.5Fe0.5O3NPs dispersed into chitosan (CH) polymer was prepared and its catalytic activity toward methanol oxidation was investigated. Based on the electrochemical studies, the PdNPs-LaNi0.5Fe0.5O3NPs-CH nanocomposite showed considerable activity for methanol oxidation in comparison to PdNPs-CH. Then a gas diffusion layer (GDL) was prepared with the ratio of 40% wt graphene carbon and 60% wt polymer mixture (consisting of 35% wt polyvinyl chloride and 65% wt polyaniline) for the micro-porous layer and a teflonated carbon cloth as the macro-porous substrate. A direct methanol fuel cell was designed, assembled and tested with the suggested PdNPs-LaNi0.5Fe0.5O3NPs-CH nanocomposite as anodic catalyst and the synthetic GDL under several different conditions.


In the efficiency paradox, which was introduced by Hand (1994; J R Stat Soc A, 157, 317-356), two groups of engineers are in disagreement about the average fuel efficiency of a set of cars. One group measured efficiency on a miles per gallon scale, the other on a gallons per mile scale. In the present paper, I argue against an operationalistic explanation of the efficiency paradox, by showing that the paradox is neither the result of an ambiguously defined efficiency concept, nor the result of how fuel efficiency is measured (i.e., whether a miles per gallon, or gallons per mile scale is used). The actual paradox is that the two groups of engineers have asked different statistical questions, while using the same mathematical operation. The paradox results from the fact that fuel efficiency is a derived measure, like density and speed, for which end-to-end concatenation (i.e., addition) is not straightforward.


High mobility of the metals Fe, Zn, Pb, and Cu but not Ag and Mo has been demonstrated in hydrothermal transport experiments involving mixtures of the metal sulfides as nutrients in 1-m KCl solutions, with pH values buffered by K feldspar q- mica q- quartz, at temperatures up to 450 degrees C, and temperature gradients of 4.6 degrees to 9.6 degrees C/cm. Strong chloride complexing controls the solubility and transport of the mobile metals in these experiments. Up to 4 g of sulfide dissolution and transport was achieved during convection-driven experimental runs of 12 to 19 days duration, but despite doubled temperature gradients, a maximum of 0.4 g of sulfide dissolution and negligible sulfide transport occurred during 20 to 30 days, in diffusion-driven experiments. Replacement textures in the nutrient sulfides at the hottest end of the reaction vessel were conspicuous among chalcopyrite, galena, pyrrhotite, Ag 2 S, and to a lesser extent, sphalerite. Neither dissolution nor replacement was evident in nutrient molybdenite. Dominant replacing phases (less soluble) were two compositional varieties of intermediate solid solution (iss) of the Cu-Fe-S system, Ag 2 S, galena, native copper, and very minor silver.Well-defined parageneses of (1) early galena, sphalerite, and minor pyrrhotite, (2) intermediate-stage pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and galena + pyrite, and (3) late-stage intermediate solid solution + fayalite were precipitated as mineral crusts at the cool end of the reaction vessel. Late-stage intermediate solid solution replaced early sphalerite in these crusts with textures analogous to chalcopyrite disease. The paragenesis of precipitated sulfides is due to differing mobilities of the metals from the nutrient sulfides at the hot end of the vessel to the warm site of deposition. Their mobilities depend upon differing stabilities of the chloride complexes of Pb, Zn, Fe, and Cu and their levels of saturation throughout the vessel. The immobility of Mo and Ag in these experiments shows that they do not form important chloride complexes in these solutions.


PT. XYZ uses a decentralises system for the delivery of products, where the delivery of products to consumers done by the dealer. PT. XYZ uses expedition logistics to deliver products to dealers. It is expected to make the shipping cost is high. This study changed the pattern of delivery of products directly carried out by PT. XYZ without going through dealers (centralises system). Then compare the lowest shipping cost of both systems. These results indicate that the system centralises can save shipping costs by 77% compared to a decentralises system.


BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative long-term neurocognitive functions of patients who under-went beating-heart mitral valve replacement on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) without aorta cross-clamping with those of patients who underwent mitral valve replacement via the classic method.

METHODS
The study group included 25 randomly selected patients who underwent beating-heart mitral valve surgery. During the same period, 25 patients were randomly selected as controls to undergo mitral valve replacement procedures via the standard ascending aorta-cannulation technique. The clinical and postoperative (2 months) neurocognitive functional data of both groups were compared.

RESULTS
Neurologic deficit was observed in neither group during the postoperative period. There were no statistically significant differences between the control and the study groups with respect to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) results (HADS: anxiety, P = .653; HADS: depression, P = .225), in the right hemispheric cognitive function test results (Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices [RSPM] and Line Orientation Test [LOT] tests: RSPM, P = .189), and in the left hemispheric cognitive function test results (the Ray Auditory Verbal Learning [RAVL] and Stroop Color-Word Test [SCWT] tests: SCWT 1 time, P = .300; SCWT 2 time, P = .679; SCWT 3 time, P = .336; SCWT 4 time, P = .852; SCWT 5 time, P = .416; RAVL total verbal learning, P = .167; RAVL immediate recall, P = .791; RAVL distraction trial, P = .199; RAVL retention, P = .174; RAVL delayed recall, P = .111; RAVL recognition, P = .282; SCWT 4 mistake, P = .306; SCWT 4 reform, P = .066; SCWT 5 mistake, P = .236; SCWT 5 reform, P = .301).

CONCLUSIONS
The technique of mitral valve replacement with normothermic CPB without cross-clamping of the aorta may be safely used for the majority of patients requiring mitral valve replacement without causing deterioration in neurocognitive functions.


Pulsatile flow characteristics in the ascending aorta were examined in 14 patients 12 months after aortic valve replacement with the glutaraldehyde-fixed porcine aortic heterograft. Analysis of the velocity signals permitted measurement of peak velocity, maximal acceleration, stroke volume, and ejection time in addition to the standard measurement of systolic aortic valvar gradient. Angiographic techniques permitted visualization of a pattern of blood flow in the ascending aorta. Valvar aortic gradients were minimal, and, when the phasic ascending aortic blood flow velocity parameters were compared to those in a group of eight patients with normal aortic valves, these characteristics of flow were nearly indistinguishable. This remarkable similarity to the flow characteristics of normal valves may be important to long-term performance of a prosthetic aortic valve. Our results suggest that the glutaraldehyde-fixed porcine heterograft warrants serious consideration when selecting a substitute aortic valve for man.


This paper proposes parallel operation between modularized distribution static synchronous compensator (D-STATCOM) systems for low voltage distribution networks. The proposed methodology is suitable for smart grid applications where multiple renewable energy sources are integrated to the network, hence improved grid voltage stability is required. An advanced control technique that allows monitoring, wireless communication and coordination between the connected modules is presented. A graphical user interface has been developed to perform as a supervisory management system in the control center. The control center is responsible to send external control commands to the D-STATCOMs wirelessly through internet. Grid voltage stability is evenly shared among the modules. Modularity and operation flexibility can be achieved as well. The system has been evaluated by controller hardware-in-the-loop approach, where the power stage is simulated in a real time digital simulation, while the control algorithm is developed in a digital signal processor.


In peritoneal dialysis, loss of peritoneal function is a major factor in treatment failure. The alterations in peritoneal function are related to structural changes in the peritoneal membrane, including peritoneal sclerosis with increased extracellular matrix. Although peritoneal sclerosis is considered reversible to some extent through peritoneal rest, which improves peritoneal function and facilitates morphological changes, there has been no therapeutic intervention and no drug against the development and progression of peritoneal sclerosis. Using recent biotechnological advances in genetic engineering, a strategy based on genetic modification of the peritoneal membrane could be a potential therapeutic maneuver against peritoneal sclerosis and peritoneal membrane failure. Before this gene therapy may be applied clinically, a safe and effective gene delivery system as well as the selection of a gene therapy method must be established. There are presently two kinds of gene transfer vectors: viral and nonviral. Viral vectors are used mainly as a gene delivery system in the field of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis research; however, they have several problems such as immunogenicity and toxicity. On the other hand, nonviral vectors have several advantages over viral vectors. We review here gene transfer using nonviral vector systems in the peritoneum: electroporation, liposomes, and cationized gelatin microspheres. In the field of peritoneal dialysis, gene therapy research using nonviral vectors is presently limited. Improvement in delivery methods together with an intelligent design of targeted genes has brought about large degrees of enhancement in the efficiency, specificity, and temporal control of nonviral vectors.


SCOPE
Evidence suggests a positive association between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to investigate associations between UPF intake and respiratory disease, CVD, and their multimorbidity in a large prospective cohort.

METHODS AND RESULTS
Within the UK Biobank, participants who were free from respiratory disease or CVD at baseline and completed at least two times 24-h dietary records were included in this study. After adjusting for socioeconomic status and lifestyle factors, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for each ten percent increase in UPF were 1.06 (1.04, 1.09) for CVD, 1.04 (1.02, 1.06) for respiratory disease, 1.15 (1.08, 1.22) for CVD mortality, and 1.06 (1.01, 1.12) for their multimorbidity, respectively. In addition, replacing 20% of UPF weight in diet with an equivalent proportion of unprocessed or minimally processed foods was estimated to be associated with 11% lower risk of CVD, 7% lower risk of respiratory disease, 25% lower risk of CVD mortality and 11% lower risk of CVD and respiratory disease multimorbidity.

CONCLUSION
In this prospective cohort study, higher consumption of UPF was associated with higher risks of CVD and respiratory disease multimorbidity. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm our findings. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


Background Viruses influence global patterns of microbial diversity and nutrient cycles. Though viral metagenomics (viromics), specifically targeting dsDNA viruses, has been critical for revealing viral roles across diverse ecosystems, its analyses differ in many ways from those used for microbes. To date, viromics benchmarking has covered read pre-processing, assembly, relative abundance, read mapping thresholds and diversity estimation, but other steps would benefit from benchmarking and standardization. Here we use in silico-generated datasets and an extensive literature survey to evaluate and highlight how dataset composition (i.e., viromes vs bulk metagenomes) and assembly fragmentation impact (i) viral contig identification tool, (ii) virus taxonomic classification, and (iii) identification and curation of auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs). Results The in silico benchmarking of five commonly used virus identification tools show that gene-content-based tools consistently performed well for long (≥3 kbp) contigs, while k-mer- and blast-based tools were uniquely able to detect viruses from short (≤3 kbp) contigs. Notably, however, the performance increase of k-mer- and blast-based tools for short contigs was obtained at the cost of increased false positives (sometimes up to ∼5% for virome and ∼75% bulk samples), particularly when eukaryotic or mobile genetic element sequences were included in the test datasets. For viral classification, variously sized genome fragments were assessed using gene-sharing network analytics to quantify drop-offs in taxonomic assignments, which revealed correct assignations ranging from ∼95% (whole genomes) down to ∼80% (3 kbp sized genome fragments). A similar trend was also observed for other viral classification tools such as VPF-class, ViPTree and VIRIDIC, suggesting that caution is warranted when classifying short genome fragments and not full genomes. Finally, we highlight how fragmented assemblies can lead to erroneous identification of AMGs and outline a best-practices workflow to curate candidate AMGs in viral genomes assembled from metagenomes. Conclusion Together, these benchmarking experiments and annotation guidelines should aid researchers seeking to best detect, classify, and characterize the myriad viruses 'hidden' in diverse sequence datasets.


This book traces the influence of the changing political environment on Czech art, criticism, history, and theory between 1895 and 1939, looking beyond the avant-garde to the peripheries of modern art. The period is marked by radical political changes, the formation of national and regional identities, and the rise of modernism in Central Europe – specifically, the collapse of Austria-Hungary and the creation of the new democratic state of Czechoslovakia. Marta Filipova studies the way in which narratives of modern art were formed in a constant negotiation and dialogue between an effort to be international and a desire to remain authentically local.


Automation of business documentation workflow in medical practice substantially accelerates and improves the process and results in better service development.

 Efficient use of databases, data banks, and document-oriented storage (warehouses data), including dual-purpose databases, enables performing specific actions, such as adding records, introducing changes into them, performing an either ordinary or analytical search of data, as well as their efficient processing. With the focus on achieving interaction between the distributed and heterogeneous applications and the devices belonging to the independent organizations, the specialized medical client application has been developed, as a result of which the quantity and quality of information streams of data, which can be essential for effective treatment of patients with breast cancer, have increased.

 The application has been developed, allowing automating the management of patient records, taking into account the needs of medical staff, especially in managing patients' appointments and creating patient's medical records in accordance with the international standards currently in force. This work is the basis for the smoother integration of medical records and genomics data to achieve better prevention, diagnosis, prediction, and treatment of breast cancer (oncology).

 Since relevant standards upgrade the functioning of health care information technology and the quality and safety of patient's care, we have accomplished the global architectural scheme of the specific medical automation system through harmonizing the medical services specified by the HL7 international.


In this article we present the use of knowledge for a Mediation System, developed to give support to participants in mechanical-system-designer activities. To use a cooperative system sufficient assistance is needed to facilitate and coordinate actors' activities. To accomplish this goal we introduce an artificial actor: Mediator. The Mediator forms part of the group of collaborative, with the specific role of facilitating the cooperative activity. This role of assistance, differentiate the Mediator from other actors. This one is endowed with specific skills of cooperation (communication; awareness, coordination, co-memorization), requiring some acquired knowledge, which allow them to give assistance to the human actors. We will define the types of knowledge defined for our proposed Mediation System. Then we will illustrate the use of memorized knowledge by the Mediator during an activity of technical functional analysis.


A new nano-size drug carrier was proposed to overcome the shortcomings of conventional drug delivery systems. Amifsotine, a hydrophilic and extremely short half-life cytoprotective agent, was loaded based on chelating complex micelles (CCM) in order to provide the protection from radiation exposure. The preparation of amifostine-loaded CCM (CCM-Ami) was simply mixing ferrous chloride, poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly (glutamic acid) (PEG-b-PGA) and amifostine in an aqueous solution without using any organic solvent. The resulting CCM-Ami monodispersed with a mean particle size 25 nm and showed a slow release behavior as compared to amifostine. Furthermore, CCM-Ami pretreatment improved survival rates and median survival in C57BL/6 mice than did treatment with a corresponding dose of amifostine. These results point to a potential use of CCM as a novel drug carrier. Drug molecules that may act as ligands can be considered delivering by this platform technology.


4259 Introduction: UV-light induced DNA damage primarily results in cyclobutane dimers and (6-4) photoproducts. Amelioration of UV-light induced DNA damage is orchestrated by Nucleotide excision repair (NER) which results in the removal of cyclobutane dimers and (6-4) photoproducts. In addition, NER is also invoked for the removal of some forms of bulky chemical DNA adducts. The disease Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is comprised of 7 complementation groups (XP-A to XP-G), which represent functional deficiencies in seven different genes, all of which are involved in the NER process. The exact relationship between the different complementation groups remains to be precisely defined but the unifying clinical feature of XP is a 1000-fold increase in the risk of sunlight induced skin malignancy. Thus, XP serves as a model disease in evaluating the events that underlie the development of skin malignancies, especially basal squamous cell carcinomas (BCCs and SCCs).
 Experimental Procedure: Whole genome gene expression analysis was utilized to identify similarities and differences after UVC-light exposure between two fibroblast cell lines from each of the complementation groups XP-A to XP-G, as defined by mutations in the corresponding genes compared to unaffected controls. The whole genome gene expression profiles for each XP complementation group and the controls were compared and those genes that had significantly different expression from the controls were identified. Furthermore, correlation analysis between the profiles was undertaken to determine the hierarchy of genes in the NER process.
 Results: The results reveal that there is a graded change in gene expression patterns between the mildest complementation group (XP-E) and the severest form (XP-A) of the disease. The expression profiles within groups appeared to be highly specific and suggest that this approach can be used to screen suspected XP patients to define which complementation group they belong to. In addition, significantly altered genes representative of many biological pathways were altered by UVC-light exposure and have been identified in both the NER deficient and control fibroblasts.
 Conclusion: This analysis has revealed distinct gene expression profiles for each of the XP complementation groups and provided the first step towards understanding altered gene expression due to diminished DNA repair. This will lead to a better understanding of altered biological pathways involved in the etiology of skin cancers. Finally, this approach may represent a viable alternative to complementation studies in the diagnosis of this disorder.


The period since 1989 has seen both statehood at its peak, and at its low point. On the one hand, a quasi-colonial (soviet) empire dissolved, and numerous new states emerged. Moreover, secessionist movements all over the world seek to become independent states. On the other hand, the globalisation of markets and the emergence of global problems have, especially in the 1990s, led to the perception of a weakening or even decline of the nation state. Global governance, the strengthening of transnational or even supranational regimes, large scale privatisation and the rise of "non-state actors" have been both a cause and effect of this trend. The concomitant international legal discourses have been those on secession and ethno-nationalism on the one hand, and those on the transformations or disaggregation of states, on transnational networks and multilevel governance, on the other hand. The paper brings together these discourses. Already before 1989, the facticist concept of the state as a subject of international law had been overcome, and negative conditions of legality (non-use of force and non-violation of self determination) had been added as criteria of statehood (or at least of recognition). After 1989, legality has come to play a positive role, with the idea of a remedial secession, with self determination as a legal title to statehood. The state, as an international legal subject, of course needs a factual basis. But for the purpose of legal analysis, statehood is a legal concept, and not a "primary fact". The post-1989 concept of "failed state" refers to this factual side of statehood. And the post-1989 concept of "rogue states" relates to its legal side. Effectiveness is a bridge-concept which brings together the factual and the legal side of statehood. Effectiveness means both real factual power as opposed to powerless or even virtual institutions. But effectiveness also means power (independent of the lawfulness of its exercise) as opposed to institutions satisfying standards of legality or even legitimacy. The paper concludes that effectiveness is and should remain a necessary, but is not a sufficient criterion for statehood. Political entities which are arguably effective but not legal (e.g. Abkhazia in Georgia) should not count as states in terms of international law. But political entities which are legal but barely effective (such as Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina) should probably not count as states either. However, the standards of effectiveness are a highly relative one. In the era of globalisation, no state is fully effective. If and only if the international legal rules on states continue to embody the concept of effectiveness in the sense just described, international law will perform well as a factor of order in international relations.


The aim ofthe study was to assess laying traits, the weight of eggs and characters ofthe laying rhythm of pheasants in the first and second years of reproduction. Pheasants (10 cockerels and 50 hens) were kept in aviaries. Daily, individual control of laying was performed beginning with the day of the first laying and ending with the last egg. The following parameters were evaluated: age at first laying, length of the laying period, number of laid eggs and the average weight of the egg in the 8th week of laying. The laying rhythm was also assessed and comprised: the number of egg clutches, the number of eggs in a clutch, the number of eggs in the longest clutch, the number of intervals, the length of intervals and the longest interval between clutches. During the first period of reproduction, in comparison with the second, pheasants laid slightly more eggs of similar average weight. The first laying period was longer than the second and was characterised by a greater number of egg clutches and greater number of intervals between clutches. The greatest number of eggs was laid in 10-egg and longer clutches, although the l-egg clutches were the most numerous. A positive correlation was found between the number of eggs and the number of clutches, the greatest number of eggs in a clutch and the number of intervals between clutches. The similar values of the reproductive characters of one- and two-year old pheasants point to the possibility of longer utilization of these birds than only for one laying period. On the other hand, the considerable variability between the experimental hens with regard to the number and the length of egg clutches, as well as the intervals between them, indicate the possibility to carry out selection taking into account traits characterising the laying rhythm.


We present a new framework for fractional Brownian motion in which processes with all indices can be considered under the same probability measure. Our results extend recent contributions by Hu, Øksendal, Duncan, Pasik‐Duncan, and others. As an application we develop option pricing in a fractional Black‐Scholes market with a noise process driven by a sum of fractional Brownian motions with various Hurst indices.


Female genital mutilation is gender-based violence performed to a female that involve partial or total removal of the female genital organs. The practice globally recognized as a public health problem that affects women and Children's lives. The United Nations, through the Sustainable Development Goal 5, calls for the Worldwide action on the elimination of all harmful traditional practices affecting women and children by 2030. The current study aimed at examining and proposing the most effective approaches for the intervention for the elimination of female genital mutilation to supports attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal 5.3. The study employed document analysis method in collecting its data. The author uses the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the United Nations Population Fund reports and published documents, other relevant literature and theoretical justification for examining the most useful interventions for the elimination of female genital mutilation in Africa. Study finding revealed that Inclusive programs, formal and informal education, economic empowerment of women, the use of alternative rites of passage and revision of female genital mutilation laws are potential approaches in the fight against female genital mutilation. The study concluded that fight against female genital mutilation needs collaboration of multiple strategies and multiple actors. The active and serious cooperation of actors will accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 5 by 2030.


Climate change scenarios predict increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2]), temperatures and droughts in tropical regions. Individually, the effects of these climate factors on plants are well established, whereas experiments on the interactive effects of a combination of factors are rare. Moreover, how these environmental factors will affect tree species along a wet to dry gradient (e.g., along tropical forest-savanna transitions) remains to be investigated. We hypothesized that under the simulated environmental conditions, plant growth, physiological performance and survivorship would vary in a manner consistent with the species' positions of origin along this gradient. In a glasshouse experiment, we raised seedlings of three Eucalyptus species, each occurring naturally in a wet forest, savanna and forest-savanna ecotone, respectively. We evaluated the effect of drought, elevated temperature (4 °C above ambient glasshouse temperature of 22 °C) and elevated temperature in combination with elevated [CO2] (400 ppm [CO2] above ambient of 400 ppm), on seedling growth, survivorship and physiological responses (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and water-use efficiency). Elevated temperature under ambient [CO2] had little effect on growth, biomass and plant performance of well-watered seedlings, but hastened mortality in drought-affected seedlings, affecting the forest and ecotone more strongly than the savanna species. In contrast, elevated [CO2] in combination with elevated temperatures delayed the appearance of drought stress symptoms and enhanced survivorship in drought-affected seedlings, with the savanna species surviving the longest, followed by the ecotone and forest species. Elevated [CO2] in combination with elevated temperatures also enhanced growth and biomass and photosynthesis in well-watered seedlings of all species, but modified shoot:root biomass partitioning and stomatal conductance differentially across species. Our study highlights the need for a better understand of the interactive effects of elevated [CO2], temperature and drought on plants and the potential to upscale these insights for understanding biome changes.


The different mechanisms for glutathione-dependent inactivation of a number of oxidizing compounds and other xenobiotics were studied using isolated round spermatids from rats. For the estimation of cellular GSH a flow cytometric assay was used. The cells were exposed to the oxidizing compounds cumene hydroperoxide and diamide, to study the activity of the GSH redox cycle. Incubation of the isolated cells with these compounds showed that the cells had a limited capacity to withstand the oxidative stress associated with their inactivation. The GSH level of the spermatids was maintained during 18 h of incubation in the presence of low concentrations of cumene hydroperoxide and diamide, whereas spermatids exposed to higher concentrations showed a loss of both GSH and ATP. No partial loss of GSH from individual cells was observed. Diethyl maleate and 1,2-epoxy-p-(nitrophenoxy)propane (ENPP) were used to study the effect of glutathione S-transferase-catalysed GSH conjugation on the GSH content of spermatids. Exposure of the cells to low concentrations of diethyl maleate and ENPP resulted in a decrease in GSH content. The flow cytometric analysis showed that this was a partial loss of GSH from all cells, rather than GSH depletion in a part of the cell population. This diminution of the cellular GSH pool, however, did not affect the ATP content and viability of the cells. The present results indicate that spermatids can utilize GSH-dependent defence mechanisms against a number of model compounds.


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Recommender systems have always faced the problem of sparse
data. In the current era, however, with its demand for highly
personalized, real-time, context-aware recommendation, the
sparse data problem only threatens to grow worse. Crowdsourcing,
specifically, outsourcing micro-requests for information to
the crowd, opens new possibilities to fight the sparse data challenge.
In this paper, we lay out a vision for recommender systems
that, instead of consulting an external crowd, rely on their own
user base to actively supply the rich information needed to improve
recommendations. We propose that recommender systems
should create and exploit reciprocity between users and items.
Specifically, recommender systems should not only recommend
items for users (who would like to watch or buy them), but also
recommend users for items (that need additional information in
order that they can be better recommended by the system). Reciprocal
recommendations provide a gentle incentivization that can
be deployed non-invasively, yet is powerful enough to promote a
productive symbiosis between users and items. By exploiting
reciprocity, recommender systems can "look inwards" and activate
their own user base to contribute the information needed to
improve recommendations for the entire user community.


Purpose of reviewTinnitus, the perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external acoustic stimulus, is a highly prevalent and frequently severely impairing disorder with worldwide impact. In this article after a short overview about epidemiology and pathophysiology the currently available treatment options will be discussed with specific consideration of the available evidence, their mechanisms of action and their limitations. Recent findingsDuring the last decades, advances in neuroimaging methods and the development of animal models have contributed to an increasing understanding of the neuronal correlates of tinnitus and have motivated the development of innovative brain-based treatment approaches for directly targeting the neuronal correlates of tinnitus. A further important development has been the insight that there exist different forms of tinnitus that differ in their pathophysiology and their response to specific treatments. SummaryTreatment of tinnitus should be based on a comprehensive diagnosis of etiologic and concomitant aspects of an individual's tinnitus. Already today a large variety of therapeutic interventions are available, which can efficiently reduce tinnitus severity. Several innovative treatment approaches are currently under development.


The first concise guide to the purposeful use of techniques in human geography. Examining key techniques in detail - survey and qualitative, numerical, spatial and computer-based - the book draws on important case studies, such as the decennial census, to illustrate applications. The importance of up-to-date IT based techniques is particularly stressed, introducing widely recognised applications. A final section explores the Internet, which offers exciting new resources but also creates problems for researchers used to traditional academic fields.


A cDNA library was constructed from a protamine-enriched fraction of dogfish (Scylliorhinus caniculus) mRNA. The nucleotide sequence of a 440-bp insert was determined, and its produced protein sequence confirmed its identification as a cysteine-rich protamine Z2 [Martinage, A., Gusse, M., Belaiche, D., Sautiere, P. and Chevaillier, P. (1985) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 831, 172-178]. The frequency of utilization of the different triplets coding for arginine, which represents 30-70% of the total amino acid residues for trout, mouse and dogfish protamines, is discussed. An alternative repetitive sequence of CGC-AGG was found in the N terminus of the protein. Analysis of the 3' flanking region after the mRNA-terminating TAA codon identified an inverted repeat sequence and an ACCA sequence, which may be possible vestiges of a histone-like termination signal.


Reading is a multifaceted skillset that has the potential to profoundly impact a child's academic performance and achievement. Mastery of reading skills is often an area of difficulty for children during their academic journey, particularly for children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Specific Learning Disorder with Impairment in Reading (SLD-R), or children with a comorbid diagnosis of both ADHD and SLD-R. ADHD is characterized by executive functioning and impulse control deficits, as well as inattention and impulsivity. Among the academic struggles experienced by children with ADHD are challenges with word reading, decoding, or reading comprehension. Similarly, children with SLD-R frequently encounter difficulties in the development of appropriate reading skills. SLD-R incorporates dysfunctions in basic visual and auditory processes that result in difficulties with decoding and spelling words. There have been limited empirical studies investigating the efficacy of interventions to improve the reading ability of children with both ADHD and SLD-R. Research studies that have focused on reading interventions for children from this population have predominantly included the use of medication treatments with stimulants (e.g., methylphenidate) and non-stimulants (e.g., atomoxetine). This review paper will present and integrate findings from empirical studies on successful medication treatments for children with comorbid ADHD and SLD-R. Furthermore, this paper will extend findings from empirically successful medication treatments to provide directions for future research.


The 1991 Local Government Code devolved substantial spending, taxing, and borrowing powers to local government units (LGUs). Moving governance closer to the people can generate a welfare gain, but local governments must have adequate revenues to finance local development. The paper examines the current status of the tax-expenditure assignment and the intergovernmental fiscal relations, and identifies areas for reform. There is a need for a clearer and more accountable assignment of expenditure by eliminating particular sections of the code, which serve as a route for national government agencies to be engaged in devolved activities, and for politicians to insert funding for pet projects, which distort local decision making and preferences. There is need as well to review the tax assignment to improve local revenue generation. The allocation of intergovernmental fiscal transfers may be improved by introducing matching grants to improve equalization transfers to local governments, and performance-based grants to motivate greater local revenue mobilization. Without a clear funding source, unfunded mandates imposed on local governments defeat the purpose of the policy objectives set in those mandates. Local government alliances and cooperative undertaking may provide public goods with interjurisdictional spillover benefits. Consolidation, better coordination of local government activities, and resource pooling for better local service delivery are pathways indicated by successful experiences of LGU collaboration.


Consumers' ethical/unethical perceptions Of marketing practices can lead to more legislation and restrictions placed on business firms. Hence, determining these perceptions are affected by cultural values and socio-economic characteristics of consumers. Most studies in this area are conducted in western countries, which have Judeo-Christian values. There is a need to determine the consumers' ethical/unethical perceptions in Muslim countries, in order to determine the differences. This study is the first ethics survey conducted among Turkish consumers. Results indicate that female consumers are somewhat more religious than male consumers. There are significant differences in six of the twenty ethicality perception statements among male and female consumers and also some small but significant relationships between religiousness and four perception statements.


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

Human KIAA0020 belongs to the PUF family of RNA-binding proteins. Most of family members contain eight RNA-binding Pumilio repeats and are known to regulate mRNA stability and translation. In fact, hunchback, Cyclin B, and HO endonuclease mRNAs are known targets for certain PUF family members in human and other species. Currently little is known about human KIAA0020, which contains six instead of eight Pumilio repeats and shares low homology with its family members. In this study, we characterized this protein and found that wild-type KIAA0020 was localized to multiple foci within the nucleus of HeLa and HEK293T cells. Deletion of C- terminus and, to a less extent, N-terminus of KIAA0020, permitted partial cytosolic localization. Furthermore, we have found a number of mRNA targets that were regulated by KIAA0020 in cells containing ectopic overexpression of KIAA0020 variants or shRNA-mediated knockdown. Based on microarray data analysis from Oncomine, KIAA0020 appears to be deregulated in a variety of human cancer types. Understanding the subcellular localization and mRNA targets of KIAA0020 will improve our knowledge of the function of this protein and its relevance to cancer.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3157.


Cabozantinib (cabo) is an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases including MET, VEGFR2, RET, and the TAM family kinases TYRO3, AXL, and MER, and has shown clinical activity in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and other solid tumors with bone metastases. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a monoclonal B-cell (plasma cell) neoplasia representing ∼2% of all cancer deaths. The clinical hallmark is presence of multiple osteolytic lesions causing bone pain, pathologic fractures, and hypercalcemia. Circulating levels of HGF and VEGF are upregulated in MM patients, and regulation of plasma cell-osteoblast communication by the HGF-MET signaling pathway has been implicated in the development of lytic bone disease in these patients. We have previously shown that cabo is active in the syngeneic 5TGM1 mouse MM model. This study aimed to determine whether combination with bortezomib would yield additional benefit. Four experimental groups were included: 1) Control group receiving vehicle, 2) Bortezomib (0.5 mg/kg ip twice a week), 3) Cabo (10 mg/kg, PO QD) and 4) Combination (bortezomib + cabo, same doses). Female C57BL/KaLwRij mice were allocated to treatment groups (n = 15 per group) with equivalent average body weights. At day 0, animals were inoculated with 5TGM1 cells by IV administration. Dosing began at day 1 and continued daily until euthanasia. Body weights were determined twice a week and blood samples were collected at days -1, 16, 23, 35 and at sacrifice for analysis of paraprotein (IgG2b), PINP and TRACP 5b. Development of osteolytic lesions was detected by radiography at day 35 and at sacrifice. Mice were sacrificed individually when they became paraplegic, lost over 20% of body weight, or had severe breathing problems. The maximum length of the study was 70 days. By study day 35, the osteolytic lesions were not affected by bortezomib, were reduced by cabo alone, and further reduced by the combination treatment. Bortezomib had inhibited the rise in serum IgG2b levels, but cabo and the combination treatment had not. Despite the effects on serum IgG2b, bortezomib did not significantly increase survival, whereas cabo and the combination treatment did. Increased survival with the combination was significant when compared to bortezomib monotherapy, but not when compared to cabo monotherapy. Earlier we have shown that cabo dose-dependently increases the necrotic tumor area in bone, and proposed that the rise in IgG2b was due to lysis of plasma cells and not tumor growth. Consistent with this hypothesis, the IgG2b levels of cabo treated mice were lower at sacrifice than at day 35 in this study. In summary, cabo increased survival and exhibited bone-protective and anti-tumor effects in this murine model of MM. Combination with bortezomib showed additive effects on survival. Based on these results, further investigation of cabozantinib in multiple myeloma is warranted. Citation Format: Mari I. Suominen, Katja M. Fagerlund, Esa Alhoniemi, Jukka P. Rissanen, Jussi M. Halleen, Dana T. Aftab. Effects of combination treatment with cabozantinib and bortezomib in the 5TGM1 murine multiple myeloma model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 786. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-786


Nonlinear periodic drift waves are investigated on the basis of a simple perturbation scheme for both the amplitude and inverse frequency. The coefficients for the generation of the forced harmonics are derived, a nonlinear dispersion relation is suggested and a criterion for the onset of the modulational instability is obtained. The results are compared with those obtained with the help of a standard KBM treatment. Moreover, cnoqidal drift waves are suggested and compared to an experimental observation.


Background: Anecdotal evidence suggests that at least 8 young people (aged 14-35) die of undiagnosed cardiac conditions every week. Cardiac screening will detect the majority of cardiac conditions that could lead to a sudden cardiac death (e.g. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, long QT syndrome, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome). However, screening of apparently healthy young people may have adverse psychological consequences on those who have negative test results. Objectives The objective of the current research was to evaluate the psychological effects on young people of screening for cardiac conditions that are partly genetic. Methods: The current study (N=746) was a prospective investigation of psychological responses to screening, involving assessments at the time of invitation (T1), immediately before testing (T2), and 2-3 weeks later (T3), following receipt of results. It was carried out in the context of an innovative screening programme being developed by the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). All participants were healthy individuals who had consented to cardiac screening in two different contexts, community (N=303) and school (N=443). Anxiety and self-rated health were evaluated using standard measures, and illness representations were assessed with the revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R). Between group analyses were performed for each of the key factors, gender, age, and number of symptoms at the time of screening. Two groups of young people---adolescents (14-19) and adults (20-35)---were compared. Comparisons were also made with an adolescent age-matched control group not offered screening. Results: Anxiety levels in the screening participants were significantly lower than those of the control group (not offered screening) and population norms. There were no changes in anxiety between T1 and T2, but at T3 (after receiving a negative result) anxiety levels significantly declined. Participants with symptoms were more anxious. Similar results were reported for self rated health. Patterns of response differed between adolescents and adults. Cognitive representations of the cardiac conditions were not associated with anxiety during the testing programme. Emotional representations and genetic worries were associated with anxiety at T1 and T2 and emotional representations predicted reassurance at the end of the programme. A small number of participants had positive results in response to screening, and their experiences were also tracked. Discussion: This research provides strong evidence that the tests were acceptable to the participants. The levels of anxiety reported in this study, and the impact on self rated health, are not excessive. They were reassured after the testing satisfied with the information they received reported qualitative responses that were positive and showed they had understood the process that they were engaged in. Selection factors were probably responsible for the lower levels of anxiety in participants than controls. These results suggest that screening apparently healthy young people (both adolescents and adults under the age of 35) for potentially serious cardiac conditions does not have adverse psychological effects.


We consider surveillance applications through wireless sensor networks (WSNs) where the areas to be monitored are fully accessible and the WSN topology can be planned a priori to maximize application efficiency. We propose an optimization framework for selecting the positions of wireless sensors to detect mobile targets traversing a given area. By leveraging the concept of path exposure as a measure of detection quality, we propose two problem versions: the minimization of the sensors installation cost while guaranteeing a minimum exposure, and the maximization of the exposure of the least-exposed path subject to a budget on the sensors installation cost. We present compact mixed-integer linear programming formulations for these problems that can be solved to optimality for reasonable-sized network instances. Moreover, we develop Tabu Search heuristics that are able to provide near-optimal solutions of the same instances in short computing time and also tackle large size instances. The basic versions are extended to account for constraints on the wireless connectivity as well as heterogeneous devices and nonuniform sensing. Finally, we analyze an enhanced exposure definition based on mobile target detection probability.


With increasing air pollution, the association between green space exposure and health outcomes is a global health concern. The relationship between air pollution and the survival of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are exposed to residential greenness is yet to be elucidated. This study aimed to determine this relationship in Seoul between 2002 and 2015. A time-varying survival analysis was conducted to investigate the association between long-term exposure to air pollutants and mortality in 29,602 patients with CKD living in residential environments with small and large green infrastructure. The low and high index groups were defined using continuous and percentile thresholds of the satellite data—the derived average Normalized Difference Vegetation Index within 250 m and 1,250 m of residence, respectively. During the observation, 3,863 (14%) deaths occurred. The effect of air pollution exposure on mortality was worse in the low index group than in the high index group. Particularly, exposure to SO2 was associated with increased mortality risk, regardless of the greenness threshold. Consistent results were observed in co-pollutant models. High greenery exposure significantly reduced the risk of air pollution related mortality. Our results emphasize the need for creating environmental infrastructures that include green spaces.


In 1986, Schenck and coworkers described REM-sleep behavior disorder as a treatable parasomnia affecting older males. This disorder is characterized by intermittent loss of the muscle atonia, which normally characterizes the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep state. Complex motor behaviors occur that are often injurious and are associated with dreaming. We have identified five children who meet the criteria for REM-sleep behavior disorder and describe the clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of these patients, along with corresponding polysomnographic characteristics of matched comparison subjects. (J Child Neurol 1998; 13:257-260).


The paper studies the dividend payments of the largest oil and gas corporations in Russia. Based on the analysis conducted by the author, their forecast is made and internal factors are determined that have the most significant effect on the size of dividend payments.


Plants store excess energy and metabolites derived from photosynthesis in a variety of storage compounds with starch, protein and triacyglycerol (oil, TAG) being the most common. As humans, we are completely dependent on these compounds either directly as food or indirectly, as materials for large number of goods or feed for animals. With an increased interest in sustainable production systems and the need to feed and clothe a growing population in a changing environment, the need for a better understanding of how plants allocate carbon for storage is increasingly important.

One key transcription factor involved in the accumulation of TAG into seeds is WRINKLED1 (WRI1). Using a transient gene expression system together with promoter-reporter gene constructs in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, it was found that WRI1 is negatively regulating its own expression. This was further investigated by domain swapping between WRI1 homologs from diverse plant species to reveal that this mechanism was intrinsic to the tandem DNA binding AP2-domains of WRI1. Fluorescent electrophoretic mobility shift assay (fEMSA) was employed using purified WRI1 showing that WRI1 is unable to directly interact with its own upstream region.

During seed development, non-endospermic seeds accumulate large amounts of oil in the embryo during later stages of embryo development. This is known to be regulated by several master regulators commonly called the LAFL-network (LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (LEC1), ABSCISSIC ACID INSENSITIVE3 (ABI3), FUSCA3 (FUS3) and LEC2). Using transient expression in N. benthamiana leaves it was discovered that LEC1 significantly influences the transactivation ability of LEC2 and especially ABI3. Not only is LEC1 modulating the ability of ABI3 to induce NbWRI1 expression, but also a large set of key genes involved in embryo morphogenesis. This suggests that LEC1 and ABI3 tightly collaborate to drive the embryo development from middle to late stage and the transition between morphogenesis to the acquisition of storage compounds.

With the purpose of investigating the differences in carbon partitioning between oat (Avena sativa) which is unique among the cereals in storing significant amount of oil in the endosperm with wheat (Triticum aestivum) that has basically no endosperm oil AsWRI1 was transformed into wheat. The resulting transformant lines showed a significantly altered seed phenotype with increased oil accumulation, disrupted endosperm development and reduced sink strength.


Abstract The flora of Mediterranean ecosystems contains families with species having fully and under-developed embryos in their seeds. After-ripening for physiological dormancy release and smoke influence germination in many species. We investigated how after-ripening and embryo growth interact with smoke to influence the temporal dynamics of seedling emergence among fire ephemerals. Seeds were placed in the field and under standardized (50% relative humidity, 30°C) laboratory conditions to test the effects of summer conditions on physiological dormancy loss. Germination was tested with water or smoke compounds (smoke water, KAR1) at a simulated autumn/winter temperature (18/7°C). The timing and amount of seedling emergence with smoke was observed for seeds exposed to near-natural conditions. During summer, physiological dormancy was broken in all species, enabling germination at autumn/winter but not summer temperatures; no embryo growth occurred in seeds with under-developed embryos. At the start of the wet season, seedling emergence from seeds with fully developed embryos occurred earlier than from seeds with under-developed embryos. In a non-consistent manner among our study species, smoke and smoke compounds influenced the rate of embryo growth and amount of germination. Effects of smoke were noticeable in terms of number of emergents in the first emergence season. Among ecologically similar species, we have shown (1) that both thermal and embryo traits exclude germination in the summer, (2) how embryo size influences the timing of seedling emergence in autumn–winter, and (3) a reduced requirement for smoke in the second emergence season after a fire with a shift to reliance on seasonal cues for emergence.


Aedes spp. are a major public health concern due to their ability to be efficient vectors of dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, and other arboviruses. With limited vaccines available and no effective therapeutic treatments against arboviruses, the control of Aedes spp. populations is currently the only strategy to prevent disease transmission. Host-associated microbes (i.e., microbiota) recently emerged as a promising field to be explored for novel environmentally friendly vector control strategies. In particular, gut microbiota is revealing its impact on multiple aspects of Aedes spp. biology, including vector competence, thus being a promising target for manipulation. Here we describe the technological advances, which are currently expanding our understanding of microbiota composition, abundance, variability, and function in the two main arboviral vectors, the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Aedes spp. microbiota is described in light of its tight connections with the environment, with which mosquitoes interact during their various developmental stages. Unraveling the dynamic interactions among the ecology of the habitat, the mosquito and the microbiota have the potential to uncover novel physiological interdependencies and provide a novel perspective for mosquito control.


Abstract Over a decade ago, an important debate began concerning the proper role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in an international legal universe characterized by a large and rapidly increasing number of specialized courts and tribunals. What functions can and should the Court perform in response to the fragmentation of international law, and the proliferation of international tribunals? Initial proposals, especially those emerging in the late 1990s, were hierarchical and centralist in their orientation, and have justifiably fallen out of favour. This article uses the current international legal disputes about Australia's plain packaging tobacco legislation as the basis for an exploration of the possibilities for an alternative, non-centralist vision for the ICJ, which is sensitive both to the institutional limits of the international judiciary, and to the benefits of a fundamentally pluralist international legal order.


The author attempted to establish a new method of measuring water content in the brain tissue using tritiated water and a liquid scintillation counter. Approximately 50 mg of brain tissue was taken, put into a 1 ml disposable syringe and squeezed out in a centrifuge tube containing 2.5 ml of methylalcohol. This was then subjected to supersonication (by a supersonication bacterial homogenizer T-A-4201) for 3 minutes to prepare brain tissue homogenate. The homogenate was mixed in a glass vial with 20 ml of previously prepared scintillator for liquid scintillation counting. The author prepared six kinds of scintillators and investigated which scintillator was the best one in efficiency, and reproducibility for counting. The six kinds of scintillators were as follows: 1) Simple scintillator which was composed of one liter of toluene, 5 g of PPO and 300 mg of DM-POPOP. 2) Simple scintillator with 4 % Cab-o-sil. 3) Simple scintillator with 500 ml of Triton X 100. 4), 5) and 6) were the same composition as scintillators 1) to 3), but also had 50 ml of Soluene 100 added. The author concluded that the most suitable scintillator was No. 5 which was composed of simple scintillator, Cab-o-sil and Soluene 100. Next, the author examined the accuracy of this method in measuring the water content of brain tissue. Cold induced edema was produced in the right parietal region of rats. Half of the animals were untreated. The others were treated with 0.8 mg/Kg of dexamethasone after cold injury. The water content was calculated as follows: Ratio of increased water cpm/g of tritiated water in content in the injured = the injured hemisphere / cpm/g of tritiated water in ×100 hemisphere the non-injured hemisphere In the untreated animals, the water content in the injured side increased significantly from the control of 100.7±0.5 to 105.5±0.8 at 24 hours after cold injury. (Values are mean±S.D.) In the dexamethasone treated group, the water content in the injured side decreased significantly to 101.0±0.7 at 24 hours after injury. From these results, the author concluded that this new method might be an accurate, reproducible, unique and useful one for measuring the water content of brain tissue.


ABSTRACT Aim: Prednisolone is commonly used to treat castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). We hypothesised that dexamethasone would have superior antitumour activity to prednisolone. Methods: A randomised, open-label, Phase II trial of prednisolone 5mg bid versus dexamethasone 0.5mg once/day was pursued. All patients had castrate levels of testosterone on androgen deprivation therapy, PSA progression after anti-androgen withdrawal, baseline PSA > 5ng/ml and no prior treatment for CRPC with either corticosteroids or chemotherapy. The primary end point was PSA response, defined as 50% decline confirmed at least 4 weeks later. Secondary endpoints included time to PSA progression, radiologic response rate using RECIST, and safety. Patients crossed over from prednisolone to dexamethasone at progression. The planned sample size was 72, based on 80% power to detect a response rate of 60% for dexamethasone versus 20% for prednisolone, with a 2-sided alpha of 0.05. Results: 75 patients were randomised. In patients evaluable for response (with at least two on-treatment PSA levels), the PSA response rates were 47% (16/34) for dexamethasone and 24% (8/33) for prednisolone (p = 0.05). Median time to PSA progression was 9.7 months on dexamethasone versus 5.1 months on prednisolone (HR 1.6, 95%CI: 0.9-2.8). In 38 patients with measurable disease, the response rate by RECIST was 15% (3/20) and 6% (1/18) for dexamethasone and prednisolone, respectively (p = 0.6). Of 19 patients who crossed over at PSA progression on prednisolone, seven (37%) had a confirmed PSA response to dexamethasone. Both prednisolone and dexamethasone were well tolerated with no significant differences in safety and tolerability. Conclusions: Dexamethasone may be more active than prednisolone in CRPC. In the absence of more definitive trials, dexamethasone should be used in preference to prednisolone. Disclosure: C. Parker: I have received honoraria from Astellas, Bayer, BNIT, Janssen, Sanofi-Aventis and Takeda. I have received research funding fom Bayer; R. Ahiabor: employed by Pharmacyclics; D. Dearnaley: has received honoraria for advisory boards and served as a consultant for Takeda, Amgen, Astellas and Succinct Healthcare. Prof Dearnaley is on the Institute's Rewards to Inventors list for abiraterone acetate. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.


The highly conserved developmental protein, Placenta Specific Protein 1 (PLAC1) is widely expressed in placental and fetal tissue during development. Its expression is restricted in normal tissue after birth, though it is reactivated and broadly expressed in many types of cancer. Expression of PLAC1 is controlled by two promoters, producing alternatively spliced PLAC1 transcripts, each with a unique 5'untranslated region (UTR) and identical protein coding sequences. Patterns of differential transcript expression resulting from alternative promoter usage are observed in both fetal development and cancer. To date, little is known about the post-transcriptional regulation of PLAC1 expression or the significance that 5'UTRs have on the translation of PLAC1. Using a GFP reporter system, the translational efficiency of each 5'UTR was measured. Overall, the 5'UTR sequences of promoter 2 transcripts had slightly lower efficiency than those from promoter 1 and mutation of the upstream open reading frames (uORFs) were minimally effective in restoring %GFP activity. Binding site motifs in PLAC1 were also analyzed using the RPBMapper and ATtRACT database. Binding sites for RBFOX proteins and ELAVL2, important alternative splicing proteins during fetal development, were identified 14 nucleotides apart in exon 4. Intronic binding sites for both of these proteins were also identified. The presence of binding sites for RBFOX and ELAVL2 proteins suggests that PLAC1 undergoes extensive alternative splicing during fetal development, potentially encoding additional isoforms that have not yet been identified.


Beryllium is a metal used in different branches of industry. Inhalation is the most common way of exposure. Beryllium shows a high affinity to the lung tissue. It may act as toxic, carcinogenic and immunological agent. Chronic beryllium disease (CDB) is very difficult to diagnose because of its similarity to sarcoidosis. The lymphocyte proliferation assay is a very helpful test in CBD diagnosis. It seems reasonable to include this test into the body of the standard diagnostic procedures in workers exposed to beryllium. Early detection of hypersensitivity to beryllium, before CBD symptoms occur will allow to minimize adverse health effects.


In a study comparing the effectiveness of fecal flotation and duodenal aspiration for detection of Giardia sp, 18 of 47 dogs were found to be infected. The organism was identified on a single fecal flotation in 7 of the infected dogs, and on a single duodenal aspiration in 16 of the infected dogs. In 2 dogs, the organism was identified by fecal flotation, but not on duodenal aspiration.


There is increasing evidence to suggest that the gene encoding angiotensin 1-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a significant part in cardiac disease risk. It is not clear if this risk is due to atherosclerotic factors in general or whether its influence is local to cardiac tissue. Previous studies have suggested that there is a genetic control of plasma ACE levels in normal subjects. We sought to see if such a relationship also existed amongst computer tomography (CT) proven cerebral infarction. Twenty-eight patients with stroke and 19 control subjects were grouped according to their ACE genotype and their plasma ACE levels were assessed. Although there is a trend for plasma levels to be associated with the variant ACE alleles there was a wide overlap. However, when compared with their respective alleles in control subjects there was no difference. We conclude that any future evaluation of stroke risk from the ACE gene will need to determine both plasma ACE level and genotype.


The Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFa) is a relevant clinical target for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease. Anti-TNFa biotherapies are used for the treatment of these diseases. They considerably improve patient living conditions but they are not without drawbacks. They cause side effects like accrue risk of infection, some patient develop resistance to these biotherapies and they are expensive. Small molecules inhibitors of TNFa would present fewer disadvantages than existing biotherapies, less side effects, no resistance, oral administration and would probably lead to less expensive treatments. Today only few small molecules are known as direct inhibitors of TNFa, SPD304 was the first small molecule described by He et al in 2005. None of these molecules showed both an efficient activity and a low toxicity, necessary to yield them into clinical trial.
The Laboratory GBA of Cnam has set-up a program aiming at finding new small molecules inhibitors of TNFa. A preview in silico docking study led to the identification of potential anti-TNFa molecules. Based on the docking results, new small molecules have been designed, synthetized and biologically evaluated.
Herein we describe the biological evaluation of a series of thirty new synthetized compounds for their capacity to inhibit the TNFa. These molecules were evaluated in vitro using two different immuno-assays (binding and shifting) and cell tests on two different cell lines.


OBJECTIVE
Various types of scientific abstracts are selected and presented at meetings and listed in abstract books. Recently, a systematic review has shown that 45% of 30,000 abstracts were published in a journal. The aim of this study was to determine the features of abstracts selected to be presented at a EULAR meeting (2008) and the corresponding publication rates.

METHODS
The EULAR 2008 Abstract Book was extracted, presented abstracts were assessed, their publication status was checked, and features related with publication rate were determined. The publication status of abstracts as of January 20, 2011, was verified using PubMed.

RESULTS
A total of 1,732 abstracts were assessed. Median publication duration was 13 (range: 0 to 31) months. Most of the abstracts (N=339) were of multi-national origin. Sixty seven percent of abstracts were clinical and 563 (33%) abstracts were preclinical. We found that 601 of all abstracts (34.7%) had been published in a journal, and most of were published in a rheumatology journal. Fifty-seven percent of published abstracts were in journals with an impact factor higher than 4. The publication rate was correlated with presentation type, number of centers involved, trial design, and number of patients enrolled.

CONCLUSIONS
We found that the publication rate of EULAR 2008 abstracts at 30 months was approximately 35%. This is a high rate compared to a previously published systematic review that investigated the publication rate of studies initially presented as abstracts in medical meetings, which reported the publication rate at 24 and 36 months as 20.7% and 28.1%, respectively. More than half of the published abstracts were accepted by high-impact journals. Presentation type, number of centers, trial design, and enrolled patient numbers were all correlated with the rate of publication.


Gallium doped zinc oxide, GZO, thin films have been deposited onto glass substrate by RF magnetron sputtering at various substrate temperatures. The electrical and optical properties of the thin films have been studied as a function of substrate temperature. X-ray diffraction was used in order to investigate thin film structures. The thin film structure was stabilised by heating the samples in air at 423K. The best electrical conductivity and transmittance of GZO thin films was obtained when the substrate temperature was 473K.