Topological materials with broken inversion symmetry can give rise to nonreciprocal responses, such as the current rectification controlled by magnetic fields via magnetochiral anisotropy. Bulk nonreciprocal responses usually stem from relativistic corrections and are always very small. Here we report our discovery that ZrTe_{5} crystals in proximity to a topological quantum phase transition present gigantic magnetochiral anisotropy, which is the largest ever observed to date. We argue that a very low carrier density, inhomogeneities, and a torus-shaped Fermi surface induced by breaking of inversion symmetry in a Dirac material are central to explain this extraordinary property.


Multi-channel seismic data acquired on the South Shetland margin, northern Antarctic Peninsula, show that Bottom Simulating Reflectors (BSRs) are widespread in the area, implying large volumes of gas hydrates. In order to estimate the volume of gas hydrate in the area, interval velocities were determined using a 1-D velocity inversion method and porosities were deduced from their relationship with sub-bottom depth for terrigenous sediments. Because data such as well logs are not available, we made two baseline models for the velocities and porosities of non-gas hydrate-bearing sediments in the area, considering the velocity jump observed at the shallow sub-bottom depth due to joint contributions of gas hydrate and a shallow unconformity. The difference between the results of the two models is not significant. The parameters used to estimate the total volume of gas hydrate in the study area were 145 km of total length of BSRs identified on seismic profiles, 350 m thickness and 15 km width of gas hydrate-bearing sediments, and 6.3% of the average volume gas hydrate concentration (based on the second baseline model). Assuming that gas hydrates exist only where BSRs are observed, the total volume of gas hydrates along the seismic profiles in the area is about 4.8 × 1010 m3 (7.7 × 1012 m3 volume of methane at standard temperature and pressure).


T lymphocytes are key players of adaptive immune responses. Upon recognition of specific peptides presented by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules on antigen presenting cells (APC), these cells execute subset-related functions such as killing, help and regulation. The ontogeny, the activation and the effector functions of T lymphocytes are all steps of T-lymphocyte life cycle that rely on high motility properties. These cells travel through the organism in a succession of steps, including entry into tissues, interstitial migration, APC scanning, synapse formation and tissue exit. Such ability is possible because of a plastic motility behavior, which is highly controlled in time and space. The molecular basis for the adaptable motility behavior of T lymphocytes is only starting to be unraveled. The scope of this review is to discuss recent data pointing to the key role of regulators of actin cytoskeleton remodeling in tuning distinct aspects of T-lymphocyte motility during their entry, residency and exit from tissues.


Objective: to reflect on the establishment of goals in retirement planning in the light of Imogene King's theory, which is characterized by being interactionist, based on Nursing care that is not restricted to the individual scope, but can be provided to a social group with the which the professional establishes contact. Method: reflective study carried out through theoretical support related to the theory of goal attainment by Imogene King and reflective analysis of the theme of retirement planning. Results: the establishment of goals occurs from the interaction between nurse and employee, in which each individual reacts in a particular way to retirement, influenced by their experiences and perceptions. It is up to the nurse to value the employee's knowledge, in order to encourage their adherence to retirement planning. The employee has basic information needs about retirement, which must be provided by the professional in a timely manner. Conclusion: the establishment of goals contributes to the employee concretely noting his advances until he leaves work. Imogene King's theory directs the occupational health nurse in setting goals with preretirement employees.


This paper investigates the effect of sanctions of unemployment insurance benefits on the exit rate from unemployment for a sample of Danish unemployed. The findings are that even moderate sanctions have rather large effects. For both males and females, the exit rate increases by more than 100% following an imposition of a sanction. The paper exploits a rather large sample to elaborate on the basic findings. It is shown that the effect of sanctions wears out after around three months and that some groups of unemployed are more responsive to sanctions than others.


This paper explores Bertha Lutz and Mary Wilhelmine Williams's trans-national, Pan-American friendship in the interwar years. Lutz was the leader of Brazil's suffrage movement and Williams was a U.S. historian and member of the National Woman's Party and Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. They collaborated together to advance Pan-American feminism, a belief that the Western Hemisphere shared a common history and that, through unity, women of the Western Hemisphere could bring about greater equality for women and world peace, which they saw as two inextricably linked goals. The women's influence over each other's feminist activism was mutual; in turn, each utilized ideas forged through their friendship to shape the feminist movement in her respective country. The case revealed in this paper thus prompts a reconsideration of interwar international and Pan-American feminism, so often described as a hegemonic, one-way ideological project of North American and European women.


The anionic polymerization of styrenic monomers with phosphazene bases as promoters, utilizing "seeding" technique in a nonpolar solvent and at room temperature was studied. In all experiments, the phosphazene base (t-BuP4, t-BuP2, and t-BuP1) was added in an equimolar amount to the organolithium initiator after the formation of oligomers (2 min) by conventional anionic polymerization. When t-BuP4 was used, the polymerization of styrene and 4-methylstyrene was extremely fast (100 % conversion within 5 min) and the final homopolymers exhibited narrow molecular weight distribution and controlled molecular characteristics. Likewise, when weaker bases were employed, the polymerization was also controlled but showing slower reaction rate. To examine the "livingness" of this system, block copolymers were synthesized by sequential monomer addition. Further studies were conducted in order to extend this novel method to the anionic polymerization of dienes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A:


The aim of this paper is to analyze the path-coverage induced on a one-dimensional path by an area coverage process in a random sensor network and obtain the values in traceability of a wireless sensor network. In addition other measures have also been implemented such as breach and support. The objective of this paper is to estimate the position of a target as a function of time.In knowing that if a sensor network will sense a path of the target, possibly for tracking an object moving , as opposed to measure some attribute of the event. An Efficient algorithm is written to find the maximal breach and supporting paths. Therefore the sensor network, which is formed from a large number of randomly deployed sensor nodes, which have collected sensing data in cooperative manner, is used to route the results to an end user.


Existing television oriented satellite networks have to evolve to support heterogeneous services. In this paper, we investigate a satellite interactive television system over a bidirectional link. The objective of the paper is to demonstrate the technical interests of an IP/MPLS convergent satellite architecture to support an interactive television service, focusing on return link integration issues. Therefore, we first investigate the main issues of adding a DVB-RCS return link and propose technical solutions. We describe then the proposed bidirectional architecture. In the last part, technical solutions are detailed to solve the main issues associated with interactive satellite networks. In conclusion, this paper proposes an integration of a satellite return link in a convergent architecture which can ease evolution, flexibility and new services deployment. Future works will deal with new services integration or regenerative satellite.


The pharmacokinetics of amitriptyline (AMI) have been extensively studied, and a large interindividual variability between oral dose and concentration of the drug in plasma has been documented. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to compare AMI kinetics in depressed patients with those of healthy controls and, second, to describe the relationship between AMI levels in plasma and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system changes during depression. Thirty-eight patients with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of major depression and 13 healthy control persons received 75 mg of AMI daily for 6 weeks. Levels of AMI and nortriptyline in plasma were determined, and neuroendocrine testing with the combined dexamethasone-suppression/CRH-stimulation test (DST) was done before AMI administration and after weeks 1, 3, and 6 of medication. AMI levels in plasma were significantly higher in the patient group compared with controls during the entire treatment period, whereas nortriptyline levels did not differ between the two groups. Drug levels correlated significantly with age, but gender had no effect on the concentration of the drug in plasma. Twenty-two patients remitted after treatment. There was no difference in drug levels between responders and nonresponders. Fifteen patients were DST nonsuppressors before treatment; 23 patients and all controls suppressed cortisol after dexamethasone. DST suppressors had significantly higher AMI levels in plasma at weeks 3, 5, and 6 compared with DST nonsuppressors. In comparison to patients with high AMI levels in plasma, those with low drug concentration had higher postdexamethasone cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels and an increased hormone release after additional CRH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Sympetrum nantouensis sp. nov. collected from Nantou, Central Taiwan, is described and figured, with remarks on its ecology and oviposition behaviour. Judging from penile structure, it is considered to belong to the infuscatum-group, whose members are defined here by penile characters. In the infuscatum-group, S. nantouensis is most similar to S. risi Bartenev, but they are probably not very closely related to each other. Sympetrum nantouensis differs from S. risi mainly in having beak-like cerci, well-lineated black and pale yellow pterothorax, and penile 4th segment with longer and apically upcurved cornua. This new species is distinct among its congeners in view of both biogeography and morphology because of its confined and peripheral existence and the odd shape of its cerci. All type specimens will be deposited at the Insect Collection of TFRI.


Dry-band arc resistance determines the quality of fiber optic cable insulation materials. Three different brands of ADSS fiber optic cable qualities are determined with IEEE 1222 standard test method. Results give a ranking of the cables. During the experiment, it is noticed that randomly spread water droplets are a factor for the results. Therefore, the same cables are tested with another standard method, the well-known ASTM D2303 standard inclined plane test method. The duration of the test is shorter than IEEE 1222 standard test method and results show the same high ranked cable. However, this method does not represent the actual filed conditions. A new test method is proposed, which is the combination of the two standard test methods. Test uses the circuit parameters of IEEE 1222 standard and it uses the test environment of ASTM D2303 standard. After testing one type of cable, the test is interrupted since the duration of the test is much longer than the other two methods. All the three test methods show that the wetting process of the samples is not the point of determination for dry-band arc resistance. Major determination is the current limitation.


Hypertension is a common and progressive disorder that possesses a major risk for cardiovascular and renal disease. Recent data have revealed that the global burden of hypertension is an important and increasing public health problem worldwide and that the level of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension varies considerably among countries. Hypertension is often called a 'silent killer' because persons with this pathological condition can be asymptomatic for years and then have a fatal heart attack or stroke. The field of naturally occurring antihypertensive agent is a research area rapidly expanding due to the high potential of such molecules as new antihypertensive drugs. Recently, a great number of plant-derived substances have been evaluated as possible antihypertensive agents through different mechanisms of action such as alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids. In this mini-review we will discuss the medicinal chemistry of these compounds.


We employ a single-charge counting technique to measure the full counting statistics of Andreev events in which Cooper pairs are either produced from electrons that are reflected as holes at a superconductor-normal-metal interface or annihilated in the reverse process. The full counting statistics consists of quiet periods with no Andreev processes, interrupted by the tunneling of a single electron that triggers an avalanche of Andreev events giving rise to strongly super-Poissonian distributions.


ABSTRACT This research was aimed to know some trees that used to nest and food of orang utan (Pongo pygmaeus) at the arboretum of Nyaru Menteng in Palangka Raya City. Analysis of vegetation using Point Centered Quarter Method with 23 sample points at the field. Collected data at the August 2017 were founded 25 species of trees, from16 family, whereas 17 trees were used as nest and food and 8 trees were used as nest only. The distance between each tree to measuring point was 3,71 m. Density of the trees namely 726 trees ha-1, with domination namely 28.37, frequency namely 3.48. The important value index of hangkang (Palaquium leiocarpum) was highest, namely 51.91%. Summed dominance ratio namely 17.3 %. Diversity index was moderate with value namely 2.81. Evenness index was high with value namely 0.87.
Keywords: Food, nest, Nyaru Menteng, Pongo pygmaeus


Realistic simulation of tissue cutting and bleeding is important components of a surgical simulator that are addressed in this study. Surgeons use a number of instruments to perform incision and dissection of tissues during minimally invasive surgery. For example, a coagulating hook is used to tear and spread the tissue that surrounds organs and scissors are used to dissect the cystic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During the execution of these procedures, bleeding may occur and blood flows over the tissue surfaces. We have developed computationally fast algorithms to display (1) tissue cutting and (2) bleeding in virtual environments with applications to laparoscopic surgery. Cutting through soft tissue generates an infinitesimally thin slit until the sides of the surface are separated from each other. Simulation of an incision through tissue surface is modeled in three steps: first, the collisions between the instrument and the tissue surface are detected as the simulated cutting tool passes through. Then, the vertices along the cutting path are duplicated. Finally, a simple elastic tissue model is used to separate the vertices from each other to reveal the cut. Accurate simulation of bleeding is a challenging problem because of the complexities of the circulatory system and the physics of viscous fluid flow. There are several fluid flow models described in the literature, but most of them are computationally slow and do not specifically address the problem of blood flowing over soft tissues. We have reviewed the existing models, and have adapted them to our specific task. The key characteristics of our blood flow model are a visually realistic display and real-time computational performance. To display bleeding in virtual environments, we developed a surface flow algorithm. This method is based on a simplified form of the Navier-Stokes equations governing viscous fluid flow. The simplification of these partial differential equations results in a wave equation that can be solved efficiently, in real-time, with finite difference techniques. The solution describes the flow of blood over the polyhedral surfaces representing the anatomical structures and is displayed as a continuous polyhedral surface drawn over the anatomy.


Films of poly(ether sulfone) have been implanted with 50-keV As^+ in the dose range of 10^15 to 10^17 ions/cm^2. Nanoindentation tests were then conducted on these films using a conical diamond tip with a 90° included angle, applying loads from 10 μN to 2 mN. The modulus and hardness were evaluated from the load–displacement data using the elastic unloading [J. Mater. Res. 7 , 1564 (1992)] and the elastic–plastic unloading [J. Mater. Res. 13 , 421 (1998)] models. The latter approach gave more reliable values for the mechanical properties since it is not as sensitive to creep-in effects. The implanted film showed as much as a twofold increase in hardness compared to the unimplanted polymer. However, the films with the highest dose did not exhibit the maximum values for the mechanical properties. Hardness and modulus values increased with increasing implantation dose up to 1 × 10^17 ions/cm^2 but dropped at higher doses, presumably due to a combination of sputtering of material and surface roughening. The dose dependence of the mechanical properties is observed to have the same trend as are reported for the electrical properties.


To extend and enrich the debate on critical performativity, this paper proposes that critical management studies should create a strategic link with organisational aesthetics through an alliance with critical artists doing interventions in organisations. These artists produce social change at the margin of organisations and our task as critical researchers is to give a voice to their artistic action in the field of management. Art performance is presented as a research method and a political action able to give critical performativity a new impulse. Two dance performances in a bank are described and analysed: while the first one is a failure the second produces confusion and embodied tension in the bank's lounges. The aesthetic tactics used in this art performance are counter-performative: dancers introduce slowness and hesitation of bodies in a context of extreme closure and discipline. Art performance is described as a deed: its only value is that it could be done, which calls for more artistic action in corporate everyday life.


A Bagley graph is a 2D solubility chart that contains the Hansen solubility parameters of polymers and solvents to provide a systematic and theoretical method for selecting solvents during electrospinning. The interaction radius of the solubility circle of poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) is 8.59 MPa0.5. In the Bagley graph of PMMA, ethanol is located outside of the solubility circle and is therefore a non-solvent for PMMA. In the current study, ethyl acetate (EA) was chosen as the solvent for electrospinning PMMA to investigate the effects of variations in the applied voltage and solution concentration on spinnability and fiber morphologies. Statistical analysis showed that varying the applied voltage (14–20 kV) and solution concentration (6–8%) does not produce a significant difference in average fiber diameter. The surface of the PMMA fiber was irregularly wrinkled due to spinodal decomposition from thermal induced phase separation. Software developed with the Delphi 7.0 programming language was used to predict the liquid–liquid phase separation of mixing systems. Conclusively, the wrinkling was caused by the thermodynamic instability of the polymer solution undergoing rapid volatilization of EA.


Abstract Background Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is potentially modifiable cardiovascular risk factor often overlooked in clinical practice. For this reason, we planned to LVH-TR (Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Turkish Population) trial to determine the aetiological causes and demographic characteristics of LVH patients. Methods Our study was a multicentre, national, observational study and included 886 patients who applied to the cardiology clinics in 22 centres between February 2020 and August 2021. In the initial evaluation, the Fabry disease (FD) and cardiac amyloidosis (CA) algorithm was followed in patients whose definitive etiologic cause(s) could not be identified. Results The most common aetiological causes of LVH in our study were hypertension with a rate of 56.6%, heart valve disease with 8.2%, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with 7.5%. Athlete's heart was detected in eight patients, LV non-compaction was detected in four patients. The rate of LVH of unknown cause was 18.8%. FD was suspected in 143 patients, and CA was suspected in 16 patients. There were 43 (4.85%) patients with low α-galactosidase A enzyme levels. GLA gene mutation analysis was positive in 1.58% of all patients, and these patients were diagnosed with FD, and 15 (1.69%) patients were diagnosed with CA by endomyocardial biopsy method. Conclusion In the aetiology of LVH, the rate of LVH of unknown cause was high. FD and CA should be considered primarily in this patient group. Early diagnosis of the disease by following the schemes leading to FD and CA was essential in starting treatment before the progression of the disease.


State-of-the-art theoretical predictions accurate to next-to-leading order QCD interfaced with Pythia8, Herwig, and Sherpa event generators are tested by comparing the unfolded $t\bar{t}$ differential data collected with the CMS detector at 8 and 13 TeV. These predictions are also compared with the underlying event activity distributions in $t\bar{t}$ events using CMS proton-proton data collected at a center of mass energy of 13 TeV. In addition, studies of jet shapes in $t\bar{t}$ events at 13 TeV are presented. Studies to derive and test the new CMS event tune obtained through jet kinematics in $t\bar{t}$ events and global event variables are also described.


This paper proposes a four-layered fuzzy language acquisition network (FLAN) for acquiring fuzzy language. It can catch the intended information from a sentence (command) spoken in natural language with fuzzy terms. The intended information includes a meaningful semantic action and the fuzzy linguistic information of that action (for example, the phrase "move forward" represents the meaningful semantic action and the phrase "very high speed" represents the linguistic information in the fuzzy command "Move forward in a very high speed."). The proposed FLAN has two important features. First, we can make no restrictions whatever on the fuzzy language input which is used to specify the desired information, and the network requires no acoustic, prosodic, grammar and syntactic structure. Second, the linguistic information of an action is learned automatically and it is represented by fuzzy numbers based on α-level sets. A supervised learning scheme is proposed to train the FLAN on fuzzy training data. This learning scheme consists of the mutual-information (MI) supervised learning algorithm for learning meaningful semantic actions, and the fuzzy backpropagation (FBP) learning algorithm for learning linguistic information. An experimental system is constructed to illustrate the performance and applicability of the proposed FLAN.


Background: The Kell blood group system contains over 25 antigens, with the K1 antigen being recognised as the most clinically important antigen after the ABO and RhD. K1 and its antithetical antigen K2 differ by a polymorphism at aa193, resulting in the substitution of Met for Thr in the K2 antigen. Our focus is on the role of helper T (Th) cells in the alloresponse to K1, which, occurs as a result of antigen mismatch during transfusion or pregnancy. In particular, the aim was to map the helper epitopes spanning the K1 polymorphism and to characterise the responding Th cells. Methods: To map the T-helper cell epitopes responsible for driving the alloresponse K1, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from K1 negative donors who had anti-K1 alloantibodies and stimulated with panels of overlapping 15-mer peptides, "walking" one amino acid at a time, down the sequences containing either the K1 Met, or K2 Thr polymorphism. The peptides were screened for the ability to stimulate recall proliferative responses and Th cytokine production, and the responding cells phenotyped by flow cytometric analysis. Results: PBMC from over 90% of alloimmune donors tested exhibited significant proliferation in response to the panel of K1 Met peptides, particularly those with the polymorphism at or near the C-terminus. Most notably, K1 peptide 1m (179–193) , was found to induce significant proliferative responses from over 80% of K1 alloimmunised donors tested; proliferation was not associated with any particular HLA Class II type. There was no clear helper subset bias in the responses to the stimulatory peptides, with the balance between production of the respective Th1 and Th2 cytokines interferon-γ and interleukin-4 varying between donors. Flow cytometry confirmed that the proliferating cells were of the helper CD3 + CD4 + phenotype and depletion experiments demonstrated that they were derived from the previously activated "memory" CD45RO + population. Interestingly, a high background of proliferative responses was observed in response to the control K2 peptides by Th cells from both alloimmunised and unimmunised control donors. In vivo the K2 antigen is N-glycosylated at aa position 191, whereas the synthetic K2 peptide panel tested in vitro were not, raising the possibility that the presence or absence of the sugar residues affects Th cell recognition. The K1 substitution disrupts the glycosylation motif, and so such an effect would be relevant only for the K2 sequences. To test the possible role of glycosylation in Th responses to K2 peptides, PBMC were stimulated with either the original un-glycosylated version of peptide 1t (K2 (179–193) ), or a glycosylated version of the same peptide (WRISGKWTSLNF-Asn(AcNH-b-Glc)-RT-amide). Glycosylation resulted in abrogation of the Th cell proliferative responses previously observed to the original peptide 1t (K2 (179–193) ). Conclusion: A dominant alloreactive Th cell epitope has been mapped to K1 peptide 1m (K1 (179–193) ). Sugar residues attached to the gylosylation motif formed by the K2 substitution are important for Th recognition, and thus for self-tolerance to the corresponding peptides. Steric hindrance, preventing T cell receptor contact with the relevant amino acid residues, is the most likely mechanism, and, in the absence of sugar moieties on synthetic K2 peptides, these are effectively recognised as "foreign" by a Th repertoire that has been educated in the context of exposure to the gylosylated versions in vivo . We speculate that the immunogenicity of K1 may be attributed, at least in part, to the failure of peptides derived from the glycosylated K2 sequence to be recognised by Th cells during the establishment of self-tolerance in vivo , thereby leading to the survival of a larger pool of Th cells responsive to epitopes spanning the amino acid backbone at the polymorphic site. The identified dominant epitope is a candidate to be taken forward for inducing therapeutic tolerance, to prevent or switch off anti-K1 responses.


In recent years, there has been considerable interest in whether and the extent to which information technology contributes to firm performance and business value. Using the resource-based view of the firm, recent research highlights the notion of IT capability of the organization and finds that higher IT capability leads to superior firm performance. This study, however, argues that one has to reckon the influence of environmental uncertainty (in this study, specifically dynamism) when evaluating the link between IT capability and business value. This study makes use of Galbraith's information processing theory of the firm, which posits that information processing needs and capabilities must match for superior performance. Extending this argument, one would expect that organizations need much greater amounts of information in more dynamic environments and that greater information processing capabilities (accrued via superior IT capabilities) must exist in such environments and vice versa. Using cross-sectional archival data, this study finds, somewhat contrary to previous assertions, that high IT capability does not add business value to firms operating in more dynamic environments, but that it does add business value in relatively more stable environments. In addition, under low environmental dynamism condition, the performance advantages of high IT capability are found to sustain over time. These findings raise interesting implications and directions for future research. Further, environmental dynamism emerges as a quasi-moderator of the relationship between IT capability and firm performance.


Sample-time error between channels degrades the resolution of time-interleaved analog-to-digital converters (TIADCs). A calibration method implemented in mixed circuits with low complexity and fast convergence is proposed in this paper. The algorithm for detecting sample-time error is based on correlation and widely applied to wide-sense stationary input signals. The detected sample-time error is corrected by a voltage-controlled sampling switch. The experimental result of a 2-channel 200-MS/s 14-bit TIADC shows that the signal-to-noise and distortion ratio improves by 19.1 dB, and the spurious-free dynamic range improves by 34.6 dB for a 70.12-MHz input after calibration. The calibration convergence time is about 20000 sampling intervals.


Doris Lessing is one of the best writers of twentieth century. The way she explores the human mind is unique in itself. Lessing very easily gets into the mind set of different characters. She not only gives the sketch of the central character but also goes deep into all the characters. As for the The Four Gated City she says "....various aspects of me were parceled out between the different characters. They were a fairly interesting map of myself, the role of the characters." During the 1970s, Lessing began writing what she called "inner space fiction." 'These works reveal the influence of Carl Jung and particularly R. D. Laing, a well-known radical psychologist who proposed that insanity is merely a convenient label imposed by society on those who do not conform to its standards


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

Introduction: In response to hypoxic stress, tumors must adapt to the hostile microenvironment by regulating angiogenesis, cellular metabolism, cell survival and motility. The alpha subunits of the Hypoxia-Inducible Factors (HIF-1α and HIF-2α) are oxygen-responsive, master regulators of the hypoxic response. Over-expression of HIF-1α independently correlates with decreased survival of breast cancer patients, and a hypoxic core gene signature is enriched in triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) and HER2+ cancers relative to luminal tumors (ER+). In a variety of solid tumors, HIF-1α or HIF-2α also directly promotes tumor initiating cell (TIC) activity. Methods: Mammary tumor epithelial cells (MTECs) were established from late-stage tumors of MMTV-PyMT+; Hif1α floxed mice (which model ER-negative, luminal-like tumors), and exposed to either Adenovirus-β-gal or -Cre to create wild-type (WT) and knock-out (KO) cells, respectively. MDA-MB-231 cells (a model of TNBC) were generated in which either HIF1A or HIF2A or both genes (DKD) were knocked down (KD) via shRNA. Results: When PyMT+ MTECs were transplanted into female recipients, HIF-1 deletion reduced primary tumor growth by 60%, lung metastasis by 90% and TIC activity by >35-fold (Schwab et al. 2012). The expression of cell surface markers routinely used to enrich for TICs was assayed in PyMT+ and MDA-MB-231 cells. ITGA6 mRNA and CD49f protein expression were significantly decreased in response to HIF deletion at both normoxia and hypoxia. ChIP assays showed that either HIF-1 or HIF-2 bind to at least two HREs identified within the ITGA6 promoter. When WT PyMT tumors were sorted to enrich for CD49fhi cells, limiting dilution transplantation confirmed that TIC activity was increased relative to CD49low cells. Finally, data mining of breast cancer patient repositories showed that ITGA6 mRNA expression is independently and inversely correlated with overall and recurrence free survival. Conclusions: CD49f is a direct transcriptional target of HIF-1/HIF-2. Because CD49f is known to enrich for breast TICs, we suggest that HIF-dependent regulation of ITGA6 expression contributes at least partially to HIFs promotion of TIC activity in ER-negative breast cancers.

Citation Format: Danielle L. Peacock, Luciana P. Schwab, Tiffany N. Seagroves. ITGA6 (CD49F) is directly regulated by hypoxia-inducible factors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3885. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3885


Businesses risk losing customers when traditional product‐based features, attributes, and benefits are no longer differentiated. Offsetting that risk requires taking a more customer‐centric approach to the brand and business. This entails developing a far deeper understanding of the customer than can be gained through traditional demographic‐based research. At issue is what motivates the purchase decision, and how well the motivating factors are being addressed or could be better addressed at each customer touch point. Organizations seeking to adopt a more customer‐focused strategy will learn from the approach DuPont Performance Coatings took in grappling with this challenge, based on an extensive program of qualitative and quantitative research with customers around the globe. This article focuses on two particular areas of interest. First is the model and far‐reaching research conducted, which revealed comprehensive details on customer priorities and product usage behaviors. The characteristics uncovered became the basis for segmenting customers into groups that could be better targeted to re‐establish relevance and solidify their relationship with the brand. Second is the customer touch‐point analysis, which facilitated alignment of functional groups within the organization (product, sales, customer service, etc.) and equipped them to deliver on newly developed, segment‐specific value propositions. This major initiative has enabled DuPont to reprioritize internal efforts and business practices and been a catalyst for broader organizational changes notably the dissolution of many functional silos that previously had hindered its ability to deliver against its brand promise.


Nucleoplasmin was the first protein to be described as a molecular chaperone. Studies of nucleoplasmin have resulted in advances in two areas of cell biology. Firstly, the pathway of nucleosome assembly in Xenopus oocytes and eggs has been elucidated and is the only assembly pathway known in detail. Nucleosome assembly represents the major chaperoning function of nucleoplasmin. Secondly, nucleoplasmin has been used to elucidate the transport of proteins into the nucleus, revealing a selective entry mechanism for nuclear proteins, passage through the nuclear pore complex, and a two-step mechanism of transport. The properties and functions of nucleoplasmin are reviewed, together with other proteins which are related either structurally or functionally to nucleoplasmin.


Background Tranexamic acid (TXA) administered during off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgeries has achieved good blood control in small cohorts. We aimed to investigate the safety issues and hemostasis associated with TXA administration during OPCAB in a large retrospective cohort study. Methods This study included 19,687 patients with OPCAB from 2009 to 2019. A total of 1,307 patients were excluded because they were younger than 18 years or certain values were missing. Among the remaining 18,380 patients, 10,969 were in the TXA group and 7,411 patients were in the no-TXA group. There were 4,889 patients whose TXA dose was ≥50 mg/kg, and the remaining 6,080 patients had a TXA dose of <50 mg/kg. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed between the TXA and no-TXA groups and between the high-dose and low-dose groups, and statistical analysis was performed. Results Tranexamic acid administration did not increase the risk of hospital death or thromboembolic events. Patients who administered TXA had less blood loss at 24 h (478.32 ± 276.41 vs. 641.28 ± 295.09, p < 0.001) and 48 h (730.59 ± 358.55 vs. 915.24 ± 390.13, p < 0.001) and total blood loss (989.00 ± 680.43 vs. 1,220.01 ± 720.68, p < 0.001) after OPCAB than the patients with non-TXA. Therefore, the risk of total blood exposure [odds ratio (OR) = 0.50, 95% CI 0.47–0.54, p < 0.001] or blood component exposure (p < 0.001) was decreased significantly in the patients who administered TXA. The TXA dosage did not impact the patient survival, thromboembolic events, or blood management. Conclusions The application of TXA was safe and provided blood control in patients with OPCAB, and the dosage did not affect these parameters.


This article describes the synthesis of new methacrylic-phosphonated monomer PM(B) obtained from the diethyl-1,2-epoxide-propyl 2-phosphonate opening by methacrylic acid in presence of the tetrabutyl ammonium bromide as catalyst. Both its homopolymerization and copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA) have been achieved in acetonitrile at 80 °C in the presence of 4,4'-azobisisobutyronitrile. The determination of the reactivity ratios evidenced a statistical copolymer structure. Then, terpolymer of low degree of polymerization and composed of MMA, butyl methacrylate (BuMA) and PM(B) was synthesized and showed a high thermal stability (no degradation before 300 °C). This phosphonate terpolymer was incorporated in an acrylate formulation, polymerized under UV-light, and the resulting coating was subjected to the salt spray test. High resistance towards corrosion was observed as no corrosion occurred even after 1100 hrs to the salt spray test. This result was also confirmed by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy.


Abstract As a foundation material, limestone differs from other rocks in that voids may be found at almost any depth within the rock mass. They may result directly from solution weathering near the surface and along discontinuities, or as specific cave systems at depths related to present or past ground water levels. The paper reviews the processes involved in the weathering by solution of the crystalline limestones, typically of Palaeozoic age. It offers a tentative, simple engineering classification of the solution features characteristic of limestones; and presents case histories to illustrate some of the problems which may be encountered during construction in areas of limestone bedrock.


Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of arthroscopic drilling in the management of small osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). Methods: Thirty-two patients with small OLT (area <150 mm2 and cyst depth <7 mm as measured on CT and MRI) were treated by arthroscopic debridement and drilling. Four patients underwent simultaneous modified Broström procedures. Five patients required retrograde drilling, three because the overlying cartilage was intact and two because the lesion was posterior. Outcomes were measured using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale and subjective patient satisfaction. Results: The mean age at surgery was 32±8 yr (range, 18-50 yr). There were 22 men (68.75%) and 10 women (31.25%). Four patients (12.5%) were playing sports regularly, one professionally and three recreationally. After a mean follow-up duration of 26 mo (range 12-48 mo), the mean AOFAS score improved from 71.78±11 (range 51-87) preoperatively to 91±7 (range 80-100). The results were excellent in 15 patients (46.9%), good in 12 (37.5%), fair in five(15.6%). According to the Saxena criteria 16 patients (50%) were very satisfied, nine patients (28.1%) were satisfied, six patients (18.8%) were satisfied with reservations and one patient (3.1%) was unsatisfied. Conclusions: Arthroscopic drilling for small OLT is safe and easy with results comparable to microfracture but with the advantages of deeper penetration and the ability to drill retrograde into posterior lesions or lesions with intact cartilage.


The internal dosimetry schema of the Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) Committee of the Society of Nuclear Medicine has provided a broad framework for assessment of the absorbed dose to whole organs, tissue subregions, voxelized tissue structures, and individual cellular compartments for use in both diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine. The schema was originally published in 1968, revised in 1976, and republished in didactic form with comprehensive examples as the MIRD primer in 1988 and 1991. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) is an organization that also supplies dosimetric models and technical data, for use in providing recommendations for limits on ionizing radiation exposure to workers and members of the general public. The ICRP has developed a dosimetry schema similar to that of the MIRD Committee but has used different terminology and symbols for fundamental quantities such as the absorbed fraction, specific absorbed fraction, and various dose coefficients. The MIRD Committee objectives for this pamphlet are 3-fold: to restate its schema for assessment of absorbed dose in a manner consistent with the needs of both the nuclear medicine and the radiation protection communities, with the goal of standardizing nomenclature; to formally adopt the dosimetry quantities equivalent dose and effective dose for use in comparative evaluations of potential risks of radiation-induced stochastic effects to patients after nuclear medicine procedures; and to discuss the need to identify dosimetry quantities based on absorbed dose that address deterministic effects relevant to targeted radionuclide therapy.


The presence of a penal reform charity, Nacro, alongside private companies in a consortium bidding to run a new prison is a development that highlights troubling issues for the voluntary sector. This article argues that a combination of poorly implemented market reforms to the criminal justice sector, and the increasing dependence of many charities on government funding, is leading some voluntary organisations to compromise their campaigning and advocacy roles and openly risk 'goal distortion' (Kendall and Knapp 1996). There is a risk the voluntary sector will increasingly be split between quasi-governmental organisations and those charities that remain truly independent.


Prior studies on the association between traffic noise and mental health have been mostly conducted in settings with lower population densities. However, evidence is lacking in high population-density settings where traffic noise is more pervasive and varies by topography and the vertical elevation of the residential unit. This study aimed to assess the mental health impact of residential traffic noise in one of the world's most urbanised populations. Data were analysed from 13,401 participants aged ≥15 years in a prospective cohort in Hong Kong from 2009 to 2014. Residential traffic noise level was estimated using 3D-geocoding and validated models that accounted for sound propagation in a highly vertical landscape. The 24-h day-night exposure to traffic noise, denoted as Ldn, was estimated with a 10-dB(A) penalty for night hours. Probable depression and mental wellbeing were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Short Form Health Questionnaire SF-12v2, respectively. Mixed effect regressions with random intercepts were used to examine the association between traffic noise and mental health outcomes. Residential road traffic noise (for each increment of 10 A-weighted decibels [dB(A)] 24-h average exposure) was associated with probable depression (odds ratio (OR) = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.31), and poorer mental wellbeing (mean difference = -0.19, 95% CI: 0.31, -0.06), adjusting for sociodemographics, smoking, body mass index, self-reported health, proximity to green space, and neighbourhood characteristics (average household income, population density, and Gini coefficient). The results were robust to further adjustment for air pollution. In stratified analyses, residential traffic noise was associated with probable depression and poorer mental wellbeing among students and individuals aged 15-34 years. Residential traffic noise was associated with probable depression and poorer mental wellbeing in a highly urbanised setting. As traffic noise is increasing in urban settings, the public health impact of noise pollution could be substantial.


This paper describes a method of dense probabilistic encryption. Previous probabilistic encryption methods require large numbers of random bits and product large amounts of ciphertext for the encryption of each bit of plaintext. This paper develops a method of probabilistic encryption in which the ratio of ciphertext text size to plaintext size and theproportion of random bits to plaintext can both be made arbitrarily close to one. The methods described here have applications which are not in any apparent way possible with previous methods. These applications include simple and efficient protocols for noninteractive verifiable secret sharing and a method for conducting practical and verifiable secret-ballot elections.


After clarifying the role and significance of the European Federations of Orthodontic Specialists Associations (EFOSA), the results of a recent survey examining the situation of the Speciality of Orthodontics in Europe are presented. Among the many items included are the recognition and availability of orthodontic specialists, their training, and working conditions, the fees charged, and the present insurance and refunding systems.


Vegetables are a very essential part of the human diet providing dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals. A study was carried out to determine the geohelminth contamination of raw vegetables sold in some selected markets within the Kaduna Metropolis. A total of three hundred (300) vegetable samples were bought across the markets and the presence of geohelminth parasites in the vegetables were determined using floatation, sedimentation and microscopy methods. The results revealed out of the five different vegetables examined, lettuce (Lactuva sativa) had 80% contamination and 9(47.4%) multi parasitic eggs or larva. Barkin Ruwa Market sourced vegetable were contaminated with 7(28.0%) multi parasitic eggs or larva, while Mando Market samples vegetables had 2(8.0%) multi parasitic eggs or larva. The eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Strongyloids and Trichuris trichiura were detected in the vegetables. The most prevalent eggs were A. lumbricoides eggs and Trichuris trichiura had the least. The study revealed that raw vegetables as sold in markets could be potential sources of transmission for intestinal parasites in this study and consumers of raw vegetables could be at risk of infection. There is a need to thoroughly wash raw vegetables bought from the markets to prevent incidence of parasitic zoonoses. Keywords : Vegetables; parasites; eggs; contamination.


Community empowerment program in Indonesia develops by development dynamics. Empowerment model refers to the concept of top-down development or following the needs of the community. This article describes the effectiveness of empowerment programs in rural communities regarding program and communication activities. Moreover, descriptive quantitative research used in this study and located in District Mangkutana, Luwu Timur Regency, Sulawesi Selatan Province during November to December 2016. The representative sampling technique used with the sample about 61 informants. Types of data, data collection, and data analysis method as a guide to conduct and obtain qualified and focused research. Data analysis was using a scoring method that divided into four categories that are very satisfactory to very unsatisfactory. The program's activity assessed large class by the community on the target group's accuracy criteria, the suitability of the program to the needs of the city and the benefits of the program on community welfare. The empowerment program also produces functional effectiveness in the category of external communication and internal


A well informed and cautious financial system can improves the welfare outcome of an economy by driving lenders surplus to borrow-ers. Nevertheless in a crisis situation the financial system cautious behavior can become a crisis amplifier given that the credit approval conditions are hardly meet, so there could be a credit crunch even in a low interest rates environment. This paper illustrates the previous by developing a general equilibrium model where the collateral credit condition defines the prudential behavior of the financial sys-tem. This and some other conditions amplify the magnitude of a negative productivity shock.


This study has attempted to systematically investigate the influence of nanoclay and graphene oxide (GO) on thermal, mechanical, hydrophobic, and, most importantly, biological properties of poly(glycerol sebacate)/gelatin (PGS/gel) nanocomposites. The PGS/gel copolymer nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via in situ polymerization, approved by rudimentary characterization methods. The nanofillers were appropriately dispersed within the elastomeric matrix according to morphological studies. Also, the fillers posed as a hydrophobic entity that slightly decreased the hydrophilic properties of PGS/gel. This could be sensed clearly in hybrid composite due to the robust network of GO and clay. Water contact angle values for gelatin-contained nanocomposites were reported in the range of 38.42° to 66.7°, indicating the hydrophilic nature of the prepared samples. Thermal and mechanical studies of nanocomposites displayed rather contradicting results as the former improved while a slight decrease in the latter was noticed compared to the pristine specimens. In dry conditions, their storage modulus was in the range of 0.94-6.4 MPa, making them suitable for mimicking some soft tissues. The swelling ratio for nanocomposites containing nanoparticles was associated with an ascending trend so that GO improved the swelling rate by up to 45%. Biological analyses, such as Ames and in vitro cell viability tests, exhibited promising outcomes. As for the mutagenesis effect, the PGS and hybrid samples showed negative results. The presence of functional groups on the nanofillers' surface positively influenced the cells' metabolic activity as well as its attachment to the matrix. After 7 days, the cell proliferation rate resulted in an 82% improvement for the GO-containing nanocomposite, significantly higher than its neat counterpart (65%). This study has shown the feasibility of the prepared bio-elastomer nanocomposites for diverse tissue engineering applications.


Abstract This article draws upon clinical experience of GPs working in a deprived area of the North East of England to examine the potential contribution of Universal Basic Income to health by mitigating 'patient-side barriers' among three cohorts experiencing distinct forms of 'precariousness': 1) long-term unemployed welfare recipients with low levels of education (lumpenprecariat); 2) workers on short-term/zero-hours contracts with low levels of education ('lower' precariat); 3) workers on short-term/zero-hours contracts with relatively high levels of education ('upper' precariat). We argue that any benefits must be accompanied by robust institutions capable of promoting health.


AbstractThe article gives an overview of some most prominent historical turning – points in the field of knowledge organization and western European sistematization of science, based on Greek and christian philosophy. Some examples of earlier attempts to unify the systems of knowledge organization and science systematization are presented. Some specific systems of the most prominent European christian religious orders' library contents arrangement and classification are described in this context.


Dietary therapies are routinely recommended to reduce disease risk; however, there is concern they may adversely affect mood. We compared the effect on mood of a low-sodium, high-potassium diet (LNAHK) and a high-calcium diet (HC) with a moderate-sodium, high-potassium, high-calcium Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-type diet (OD). We also assessed the relationship between dietary electrolytes and cortisol, a stress hormone and marker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. In a crossover design, subjects were randomized to two diets for 4 weeks, the OD and either LNAHK or HC, each preceded by a 2-week control diet (CD). Dietary compliance was assessed by 24 h urine collections. Mood was measured weekly by the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Saliva samples were collected to measure cortisol. The change in mood between the preceding CD and the test diet (LNAHK or HC) was compared with the change between the CD and OD. Of the thirty-eight women and fifty-six men (mean age 56.3 (sem 9.8) years) that completed the OD, forty-three completed the LNAHK and forty-eight the HC. There was a greater improvement in depression, tension, vigour and the POMS global score for the LNAHK diet compared to OD (P < 0.05). Higher cortisol levels were weakly associated with greater vigour, lower fatigue, and higher levels of urinary potassium and magnesium (r 0.1-0.2, P < 0.05 for all). In conclusion, a LNAHK diet appeared to have a positive effect on overall mood.


DnaJ proteins have been localized in different intracellular compartments of eukaryotes. In Apiotrichum curvatum, a fat‐storing yeast, we found a DnaJ homolog associated with ribosomes and large cytosolic complexes as well. Using a plant DnaJ probe and a cDNA library constructed from poly(A)+ ‐RNA of A. curvatum grown on oleate we isolated a SIS1 cDNA coding for a 39·5 kDa protein. The putative protein contains neither a zinc finger motif nor a CAAX motif but is characterized by a J‐domain at the N‐terminal region and a large G‐rich region in the middle part of the molecule. Heat shock applied for 1 h resulted in a pronounced but transient increase of the SIS1 mRNA. An antiserum was raised against the bacterially expressed protein. Cell fractions from A. curvatum were further separated by sedimentation centrifugation on sucrose gradients. Analysing the sub‐fractions, we detected Sis1p mainly associated with ribosomes, and with particles sedimenting at approximately 200S. Hsp70 was found to be associated with the 200S fraction. The respective cytosolic A. curvatum Hsp70 cDNA was cloned and sequenced. High salt conditions caused the removal of Hsp70 and Sis1p from the 200S complexes. Mild RNase treatment of the 200S fraction afforded monosomes and 200S complexes unaffected by RNase. Heat shock led to a pronounced increase in the rate of de novo synthesis. However, due to the large pools of Sis1p on ribosomes and large cytosolic complexes, the increase in gene activation did not lead to a significant change of the total amount of Sis1p. Accession numbers are: Y12079 for ACHSP70 and Y12080 for ACSIS1. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The support and success of students with disabilities is a key aspect of the social inclusion agenda. This cohort has been identified by the Bradley Report as one of the under-represented student groups requiring attention. In recent years, Australian universities have reflected a marked increase in students with registered disabilities. Many of these are "invisible" disabilities such as learning disorders, mental health disorders, or students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.


This article analyzes Michael Radford's The Merchant of Venice (2004) starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons. Engaging with W.B. Worthen's approach to Shakespearean performance studies, the article is concerned with the ways in which Radford utilises a return to period setting and costuming - after roughly a decade of radicalized adaptative strategies - in order to legitimize his film, particularly from the perspective of its treatment of race. The study is primarily concerned with the way in which this emphasis on historical accuracy marks an attempt on Radford's part to articulate connections that harmonize cultural differences and point to human commonality that transcends time periods, while also striving to absolve Shakespeare of the racism and ethnic prejudices that underpinned the culture in which he was writing. Through focusing on specific moments and characters (the film's context-laden opening sequence, the sympathetic and dangerously unproblematic portrayals of Shylock and Portia), the essay illuminates Radford's attempts to offer viewers a sanitized and "correct" version of Shakespeare's play, demonstrating how he thus misses out on the far richer possibilities of a text that dramatizes prejudice in a range of registers and that in its unsettling ambiguity problematizes the very notions of absolute authority that the film chases with such vigor. Ultimately, the essay seeks to demonstrate how through an emphasis on authorial intention and a simultaneous ignorance of the complexity of the source text, Radford's film appropriates Shakespeare too insistently for an uncomplicated vision of religious and ethnic tolerance.


Strain data from the Benioff type gauge installed in the Kipapa Tunnel on Oahu, Hawaii, are analyzed for the period February 1964 to May 1978. The predominant response is due to temperature variations and rainfall. A rainfallstrain transfer function is obtained using rain water infiltration and groundwater recession models developed by hydrologists. Numerical values obtained range from 0.27 to 0.53 × 10−7 strain/inch of rain (at a nearby rain gauge).

Subtracting expansion of the quartz rod due to temperature variation, the linear expansion coefficient of in situ tholeiitic basalt of 32 × 10−7/°C is obtained.


Objective – The focus of this research is the analysis of vulnerability and factors that influence willingness to pay (WTP) to cope with flood. Other result of this research is economic valuation of flood impact on paddy field in particular. Methodology/Technique – This research used the descriptive and quantitative method. Its data were collected through direct interviews with 380 respondents. Its samples were scattered in 11 sub-districts and 94 villages. The representatives of each village were 4 respondents, by adding two respondents from Wedi Sub-district and 2 respondents from Cawas Sub-district. Proportional sampling technique was employed to determine the research samples with criteria: very close (<50 m), close (50-100 m), and far (> 100 m) from the river. Its data were analyzed by using contingent valuation methods (CVM). Findings – The results of the research are as follows. Many activities have been implemented to mitigate flood in Klaten Regency, but many problems have been encountered due to the limitations of Government Budget (APBD). The variables of income of family/household, water level, distance, and loss have a significant effect on the WTP. In majority, the respondents (72.27%) have the WTP for flood mitigation activities with the average WTP of 15,391 IDR. Novelty – Economic valuation of flood mitigation programs and activities is required as to further enhance the role of the community, taking into account factors affecting the WTP. The local government should take advantage of the public's WTP to support flood mitigation activities among neighbourhood, village, sub-district and regency.


Tongues were removed from rat fetuses on d 16 of gestation (E16) and from newborn (P0) and juvenile rats on d 7 (P7) and d 21 (P21) postnatally for examination by light and transmission electron microscopy. In the fetuses at E16, no rudiments of filiform papillae were visible on the dorsal surface of the tongue. No evidence of keratinisation could be recognised over the entire dorsal lingual epithelium. At P0, rudiments of filiform papillae showed a similar distribution to that seen in the adult, but had a more rounded appearance. The columnar structure of cells in the epithelium, with the different degrees of keratinisation as observed in the mature adult, was indistinct, but a keratinised layer was clearly located at the tip of each filiform papilla. In juveniles at P7, the filiform papillae on the anterior part of the tongue were long and slender, and the anterior and posterior cell columns of the filiform papillae and the interpapillary cell columns were clearly distinguishable. In juveniles at P21, the structure of filiform papillae was identical to that in the adult. These results indicate that, in rats, the morphogenesis of filiform papillae advances in parallel with keratinisation of the lingual epithelium from just before birth to a few weeks after birth.


To answer questions related to keying errors and error corrections, performance data were collected from typists as they keyed text into a simulated word-processing system. Data are presented on the frequency of error detection, the amount of time spent correcting errors, the number of characters erased per error correction, and the types of errors corrected. Comparisons are also made between corrected and uncorrected errors.


That electric utilities throughout the U.S. face formidable workforce challenges in the next five years is well documented. While the scope of those challenges will vary widely from system to system within the different segments of the industry, there are insights to be gained from the experiences of managers across the spectrum--cooperatives, IOUs and municipal utilities. The following article offers a look at the unique aspects of some common issues. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night, haunted by a single thought: "I have to replace half my workforce in the next five years!" Worse yet, any day now you expect your training and development budget to be sliced with little hope of an increase in the future. Add to that the potential for a hiring freeze to be imposed by management and yet another notice of ever-increasing costs for providing healthcare and other benefits for your existing workforce and soon-to-be retirees. It's going to be another long, sleepless night. Welcome to the waking nightmare of many human resources professionals in the energy and utilities business. You can take some small comfort that colleagues at companies throughout the nation are facing the same problems, and that many are taking positive, proactive steps to avert a crisis. Many are even turning these challenges into opportunities that will help redefine their organizations. 1. Many Retirements and Few Replacements It's not news that the American workforce is aging, but the problem is especially acute among utility employees. According to the "Aging Workforce Report" recently conducted by UTC Research, the median age for workers in the utilities sector is 3.3 years higher than the national average. "We expect to be losing a significant number of employees," says Angie Robinson, Human Resources manager for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. "Over the next five to ten years, about 50 percent of our 2,000 employees will be eligible for retirement." The average utility employee is 48 to 49 years old with 20 years of service, says Russ Jackson, senior vice president of human resources for Pacific Gas & Electric. The utility has been monitoring the aging workforce issue for four years. "The future is coming rapidly," he says. The last major growth spurt by electric utilities occurred in the 1960s and 1970s, when electric generation and transmission construction reached a plateau, accompanied by hiring at all levels, especially among engineers and power system specialists. Now, three or four decades later, that cohort of professionals is getting ready to retire and companies are discovering that there are fewer candidates willing or able to take their place. "Think of it as a pipeline," says Jack Haugh, a technical leader for Human Performance Technology at the Electric Power Research Institute. "There has to be a vehicle by which you recruit your new talent. Many schools no longer have power engineering as an option or part of the curriculum." Mike Devaney, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Missouri's Columbia campus, sees a couple of reasons for the downward trend. "It's a shift in emphasis, he says. "Students are lured to more glamorous areas, like computers, computer networks, and telecommunications. We'll get four students in computing to three in electrical engineering." Engineering schools are experiencing a brain drain of their own, Devaney notes, with many professors who have specialized in power systems engineering looking at retiring in the near future. "As the traditional power faculty diminishes, the depth of course offerings declines. I think we're going to have a major shortage in this area in the future," he says. A third troubling trend is that utilities and energy companies have pulled back from offering internships and apprentice programs. Even summer jobs for engineering students are more difficult to come by. …


The study aimed to determine the level of exposure to mass media of the students in Diploma in Agricultural Technology of the Surallah National Agricultural School and its relation to their reading proficiency. It employed mean values to determine the respondents' level of exposure to mass media and their level of reading proficiency. Pearson-product moment coefficient of correlation was utilized to determine the relationship between their level of exposure to mass media and their reading proficiency. The findings revealed that the students had inadequate or low exposure to mass media on the basis of interest, availability of materials, time spent for their choices and benefits they would receive. However, the level of reading proficiency of DAT students in the vocabulary and comprehension skills was very high with a qualitative description of very good. The level of exposure of the students to both print and electronics films media was moderately related to read proficiency as reflected by r=0.452. A significant relationship was divulged between the level of mass media exposure and the reading proficiency of the students. Hence, exposure to the different mass media must be enhanced to further develop the students in their intellectual capacities, especially in their reading proficiency skills. Keywords - Education , mass media, reading proficiency, descriptive method, Philippine


BACKGROUND
Puerperal diastasis of the symphysis pubis is an uncommon intrapartum complication. Patients often respond to conservative measures. A small percentage of patients will develop chronic pain and require surgical treatment, which involves debridement or fusion of the symphysis pubis.

CASE
A 33-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 0, with an uncomplicated prenatal course developed acute-onset anterior pubic pain during an otherwise normal delivery. This anterior pubic pain radiated to the left buttock and thigh. The pain persisted postpartum and was exacerbated by any movement. Radiographs confirmed pubic symphysis diastasis. The patient responded to conservative management and was essentially pain free by 10 weeks postpartum.

CONCLUSION
The diagnosis should be considered in a patient with an acute onset of pain during delivery that does not improve postpartum.


Elemental analysis was made on the rod outer segments and fuscin granules in the frog eye by means of an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer combined with an electron microscope. The materials were prepared from the unfixed fresh retina by means of air-dried or freeze-dried cryosection, freeze-substitution, or the freeze-drying embedding method. An outer segment in the air-dried cryosection showed P, K, S, Cl, and Ca peaks. The dry section of freeze-substituted or freeze-dried embedded outer segment showed P, K, S, and Cl; K was lost in the wet section. The fuscin granules showed prominent peaks of Ca and Zn constantly, in addition to S, Cl, Mg, K, and occasionally Cu. The K peak was also lost in the wet section.


1931. While not exhaustive, it does summarize and review the thinking current in the field at the present time among some of the best known of the seminary professors. In the reviewer's judgment Taylor's Introduction is more exciting than any of the others, reflecting the ferment and efforts at innovation which characterize the field at this time. Also, in this book new voices are heard, belonging to the younger men now coming into maturity.


This study evaluates a multidimensional hierarchical scale of smart policing service quality.,Qualitative and quantitative analysis tools were used to develop a smart policing service quality scale based on the integrative psychometric scale development methodology. A multidimensional hierarchical structure was proposed for smart policing service quality; a group of preliminary items selected from literature was used for the qualitative analysis. For data collection, users of smart policing services were selected through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) research centre. Several statistical methods were employed to verify reliability and validity of the construct and nomological validity of the proposed scale.,A smart policing service quality scale of 23 items was developed based on a hierarchical factor model structure. Nomological testing indicated that overall smart policing service quality is positive and significant, thus contributing to user satisfaction, intention to continue using the system and enhanced quality of life.,This study enables managers to evaluate types of policing quality and effectively implement strategies to address security and sustainability issues that exist currently in smart services.,Previous studies on policing service quality have not sufficiently addressed the role of smart policing service quality; the nature of discussion in this area is primarily based around concepts. The development of the smart policing service quality scale provides a measurement tool for researchers to use to enhance the understanding of smart policing service quality.


In "Beyond Emboldenment," Mark Bell develops a typology of six foreign policies— aggression, expansion, independence, bolstering, steadfastness, and compromise—that nuclear weapons might induce and speciaes observable implications for each.1 Bell's article is an important contribution but suffers from two problems. First, these policies are not conceptually distinct and are very hard to empirically disentangle from aggression, the traditional focus of the nuclear emboldenment debate. Second, while the documentation of British bolstering is important, the evidence Bell presents in his case study suggests that aggression—at least of limited aims and over the short term—is precisely what nuclear weapons caused Britain to authorize. Bell's theory and evidence make a weak case for looking beyond emboldenment deaned as aggression in assessing the effects of nuclear weapons on foreign policy. In his theory section, Bell differentiates expansion—deaned as the development of new declared interests, alliances with states or nonstate groups, power projection capabilities, and dispute participants—from aggression—deaned as new or greater coercion, conventional forces, tactics, doctrines, and risk-taking behavior in an existing dispute (pp. 94–95). Bell needs to explain whether "new" adversaries are those not previously fought by a leader, political party, or state in the last decade, century, or millennium. Expansion would be distinct from aggression only if it is not designed to support preexisting objectives with a long-time adversary. Bell needs to specify the extent to which the new interests must be unrelated to prior ones for them to be coded as expansion. He also needs to deane expansion in a way that is distinct from the use of new tactics, forces, and military doctrines, because he deaned such activity as aggression (ibid.). The only example of expansion that Bell offers is U.S. strategy after 1945, but the United States adopted this policy to deal with its arguably extant adversary the Soviet Union. The concept of expansion as currently speciaed does not add much to the debate about nuclear proliferation and foreign policy. Bolstering is deaned by Bell as one state's offer of armer defense commitments, forces/weapons systems, and resources to another (p. 98). Much of this, however, looks


Stars in binary systems evolve in the way predicted by model calculations for single stars, as long as the two components of the binary are sufficiently far apart that they do not interfere with each other. An evolving star expands, however, and the components of many binaries are close enough to each other so that they may begin to interfere in the early stages of evolution. When this happens, mass may be transferred from one component to the other, or be lost (together with its associated angular momentum) from the system. Astronomers believe that the wide variety of observed binary systems can be explained as the result of the way in which these processes affect binaries of various initial properties at different stages of the evolution of the component stars. The theory is not yet, however, fully quantitative. Some discussion of the origin and very early evolution of binaries is included, as is also a discussion of some binaries that do not yet seem to fit into the scheme.


Data from very high horizontal resolution simulations with the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory SKYHI general circulation model are used to calculate the kinetic energy spectrum as a function of horizontal wavenumber, κ, in the upper troposphere. The spectrum shows the familiar ∼ −3 slope at scales longer than ∼ 1000 km, in agreement with previous general circulation model and observational studies. At shorter scales, the spectrum becomes shallower with a slope ∼ −5/3, also in agreement with available observations. The −5/3 slope spans about a decade of the resolved scales and this result represents the first successful simulation of such a broad range of the mesoscale regime by a global model. Partitioning of the flow between rotational and divergent components shows that the rotational part dominates at large scales and that there is approximate equipartition between rotational and divergent parts at mesoscales. Analysis of the parameterized kinetic energy dissipation shows that vertical diffusion dominates horizontal diffusion for a wide range of wavenumbers extending well into the κ−5/3 regime.


Both segmental and suprasegmental properties of the South Kyungsang dialect of Korean have changed under the influence of standard Seoul Korean. This study examines how such sound change affects acoustic cues to the three-way laryngeal contrast among Korean stops across Kyungsang generations through a comparison with Seoul Korean. Thirty-nine female Korean speakers differing in dialect (Kyungsang, Seoul) and age (older, younger) produced words varying in initial stops and lexical accent patterns, for which voice onset time and fundamental frequency (F0) at vowel onset were measured. This study first confirms previous findings regarding age and dialectal variation in distinguishing the three Korean stops. In addition, we report age variation in the use of voice onset time and F0 for the stops in Kyungsang Korean, with younger speakers using F0 more than older speakers as a cue to the stop distinction. This age variation is accounted for by the reduced lexical tonal properties of Kyungsang Korean and the increased influence of Seoul Korean. A comparison of the specific cue weighting across speaker groups also reveals that younger Kyungsang speakers pattern with Seoul speakers who arguably follow the enhancing F0 role of the innovative younger Seoul speakers. The shared cue weighting pattern across generations and dialects suggests that each speaker group changes the acoustic cue weighting in a similar direction.


The study examines the relationship of high-performance work practices (training, empowerment and rewards) with employee performance in the context of the fourth industrial revolution in private university settings. To get the desired result, a cross-sectional sample of 334 male and female educational employees will write their responses using questionnaires. Structural equation modelling is used for computation. The managers have to cater to the revolutions taking place, and they have to develop standard operating procedures for working in private universities. The managers have to rethink high-performance work practices being used in organizations to achieve better performance. Training regarding using organizational resources may also be considered as a remedy. They are using organizational resources and time appropriately with developing trust among the employer and employees, thus fostering performance. The results show a weak relationship between the selected high-performance work practices with educational employee performance. Empowerment is having a negative connection with the performance that nullifies the existing evidence.


Background
To investigate the role of the PPP2CA gene in the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its molecular biological characteristics.

Methods
We performed comparison of the expression of PPP2CA in HCC and non-HCC tissues of HCC patients who underwent surgery for the first time in the Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from July 2017 to July 2019, and retrospectively analyzed the relevant clinical data and prognosis. The GSE76427 data set and bioinformatics and public databases were used to compare the expression of PPP2CA between HCC and non-cancer tissues. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed of PPP2CA and its differential genes and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of PPP2CA and its differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was constructed from the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database and visualized by Cytoscape software.

Results
The immunohistochemistry (IHC) of tissue sections confirmed that PPP2CA was highly expressed in most HCC tissues; the high expression of PPP2CA was significantly correlated with microvascular invasion (MVI) and portal vein tumor thrombi (P<0.05). Participants in the PPP2CA high expression group had worse overall survival (OS; P=0.04) and recurrence-free survival (RFS; P=0.019). The PPP2CA gene and 71 DEGs were mainly enriched in the nuclear division, organelle fission, nuclear chromosome separation, and chromatid separation process, and KEGG analysis revealed enrichment in drug metabolism-cytochrome metabolism of xenobiotics by P450 and cytochrome P450. Finally, through the PPI network, CCNA2, AURKB, TOP2A, NCAPG, MCM2, CDC20, CCMB2, AURKA, and MGST1 were identified as the top 9 highly connected hub genes.

Conclusions
The PPP2CA gene is highly expressed in HCC tissues. The high expression of PPP2CA is significantly associated with poor prognosis. Through the analysis of DEGs, GO and KEGG pathway analysis, it was found that PPP2CA may act on liver cancer through multiple targets and multiple pathways, and PPP2CA plays a promoting role in HCC.


The objective of this study is to develop and assess an automatic algorithm based on the peripheral arterial tone (PAT) signal to differentiate between light and deep sleep stages. The PAT signal is a measure of the pulsatile arterial volume changes at the finger tip reflecting sympathetic tone variations and is recorded by an ambulatory unattended device, the Watch-PAT100, which has been shown to be capable of detecting wake, NREM and REM sleep. An algorithm to differentiate light from deep sleep was developed using a training set of 49 patients and was validated using a separate set of 44 patients. In both patient sets, Watch-PAT100 data were recorded simultaneously with polysomnography during a full night sleep study. The algorithm is based on 14 features extracted from two time series of PAT amplitudes and inter-pulse periods (IPP). Those features were then further processed to yield a prediction function that determines the likelihood of detecting a deep sleep stage epoch during NREM sleep periods. Overall sensitivity, specificity and agreement of the automatic algorithm to identify standard 30 s epochs of light and deep sleep stages were 66%, 89%, 82% and 65%, 87%, 80% for the training and validation sets, respectively. Together with the already existing algorithms for REM and wake detection we propose a close to full stage detection method based solely on the PAT and actigraphy signals. The automatic sleep stages detection algorithm could be very useful for unattended ambulatory sleep monitoring assessing sleep stages when EEG recordings are not available.


Curcuma longa Linn. is a very commonly used herb in the day-to-day life for therapeutic and culinary purposes. Haridra commonly known as 'Golden spice' belongs to Zingiberaceae  family and is very well known for its pharmacological actions like hepatoprotective, anti-allergic, immune-stimulant, anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic etc. According to the growing regions there are so many varieties of Haridra like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and North Eastern varieties. All medicinal plants contain phytochemicals or bioactive compounds which plays the key role in its therapeutic action. Most of the drugs show variations in these phytochemicals due to its growing regions which results in severe variations of its quality and efficacy. Also the globalisation and increasing demand for Ayurveda drugs resulted in unavailability of authentic and quality drugs in market which meets the quality standards. Objective: Kerala variety of Turmeric is very well known for its high Curcumin, which is up to 6.5%. Present study is to evaluate the quality of Kerala variety of Haridra sample. Material and methods: This study involves pharmacognostical and phytochemical analysis of Kerala variety of Haridra samples to ensure its purity, safety and quality. Observations and Results: All the findings of the phytochemical and pharmacognostical study were within the standards of quality as per API. Conclusion: The present sample of Haridra, the Kerala variety was found to be rich in Quality and was safe, pure and authentic.


Continuous monitoring between 1962 and 1978 of the Mute Swan Cygnus olor population of the Warwickshire Avon has revealed a severe decline, involving the reduction of non-breeders by more than half and the complete loss of the Stratford herd. Breeding pairs dropped by a third and their breeding success by a quarter. Possible factors causing the decline are discussed. For the last three years of the study, lead poisoning from ingested fishing weights was the cause of death of three-quarters of the birds. Prior to 1975 a similar proportion of swans died from an unknown cause, which in retrospect must have been due to lead. The reduced breeding success is thought to reflect a deterioration in habitat, following dredging for navigation and drainage. This and the increased boat traffic, have reduced the areas of macrophytic vegetation, causing a lack of food and an enhancement of the effect of the presence of lead fishing weights.


We report simultaneous multicolor near-infrared (NIR) observations of the supernova associated with X-ray flash 060218 during the first 16 days after the high-energy event. We find that the light curve rises and peaks relatively fast compared to other Type Ic supernovae (SNe Ic), with the characteristic broad NIR peak seen in all three bands. We find that the rise profile before the peak is largely independent of NIR wavelength, each band appearing to transition into a plateau phase around day 10-13. Since the light curve is in the plateau phase when our observations end at day 16, we can only place limits on the peak absolute magnitudes, but we estimate that SN 2006aj is one of the lowest NIR luminosity X-ray flash/gamma-ray burst (XRF/GRB) associated SNe observed to date. The broad peaks observed in the JHKs bands point to a large increase in the NIR contribution of the total flux output from days 10-16. This evolution can be seen in the broad color and spectral energy distribution diagrams constructed using UBVRIJHKs monochromatic flux measurements for the first 16 days of the event. Ultimately, a 10 day rise time would make SN 2006aj an extremely fast rise SN Ic event, faster than SN 1998bw and SN 2003dh, which combined with its underluminous nature indicates a lower amount of 56Ni ejected by the progenitor compared to other XRF/GRB-SNe. Furthermore, the lack of significant color change during the rise portion of the burst points to little or no spectral evolution over the first 10 days of activity in the NIR.


Health and wellness interventions addressing risk factors for early mortality among individuals with serious mental illness have demonstrated success and can be further augmented with digital technology. These programs may be suitable for delivery in psychosocial rehabilitation clubhouses, especially given many services have transitioned to digital platforms during the pandemic. This qualitative study aimed to: (a) explore clubhouse members' experiences engaging with the virtual clubhouse platform, and their preferences for accessing digital wellness and health promotion content; and, (b) gauge members' interest in an online peer-driven lifestyle intervention and their suggestions for program design. This study was guided by a community-based participatory action research framework. Ten focus groups were conducted with clubhouse members. Focus groups were coded and analyzed thematically by trained clubhouse members and the research team. Thirty-three members participated in the focus groups. Participants expressed the importance of having technical support from staff; that one-on-one support and consistent communication are important to keep them engaged in health and wellness programming; and described mixed views about use of the virtual platform, but generally were open to engaging in lifestyle intervention programming virtually. Participants who joined the clubhouse during the pandemic expressed feeling overwhelmed by in-person gatherings, and were especially interested in opportunities for remote participation. This study can inform health and wellness programming for delivery on the virtual clubhouse platform for members. The taxonomy of codes, created to generate a framework with recommendations, will inform the design of a virtual health and wellness intervention.


touch each other at their edges. This results in a distinctive symmetrical configuration of the ascospores within the ascus which is also evident in asci observed in situ (FIG. 4). At the point of contact, the ridges of adjacent ascospores are slightly curved outwards at the edge, and thus appear fitted together in a mitered fashion (FIG. 5). The symmetrical arrangement of the ascospores with respect to outer-wall ornamentation suggests that the ascospores are spatially defined within the ascus. This spatial definition would be n-ade apparent in this species due to the nature of the spore-wall ornamentation. The data presented here do not indicate at what point in ascus development the ascospores are spatially defined. If the position of the ascospores is determined by spore-wall ornamentation then the ascospore arrangement is actually random, cytologically. If the position of the ascospores is a result of ordered nuclear relationships during the meiotic process, then the positioning of the ascospores is not random, but may be as well regulated as in cylindrical asci. Cytological studies at the ultrastructural and light levels of the entire sequence of events associated with ascospore and ascus development are in progress to determine which hypothesis is most probable.


Maize is a third important cereal crop in the world after wheat and rice. In Zambia, it is an important staple crop. Its production is however hampered by both biotic and abiotic factors. Among the abiotic factors, Aluminum (Al) toxicity causes high yield losses and is directly linked to acidic soils. Application of lime can ameliorate this problem, but it is expensive for small scale farmers. Developing maize varieties that are tolerant to Al toxicity is cheaper and feasible for small scale farmers. The purpose of this research was to investigate the type of gene action conditioning tolerance to aluminum toxicity in tropical maize.  Eleven inbred lines were mated in an 8 male (4 moderately tolerant and 4 susceptible) x 3 female (resistant) North Carolina Design II. Results revealed that general combining ability (GCA) effects due to both males and females were highly significant (P≤ 0.001) for root biomass. The shoot length GCA effects due to both male and female respectively were significant (P≤ 0.01). Similarly, the GCA effects due to females and males for root length were significant, P≤ 0.01 and P≤ 0.05 respectively. The genotype CML 511 had the most desirable significant GCA effect value (1.40) for root length among the male lines while CML 538 had the most desirable significant GCA effect value (0.92) among the female lines. The baker's ratio for root length was found to be 0.49 implying that both additive and non-additive gene action were important in conditioning aluminum toxicity tolerance in tropical maize.


An efficient and selective C-H activation method of readily available β-N-aryl glycosides with various alkynes has been established. Using [Cp*RhCl2]2 as a catalyst and AgSbF6 in DCE, this protocol proved to be general to prepare a variety of 2,3-substituted N-glycosyl indoles in good yields.


The first Fresh Ideas, Foundational Experiments (FIFE): Immunology and Diabetes symposia workshop took place in 2016 and exemplified the active interest of a number of several investigators interested the global rise in the incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D). This increase does not correlate with genetic drift and indicates that environmental exposures are playing an increasingly significant role. Despite major biomedical and technological advances in diagnosis and treatment, treatments are frequently insufficient as they do not inhibit the progression of the underlying autoimmune response and often fail to prevent life-threatening complications. T1D is the result of autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, and the precise, mechanistic contribution of the immune system to disease pathogenesis and progression remains to be fully characterized. Ultimately, the combinatorial effect of concurrent factors, including beta cell fragility, exogenous stressors, and genetic priming of the innate and adaptive immune system, work together to induce T1D autoimmunity. Thus, T1D is the result of immunological defects and environmental pathogens, requiring the sustained attention of collaborative research teams such as FIFE: I & D with varied perspectives, unified by the universally held goal of finding a sustainable, life-long cure. Herein, the authors provide perspective on various fields in T1D research highlighted by speakers participating in the inaugural FIFE symposium.


The neurotransmitter responsible for relaxation of gastric smooth muscle was identified by a technique involving the use of selective ligands to protect postjunctional receptors combined with inactivation of all other receptors with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Relaxation in response to field stimulation (80 V, 1 ms, 0.5-8 Hz) and to maximally effective concentrations of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP; 1 microM), ATP (1 mM), isoproterenol (1 mM), dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP; 1 mM), and forskolin (1 microM) was measured in muscle strips from guinea pig gastric fundus before and after treatment with NEM (5 microM) for 1 h. Protection of VIP receptors with VIP or the VIP antagonist VIP10-28 fully protected relaxation induced by VIP and by field stimulation, but did not protect relaxation induced by ATP or isoproterenol. Protection of ATP receptors with ATP protected only the response to ATP, but did not protect the response to field stimulation, VIP, or isoproterenol. Relaxation induced by either forskolin or dibutyryl cAMP was not altered by treatment with NEM alone or in the presence of protective ligands, indicating that at the concentrations used NEM inactivated membrane receptors without affecting intracellular relaxation mechanisms. These studies indicate that VIP but not ATP is the neurotransmitter responsible for neurally induced relaxation in the gastric fundus.


Author(s): Patel, Arjun Anit | Abstract: Cell polarity is fundamental for the architecture and function of epithelial tissues. Epithelial polarization requires coordination of multiple fundamental cell processes, whose integration in space and time dictates overall epithelial morphogenesis. Loss of epithelial polarity not only impacts organ development and function, but also causes cancers. Here we identify G[alpha]- Interacting Vesicle-associated protein (GIV; a.k.a. Girdin) as a novel substrate of AMPK, whose phosphorylation at a single site (Ser 245) is required for the stabilization of tight junctions (TJs) in polarized epithelial cells. Expression of a nonphosphorylatable GIV mutant S245[right arrow]A made cells highly susceptible to energetic stress or low calcium conditions, triggering early disassembly and impaired reassembly of functional TJs. By contrast, expression of phosphomimetic mutant (S245[right arrow]D) made epithelial cells relatively resistant to energetic stress or low calcium conditions. Phosphorylation of GIV at S245 was also essential for epithelial morphogenesis. Furthermore, we show that an oncogenic mutant (L249[right arrow]P) of GIV impairs AMPK- dependent phosphorylation of GIV at S245 and recapitulated the phenotypes of cells expressing the non- phosphorylatable S245[right arrow]A mutant. More importantly, expression of either S245A or L249P mutants preferentially triggered anchorage-independent growth and transformation, whereas the expression of the constitutively phosphorylated S245D mutant restricted growth to an anchorage-dependent state. Taken together, we conclude that the AMPK-GIV axis stabilizes TJs, and that GIV is a key effector of AMPK at the TJs. This work illuminates a previously unforeseen mechanism by which metabolic stress may affect epithelial polarity, junctional integrity and epithelial morphogenesis via GIV, and how deregulation of this pathway may affect key growth properties of tumor cells


Very little systematic research has focused on applying the concept of intellectual capital (IC) within the non-profit context; particularly in the highly competitive non-profit environment. This paper firstly contributes to filling this gap by building a nascent body of literature arguing that IC can be utilised as a non-profit strategic concept in the unique non-profit environment. Secondly, an IC conceptual model is proposed in the paper which helps non-profit managers to visualise the importance of strategic advantage in the knowledge-based economy. Finally, the paper discusses how the IC conceptual framework can be effectively utilised to foster strategic advantage in the non-profit sector.


This paper studies the relation between immediate market response to corporate earnings announcements and subsequent stock price movement. By adapting an information signal model from Holthausen and Verrecchia (1988), we develop a new measure — the immediate earnings response coefficient (IERC) — to capture immediate market response. We find that a smaller immediate market reaction to earnings surprise, or a lower IERC, leads to a larger subsequent market response. A trading strategy based on our findings can generate an average abnormal return of 5.21% per quarter.


Existing methods to handle constraints in genetic algorithms (GA) are often computationally expensive or problem domain specific. In this paper, an approach to handle constraints in GA with the use of constraint satisfaction principles is proposed to overcome those drawbacks. Each chromosome representing a set of constrained variables in GA is interpreted as an instance of the same constraint satisfaction problem represented by a constraint network. Dynamic constraint consistency checking and constraint propagation is performed during the main GA simulation process. Unfeasible solutions are detected and eliminated from the search space at early stages of the GA simulation process without requiring the problem specific representation or generation operators to provide feasible solutions. Constraint satisfaction is applied actively in GA during initialisation, crossover and mutation operations to advantage.