From the antiquity, Muslim scholars have always been interested in working on the Hadiths(talks) of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Since then, the hadiths, in all fields, especially in fields of health and medicine, have attracted the attention of many scholars, leading to the publication of a number of books on Hadiths as well as the collection of Hadiths, including those related to health. The books, whether having the title "Prophetic medicine" or not, contain issues such as Phlebotomy. This study has analyzed one of these books entitled Al-teb Al-nabavyof Shamsuddin Zahabi in terms of its composition, size and style. The present study, following the descriptive-analytic method, has shown that the writer of this book has been quite aware of the preceding books written in this field and has attempted to use and include the medical knowledge of other nations in his book. The writer has utilized verses and poems as well as narratives and stories. However, the dominant style of the writer is employing the narrative style and story- telling.


The ever-increasing size and complexity of cloud computing, data centers, virtualization, web services, and other forms of distributed computing make automated and effective service management increasingly important. This article treats the service placement problem as a novel generalization of the on-line vector packing problem. This generalization of the service placement problem does not require a priori knowledge of the service resource profiles, allows for resource profiles to change over time, and allows services to be moved once placed on a server. An on-line self-organizing model profiles resource supplies and demands arranging services in a placement based on their resulting quality rating. A policy-driven asymmetric matrix norm quantifies the quality of the placement allowing for administrative preferences regarding service performance versus service inclusion. Service resource usage profiles' variations cause changes in their assigned placement quality; forcing new, better server placements to be found. Because some placements perform better, a proportional integral derivative controller for performance feedback adjusts the services' actual profile according to service's individual response times. This large scale system autonomically organizes placement of services in response to changes in demand and network disruptions. This article presents theorems which demonstrate the theoretical basis for the model. The article includes empirical results from the implementation of this model in a self-organizing testbed of web servers and services.


Engineers and mathematicians from European corporations and universities trade problems and solution techniques in creating mathematical models of the influence of road conditions on the behavior of vehicles (by which they mean automobiles). A dozen papers, reproduced from typescripts of varying rea


Insulin resistance is a characteristic feature of type 2 diabetes and plays a major role in the pathogenesis of the disease (1,2). Although β-cell failure is the sine qua non for development of type 2 diabetes, skeletal muscle insulin resistance is considered to be the initiating or primary defect that is evident decades before β-cell failure and overt hyperglycemia develops (3,4). Insulin resistance is defined as a reduced response of target tissues (compared with subjects with normal glucose tolerance [NGT] without a family history of diabetes), such as the skeletal muscle, liver, and adipocytes, to insulin. Because skeletal muscle is the predominant site of insulin-mediated glucose uptake in the postprandial state, here we will focus on recent advances about the time of onset, as well as the mechanism, of the skeletal muscle insulin resistance.

The euglycemic insulin clamp technique (5) is considered to be the gold standard for measuring insulin action in vivo. With this technique, whole-body insulin action is quantified as the rate of exogenous glucose infusion (plus any residual hepatic glucose production) required to maintain the plasma glucose concentration at euglycemic levels in response to a fixed increment in the plasma insulin concentration. Because 80–90% of the infused glucose is taken up by skeletal muscle under conditions of euglycemic hyperinsulinemia, insulin sensitivity measured with the insulin clamp technique primarily reflects skeletal muscle (6). Another advantage of this technique is that it can be combined with indirect calorimetry to measure different substrate oxidation rates and with muscle biopsy to examine the biochemical/molecular etiology of the insulin resistance. Measurement of insulin sensitivity by the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test reflects both hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance and correlates well with the insulin clamp technique (7).

Because insulin clamp studies are not feasible in large …


Interstellar dust grain alignment causes polarization from UV to mm wavelengths, allowing the study of the geometry and strength of the magnetic field. Over the last couple of decades, observations and theory have led to the establishment of the radiative alignment torque mechanism as a leading candidate to explain the effect. With a quantitatively well constrained theory, polarization can be used not only to study the interstellar magnetic field, but also the dust and other environmental parameters. Photodissociation regions, with their intense, anisotropic radiation fields, consequent rapid H2 formation, and high spatial density-contrast provide a rich environment for such studies. Here we discuss an expanded optical, NIR, and mm-wave study of the IC 63 nebula, showing strong H2 formation-enhanced alignment and the first direct empirical evidence for disalignment due to gas–grain collisions using high-resolution HCO+(J = 1-0) observations. We find that a relative amount of polarization is marginally anticorrelated with column density of HCO+. However, separating the lines of sight of optical polarimetry into those behind, or in front of, a dense clump as seen from γ Cas, the distribution separates into two well defined sets, with data corresponding to "shaded" gas having a shallower slope. This is expected if the decrease in polarization is caused by collisions since collisional disalignment rate is proportional to . Ratios of the best-fit slopes for the "illuminated" and "shaded" samples of lines of sight agrees, within the uncertainties, with the square root of the two-temperature H2 excitation in the nebula seen by Thi et al.


The adjustment of grid steps which guarantees that particles methods yield no numerical diffusion inevitably induces overshooting errors in the solution of the parabolic partial differential equations with space variable coefficients. In this paper we give an evaluation of the overshooting errors of the "global random walk" algorithm (GRW), a computational efficient method used in simulations for transport in environmental problems. The evaluation is performed by comparisons between the GRW solutions and those of the "biased global random walk" algorithm (BGRW), a cellular automaton, which is computationally more expensive but is also free of overshooting errors. The reference problem was the diffusive transport in a random velocity field, a model for the transport of the contaminant solutes in groundwater. The evaluation reveals that, for an optimum choice of the parameters, GRW results for time intervals of practical interest lie in ranges of acceptable precision, for both the ensemble averaged observables and for their fluctuations.


Given an ordering of the variables according to nonincreasing coefficients of the objective function $c^T x$, the nonnegative matrix A is said to be greedy if, under arbitrary nonnegative constraint vectors b and h, the greedy algorithm maximizes $c^T x$ subject to $Ax \leq b,0 \leq x \leq h$. Extending a result of Hoffman, Kolen, and Sakarovitch for $(0,1)$-matrices, we characterize greedy matrices in terms of forbidden submatrices, which yields polynomial recognition algorithms for various classes of greedy matrices. The general recognition problem for the existence of forbidden submatrices is shown to be NP-complete.


Microsatellite markers are tandem repeats of short nucleotides which are abundant, evenly distributed and highly polymorphic in eukaryotic genomes. As such, they are a useful tool in poultry breeding. Microsattelite markers have been identified in genomes of poultry such as chickens and quail. Exchange of marker information between chickens, quail and other avian species such as guinea fowl would be an important step towards the construction of a high-resolution comparative genetic map of these poultry species of agricultural importance. Using the polymerase chain reaction, chicken and quail microsatellite markers were tested to see if they would be suitable in amplifying guinea fowl loci. Eighty three percent ( / ) and percent ( / ) of chicken and quail primers, respectively, amplified individual loci in guinea fowl. Fifty percent ( / ) and percent ( / ) of the amplified loci using chicken and quail primers, respectively, were found to be polymorphic. These very few chicken and quail microsatellite markers that seem to reveal guinea fowl loci could be used as anchor points for comparative mapping. However, more e ort should be committed to developing guinea fowl-specific markers since those of chickens and quail may not be su cient for studies in guinea fowl. loped in agriculturally important species poultry.


BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Evidence exists on the potential impact of national level minimum unit price (MUP) policies for alcohol. This study investigated the potential effectiveness of implementing MUP at regional and local levels compared with national implementation.

DESIGN
Evidence synthesis and computer modelling using the Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model (Local Authority version 4.0; SAPMLA).

SETTING
Results are produced for 23 Upper Tier Local Authorities (UTLAs) in North West England, 12 UTLAs in North East England, 15 UTLAs in Yorkshire & Humber, the 9 English Government Office Regions and England as a whole.

CASES
Health Survey for England (HSE) data 2011-13 (n=24,685) MEASUREMENTS: alcohol consumption, consumer spending, retailers' revenues, hospitalisations, NHS costs, crimes, and alcohol attributable deaths and health inequalities.

FINDINGS
Implementing a local £0.50 MUP for alcohol in Northern English regions is estimated to result in larger percentage reductions in harms than the national average. The reductions for England, North West, North East and Yorkshire & Humber regions respectively in annual alcohol attributable deaths are 1024 (-10·4%), 205 (-11·4%), 121 (-17·4%), 159 (-16·9%); for hospitalisations are 29,943 (-4·6%), 5,956 (-5·5%), 3,255 (-7·9%), 4,610 (-6·9%); and for crimes are 54,229 (-2·4%), 8,528 (-2·5%), 4,380 (-3·5%), 8,220 (-3·2%). Results vary across local authorities, e.g. annual alcohol attributable deaths estimated to change by between -8·0% to -24·8% across the 50 UTLAs examined.

CONCLUSIONS
A minimum unit price (MUP) local policy for alcohol is likely to be more effective in those regions, like the 3 Northern regions of England, which have higher levels of alcohol consumption and higher rates of alcohol harm than for the national average. In such regions, the MUP policy would achieve larger reductions in alcohol consumption, alcohol attributable mortality, hospitalisation rates, NHS costs, crime rates and health inequalities.


ization and programs in each field are noted. So far as I know, no other attempt has been to provide such a resume of social work activities as the Social Work Year Book provides. The book is interesting and written in sufficiently non-technical language that those who are engaged in social work can honestly recommend it as an authentic source of information to those who are not. The presentation of the subject is refreshingly free from the straining after "popular appeal" which so often robs literature about social work of being about social work at all. A copy of this book is a "must" for all those who are directly engaged in social work and more especially for those in community organization whose primary task still remains that of attempting to fit together into an understandable pattern the pieces of a gigantic jig-saw puzzle on the local and national scene. LOUISE M. CLEVENGER Council of Social Agencies and Social Planning Committee St. Paul, Minn.


BACKGROUND
Lymphoma has been identified as the most common cause of non-infectious fever of unknown origin (FUO). However, clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in lymphoma patients with FUO are lacking.

METHODS
From January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2019, our center enrolled 185 patients who initially presented with FUO but were later diagnosed with lymphoma in Huadong Hospital of Fudan University. The FUO and matched non-FUO groups were compared in terms of clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). The prognostic factors of OS and PFS in patients with FUO were assessed by Cox analyses.

RESULTS
In the FUO group (180 in total), B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) cases were 88 (48.9%), T cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (T-NHL) was 60 (33.3%), NK/T cell lymphoma (NK/T-CL) was 24 (13.3%), and Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) was 8 (4.4%). During the hospitalization, the maximum body temperature of the FUO group diagnosed with B-NHL, T-NHL, or NK/T-CL was statistically higher than that of the non-FUO group (P < 0.05). The differences in OS between the FUO and non-FUO groups were significant for HL (P = 0.006), B-NHL (P = 0.007), and T-NHL (P = 0.013). In the multivariate analyses, the log10 serum ferritin was an independent risk factor for all-cause death in patients with FUO (hazard ratio, 9.578; 95% confidence interval, 1.382-66.365; P = 0.022).

CONCLUSION
We found that the subtypes of lymphoma initially presenting with FUO were mostly B-NHL and T-NHL. The detection of ferritin levels during the hospital stay may help predict the long-term survival rate in patients with FUO.


SUMMARY Injections of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) are found to cause plasticization of the abdominal cuticle of Rhodnius larvae. This plasticization is a direct action of 5-HT on some element in the body wall; the central nervous system is not required. It is probable that 5-HT acts directly at a receptor on the epidermal cells. The relationship between structure and plasticizing activity for a number of 5-HT analogues has been investigated. The receptor resembles other 'classical' 5-HT receptors in its requirements, but is unlike the 5-HT/diuretic hormone receptor of Rhodnius Malpighian tubules.


The review presents the results of the application of various physical methods (X-ray diffraction analysis, electron diffraction, 1H, 11B, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, nuclear quadrupoler resonance, nuclear gamma-resonance, and the dipole moment method) in the study of the geometric and electronic structures of the isomers of carborane-12 and a number of its derivatives. The results obtained with the aid of these methods are compared. The bibliography includes 109 references.


Existing denoising methods typically restore clear results by aggregating pixels from the noisy input. Instead of relying on hand-crafted aggregation schemes, we propose to explicitly learn this process with deep neural networks. We present a spatial pixel aggregation network and learn the pixel sampling and averaging strategies for image denoising. The proposed model naturally adapts to image structures and can effectively improve the denoised results. Furthermore, we develop a spatio-temporal pixel aggregation network for video denoising to efficiently sample pixels across the spatio-temporal space. Our method is able to solve the misalignment issues caused by large motion in dynamic scenes. In addition, we introduce a new regularization term for effectively training the proposed video denoising model. We present extensive analysis of the proposed method and demonstrate that our model performs favorably against the state-of-the-art image and video denoising approaches on both synthetic and real-world data.


Background: It has been speculated that the homeopathic treatment of sperm cells in order to improve semen quality could be promising. However, few data is available and its use in spermatozoa requires investigation. It is well established that mitochondrial membrane potential is an important viability parameter of spermatozoa and it is intimately related to reproductive efficiency. In this manner, new technologies in order to improve the activity of sperm cells and, finally, the fecundity of swine herds are of extremely importance. Due to the lack of knowledge of homeopathic treatment effect on spermatozoa, the aim of the present study was to verify the effect of three different homeopathic treatments on viability of boar sperm cells.
Methods: semen samples were obtained from two sexually mature boars (18 mo of age). The boars were cross bred, with similar genetics of Pietrain versus Duroc, BP 450 progeny from a supplier company of similar reproductive performance animals. The animals were maintained in individual stalls, study conducted in Sao Paulo - Brazil. Three homeopathic treatments: Pulsatilla 6CH, Avena 6 CH or both, compared to placebo treatment (sucrose), the homeopathic medicaments or the control were administrated as globules manipulated according Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacology. Each globule weighted 30 mg and contained sucrose as vehicle. One dose of two globules was added per 100 mL of diluted boar semen, which were chilled for 24 or 48 hours. All samples were labeled in codes in order to allow all laboratory analysis and evaluations being performed as a blind test. Data were tested for normality of residues and homogeneity of variances using the Guided Data Analysis software. Variables and interactions were analyzed by the PROC MIXED of the SAS package (SAS Institute Ins. Cary, NC). Adjusted least squares means (LSMEANS) of treatments were compared using the Tukey Test.
Results: The different treatments contributed to maintain acrossome integrity for prolonged periods of cooling over 48 hours. The use of Pulsatilla was effective in maintaining high sperm mitochondria activity up to 24 hours from harvesting.
Conclusion: Homeopathic medications can be used in artificial insemination in order to improve the quality of cooled and stored pig semen [1].
Keywords: homeopathy, swine semen, sperm viability.
Reference
[1] Soto, F. R. M.; Vuaden, E. R.; Coelho, C. P.; Bonamin, L. V.; Azevedo, S. S. A.; Benites, N. R.; Barros, F. R. O.; Goissis, M. D.; Assumpção, M. E. O. D.; Visintin, J. A.; Marques, M. G. Effects of the utilization of homeopathic elements in commercial diluent on swine sperm viability. In Vitro Cell.Dev.Biol.—Animal. 47:205–209, 2011.


Summary

1
When mammalian herbivores are present at high densities their browsing activity can have a negative effect on establishment or regeneration of native woodlands. The impact on saplings of browsing by herbivores is known to vary in response to sapling density. Until now, experimental tests of the effect of sapling density have usually involved only one tree species and no alternative forages. In this study we used a planting experiment conducted in the field to test the effects of surrounding vegetation height, season and density of downy birch Betula pubescens on the extent of browsing damage by mountain hares Lepus timidus, in the presence of background vegetation that also represents an acceptable food source.

2
The experiment was conducted on heather Calluna vulgaris moorland between March 1998 and October 1999 in north-east Scotland. Birch saplings (n = 6708) were planted in short and tall heather in arrays at low, medium and high sapling density within a 107-ha area from which large herbivores were excluded. The number of saplings browsed was recorded monthly and individual sapling morphological measurements and characteristics of the ground vegetation were noted twice yearly, pre- and post-winter.

3
More saplings were browsed in winter and spring than in summer, especially during the period immediately after planting. Saplings were browsed at a higher rate in short heather, which facilitated easier access by mountain hares. The proportion of saplings that were browsed decreased with planting density in all seasons except winter, when it increased.

4
At the individual sapling level, larger saplings were more likely to be attacked and to have more biomass removed than smaller saplings.

5
Synthesis and applications. This study demonstrates that mountain hares browse birch throughout the year, but browsing is at its most intense during winter and in short heather, and this may potentially suppress tree growth and tree regeneration. This result has important management implications for the uplands of Scotland, where downy birch is used to establish and regenerate native woodlands, often on moorland supporting high densities of mountain hares. Damage to trees by hares can be minimized by planting in tall vegetation where trees are less visible and accessible to hares. Tree planting can be synchronized with temporary hare control; however, effective reduction in hare numbers may be difficult to achieve. Finally, planting density should be low, as during winter, when browsing is most frequent, the rate of browsing increases with increasing tree density.


Expression of Cardiac Cytokines and Inducible Form of Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS2) in Trypanosoma cruzi-infected Mice. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology (1999) 31, 75-88. Both cardiac cytokine and inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) expression have been implicated in the cardiac dysfunction associated with myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. Chagas' disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, is an important cause of cardiomyopathy. We examined the effect of T. cruzi (Brazil strain) infection with or without verapamil treatment on the expression of cytokines and NOS2 in the heart. Messenger RNA for NOS2, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha was induced in the myocardium of infected mice, and Western blot analysis as well as immunohistochemistry demonstrated a significant increase in NOS2 protein. Verapamil treatment reduced the expression of cardiac NOS2 protein and the mRNAs for NOS2, TNF-alpha, and IL-1beta. Infection-associated increases in cardiac L-citrulline were also reduced by verapamil treatment. Verapamil-treated infected mice that survived for 80 days exhibited less inflammation and fibrosis compared to untreated mice. Gated MRI and echocardiography revealed an increased right ventricular inner diameter (RVID) in untreated but not in verapamil-treated infected CD1 mice. This suggests that the infection-associated expression of cytokines and NOS2 in the heart correlate with the severity of myocarditis and the effect of verapamil. The RVID was significantly increased in infected wild-type (WT) compared to infected syngeneic NOS2 knockout (NOS2-/-) mice. Fractional shortening was decreased and myocardial L-citrulline was increased in infected WT mice. These data suggest that NO generated from cardiac NOS2 may participate in the pathogenesis of murine chagasic heart disease.


Tea is one of the most popular drinks in Indonesia. However, there is limited researchs on emotional sensory mapping in relation to the attributes of tea products. In addition, stability of the tea in PET bottles is one of the problems faced by tea producers in Indonesia. Focus Group Discussion was performed to develop the questionnaire while CATA (Check All That Apply) sensory  method  was  applied  for  the  attributes  of  the  tea  products  and  related  emotions.  Five brands of the PET tea bottles were stored in room temperature, 37 oC and 45 oC incubators. Total polyphenols,  theaflavins,  thearubigins,  and  pH  of  the  PET tea  bottles  were  analyzed.  Results showed  that  floral  aroma  has  high  correlation  with  the  emotion  of  free  and  satisfied  feeling. Sweetness correlate with the happiness and calm. In contrast, bitterness and bitter aftertaste have high correlations with the flat and mild feelings. The total polyphenols of five brands PET bottles were above 400 ppm which comply National Indonesian Standard for tea beverage. The high reduction  of  the  pH  occurred  for  one  brand  while  the  others  remain  stable.  Increasing thearubigins were observed. In opposite, reduction of theaflavins were significant in 45oC stored samples. The longer the product stored in 45oC incubator, the highest reduction observed in all tea samples. To sum up, from the five commercial tea brands were quite stable when subjected to high temperature of storage 45oC incubator and sweetness attribute for the PET tea bottles makes the consumer feeling happy and fulfilled.


Fungi colonizing the surface and endosphere of two widespread Poaceae weed species, Avena fatua and Echinochloa crus-galli, were isolated to compare the taxonomic composition between the plant species, location, and year of the seed collection. The seed-degrading potential of Fusarium isolated from the seeds was tested by inoculating seeds of E. crus-galli with spore suspension. Molecular identification of epiphytic and endophytic fungal genera was performed by sequencing the ITS region of rDNA. Endophytes comprised of significantly lower fungal richness compared to epiphytes. A significant taxonomic overlap was observed between the endosphere and seed surface. The most abundant genera were Alternaria, Fusarium, Cladosporium, and Sarocladium. Analysis of similarities and hierarchical clustering showed that microbial communities were more dissimilar between the two plant species than between the years. Fusarium isolates with a high potential to infect and degrade E. crus-galli seeds in laboratory conditions belong to F. sporotrichioides and F. culmorum.


Abstract The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the growth performance and bone mineral content (BMC) of nursery pigs in response to increasing total calcium (Ca) to available phosphorus (aP) ratios in diets containing phytase (250 FTU/kg; Natuphos E, BASF, Florham Park, NJ). A total of 480 nursery pigs (body weight (BW) = 5.7 ± 0.6 kg) with 10 pigs per pen and 7 pens per treatment (6 pens fed 2.75:1 diet) were allotted to seven treatments consisting of increasing ratios of calcium to available phosphorus (Ca:aP): 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, 2.50, and 2.75. From day −7 to 0, pigs were fed a common diet. They were then fed the treatment diets during two experimental phases from day 1 to 14 and 15 to 28, respectively. Available P was formulated to 0.33% and 0.27% (approximately 90% of requirement) in dietary phases 1 and 2, respectively. BW, average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) were determined. BMC of the femur was measured on day 28 on one pig per pen using dual x-ray absorptiometry. Data were analyzed as a linear mixed model using PROC MIXED (SAS, 9.3). Orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used to determine the linear and quadratic effects of increasing the Ca:aP. Over the 28-d experimental period, increasing Ca:aP resulted in a linear decrease in ADG (353, 338, 328, 304, 317, 291, and 280 g/d; P < 0.01), ADFI (539, 528, 528, 500, 533, 512, and 489 g/d; P < 0.05), and G:F (0.68, 0.66, 0.64, 0.62, 0.61, 0.59, and 0.58; P < 0.01). Increasing Ca:aP also resulted in decreased BW on days 14 and 28 (P < 0.01). The BMC of the femur decreased with increasing Ca:aP (6.2, 6.3, 5.7, 5.9, 5.5, 5.6, and 5.3 g; P < 0.05). Regression analysis explained the impact of Ca:aP as follows on ADG (ADG [g/d] = 339 − 36x; r2 = 0.81), G:F (G:F = 0.61 – 0.03x; r2 = 0.72), and BMC (BMC [g] = 6.4 – 0.27x; r2 = 0.43), where x is the Ca:aP. In conclusion, all outcomes indicated that any level of calcium above the minimum used in this experiment impaired growth performance and skeletal development. Further research using even lower levels of dietary Ca is warranted.


The study describes a case of postoperative infection following surgery of a humeral pseudarthrosis in a dog. The infection was manifested by fistulas which healed after treatment with different antibacterial drugs, but recurred on six different occasions during a period of twenty months after the operation. Staphylococcus aureus or epidermidis was isolated after aerobic incubation while no microbes were detected after anaerobic incubation. The infection appeared to be localized to a suture of polypropylene. The infection regressed and no more fistulas appeared after this suture had been removed.


Author(s): Franklin, Jayme N. | Abstract: The widespread occurrence of bromine- and chlorine-containing marine natural products has prompted investigations into the biosynthesis of halogenated marine metabolites. Halogenating enzymes, such as haloperoxidases, have long been thought to be involved in the biogenesis of halogenated marine natural products. Vanadium bromoperoxidases (V-BrPO) have been identified and isolated from all major classes of marine algae, and catalyze the two-electron oxidation of bromide by hydrogen peroxide.To investigate V-BrPO in marine algae that produce halogenated natural products of interest, V-BrPO was cloned from four different red algae (Corallina officinalis, Plocamium cartilagineum, Delisea pulchra and Laurencia pacifica) using nucleotide probes based on a highly conserved sequence motif, P[S/A]YPSGHAT, for the class of vanadium haloperoxidases. Design of a bacterial expression system and subsequent kinetic characterization of recombinant and mutant forms of V-BrPO from C. officinalis were performed. In addition, steady state kinetics analysis of azide inhibition of V-BrPO from C. officinalis was completed.V-BrPO was subsequently used to explore the biosynthesis ofbrominated terpene marine natural products. V-BrPO directed the bromination and cyclization of monoterpenes, including derivatives of geraniol to 5-, 6-, and 8-membered bromoether structures and brominated cyclized polyenes. In addition, V-BrPOre ctions with the sesquiterpene (+)-nerolidol resulted in the production of previously reported marine natural products a-and -snyderol, y-snyderol, and (+)- 3 -bromo-8-epicaparrapi oxide. V-BrPO catalyzed the asymmetric bromination of (+)-nerolidol to produce single diastereomers of brominated marine natural products.V-BrPO identified at the surface of the marine red alga Delisea pulchra was shown to brominate 3-oxo-acyl homoserine lactones, thereby interrupting quorum sensing in Agrobacterium tumefaciens bioassays. V-BrPO isolated from D. pulchra was also shown to mediate the bromolactonization of 4-pentynoic acid in the biosynthesis of synthetic halogenated furanones.The structures of siderophores, produced by the coastal marine bacterial isolate Vibrio sp. Roatan-10, were completed and membrane partitioning into large unilamellar phosphatidylcholine vesicles evaluated. Membrane partitioning coefficients for the physiological mixture of amphibactins was compared to previously reported data for marinobactin siderophores.


FAST, Five hundred meter Aperture Spherical Telescope, is the Chinese effort for the international project SKA, Square Kilometer Array. An innovative engineering concept and design pave a new road to realizing huge single dish in the most effective way. Three outstanding features of the telescope are the unique karst depressions as the sites, the active main reflector which corrects spherical aberration on the ground to achieve full polarization and wide band without involving complex feed system, and the light focus cabin driven by cables and servomechanism plus a parallel robot as secondary adjustable system to carry the most precise parts of the receivers. Besides a general coverage of those critical technologies involved in FAST concept, the progresses in demonstrating model being constructed at the Miyun Radio Observatory of the NAOC is introduced. Being the most sensitive radio telescope, FAST will enable astronomers to jumpstart many of science goals, for example, the natural hydrogen line surveying in distant galaxies, looking for the first generation of shining objects, hearing the possible signal from other civilizations, etc. Among these subjects, the most striking one could be pulsar study. Large scale survey by FAST will not only improve the statistics of the pulsar population, but also may offer us a good fortune to pick up more of the most exotic, even unknown types like a sub-millisecond pulsar or a neutron star – black hole binary as the telescope is put into operation.


This article outlines how a home visiting intervention in Colombia, delivered at scale through partnering with existing social welfare systems, successfully increased the variety of play materials and play activities in economically disadvantaged households with young children. The study shows that 18 months of weekly one-hour home visits resulted in significant behavioral changes in care-giving practices and improved certain aspects of children's home environments. Findings highlight a promising avenue to reduce socioeconomic gaps in child development at scale.


Nosocomial infection is a serious threat to hospitalized patients in healthcare
when last-resort antibiotics do not act against pathogenic bacteria.

The aim of this study was to study the effect of Polypropylene imine nanocomposite (PPI/CNT) on
Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative bacteria.

PPI/CNT component was produced. Surface morphology and structure of PPI/CNT were analyzed
by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SAM) and Transmission
Electron Microscopy (TEM). Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of PPI/CNT was determined
against various bacteria.

 FTIR showed strong and wider peak binding molecules in the CNT/COOH and PPI/CNT component.
PPI/CNT component was denser in comparison to low carbon nanotube according to SAM test. TEM
images showed that carbon nanotube was covered by PPI dots. The lowest MIC concerns polymer particles
for Staphylococcus epidermidis were 0.0025 μM/ml and Mycobacterium smegmatis 0.005 μM/ml.

Our result indicated that PPI/CNT nanocomposite had good activity against Gram-positive
and Gram-negative bacteria. Some of the gram-negative bacteria were tolerant up to highest concentration.
With more investigations, it can be used as a new antibacterial component.


Carboplatin is less ototoxic than cisplatin, but ototoxicity may occur with carboplatin at higher doses. We evaluated hearing in children with brain tumors treated with conventional dose cisplatin followed by high-dose carboplatin. Children under 6 years of age, newly diagnosed with brain tumors, were treated after surgery with cisplatin, Etoposide, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine, followed by consolidation with carboplatin, ThioTEPA, Etoposide, and autologous bone marrow rescue. Hearing was assessed before and after consolidation, utilizing standard audiometric techniques. Seven of the 11 evaluable patients developed high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss after induction therapy. Hearing deteriorated after consolidation in five patients, with pure tone threshold shifts of up to 65 dB between 2,000 and 8,000 Hz. Of these five patients, audiological abnormalities were documented in four prior to consolidation, one received cranial irradiation after consolidation, and all five received aminoglycoside antibiotics for at least 2 weeks, with toxic drug levels in four. Three patients have subsequently required hearing aids. Significant ototoxicity is common in these patients. Ototoxicity related to consolidation therapy is likely due to the high dose of carboplatin used, prior cisplatin therapy, aminoglycosides, and, in one patient, cranial irradiation. Audiological assessment is essential in children treated with dose-intensive chemotherapy regimens containing cisplatin and carboplatin for identification and rehabilitation of ototoxicity.


Background Pelvic fractures are often complicated by hemorrhage contributing to morbidity and mortality. Management of these patients is multifaceted and computed tomography (CT) imaging plays an integral diagnostic role. The purpose of this study was to identify radiographic and clinical predictors of therapeutic angiography in patients with blunt pelvic fractures. Methods All patients with blunt pelvic fractures who underwent angiography following admission CT scan were identified over a 6-year period. A radiologist reviewed the CT scans to identify potential predictors of pelvic hemorrhage. Patients were stratified by intervention [therapeutic angiography (TA) vs non-therapeutic angiography (NTA)] and compared. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) was performed to determine independent predictors of TA. Youden's index was used to identify the optimal value of selected predictors identified on MLR. Results 177 patients were identified: 42% underwent TA and 58% underwent NTA. Patients undergoing TA were more likely to have a higher injury burden and greater resuscitative transfusion requirements, display both a brighter blush density on arterial phase CT and a larger % change in arterial to venous phase blush density. The optimal arterial blush density was determined to be 250 HU. MLR identified pre-angiography transfusion requirements (OR 1.175; 95% CI 1.054-1.311, P = .0189) and arterial blush density (OR 1.011; 95% CI 1.005-1.016, P < .0001) as independent predictors of therapeutic angiography. Conclusion CT imaging remains vital in assessing patients with pelvic fractures and associated hemorrhage following blunt trauma. For patients requiring multiple resuscitative transfusions with CT findings of an arterial blush measuring ≥250 HU, early angiography should be the preferred approach.


Earlier research in this journal suggests that nuclear power systems have prevented 1.84 million air pollution-related deaths from 1971 to 2009 and could save an additional 7 million deaths by 2050. Building on that work, we adopt a broader lens that looks at renewable energy and nuclear power as well as a greater range of energy pathways. We examine via 10 hypothetical scenarios and two time frames the varying impact of different technology configurations on the full potential of avoided carbon emissions and avoided mortality across China, the European Union, India, and the United States. From 2000 to 2020, we estimate the substitution of fossil fuels by nuclear power has saved as many as 42 million lives. Similarly, substituting fossil fuels with hydropower has saved 42.1 million lives (slightly more than that for nuclear power). Finally, other forms of renewable energy have saved another 38 million lives . We project that from 2021 to 2040, nuclear power could save an additional 46.1 million lives and displace 1198 GtCO2; hydropower could save a further 46.2 million lives and displace 1281.47 GtCO2; substituting fossil fuels with other renewable energy could similarly save an additional 41.2 million lives as well as displace over 1250 GtCO2. We offer a critical thought experiment on just how much potential low-carbon options have to provide positive externalities compared to fossil fuels.


Progress in high pressure physics is reviewed with special emphasis on recent developments in experimental techniques, pressure calibration, equations of state for simple substances and structural systematics of the elements. Short sections are also devoted to hydrogen under strong compression and general questions concerning new electronic ground states. This review was received in February 1995


This prospective study was aimed to study pattern and outcome of childhood poisoning at a tertiary care centre in North India. All pediatric patients admitted with poisoning during 2012 and 2013 were included, and socio-demographic and clinical details of the patients recorded. Acute poisoning was reported in 104 children aged 9 months to 16 years during the study period. They constituted 2.6% of total pediatric admissions during the period. Males were 58 (56%) and females 46 (44%). The mean age was 5 years (9 months-16 years). Poisoning was suicidal in 11 (10.6%) and accidental in 93 (89.4%). Cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) compounds (n = 27, 26%) and kerosene (n = 23, 21%) were the most common agents responsible for poisoning. ChEI poisoning and snake envenomation were associated with more complications. Overall mortality was 5 (4.8%); 4 patients died of ChEI poisoning and one of snake bite. In ChEI poisoning patients, mortality was higher in patients who had suicidal poisoning, seizures or required mechanical ventilation.


In this paper, we theoretically investigate the four-soliton interaction and their resonance phenomena of the (3+1)-dimensional Kadomtsev—Petviashvili (KP) equation. We find that the maximum amplitude of the resonantly created soliton can be 16 times that of one of the four equi-amplitude initial interacting solitons. We also find that the maximum amplitude can only be 4 times the initial soliton amplitude when the resonance phenomena does not take place. The case of four solitons with different amplitudes also has been studied analytically. The results indicate that the resonance phenomena still exists in this case. Numerical results confirm the theoretical predictions.


The present study aimed to investigate the possibility of reducing energy content in emulsion type sausages by replacing fat with inulin. In the manufactured product, the fat content was reduced to 6%-18% and replaced by inulin and water. The quality of the resulting product was determined by chemical and texture profile analyses (TPA), color measurement and sensory evaluation. The results showed that replacing fat with inulin led to a significant energy content reduction of up to 64% (with 6% inulin and 12% water). In addition, color measurement, sensory evaluation and TPA were comparable to the traditional product in the inulin treated samples. The overall acceptability of all experimental groups was adequate; therefore, inulin is suggested as a good replacement for fat in emulsion type sausages.


The cause of ultradian oscillations in the secretion of glucagon and insulin with a period length between 70-140 min has been atttributed to feedback mechanisms of glucose and insulin. Influences of the central nervous system on these ultradian glucagon and insulin oscillations remained to be elucidated. In the present study on one occasion, concentrations of glucose, glucagon, insulin, and GH were determined at 15-min intervals from 2100-0700 h in 16 healthy subjects while they were infused with saline solution. On another occasion, concentrations of these hormones during nocturnal sleep were determined in 10 of these subjects while they were constantly infused with glucose (4.5 mg/kg x min). The order of the treatments (placebo vs. glucose) was balanced across subjects, and experiments were performed in a double blind manner. Significant glucagon and insulin peaks were determined by the peak detection algorithm Cluster. Sleep was recorded somnopolygraphically. During the infusion of saline solution, glucagon concentrations showed spontaneous oscillations, with a mean periodicity of 107.9 +/- 13.2 min. During the constant infusion of glucose, oscillations of similar periodicity (110.1 +/- 10.3 min) were observed for insulin. The phases of glucagon and insulin secretory activity on the respective nights were entrained to the nonrapid eye movement (non-REM)/REM sleep cycle. Significant increases in the concentrations of glucagon (chi 5.23; P < 0.02) and insulin (chi= 7.32; P < 0.01) generally fell into epochs of non-REM sleep, with a preference for the beginning of the epochs, whereas decreasing concentrations of these hormones coincided significantly with epochs of REM sleep (P < 0.05). The time spent in the different sleep stages was not altered during glucose infusion. In conclusion, ultradian oscillations of insulin and glucagon concentrations are modulated by central nervous system mechanisms entraining secretory pulses of the alpha- and beta-cells of the endocrine pancreas to the non-REM sleep epochs of the non-REM/REM sleep cycle.


Telomerase activity is detected in most malignant human tumors, but not found in normal somatic cells except for a few cell lines. Telomere is located on the end of eukaryotic chromosomes and must be of sufficient length to ensure chromosome stabilization. It is hypothesized that the reactivated enzyme, telomerase, in malignant tumors maintains the telomere length towards attrition during cell replication. In contrast, normal somatic cells are terminated by one of thep53 functions caused by signals promoting a critically shortened telomere region. In this study, wild typep53 gene was introduced into a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC-2p) cell line by a lipofectin method. We examined whether wild typep53 plays a role in regulating telomerase activity, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein production, and hTERT mRNA expression. The cells, which were derived from a tongue squamous cell carcinoma, had two point mutations ofp53 and telomerase activity. Telomerase activity, hTERT mRNA expression, and hTERT production as protein were examined by telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP), reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, and Western blotting, respectively. Telomerase activity, hTERT mRNA expression, and hTERT showed a down-regulation 24 and 48 hours after wild type p53 introduction. These data suggest that wild typep53 down-regulates telomerase activity and hTERT production as protein by repressing hTERT transcription.


Analysis was made of 436 specimens of appendectomy in the Caracas University Hospital during the year 1.990. Ages of the patients ranged between 9 months and 79 years (average age: 21 years). 236 were males and 200 females. The pathology found most frequently was the acute inflammatory processes, followed by secondary reactive changes to other entities, many of which were unspecified (e.g. pelvic inflammatory disease) and other specific (such as infestation by parasites) less frequently were found tumoral processes such as mucocele, carcinoid tumor and those which involved another portion of the digestive apparatus and which secondarily affect the appendix.


The identification of protein samples in minute quantities of protein samples, e.g., from two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis, is an everyday problem in biology laboratories. Here we show that computer-assisted amino acid analysis can fulfill this task. Amino acid analysis data can be used to compare the amino acid composition of an unknown protein with protein compositions in a database (compositional search). Routine amino acid analysis data can, despite a certain margin of error, be used to identify a protein. Compared to protein sequencing, amino analysis is much cheaper, faster, and allows higher sample throughput. Thus, the method may replace protein sequencing as a first attempt in identification, provided a homolog can be found in the database.


Ferroelectric PZT(70/30) thick films were fabricated by the hybrid technique adding the sol coating process to the screen-printing process to obtain a good densification. Structural and electrical properties of the thick films with the sol concentration were investigated. The relative dielectric constant increased and dielectric loss decreased with increasing the sol concentration, the values of the thick film coated with sol concentration of 1.5 M were 698 and 2.5 % at 1 kHz, respectively. And the remanent polarization and dielectric breakdown strength of the thick film coated with sol concentration of 1.5 M were about 38 μC/cm2 and 200 kV/cm, respectively. The leakage current densities were less than 10-8 A/cm2 at the applied electric field range of 0-100 kV/cm in all thick films.


In the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the use of Data Monitoring Committees (DMC) and Adaptive Designs (AD) in clinical trials. While the monitoring of safety data by a formal committee is not required for all clinical trials, it has become the norm to have a formal DMC conduct periodic safety reviews for any controlled trial that evaluates treatments intended to prolong life or reduce risk of major adverse health outcomes, or for trials that compare rates of mortality or major morbidity. Confirmatory, pivotal, and adaptive design trials have more complex operational issues requiring an external and independent DMC. The DMC may have access to unblinded interim data, be required to make expert recommendations about how the trial should continue, and then ensure that planned adaptations are implemented as outlined in the protocol without involving the sponsor or exposing it to unblinded data or results. This added complexity creates a challenge and a question: how can the DMC, statisticians, and sponsor effectively communicate, share blinded and unblinded data, perform analyses, and implement adaptations without introducing operational bias or compromising the integrity of the trial? One solution is to utilize a sophisticated computer system that can provide the security and necessary firewalls to ensure that interim data is only accessible to those it is intended for, that the rules and processes outlined in the protocol and DMC charter are enforced, and that communication between the DMC and sponsor is effectively facilitated while protecting the integrity of the trial and preventing the introduction of operational bias. The system must also provide an audit trail that tracks "who saw what and when" providing evidence to regulatory authorities that the protocol was strictly followed with a minimal possibility of bias. This white paper describes the computer system, ACES, which Cytel has built, that makes all of this possible. ACES (Access Control Execution System) has been purpose-built to address the operational complexities inherent in adaptive design and pivotal clinical trials.


We consider the convergence of pointed multiply connected domains in the Carathéodory topology. Behaviour in the limit is largely determined by the properties of the simple closed hyperbolic geodesics which separate components of the complement. Of particular importance are those whose hyperbolic length is as short as possible which we call meridians of the domain. We prove continuity results on convergence of such geodesics for sequences of pointed hyperbolic domains which converge in the Carathéodory topology to another pointed hyperbolic domain. Using these we describe an equivalent condition to Carathéodory convergence which is formulated in terms of Riemann mappings to standard slit domains.


Silicon (Si) is one of the most prevalent elements in the soil. It is beneficial for plant growth and development, and it contributes to plant defense against different stresses. The Lsi1 gene encodes a Si transporter that was identified in a mutant Japonica rice variety. This gene was not identified in fourteen Malaysian rice varieties during screening. Then, a mutant version of Lsi1 was substituted for the native version in the three most common Malaysian rice varieties, MR219, MR220, and MR276, to evaluate the function of the transgene. Real-time PCR was used to explore the differential expression of Lsi1 in the three transgenic rice varieties. Silicon concentrations in the roots and leaves of transgenic plants were significantly higher than in wild-type plants. Transgenic varieties showed significant increases in the activities of the enzymes SOD, POD, APX, and CAT; photosynthesis; and chlorophyll content; however, the highest chlorophyll A and B levels were observed in transgenic MR276. Transgenic varieties have shown a stronger root and leaf structure, as well as hairier roots, compared to the wild-type plants. This suggests that Lsi1 plays a key role in rice, increasing the absorption and accumulation of Si, then alters antioxidant activities, and improves morphological properties.


Interacting with your customers in today's business world has become a must. Leading companies seek to build a strong base of loyal, profitable customers who are advocates for their products and services. The key to success is to fully understand the customers' needs and emotional expectations. The present study focuses on increasing brand resonance by improving brand salience. This is an empirical investigation on improving the consumer-brand relationship spectrum by focusing on strengthening the brand functions that make the brand more customer-centric. The present study draws its roots from the same milieu of using the digital space to engage the consumers and making them associate with the brand.


Hemodynamic data can be used to differentiate a variety of cardiopulmonary disorders, including right ventricular dysfunction, massive pulmonary embolism, and precapillary pulmonary hypertension. In patients with acute pulmonary edema, low-output states, or shock, hemodynamic measurements can help guide therapy; they also provide a precise estimate of a patient's response to vasoactive or inotropic drugs. Consider a flotation catheter for patients with complicated MIs, critically ill patients with multiorgan or major organ dysfunction, and high-risk cardiac patients undergoing surgery.


Objective To explore factors shaping the experiences of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis with infusible disease-modifying drugs in a hospital setting. Design and settings The critical incident technique served as a framework for collecting and analysing patients' qualitative account practices involving infusible disease-modifying drugs. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and one single-case study. Participants were recruited from all five regions in Denmark. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify and interpret factors shaping patients' infusion journey over time. Participants Twenty-two patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis receiving infusion with disease-modifying drugs (natalizumab, alemtuzumab and ocrelizumab). Results Four time scenarios—preinfusion, day of infusion, long-term infusion and switch of infusion—associated with the infusion of disease-modifying drugs were analysed to reveal how different factors could both positively and negatively affect patient experience. Time taken to make the treatment decision was affected by participants' subjective perceptions of their disease activity; this may have set off a treatment dilemma in the event of a pressing need for treatment. Planning and routine made infusion practices manageable, but external and internal surroundings, including infusion room ambience and the quality of relationships with healthcare professionals and fellow patients, affected patients' cognitive state and well-being irrespective of the infusion regimen. Switching the infusion regimen can reactivate worries akin to the preinfusion scenario. Conclusion This study provides novel insight into the positive and negative factors that shape patients' experience of infusion care practices. From a patient's perspective, an infusion practice is not a solitary event in time but includes planning and routine which become an integral part of their multiple sclerosis management. The quality of space and the ambience of the infusion room, combined with the relationship with healthcare professionals and fellow patients, can be a significant source of knowledge and support people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in their experience of agency in life.


New data on the earliest ontogeny of Mid-Ordovician Baltoscandian clitambonitoid (Apomatella, Neumania and Oslogonites) and polytoechioid (Antigonambonites and Raunites) brachiopods reveal significant differences in the life history of the taxa belonging to these two superfamilies. The Polytoechioidea and probably other members of the Billingsellida had planktotrophic larvae, in which the dorsal and ventral mantle lobes formed separately and without reversion. The 'pedicle sheath' in Antigonambonites is secreted by a section of modified ventral mantle and thus this 'pedicle' is not homologous within the pedicle of rhynchonellate brachiopods. It is likely that polytoechioids and other members of the strophomenate clade had the same type of ontogeny and mode of attachment. In contrast, the ontogeny and mode of attachment of clitambonitoids are similar to that of recent rhynchonellates: their mantle lobes and both valves formed simultaneously, and the pedicle most likely formed from the larval pedicle lobe. Evidence for the lecithotrophic nature of clitambonitoid larva is discussed. This confirms that the Clitambonitoidea, unlike the Polytoechioidea, represents an ingroup within the Rhynchonellata. � Brachiopoda, Clitambonitoidea, Middle Ordovician, ontogeny, phylogeny, Polytoechioidea, Rhynchonelliformea.


Two different formalisms for concurrency are compared and are shown to have common foundations. The Input/Output automaton model and the theory of testing are analyzed in the framework of transition systems. The relationship between the fair and quiescent preorders of I/O automata is investigated and the two preorders are shown to coincide on a large class of automata. I/O automata are encoded into the theory of testing and the reversed MUST preorder is shown to be equivalent to the quiescent preorder for strongly convergent, finitely branching automata up to encoding. Conversely, a theory of testing is defined directly on I/O automata, and the new reversed MUST preorder is shown to coincide with the quiescent preorder on strongly convergent, finitely branching automata. Finally, some considerations are given on the issue of divergence, and on other existing theories with an I/O distinction.


UNLABELLED
The purpose to do this research was to find out the habits of contact lens wearers towards lens care in this country, and to evaluate the compliance of contact lens wearers.

METHODS
All respondents underwent an interview regarding questionnaire which was carried out at the Klang Valley and Sabah, Malaysia by trained bilingual optometrists. The questionnaire was obtained from a study by Yvonne Wu et al., 2010. The questionnaire included information about respondents' demographics, contact lens hygiene behaviors and attitudes toward lens care. Comparison between groups and certain factors of lens care were analyzed.

RESULTS
Within the 100 respondents, 74% were female. The majority used monthly disposable lens (53%, 53/100), 35% (35/100) wore daily lens, 3% (3/100) wore biweekly disposable lens, 8% (8/100) wore quarter-yearly (3 months) lens, and only a participant (1%) used conventional lenses. The major non-compliance aspect that found out from this research were poor lens case (46%), inadequate cleaning of lens before storing (38%) and wearers not remembering how often they were advised to return for an aftercare (24%).

CONCLUSION
The poor lens care hygiene, inadequate cleaning of lens before storing may due to lack of proper advice to the contact lens wearers during examination or lack of awareness of aftercare visit.


BACKGROUND
We aimed to determine the rate of further surgery, the functional outcome and the factors associated with outcome after primary clubfoot surgery.

METHOD
We conducted a retrospective study of a cohort of all children who were less than 2 years of age at the time of surgery for idiopathic clubfoot deformity at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ont., a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Of the 91 families who could be contacted, 63 agreed to return. The children's charts were reviewed, and their feet were given a Functional Rating System (FRS) score.

RESULTS
Of the original operated population (n = 126), 75% were male and 41% had bilateral clubfoot. The average age at the time of surgery was 8 months, and the mean follow-up was 80.6 months. Further surgery was performed in 19% of cases. The mean FRS outcome score was 79. On average, the FRS score increased by 1.9 points as age at the time of surgery increased by 1 month. Only the presurgical talocalcaneal index was associated with the need for further surgery.

CONCLUSION
The need for further surgery was 19% overall. Children who had surgery closer to 12 months of age had better functional results. Therefore, surgery should probably be performed in the second, rather than the first, 6 months of life.


Dellarossa, a well-known and very active Argentinian psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and group analyst, describes a model of group work that, as he explains, is in the overlapping area between task groups and therapy groups. This model has been conceived by him and some of his colleagues in the Argentinian Association of Group Psychology and Psychotherapy and applied in the training of group conductors. The reflexion group is a self-experiential group composed entirely of trainees who meet during academic terms under the leadership of a member of the training staff with the aim of helping students to develop the capacity to become involved in a group situation and at the same time be able to observe, understand and conceptualise their own behaviour in the group context and the group dynamics. Dellarossa thinks that the reflexion group is not and must not be a poor substitute for personal therapy but a place where students can integrate personal involvement and insight with intellectual understanding, where they can experience and study the boundaries and relationships between small groups and the overall institutional setting and where they can develop a critical attitude towards the training institution and its authorities (which he regards as an important stage of the student's evolution of identity from the state of beginner to that of qualified group conductor).


A chemically synthesized DNA sequence, coding for the 44 amino acid residues of human growth-hormone-releasing factor (GRF) preceded by a tryptophan codon, was cloned in frame with Escherichia coli trpE gene within a pBR322-derived plasmid. GRF was expressed in E. coli as a fused polypeptide chain (TrpE-GRF) and then the GRF amino acid sequence was released from the fused protein by specific chemical cleavage at the tryptophan residue using o-iodosobenzoic acid. The thioether group of the methionine residue of GRF was converted in the sulfonium salt derivative, in order to prevent irreversible oxidation of methionine to the sulfone derivative by the o-iodosobenzoic acid reagent. GRF was purified by HPLC and characterized in terms of amino acid composition after acid hydrolysis, protein sequencing and gel electrophoretic behaviour. These data clearly established that the biosynthetic GRF was identical to the natural one, except for the lack of amidation at the carboxyl-terminal amino acid. Far-ultraviolet circular dichroism measurements established that both biosynthetic and natural GRF are devoid of secondary structure in aqueous solution at neutral pH, whereas both peptide samples achieve a high percentage of helical structure in the presence of trifluoroethanol.


ABSTRACT We investigated a number of microbiological activities in the soil to serve as biomonitoring tools in assessing the ecotoxicity of diesel-contaminated soil samples during the different periods of bioremediation. Sawdust was used as the biostimulant for the biodegradation of artificial diesel-polluted soil samples. Soil microbial population, soil microbial enzymatic activities (catalase, lipase, dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase and β-glucosidase), soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN) and phosphorus (MBP), soil microbial respirometric index and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration were monitored to evaluate the efficiency of the bioremediation process. After a period of 56 d, total petroleum hydrocarbon content reduced from 14,221 to 270 mg/kg. The parameter estimation using the nth-order kinetic model revealed that the first-order rate constants (k) for TPH removal were 4.417 d−1 and 0.2670 d−1 for sawdust-amended and unamended soil, respectively. This implied that, the sawdust amendment resulted in reaction rate 16.5 times faster than unamended soil. Thus, the biological indicators were generally more pronounced in biostimulated soil than the attenuated soil. However, to evaluate the efficiency of the sawdust-assisted bioremediation, principal component analysis, which was used in selecting the most sensitive bioindicators. It was observed that microbial biomass carbon, catalase, lipase and dehydrogenase were the most responsive bioparameters. A positive relationship between TPH removal and the four most sensitive bioparameters suggests that the use of four biological activities have proven to be effective monitoring tools for evaluating the efficiency of a bioremediation strategy. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT


Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) have added a new dimension in the diagnosis and management of ocular and orbital diseases. Although CT is more widely used, MRI is the modality of choice in select conditions and can be complimentary to CT in certain situations. The diagnostic yield is best when the ophthalmologist and radiologist work together. Ophthalmologists should be able to interpret these complex imaging modalities as better clinical correlation is then possible. In this article, we attempt to describe the basic principles of MRI and its interpretation, avoiding confusing technical terms.


The population need for blood is the total volume required to transfuse all the individuals who need transfusion in a defined population over a defined period. The clinical demand will arise when people with a disease or condition who require transfusion, access healthcare services, and subsequently the clinicians request blood. Essentially, the conversion of need to demand must be maximum to avoid preventable mortality and morbidity. The study estimated the population need for blood in India.


I want to talk about some desert literature, and I want to talk about desert language, particularly about theology. We tend not to think of theology as a desert language, as a language of wild and open places, as a wild and open language. Theology as it comes to us, and has done now for so long, tends to be the language of the library and the academic study.

In talking about desert literature I want to talk about two writers: Edmond Jabes, who died in 1991 in Paris, a French-Jewish writer; and James Cowan, who lives in Sydney.

Let me start by talking about Jabes. Edmond Jabes was born in the desert city of Cairo in 1912. In mid-life he and his family were expelled from Egypt as part of the persecution of Jews following the Suez crisis of 1956. They relocated in Paris and Jabes was never to return to his native land. In Paris, Jabes began to write what he called the book of his non-belonging. Ten volumes, which as the jacket-notes to the last volume attest, constitute "a single work". I am talking about Jabes's monumental Livre des Questions ('Book of Questions') in seven volumes and Livre des Ressemblances ('Book of Resemblances') in three volumes.


A common problem in the biotech sector of developing countries is that a large portion of students attain a poor conceptual understanding of the basic theory and/or lack proficiency in basic laboratory skills even as they complete higher studies such as a master's degree. A small scale solution was developed in the form of a unique post-graduate diploma program that imparted reliable skills in students with good theoretical knowledge. The course of 6 to 8 months duration, with an optional 6 months internship, was successfully conducted for 8 batches. Most students of this course inculcated the right laboratory practices. This was evident by safe operations, and precise as well as accurate results of quantitative experiments conducted by them. They learned to work independently as well as in teams. They could create and follow standard operating procedures, and contribute to general laboratory maintenance. Every student also designed, prepared and conducted routine molecular biology experiments. The following aspects are suggested for successfully dealing with the patchy and varied capacities of life science students during higher (post bachelor's) studies: a) careful selection of students, b) training with prioritized objectives, c) attention to basic lab-practices, d) opportunities to self-learn, e) structured group discussions, f) teacher(s) with genuine interest and passion, g) reasonable infrastructure, and h) maintaining a good student-instructor ratio. The course objectives, structure, teaching methods, and experiences are presented here along with some of the relevant data, including statistics about improvement in the precision and accuracy in experimental results by students. Limitations in this course and a general critical perspective of the routine higher education have also been discussed briefly.


Owing to the exponential nature of the memory or run-tune complexity, many existing methods can only synthesize 3-qubit circuits, however, (G.W. Yang et al., 2005) can achieve 12 steps for the CNP (controlled-Not gate, NOT gate and Peres gate) library in 4-qubit circuit synthesis with mini-length by using an enhanced bi-directional synthesis approach. We mainly absorb the ideas of our 3-qubit synthesis algorithms based on hash table and present a novel and efficient algorithm which can construct almost all optimal 4-qubit reversible logic circuits with various types of gates and mini-length cost based on constructing the shortest coding and the specific topological compression, whose lossless compression ratios of the space of n-qubit circuits is near 2timesn!. Our algorithm has created all 3120218828 optimal 4-qubit circuits whose length is less than 9 for the CNT (Toffoli gate) library, and it can quickly achieve 16 steps through cascading created circuits. To the best of our knowledge, there are no other algorithms to achieve the contribution.


Electronic health records of a sentinel population of pregnant persons were queried to perform sexually transmitted infection surveillance. This approach may improve the accuracy of national case estimates of sexually transmitted infections. Background Interpretation of case-based surveillance of chlamydia and gonorrhea is limited by the lack of negative tests for comparison. We sought to develop a sustainable electronic health record (EHR)-based approach to disease surveillance in a sentinel population of pregnant persons. Methods We conducted a 1-year assessment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in persons receiving at least 1 pregnancy-related visit within our university medical center. Data were obtained using EHR analytic structured query language code. Patients were categorized by whether they had an STI test during pregnancy and if screened, by the STI test results (positive or negative). We assessed screening and positivity by demographic using bivariate analyses. Predictors of a positive STI test were determined using logistic regression. Results We identified 4553 persons who received pregnancy care from January 1 to December 31, 2021. Seventy-six percent (n = 3483) of persons were screened for an STI during pregnancy. Those who identified as white or had private insurance were less likely to have a chlamydia test. Among persons screened, Trichomonas was the most commonly detected STI (5%, 141/2698) followed by chlamydia (4%, 135/3456), and gonorrhea (0.7% 24/3468). Predictors of a positive STI test during pregnancy were Black race (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 6.0; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 4.2–8.7), 25 years or younger (aOR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.9–3.3), and public insurance (aOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2–2.1). Conclusions We demonstrated that EHRs can be used to assess gonorrhea and chlamydia positivity. These methods could potentially be applied in other jurisdictions to improve the understanding of national STI surveillance.


: Purpose: This study looks at how the Russian-Ukrainian War affected the world economy in the month that followed the conflict. Design/methodology/approach: The study has used publications and other research evaluating the facts and the consequences of the war. Findings: The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 increased geopolitical tensions between the West and Russia, which decreased expectations for global growth because it was unclear how the conflict would affect the global supply chain in particular. Additionally, Western nations' sanctions against Russia have a ripple impact on the world economy. Conflicts have sparked shocks in the energy supply, the commodities and trade supply, and increased prices for commodities, food, and energy, which has resulted in worldwide inflation in many nations. Practical implications: The conclusions can be used from both parties for further analysis and better policies to negotiate the end of the war.


Frenzied executives who fidget through meetings, lose track of their appointments, and jab at the "door close" button on the elevator aren't crazy--just crazed. They suffer from a newly recognized neurological phenomenon that the author, a psychiatrist, calls attention deficit trait, or ADT. It isn't an illness; it's purely a response to the hyperkinetic environment in which we live. But it has become epidemic in today's organizations. When a manager is desperately trying to deal with more input than he possibly can, the brain and body get locked into a reverberating circuit while the brain's frontal lobes lose their sophistication, as if vinegar were added to wine. The result is black-and-white thinking; perspective and shades of gray disappear. People with ADT have difficulty staying organized, setting priorities, and managing time, and they feel a constant low level of panic and guilt. ADT can be controlled by engineering one's environment and one's emotional and physical health. Make time every few hours for a "human moment;" a face-to-face exchange with a person you like. Get enough sleep, switch to a good diet, and get adequate exercise. Break down large tasks into smaller ones, and keep a section of your work space clear. Try keeping a portion of your day free of appointments and e-mail. The author recommends that companies invest in amenities that contribute to a positive atmosphere. Leaders can also help prevent ADT by matching employees' skills to tasks. When managers assign goals that stretch people too far or ask workers to focus on what they're not good at, stress rises. ADT is a very real threat to all of us. If we don't manage it, it will manage us.


Concrete‐lined streams are one of the most extreme forms of river regulation. This study investigated an urban stream network with concrete‐lined (C) and earthen (E) sections. The C sections were positioned downstream of the E sections. This abrupt change of stream type due to concrete lining was compared with the predictions of river continuum concept and process domain concept. River continuum concepts predictions on the macroinvertebrate functional feeding group fractions against stream order and energy sources showed disagreements in this study. Furthermore, other than abundance of pollution intolerant species variation, most of the species responses did not support the process domain concept predictions. Correlations between explanatory variables (stream hydraulics or water quality) and response variables (macroinvertebrate composition and vegetation) observed to be dependent on stream lining and seasons. Stream discharge showed positive correlations with the pollution representative species in both section types but was more obvious in C sections. Water budget estimations showed that wastewater accounted for at least 5% of stream discharge of the C sections in the dry season. pH was the most important and significant water quality parameter of the C sections. Against expectations, nitrogen species and soluble reactive phosphorus did not have a major impact on species variables. Hydraulic variables that represented stream heterogeneity were more useful in explaining species variables of the E sections. Similar explanatory powers by the hydraulics and water quality variables of the C sections demonstrated the importance and interdependency of stream hydraulics and water quality in rehabilitating of this unique ecosystem.


Background: The lack of otolaryngology services in our area may be a key cause of a high ear, nose and throat (ENT) disease complication rate. Poor management of ear infections can lead to many complications. The aim of this survey was to determine the epidemiological characteristic of ear infections and their complications in patients presenting to health facilities in Butembo city.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional chat review survey carried out from January 2017 to December 2017.
Results: Overall 2865 patients consulted for an ENT problem, 714 presented with ear infections (24.9% of all ENT patients seen) and had completed data. There were 438 men and 276 women with an average age of 26 years old. The most affected age group was children aged between 0 and 10 years with 30.01% prevalence. The prevalence was highest in rural (29.8%). Otitis media predominated (85.6% of all ear infections). Otitis externa and interna were represented with a frequency of 13.35% and 1.05% respectively. The most common complication was chronic otitis (41.7%).
Conclusion: Ear infections remain a serious public health problem because of their incidence and complications associated to a high morbidity. Early and detailed consultation by an otolaryngologist might be a solution to this high rate of their complications in our area.


This study was designed to investigate the effects of antioxidant and antibacterial activities of water, ethanol and methanol extracts from root, stem and flower stalk of Hagocho (Prunella vulgaris). The solvent extract yields from root were higher than those from stem and flower stalk, and water extract showed the highest extraction yield against ethanol and methanol extracts. The contents of total phenolic and flavonoid in ethanol extract were significantly higher in stem extract compared with those of root and flower stalk. In the case of water and methanol extracts, however, the contents were the highest in flower stalk. The electron donating ability and reducing power in all test groups were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner, and antioxidant activities were the highest in methanol extract. In extracts from different parts of Hagocho, the antioxidant activity was the highest in flower stalk followed by stem and root. ABTS radical scavenging ability of water and methanol extracts was above 50% at 100 ㎍/mL concentration. Antibacterial activities did not show significant differences depending on parts of Hagocho. However, antibacterial activity of ethanol extract was higher than those of other extracts.


Ethiopia's food systems are rapidly evolving, being driven by major contextual changes including high population growth, rapid urbanization, infrastructure investments, and income growth. These changes are illustrated by dietary, agricultural, and supply chain transformations. These transformations in Ethiopia's food systems are expected to continue at a rapid pace given similar even more pronounced changes going forward. We expect to see especially rapid growth in commercial food markets. This will have enormous implications on farming and on the required development of efficient private-led agricultural input supply, logistics, trading, and distribution sectors.


A new service robot designed for cleaning tasks in home environments is introduced. System has three subsystems: electrical, software and mechanical of which microcontroller, sensors (opponent and light) and motor are the electrical and mechanical subsystems respectively and the software subsystem is the brain of the robot. The cleaning robot uses a microcontroller to detect obstacles and manipulates its direction as per the inputs . It is programmed to accept inputs to sense obstacles around it and control the robot to avoid any collisions. In case of an obstacle, or a potential collision, the microcontroller controls the wheels of the robot by a motor driver to avoid collision. The vacuum cleaner at the bottom of the robot performs the cleaning process.


Lesions in the splenium of the corpus callosum are a rare complication of a variety of clinical conditions including ischemia, trauma, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, infection, electrolyte imbalances, seizures, and antiepileptic drugs. This report describes a child presenting with hemifield visual color anomia, headache, and papilledema, who was found to have a midline splenial lesion on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Lumbar puncture revealed elevated intracranial pressure. His symptoms and MRI findings resolved quickly following treatment of his increased intracranial pressure. This is the first report describing an association between intracranial hypertension and a lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum.


goes horribly awry, will Josh's consoling arms provide compensation? While readers will know right from the get-go that Josh is a poseur dead end while snarky Finn is Hannah's true soulmate, the pleasure of this kind of romance lies in the journey more than the destination, and Scott surefootedly takes her story through its classic paces. Readers will derive additional glossy pleasure from the famous-father element, especially as it turns out that Jackson really wants Hannah for reality-show ratings more than anything else. That's not just a story detour, though, as Hannah's own romantic reticence is clearly a reaction to her parents' very public lives, and it's utterly understandable that she finds dating even more confusing than the average teenager even as she's assumed to have knowledge beyond her age. Sell this to teens who enjoy scoffing—or not—at The Girls Next Door as well as fans of Scott's Bloom (BCCB 7/07). DS


Results on the first search for a light charged Higgs boson ${\rm H^{+}}$ decaying to ${\rm c\bar{b}}$ in top quark pair events using the CMS detector at the LHC are presented.
%It is the first search for a charged Higgs boson in this decay mode.
The total dataset corresponds to 19.7 ${\rm fb^{-1}}$ of proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV.
In ${\rm t\bar{t}}$ decays, if one top quark decays to ${\rm H^{+} b}$ and the ${\rm H^{+}}$ subsequently decays to ${\rm c \bar{b}}$, while other top quark decays leptonically (${\rm \bar{t} \rightarrow W^{-}\bar{b}} \rightarrow l \bar{\nu} {\rm \bar{b}})$), the final state then consists of four jets (three ${\rm b}$ quark jets), one lepton (electron or muon), and missing energy:
${\rm t\bar{t} \rightarrow (H^{+}b)(W^{-}\bar{b})}$ $ \rightarrow {\rm (c\bar{b} b)} (l \bar{\nu} {\rm \bar{b}})$.
The main observable used in the analysis is an invariant mass of two jets, one of which is identified as a b-quark jet.
The dijet pair is selected from at least four jets in an event by a dedicated kinematic fitter.
No signal for the presence of a charged Higgs boson is observed and upper limits are set at 95\% confidence level on the branching ratio for ${\rm t \rightarrow H^{+} b}$
from 1.1--0.4\% for the charged Higgs boson mass in the range 90--150~GeV in the assumption of branching ratio of ${\rm B(H^{+} \rightarrow c\bar{b})=100\%}$.


The first Australian candidates to contest an election on a clearly espoused environmental policy were members of the United Tasmania Group in the 1972 Tasmanian election. Concerns for the environment saw the emergence in the 1980s of a number of environmental groups, some contested elections, with successes in Western Australia and Tasmania. An important development was the emergence in the next decade of the Australian Greens as a unified political force, with Franklin Dam activist and Tasmanian MP, Bob Brown, as its nationally recognised leader. The 2004 and 2007 Commonwealth elections have resulted in five Australian Green senators in the 42nd Parliament, the best return to date. This paper discusses the electoral support that Australian Greens candidates have developed, including: • the emergence of environmental politics is placed in its historical context • the rise of voter support for environmental candidates • an analysis of Australian Greens voters—who they are, where they live and the motivations they have for casting their votes for this party • an analysis of the difficulties such a party has in winning lower house seats in Australia, which is especially related to the use of Preferential Voting for most elections • the strategic problems that the Australian Greens – and any 'third force' – have in the Australian political setting • the decline of the Australian Democrats that has aided the Australian Greens upsurge and • the question whether the Australian Greens will ever be more than an important 'third force' in Australian politics.


This study is designed to investigate the relationship between the thermal comfort environment and stress using brain wave analysis. To achieve this purpose, an experimental approach in a climate chamber based on PMVs was adopted. Environmental factors were set with the PMV scale ranging from -3 to +2. The brain waves of each of the participants (N=7; males) were measured in six conditions, in the PMV order from cold to hot, i.e. one condition per day. The results suggest that the participants felt least stressed under the PMV 0 and most stressed under the PMV -3 and +2. In addition, the stress levels arising from the brain waves varied with time. For an immediate exposure, an order effect was found. Participants felt more stressed in the process of PMV change from 0 to +1, compared to PMV +1 to PMV +2. However, in one hour, they felt most stressed in the hottest environment condition.


Yellow fever (YF) virus is a mosquito‐borne virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family that circulates in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and South America. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, YF remains a threat to travelers, residents of endemic areas, and unvaccinated populations. YF vaccination and natural infection both induce the production of neutralizing antibodies. Serological diagnostic methods detecting YF virus‐specific antibodies demonstrate high levels of cross‐reactivities with other flaviviruses. To date, the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) is the most specific serological test for the differentiation of flavivirus infections and is considered the reference method for detecting YF neutralizing antibodies and assessing the protective immune response following vaccination. In this study, we developed and validated a YF PRNT. We optimized different parameters including cell concentration and virus‐serum neutralization time period and then assessed the intra‐ and inter‐assay precisions, dilutability, specificity, and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) using international standard YF serum, sera from vaccinees and human specimens collected through YF surveillance. The YF PRNT has shown good robustness and 100% of intra‐assay precision, 95.6% of inter‐assay precision, 100% of specificity, 100% of LLOQ, and 95.3% of dilutability. The test is, therefore, suitable for use in the YF diagnostic as well as evaluation of the YF vaccine neutralizing antibody response and risk assessment studies.


Expression of the alpha-amylase gene (amyE) of Bacillus subtilis is subject to CcpA (catabolite control protein A)-mediated catabolite repression, a global regulatory mechanism in Bacillus and other Gram-positive bacteria. To determine effectors of CcpA, we tested the ability of glycolytic metabolites, nucleotides, and cofactors to affect CcpA binding to the amyE operator, amyO. Those that stimulated the DNA-binding affinity of CcpA were tested for their effect on transcription. HPr-P (Ser-46), proposed as an effector of CcpA, also was tested. In DNase I footprint assays, the affinity of CcpA for amyO was stimulated 2-fold by fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP), 1.5-fold by oxidized or reduced forms of NADP, and 10-fold by HPr-P (Ser-46). However, the triple combinations, CcpA/NADP/HPr-P (Ser-46) and CcpA/FDP/HPr-P (Ser-46) synergistically stimulated DNA-binding affinity by 120- and 300-fold, respectively. NADP added to CcpA specifically stimulated transcription inhibition of the amyE promoter by 120-fold. CcpA combined with HPr (Ser-46) inhibited transcription from the amyE promoter, but it also inhibited several control promoters. FDP did not stimulate transcription inhibition by CcpA nor did the triple combinations. The finding that NADP had little effect on CcpA DNA binding but increased the ability of CcpA to inhibit transcription suggests that catabolite repression is not simply caused by CcpA binding amyO but rather a result of interactions with the transcription machinery enhanced by NADP.


The design method of adaptive rotor flux observer gain to improve stability at low speed and regenerating mode was proposed in [1]. The method is based on the stability analysis. The stability analysis utilizes the linearized model considering all systems including each control loop. Therefore the proposed method considers the effects of motor constants and control circuit constants. The stability analysis using the transfer function for rotor speed considers the arrangement of pole and zero and the steady state error. The rotor flux observer gain which improves the stability for each operating condition was clarified. Also the real time tuning method of observer gain was proposed in [1]. The validity of the proposed method was confirmed on the simulation using Matlab Simulink and the experiment. Then this paper evaluates the experimental performance for low speed and regenerating operation of sensor-less vector control system of induction motor using observer gain tuning.


Foraminifer count and multispecies isotopic data from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Sites 806 (0°N, 165°E) and 847 (0°N, 95°W) are presented for the last 6.4 m.y. Faunal evidence shows a decline of taxa of Miocene origin between 4.5 and 4.0 Ma at both sites. Prior to this decline, Globoturborotalita species and Neogloboquadrina acostaensis dominated Sites 806 and 847 assemblages, respectively. Globoturborotalitids were not replaced by other thermocline dwellers after 4.2 Ma, which suggests a deepening of the thermocline and thickening of the warm pool at Site 806. At Site 847 in the eastern "cold tongue," N. acostaensis was gradually replaced by N. dutertrei. After 4.2 Ma, there was also a large increase (from 0.7 to 1.3‰) in the difference between the δ18O values of Globigerinoides sacculifer, a surface dweller, and Neogloboquadrina dutertrei, a seasonal thermocline dweller at Site 847; these data, in conjunction with faunal evidence, suggest that the temperature gradient in the upper photic zone increased significantly, largely because of subsurface cooling. The events in planktonic foraminifer evolution and ecology suggest that between 4.5 and 4.0 Ma a significant step was made toward development of the modern east-west gradient in surface hydrography. The timing of these events suggests that they were related to the closing of the Central American Seaway and subsequent changes in meridional temperature gradients and/or changes in air-sea interactions that modified tropical winds.


Fatty acid synthesis in the mammary gland of lactating rats in vivo was 5-fold higher than in the liver. Starvation decreased fatty acid synthesis in the gland 50-fold, whereas refeeding for 2h completely reversed this change. The plasma insulin concentration decreased 2-fold in starvation and was restored to the fed-rat value on refeeding. Glucagon and prolactin concentrations did not always change in parallel with lipogenesis, suggesting that insulin may be a regulator of this process in the gland.


During an operation for lumbar disk herniation, 160 patients were injected - intrathecally and peridurally, against the affected nerve root - one ampoule of Volon A40. The postoperative course was compared to that stated in 160 patients who had been operated in the same way without this medication. The irritation of the spinal root effected by the disk prolapse and the manipulation during the operation was immediately influenced in a favourable manner by Volon A40. The patients had no more complaints from the first postoperative day on. Mobilization of the patient could be started about three to four days earlier. During recurrency operations, the root did not show any adhesions. Prevention of postoperative cicatrization around the root appears to be an essential condition for a permanent state without complaints. The percutaneous intrathecal and peridural application of Volon A40 has proved to be efficacious in cases of lumbar root irritation, which can neither be treated surgically nor be influenced by a physical therapy.


ABSTRACT To assess the effects of a specific injury prevention neuromuscular training programme (IPP) on balance and lower-limb asymmetry in female competitive dancers (age 12–20 years; height 1.57 ± 0.06 m; weight 24.27 ± 2.79 kg) were randomly allocated to an active general control (GIPP, n = 7) and specific (SIPP n = 7) group. Both programmes were conducted for 6 weeks, with a frequency of three sessions per week. Dynamic balance and lower-limb asymmetry were assessed before and after the intervention. A greater improvement in right-leg total balance (86.6[84.0–90.5] vs 93.8[86.7–99.4];p = 0.035), left-leg total balance(87.8[81.0–89.1] vs 93.6[90.6–100.0];p = 0.013), left-leg anterior balance (71.9[69.1–72.2] vs 74.6[72.0–77.3];p = 0.041), left-leg posteromedial balance (80.5[72.9–83.3] vs 85.9[83.0–94.0];p = 0.048), and left-leg posterolateral balance (79.5[70.4–84.5] vs 85.0[80.0–88.5];p = 0.048) was observed in the SIPP group compared to the GIPP group. No other significant intra-group changes nor inter-group differences were noted. Therefore, compared to a GIPP, a SIPP induced greater improvements in lower-limb dynamic balance in female dancers, potentially leading to greater reduction in lower-limb injury risk.


Aims: The efficacies of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) and trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) have been evaluated in children and adults in multiple studies; however, vaccine impact on illness severity has not been examined. This analysis compared illness severity among LAIV and TIV recipients who developed influenza illness using data from existing randomized studies. LAIV is approved for eligible individuals 2-49 years of age in the United States, Israel, Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea. Methods: Three studies in children, one wild-type challenge study in adults 18-45 years, and one study in adults ≥60 years compared LAIV and TIV efficacy and collected symptom duration and severity. Results: In 2 studies of children < 6 years, a higher proportion of LAIV versus TIV breakthroughs were afebrile: 22% vs. 12% (P=0.001) and 28% vs. 5% (P=0.005). In one study, LAIV breakthroughs missed 1.6 (95% CI: 2.9, 0.2) fewer days of school/daycare and had less antibiotic use (17% LAIV vs. 33% TIV, P=0.11). No differences were seen in a study of children 6-17 years. In the adult challenge study, LAIV vaccinees tended to have lower mean symptom scores versus TIV and placebo recipients (2.7, 5.7, 9.2, respectively, P=NS except LAIV vs placebo). In the older adult study, LAIV breakthroughs had less feverishness (14% LAIV vs 46% TIV, P=0.05). Conclusions: Among younger children, LAIV recipients who develop breakthrough influenza have less severe illness than TIV recipients. The same may be true among adults; however, more research is needed. Sponsored by MedImmune.


This paper studies the Schatten-$q$ error of low-rank matrix estimation by singular value decomposition under perturbation. Specifically, we establish a tight perturbation bound on the low-rank matrix estimation via a perturbation projection error bound. This new proof technique has provable advantages over the classic approaches. Then, we establish lower bounds to justify the tightness of the upper bound on the low-rank matrix estimation error. Based on the matrix perturbation projection error bound, we further develop a unilateral and a user-friendly sin$\Theta$ bound for singular subspace perturbation. Finally, we demonstrate the advantage of our results over the ones in the literature by simulation.


This research is a quasi-experimental aims to find the impact of problem based learning model with experimental methods on the learning outcomes physics science of grade VII SMPN 19 Mataram in academic year 2014/2015. The population of this research is students of grade VII SMPN 19 Mataram with 144 students, while the sampling of this research is grade as VIIA as experimental group and VIIB as the control group. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling. The research design used is untreated control group design with pretest and posttest. Pre-test results obtained by the average value of experimental group is 25.36 while the control group is 28.54. Post-test results for experimental group is 75.13, while for the control group is 65.41. Research hypotheses were analyzed by t-test two tail using formulas polled variance t-test given the result that thint is greater than ttable, In addition, an increase on learning outcomes analyzed using N-gain test given the result that experimental group has increased higher than the control group.so that can be concluded that the model of problem-based learning with experimental method given positive impact on learning outcomes physics science of grade VII SMPN 19 Mataram in academic year 2014/2015 .