Andrographolide is a lactone diterpenoid compound isolated from the medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata. The anticancer activity of andrographolide has been previously demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. We recently synthesized an andrographolide derivative, ANDRO-FL, in which a fluorescent chemical structure was covalently conjugated to andrographolide. We found that ANDRO-FL exhibited potent anticancer activity: ANDRO-FL reduced the viability of various types of cancer cells; ANDRO-FL suppressed the migration activity of melanoma cells; ANDRO-FL treatment induced the cleavage of heat shock 90 protein (Hsp90) as well as the downregulation of Hsp90 client oncoproteins such as v-Src and Bcr-abl. Notably, in all aforementioned experiments, ANDRO-FL showed stronger inhibitory effects than andrographolide. The kinetics and distribution of ANDRO-FL in cancer cells were further examined using fluorescence microscopy. The fluorescent signals could be detected within the cells in five minutes after ANDRO-FL treatment and the intensity increased as incubation time increased. Furthermore, the fluorescent signal could be detected in nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, and lysosome. In vitro binding assays demonstrated that ANDRO-FL could covalently bind to several known target proteins of andrographolide, including NF-kB, GST and hnRNP K. In summary, our data indicate that ANDRO-FL is a promising anticancer compound. Moreover, with comparable anticancer profile to andrographolide, Andro-FL can serve an effective tool to further explore the molecular targets underlying the anticancer mechanism of andrographolide. The in vivo anticancer activity of ANDRO-FL is currently under investigation. Citation Format: Ya-Hsin Hsu, Yu-Ling Hsu, Sheng-Hung Liu, Hsin-Chia Liao, Po-Xuan Lee, Chao-Hsiung Lin, Lee-Chiang Lo, Shu-ling Fu. A new fluorescence-based andrographolide exhibits anticancer activity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Translation of the Cancer Genome; Feb 7-9, 2015; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(22 Suppl 1):Abstract nr A2-30.


Face detection has been a research area for more than ten years. It is a complex problem due to the high variability in faces and amongst faces; therefore it is not possible to extract a general pattern to be used for detection. This is what makes the face detection problem a challenge.This thesis gives the reader a background to the face detection problem, where the two main approaches of the problem are described. A face detection algorithm is implemented using a context-based method in combination with an evolving neural network. The algorithm consists of two majors steps: detect possible face areas and within these areas detect faces. This method makes it possible to reduce the search space.The performance of the algorithm is evaluated and analysed. There are several parameters that affect the performance; the feature extraction method, the classifier and the images used.This work resulted in a face detection algorithm and the performance of the algorithm is evaluated and analysed. The analysis of the problems that occurred has provided a deeper understanding for the complexity of the face detection problem.


Abstract Buccal mucosal cancer is commonly seen in India with patients presenting in advanced stages of the disease. Its excision commonly mandates division of parotid duct as a part of disease or its margin. We have adopted a simple method to salvage the parotid gland by cannulating the duct and rerouting the saliva into the oral cavity at a different site. This has now become a protocol at our center. A total of 562 patients from 2002 to 2012 have undergone this procedure. This has markedly reduced the incidence of sialocele and parotitis in early postoperative period, which may delay wound healing and subsequent radiotherapy.


Diclofenac sodium is a Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs that if being taken orally have the side effects of peptic ulcers and undergone the first pass metabolism, and also included in the Biopharmaceutics Classification System class 2 which resulted in the low rate of dissolution. This study aims to determine the influence of particle size reduction on the dissolution rate of diclofenac sodium in the form of an FDOF dosage. The formation of diclofenac sodium nanoparticles is carried out by ionic gelation method using chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate as a crosslinker in various ratios characterized by Particle Size Analyzer and Scanning Electron Microscopy, then it is incorporated into the form of an FDOF that were prepared by solvent casting method at a dose of 12.5 mg using variations concentration of SSG as superdisintegrant and PEG 400 as plasticizer. From the research results, diclofenac sodium nanoparticles are formed in the ratio of chitosan-sodium tripolyphosphate 6:1, have a size of 804 nm and spherical-shaped. The best FDOF dosage formula is F8 containing HPMC E5 LV 35% as the film forming agent, SSG 8% as superdisintegrant and PEG 400 10% as plasticizer.  FDOF formula containing diclofenac sodium nanoparticles has a slightly bitter taste, disintegration time less than one minute, surface pH around 7 (neutral), drug content that meets the requirements of the range of determination which is 93.24 ± 0.96, the cumulative amount of drug dissolved in the 28th minute is higher by 88.45% compared to FDOF containing diclofenac sodium raw material, which is only 70.0%.


Abstract MnxZn(1-x)CO3 solid-solutions were prepared at 5°C by precipitation from metal-beating bicarbonate solutions. The solids were identified by X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. Zn2+ ions substitute extensively for Mn2+ ions in the crystal lattice of anhydrous rhombohedral carbonates. Throughout the 24 h during which the experiments were conducted, the aqueous solutions remained undersaturated with respect to pure oxides, sulphates, hydroxides and hydroxysulphates. The solutions, however, were supersaturated with MnxZn(1-x)CO3 of any given composition. Besides the anhydrous rhombohedral carbonates, Zn4(OH)2(CO3)3. 4H2O was precipitated from an aqueous solution with initially high Zn2+ concentration. The negative logarithm of the solubility product of Zn4(OH)2(CO3)3. 4H2O was estimated theoretically to be 43.9 (25°C). Remaining saturation with respect to Zn4(OH)2(CO3)3. 4H2O was calculated accordingly. The suggestion is made that hydrated zinc hydroxycarbonate is metastable under the experimental conditions used here, but that it should transform into anhydrous carbonates.


We report temperature dependent Raman spectra of multiwalled carbon nanotubes deposited as dilute dispersions on surface enhanced Raman scattering active substrate. At low temperature, i.e, below 30 K both the tangential and the disorder mode acquire additional spectral features which are otherwise absent in the room temperature spectra. Further, we observe that the surface enhancement effect is more for modes involving motion of atoms in the direction perpendicular to the substrate which is consistent with the surface selection rules. These experiments provide access to certain spectral features of multiwalled carbon nanotubes which are otherwise very difficult to see.


With the ultimate aim of distinguishing between various models describing the formation of galaxy halos (e.g., radial or multiphase collapse and random mergers), we have completed a spectroscopic study of the globular cluster system of M31. We present the results of deep intermediate-resolution fiber-optic spectroscopy of several hundred of the M31 globular clusters using the Wide Field Fibre Optic Spectrograph at the William Herschel Telescope in La Palma, Canary Islands. These observations have yielded precise radial velocities (±12 km s-1) and metallicities (±0.26 dex) for over 200 members of the M31 globular cluster population out to a radius of 1.°5 from the galaxy center. Many of these clusters have no previous published radial velocity or [Fe/H] estimates, and the remainder typically represent significant improvements over earlier determinations. We present analyses of the spatial, kinematic, and metal abundance properties of the M31 globular clusters. We find that the abundance distribution of the cluster system is consistent with a bimodal distribution with peaks at [Fe/H] ∼ -1.4 and -0.5. The metal-rich clusters demonstrate a centrally concentrated spatial distribution with a high rotation amplitude, although this population does not appear significantly flattened and is consistent with a bulge population. The metal-poor clusters tend to be less spatially concentrated and are also found to have a strong rotation signature.


The empirical study carried out in this degree project is exploratory, and its main objective is to investigate the development of strategic competence in oral production as it occurs in two different communication modes, namely, synchronous computer mediated communication (SCMC) and face-to-face (FTF)communication. More specifically, this study compares the instances of different communication strategies (CS) used to negotiate meaning. This aim was approached through the following research questions: RQ (1): Which types of communication strategies do Swedish learners of English use to enhance interaction in different communication modes? RQ (2): How frequently do they use these strategies in each communication mode? RQ (3): Which communicative mode creates an environment more favorable for the occurrence ofNofM? The results of the study demonstrated that the CS the participants used were: clarification request, appeals for assistance, confirmation check, provision of assistance, self-correction, use of Swedish (L1), topic shifting and circumlocution. The latter two were only used in FTF communication, making this the communication mode with the highest variety of CS types. Concerning our second RQ the frequency of usage of the aforementioned CS, the results suggest that the frequency differed between the two communicative modes a part from appeals for assistance and provisions of assistance . In turn, self-correction, topic shift and circumlocution had a higher frequency in FTF communication, whereas clarification requests, confirmation checks and usage of Swedish had a higher occurrence rate in SCMC. Concerning our third RQ on the one hand, the results in favor of FTF communication were reflected in the higher response rate of appeals for assistance and the use of circumlocution. On the other hand, the results supporting SCMC were seen in the higher frequency and especially in the use of the L1, in the lesser occurrence of self-correction of faulty forms, as well as the higher number of turns per minute and higher percentage of turns used for CS. Based on these results, the present study would seem to point at SCMC as the most favorable communication mode for NofM.


Background Umbilical cord matrix mesenchymal stem cells (UCM-MSCs) present a wide range of potential therapeutical applications. The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) regulates physiological and pathological processes. We investigated, in a large animal model, the involvement of CaSR in triggering osteogenic and neurogenic differentiation of two size-sieved UCM-MSC lines, by using AMG641, a novel potent research calcimimetic acting as CaSR agonist. Methodology/Principal Findings Large (>8µm in diameter) and small (<8µm) equine UCM-MSC lines were cultured in medium with high calcium (Ca2+) concentration ([Ca2+]o; 2.87 mM) and dose-response effects of AMG641 (0.01 to 3µM) on cell proliferation were evaluated. Both cell lines were then cultured in osteogenic or neurogenic differentiation medium containing: 1) low [Ca2+]o (0.37 mM); 2) high [Ca2+]o (2.87 mM); 3) AMG641 (0.05, 0.1 or 1 µM) with high [Ca2+]o and 4) the CaSR antagonist NPS2390 (10 mM for 30 min) followed by incubation with AMG641 in high [Ca2+]o. Expression of osteogenic or neurogenic differentiation biomarkers was compared among groups. In both cell lines, AMG641 dose-dependently increased cell proliferation (up to P<0.001). Osteogenic molecular markers expression was differentially regulated by AMG641, with stimulatory (OPN up-regulation) in large or inhibitory (RUNX2 and OPN down-regulation) effects in small cells, respectively. AMG641 significantly increased alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium phosphate deposition in both cell lines. Following treatment with AMG641 during osteogenic differentiation, in both cell lines CaSR expression was inversely related to that of osteogenic markers and inhibition of CaSR by NPS2390 blocked AMG641-dependent responses. Early-stage neurogenic differentiation was promoted/triggered by AMG641 in both cell lines, as Nestin and CaSR mRNA transcription up-regulation were observed. Conclusions/Significance Calcium- and AMG641-induced CaSR stimulation promoted in vitro proliferation and osteogenic and early-stage neurogenic differentiation of UCM-MSCs. CaSR activation may play a fundamental role in selecting specific differentiation checkpoints of these two differentiation routes, as related to cell commitment status.


The main symptoms of excruciating pain, trophic and inflammatory changes, as well as functional impairment of limbs are the hallmark of the complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). While functional impairments have to be treated by physical and occupational therapy, the former three symptoms are amendable to drug treatment: antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs and opioids are the most important drug classes for alleviating neuropathic pain whereas acute nociceptive pain may be positively influenced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids. In addition, calcitonin and the biphosphonates inhibit osteoclasts and therefore loss of bone mass and may thus also reduce pain. The use of sympatholytic agents beyond locoregional anesthesia techniques (which are covered elsewhere in this issue) is not unequivocal. In general, the evidence level for treatment strategies specifically for the complex regional pain syndrome is very poor; most recommendations and algorithms rely on results derived from studies testing drugs against other conditions where chronic (neuropathic) pain is prevalent, like diabetic polyneuropathy or postherpetic neuralgia, or medications are used on the basis of pathomechanistic considerations.


The present contribution reports on the field, petrographical and geochemical observations of the volcano-plutonic rocks of the Nakora Ring Complex (NRC) from the Neoproterozoic, Malani Igneous Suite (MIS) (Northwestern Peninsular India) and confers about their magmatic evolution and tectonic implications. Three magmatic phases are notable in the NRC which is Extrusive, Intrusive and Dyke phase where with small quantities of basaltic flows was initiated and accompanied by extensive/voluminous acidic flows. Petrographically, rhyolite shows flow bands, porphyritic, spherulitic, aphyritic and perlitic textures whereas basalt flows are distinguished by the presence of labradorite in lath-shaped crystals (plagioclase feldspar) and clinopyroxene (augite). The presence of high silica and total alkalis in NRC rocks, as well as high field strength elements (HFSE), enrichment of trace elements and negative anomalies of Sr., Eu, P, and Ti indicates that the emplacement of the lava flows was controlled by complex magmatic processes such as fractional crystallization, crustal contamination and partial melting. The association of basalt-trachyte-rhyolite means that the magma chamber was supplied a significant amount of heat to the crust before the eruption. Moreover, a volcanic vent was also reported at NRC where rhyolite was associated with agglomerate, volcanic breccia, perlite and tuff. The current research proposed that the Neoproterozoic magmatism at NRC was controlled by rift-related mechanism and produced from crustal source where the heat was supplied by mantle plume.


The Fourth Edition covers the fundamentals of macro- and microeconomics, but has been reorganized to emphasize the policy implications of these principles. The authors have incorporated a global economics theme, with special sections on international issues interspersed throughout. The careful inclusion of applications and examples have been retained. Includes many tables, graphs and charts, and exercises that reinforce the material covered.


Nine papers which have specifically examined the effects of combining sympathomimetic bronchodilator therapy with ipratropium bromide in the treatment of patients with airflow obstruction are reviewed. The published evidence suggests that the use of combination therapy in the more elderly bronchitic patients is now justified, but that the case for routinely giving such treatment to younger asthmatic patients needs further evaluation before any definite recommendation can be made.


A simultaneous understanding of questions and images is crucial in Visual Question Answering (VQA). While the existing models have achieved satisfactory performance by associating questions with key objects in images, the answers also contain rich information that can be used to describe the visual contents in images. In this paper, we propose a re-attention framework to utilize the information in answers for the VQA task. The framework first learns the initial attention weights for the objects by calculating the similarity of each word-object pair in the feature space. Then, the visual attention map is reconstructed by re-attending the objects in images based on the answer. Through keeping the initial visual attention map and the reconstructed one to be consistent, the learned visual attention map can be corrected by the answer information. Besides, we introduce a gate mechanism to automatically control the contribution of re-attention to model training based on the entropy of the learned initial visual attention maps. We conduct experiments on three benchmark datasets, and the results demonstrate the proposed model performs favorably against state-of-the-art methods.


The concept of the agnostoid arthropod species Lotagnostus americanus (Billings, 1860), which has been reported from numerous localities in the upper Furongian Series (Cambrian) of Laurentia, Gondwana, Baltica, Avalonia, and Siberia, is reviewed with emphasis on morphologic and taphonomic information afforded by large collections from Hunan in South China, Xinjiang in Northwest China, and Zhejiang in Southeast China. Comparisons are made with type and topotype material from Quebec, Canada, as well as material from elsewhere in Canada, the USA, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Russia, and Kazakhstan. The new information clarifies the limits of morphologic variability in L. americanus owing to ontogenetic changes and variation within holaspides, including inferred microevolution. It also provides details on apparent variation of taphonomic origin. The Chinese collections demonstrate a moderately wide variation in L. americanus, indicating that arguments favoring restriction of Lotagnostus species to narrowly defined, geographically restricted forms are unwarranted. Species described as L. trisectus (Salter, 1864), L. asiaticus Troedsson, 1937, and L. punctatus Lu, 1964, for example, fall within the range of variation observed in L. americanus, and are regarded as junior synonyms. The effaced form Lotagnosilis obscurus Palmer, 1955 is removed from synonymy with L. americanus. A review of the stratigraphic distribution of L. americanus as construed here shows that the earliest occurrences of the species in all regions of the world are nearly synchronous. (Less)


Abstract In order to find a cure against the pandemic fragmentation in current theory of history this paper aims at uniting experience, narrative, and action from a rhetorical perspective. Developing a pragmatics of speech acts about actions and events from the most simple to the most complex, according to the rhetorical situation in which they occur, the paper presents the notions of retrospective and prospective historical narrative as expressions of historical experience. In the end, it appeals to historians and philosophers of history to take rhetoric more seriously in order to make historiography practically more relevant.


We perform self-consistent Hartree calculations for a model of A_{3-x}C_{60} (A= K, Rb) to study the effects of the presence of vacancies. We find that the strong vacancy potential is very efficiently screened and that the density of states is only weakly influenced by the presence of vacancies.


Pulverized coal injection (PCI) is widely operated in ironmaking blast furnace (BF). In the past, coal burnout was usually characterized along tuyere axis due to technical difficulties, rather than the whole raceway surface. Recently, a three‐dimensional (3D) PCI model included a 3D raceway and the combustion of two different fuels—pulverized coal and coke, allowing for calculating coal burnout over the whole raceway surface, in addition to along the tuyere axis. In this paper, in order to confirm whether the coal burnout tendencies at the two locations are consistent or not for the changes of a range of key operational variables, the influences of key PCI‐related variables on coal burnouts is overviewed and compared at the two different locations. The comparisons show that the tendency of coal burnout over the whole raceway surface is largely inconsistent with those at the end of raceway along tuyere axis for the changes of key operational variables, and thus the latter cannot fully represent coal burnout in the raceway. For this reason, the former should be employed in the future when examining the combustibility of specific coals under BF conditions.


Aims: The lower susceptibility of the Fulani to malaria compared to Mossi was previously described in Burkina Faso in West Africa. The mature gametocyte stage of Plasmodium falciparum is known to be the only stage capable of infecting the mosquito though this process is disrupted by the action of immunity and other factors as well. Our study aims to assess the ability of two sympatric ethnic groups known to have different susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum malaria, to infect mosquitoes through an experimental membrane feeding assay. Original Research Article Serme et al.; AIR, 20(5): 1-9, 2019; Article no.AIR.53770 2 Methodology: Study participants were gametocyte carriers aged from 2 to 12 years recruited in the village of Barkoundouba where Fulani and Mossi are living in sympatric. A venous blood was obtained from each participant for direct membrane feeding assay of insectary reared mosquitoes. Blood fed mosquitoes were stored for 7 days with sugar water as the only food source, then dissected for the microscopic detection for oocysts. Results: A total of 1050 mosquitoes were used for the experimental infections. Eight day after feeding, a total of 897 mosquitoes were dissected, 275 from the Fulani and 622 from the Mossi group. With an average of 43 stomachs examined by experimentation, the mosquito infestation rate was 10.5% in Fulani and 13.2% in Mossi group (p=0.569). The fed mosquito rate was 95 % and 95.6% in Fulani and Mossi ethnic group respectively (p=0.241). The rate of survival mosquitoes after the feeding was 96.5% and 87.5% in Fulani and Mossi ethnic group respectively (p=0.088). The proportion of dissected mosquitoes was 100% and 99.2% in Fulani and Mossi ethnic group respectively (p=0.138) leading to an average oocystic load of 249 in Fulani and 21 in Mossi group. The success rate of DMFA in both groups combined was 57.14%. Indeed, this rate was 33.33% and 66.67% in Fulani and Mossi group respectively. Conclusion: Our study showed that there is no significant difference found between the two ethnic group with the fed, survival, dissected and the infested mosquitoes rate. However, the average of oocystic load was higher in Fulani than the Mossi group despite the low infection in Fulani group. There is a need to explore the mechanism underlying such difference between the two ethnic groups.


Background: Neuropathy is common in people with Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes for a long duration. Hence, it is possible that deficits in cognitive function might also be found in those who have had diabetes for a long duration. Our objective was to assess the short-term memory and verbal fluency in subjects above 40 years with Type 2 diabetes.

Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of this study were to determine the effect of duration of uncomplicated Type 2 diabetes on short-term memory and verbal fluency.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was done. One hundred male participants, between 50 and 60 years of age with uncomplicated Type 2 diabetes for at least 2 years duration, were selected. They did not have any other chronic medical disorders. An informed consent was obtained. The duration of diabetes was noted from the date of the first diagnosis. The addenbrooke's cognitive examination-revised (ACE-R) was used to evaluate short-term memory and verbal fluency. A cross-sectional comparative study was done, and the performances were based on the scores obtained. Statistical analysis was performed using the coefficient of correlation. We considered P < 0.05 to be significant.

Results: For short-term memory, the mean score obtained by the subjects was 6.35 ± 0.66, and for verbal fluency, the mean scores obtained were 7.07 ± 2.05. Duration of diabetes correlated significantly with poorer performance on short-term memory (r = −0.371) and verbal fluency (r = −0.837).

Conclusion: Within the study group, an association between duration of diabetes and short-term memory and verbal fluency was found. Early diabetics performed well, whereas those who were diabetics for a longer duration performed less well. Such changes may give us insight to the process of accelerated aging in diabetes.


We report the decomposition of curcumin due to reduction of Cu(ii) to Cu(i). Cu(ii) binds tightly with curcumin to form a complex which exhibits a high stability in methanol, but it decomposes readily in acetonitrile and in SDS micelles in the presence of ascorbic acid, coincident with reduction of Cu(ii) to Cu(i). In this study, the UV-Vis absorption of the Cu-curcumin complex shows a monotonic decrease as a function of time, consistent with the decomposition of curcumin. At a high copper : curcumin molar ratio of 10 : 1, the UV-Vis absorption spectrum of the Cu(ii)-curcumin complex in acetonitrile exhibits a substantial blue shift of the absorption maximum from 420 nm to 350 nm, which is indicative of a significant decrease in conjugation length of curcumin in the presence of Cu(ii). Time-dependent mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) data are also consistent with the decomposition of curcumin as a consequence of reduction of Cu(ii) to Cu(i).


Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes atrial structural remodeling and subsequently increases the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). Atrial connexins and inflammatory responses may be involved in this remodeling process. In this study, nephrectomy was used to produce the CKD rat model. Three months post-nephrectomy, cardiac structure, function and AF vulnerability were quantified using echocardiography and electrophysiology methods. The left atrial tissue was tested for quantification of fibrosis and inflammation, and for the distribution and expression of connexin (Cx) 40 and Cx43. An echocardiography showed that CKD resulted in the left atrial enlargement and left ventricular hypertrophy, but had no functional changes. CKD caused a significant increase in the AF inducible rate (91.11% in CKD group vs. 6.67% in sham group, P < 0.001) and the AF duration [107 (0–770) s in CKD vs. 0 (0–70) s in sham, P < 0.001] with prolonged P-wave duration. CKD induced severe interstitial fibrosis, activated the transforming growth factor-β1/Smad2/3 pathway with a massive extracellular matrix deposition of collagen type I and α-smooth muscle actin, and matured the NLR (nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat-containing receptor) pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome with an inflammatory cascade response. CKD resulted in an increase in non-phosphorylated-Cx43, a decrease in Cx40 and phosphorylated-Cx43, and lateralized the distribution of Cx40 and Cx43 proteins with upregulations of Rac-1, connective tissue growth factor and N-cadherin. These findings implicate the transforming growth factor-β1/Smad2/3, the NLRP3 inflammasome and the connexins as potential mediators of increased AF vulnerability in CKD.


A card guessing game is played between two players, Guesser and Dealer. At the beginning of the game, the Dealer holds a deck of n cards (labeled 1, ..., n). For n turns, the Dealer draws a card from the deck, the Guesser guesses which card was drawn, and then the card is discarded from the deck. The Guesser receives a point for each correctly guessed card. With perfect memory, a Guesser can keep track of all cards that were played so far and pick at random a card that has not appeared so far, yielding in expectation ln n correct guesses, regardless of how the Dealer arranges the deck. With no memory, the best a Guesser can do will result in a single guess in expectation. We consider the case of a memory bounded Guesser that has m < n memory bits. We show that the performance of such a memory bounded Guesser depends much on the behavior of the Dealer. In more detail, we show that there is a gap between the static case, where the Dealer draws cards from a properly shuffled deck or a prearranged one, and the adaptive case, where the Dealer draws cards thoughtfully, in an adversarial manner. Specifically: 1. We show a Guesser with O(log2 n) memory bits that scores a near optimal result against any static Dealer. 2. We show that no Guesser with m bits of memory can score better than O( √ m) correct guesses against a random Dealer, thus, no Guesser can score better than min{ √ m, ln n}, i.e., the above Guesser is optimal. 3. We show an efficient adaptive Dealer against which no Guesser with m memory bits can make more than ln m + 2 ln log n + O(1) correct guesses in expectation. These results are (almost) tight, and we prove them using compression arguments that harness the guessing strategy for encoding. 2012 ACM Subject Classification Theory of computation → Adversary models


Words that involve completely different meanings across languages but possess significant overlap in form are referred to as homographic noncognates or interlexical homographs (e.g., red is a color word in English but means "net" in Spanish). An important question in the investigation of the processing of these words is whether or not both meaning and form are integral to their representation leading to language-specific processing of these items. In contrast, some theories have been put forth indicating that the processing of these words is nonselective with regards to language. Simply stated, when one of these words is encountered, all of the relevant meanings are accessed regardless of the specific demands of the task and the base language that is being used. In the present, critical review, evidence purported to favor each view is presented along with a discussion of the methodological and analytic constraints that moderate the reported findings. The data lead to the conclusion that there is a time course involved in the activation of multiple meanings such that a primary or dominant meaning (sometimes biased by frequency) is typically accessed more readily, followed by the opposite language meaning. These results indicated that studies should focus on manipulating the timing intervals between the presentation of these words and subsequent responses that are required by a particular task.


This paper addresses the modeling of modular and reconfigurable transportation systems, aiming at developing tools to support the planning and control. Answer Set Programming (ASP) is employed to formalize rules modeling the characteristic of a transportation system and describing its dynamics. Then, automatic reasoning can be exploited to find solutions in different use cases, including the generation of optimal or alternative paths, the generation and validation of control sequences. The proposed methodology is applied to a reconfigurable industrial transportation system consisting of multiple linear conveyor modules with actuators enabling longitudinal and transversal movements of pallets.


An increasing amount of information is being collected in structured, evolving, curated databases, driving the question of how information extracted from such datasets via queries should be cited. Unlike traditional research products, such books and journals, which have a fixed granularity, data citation is a challenge because the granularity varies. Different portions of the database, with varying granularity, may have different citations. Furthermore, there are an infinite number of queries over a database, each accessing and generating different subsets of the database, so we cannot hope to explicitly attach a citation to every possible result set and/or query. We present the novel problem of automatically generating citations for general queries over a relational database, and explore a solution based on a set of citation views, each of which attaches a citation to a view of the database. Citation views are then used to automatically construct citations for general queries. Our approach draws inspiration from results in two areas, query rewriting using views and database provenance and combines them in a robust model. We then discuss open issues in developing a practical solution to this challenging problem.


It is obvious from the present study findings that, a positive Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament (SWM) test result is a significant and independent predictor of future foot ulceration or likely of future lower extremity amputation as well in patients with diabetes mellitus. Therefore SWM test is an important evidence-based tool for predicting the prognosis of patients with diabetic foot, thus enabling improved patients selection for early intervention and management. SWM test can assist practitioner in tailoring care to prevent unnecessary complications and suffering, as well as reduce costs.


Abstract From its original formulation in 1990 the International Trans-Antarctic Scientific Expedition (ITASE) has had as its primary aim the collection and interpretation of a continent-wide array of environmental parameters assembled through the coordinated efforts of scientists from several nations. ITASE offers the ground-based opportunities of traditional-style traverse travel coupled with the modern technology of GPS, crevasse detecting radar, satellite communications and multidisciplinary research. By operating predominantly in the mode of an oversnow traverse, ITASE offers scientists the opportunity to experience the dynamic range of the Antarctic environment. ITASE also offers an important interactive venue for research similar to that afforded by oceanographic research vessels and large polar field camps, without the cost of the former or the lack of mobility of the latter. More importantly, the combination of disciplines represented by ITASE provides a unique, multidimensional (space and time) view of the ice sheet and its history. ITASE has now collected >20 000km of snow radar, recovered more than 240 firn/ice cores (total length 7000 m), remotely penetrated to ~4000m into the ice sheet, and sampled the atmosphere to heights of >20 km.


PURPOSE
An integrated clinical and specialty pharmacy practice model for the management of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is described.

SUMMARY
Specialty medications, such as disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) used to treat MS, are costly and typically require special administration, handling, and storage. DMTs are associated with high rates of nonadherence and may have associated safety risks. The University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System developed an MS pharmacy practice model that sought to address the many challenges of coordinating care with multiple entities outside the health system. Several key features of the integrated model include a dedicated clinical pharmacist on the MS specialty team, an integrated specialty pharmacy service, direct access to the electronic medical record, and face-to-face interaction with patients. Through the active involvement of the neurology clinical pharmacist and an onsite specialty pharmacy service, targeted assessments and medication and disease education are provided to the patient before DMT initiation and maintained throughout therapy. In addition, the regular point of contact and refill coordination encourages improved compliance, appropriate medication use, ongoing safety monitoring, and improved communication with the provider for quicker interventions. This fosters increased accessibility, convenience, and patient confidence. Improving patient outcomes--the priority goal of this service model--will be assessed in future planned studies. Through this new practice model, providers are empowered to incorporate specialty medication management into transitions in care, admission and discharge quality indicators, readmissions, and other core measures.

CONCLUSION
An integrated pharmacy practice model that includes an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, and pharmacists improved patient compliance with MS therapies.


The study was to explore the factors that account for low enrolments in senior high schools in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors that account for low enrolments in the community-based senior high school in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The purpose of the study was to investigate socio-economic factors, school related factors, geographical factors and individual characteristics that influence enrolments, participation, retention, attendance, progression and dropout in community-based senior high schools in Ashanti Region of Ghana. The purposive and quota sampling were used to select a sample size of 120 respondent make up of 10 heads, 10 Districts Directors of Education, 10 PTA chairmen and 90 parents of sampled schools. The instruments used to collect data from the respondents were the questionnaire for heads, structured interview guide for parents. PTA Chairmen and the District Directors of GES and observation guide on school building and furniture. The reliability co-efficient of the study was 0.82. The co-efficient is high enough and hence the items were deemed reliable for the study. Data were analysed by the use of frequencies, percentages and apparent cohort method. The finding of the study indicated that most of the sampled senior high schools do not have school bus to convey day students to and from schools. The sample senior high schools do not have workshops for all programmes, classrooms and standard science laboratories and science equipment to enhance academic work.


Rapidly reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RRMS) are acknowledged to serve the needs of the manufacturing companies for handling the shortening product life cycles and mass customization. Reconfigurability aspects are important for achieving short configuration times and adjustable production volumes in automation systems. This paper discusses on material handling system (MHS) where the rapid reconfigurability has taken into main objectives of the developed system. The developed MHS is built on full-functional modules that are represented by intelligent physical agents and uses ABAS architectural definitions. The developed MHS presents solution where software and hardware reconfigurability aspects have been addressed.


The aim of this work is to improve AF dynamics understanding through predicting the reversion to sinus rhythm in the procedures of ablation. Signals from intracardiac recordings previous to ablation were characterized using entropy measurements. The database includes intracardiac recordings from 22 AF patients submitted to an ablation procedure. Four electrodes were located at the right atrium (RA) and 4 more at the left atrium (LA). All patients were monitored after ablation, and were divided in 2 groups according to AF recurrence outcome: 11 of them remained in sinus rhythm, whereas the other 11 turned back to AF. Sample entropy was applied to these signals, in order to characterize different non-linear AF dynamics at RA and LA independently. Results showed statistical significant differences along the atria between both groups (p=0.031). When analyzing regional results, these differences were emphasized at the RA. However, non-statistically significant results were obtained at the LA. Moreover, regional differences were analyzed in both groups separately. In the recurrent group, nonstatistically significant differences between both atria were found, although in the non-recurrent group they were found, p=0.038. These findings show the potential of entropy measurements as useful predictors of AF recurrence after successful ablation of AF.


PURPOSE
To study the safety of prophylactic level VII nodal dissection regarding hypoparathyroidism (temporary and permanent) and vocal cord dysfunction (temporary and permanent) and its impact on disease free survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
This prospective study concerned 63 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma with N0 neck node involvement (clinically and radiologically) in the period from December 2009 to May 2013. All patients underwent total thyroidectomy and prophylactic central neck dissection including levels VI and VII lymph nodes in group A (31 patients) and level VI only in group B (32 patients). The thyroid gland, level VI and level VII lymph nodes were each examined histopathologically separately for tumor size, multicentricity, bilaterality, extrathyroidal extension, number of dissected LNs and metastatic LNs. Follow-up of both groups, regarding hypoparathyroidism, vocal cord dysfunction and DFS, ranged from 6-61 months.

RESULTS
The mean age was 34.8 and 34.3, female predominance in both groups with F: M 24:7 and 27:5 in groups A and B, respectively. Mean tumor size was 12.6 and 14.7mm. No statistical differences were found between both groups regarding age, sex, bilaterality, multicentricity or extrathyroidal extension. The mean no. of dissected level VI LNs was 5.06 and 4.72 and mean no. of metastatic level VI was 1 and 0.84 in groups A and B, respectively. The mean no. of dissected level VII LNs was 2.16 and mean no. of metastatic LNs was 0.48. Postoperatively temporary hypoparathyroidism was detected in 10 and 7 patients and permanent hypoparathyroidism in 2 and 3 patients; temporary vocal cord dysfunction was detected in 4 patients and one patient, and permanent vocal cord dysfunction in one and 2 patients in groups A and B, respectively. No significant statistical differences were noted between the 2 groups regarding hypoparathyroidism (P=0.535) or vocal cord dysfunction (P=0.956). The number of dissected LNs at level VI only significantly affected the occurrence of hypoparathyroidism (<0.001) and vocal cord dysfunction (<0.001).The DFS was significantly affected by bilaterality, multicentricity and extrathyroidal extension.

CONCLUSIONS
Level VII nodal dissection is a safe procedure complementary to level VI nodal dissection with prophylactic central neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma.


Objective: To assess the outcomes of fertility-sparing surgery in patients with ovarian epithelial carcinoma treated at our centre.
Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal study.
Place and Duration of Study: Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Lahore Pakistan, from Jul 2001 to Aug 2015.
Methodology: We studied 31 patients with ovarian epithelial carcinoma who underwent fertility-sparing surgery at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital. The detail regarding patients and tumour characteristics, along with outcomes of the intervention, was obtained from secondary data kept in the electronic hospital information system.
Results: A total of 132 patients with ovarian epithelial carcinoma were identified; 31 patients underwent fertility-sparing surgery (Stage-IA, n=19; Stage-IC, n=12). By histopathology, 14(45.0%) had mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, 7(22.6%) serous adenocarcinoma, 6(19.4%) endometroid, and 4(12.9%) with clear cell pathology. The mean duration of follow-up was 52.6±2.3 months (18-118 months) after fertility-sparing surgery. Five-year recurrence-free survival was 81.0%. (Three-year=89.0%), using the Kaplan-Meier graph. Three patients had successful pregnancies, with one having a twin pregnancy.
Conclusion: Fertility-sparing surgery should be considered for children of early-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma patients as it preserves fertility and endocrine function while avoiding recurrence.


CRT0066101 is an inhibitor of protein kinase D with anti-tumor activity in several types of human carcinomas. However, the effect and mechanism of CRT0066101 in bladder cancer remain unknown. In this study, we show that CRT0066101 inhibited the proliferation and migration of bladder cancer cells, but had only a marginal effect in human uroepithelial cells, indicating a differential inhibitory effect on cell growth between bladder cancer and normal urothelium. We also demonstrate that CRT0066101 blocked bladder cancer growth in a xenograft flank mouse model. Our cell cycle analysis revealed that CRT0066101 arrested bladder tumor cells at the G2-M phase, the arrest being accompanied by decreases in the levels of cyclin B1 and CDK1 and increases in the levels of p27kip1 and phospho-CDK1 (Thr14/Tyr15). Moreover, CRT0066101 reduced the expression of Cdc25C, which dephosphorylates/activates CDK1, but enhanced the activity of the checkpoint kinase Chk1, which phosphorylates/ inactivates Cdc25C. Finally, CRT0066101 was found to elevate the levels of Myt1, Wee1, phospho-Cdc25C (Ser216), Gadd45α, and 14-3-3 proteins, all of which cause a reduction in CDK1-cyclin B1 activity. Together, these data suggest that CRT0066101 suppresses bladder cancer growth partly through modulating the cell cycle G2 checkpoint and inducing G2-M phase arrest, leading to the blockade of cell cycle progression. Citation Format: Quentin Li, Iawen Hsu, Reema Railkar, Thomas Sanford, Piyush K. Agarwal. Mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effect of CRT0066101 on bladder cancer growth in vitro and in vivo [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4301.


We present our discovery of a narrow-line Baldwin effect, an anticorrelation between the equivalent width (EW) of a line and the flux of the associated continuum, in 5–20 μm mid-infrared (mid-IR) lines from a sample of 68 active galactic nuclei (AGNs), located at z< 0.5, observed with the Infrared Spectrograph on the Spitzer Space Telescope. Our analysis reveals a clear anticorrelation between the EW of the [S iv] 10.51 μm, [Ne ii] 12.81 μm, and [Ne iii] 15.56 μm lines and their mid-IR continuum luminosities, while the Baldwin effect for [Ne v] 14.32 μm is not as obvious. We suggest that this anticorrelation is driven by the central AGN, and not circumnuclear star formation in the host galaxy, and present a new method of analyzing this effect in mid-IR lines. We also find that the slope of the narrow-line Baldwin effect in the mid-IR does not appear to steepen with increasing ionization potential. Examining the dependence of the EW on the Eddington ratio (L/LEdd), we find no strong relationship for mid-IR lines. Our study indicates that the narrow-line mid-IR Baldwin effect is quite different from the broad-line optical/UV Baldwin effect, and it is possible that the two effects are unrelated. The anticorrelations discovered open new possibilities in understanding the physics of the ionizing region and the continuum reprocessing by dust.


In 2008, the tabloid story of a pregnant transgendered man from Oregon provoked a flurry of responses—mostly negative—thus proving that even in the 21st-century blurring of gender boundaries arouses both morbid fascination and deep anxiety. Medieval tales about male pregnancy suggest a similar preoccupation with masculinity and maleness. Most of these humorous stories of folly or sexual naivete push the gender boundaries only to reinforce them: they portray their feminized protagonists as incorrigible idiots, reaffirm child-bearing as a prerogative of women, and reinforce popular misogynous stereotypes. However, the 14th-century medieval German maere"Des munches not" goes beyond a mere juxtaposition of masculinity and femininity. This particular comic tale complicates the common plot by making its protagonist a celibate monk and therefore focusing on the tensions among several medieval masculinities. This paper uncovers the disputatious nature of late-medieval culture, ridden by deep anxiety about clerical celibacy. "Des munches not" repudiates the clergy's masculinity and simultaneously insists upon it, thus reaffirming that despite all the effeminate aspects of the monastic lifestyle, late-medieval laity nevertheless saw the clergy as both male and emotionally masculine.


Objective We aimed to investigate the prevalence of B12 deficiency in metformin-treated, morbidly obese, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, compared to morbidly obese controls, as well as to evaluate the magnesium status. Design Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of plasma vitamin B12, plasma magnesium, glucometabolic status and clinical measurements in all consecutive morbidly obese patients was conducted during 1 year. Setting Outpatient Clinic of Obesity Care. Subjects One hundred forty-seven patients were evaluated: 107 morbidly obese controls and 40 metformin-treated, morbidly obese patients with T2DM. Main outcome measures Circulating plasma concentrations of vitamin B12 (cobalamin), magnesium, clinical measurements and metformin medication. Results There were differences between the two groups regarding age, sagittal diameter, glucose parameters and magnesium concentrations. Longer diabetes duration was associated with lower magnesium. Metformin-treated T2DM patients had lower magnesium (0.76±0.07 mmol/L) than controls (0.82±0.07 mmol/L). A subgroup analysis of 26 non-metformin-treated T2DM patients showed a normal magnesium concentration compared to controls, that is, 0.81±0.06 mmol/L. We found no statistical difference in B12 concentrations between the two groups. Conclusion To fully benefit from metformin medication, routine testing of B12 as well as magnesium in metformin-treated, morbidly obese patients should be performed, with consideration of substitution to avoid low levels.


Oil pipeline network system health monitoring is important primarily due to the high cost of failure consequences. Optimal sensor selection helps provide more effective system health information from the perspective of economic and technical constraints. Optimization models confront different issues. For instance, many oil pipeline system performance models are inherently nonlinear, requiring nonlinear modelling. Optimization also confronts modeling uncertainties. Oil pipeline systems are among the most complicated and uncertain dynamic systems, as they include human elements, complex failure mechanisms, control systems, and most importantly component interactions. In this paper, an entropy-based Bayesian network optimization methodology for sensor selection and placement under uncertainty is developed. Entropy is a commonly used measure of information often been used to characterize uncertainty, particularly to quantify the effectiveness of measured signals of sensors in system health monitoring contexts. The entropy based Bayesian network optimization outlined herein also incorporates the effect that sensor reliability has on system information entropy content, which can also be related to the sensor cost. This approach is developed further by incorporating system information entropy and sensor costs in order to evaluate the performance of sensor combinations. The paper illustrates the approach using a simple oil pipeline network example. The so-called particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to solve the multi-objective optimization model, establishing the Pareto frontier.


ABSTRACT The UN Mediation Support Unit (MSU) was created to support peace processes and enable organizational learning. This article analyses the unit through a sociological lens with the aim to understand its present configuration, and what this reveals about the production of knowledge about mediation at the UN. It argues that, because of the constraints imposed by intrastate wars and the existing institutional setting within the Secretariat, the MSU emphasizes generic and depoliticized expertise, by contrast with mediation's traditional reliance on non-transferable skills. This approach, in spite of its pitfalls, enables the unit to justify its own existence and to claim a position of authority within the organization and beyond.


Abstract The use of bisphosphonates has led to a new disease, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). There is currently no effective treatment for this disease; the surgical approach is controversial. The widespread use of human amniotic membrane (HAM) in surgery and the results obtained have highlighted its many potential properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and antiapoptotic, as well as its capacity for encouraging epithelialisation and cell differentiation. These properties are believed to encourage the recovery of patients with BRONJ, facilitating the wound healing process after surgical debridement of the bone. We report our experience with the use of HAM: two patients treated with patches of HAM. The follow-up to date, which includes x-rays and clinical assessments, demonstrates good levels of epithelialisation and absence of infections and pain. To conclude, the use of HAM in patients with BRONJ seems to be a promising therapeutic alternative to current conventional treatments.


The article is devoted to the motivation of social activity for students. Revealed differences in the motivational structure of the personality of young people, depending on the type of social activity.


Abstract Aim To date it is unclear whether the physical, cognitive, psychological and social benefits of dance extend to children with disabilities. Method This systematic review synthesised empirical research on the effect of non-therapy dance programs on children with physical and developmental disabilities. Results Nineteen studies met inclusion criteria, including 521 participants aged 3–18 years and adapted dance programs with duration ranging from 7–78 hours. Sixteen studies had weak methodology. Most examined physical outcomes with improvements in 17/23 areas and meta-analyses showing significant medium to large effects for balance and jumping skills. Positive effects were also indicated for psychological, cognitive and social domains from the few available studies. Conclusion Existing literature is heterogeneous and of poor quality but indicates dance may have physical, cognitive and psychosocial benefits for children with disabilities. Implications for rehabilitation To date the benefits of dance for children with disabilities have not been systematically synthesised. Dance may have physical, cognitive and psychosocial benefits for children with disabilities. Further research into psychosocial benefits in particular is warranted.


Much of animal ecology is devoted to studies of abundance and occurrence of species, based on surveys of spatially referenced sample units. These surveys frequently yield sparse counts that are contaminated by imperfect detection, making direct inference about abundance or occurrence based on observational data infeasible. This article describes a flexible hierarchical modeling framework for estimation and inference about animal abundance and occurrence from survey data that are subject to imperfect detection. Within this framework, we specify models of abundance and detectability of animals at the level of the local populations defined by the sample units. Information at the level of the local population is aggregated by specifying models that describe variation in abundance and detection among sites. We describe likelihood-based and Bayesian methods for estimation and inference under the resulting hierarchical model. We provide two examples of the application of hierarchical models to animal survey data, the first based on removal counts of stream fish and the second based on avian quadrat counts. For both examples, we provide a Bayesian analysis of the models using the software WinBUGS.


Purpose - This work aims at integrating materials management with project management in the context of manufacturing of complex products which require a variety of items. To achieve this, we propose two prioritization measures of items: material criticality (MC) at activity level and overall criticality (OC) at project level by incorporating project network characteristic through activity criticality (AC) values. Design/methodology/approach - The costs or penalties which determine criticality of items are hidden in nature and are difficult to measure and model mathematically. Hence, Fuzzy Inference System (FIS), which captures experts' tacit knowledge in the form of linguistic If-Then rules has been used. Findings - OC obtained can be used as a measure to prioritize items for procurement aligned with on-site build strategy and as a surrogate measure of shortage cost coefficient for inventory models. The analyses of output to observe the effect of AC on OC values of items, clearly demonstrate the novelty and importance of incorporating project network characteristics in materials management decision making. Originality/value - In this work, we are able to leverage managerial tacit knowledge derived through years of experience and convert it into a readily usable quantitative parameter OC for prioritization of items to be procured. For identifying the input parameters for OC, we brought in the new perspective of including project network characteristics to align materials and project management.


One hundred and ten patients who had been entered into an ulcer healing study 2 to 4 years previously were recalled during an 8-week period for clinical assessment and endoscopy. Fifty-five gastric ulcer patients were followed-up after an average period of 21.2 months. Nine of these had undergone gastric surgery; of the remaining 46 patients, recurrent ulceration was found in 16 (35%). Fifty-five patients with duodenal ulcer disease were also followed-up after an average of 35.6 months. Five of these patients had undergone surgery and of the remaining 50, 25 (50%) had a recurrent duodenal ulcer. About one-third of both gastric and duodenal ulcer recurrences were asymptomatic. Smoking had no effect on recurrence rates.


The liberal education and specifically its core subjects that includes humanities, social sciences and fine arts are at the risk in Higher Learning Institution (HLI) of Asian countries due to forced reorientation of HLI to assume market needs. This paper argues, however, that enduring as well as consolidating the liberal education in HLI of Asia is vital for not only providing the students with knowledge essential to their future career but also to ensure the maintenance of Asian values. Nonetheless, to introduce this argument, it will be necessary to acknowledge how the liberal education can actually provide the students of HLI with knowledge essential to their future career and helps maintain Asian values. Accordingly, by analyzing various sources such as books, journals, newspapers, blogs, facebook and interview with few randomly selected respondents, this paper presents the importance of enduring and consolidating the liberal education in the HLI of Asian countries. This paper starts with a discussion on what exactly is the meaning of liberal education and ended with some suggestions on how the liberal education should be endured and consolidated in Asian countries as well as at the global level.


Organizational identity offers a theory and practice for analyzing the intersubjective meaning of organizational behavior. It advances an explanation of individual feelings about organizations rooted in infancy, what Winnicott (1965) calls a "holding environment," and an explanation of interpersonal relationships in adulthood but with origins in infancy and childhood, what Kohut (1977; 1984) calls "selfobject transferences. "It further presents the notion of transference of emotions in hierarchical organizations as an instrument for observing and explaining key interpersonal relationships between organizational super ordinates and subordinates, and between organizational analysts and clients. Knowing organizational identity provides an understanding of unconscious motivations governing the behavior of organizational members.


The first two-dimensional particle in cell simulation of the reconnection region of two merging torus plasmas lead us to quantitative studies on the energy conversion mechanism under a high out-of-plane (guide) magnetic field condition. Even with the existence of the strong guide field, magnetic reconnection causes the efficient conversion of in-plane (poloidal) magnetic field energy. The ratio of the plasma kinetic energy flux of ions to that of electrons is roughly two to one, in agreement with the recent experimental results. Due to the suppression of nonlinear dynamics of ions motions in the vicinity of the reconnection region with guide field, the major energy flux of ions is changed to the flow energy flux. For electrons, a field-aligned acceleration caused by parallel electric field generates the non-thermal electrons through trapping (bouncing) effect, which is exhausted as the anisotropic energy flux of electrons. The inventory of the converted magnetic energy in the case with the guide field is quantitatively revealed.


Biochemical analyses of the Hormoconis resinae fungal mycelium would explain behaviour differences of corrosive and non-corrosive strains on Al and its aeronautical alloys. In previous works its aggressiveness had been studied through SEM-EDX surface analysis, electrochemical techniques and immersion testing. In this paper separation of the proteins of the mycelium produced by a non-corrosive strain and its culture along three generations was performed. Cultures were prepared in batch in the presence and absence of pure Al and AA 2024, AA 7005 and AA 7075 alloys. The mycelia grown throughout the three generations increasingly recovered usual characteristics at the third replication, included their corrosiveness on Al and its alloys previously shown by all our strains. Amongst the bio-molecule fractions isolated and analysed during this preliminary study only the proteins revealed changes with the generation grown. When this fungal strain was cultured in the presence of alloy metal sheets electrophoresis of the protean fraction was correlative with the distinct mycelia behaviour observed, including corrosiveness on Al and its alloys.


In the following white paper, cyber bullying will be defined and the long lasting imprint it has on the community will be examined. The information outlined is relevant because of the multitude of people and organizations that will be influenced due to the rapidly emerging issues that arise from the acts of cyber bullying. Law enforcement and educators should devote more time and effort to prevent cyber bullying in youth. Amanda Todd, Phoebe Prince, and Tyler Clementi are all examples of youth suicide victims stemming directly from the newly introduced internet form of harassment. The lives of Sean Mulveyhill and Dharun Ravi are other instances that illustrate the pit falls associated with this crisis. These individuals, their roles, and outcomes are chronicled. Cyber bulling not only costs the lives of those affected, it also has a costly financial burden using monies from proactive and/or reactive funding. This paper will define proactive and reactive funding and will address the preferred method. Taking preventative measures to cyber bullying will save lives, money, and careers.


Meinardus et al. (1993) conducted a geologic evaluation of the Downie roadcut on U.S. Highway 285, 14.6 km (9 miles) north of Sanderson in Terrell County, TX. The roadcut was constructed in 1965. The exposures in the roadcut exhibited offset shot holes with an updip component on the massive limestone of the Santa Elena Formation exposed on the roadcut walls. The total displacement across three bedding planes in the limestone along which the shot holes were offset was approximately 73 cm. The offset shot holes have been interpreted by Bolden (1991) as evidence of active faulting in west Texas. The interpretation by Bolden (1991) implied an annualized total displacement of about 2.5 cm/year. The purpose of the geologic evaluation by Meinardus et al. (1993) was to determine whether active faulting was occurring and whether the structural style invoked by Bolden (1991) as the cause of the active faulting was present. Evidence of active or recent faulting is important in the environmental and regulatory context because state and federal location standards for many types of waste management facilities explicitly address faults and standoff distances from active faults (e.g., 30 TAC 335.204; 40 CFR 264.18).

Meinardus et al. (1993) concluded that active faulting was unlikely, that the offset shot holes were caused by blasting effects, and that the structural style and fracture patterns exposed in the roadcut did not support the Reidel shear system postulated by Bolden (1991). Meinardus et al. (1993) made two sets of displacement measurements over 9 months in 1992 and concluded that there was no measurable displacement across the planes of interest during this time frame. The permanent benchmarks established in the rock offer the opportunity for subsequent displacement measurements over a much longer time period. The offset measurements reported in this Technical Note were made in …


We give a characterization of the central shell-focusing curvature singularity that can form in the spherical gravitational collapse of a bound matter distribution obeying the dominant energy condition. This characterization is based on the limiting behaviour of the mass function in the neighbourhood of the singularity. Depending on the rate of growth of the mass as a function of the area radius R, the singularity may be either covered or naked. The singularity is naked if this growth rate is slower than R, covered if it is faster than R, and either naked or covered if the growth rate is the same as R.


Supporting physiological childbirth is a core midwifery competency and an important part of midwifery professional identity. Medicalized births, hierarchical relationships and routinized care are challenging for midwives. In the Integrated care model in the Netherlands, midwives will need to learn to collaborate effectively with other maternity professionals, without losing their professional identity. For this dissertation, the Rapid Prototyping methodology was used to design and develop education aimed at strengthening student self-efficacy. Focus groups provided insights into educational needs and the validated Dutch Optimality Index provided an evidence base. With midwifery stakeholders, a prototype programme was designed and implemented in the third year of the bachelor's programme. This prototype, the 'ESSENTIAL programme' aimed to strengthen students' ability to communicate the evidence powerfully and persuasively and to reflect on their own practices around childbirth. The ESSENTIAL programme shows promising results. Higher levels of self-efficacy were measured indicating that students are more effective in their role as advocates of physiological childbirth.


Mechanochromic polymers can be used as stress- and damage-detecting sensors in polymeric materials, given that mechanical stimuli can be visualized by color changes. Although many types of mechanochromic polymers have been reported so far, there are only few examples on their further functionalization based on multiple color changes (multicolor mechanochromism). Herein, preliminary results are reported on the use of multicolor mechanochromism to detect the duration of the mechanical stimulation by simply mixing white powders of two mechanochromic polystyrene samples that contain a different radical-type mechanochromophore at the midpoint of each polymer chain and thus exhibit different colors in response to mechanical stimuli. The mechanosensitivity can be tuned via the polymer length and shape, and a combination of these two types of mechanochromic polymers allows detecting the duration with multicolor mechanochromism, i.e., a color change from white to blue upon short exposure to grinding and a color change from white to gray upon longer exposure to grinding. Electron paramagnetic resonance and solid-state UV-vis measurements support the mechanism proposed for this multiple mechanochromism.


The role of solute hydrogen and hydrides in the degradation of the mechanical properties of pure titanium was examined in this study. Commercially pure (99.5) titanium was electrolytically charged with hydrogen from 50 to 2500 mass ppm and then heated in Ar at 723 K for 3 h to obtain a homogeneous solution of hydrogen. Three types of cooling process after heating were employed to obtain hydrides with different morphologies and solute hydrogen: furnace cooling and water quenching, both to room temperature, and air cooling to 473 K. The microstructures obtained with each process were coarsely precipitated hydrides or finely dispersed hydrides with dissolved hydrogen, and solute hydrogen, respectively. The ratio of the fracture strain of the hydrogencharged specimens to that of the asreceived specimen was used as an index of hydrogen degradation susceptibility (DS). The specimens having coarse hydrides showed a steep increase in DS above 600 mass ppm of absorbed hydrogen due to hydride precipitation and fracture, while the specimens with solute hydrogen showed a milder increase in DS, suggesting that solute hydrogen had a different effect on degradation. The change in DS with the strain rate of the tensile test varied for each type of specimen. The specimens with coarse hydrides showed an increase in DS in the high strain rate region due to preferred fracture of hydrides. On the other hand, DS of the specimens with solute hydrogen increased with a lower strain rate, suggesting interaction between solute hydrogen and mobile dislocations, which is also found in other metallic materials. [doi:10.2320/jinstmet.JC201402]


Cognitive radio (CR) has been advocated to improve the network spectrum efficiency for decades, and the cooperation between the primary and secondary systems has become a new paradigm to further improve the spectrum utilization. However, in practice, secondary transmitters (STs) are usually power constrained, which limits the application of cooperative cognitive radio networks (CCRN). In this paper, to tackle this, we consider a novel spectrum sharing CCRN powered by energy access points (EAPs) that can charge users wirelessly, in which a multi-antenna secondary user (SU) solely powered by its harvested energy seeks cooperation with a single-antenna primary user (PU) by serving as a deocde-and-forward (DF) relay. We investigate a payoff maximization problem from the SU's perspective, who gets paid by offering data relaying service for PU but has to pay for WEH, and obtain its optimal DF relay and WEH strategy. A greedy-based algorithm that can assign the ST to right EAPs is also proposed for the ease of implementation. The proposed scheme is shown to be effective by simulations with a negligible gap to the optimal solution.


abstract:  Paraoistosomum novaeguineae n. gen., n. sp. is described based on specimens from the kidneys of a New Guinea crocodile Crocodylus novaeguineae collected in Papua New Guinea. The body shape and the topology of most internal organs of the new species are strongly reminiscent of Oistosomum caduceus Odhner 1902, the sole member of Oistosomum, a genus of unclear phylogenetic relationships and systematic position described from the Nile crocodile in Sudan in 1902 and never reported since then. At the same time, the new species has a number of significant differences from Oistosomum caduceus. Among them are much shorter intestinal ceca, a relatively larger ventral sucker, ovary anterolateral to ventral sucker (posterolateral in O. caduceus), vitellaria arranged in 2 clusters of loosely organized follicles at the level of ventral sucker (2 narrow long lateral fields in O. caduceus), much longer esophagus, and other characters. Most importantly, the new species has the genital pore situated at the anterior body end adjacent to the oral sucker, whereas O. caduceus has the genital pore in front of the ventral sucker. These dramatic differences suggest establishment of a new genus for the species from Papua New Guinea. The anatomy of P. novaeguineae n. gen., n. sp. suggests that these genera may not belong to the Plagiorchiidae, the current familial allocation of Oistosomum. Scarcity of material and lack of molecular data do not permit clarification of this problem at the present time.


In the adult mouse, epidermal growth factor (EGF) is synthesized in granular convoluted tubule (intralobular) duct cells of the submandibular gland and in distal tubule cells of the kidney. The presence of EGF in developing tissues and maternal milk and the localization of EGF receptors in developing tissues suggest a role for EGF in developmental processes. The primary aims of the present study were to: (1) localize EGF and EGF-binding sites in the kidney and submandibular gland during neonatal development and (2) to determine the effect of exogenously administered EGF on cell proliferation in these two developing organs. In the present study, EGF was localized by immunocytochemistry in granular convoluted tubule cells of the submandibular gland initially on day 21 after birth and in distal tubule cells of the kidney on postnatal day 6. EGF binding in the kidney decreased after birth with some localization to the glomerulus. In submandibular glands of newborn and 10-day-old mice, EGF-binding sites were associated with both acinar and duct cells with peak binding at 10 days postnatally. Submandibular glands from 20-day-old mice demonstrated primarily ductal EGF-binding sites. Exogenously administered EGF induced a mitogenic response in acinar and interlobular duct cells of submandibular glands during the first week after birth. EGF treatment during this period had an inhibitory effect on 3H-thymidine incorporation into cellular compartments in the developing kidney. The identification of EGF-binding sites in the kidney and submandibular gland before the presence of EGF suggests that an EGF-like molecule such as transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) may be present as a potential ligand in these organs. In order to assess this possibility, developing kidneys and submandibular glands were stained with anti-TGF-alpha. These immunocytochemical studies localized TGF-alpha to the proximal tubule of the kidney and immature acinar cells of the newborn mouse. Our data strongly support an autocrine, juxtacrine or paracrine role for EGF and/or TGF-alpha in the regulation of cell proliferation and cytodifferentiation in the kidney and submandibular gland.


This paper presents a comparison in terms of accuracy and complexity between two approaches used for state estimation of linear systems: a classic Kalman filter and a guaranteed set-membership state estimation technique. The main goal of this paper is to analyze the advantages of these techniques and to combine them in the future in a new accurate and simple extension that handles system uncertainties and chance constraints. Two academic examples illustrate the main differences between the compared techniques.


Researchers evaluated a differential tube solubility test's ability to detect Hemoglobin S (Hb S) in sickle cell conditions. Six hundred twenty-nine blood samples, including 190 S hemoglobinopathies, were used to assess test performance. Alkaline cellulose acetate electrophoresis was used to confirm all results. The test correctly indicated the presence of Hb S in every case in which Hb S was found on electrophoresis. Six of the 198 specimens containing Hb S incorrectly differentiated the heterozygous from the homozygous state (two with Hb AS, three with Hb SF, and one with Hb SC). Electrophoresis later showed four of these samples to be inappropriate for solubility testing. Three of these specimens contained Hb SF and the other specimen contained Hb SC. One specimen from a patient with polycythemia gave a false positive result. Results were compared using different methods of centrifugation. This solubility test was found to be dependable as a screening method provided the manufacturer's directions are followed and all positive results are confirmed by electrophoresis.


Brown eggs are popular in many countries and consumers regard eggshell brownness as an important indicator of egg quality. However, the potential regulatory proteins and detailed molecular mechanisms regulating eggshell brownness have yet to be clearly defined. In the present study, we performed quantitative proteomics analysis with iTRAQ technology in the shell gland epithelium of hens laying dark and light brown eggs to investigate the candidate proteins and molecular mechanisms underlying variation in chicken eggshell brownness. The results indicated 147 differentially expressed proteins between these two groups, among which 65 and 82 proteins were significantly up-regulated in the light and dark groups, respectively. Functional analysis indicated that in the light group, the down-regulated iron-sulfur cluster assembly protein (Iba57) would decrease the synthesis of protoporphyrin IX; furthermore, the up-regulated protein solute carrier family 25 (mitochondrial carrier; adenine nucleotide translocator), member 5 (SLC25A5) and down-regulated translocator protein (TSPO) would lead to increased amounts of protoporphyrin IX transported into the mitochondria matrix to form heme with iron, which is supplied by ovotransferrin protein (TF). In other words, chickens from the light group produce less protoporphyrin IX, which is mainly used for heme synthesis. Therefore, the exported protoporphyrin IX available for eggshell deposition and brownness is reduced in the light group. The current study provides valuable information to elucidate variation of chicken eggshell brownness, and demonstrates the feasibility and sensitivity of iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics analysis in providing useful insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying brown eggshell pigmentation.


Abstract #2045 Introduction: Breast cancer is characterized by a distinct metastatic pattern involving lymph nodes, bone marrow, lung, liver and brain. The chemokine CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 are suggested to play a role in invasion and organ-specific metastasis. Signaling pathways downstream of CXCL12:CXCR4 involved in invasion and/or metastasis are not known.
 Methods: MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were sorted for CXCR4-positive and CXCR4-negative subpopulation by FACS and subjected to microarray gene expression analysis. Differentially expressed genes were further verified by RT-PCR or qRT-PCR. siRNA or shRNA expression studies were used to evaluate the role of genes overexpressed in CXCR4-positive cells in invasion through Matrigel. Orthotopic xenograft model is being used to evaluate primary tumor growth and metastasis pattern of CXCR4-positive and CXCR4-negative subpopulation with various manipulations.
 Results: ITF2B, a class I bHLH transcription factor, is expressed at ∼4-fold higher level in CXCR4-positive cells. ITF2B mRNA level was lower in CXCR4 siRNA treated or CXCR4shRNA expressing CXCR4-positive cells suggesting that ITF2B is the direct target of CXCL12:CXCR4. ITF2B siRNA reduced invasion of CXCR4-positive cells whereas ITF2B overexpression increased invasive capacity of CXCR4-negative cells. ITF2B is a Wnt β-catenin regulated gene with transforming ability and controls the function of Inhibitor of DNA binding family of transcription factors (ID1 to ID4). ID1 is essential for lung metastasis whereas ID2 induces differentiation of breast cancer cells and higher levels of ID2 correlates with favorable prognosis in breast cancer. ID2 expression was higher in CXCR4-negative cells and its overexpression in CXCR4-positive cells reduced invasion. Both CXCR4 and ITF2B are involved in reducing ID2 expression as siRNA against both of these genes increased ID2 mRNA in CXCR4-positive cells. Interestingly, CXCR4-negative cells appear to have adapted to alternative mode of invasion/metastasis as these cells express higher levels of metastasis-associated genes such as TWIST and MT1-MMP. Xenograft studies with cells overexpressing ITF2B and ID2 are currently underway.
 Conclusions: CXCL12:CXCR4 activated signaling pathways target ID family/bHLH transcription factor network to promote invasion of breast cancer cells. Inducers of ID2 may help to overcome CXCR4- mediated invasion and/or metastasis of cancer cells. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 2045.


Passages organised by concept names, concept att,ibOtes, and 'by randomization wee presented to students for study and recall , and measures of :verbal comprehension, verba! associative memory, closure, and subjective organizatiCn wee taken. The. Name 'coup recalled more correct stateents than the"3ther groups, clustering by names was vedcminant for al groups, and unique patterns of torelations were obtained among cogn1t,:,ve factcfs and recall scores for each group. -These rest: pindicated that 'earning a highly orgAnjzed passa4e and,lisihg a vefey'ed eca]l strategy yielded-.superior recall.. The analysts of.the subject-I 2 organiza.tidn data indicated that high organizers were not highly influenced by the inherent'structure.of the learnifig.matefials, whereas low organizers were. Th6s, students low in subjective' organization require highly strucutred materials, while students high in subjective organization perform similarly on materials with high and 0 low structure. : The Effects. of Pr se Organization and Individual ( .Differences on Free Recall . , . Thomas G. James and Bobby R. Brown Florid4 State University Adaptirig instructional procedures to the cognitive characteristics of learners is an important methodological development which could greatly affect future insiructional,deOgn procedures, Howeer, research, designed to Rrovde a rationale for adapting, nsteuction to indivtdual differences has not been Artitularly successtui,; that -is, it one's criterion for success is signiflicant disordinal 4tituier treatment interactibns. -For example, in an examination ,o+ 90 Aptitude-treatment interaction studies, BraCht (1970) found only 5


Vibrio vulnificus may cause severe soft tissue infections of the upper extremity. This pathogen usually gains access to soft tissues either by direct inoculation through a penetrating injury by an infected marine animal or by exposing abraded skin to contaminated water. We report five patients with Vibrio vulnificus hand infections following superficial hand injuries incurred within 24 hours after uneventful handling of fish. This clinical observation, together with the fact that the physiologic characteristics of human sweat simulate the natural environment of the Vibrio vulnificus, support the assumption that human skin may serve as a reservoir for Vibrios. The anamnesis in patients presenting with hand infection should essentially include an inquiry regarding recent, albeit uneventful, fish handling.


Globally, suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth ages 15-29-years, and self-harm is one of the strongest known predictors of death by suicide. This editorial introduces the Special Issue on suicide and self-harm, emphasizing the research and policy implications of the included articles. By illustrating advances in our science, the Special Issue both celebrates our achievements and highlights the need to use our science to inform suicide prevention policy and practice to reduce the tragedy of suicide and premature deaths.


ABSTRACT The Raman and infrared spectrum of the antimonate mineral stibiconite were used to define aspects of the molecular structure of the mineral. Bands attributable to water, OH stretching and bending, and SbO stretching and bending were assigned. The mineral has been shown to contain both calcium and water and the formula is probably best written (O,OH,H2O)6–7 where y approaches 1 and x varies from 0 to 1. Infrared spectroscopy complimented with thermogravimetric analysis proves the presence of water in the stibiconite structure. The mineral stibiconite is formed through replacement of the sulphur in stibnite. No Raman or infrared bands attributable to stibnite were indentified in the spectra.


We have developed a theoretical platform for modelling temperature-dependent exciton transport in organic materials, using indenofluorene trimers as a case study. Our atomistic molecular dynamics simulations confirm the experimentally observed occurrence of a liquid crystalline smectic phase at room temperature and predict a phase transition to the isotropic phase between 375 and 400 K. Strikingly, the increased orientational disorder at elevated temperatures barely affects the ability of excitons to be transported over large distances, though disorder influences the directionality of the energy diffusion process. Detailed quantum-chemical calculations show that this result arises from a trade-off between reduced excitonic couplings and increased spectral overlap at high temperatures. Our results suggest that liquid crystalline oligomeric materials could be promising candidates for engineering optoelectronic devices that require stable and controlled electronic properties over a wide range of temperatures and supramolecular arrangements.


Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a constellation of functional upper abdominal complaints with poorly elucidated pathophysiology. However, there is increasing evidence that susceptibility to FD is influenced by hereditary factors. Genetic association studies in FD have examined genotypes related to gastrointestinal motility or sensation, as well as those related to inflammation or immune response. G-protein b3 subunit gene polymorphisms were first reported as being associated with FD. Thereafter, several gene polymorphisms including serotonin transporter promoter, interlukin-17F, migration inhibitory factor, cholecystocynine-1 intron 1, cyclooxygenase-1, catechol-o-methyltransferase, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor, regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted, p22PHOX, Toll like receptor 2, SCN10A, CD14 and adrenoreceptors have been investigated in relation to FD; however, the results are contradictory. Several limitations underscore the value of current studies. Among others, inconsistencies in the definitions of FD and controls, subject composition differences regarding FD subtypes, inadequate samples, geographical and ethnical differences, as well as unadjusted environmental factors. Further well-designed studies are necessary to determine how targeted genes polymorphisms, influence the clinical manifestations and potentially the therapeutic response in FD.


An experimental arrangement is demonstrated that overcomes some difficulties in thermo-mechanical testing of thin Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires under uniaxial tension. It is now well known that stress-induced transformations in some SMAs under uniaxial loading can lead to mechanical instabilities and propagating phase transformation fronts. Critical parameters, such as nucleation barriers are difficult to measure by conventional testing techniques and are often masked by unavoidable stress concentrations at grips. In addition, simultaneous full field measurements of localized deformation and temperature fields are difficult to obtain for different ambient conditions. The current scheme uses a temperature-controlled conduction block and a non-uniform temperature field induced by thermoelectric modules to uncover the underlying thermo-mechanical response of the wire. The approach also allows access for optical and infrared imaging of the specimen deformation and temperature fields.


The term "travelling fire" is used to label fires which burn locally and move across the floor over a period of time in large compartments. Through experimental and numerical campaigns and while observing the tragic travelling fire events, it became clear that such fires imply a transient heating of the surrounding structure. The necessity to better characterize the thermal impact generated on the structure by a travelling fire motivated the development of an analytical model allowing to capture, in a simple manner, the multidimensional transient heating of a structure considering the effect of the ventilation. This paper first presents the basic assumptions of a new analytical model which is based on the virtual solid flame concept; a comparison of the steel temperatures measured during a travelling fire test in a steel-framed building with the ones obtained analytically is then presented. The limitations inherent to the analyticity of the model are also discussed. This paper suggests that the developed analytical model can allow for both an acceptable representation of the travelling fire in terms of fire spread and steel temperatures while not being computationally demanding, making it potentially desirable for pre-design.


One of the enduring issues and problems in Indonesia is the link and match between vocational secondary schools and the world of work in terms of quantity, quality, location, and time. This research focuses on the first issue i.e. quantity of vocational secondary school graduates in terms of supply and demand. The objective of this research was to explore the proportion of general secondary and vocational secondary school students, to find out the unemployment rate of both school types, and to identify policy alternatives to reduce the unemployment rate of vocational secondary school graduates. To achieve the objective, a quantitative descriptive research method was adopted. The research found that the national average proportion of students from general secondary schools and vocational secondary schools was 62.92%:37.08% in 2016 and 63.39%:36.61% in 2019. The national average unemployment rate of both school graduates was 8.72% and 11.11%% respectively in 2016, and 7.92% and 10.42% respectively in 2019. Thus, the unemployment rate of vocational secondary school graduates was higher than those of general secondary school graduates. In Java Island, however, where the population is about 40% of the Indonesian total population, the percentage of vocational secondary students increases significantly from 44.34%:55.66% in 2016 to 39.91%:60.09% in 2019. For this reason, a new policy is needed to reduce the unemployment rate of vocational secondary school graduates in the form of a moratorium for vocational secondary school expansion, particularly in Java Island. If for some reason, there is a need to build new vocational secondary schools in a certain area, it must be based on demand-driven guided by labor market signals. More comprehensively, a policy shift is required to reduce the unemployment of graduates from secondary vocational schools.


Today, the Criminal Court Procedure is not the sole mechanism to put the responsibiliy for the serious violence against human rights. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (KKR) which has been developed is considered to be another procedure to overcome national problems, and also is expected to respond individual injustice among the victims. Keywords: Human Rights, Reconsiliation, Rekonsiliasi, Truth And Reconciliation Commission


The pronounced synovial hyperplasia often found in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis could be explained partially by the action of monocyte-macrophage polypeptides (monokines). This report demonstrates that two cytokines which may be derived from monocyte-macrophage populations, namely platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), stimulate the DNA synthesis and proliferation of human synovial fibroblast-like cells cultured in low (i.e., 1%) fetal bovine serum. Epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor-II (multiplication stimulating activity) and substance P were inactive. Unlike IL-1, PDGF and FGF do not also stimulate PGE2, plasminogen activator, and hyaluronic acid levels. Thus PDGF and FGF, arising from stimulated monocyte-macrophages, may play a role in the stimulation of mesenchymal cell proliferation that often accompanies chronic inflammatory arthritic disease. The synovial cells respond to a variety of cytokines in different ways suggesting multiple-signaling pathways.


BACKGROUND
The modern imaging techniques of transesophageal echocardiography, CT, and MRI are reported to have up to 100% sensitivity in detecting the classic class of aortic dissection; however, anecdotal reports of patient deaths from a missed diagnosis of subtle classes of variants are increasingly being noted.

METHODS AND RESULTS
In a series of 181 consecutive patients who had ascending or aortic arch repairs, 9 patients (5%) had subtle aortic dissection not diagnosed preoperatively. All preoperative studies in patients with missed aortic dissection were reviewed in detail. All 9 patients (2 with Marfan syndrome, 1 with Takayasu's disease) with undiagnosed aortic dissection had undergone >/=3 imaging techniques, with the finding of ascending aortic dilatation (4.7 to 9 cm) in all 9 and significant aortic valve regurgitation in 7. In 6 patients, an eccentric ascending aortic bulge was present but not diagnostic of aortic dissection on aortography. At operation, aortic dissection tears were limited in extent and involved the intima without extensive undermining of the intima or an intimal "flap." Eight had composite valve grafts inserted, and all survived. Of the larger series of 181 patients, 98% (179 of 181) were 30-day survivors.

CONCLUSIONS
In patients with suspected aortic dissection not proven by modern noninvasive imaging techniques, further study should be performed, including multiple views of the ascending aorta by aortography. If patients have an ascending aneurysm, particularly if eccentric on aortography and associated with aortic valve regurgitation, an urgent surgical repair should be considered, with excellent results expected.


ABSTRACT Iron deficiency remains a global public health challenge, with a higher burden in children in the tropics. When it occurs early in life, it may have long-term effects on neurodevelopment. The aims of this study were to assess the iron status of children aged 6–24 months, to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency and its associated factors in Ibadan, Nigeria. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study between March and June 2014. A total of 202 apparently healthy children aged between 6 and 24 months attending 2 major immunization clinics in Ibadan were included. A questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, pregnancy and birth history, and nutritional history. Physical examination was carried out on all the subjects, and serum ferritin level was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Iron deficiency was defined using a cutoff value of <30 µg/L. Fifty-nine children (29.2%) had iron deficiency. No clinical features were found to be significantly associated with iron deficiency. Iron deficiency was associated with breastfeeding (P = .020) and younger age (P = .015) in the study population. One hundred and forty-three (70.8%) of the study participants had anemia, and 39 (19.3%) had iron deficiency anemia. The prevalence of iron deficiency among apparently healthy children aged 6–24 months in Ibadan, Nigeria, is high. There is the need for a national policy on routine screening for iron deficiency and iron supplementation for infants and young children as recommended by the World Health Organization.


Multiphase chemistry of isomeric isoprene epoxydiols (IEPOX) has been shown to be the dominant source of isoprene-derived secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Recent studies have reported particles composed of ammonium bisulfate (ABS) mixed with model organics exhibit slower rates of IEPOX uptake. In the present study, we investigate the effect of atmospherically relevant organic coatings of α-pinene (AP) SOA on the reactive uptake of trans-β-IEPOX onto ABS particles under different conditions and coating thicknesses. Single particle mass spectrometry was used to characterize in real-time particle size, shape, density, and quantitative composition before and after reaction with IEPOX. We find that IEPOX uptake by pure sulfate particles is a volume-controlled process, which results in particles with uniform concentration of IEPOX-derived SOA across a wide range of sizes. Aerosol acidity was shown to enhance IEPOX-derived SOA formation, consistent with recent studies. The presence of water has a weaker impact on IEPOX-derived SOA yield, but significantly enhanced formation of 2-methyltetrols, consistent with offline filter analysis. In contrast, IEPOX uptake by ABS particles coated with AP-derived SOA is lower compared to that of pure ABS particles, strongly dependent on particle composition, and therefore on particle size.