Sterically hindered esters or esters of drugs with macromolecular carriers like dextran and cyclodextrin find wide applicability in colon-targeted delivery. We report here synthesis, in vitro release kinetics of macromolecular prodrug of 4-aminosalicylic acid (4-ASA) with β-cyclodextrin and its extensive pharmacological evaluation in 2, 4, 6- trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid - induced colitis in rats. Formyl 4-ASA was conjugated with β-cyclodextrin by CDI coupling followed by deprotection of the final product which was then characterized by IR, 1H-NMR and LC-MS. In vitro stability and release were studied in buffers (pH 1.2 and 7.4), stomach/small intestinal homogenates and rat cecal/fecal matters. The prodrug resisted pH-dependent hydrolysis. In stomach and small intestinal homogenates 20-23% release was observed (t1/2: 1278 and 1103 min respectively) while 68% and 92% release was furnished in rat cecal and fecal matters (t1/2: 341 and 245 min respectively). Mitigating effect of 4-AβCyd on colitis was moderate when compared with sulfasalazine or 4/5-ASA administered rectally, but it was comparable to that of aminosalicylates administered orally, suggesting incomplete delivery of 4-ASA to colon due to partial hydrolysis of 4-AβCyd in the upper GIT. The histological assessment of pancreas and liver of the prodrug-treated group showed no pathological changes indicating its better safety profile than that of sulfasalazine or oral 5-ASA. The prodrug brought about significant lowering in ulcer index compared to aminosalicylates suggesting significant improvement in gastro-protective effect than oral aminosalicylates.


In this paper, we present the design of a 1.0 μm misalignment-tolerant taper for the evanescent coupling of light in a III-V-on-silicon opto-electronic device realized on an SOI waveguide platform with 400 nm thick Si device layer. The designed taper is also fabrication tolerant and is suitable for the transfer-printing-based integration of pre-processed III-V devices on Si photonics waveguide circuits. The design procedure is flexible and can take into account the limitations in critical dimensions imposed by the fabrication process.


In animals, Tandem CCCH Zinc Finger (TZF) proteins can affect gene expression at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. In Arabidopsis thaliana, AtTZF1 is a member of the TZF family characterized by a plant-unique tandem zinc finger motif. AtTZF1 can bind both DNA and RNA in vitro, and it can traffic between the nucleus and cytoplasmic foci. However, no in vivo DNA/RNA targets have been identified so far, and little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying AtTZF1's profound effects on plant growth, development, and stress responses. In order to determine whether AtTZF1 can function as a transcription factor, transactivation assays were conducted. Results indicated that AtTZF1 fusion proteins could not exert obvious transcriptional activity in a maize protoplast transient expression system. However, this conclusion might be biased due to poor nuclear localization of AtTZF1 fusion proteins in the assay system.


Recent advancements in technology, access to smartphone, and gains achieved in increased internet speed and data transfer have expanded the scope of health care service delivery through the digital platforms. In India, telemedicine services remain poorly adopted and integrated due to various barriers. The important reasons are lack of legal and administrative clarity in using technology for service delivery and inertia from health service providers to adopt newer developments. However, during coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, these equations are changing. The Telemedicine practice guidelines released in March, 2020, and Telepsychiatry operational guidelines released in May, 2020, appear to remove these barriers and promote equitable access to health care. In this article, the authors discuss the scope of these guidelines.


The aim of this work was the examination of the microbiological and technological properties of a lactic acid bacterium (CWBI-B623) isolated from chicken faeces in sahelian region (Burkina Faso). The strain CWBI-B623 is a Gram positive rod, asporogenous, catalase-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non motile and mesophilic. The analysis showed that it produce L(+)-lactic acid via homofermentative pathway and it was able to ferment an important number of the carbohydrates of API 50CHL system. The 16S-rDNAsequence analysis revealed that the isolate was phylogenetically a member of the genus Lactobacillus  and formed a subline within the Lactobacillus casei cluster. The minimal inhibitory concentration of CWBI-B623 for bile salts was higher than 1% and the survival rates to acidity with pH 3.0 and pH 2.5 were 26 and 1.2%, respectively. CWBI-B623 is an Lactobacillus casei species based on its physiological and biochemical properties and it could be a good candidate for probiotic formulations. Key words: Lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus , probiotic, biodiversity.


We present new observations of the Kuiper belt analogues around HD 38858 and HD 20794, hosts of super-Earth mass planets within 1 au. As two of the four nearby G-type stars (with HD 69830 and 61 Vir) that form the basis of a possible correlation between low-mass planets and debris disc brightness, these systems are of particular interest. The disc around HD 38858 is well resolved with Herschel and we constrain the disc geometry and radial structure. We also present a probable JCMT sub-mm continuum detection of the disc and a CO J=2-1 upper limit. The disc around HD 20794 is much fainter and appears marginally resolved with Herschel, and is constrained to be less extended than the discs around 61 Vir and HD 38858. We also set limits on the radial location of hot dust recently detected around HD 20794 with near-IR interferometry. We present HARPS upper limits on unseen planets in these four systems, ruling out additional super-Earths within a few au, and Saturn-mass planets within 10 au. We consider the disc structure in the three systems with Kuiper bel t analogues (HD 69830 has only a warm dust detection), concluding that 61 Vir and HD 38858 have greater radial disc extent than HD 20794. We speculate that the greater width is related to the greater


Background In the TRACK TgHD minipig study, we aim to investigate characteristics of the transgenic Libéchov minipig as a model for HD. Annual MRI scans are performed, including anatomical, spectroscopic and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) sequences. To be able to perform quantitative analysis like the fractional anisotropy (FA), a standard brain is needed as target for registration of imaging data. To date, no standard brain atlas for the Libéchov minipig exists. Aims To provide a stereotaxic standard brain atlas of the Libéchov minipig that serves primarily as target for registration of diffusion weighted MR images. Methods/techniques 36 T1 weighted, sagittal acquired MRI volumes of 32 Libéchov minipigs were transformed into a common coordinate system and skull-stripped with a BET algorithm. The extracted brains were coregistered with a 12 parameter affine registration within multiple iteration steps. To define the anatomical structures, an available MR-based statistical atlas of the Göttinger minipig brain was registered on the averaged standard brain and the different regions were carefully compared. Binary maps of 34 segmented brain structures were created. The T1 weighted images were acquired with a 3T Philips Achieva scanner. Results/outcome T1-weighted 3D volumes of brains of 32 minipigs have successfully been acquired. A standard brain template could be created as target for registration. The mapping of structural regions to create a brain atlas is still in progress and will first be presented at the EHDN meeting. Conclusions Most quantitative analysis methods for MR images require registration of the images to a standard volume. Such templates already exist for several species, but not for the Libéchov minipig. The resulting brain template serves as registration target for diffusion weighted MR images and is the first step in creating a Libéchov minipig FA template for quantitative analysis of cross sectional and longitudinal DWI data. This study was supported by a grant of the CHDI Foundation.


The Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) is one of interesting transformerless multilevel converter topology intended for medium and high-voltage power conversion. The MMC is formed by a cascade connection of several identical submodules and requires charge balancing of the multiple floating capacitors of the submodules. This paper proposes a new balancing method for the floating capacitor voltage. The proposed control system uses the common component in the arms current to achieve the total leg voltage and differential arm voltage control. The dynamic modeling of the converter is presented. Therefore, the design of a digital system control is included. Experimental results based on 2.2 kW prototype are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed system.


Two distinct techniques have been used to achieve alignment and ligament balance in TKA. We hypothesized a bone landmark technique would result in normal alignment, stability, and load-bearing characteristics and that the tensioned gap technique results in malalignment. We studied 12 normal cadaveric knees (six with each technique) for stability, alignment, load-bearing stress transfer characteristics, and patellar groove position after TKA. The tensioned gap technique used tensioners to establish equal loads in the medial and lateral ligaments at 90° flexion and to resect the posterior femoral surfaces parallel to the cut tibial surfaces. The bone landmarks technique aligns the anterior and posterior femoral cuts perpendicular to the median sagittal plane as defined by the anteroposterior axis and then resects bone to match implant thickness. The tensioned gap technique maintained nearly equal laxity medially and laterally but the knee shifted into varus malalignment in flexion. Compressive stress in the knee shifted medially in flexion, and the patellar groove shifted laterally. The bone landmarks technique produced near normal varus and valgus and rotational stability; alignment, patellar groove position, and load transfer characteristics remained near normal throughout flexion.


Of nine mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against the lower matrix protein (pp65; ppUL83) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), all immunoprecipitated the 65-kDa protein. Only five were reactive by Western blotting, however, and four of these mapped to linear antigenic epitopes located between amino acids 184-195 (MAb C6), 343-357 (MAb C11), 448-462 (MAb C5), and 448-459 (MAb C13). The epitope specificity of the fifth antibody (MAb C3) and the four that recognised nonlinear sites could not be determined. Competition binding studies using HCMV antigen extracted from productively infected human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF), in an enzyme immunoassay (EIA), showed that three of the antibodies reactive with linear epitopes and two of those reactive with conformational epitopes (MAbs C3, C6, C11, C14, and C18), were unique in their binding specificities. MAb C4 competed with MAb C8 and MAb C5 competed with MAb C13 for binding to ppUL83. One of the linear epitopes identified, corresponding to amino acids SAFVFPTKDVAL (MAb C6), was an epitope described previously for CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes.


FUT-175 (6-amidino-2-naphthyl p-guanidinobenzoate dimethane-sulphonate), a potent serine protease inhibitor, has been reported to inhibit complement activity in vitro, and especially the classical complement pathway effectively. In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effect of FUT-175 on the classical complement pathway components by hemolytic assay using purified human complement components. As a result, 50% inhibition of the C1 protease activity for classical C3 convertase formation and for C2 was obtained with 3.0 x 10(-8) M and 7.0 x 10(-8) M of FUT-175, respectively. FUT-175 did not inhibit the C2 protease activity at all. We then administered FUT-175 to 5 glomerulonephritic patients with hypocomplementemia and proteinuria in order to assess the clinical effectiveness of this drug. When FUT-175 was administered intravenously and continuously at a rate of 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg/hr for 2 weeks, the urinary protein excretion decreased significantly from 2.9 +/- 0.8 to 1.4 +/- 0.5 g/day (P < 0.025). In these patients, some of the serum complement markers (serum C3, C4 level and the hemolytic activity via the classical complement pathway (CH50)) were increased after FUT-175 administration. The above findings suggests that FUT-175 can exert beneficial effects on glomerulonephritis with hypocomplementemia by inhibiting complement activation.


We have investigated the functional organization of the Abdominal-B gene in the bithorax complex using the expression of the Ultrabithorax gene as an assay for Abdominal-B trans-regulatory functions. Using Polycomb mutants to relax the normal spatial control of Ultrabithorax expression, we have examined the effects of Abdominal-B mutations on the expression of Ultrabithorax protein products in parasegment 14. The results support the hypothesis that the Abdominal-B gene contains two trans-regulatory functions: the m element active in parasegments 10-13 and the r element acting exclusively in parasegment 14.


We describe an 840 MHz pulsed radar system developed for airborne sounding of polar glaciers and ice caps. The system performance (ratio of transmitter power to minimum detectable signal) is 126 dB. A sampling time base converts the received signal to audio frequencies, and data are recorded in analogue form on magnetic tape. Computer-enhanced time sections for a glacier and an ice shelf are presented as examples.


Social media is the new technology of computer that enhances the sharing of thoughts and information in order to building virtual networks and communities. Social media is based on internet and facilitate easy electronic communication about personal information and contents, such as photos and videos. Users can engage with social media by using computer, Smartphone or tablet via internet based software or web application. Social media is a tool that initially used by people to interact with family or friends but later it was adopted by businesses that take advantage of a new popular communication method to reach out to customers. The strength of social media is related to share and connect information with everybody all over the world who is using social media. This article argues on social media"s advantages and disadvantages in present era.


Serious systemic disease in fish and amphibians is associated with the ranaviruses, epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) and Bohle iridovirus (BIV) in Australia, and European sheatfish virus (ESV) and European catfish virus (ECV) in Europe. EHNV, ESV and ECV are recognized causative agents of the OIE (Office International des Epizooties) notifiable systemic necrotizing iridovirus syndrome and are currently identified by protein-based assays, none of which are able to rapidly identify the specific agents. The aim of this study was to develop TaqMan real-time PCR assays that differentiated these viruses using nucleotide sequence variation in two ranavirus genes. A conserved probe representing 100% sequence homology was used as a reference for virus-specific probes. The virus-specific probes produced a similar signal level to the conserved probe while those probes binding to non-target viral DNA produced an altered fluorescent curve. The pattern of probe binding was characteristic for each virus. Sensitivity, specificity and dynamic range of the assay were assessed. The test is currently useful as a research and initial screening tool, with the potential to become a sensitive and specific method for detection and differentiation of ranaviruses with further development.


Through an investigation of various clinical cases, heart sounds are found to be quasi-cyclostationary. Nonlinear time scaling from cycle-to-cycle is proposed to enhance cyclic stationarity, where nonlinear time scaling is approximated by a piecewise linear function. The techniques of cyclostationary signal processing are employed in this paper to reduce noise and disturbance in the cycle-frequency domain. Heart sounds can be theoretically recovered in the presence of additive, zero mean noise, and disturbance (perhaps non-Gaussian, nonstationary, or colored). The experimental tests in various conditions confirm the theoretical results.


Lowor non-achievement by students has historically been a problem for teachers and administrators, as well as for parents and students. Same grade retention has been proven by many researchers to be non-productive and in many cases, punitive. The Cumberland Helpers in Partnerships (CHIPs) program was begun at Cumberland Elementary and Junior High School as an interventive measure to combat this problem of low achievement. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students who were considered academically at risk at the end of the first semester of the 1995-1996 school year (N=78) were asked to voluntarily attend tutoring sessions to help improve their grades. Academically proficient junior high students were selected as tutors and they took part in ten training sessions throughout the 18 week tutoring period. Training sessions were conducted by a certified staff member. Tutors were in the tutoring lab four days per week for the 18 week period. At risk students voluntarily self-selected whether they were a member of the experimental group or the control group, depending on whether they attended the tutoring sessions a pre-determined number of times. The experimental group of students (N=29) were those who attended at least 36 of the 72 sessions. The control group {N=49) were those who attended less than 36 of the 72 sessions. Threet-tests were conducted on these at risk students. A pre-program grade point average (GPA) was taken from official school records for each student. At the end of the 18 week period, a post-program GP A was taken for each student. It was found by this researcher that after examination of the mean scores for both preand post-program on both the experimental as well as the control group, more academic progress was made by the control group than the experimental group. A suggestion for further research is recommended in the areas of grades as they impact self-esteem and self-image, and the correlation, if any, between students' grades and parent involvement in the education process.


The study investigated the preservation strategies of audio - visual (AV) records at the National Archives of Namibia (NAN). Data for the study was collected through questionnaires, interviews, observation and a review of documentary sources. The study also found that the legal deposit for AV records has been ineffective because officials responsible for transferring AV records to the National Archives were not aware of the requirement of the Archives and the Namibia Film Commission Acts to transfer records immediately. The study found out that there is no awareness on depositing AV records from the accountable institution, the National Archives of Namibia NAN. The study also found out that the Namibia Film Commission Act, No. 6 of 2000 has not been implemented at all, as there are no audio - visual records from the National Film Commission deposited at the National Archives. The findings also established that there is no single trained AV archivist at NAN, which critically hinders the collection, preservation of records. The study found out that the current legislative arrangements are not relevant to the contemporary needs of audio - visual records preservation and it needs revision. The recommendations arising from the study are that there is a need to amend the Archives Act, No. 12 of 1992, to accommodate the current trends and international standards; develop a national policy and guidelines on audio - visual records; The study recommends for the implementation of training for AV archivists in Namibia; recruitment of staff with expertise in preserving audio - visual archives held at the National Archives.


3D hierarchitectures (HAs) of BiOCl composed of 2D nanosheets, which intercross with each other, have been successfully synthesized by a template-free solvothermal method at 160 °C for 12 h. The morphology and compositional characteristics of the 3D HAs were investigated by various techniques. On the basis of characterization results, the growth of such 3D HAs has been proposed as an Ostwald ripening process followed by self-assembly. The growth and self-assembly of BiOCl nanosheets could be readily tuned with the molar ratio of urea to BiCl3·5H2O, which brought different morphologies and microstructures to the final products. The specific surface area and porosity of the 3D hierarchitectured (HAd) BiOCl also were investigated by using nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms. UV–vis spectra reveal that the band gap energies of the 3D HAs can be tuned from 3.05 eV to 3.32 eV. The as-prepared 3D HAd BiOCl showed much higher photocatalytic activity than that of the reported in the literature, which was evaluated by the degradation of Rhodamine-B (RhB) dye under ultraviolet light irradiation.


In learning physics, students repeatedly encounter vectors (quantities which have a magnitude and a direction). They must be comfortable with vector notation and mathematics in order to solve many physics problems. Physics students are also presented with many types of representations, from graphs to field line diagrams. In solving physics problems students must be able to interpret this multitude of representations. I probed the intersection of students' vectors skills and their skills at interpreting visual representations. Specifically, my project sought to document the extent to which students are able to relate a vector representation of a physical situation to another representation of that same physical situation which does not use vectors. This ability was tested in various contexts throughout the introductory physics curriculum. I created pre-test questions which were administered to students at the University of Washington over three quarters. Responses to these questions were analyzed for correctness, common errors, and consistency. The specific results for each context are presented in the relevant sections of the thesis. However, in all contexts examined, students struggled to relate a vector representation to an alternate representation of a physical situation. Ideas for curriculum development to address this difficulty are presented at the end of this thesis.


Capital buffer is the difference between the bank's capital ratios with a minimum capital adequacy ratio of the central bank imposed . Capital buffers can be used by banks as capital reserves in the event of economic shocks that are not profitable.Committees of international banks (Basel Committee on Banking Supervision) implemented an kesepekatan (Basel Accord), which requires that each bank has a capital reserve (CAR) of 13% in order to strengthen its capital position , reduce inequality on different regulations in each country , and consider the various banking risks international banking in order to realize a healthy and stable . Efficiency is closely linked with the capital buffer. Simply put Efficiency can be measured by using ROA and BOPO. In this research the efficiency is measured by the non -parametric methods make use of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) using three input variables , namely the Third Party Funds (DPK), labor costs and other operating costs as well as using a variable output that is lending. The research was conducted on BUMN Banks and non BUMN Bank in Indonesia in 2011-201 4 . The results of this study showed no difference between the efficiency of state-owned bank and non- bank state-owned enterprises. While capital buffer has no effect on the value of banking efficiency.


This paper attempts to account for cross-national and cross-temporal patterns of government action on violence against women. Our theoretical approach focuses on the interaction between the mobilization of women's movements and the institutional context. But, we argue, the balance of domestic and international factors varied in different regions and over time. Between 1975 and 2005, an international norm developed treating violence against women as a fundamental question of human rights. This shaped the relative importance of domestic and international factors for state policy. As this suggests, countries that adopted policies on violence against women later were more influenced by international norms than were early adopters (like Canada and Australia). In our latest cross-section, international influences came to have more weight than domestic factors. Our unique dataset allows us to show both the power of the general argument and the ways the process varies across countries, regions and over time.This analytic approach gives us more insight into patterns of government response to violence against women over time and around the world than explanations focusing on political parties, electoral systems, culture, religion and the number of women in government. This is not true for all areas of women's rights, however. The nature of the violence issue - touching upon women's status as a group and the social value and meaning of women's bodies - renders women's mobilization and international institutions particularly important. The salience of these variables also owes to the relative absence of religious activism (in contrast to issues such as abortion or family law) and activism on the part of organized economic interests such as unions or chambers of commerce (as is the case for policies on parental leave and child care).


We provide a rationale for window dressing wherein investors respond to conflicting signals of managerial ability inferred from a fund's performance and disclosed portfolio holdings. We contend that window dressers make a risky bet on their performance during a reporting delay period, which affects investors' interpretation of the conflicting signals and hence their capital allocations. Conditional on good (bad) performance, window dressers benefit (suffer) from higher (lower) investor flows compared with non–window dressers. Window dressers also show poor past performance, possess little skill, and incur high portfolio turnover and trade costs, characteristics which in turn result in worse future performance.


The mesopic vision theory is used to study illumination properties of series of light sources, through the test of luminous spectrum and derivation based on the MOVE model, the results show that spectral luminous efficiency function Vmes(λ) is between traditional V(λ) and V′(λ) when the background brightness under mesopic vision condition, and the function of Vmes(λ) is changed with the different of light sources and background brightness. Based on human visual perception, the mesopic vision equivalent brightness can be calculated, which of HPS is lower than test brightness corrected by V(λ), but white LEDs and FL show opposite phenomena, and the different value between mesopic and photopic brightness presents reduce trend with rising of background brightness.


This study aimed at analyzing nurses (re)construction process regarding the meanings of ostomy, ostomized patients, nursing care and the professional role after they wore an ostomy appliance. This activity is a teaching strategy applied at the Enterostomal Therapy Nursing Education Program. Two major units were identified after the analysis of students speeches: "being an ostomized person" and "being a professional". When students wore the pouches they felt as ostomized patients experiencing a violation of their identity and quality of life that promotes profound changes in daily life. These symbolic contents cause a crisis regarding the meaning of being a professional as until this experience, nursing care seemed fragmented to them. Recognizing a previous care performed as a technical action mainly directed to the ostomy and the pouch, students were able to visualize a future care, that is holistic and considers the ostomized human being, enabling them to incorporate affective, symbolic and relational dimensions.


In addition to the primary damage, traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) involves complex pathophysiologic processes at distant cord areas from the injury. The study by David et al.1 assessed the interaction between degenerative processes at and caudal to a cervical SCI lesion using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)–derived metrics including fractional anisotropy, axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity, and mean diffusivity, and their relation to electrophysiologic and clinical measures of the lower extremity. DTI metrics are sensitive biomarkers of SCI between acute and chronic stages, and has the potential to provide insight into axonal integrity within and adjacent to the SCI lesion noninvasively.2


In this paper, we study the existence and the property of the Hopf bifurcation in the two-strategy replicator dynamics with distributed delays. In evolutionary games, we assume that a strategy would take an uncertain time delay to have a consequence on the fitness (or utility) of the players. As the mean delay increases, a change in the stability of the equilibrium (Hopf bifurcation) may occur at which a periodic oscillation appears. We consider Dirac, uniform, Gamma, and discrete delay distributions, and we use the Poincare- Lindstedt's perturbation method to analyze the Hopf bifurcation. Our theoretical results are corroborated with numerical simulations.


A variety of developments in twentieth century painting have expanded the depiction of space beyond the direct representation of optical space. This paper analyzes some of the artistic explorations of spatial concepts, giving particular attention to: (1) spatial composition, (2) spatial density and optical impressions, and (3) the deconstruction of visual space.


Abstract Objective.The aim was to explore how erectile dysfunction (ED) correlates with increasing age and a number of demographic, physical and lifestyle factors. Material and methods. A questionnaire was sent to a random sample (10 458) of men living in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1992. The men were from the age cohorts 45, 50, 55 years, etc., up to the age of 85 or older. An analogous survey was sent to a random sample (10 845) of men of age cohorts 46, 51, 56 years, etc., in 2003. The prevalence of ED from the different age cohorts assessed on the two specific occasions 11 years apart was compared with a number of factors. Results.The response rates were 74.2% in 1992 and 68.7% in 2003. Within each survey the rate of ED increased with age at the same time as sexual activity decreased. This was paralleled by an increase in concomitant morbidity, intake of medications and alcohol consumption. The proportion of smokers and body mass index (BMI) decreased and the frequency of physical exercise increased until the age cohorts 70–71 years (1992) and 80–81 years (2003). Comparing the surveys, there was increased ED and decreased sexual activity over time despite an increase in exercise and decrease in smoking. In a multivariate analysis age, living alone, concomitant medication and smoking were the factors that significantly affected the risk of reporting ED. Conclusion. Despite a seemingly healthier lifestyle in 2003 compared with 1992, the rate of ED increased in the population, highlighting the importance of assessing lifestyle factors when examining ED patients.


The fifth wheel coupler is a heavy automotive coupling structure which connects a tractor and a trailer used for heavy-duty trucks widely. It is subjected to various loads simultaneously such as rolling, pitching and yawing loads as well as coupling frictional and impact loadings. Most of existing couplers have been overdesigned and, therefore, it is necessary to reduce the dead weight to increase the fuel efficiency. The topology optimization was applied in order to find conceptual layout designs which could show major load paths and ribs locations, and then the size structural optimization was performed in order to determine the heights and thicknesses of coupler ribs with the predetermined various loading conditions for the development of a new slim coupler with a minimum weight and high enough strength and stiffness. As the results of the topology optimum design, an efficient new coupling structure for truck trailers was designed. The weight of the new fifth wheel coupler was reduced by 4.9 %, compared with the existing one, even though all strength requirements were satisfied. The fatigue test of the new coupler was performed with cyclic vertical loads (+78.4 to +235.2 kN) and horizontal loads (-91.2 to +91.2 kN) simultaneously at 1 Hz and the life of 2,000,000 cycles were achieved without failure.


The present study investigated the effect of elaboration strategy on developing some EFL reading comprehension skills among Faculty of Education students. The design of the study was pre-post one experimental group design. The study participants consisted of 30 students selected from second year students enrolled at the English section in the academic year 2020-2021 at Faculty of Education, Benha University at the second term. The instruments and materials of the study were: an EFL reading comprehension skills checklist including six main skills and 20 sub-skills, an EFL reading comprehension skills pre-posttest and a rubric for scoring it and text modification strategies based program. The EFL reading comprehension skills test was administrated to the participants then they were taught inference as a text modification strategy. After that, they were post-tested using the EFL reading comprehension skills test. The findings of the study revealed that EFL reading comprehension skills were enhanced due to the use of elaboration strategy for developing EFL reading comprehension skills among second year EFL majors.


A Gabor-based Gaussian beam expansion to describe the radiation of electric and magnetic currents on a regular curved interface in dimension 2 has previously been proposed. This expansion represents the radiated fields as a superposition of elementary beams, the conformal Gaussian beams, for which an analytical formulation has been developed. In the context of industrial design and optimisation of radomes, computation time is of primary importance. Therefore a new pragmatic approach to represent the radiated fields on a smaller set of conformal Gaussian beams is proposed. This new expansion does not use Gabor frames but is based on the physical properties of the configuration. Few numerical experiments are presented to evaluate its performances.


In today's globalized markets the manufacturing industry in traditional high-wage countries highly depends on flexible and automated manufacturing systems to remain competitive. State-of-the-art industrial control and automation systems do not sufficiently solve the problem of downtimeless reconfiguration of control applications. This paper presents an approach for structured modeling of controlled reconfigurations of control applications based on IEC 61499. The reconfiguration process itself with this paper defined as evolution allows close interaction with applications or physical processes while modeling knowledge from control engineering is reused for evolution engineering. An example points out the evolution engineering process as well as the benefits of this new approach.


DNA sequencing plays a significant role in modern human health diagnosis. It enables studies of metagenomics, genetic disorders, diseases, and genomic medicine.  For optical sequencing, a laser source, an optical filter and a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD)-based image sensor are employed. DNA sequence information is converted to light intensity through the use of fluorescence dyes. However, the involved optical imaging system is bulky and expensive that only hospitals and research centers can afford. In this paper, a miniaturized CMOS-image-sensor (CIS) based fluorescence detector is proposed to deal with these challenges. Firstly, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are employed. Compared to traditional organic fluorescence labels, QDs present higher quantum yields and longer life times. In this way, light intensity is enhanced from the source. Secondly, an on-chip optical filter is designed to reject the background excitation light and pass through the emission fluorescent light. Simulation results show that the 400~450nm excitation light is almost 100% absorbed and the 750~850nm fluorescent light is highly transparent. The transmission signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) between 400nm and 800nm can reach 64dB. Lastly, a 1-pA resolution Capacitive Transimpedance Amplifier (CTIA) with Correlated Double Sampling (CDS) are employed to realize a high-sensitivity readout circuit. Therefore, a highly CMOS integrated fluorescence imaging system can effectively reduce the size and cost of sequencing, which is a promising technique for personalized sequencing.


In previous studies growth hormone (GH) injections [0.1 mg/kg ideal body wt (IBW) every other day] produced significant increases in plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) concentrations and nitrogen retention, which were attenuated when 12 kcal/kg IBW was ingested. The present study was done to determine whether doubling the GH dose would enhance its anabolic effects and facilitate fat loss. Eight women (33-83% over IBW) were fed 12 kcal/kg IBW for 14 wk. They received GH or vehicle injections, each for 5 wk during either weeks 2-6 or 9-13. GH improved nitrogen balance (GH, 3.6 +/- 123.2 mmol/d; vehicle, -132.0 +/- 117.9 mmol/d; means +/- SD; p less than 0.001). Plasma IGF-I increased from 32.1 +/- 9.6 to 79.4 +/- 22.1 nmol/L by day 5 of GH (p less than 0.001) and remained elevated until GH injections were discontinued. No significant effect of GH on mean body fat loss was observed. GH can induce significant anabolic responses even when caloric intake is decreased to 12 kcal/kg IBW. The degree and duration of these anabolic responses are dependent on the GH dose given.


This research study explores the realm of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) education in Kuwait's higher education institutions. Through a qualitative approach, the study aims to investigate and understand the most effective pedagogical approaches and strategies in this context, specifically focusing on Kuwait University as the case study site. To comprehensively understand the research problem, the study adopts a qualitative research design, utilizing a single case study approach. Kuwait University, renowned for its prominence in higher education in the country and its representation of TESOL education, is the ideal site for an in-depth exploration of the subject matter. The research methodology incorporates semi-structured interviews with TESOL instructors and students at Kuwait University. Through purposive sampling, 14 participants, including eight instructors and six students, were selected based on their expertise and experience in TESOL education. The interviews explored their perspectives, experiences, and perceptions of practical pedagogical approaches and strategies, providing rich and nuanced qualitative data. Additionally, the study conducts observations in TESOL classrooms at Kuwait University, offering valuable insights into instructional practices, instructor-student interactions, and student engagement in language learning activities. Detailed field notes complement the observations, ensuring a thorough examination of classroom dynamics and employed instructional strategies. Ultimately, this study contributes to the advancement of TESOL education in Kuwait by shedding light on the most effective pedagogical approaches and strategies. Through a qualitative lens, it offers a nuanced perspective on TESOL practices at Kuwait University, paving the way for improved language learning experiences and student outcomes.


Conjugated and unconjugated bile acid concentrations in the small bowel contents and portal serum samples collected from mice with and without lactobacilli (RLFL and RLF, respectively) as gastrointestinal inhabitants were measured. The major portion of bile acids in the small bowel contents of RLFL mice was unconjugated (67.9%) in contrast to that of RFL animals in which a smaller portion of bile acids was unconjugated (23.5%). This study demonstrated that bile salt hydrolase produced by lactobacilli is active under the conditions prevailing in the proximal small bowels of mice.


INTRODUCTION
We aim to publish our innovative modified biplanar 0-90 endoscopic guided puncture technique for percutaneous nephrolithotomy in supine recorded with a GoPro® camera for standardization of the technique. It solves drawbacks of the fluoroscopic technique, i.e., in kidneys with complex anatomy, it may be challenging to distinguish calyces as they are often superposed, and it does not allow for all benefits of a combined endoscopic approach (1, 2). Our technique shortens puncture and fluoroscopic time and is easy to teach and reproduce.

METHODS
A 77-year-old female patient had previous double J insertion due to an obstructing stone in the right distal ureter. She managed to pass the distal stone but remained with the double J and a 20mm stone (1300HU) in the right renal pelvis. The shared decision was for the actual standard of care (3, 4) endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS). The MiniECIRS started with flexible ureteroscopy and a posterior calix which gave direct access to the stone was chosen. The tip of the flexible scope was used to mark point A with the C-arm in the 0-degree position and line B in the 90-degree position. Puncture was fast and the MiniECIRS was uneventful with a single mid-pole access guided by the flexible scope. The surgeon had a Full-HD GoPro® camera mounted on his head, controlled by the surgical staff. All essential surgical steps were recorded.

RESULTS
The quality of the recorded movie was graded as excellent, and the camera did not cause any discomfort to the surgeon. Operative and X-Ray time were 120minutes and 2minutes (7.64mGy). Hemoglobin drop was 0.8g/dL. The post-operative day-1 computed tomography scan was stone-free. The patient was discharged 24h after surgery. Kidney stent was left with a string and removed after 5days. The patient remained asymptomatic and metabolic evaluation revealed a calcium oxalate stone, low urinary volume and hypocitraturia which were treated with potassium citrate and hydration.

CONCLUSION
The Modified Biplanar (0-90 degree) Endoscopic-Guided Puncture Technique for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy joins the reproducibility of the same technique under fluoroscopy with advantages regarding safety and efficiency of ECIRS.


Background Human milk (HM) is unique and the gold standard for feeding preterm infants. However, HM contains insufficient quantity of energy, calcium, phosphorus and protein - the key nutrient - for preterm infants. Low protein intake is associated with poor weight gain, length and neurocognitive outcomes. Therefore, human milk fortifiers have been developed. The aim of Compo-HMA study was to measure the composition and variation in preterm HM, the impact of lactation period and different milk processing types on the nutritional content with MIRIS Human Milk Analyzer (HMA). Methods HM was taken from mothers of premature infants born with a birthweight <1500 g and a gestational age <32 weeks. Protein, fat, lactose and energy composition was measured with MIRIS HMA subjected to different milk processing types fresh/fresh pasteurised/thawed/thawed pasteurised. Furthermore, the relation between protein content and lactation days has been evaluated. Results Native HM (n = 83) contained in mean 1.1 ± 0.37 g protein, 3.2 ± 0.85 g fat, 6.6 ± 0.34 g lactose and 59.8 ± 10.65 kcal energy/100 ml HM. Maximum variation was observed in protein content with 0.2–2.2 g/100 ml HM. Lactation day correlated significantly with protein content (p < 0.0001; r = -,4243). Processing of HM had no effects on protein-or nutritional level. Conclusions Variations in macronutrients from mother to mother are high, particularly in protein. Protein significantly decreased with lactation period. Various conditions of HM processing had no effect on measured nutritional content. MIRIS is an adjuvant tool to provide actual nutrient composition of HM. The results indicate that HM analysis is important for individualised fortification and improves the nutritional management of premature infants.


Abstract The Itea–Amfissa valley, separating Giona Mountain to the west from Parnassos Mountain to the east, is related to an extensional detachment observed along the eastern slopes of Giona. The detachment is traced for 30 km north of the Corinth Gulf and dips 25°–40° to the east, showing an east–west extension parallel to the Hellenic arc. The lower nappes of Pindos, Penteoria, Vardoussia and mainly the basal thrust of the Parnassos unit form part of the footwall, whereas the upper thrusts of the Parnassos unit and the Western Thessaly–Beotia nappe form part of the hanging wall. The eastern slopes of Giona are controlled by the detachment and several hundred metres of syn-tectonic breccia-conglomerates are observed at the top of the hanging wall rocks and are back-tilt towards the detachment plane. Two conglomeratic sequences are distinguished: the lower one consists of argillaceous matrix and abundant ophiolite detritus whereas the upper one bears carbonate matrix with carbonate detritus together with large olistholites of Mesozoic limestones. Based on calcareous nannofossils a middle Miocene age has been determined for the lower formation and a middle–upper Miocene age is probable for the upper. Planation surfaces cut on top of the sediments rise from south to north starting from sea level at Galaxidi to about 1400 m at Prosilio. The throw of the detachment is about 2.5–4.2 km measured mainly from the structural omission of the Alpine tectono-stratigraphic units. A contrast between the footwall and the hanging wall structure is described, with monoclinic sequence of the Parnassos nappe dipping to the west in the footwall but a complex synsedimentary horst and graben structure of sliding blocks of Alpine formations within the Miocene clastic sequences in the hanging wall. The detachment has been deformed by the east–west-trending steep normal faults that have created the Corinth rift during late Pliocene–Quaternary time showing a north–south extension. The Itea–Amfissa detachment forms the northern tip of the broader East Peloponnesus detachment, observed south of the Corinth rift structure from Feneos to Kyparissi. Similar geodynamic phenomena with large olistholites and breccia conglomerates are known from the Serravalian of Crete, related to the activity of the Cretan detachment.


At intermediate and high redshifts, measurements of galaxy star formation rates are usually based on rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) data. A correction for dust attenuation, AUV, is needed for these measurements. This correction is typically inferred from UV spectral slopes (β) using an equation known as "Meurer's Relation." In this paper, we study this relation at a redshift of 1.5 using images and photometric measurements in the rest-frame UV (HST) through mid-infrared (Spitzer). It is shown that massive star-forming galaxies (above ) have dust corrections that are dependent on their inclination to the line of sight. Edge-on galaxies have higher AUV and infrared excess (IRX = L(IR)/L(UV)) than face-on galaxies at a given β. Interestingly, dust corrections for low-mass star-forming galaxies do not depend on inclination. This is likely because more massive galaxies have more disk-like shapes/kinematics, while low-mass galaxies are more prolate and have more disturbed kinematics. To account for an inclination-dependent dust correction, a modified Meurer's Relation is derived: , where b/a is the galaxy axis ratio. This inclination dependence of AUV can be explained by a two-component model of the dust distribution inside galaxies. In such a model, the dust attenuation of edge-on galaxies has a higher contribution from a mixture component (dust uniformly mixed with stars in the diffuse interstellar medium), and a lower contribution from a birth cloud component (near-spherical dust shells surrounding young stars in H ii regions) than that of face-on galaxies. The difference is caused by the larger path lengths through disks at higher inclinations.


Hyphal cells of Neurospora crassa and Aspergillus nidulans, grown in Sabouraud glucose broth or in a defined medium with xanthine or its catabolites as the nitrogen source, contained single membrane-bound organelles cytochemically identified as microbodies. Modified Gomori procedures at the ultrastructural level revealed putative alkaline phosphatase activity sites in thin sections of cells of both species of fungi. Microbody membranes displayed electron opaque deposits (lead phosphate) which were absent in control preparations either lacking the substrate (beta-glycerophosphate) or the lead capture ion. Inhibition of this enzymic activity was achieved in parallel incubations fortified with the inhibitor levamisole. Cells grown in media containing limiting levels of inorganic phosphate revealed additional alkaline phosphatase activity at and along the nuclear membrane and endoplasmic cisternae. Hexagonal inclusions found in the cytoplasm of N. crassa (but not A. nidulans) and believed to arise from microbody precursors were without demonstrable cytochemical staining for microbody marker oxidases.


Background and Aims. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been associated with occurrence and prognosis of ischemic stroke. This study aimed to evaluate whether an association exists between MetS and early neurological deterioration (END) following acute ischemic stroke and the possible role inflammatory biomarkers play. Methods and Results. We conducted a prospective cohort investigation that involved 208 stroke patients within 48 hours from symptom onset. MetS was determined by the modified National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. END was defined as an increase of ⩾1 point in motor power or ⩾2 points in the total National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score within 7 days. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with MetS had a 125% increased risk of END (OR 2.25; 95% CI 1.71–4.86, P = 0.005). After adjustment for fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, MetS remained significantly correlated to END (OR 2.20; 95% CI 1.10–4.04, P = 0.026) with a 77% elevated risk per additional MetS trait (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.23–2.58, P = 0.002). Conclusions. This study demonstrated that MetS may be a potential predictor for END after ischemic stroke, which was independent of raised inflammatory mediators.


Advertising plays an important role in sales promotion in supply chains. In this paper, advertising decisions for retail and online channels respectively, by retailer and manufacturer will be analyzed. The competition between retailer and manufacturer will be modeled by differential game theory, and feedback Nash equilibrium of the game will be obtained. Some insights are provided by using comparative statics. The obtained results show that compatibility factor of a product with online marketing, difference between manufacturer's online price and wholesale price, effectiveness of advertising, marginal profits, and cost of advertising all have significant effects on the advertising decisions in the equilibrium.


Only a few phenological models have been formulated for rain-fed avocados in warm subhumid environments, and none of them have suggested crop management strategies for improving the trees performance in such conditions. The occurrence and intensity of major phenological events were assessed in 'Hass' and 'Margarida' avocado trees, in order to properly schedule the main crop practices for optimum management of rain-fed orchards in warm subhumid growing environments. Shoot growth, root density, number of open flowers, fruit set and fruit dropping rate were evaluated. For both cultivars, two shoot flushes were observed in September-October (spring) and January-February (summer), while a maximum feeder root growth took place in late August, coinciding with flowering. Two other minor root growth flushes occurred after the onset of summer rains. Both cultivars had only one flowering period, followed by an intense fruitlet dropping. A second minor fruit dropping wave occurred in February (mid-summer), for both cultivars. By determining the extent of each phenological phase in both avocado cultivars, it is possible to schedule applications of fertilizer, mulch and soil amendments, during the root growth flushes, as well as foliar sprays during shoot flushes, in order to maintain an adequate nutritional and sanitary status.


ABSTRACT Teng, L.; Zhang, Z. and Zhang, B., 2019. Slot sharing in ocean liner shipping cooperation with overbooking and loyal customers. In: Gong, D.; Zhu, H., and Liu, R. (eds.), Selected Topics in Coastal Research: Engineering, Industry, Economy, and Sustainable Development. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 94, pp. 411–415. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Ocean liner shipping companies operating the same shipping route to compete for market shares through price competition. Shipping company with higher price may have residual freight slots while lower price company has sold out all the slots. Different shipping lines tend to implement slot sharing agreement to balance the excessive slot with extra demand. Freight slot overbooking and brand loyalty factors are taken into consideration. Model without freight slot sharing is set as benchmark case, then capacity sharing with different transfer price strategies are modeled and analyzed. Revenue earned by freight slot sharing under two different strategies with different rage of various influence factors, concluding whether to implement capacity sharing and how to decide transfer price strategy in concrete conditions.


The global emergency caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemics can only be solved with adequate preventive and therapeutic strategies, both currently missing. The electropositive Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with abundant β-sheet structure serves as target for COVID-19 therapeutic drug design. Here, we discovered that ultrathin 2D CuInP2S6 (CIPS) nanosheets as a new agent against SARS-CoV-2 infection, which also able to promote viral host elimination. CIPS exhibits extremely high and selective binding capacity with the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, with consequent inhibition of virus entry and infection in ACE2-bearing cells and human airway epithelial organoids. CIPS displays nano-viscous properties in selectively binding with spike protein (KD < 1 pM) with negligible toxicity in vitro and in vivo. Further, the CIPS-bound SARS-CoV-2 was quickly phagocytosed and eliminated by macrophages, suggesting CIPS could be successfully used to capture and facilitate the virus host elimination with possibility of triggering anti-viral immunization. Thus, we propose CIPS as a promising nanodrug for future safe and effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapy, as well as for use as disinfection agent and surface coating material to constrain the SARS-CoV-2 spreading.


Background and Objective: Despite studies indicating that vitamin D intake among Swedish children does not meet the recommendation, little is known of their vitamin D status. The aim of the present study was to examine vitamin D status in preschool-age children in relation to vitamin D intake, season, body mass index, and skin color. Methods: Preschool-age children (n = 90; mean age 54 ± 7.1 months), all living in northern Sweden (latitude 63° north), half of them with fair skin, half with darker complexion, were recruited from well-baby clinics. The study group was examined first in August–September (late summer) and then the following January–February (winter). Skin type, vitamin D intake, anthropometrics, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25[OH] D), and serum parathyroid hormone were assessed. Results: Mean ± SD S-25(OH) D in summer and winter were 60 ± 15 nmol/L and 55 ± 16 nmol/L, respectively (P < 0.001). Fifteen percent and 10% had S-25(OH) D ≥75 nmol/L, and 25% and 40% had S-25(OH) D <50 nmol/L, respectively. The mean vitamin D intake was higher in dark-skinned compared with fair-skinned children. In spite of this, S-25(OH) D in dark-skinned children was lower compared with fair-skinned children during both seasons. The dietary intake of vitamin D was positively associated with S-25(OH) D levels. Conclusions: Vitamin D status is inadequate in preschool-age children living in northern Sweden, especially in dark-skinned children and during the winter despite vitamin D intakes meeting the recommendations, prompting strategies to improve intake of vitamin D in this population.


Pacritinib (previously known as SB-1518) is an innovative selective inhibitor of Janus kinase 2 and FMS-related tyrosine kinase 3 providing potential in the treatment of hematological malignancies such as myeloproliferative neoplasias, acute myeloid leukemia, and various lymphomas. Pacritinib has potent antiproliferative activity in Janus kinase 2 and/or FMS-related tyrosine kinase 3 activity-dependent cell lines and an ability to promote apoptosis and inhibit the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) pathway. Pharmacokinetic studies have indicated a good per os bioavailability and favorable kinetic parameters. To date, promising results have been produced in five completed early-phase clinical trials in which pacritinib has been studied. Pacritinib displayed interesting activity and an acceptable safety profile, with mild to moderate gastrointestinal disorders being its most common adverse effects.


Derrida distinguishes the accidental contretemps—the singular accidentality of the accident—from the essential contretemps; the latter is the "nonaccidental" accident. As a structuring anomaly the needful accident overturns the philosophical dicta that the perfection of substance is far more perfect than the objective perfection of the accident. Engaging with doctrines of collateral damage and programs of enforced disappearance, this essay anatomizes the political deployment of the contretemps as the time out of time of wartime that fractures any polemological idea of progress, just war, and accountability. The contretemps in its peripheral errancy constitutes a temporal counterweight to any continuist model of sovereign power, crosscutting the latter with shape shifting and empowering indeterminacy. The aphoristic naming and enframing of adversaries, targets, and victims are the protological contretemps and essential accident that occurs at and as the inception of war.


This paper explores the possibilities and potential surrounding inclusive talent management in contrast to conventional normative treatments. By closely examining the meaning of 'inclusive' in relation to talent, the paper moves towards a definition of inclusive talent management which is contextualised in a four-part typology of talent management strategies which offers greater conceptual clarity to researchers working in this field. Our conceptualisation of inclusive talent management is further located in the traditions of positive psychology and the Capability Approach. The practical implications of introducing inclusive talent management strategies are considered.


Cardiac channelopathies and cardiomyopathies are a group of cardiac disorders, they can be of both heritable and acquired genetic origin, which predispose affected individuals to sudden death as a result of changes in the expression or posttranslational modification of ion channels or alterations in associated proteins within the heart. 68 cases associated with sudden cardiac death were analyzed using the TruSight™Cardio sequencing panel, which contains 174 genes associated with heart disease. Variant filtering was performed taking into account the recommendations of ACC/AHA/ESC 2006, HRS/EHRA 2011 and HRS/EHRA/APHRS 2013. The study found a prevalence of cardiomyopathies of (40.6%), familial hypercholesterolemia with (5.4%), and cardiac channelopathies with (54%), in addition to the total of variants, 1.82% present conflict of interpretation of pathogenicity and 2.19% of uncertain significance, which should be studied in more detail in the future.


Auditory sensory modulation difficulties and problems with automatic re-orienting to sound are well documented in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Abnormal preattentive arousal processes may contribute to these deficits. In this study, we investigated components of the cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP) reflecting preattentive arousal in children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children aged 3-8 years. Pairs of clicks ('S1' and 'S2') separated by a 1 sec S1-S2 interstimulus interval (ISI) and much longer (8-10 sec) S1-S1 ISIs were presented monaurally to either the left or right ear. In TD children, the P50, P100 and N1c CAEP components were strongly influenced by temporal novelty of clicks and were much greater in response to the S1 than the S2 click. Irrespective of the stimulation side, the 'tangential' P100 component was rightward lateralized in TD children, whereas the 'radial' N1c component had higher amplitude contralaterally to the stimulated ear. Compared to the TD children, children with ASD demonstrated 1) reduced amplitude of the P100 component under the condition of temporal novelty (S1) and 2) an attenuated P100 repetition suppression effect. The abnormalities were lateralized and depended on the presentation side. They were evident in the case of the left but not the right ear stimulation. The P100 abnormalities in ASD correlated with the degree of developmental delay and with the severity of auditory sensory modulation difficulties observed in early life. The results suggest that some rightward-lateralized brain networks that are crucially important for arousal and attention re-orienting are compromised in children with ASD and that this deficit contributes to sensory modulation difficulties and possibly even other behavioral deficits in ASD.


We propose a kind of wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) based on asymmetric directional couplers (ADCs). Wavelength signals are multiplexed into a bus waveguide by converting to different modes using the cascaded ADCs. We design the WDMs with conventional and tapered ADCs and analyze the performance in terms of insertion loss, crosstalk, and fabrication tolerance. Experimental results indicate that the WDM with tapered ADCs has both lower insertion loss (less than 1dB) and crosstalk (less than -23dB), and at the same time it has better fabrication tolerance than conventional ADCs. The ADC-based WDMs, which demonstrate good performance of multiplexing wavelengths, own the advantages of simple structure, high flexibility, and scalability. Since different wavelengths perform mode conversion on the same plane, the proposed WDM can be conveniently integrated on-chip with active and passive devices. Our approach combines both wavelength and mode dimensions, which is different from previous schemes, so it is expected to provide an alternative to developing a promising WDM in integrated silicon-based circuits.


The development of new generation of short radiation sources exploring free electron lasers focused the interest in the problem of the interaction of the beam generated by these devices with solid matter. The strong excitation of electronic state induced by the beam can here reveal a number of new phenomena, which are important for practical development of optical elements and design of experiments, but also seems to be very interesting in cognitive aspects. The information about the phenomena requires a very careful structural characterization of the craters especially their geometrical features and the lattice deformation.


This discussion paper introduces the concept and practice of environmental volunteering as part of the process of Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL) at Edith Cowan University. As well as introducing the theoretical background and definitions of both volunteering and WIL, this paper describes examples from Natural Sciences domain of students doing environmental voluntary work with community groups as a practicum which is a core unit within their course. Literature suggests that these examples should neither be defined as volunteering nor WIL so their definitions and classifications are debated. Review of these examples in light of the literature suggests the conclusion that volunteering is a useful mechanism to support Workplace Integrated Learning for students who are studying in the domain of Natural Sciences. This paper introduces research that is being conducted into the attitudes of students about the volunteering aspect of the practicum and provides some qualitative comment from one of the 120 students currently enrolled.


In order for organizations to improve their performance, they shall identify their operations opportunities for improvement. The process to identify the opportunities for improvement is referred herein as "diagnosis" process. The most common systematic operations diagnosis and improvement approaches are Quality Audit, Organizational Assessment based on Business Excellence Framework and Project Selection for Lean and Six Sigma. All these three approaches should be integrated in order to grasp the fruitful benefits for the organizations. The benefits include; minimize redundancies, improve the operations performance and eventually assist in achieving certification and award. This paper proposes the enablers for operations diagnosis and improvement based on integration of ISO19011 Quality Audit framework, Business Excellence Framework and Lean Six Sigma approaches.


The treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy is palliative and, hence, has little effect on the natural history. Therapy directed toward the cause rather than the effect will be necessary before mortality can be affected. Active myocarditis is postulated to be the cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in a subset of patients. A model of murine coxsackievirus B3 myocarditis has immunopathogenic parallels to the disease in humans and suggests that persistent autoimmune reactivity following viral clearance leads to progressive myocyte damage and dilated cardiomyopathy. In preliminary uncontrolled studies, patients with myocarditis have shown clinical and histologic improvement with the addition of immunosuppressive therapy, but there may also be a significant rate of spontaneous improvement. A multicenter study currently acquiring patients is designed to determine the efficacy of immunosuppression and the natural history of active myocarditis.


This study examined the experiences of three South Asian Muslim immigrant families who have a young child with autism. It describes the early period of their child's disability as the families encountered four critical issues in their lives: a complex disability, the culturally diverse conceptualizations of the disability, family‐professional dynamics in cross‐cultural encounters and the search for appropriate services. Analyses were based on interviews with parents, supplemented by 17 months of participant‐observation in homes and community. Parents narrated their experiences beginning with symptom recognition through help seeking, diagnosis and subsequent service provision. Results suggest that for these families the challenging process of diagnosing and ameliorating autism is complicated by their unique positioning within and between diverse meaning systems. Challenges include American health and education professionals' misunderstandings of their family organization and linguistic practices, and difficulties in cross‐cultural communication with professionals. Implications for professionals are discussed.


A 27-year-old woman presented with headache, weakness, and numbness in both lower extremities for 2 weeks. Two years ago, she had refractory hiccups and vomiting with associated area postrema lesions on MRI (figure, A–C). Workup for infectious disease was negative. Serum aquaporin-4–immunoglobulin G was positive. Recent MRI showed cortical damage adjacent to the cerebral falx with leptomeningeal enhancement (figure, D–F). Treatment with immunoglobulin and high-dose methylprednisolone produced a significant improvement of the symptoms and the follow-up MRI (figure, G–I). This patient's case is unusual, as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders rarely involve the cortex and pia mater.1,2


Following the financial crisis, Europe is suffering from a significant investment deficit. It has long been appreciated that growth will suffer in Europe over the medium term unless the shortfall in investment is addressed, but considerable disagreement on how to achieve this, and in particular on the role public investment should play. In addition, mobilising finance to increase investment in Europe requires both a good understanding of Europe's financial structure, and a fine knowledge of the composition of cross-border financial imbalances. In this paper, we take stock of the state of play regarding investment, financial structures and cross-border imbalances. We contend that any initiative meant to provide a sound basis for long-term, stable investment flows has to acknowledge the fact that Europe is engaged in a debt-deflation deleveraging phase, with accompanying disintermediation, the full extent of which is as yet unknown. We then draw policy conclusions that would allow for a sustainable investment revival, insisting on the need to have an overall strategic vision for the main EU policy initiatives - the Investment Plan, the Capital Markets Union, and the €1,100bn new money issued by the ECB within its Large Asset Purchase Programme.


This paper describes voltage balancing of all the four split dc capacitors for a five-level diode-clamped PWM inverter intended for a transformerless mediumvoltage motor drive with a three-phase diode rectifier used as the front end. A dc-voltage-balancing circuit is installed on the dc link, and introduces a new midpoint-voltage-balancing method based on phase-shift control. As a result, the dc mean voltages of the four split dc capacitors can be balanced, independent of the inverter control. Experimental results obtained from the 200-V 5.5-kW downscale model verify that the dc mean voltage of the four split capacitors are balanced well under all the operating conditions.


Objective: To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of berberine (Ber) on myocardial injury induced by exhaustion exercise (Ee). Methods: Forty healthy male SPF Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups using the random unit group design method: control group, Ee group and Ee plus Ber group (low: 50 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), medium: 100 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) and high dose: 150 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), n=8 each). Ber (1.5 ml) or equal volume saline was given per gavage for 14 days. Rats assigned to Ee groups underwent Ee swimming once daily and rats in control group remain sedentary. After 14 days, echocardiographic measurements were performed and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fractional shortening (LVFS), left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVIDd) and left ventricular systolic diameter (LVIDs) were obtained. The morphological structure of heart was detected by HE and Masson staining. Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cardiomyocytes apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method. The protein expression of myocardial hypertrophy marker protein B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and apoptotic marker protein (Bcl-2, Bax) in rat myocardial tissue was detected by Western blot. Results: (1) Both LVFS and LVEF were significantly lower, and LVIDs and LVIDd were significantly larger in Ee group than those in control group (all P<0.01). The LVFS and LVEF in medium dose of Ber and high-dose Ber groups were significantly higher, and the LVIDs and LVIDd were significantly smaller than those in Ee group (all P<0.01). (2) The results of HE staining showed that the myocardial cells in control group were closely arranged, regular, normal in morphology, clear in structure, and uniform in staining. The myocardial cells of rats in Ee group were disarranged, cell staining was uneven, and vacuoles appeared in the cytoplasm. The disorder of myocardial cell arrangement and unequal staining in the medium dose of Ber were attenuated than in Ee group. The Masson staining results showed that the myocardial cells in control group were closely arranged, regular, normal in shape, clear in structure, and rarely blue-stained (fibrosis). Myocardial cells in rats in Ee group showed obvious fibrosis. The myocardial cell fibrosis in rats with medium dose of Ber was significantly reduced than exercise group. (3) MDA content in myocardial tissue of rats in Ee group was significantly higher than that of control group, and MDA content in myocardial tissue of rats in medium dose of Ber group was significantly lower than in Ee group (P<0.01). The SOD activity of myocardial tissue in rats was significantly lower than that of control group, while that of rats with medium dose of Ber was significantly higher than that of rats in Ee group (P<0.01). (4) TUNEL staining results showed that only a small amount of apoptosis myocardial cells were seen in control group, and a large number of apoptosis myocardial cells were seen in rats in Ee group. However, the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes in medium dose of Ber was significantly lower than that in Ee group. The AI of rat cardiomyocytes was significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.01), and the AI of rat cardiomyocytes in median dose of Ber group was significantly lower than in Ee group (P<0.01). (5) BNP and Bax protein expression in the myocardial tissues of rats in Ee group were significantly higher than in control group (P<0.01). BNP and Bax protein expression in the myocardial tissues in median dose of Ber group were significantly lower than that of Ee group (P<0.01). The myocardial protein expression level of Bax was significantly higher, and the myocardial protein level of Bcl-2 was significantly lower in Ee group than in control group (both P<0.01), treatment with median dose of Ber could partly reverse above changes (both P<0.01). Conclusion: Ber can attenuate exhaustion exercise induced myocardial injury and remodeling in rats, and the beneficial effects of Ber might possibly be mediated by reducing free radical release and cardiomyocytes apoptosis.


p-Cycle is a type of shared link protection for survivable wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) mesh networks. p-Cycle not only retains ring-like restoration speeds, but also achieves capacity efficiency in mesh networks. However, finding the optimal set of p-cycles to protect all traffic demands within a reasonable response time is difficult. This is particularity true with dense meshes or large networks, because the number of candidates is huge. Generally, p-cycles are determined by using either Integer Linear Programming (ILP) or specifically designed heuristic algorithms. However, both methods need a set of efficient candidate cycles to tradeoff between the computational time and the optimality of solutions. For this reason, constructing an efficient set of candidate p-cycles is crucial and imperative. In this paper, we propose the Span-weighted Cycle Searching (SCS) algorithm to generate and select an adequate number of p-cycles to minimize the spare capacity, while achieving 100% restorability, within low computational complexity. keywords: p-cycle, wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM), survivability, (a) 5.. I..


Amanda Podany here takes readers on a vivid tour through a thousand years of ancient Near Eastern history, from 2300 to 1300 BCE, paying particular attention to the lively interactions that took place between the great kings of the day. Allowing them to speak in their own words, Podany reveals how these Near Eastern leaders and their ambassadors devised a remarkably sophisticated system of diplomacy and of trade that extended from the Aegean Sea to Afghanistan, and from the Baltic to central Africa. The allied kings referred to one another as "brothers," kings with equal power and influence who were tied to one another through peace treaties and powerful obligations. They were also often bound together as in-laws, as a result of marrying one another's daughters. These rulers had almost never met one another in person, but they felt a strong connection-a real brotherhood-which gradually made wars between them less common. A remarkable account of a pivotal moment in world history-the establishment of international diplomacy thousands of years before the United Nations-Brotherhood of Kings offers a vibrantly written history of the region often known as the "cradle of civilization."


The effect of sex on systemic therapy for psoriasis has not been well studied. The aim of this study was to analyse a large multicentre Spanish cohort of 2,881 patients with psoriasis (58.3% males), followed from January 2008 to November 2018, to determine whether sex influences prescription, effectiveness of therapy, and the risk of adverse events. The results show that women are more likely than men to be prescribed biologics. There were no differences between men and women in effectiveness of therapy, measured in terms of drug survival. Women were more likely to develop adverse events, but the difference in risk was small and does not justify different management. Study limitations include residual confounding and the use of drug survival as a proxy for effectiveness.


Background Childhood obesity prevention interventions routinely focus on changing maternal parenting practices. Failure to assess how fathers' weight-related (ie, diet and physical activity) parenting practices contribute to children's energy balance behaviors limits the understanding of their paternal role within the family. Examining the independent and interacting effects of fathers' and mothers' weight-related parenting practices on children's diet and physical activity addresses this important research gap. Objective This study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to investigate the within-subject and between-subject independent and interactive effects of maternal and paternal encouragement to eat and preparation of fruits and vegetables (F/V) and encouragement of and taking their child to be physically active on their child's self-reported F/V intake and physical activity engagement. Methods Participants included mother-father-child triads (n=22 triads, n=205-213 prompts/occasions) in the Mothers and Their Children's Health Study and the University of Southern California Fathers Study. Simultaneously, mothers and fathers (agesmean 44.2 years, SD 5.6, and 45.2 years, SD 8.1, respectively), and their children (agemean 12.0 years, SD 0.7) completed up to 8 randomly prompted EMA surveys per day on separate smartphones for 7 days. At each prompt, mothers and fathers each reported whether they did the following in the past 2 hours: (1) encouraged their child to eat F/V, (2) prepared F/V for their child, (3) encouraged their child to be physically active, or (4) took their child to be physically active. Children self-reported whether they consumed F/V or were physically active in the past 2 hours. Results Results from Bayesian multilevel logistic models (all in log-odd units) indicated that at the within-subject level, greater maternal encouragement (β=2.28, 95% CI 0.08 to 5.68) of eating F/V was associated with greater child report of eating F/V, but paternal encouragement (β=1.50, 95% CI –0.83 to 4.52) showed no effects above and beyond maternal encouragement. Additionally, greater than usual paternal encouragement (β=2.28, 95% CI 0.08 to 5.54) and maternal encouragement (β=2.94, 95% CI 0.36 to 6.69) of physical activity had significant independent effects and were associated with greater child report of physical activity. No other within-subject or between-subject associations nor interactive effects were significant. Conclusions Findings from this study suggest that fathers play a role in supporting their children's physical activity but not their intake of F/V. Future EMA studies should recruit larger samples to evaluate the independent and interacting roles of mothers' and fathers' weight-related parenting practices on child's obesogenic behaviors.


Two selective antifungal agents were produced by a Penicillium sp. isolated from the inner bark of the Pacific yew tree, Taxus brevifolia. The structures of these highly methylated polyketide derivatives were deduced by detailed analysis of both 1D and 2D NMR and difference NOE spectra. Both compounds were active against the plant pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in the standard disk assay.


The process of forest fragmentation affects mostly top predators, which are more prone to first disappear. Pumas, Puma concolor, are known to have a generalist diet that includes a wide variety of wild and domestic prey species. The capacity of adapting their diet to consuming prey in anthropogenic habitats may be the reason for this species' success in incorporating anthropogenic areas with different levels of fragmentation as part of its habitat. Here we report a case of puma consumption of a large wild prey species, the tapir, Tapirus terrestris. From March 2012 to October 2013 we collected 85 puma's scats opportunistically inside fragments of the Atlantic Forest in the Parana state, Brazil. In one of the scats we found hairs and some hooves of a tapir, as well as puma hairs. We propose two hypotheses that may explain the occurrence of tapir in a pumas scat: (1) an event of scavenging or (2) an event of predation on a juvenile tapir. The most likely explanation for this event may be the predation of a juvenile in response to a possible abundant presence of tapirs in the study area. This event adds to our understanding of the great plasticity of this species to adapt to an altered landscape. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a puma scavenging or predation event on a tapir.


The design of solid metal catalysts using theoretical methods has been a long-standing goal in heterogeneous catalysis. Recent developments in methodology and computer technology as well as the establishment of a descriptor-based approach for the analysis of reaction mechanisms and trends across the periodic table allow for the fast screening for new catalytic materials and have lead to first examples of computational discoveries of new materials. The underlying principles of the descriptor-based approach are the existence of relations between the surface electronic structure, adsorption energies and activation barriers that result in volcano-shaped activity plots as function of simple descriptors, such as atomic binding energies or the d-band center. Linear scaling relations have been established between the adsorption energies of hydrogen-containing molecules such as CH{sub x}, NH{sub x}, OH{sub x} and SH{sub x} and the C, N O and S adsorption energies on transition-metal surfaces. Transition-state energies have also been shown to scale linearly with adsorption energies in a similar fashion. Recently, a single transition state scaling relation has been identified for a large number of C-C, C-O, C-N, N-O, N-N, and O-O coupling reactions. The scaling relations provide a powerful tool for the investigation of reaction mechanisms and the prediction of potential energy surfaces. They limit the number of independent variables to a few, typically adsorption energies of key atoms. Using this information as input to a microkinetic model provides an understanding of trends in catalytic activity across the transition metals. In most cases a volcano-shaped relation between activity and the key variables, the descriptors, is observed. In the present paper we will provide an example of the approach outlined above and show how one can obtain an understanding of activity/selectivity trends of a reaction with just a few new calculations.


This paper analyzes the question whether money demand in the Euro area has undergone a structural change in recent time when M3 money growth has considerably overshot the reference value set by the European Central Bank (ECB). It is found that conventional specifications of money demand have in fact become unstable while specifications which are augmented with equity returns and volatility remain stable. Using such an augmented specification, it turns out that the excessive M3 growth rates can largely be attributed to the stock market downswing and do not put a measurable threat to price stability.


Background—Despite unclear associations between blood lipids, including fractionated cholesterol and triglycerides, and stroke, recent evidence demonstrates that lipid-modifying agents decrease the risk of stroke in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods and Results—Patients with documented CHD who were screened for but not included in the Bezafibrate Infarction Prevention study and had no history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) (n=11 177) were followed up. At baseline, medical histories were obtained and blood lipids assessed at a central study laboratory. During a 6- to 8-year follow-up period, 941 patients were identified as having nonhemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease, of whom 487 had verified ischemic stroke (per clinical findings and brain CT) or TIA. Patients experiencing an ischemic stroke/TIA had higher mean levels of triglycerides, lower levels of HDL cholesterol, and lower percentages of cholesterol contained in the HDL cholesterol moiety (%HDL;P <0.01 for all). In a logistic regression model, the adjusted ORs for developing an ischemic stroke/TIA were 1.27 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.60) associated with triglycerides >200 mg/dL and 0.87 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.97) associated with a 5% decrease in %HDL. The increased risk associated with high triglycerides was found across subgroups of age, sex, patient characteristics, and cholesterol fractions. Conclusions—High triglycerides constitute an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke/TIA across subgroups of age, sex, patient characteristics, and cholesterol fractions, whereas high %HDL was an independent protective factor among patients with CHD. These findings support the role of blood lipids, including triglycerides, as important modifiable stroke risk factors.


Magnetofluidics is the science and technology that combine magnetism and fluid dynamics to modify transport phenomena for a variety of applications. Magnetofluidics often works with conventional microfluidics to take advantage of the small size, the low cost and the low consumption of sample for chemical and biological studies. Magnetofluidics has been used for actuation and manipulation of fluid flow and suspended particles or cells in microfluidic devices.
The use of bio-compatible ferrofluids as a paramagnetic carrier fluid in the field of microfluidics has attracted great interest recently. Ferrofluid is a colloidal liquid made of ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic nanoparticles suspended in a carrier fluid. In the presence of a magnetic field, a ferrofluid becomes strongly magnetized. Thus, a small amount of samples containing ferrofluid could be manipulated for applications such as mixing, pumping, sorting of particles and cells, enhancement of heat and mass transfer phenomena and chemical reactions. On the other hand, magnetic force can be induced wirelessly and is suitable for biological studies as it sustains cell viability. Therefore, the combination of magnetofluidics and microfluidics has proven to be a low cost, efficient and versatile technology for a number of applications.


This paper presents the qualification history of the Silex flight hardware. The two flight model terminals, the GEO to be flown on ARTEMIS, the LEO to be flown on SPOT 4, have been or are about to be delivered for integration with their host spacecraft. Both terminals have undergone a stringent environmental test program, including optical performance measurements in vacuum, requiring complex test equipment. The flight hardware qualification was supported by development models that demonstrated the structural and thermal integrity of the design, the opto-mechanical stability of all optical paths within the terminals and the communication performances of the optical and electronic equipment. Due to the agreed SPOT 4 and ARTEMIS launch dates SILEX will not be in orbit before 1998 and 2000 respectively, such that the in orbit demonstration of the overall system can, most likely, not start before mid 2000, requiring the storage of the GEO terminal after the completion of the spacecraft testing. In the mean time, the construction of the optical ground station in Tenerife is well advanced. The building with the 1m telescope was handed over to ESA in Summer 1996, the optical bench will be ready in early 1997 and the whole station will be operational by mid 1997. It will first be used for in orbit debris observation. The preparation of the experiment between ARTEMIS and the Japanese spacecraft OICETS is proceeding well. A detailed link simulation has demonstrated the feasibility of the undertakings, the in orbit test plan is agreed, the ground interfaces are defined. This experiment will allow to control a LEO spacecraft via a data relay satellite through a S-band link with the simultaneous bi- directional optical link allowing data transmission at a rate of 50 Megabit per second in the return direction and 2 Mpbs in the forward direction.


Objective. To investigate the probable pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and therapy of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) in Takayasu arteritis (TA). Methods. A total of 48 patients with TA who had PH, 20 patients with TA who had pulmonary arterial involvement (PA) without PH, and 30 patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) were enrolled in the study from 2009 to 2013. Results. Among the 48 patients with TA who had PH, 36 (75.0%) had PA, and left heart disease (LHD) was present in 12 (25.0%). Serum levels of big endothelin 1 (ET-1) were independently correlated with pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (r = 0.33, p = 0.04). Compared to patients with IPAH, patients with PH because of PA who underwent right heart catheterization had lower average cardiac indexes (2.0 ± 0.5 vs 3.0 ± 1.2 l/min/m2, p = 0.05), and they all developed favorable responses to acute vasodilator testing (100%) in comparison to 10 of the patients with IPAH (33.3%). During a mean followup of 36.0 ± 13.2 months (12.0–65.0 mos), of the patients with PH associated with PA, 3 died of heart failure. Six patients who underwent pulmonary artery revascularization were found to have good prognoses after followup for a mean duration of 6.2 ± 1.9 months. Additionally, 12 patients with PH with LHD were followed for 38.4 ± 15.6 months (12.0–60.0 mos), and 1 patient died of heart failure during the followup period. Conclusion. Patients with TA are at increased risk for PH. Early screening of patients with TA with unexplained symptoms related to PH should be applied. PH-specific therapies or revascularization may be effective treatments in the early stages of patients with PA, PH, and severe pulmonary artery stenosis.


Localization is one of the essential tasks necessary to achieve autonomous navigation of a mobile robot. One such localization technique, Monte Carlo Localization (MCL) is often applied to a digital surface model. However, there are differences between range data from laser rangefinders and the data predicted using a map. In this study, commonly observed from air and ground (COAG) features and candidate selection based on the shape of sensor data are incorporated to improve localization accuracy. COAG features are used to classify points consistent with both the range sensor data and the predicted data, and the sample candidates are classified according to their shape constructed from sensor data. Comparisons of local tracking and global localization accuracy show the improved accuracy of the proposed method over conventional methods.


Strongyloidiasis is a disease caused by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis that is endemic in rural regions in tropical and subtropical countries. Immunosuppressed patients have an increased risk of infection by this parasite and are at risk of developing a hyperinfection syndrome which involves a higher risk of death. The syndrome is treated with ivermectin, however, there is no parenteral presentation of this medication for human use in Colombia or the world, which is an important problem in patients who have compromised enteral absorption, for instance, those with intestinal obstructions.
We present a case of hyperinfection syndrome by Strongyloides stercoralis in Colombia, which was treated with subcutaneous ivermectin. Our purpose is to encourage pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies to establish this route of administration in the future as an alternative for those patients who have a high risk of therapeutic failure with the oral route.


The magnetic field of the solar corona evolves quasi-statically in response to slowly changing photospheric boundary conditions. The magnetic topology is preserved by the low resistivity of the solar atmosphere. It is shown that a magnetic flux coordinate system simplifies the problem of calculating field evolution with invariant topology. As an example, the equilibrium of a thin magnetic flux tube with small twist per unit length was calculated. 22 references.


The emergence of drug-resistant bacteria has impacted the outcome of current therapeutics as a threat to global healthcare; novel medicines are urgently needed. Thirteen medicinal plants were collected in Northeastern Thailand, and their crude ethanolic extracts were evaluated for antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC25922 using the broth micro-dilution method. Piper betle leaf ethanolic extract showed optimal activity against both representative bacterial strains. Activity was also observed against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and E. coli, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.31 mg/mL to 2.5 mg/mL and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranging from 0.62 mg/mL to 2.5 mg/mL. A time-kill study revealed that the extract activity was time- and dose-dependent, and also bactericidal on the tested bacteria. P. betle extract inhibited biofilm formation and promoted biofilm eradication in both S. aureus and E. coli. 4-Allyl-1,2-diacetoxybenzene and eugenol were identified as the most abundant compounds in the extract and may play major roles in the anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activity. Results suggest that ethanolic P. betle leaf extract shows promise as an alternative method for the prevention of bacterial diseases.


using DNA sequencing. Infants assessed at 3mth C.A. using General Movements assessment, and at 24mth C.A. using Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development (BSITDIII). Results: To date, over 700 infants recruited. Our data support the development of sulphate deficiency in preterm infants (111 68 Vs 244 132μmol/L) and also demonstrate that antenatal MgSO4 therapy largely mitigates this deficiency in the absence of SLC13A4 and SLC13A1 defects. Conclusions: Without antenatal sulphate provision or when genetic defects block antenatal sulphate supply to the infant before birth, preterm infants have low circulating reserves for supplying the high demands for sulphate in their developing tissues. If the neurodevelopmental assessments support our hypothesis, then we will conduct a clinical trial of neonatal sulphate supplementation.


A survey was made of the effects of different nucleotides, sugar nucleotides and sugars on mannosyltransferase activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to assess their possible role in the regulation of mannan synthesis. Mannosyltransferase activity in spheroplast lysate and washed membrane preparations was not markedly affected by sugars, nucleoside monophosphates or by most of the sugar nucleotides tested. GDP and GTP both inhibited enzyme activity. ATP caused a significant stimulation, and analysis of the mannan formed suggested that this was due mainly to increased synthesis of the polysaccharide moiety. GDPglucose was a competitive inhibitor of total mannan synthesis and also inhibited the formation of mannolipids.


The interactions of new biofuels and standard engine components are being investigated at the Institute for Fluid Power Drives and Controls (IFAS) at RWTH Aachen University as part of the research of the cluster of excellence "Tailor-Made Fuels from Biomass". Since modern common rail fuel pumps are fuel lubricated special interest lays on the lubricity of new fuels. At IFAS a High Frequency Reciprocating Test Rig (HFRR) is used to screen possible biofuel candidates with regard to this property. Most of these substances show lubricating abilities similar to those of modern diesel fuels. Nevertheless with 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran a remarkable outlier can be found among the favoured fuel candidates. To unravel the influences of certain molecule structures additional substances were included into the experimental research. By comparing the wear scars of linear alkanes, alkenes and alcohols produced in the HFRR the influence of the molecules chain length and functional group is analysed. This paper gives an introduction to the HFRR test set up and presents the experimental results of the recently screened biofuel candidates.