The integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) into the distribution grid has improved the reliability of power networks along with significant reduction in transmission power loss. However, embedding distributed generation (DG) can produce significant protection issues for the electrical utilities such as incorrect protection coordination and increased protective device sensitivity. This paper proposes a platform to analyze the potential sensitivity deterioration issues in different protective devices (PDs) in the presence of an increasing DG penetration and its location. The impacts of the fault impedance and the fault location on the potential increase of the sensitivity of the PDs have been assessed. This paper proposes a methodology to maintain protection selectivity among different PDs to avoid their false alarm and wrong operation when DGs are connected to the distribution grid. The IEEE 13-node test system has been utilized to test and validate the proposed approach.


BACKGROUND
The murine monoclonal antibody NCC-ST-421 (ST-421) recognizes dimeric Le(a) antigen expressed on gastrointestinal cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Direct antitumour activity of ST-421 was evaluated using dimeric Le(a) positive cell lines Colo 205, Colo 201, HT-29 and WiDr; and negative cell lines MX-1 and K562.

RESULTS
While time- and concentration-dependent antitumour activity was observed against Colo 205 and Colo 201, no antitumour activity was detected against the other cell lines tested in an in vitro cytotoxicity assay. When ST-421 was administered intraperitoneally daily for 2 weeks to severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice transplanted with tumour xenografts, inhibition of tumour growth was observed against Colo 205, and to a lesser extent HT-29 and WiDr. Anti-asialo GM1 antibody did not block this antitumour activity, suggesting ST-421 has a direct cytotoxic effect. The degree of antitumour activity of ST-421 dependent on the grade of Le(a)-expression as detected by immunohistochemical staining.

CONCLUSIONS
Flow cytometric and immunohistochemical analysis suggests the induction of apoptosis may play a key role in the direct antitumour activity of ST-421 on Colo 205 cells.


We report single-stage selective MOCVD grown GaAs/AlGaAs buried channel stripe lasers with effective optical and current confinement in directions both perpendicular and parallel to the p-n junction. Fundamental transverse mode lasing up to 5 mW/facet, typical threshold current of 60 mA, nearly single-longitudinal-mode operation at a wavelength of 890.2 nm at 8 mW and an external differential quantum efficiency of 16%/facet have been achieved for a 250 µm long cavity under room-temperature CW operation. Maximum output power as high as 16.4 mW is obtained at 400 mA for a 800 µm long cavity. A tuning rate of the wavelength to temperature is interpolated to be about 0.32 nm °C-1 and the characteristic temperature T0 is measured to be 102 K in the range of 25 to 65 °C for a 500 µm long cavity.


Background: A disintegrin and metalloprotease 33 (ADAM33) has recently been suspected to be associated with psoriasis. Objective:To study the association between ADAM33 and psoriasis in the northeastern Chinese Han population. Methods: We genotyped six common single nucleotide polymorphisms from ADAM33 in 400 psoriasis cases and 398 controls using the Multiplex SNaPSHOT method. Results: We observed an increased risk of psoriasis to be associated with the rs2787094CC CG, rs528557CC CG genotypes (p < 0.05) and 3 haplotypes (H1, H3, and H5; p < 0.05). We also found that the rs512625AA rs612709AA GA genotypes and haplotype H8 may be protective against psoriasis (p < 0.05). Among these genotypes, rs2787094CC exhibited the strongest association with psoriasis (OR = 2.537,being the highest OR, p = 0.0014). Conclusions: ADAM33 polymorphisms are associated with psoriasis in the northeastern Chinese Han population.


The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of a structured, mastery motivation physical education climate and an unstructured physical activity climate on time spent on task in a small sample of preschool children. Children enrolled in a public, federal-subsidized childcare center (N= 12) participated in two 45 minute physical activity programs within the school day. The structured climate consisted of a biweekly program of motor skill instruction that was based upon the key principles of a mastery motivational climate. The unstructured program was a daily 45 minute free play environment. Actigraph accelerometers monitored children's participation in physical activity and time-on task was observed by a momentary time sampling technique. Results showed that time on-task significantly improved following a mastery motivational climate, and children spent 36% of their time in moderate-to-vigorous activity in this climate. In contrast, time on-task did not significantly improve following participation in a free play environment and participants spent a majority of their time in sedentary behavior and accumulated no vigorous physical activity. Our results indicate that participation in physical activity impacts a preschooler's ability to stay on task and the amount of physical activity accumulated during physical activity programming is dependent upon the climate delivered.


We presume that cosmic spherules are 'sparks' formed by collisions in the asteroidal belt. With other debris they spiral to earth under the Poynting-Robertson effect. During a 106 year residence in space, they become saturated with solar-wind gas. These 100 pm diameter spherules will survive a grazing atmospheric flight but on a more plunging flight they may melt. If this happens, the solar-wind gas develops sufficient pressure to explode the spherule. We support these proposals with (i) a size distribution analysis, which shows that spherules are destroyed if they become molten and also suggests that spherules make up 10 % of the zodiacal cloud, (ii) an examination of the spherules with the scanning electron microscope (s.e.m.), which strongly suggests that they have remained solid during atmospheric flight, (iii) an investigation of grindwheel sparks, which shows that forms resembling iron cosmic spherules can be reproduced, if sparks are quenched close to the wheel. X-ray diffraction analysis and s.e.m. photography yield convincing evidence that stony cosmic spherules are not ablation droplets from the crust of stony meteorites and, by implication, are not derived from meteors. The magnetite lattice parameter for the spherules is less than that for the meteorite crust. The fayalite fraction of the olivine m the spherules is close to that occurring in the interior of the meteorite and quite distinct from that occurring in its crust. The spherules are coarsely crystalline, whereas the meteorite crust appears 'glassy'.


In this paper, the width and depth of rectangular surface-breaking defects were successfully gauged using an all-optical laser-ultrasonic system. The finite element method was used to simulate propagating paths of defect-induced reflected and transmitted Rayleigh waves. It is observed that most Rayleigh waves with wavelengths less than the depth of the defect are reflected by the defect. A small part of the Rayleigh waves with wavelengths greater than the depth of the defect directly transmits through the bottom edge of the defect without acting on the left edge of the defect. Based on the simulation results, a three-step detection method of width and depth gauging of rectangular surface-breaking defects is proposed. In the first step, the pulsed laser and detection laser are irradiated on one side of the defect. In the second step, the sample is moved to a certain distance to ensure that both lasers reach the other side of the defect. In the third step, two lasers are irradiated on both sides of the defect. The width and depth of the defect are calculated according to the arrival time of the incident, reflected, and transmitted Rayleigh waves, as well as the movement distance of the sample. Experimental results are consistent with the reference-results measured by using a digital microscope. The proposed three-step detection method is proved to be feasible in simultaneous measurement of the width and depth of rectangular surface-breaking defects. Furthermore, it may be potentially useful for measuring other types of defect structures.


Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease have a markedly increased cardiovascular mortality compared with the general population. Long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been suggested to possess cardioprotective properties. This cross-sectional and comparative study evaluated correlations between hemodynamic measurements, resistance artery function and fish consumption to the content of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in adipose tissue, a long-term marker of seafood intake. Methods: Seventeen patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 + 5d and 27 healthy kidney donors were evaluated with hemodynamic measurements before surgery; from these subjects, 11 patients and 11 healthy subjects had vasodilator properties of subcutaneous resistance arteries examined. The measurements were correlated to adipose tissue n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Information on fish intake was obtained from a dietary questionnaire and compared with adipose tissue n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Results: Fish intake and the content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in adipose tissue did not differ between patients and controls. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in adipose tissue were positively correlated to systemic vascular resistance index; (r = 0.44; p = 0.07 and r = 0.62; p < 0.05, chronic kidney disease and healthy subjects respectively) and negatively correlated to cardiac output index (r = −0.69; p < 0.01 and r = −0.50; p < 0.05, chronic kidney disease and healthy subjects respectively). No correlation was observed between n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels in adipose tissue and vasodilator properties in resistance arteries. n-3 PUFA content in adipose tissue increased with increasing self-reported fish intake. Conclusions: The correlations found, suggest a role for n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in hemodynamic properties. However, this is apparently not due to changes in intrinsic properties of the resistance arteries as no correlation was found to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.


The aim of this paper is to review the outcomes and discuss the genetic and non-genetic aetiology of nonimmune hydrops fetalis in order to support differential ultrasound and genetic evaluations and family counselling. This single-centre study includes all cases of nonimmune hydrops fetalis diagnosed prenatally from 2009 to 2019. Two sources of data were used for this study (prenatal and neonatal) to compare and summarise the findings. Data from genetic testing and ultrasound scans were collected. In total, 33 pregnant women with prenatally diagnosed nonimmune hydrops fetalis were studied. The data included 30 cases of singleton (91%) and three cases (9%) of twin pregnancies. There were 14 survivors (43%), seven cases of postnatal deaths (21%), four cases of intrauterine foetal demises (12%), four cases of termination of pregnancy (12%), and four women without a follow up (12%). The total number of chromosomally normal singleton pregnancies was 29 (88%), and 14 foetuses had an anatomical abnormality detected on the ultrasound scan. The chance of survival was the highest in cases of isolated, idiopathic hydrops fetalis, which in most cases was due to an undetectable intrauterine infection. In many cases, the diagnosis could not be established throughout pregnancy. Each case of nonimmune hydrops fetalis should thus be analysed individually.


This research wasintended to describe the degree of fiscal decentralization in the autonomous regions in East Javaprovince in 2006-2010. This research belongs to the genre of secondary data with quantitativedescriptive type. The population in this study was all regencies/cities in East Java Province. Thedegree of fiscal decentralization was calculated from data collected by the three ratios, that is: a)PAD (Local Revenue) with TPD (Total Local Revenue); b) BHPBP (Tax and Non-Tax Sharing)with TPD; c) regional contribution to TPD. The research results showed that, first, seen from theratio of PAD to TPD, DDF (Degree of Fiscal Desentralization) of regencies/cities in East Javain 2006-2010 was in very low category with an average DDF percentage of 8%. Second, DDFof regencies/cities measured in terms of ratio of local contribution and TPD, had a high level ofDDF, reaching 83%. Third, DDF of regencies/cities in East Java in 2006-2010 of BHPBP ratiowith TPD had a very low percentage, reaching an average of only 9%, so the region's financialdependence on the construction financing of central government funding is very high. Keywords : regional autonomy, fiscal decentralization, degree of fiscal decentralization.


This Short Review Series in Neurochemistry and the Neurosciences emerged from the 5th Special Conference of the International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from September 12–15, 2012. The Special Conference dealt with a rapidly moving subject at the forefront of the Neurosciences: 'Synapses and dendritic spines in Health and Disease'. Understanding the complexity of synapse structure and function, and in particular, how these two properties link up to regulate circuit function and behavior, constitute key issues in current synaptic biology. Moreover, these structure-function studies are leading to extraordinary advances in our understanding of neurological and psychiatric diseases. Following up closely on the meeting, Professors J€org Schulz and Marcus Rattray, Editors of the Journal of Neurochemistry, and Managing Editor Dr. Laura Hausmann, who attended the meeting, solicited a series of mini-reviews outlining current research by some of the invited speakers. The selected subjects reflect the main thrust of the topics covered at the conference, ranging from synaptic vesicle dynamics to dendritic spine formation, maintenance and dysfunction and state-of-the-art microscopy methods to image these subcellular entities. The contributions presented in this Short Reviews Series highlight novel techniques for unravelling structure, dynamics, and mechanisms operating at the synapse together with their (patho-)physiological implications and address future challenges in the field. Synaptic vesicle dynamics and (trans-)synaptic regulation, co-authored by the Company of Biologists Young Investigator Awardee Jesica Raingo, of the University of La Plata, and ChiHye Chung, Konkuk University, describes various facets of pre-synaptic vesicle dynamics and trans-synaptic regulation. Tomoaki Shirao, Neurobiology & Behavior, Gunma University, and Christian Gonz alez-Billault, University of Santiago, summarize cytoskeletal regulation of dendritic spine formation. Nanoscopic imaging (STED microscopy) developed by Prof. Stefan Hell's group at the Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in G€ottingen is summarized by Christian Eggeling, Katrin Willig, and Francisco Barrantes. STED microscopy enables subdiffractional imaging of membrane dynamics, synapses or dendritic spines, opening new avenues and unique opportunities for future structural and functional analysis of these important structures. A related methodological review was contributed by Daniel Gitler, Kevin Staras, and Dan Mikulincer on Fluorescence Recovery after Photobleaching (FRAP). The pathology of the synapse is also analyzed in various reviews. Jean-No€el Octave, Catholic University of Louvain, Journal of Neurochemistry's former Editor-in-Chief Tony Turner, University of Leeds, and their co-authors describe the implications of APP in Alzheimer disease. Development and maintenance of the synapse and implications for psychiatric disorders are reviewed by Peter Penzes, Northwestern University, Andr es Buonanno, NIH in Bethesda, and Carlo Sala from the CNR Institute of Neuroscience in Milan. All in all, the mini-reviews span considerable width and depth of cutting-edge subjects in current synaptic biology and synaptic diseases, the so-called synaptopathies.


We study magnetic features on the solar surface that exist for several rotations during solar cycle 24. To identify them, we average synoptic maps over a range in latitude and stack the resulting longitudinal strips in time. We use synoptic maps of magnetograms obtained with the NSO/Synoptic Optical Long-term Investigations of the Sun instrument and create synoptic maps of the kinetic helicity of subsurface flows integrated over 2.0–7.1 Mm based on Solar Dynamics Observatory/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager Dopplergrams. To distinguish between active and quiet regions, we sort the grid points of the synoptic maps by their activity level and divide the data into four subsets with 25% of activity each and into two subsets with the highest or lowest 12.5% of activity values. The kinetic helicity of these six subsets follows the hemispheric helicity rule with, on average, positive values in the southern and negative values in the northern hemisphere. However, the helicity of the subset with the highest activity is about four times higher than that of the other subsets, and the mid-quartile subsets show the weakest hemispheric helicity rule. We define the lifetime of complexes in each subset and find that for the high-activity subset, the amplitude of magnetic activity and kinetic helicity increases almost linearly with the lifetime of complexes. The distribution of flares closely resembles that of the high-activity subset. The flare-productive locations in long-lived complexes produce, on average, the same number of flares as those of short-lived complexes. However, long-lived complexes have a higher fractional number of these locations than the short-lived complexes and thus produce more flares not just because they live longer.


Significant research efforts have been directed towards the development of novel superhydrophobic and superoleophobic coatings. However, it is still highly challenging to develop facile and environmentally friendly methods that lead to surfaces and coatings with efficient liquid repellency. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time, a one-step water-based spray method on heated metallic substrates for the preparation of water and oil repellent polymer nanocomposite coatings by using hydrophilic silica nanoparticles. These environmentally-friendly coatings exhibit static contact angles exceeding 150° and roll off angles less than 5° for both water and oil and can also successfully repel a wide variety of other liquids. The influence of the chemical composition and the surface texture on the wetting properties are discussed based on measurements from white light interferometry, electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. When the substrates were treated with an adhesive primer, the wear abrasion resistance of the coatings was enhanced. The effect of silica nanoparticle dispersion in the coatings on wear abrasion is also investigated. Certain nanocomposites were found to exhibit good abrasion resistance by retaining their water repellency for up to 60 abrasion cycles under 20.5 kPa applied pressure.


The purpose of this study is to understand how recent legal reforms and the creation of legal offices in Argentina may improve access to justice and legally empower victims of domestic violence. The paper looks into the way the judicial system developed to provide suitable options for victims of domestic violence to gain access to justice and solve their conflicts. It uses a legal empowerment framework composed of three levels normative, institutional and individual. The paper bases the analysis on the existing regulations, and an empirical study conducted with those working for the public institution, and with victims of domestic violence that accessed to those institutions seeking for assistance. The paper gives a comprehensive approach and provides reflections on what aspects of the laws and institutions are actually being of benefit for victims of domestic violence.


Current global economic trends create a new economic environment for Croatia. They could be described, by two processes amongst others. The first is clear enough abandonment of basic determinants of transitional economic policy defined as 'Washington consensus'. Change of 'tide' could be observed in redesigned behavior of both transition architects, International Monetary Fund and World Bank. Even before recent global crisis IMF was revising its approach towards fixed exchange rate and WB has been displaying 'change of heart', placing development instead of stabilization on its core agenda sheet. The other process is global financial and expected overall economic crisis seemingly comparable to the Great Depression. It will have far reaching impact on the mainstream economic paradigm.


Supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) was employed to extract lipids from Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn seeds in semi–batch process at various operating conditions to optimize extraction process. The extraction processes were carried out at 40 – 60 oC and 20 – 40 MPa with 2 – 4 ml min–1 CO2 flow rates. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with 33 factorial design combined with statistical was used to optimize variables in the process of Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn seeds lipids extraction with supercritical CO2. The FT–IR spectra indicated that the Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn seeds components were extracted by supercritical CO2. The SEM images also indicated that the physical changes in the surface of the Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn seeds occurred after supercritical CO2 extraction treatment. The maximum of extracted lipids was 0.47 g/g–sample when the extraction was conducted at a temperature of 80 oC and pressure of 40 MPa with CO2 flow rate of 3 ml min–1. The GC–MS analysis showed that the extracted lipids mainly composed of palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1), and linoleic acid (C18:2). The analysis of experimental design demonstrated that pressure and temperature were the influential variables on the lipids extraction.


The economics of exploitative transit: conditions for migrants and refugees in Indonesia and Libya. Abstract Faced with increasingly restrictive border protection measures, such as Australia's "Operation Sovereign Borders" and externalised border controls in "Fortress Europe", more asylum seekers and refugees attempt to reach their destinations by unauthorised means. Smuggling networks, funds to pay for journeys, and access to transit sites where onward passage can be negotiated, are critical to the success of irregular migration. This article explores access to transit sites by comparing Indonesia and Libya – two key transit locations for people seeking to reach Australia and Italy respectively. It investigates practices in such sites and focuses on the exploitation of transit migrants, especially on the economic benefit they bring to smugglers, corrupt officials, and locals. Through analysis of the unintended consequences of border protection measures, it argues that while the economics of exploitative transit are unique to each country, in both Indonesian and Libya they operate to encourage informal networks that prey on transit migrants. Increased understanding of the economics of exploitative transit should help ensure a more protective environment for transit migrants, one that reduces their reliance on irregular means and the risk of getting stuck in unsafe environments. If the reality of exploitative transit is acknowledged, steps can be taken to reduce reliance on transit sites. Keywords: transit migration, Indonesia, Libya, exploitation, border protection ----- Schlagworter: Transitmigration, Indonesien, Libyen, Ausbeutung, Grenzschutz ----- Bibliographie: Missbach, Antje/Phillips, Melissa: Die Okonomie des ausbeuterischen Transits. Lebensbedingungen von Migrantinnen und Asylsuchenden in Indonesien und Libyen, PERIPHERIE, 2-2015, S. 170-192. https://doi.org/10.3224/peripherie.v35i138-139.24295


Researchers still debate the relevance of using cultural frameworks and socio-economic differences between countries versus focussing on institutional differences when analysing issues affecting the transfer of Human Resource policies between countries. This paper first compares four countries from Europe and Asia on a macroeconomic level as well as on cultural dimensions. It then investigates perceived cultural differences between managers on the transfer of human resource policies by contrasting the perceptions of German headquarters managers with those of their subsidiary managers in Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. This exploratory study uses qualitative methodology to analyse twenty four in-depth interviews with Human Resource directors and line managers in German electrical, mechanical and chemical companies. The study confirms the importance of perceived cultural differences between managers at headquarters and in the subsidiaries and highlights the presence of misperceptions based on overgeneralisations emanating from the German headquarters as well as local subsidiaries. Convergence is confirmed on a HR policy level with crossvergence taking place on a process level via regional platforms. The growing role of the subsidiary HR director as a cultural translator and regional team player is found to be a key element in the transfer process.


We intended to identify favourable metabolite(s) and pharmacological mechanism(s) of gut microbiota (GM) for liver regeneration (LR) through network pharmacology. We utilized the gutMGene database to obtain metabolites of GM, and targets associated with metabolites as well as LR-related targets were identified using public databases. Furthermore, we performed a molecular docking assay on the active metabolite(s) and target(s) to verify the network pharmacological concept. We mined a total of 208 metabolites in the gutMGene database and selected 668 targets from the SEA (1,256 targets) and STP (947 targets) databases. Finally, 13 targets were identified between 61 targets and the gutMGene database (243 targets). Protein-protein interaction network analysis showed that AKT1 is a hub target correlated with 12 additional targets. In this study, we describe the potential microbe from the microbiota (E. coli), chemokine signalling pathway, AKT1 and myricetin that accelerate LR, providing scientific evidence for further clinical trials.


School boards in England perform a vital function, operating, in common with other public sector boards, in the areas of accountability, strategic direction, values and organisational performance monitoring. But rapid and sweeping changes to the English system of education since 2010 have created challenges for governors, not only with respect to their work in the oversight of increasingly complex school structures, but also in ensuring that public value is maintained within this increasingly diverse public service. Recent policies of austerity have meant that it is more important than ever that public services offer value for the taxpayer. This paper investigates education in the context of public value and examines what role school boards play within this. It begins by exploring the concept of 'public value' in the public services (Moore, 1995) and moves to examine how this concept plays out within the field of education. Employing discourse analysis it examines the discourses within documentation pertaining to the role and function of school governors, and explores the extent to which their role is premised upon the creation of public value in the particular service. It concludes that school boards do indeed have an increasingly fundamental role to play in the creation and oversight of public value in the increasingly complex and autonomous system of education in England.


This article, based on interviews, research and the author's personal experience in the media for more than 30 years as a police/crime reporter, former Head of Public Affairs for the Australian Federal Police and journalism lecturer, will examine the unique challenges and role of reporting police/emergency/crime journalism - how it can work and how it can break down. It will particularly examine the mostly unequal relationships between journalists and official sources where the various emergency services, notably the police, trade on releasing selected information and avoid releasing information if it is unfavourable or inconvenient. It will cover the important aspects of sources, both official and unofficial, on and off-the-record agreements, anonymous sources, ethically and unethically obtained material and the all important overriding considerations of the law including criminal processes, defamation, sub judice, jurisdictional restrictions, pre-trial publicity and trial by the media. These stories can challenge even the most experienced journalist placing demands on almost all of their skills. If done properly, journalists can fulfil the paramount responsibility of informing the public on critical matters and maintaining the media's role of being an effective Fourth Estate.


Background While the proportion of HIV-positive children (under 15 years) enrolled on antiretroviral therapy (ART) has increased in recent years, up to 60% of children started on ART do not achieve virological suppression. We set out to determine the factors associated with virological non-suppression among children living with HIV receiving ART at a peri-urban HIV care clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Method This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at the pediatric HIV/AIDS clinic at the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) in Kampala, Uganda. Three hundred (300) HIV-positive children (0–14 years) were randomly selected from existing medical records and data on children's socio-demographic and clinical characteristics (age at ART initiation, WHO clinical staging, and ART-induced side effects) were abstracted using a data abstraction form. Virological non-suppression was defined as a viral load ≥1000 copies/Ml of blood after six months of ART initiation. Incident rate ratios (IRRs) were determined as a measure of association between virological non-suppression and child/patient characteristics. The IRRs were obtained via a modified Poisson regression with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). All analyses were done using statistical package, Stata version 15. Results The overall non-suppression rate among HIV-positive children on ART was 23%. Being at WHO clinical stage 4 at ART initiation [adj. IRR 2.74; 95%CI: 1.63, 4.61] and ART-induced side effects [adj. IRR 1.77; 95%CI: 1.06, 2.97] were significantly associated with non-suppression. Older age at ART initiation (age 5–9 years: [adj. IRR 0.42; 95%CI: 0.28, 0.65]; age 10–14 years: [adj. IRR 0.34; 95%CI: 0.18, 0.64] was less likely to be associated with virological non-suppression. Conclusion Nearly a quarter of HIV-positive children on ART had a non-suppressed viral load after six months of treatment. Being at WHO clinical stage 4 at ART initiation and ART-induced side effects were significantly associated with virological non-suppression while older age at ART initiation was protective. Our findings suggest a need for age-specific interventions, particularly those targeting children below five years of age, to improve virological suppression among HIV-positive children receiving ART in this setting.


Graph convolutional networks (GCNs) suffer from the irregularity of graphs, while more widely-used convolutional neural networks (CNNs) benefit from regular grids. To bridge the gap between GCN and CNN, in contrast to previous works on generalizing the basic operations in CNNs to graph data, in this paper we address the problem of how to project undirected graphs onto the grid in a {\em principled} way where CNNs can be used as backbone for geometric deep learning. To this end, inspired by the literature of graph drawing we propose a novel graph-preserving grid layout (GPGL), an integer programming that minimizes the topological loss on the grid. Technically we propose solving GPGL approximately using a {\em regularized} Kamada-Kawai algorithm, a well-known nonconvex optimization technique in graph drawing, with a vertex separation penalty that improves the rounding performance on top of the solutions from relaxation. Using GPGL we can easily conduct data augmentation as every local minimum will lead to a grid layout for the same graph. Together with the help of multi-scale maxout CNNs, we demonstrate the empirical success of our method for graph classification.


The Transformer translation model is easier to parallelize and provides better performance comparing with recurrent seq2seq models, which makes it popular among industry and research community. We implement Neutron in this work, including the Transformer model and several variants from most recent researches. It is easier to modify and provides comparable performance with interesting features while keep readability.


OBJECTIVE
To prepare a new xenogenic material using patented biochemical techniques for tissue disposal and investigate its possibility to be used as implant materials.

METHODS
The xenogenic implant materials were prepared by treatment of fresh porcine tendon with epoxy cross-linking fixation, antigen minimization procedures, mechanical enhancement by protein molecule modification and surface treatments. Histological and scanning electron microscopic observations were conducted, and physicochemical property assessment was carried out to determine the mechanical properties, protein contents, polyepoxy compound residual and stability of the material. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the material was tested in NCTC L929 cells, and the optical density of the cells at 24, 48, and 72 h of the treatments was determined to calculate the relative growth rate (RGR).

RESULTS
Histological observation suggested that the xenogenic implant material consisted primarily of collagen without cell fragments. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated homogeneous alignment of the collagen fibers in the material. The tensile strength of the material was 11-16 MPa, and the breaking elongation rate was 52%-67%; the protein contents was 94% with polyepoxy compound residual less than 5 microg/ml. The material maintained stable pH value in PBS. The L929 cells incubated with the biomaterials grew well with a relative growth rate over 89%.

CONCLUSION
The new biomaterial has good physicochemical properties and good biocompatibility, and may served as a promising implant material.


Therapy of Osteoporosis and Bone Mineralization. The ongoing resorption and subsequent formation of bone based on the activity of the bone cells (the bone turnover) and the time course of mineral accumulation in the newly formed matrix (the mineralization kinetics) are causing a specific heterogeneity of bone matrix mineralization. The assessment of the bone mineralization density distribution (BMDD), which is revealing the degree and the distribution of the calcium concentrations, is one technique to quantify this mineralization pattern. Based on the analysis of transiliac bone biopsy samples, it was shown that the reduction of bone turnover after antiresorptive therapy was associated with an increase in the degree (shift of the BMDD peak to higher calcium concentrations) and a reduction in the heterogeneity of mineralization (narrowing of the BMDD peak) in the bone matrix. Vice versa, after anabolic therapy the BMDD peak was shifted to lower calcium concentrations and got broader. The measurement of the BMDD in transiliac bio psy samples is not only important for the monitoring and safety aspects of therapies but it is essentially contributing to the understanding of the mechanisms of action of different therapies. In particular, changes in BMDD are an important information for the interpretation of changes in bone mineral density (by DEXA) during therapies. J Miner Stoffwechs Muskuloskelet Erkrank


ABSTRACT In this study, low density polyethylene (LDPE) and triethanolamine (TEOA) were used together by applying a different process in order to obtain a good chemical interaction between LDPE and bitumen in bitumen modification and the effects of this interaction on the performance properties of bitumen were investigated. For this purpose, modified bitumens were obtained by adding 2.5 wt% TEOA and different proportions (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 wt%) of waste LDPE to pure B 70/100 bitumen. Physical and rheological properties of pure and modified bitumens were determined by conventional and Superpave tests, and microstructural characterizations were determined by SEM, XRD, and FT-IR spectroscopy tests. As a result of the tests, it was observed that phase separation disappeared by forming a good chemical interaction between bitumen and LDPE. In addition, it has been determined that with the addition of LDPE, the binders come to a hard consistency and their temperature sensitivity decreases, but they retain their elasticity properties. It was determined that especially 4% LDPE added binders showed a significant increase in permanent deformation, fatigue and thermal crack resistance, which are performance properties at high, intermediate, and low temperatures, respectively.


This study examines a web server performance tuning by using special main parameters in benchmark, using real data and real applications in more than 13 different cases. Two adaptive parameters (CLCIK and TIME) are used as measurements for tuning. A web server stress tools 7 benchmark (WSST) is used as a recognized application. Some procedures are projected to compare the final results, the first process is based on finding the main factor of the parameters affecting on tuning. Second, a variety of the values of the benchmark parameters are discussed to have better results of the web server performance by finding the core relationship among main parameters in WSST. The parameters criteria show the effect on web server behavior under certain conditions and environments. We monitor it at different times and works. Contributing discuses some results such as, bottleneck, traffic, and response time which related with criteria's and measurements.


Eighty-eight popliteal artery aneurysms were diagnosed in 59 men and two women (mean age 67 +/- 10 years). Bilateral aneurysms affected 27 patients (44%). Aneurysm diameter ranged from 1.3 to 12 cm (mean 4 +/- 2.6 cm). Most aneurysms were symptomatic (55%). Dominant symptoms included rest pain (19%), claudication (14%), local pain (13%), and gangrene (9%). The remainder of the aneurysms were asymptomatic (45%). Aneurysm thrombosis occurred in 24% of extremities. Associated aneurysms involved the abdominal aorta (62%), iliac artery (36%), and femoral artery (38%). Aneurysms that caused local pain were larger (6.2 +/- 1.9 cm) than asymptomatic aneurysms (2.9 +/- 2.1 cm, P less than 0.01). Aneurysms smaller than 2 cm were more likely to be asymptomatic than larger aneurysms (P less than 0.05). Operative intervention was undertaken for 56 aneurysms, with aneurysmal exclusion or excision with arterial reconstruction performed most often. Four primary and five secondary major amputations were associated with thrombosed aneurysms, compared to no amputations with asymptomatic aneurysms (P less than 0.01). Thirty-two aneurysms were not treated surgically. Limb loss resulted from ischemic complications which developed in 18% of aneurysms treated without operation. The duration of follow-up for patients who had operation and those who did not averaged 62 months and 25 months, respectively. Operative treatment for all bland popliteal artery aneurysms appears justified if complications leading to major amputation are to be avoided.


The role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is examined in nuclear weapons related negotiations in the 1990s regarding the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), and the Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Such negotiations have been an occasion for NGOs to voice public aspirations for an end to the nuclear threat, and in this way to help stimulate some progress, but generally not to influence substantively the terms of the instruments under negotiation. An NGO initiative led to the failed PTBT Amendment Conference which however helped to spur the eventual successful negotiation of the CTBT. At the NPT Extension Conference, one coalition of NGOs assisted in the achievement of US government objectives of obtaining indefinite extension and commitments to negotiation of a CTBT and a fissile materials production cutoff. Other NGOs advocating the abolition of nuclear weapons failed to decisively affect the outcome of the Conference, but the experience served as the catalyst for the development of an ongoing large international network. NGOs seeking the express criminalization of the employment of nuclear weapons in the ICC Statute succeeded only in preserving issues with regard to indiscriminate weapons for future negotiations. NGOs' access to the negotiations regarding the CTBT and NPT was extremely limited. Effectiveness of NGOs in this field could be enhanced by increasing access; by forming closer working relationships with states supporting nuclear disarmament; and by intensifying the interaction between NGO advocacy at the national and international levels.


We have studied the behaviour of TO phonon modes in InxGa1-xAsyP1-y grown on GaAs (100) and (111)A substrates by means of Raman scattering. It was found that the small peak which appeared between the GaP-like LO1 and InP-like LO2 modes is due to the GaP-like TO1 phonon mode. The mode calculation based on the cell isodisplacement theory was in good agreement with the experimental results.


This paper adresses the problem of modelling paraphrases in a deep linguistic processing framework where the meaning construction component is based on an LFG grammar. We present a syntax-based approach to paraphrase extraction that operates on shallow dependency analyses in a parallel corpus. By means of an XLE-based conversion routine, we generate transfer rules for the automatically acquired semantic correspondences. These rules can be used as an additional component in the rule-based process of meaning construction which will augment the meaning representation with entailments that hold for complex phrasal units.


Aims and objectives: We investigate how varying usage patterns in speakers of closely related language varieties might impact executive function. More specifically, bidialectals with more balanced usage were predicted to show better inhibitory control than less balanced bidialectals. Design: Thirty-four adult bidialectals of Standard German and Swabian German performed two executive function tasks (flanker and Simon). Data and analysis: The participants' reaction times on the two executive function tasks were analysed using regression models. Data and R code are available online. Findings: Contrary to predictions, Swabian-dominant bidialectals showed smaller flanker and Simon effects than balanced German-Swabian bidialectals. Furthermore, contrary to some previous studies, executive function task performances correlated significantly. Originality: We discuss how bidialectal language usage patterns can be assessed and how arbitrary analytical decisions affect findings regarding the effects of bidialectalism on executive function. Significance: These findings shed a new light on the effects of bilingualism/bidialectalism on executive function.


Distribution system planning (DSP) aims to ensure, that the electricity distribution can satisfy the demand in an optimum way. It has to provide the necessary economical, reliable, and secure electricity to consumer. Network solutions of DSP are the solutions that need adding and/or replacing some network asset. Traditional response is a large investment that creates large capacity. Therefore there may be unused capacity for period years. Thus, there is excess system capacity after the investment is made. In other hand, the alternative responses frequently install distributed generation in very small size. Original plan can be deferred by installing distributed generation. Investment using distributed generation is an option to defer the larger investment in distribution planning. Utility can use this option to face the uncertainty in demand projection. This paper proposes model for determining decision area of distributed generation investment as deferral option in industrial distribution system planning. It uses real option valuation to define the boundary by using the critical value. This study depicts the decision area by 'discount rate'- 'electricity price on transmission' and 'discount rate' -'delaying time' boundary.


We address the problem of bridging the application-network gap from a multicriteria decision making perspective. We have sought to use this approach to integrate results from our work on user-level quality of perception with the move technical characterization of quality of service. For this purpose, we apply the multicriteria decision-making formalism by defining the criteria on the basis of which an appropriate tailored communication protocol is constructed, and we suggest a neural network-based scheme to solve the problem.


Optically transparent indium-gallium-zinc-oxide-based nand and nor gates and inverters were fabricated and characterized using transistors deposited at room temperature with 5-, 10-, and 20-μm gate lengths and beta ratio between 2.5 and 40. The nand and nor gates' operation frequencies were measured up to 5 kHz. The individual transistors were measured to have saturation mobility of 14 cm2/V ·s, subthreshold swing of 190 mV/dec, and current on/off ratios in excess of 108. Logic operations were satisfactorily demonstrated for bias voltage between 1 and 20 V. These results indicate that viable digital logic can be applied particularly where optical transparency or the use of novel flexible substrates is more important than the operating speeds.


Broadband windows are critical components in gyro-TWAs and pose a great challenge to manufacture. They are required to have very low reflection whilst coupling in microwave power. Presented in this paper is the design, simulation and measurement of a wide-band (90 to 100 GHz) multilayer microwave window using the HE11 mode as the input microwave mode. The simulated performance shows a better than -30 dB reflection over a 10% bandwidth of 90-100 GHz. The measured window is in very good agreement with simulations.


The codified medical systems include Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa-rigpa and Unani systems of medicine, with their sophisticated theoretical foundations. The vast knowledge in the codified traditions has been documented in tens of thousands of medical manuscripts. It is not commonly known that these systems cover all basic aspects and branches of medicine, from general medicine to specialised fields like paediatrics, psychiatry, ENT, ophthalmology and surgery. They even cover plant and veterinary medicine (vrksh and pashu ayurveda).The present study is to inveatigate plants to used for animal ailments,ethanoveterinary medicinal plants in Dindigul District,Tamilnadu state, India.


Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) plays a central role in numerous cellular processes including DNA repair, replication, and transcription. PARP interacts directly, indirectly or via PARylation with various oncogenic proteins and regulates several transcription factors thereby modulating carcinogenesis. Therapeutic inhibition of PARP is therefore perceived as a promising anticancer strategy and a number of PARP inhibitors (PARPi) are currently under development and clinical evaluation. PARPi inhibit the DNA repair pathway and thus form the concept of synthetic lethality in cancer therapeutics. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown the potential of PARPi as chemopotentiator, radiosensitizer, or as adjuvant therapeutic agents. Recent studies have shown that PARP‐1 could be either oncogenic or tumor suppressive in different cancers. PARP inhibitor resistance is also a growing concern in the clinical setting. Recently, changes in the levels of PARP‐1 activity or expression in cancer patients have provided the basis for consideration of PARP‐1 regulatory proteins as potential biomarkers. This review focuses on the current developments related to the role of PARP in cancer progression, therapeutic strategies targeting PARP‐associated oncogenic signaling, and future opportunities in use of PARPi in anticancer therapeutics.


The study of the socioeconomic status of the fisher folks and profitability analysis of artisanal fisheries in Mahin lagoon, Ondo State, Nigeria conducted for 18 months (June, 2011 December, 2012) showed that the artisanal fisheries was male-dominated (81.4%). Majority of the fisher folks were married. Gill net fishing was mainly practised (54%), followed by cast netting (23%). Over 70% of the artisans used paddled canoes as against 26% used motorised boats. Access to credit, extension services and improved fishing inputs were very low at 7, 5 and 7% respectively. Most fisher folks showed poor recording habit. About 92% of the fisher folks did not keep records of transactions and catches despite the relatively high level of literacy (60% of them had minimum of secondary education). Majority complied to the use of 50.8mm mesh size showing responsible fisheries activities. Dearth of infrastructural facilities like health centres, training centres, postharvest storage facilities, electricity and water supply was observed in most of the fishing communities. The two major challenges facing them were high incidence of water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) and oil spillage. This calls for governmental intervention in the area of training and provision of infrastructures that would increase the living standard of the artisanal fisher folks. Financial analysis showed the use of paddled canoes by 74% of the fisher folks was less profitable than use of motorised canoes by 26% of the fisher folks. Annual Gross Revenue was N 546,000.00 for paddle canoe owners as against N 910,000.00 for those using motorised boats. Earnings before Tax for fishing with paddle canoes and motorised canoes were N 186,000 and N 370,000.00 respectively. Return on Sales (ROS) for paddled and motorised canoe users were 31% and 36% respectively. Return on Investment (ROI) was 49% for paddled canoe fishing and 93.1% for motorised boat fishing and while the Benefit-Cost ratio was 1.52: 1 for paddled canoe fishing as against 1.69: 1for motorised canoe fishing. The diverse challenges facing the fisher folks call for provision of a conducive enabling environment by the government. There is a need for training and sensitization of Mahin fisher folks. Fisheries policy makers should also adopt a 'Bottom-up approach' to accommodate the specific needs of the artisanal fisher folks who were the major stakeholders.


Background: Interferons (IFNs) have potent anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and immunomodulatory activities against cancer. However, the clinical utility of IFNs is limited by toxicity and pharmacokinetics making it difficult to achieve sustained therapeutic levels especially in solid tumors. Methods: Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1) or a modified STAT1 (designated STAT1-CC) that is hyper-responsive to IFN were overexpressed in lung cancer SPC-A-1 and H1299 cells using lentiviral vectors. Transduction efficiency was monitored using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression. After transduction, cells were treated with interferon-gamma (IFN- γ ) or interferon-beta (IFN- β ) and monitored for cell proliferation, migration, and invasiveness using Cell Counting Kit-8 and transwell chamber assays and for apoptosis using Annexin V detection by flow cytometry. In addition, levels of STAT1, STAT1 Tyr-701 phosphorylation (pSTAT1), fibronectin, and β -catenin were determined using western blotting. In the case of IFN- γ stimulation, levels of S100A4, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and c-fos expression were also determined. Results: We found that expression of STAT1 or STAT1-CC enhanced the effect of IFN- γ and, IFN- β on inhibition of human lung cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness. Moreover, STAT1 and STAT1-CC expression caused increases in pSTAT1 and decreases in fibronectin and β -catenin levels. STAT1-CC showed increased effects compared to STAT1 on IFN- γ induced pSTAT1 and down-regulation of S100A4, PCNA, and c-fos levels. Conclusion: The results show that STAT1-CC exhibited more strength in improving the antitumor response of IFNs in lung cancer cells. Results from this study suggest that combined treatment of IFNs and STAT1-CC might be a feasible approach for the clinical management of lung cancer in the future.


The objective of the study was to evaluate the anaesthetic effects of Propiscin (2% etomidate) and 2-phenoxyethanol on common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) by observing neural and behavioural measures. When exposed to the anaesthetic agent, the carp lost equilibrium after approximately 90 s of exposure. They did not breathe and the controls did not respond to tail pinch or prick or 6 V at the skin of the upper jaw. A shift to lower frequencies on the electroencephalogram (EEG) and computing fast Fourier transformation was observed when exposed to water containing Propiscin or 2-phenoxyethanol. Heart rate was reduced after placement in the water containing an anaesthetic agent. It may be concluded from our results that common carp were immobilized and sedated, when exposed to water containing 2 mL L?1 Propiscin and immobilized and anaesthetized in water containing 0.5 mL L?1 2-phenoxyethanol. In addition, the use of EEG provides for a sound assessment of exposure of carp to these anaesthetics.


By using a comprehensive dataset of US and European universities, we demonstrate super-linear scaling between university revenues and their volume of publications and citations. We show that this relationship holds both in the US and in Europe. In terms of resources, our data show that three characteristics differentiate the US system: (1) a significantly higher level of resources for the entire system, (2) a clearer distinction between education-oriented institutions and doctoral universities and (3) a higher concentration of resources among doctoral universities. Accordingly, a group of US universities receive a much larger amount of resources and have a far higher number of publications and especially citations when compared to their European counterparts. These results demonstrate empirically the pervasiveness of a social order where financial resources are tightly coupled with a measure of 'excellence' associated with international rankings and, additionally, where the widely accepted measures of 'excellence' in reality 'prime' resources. They therefore raise important questions for policy-making and for the management of higher education institutions.


We give an overview of complementarity and synergy in cosmology between the Square Kilometre Array and future survey projects in other wavelengths. In the SKA era, precision cosmology will be limited by systematic errors and cosmic variance, rather than statistical errors. However, combining and/or cross-correlating multi-wavelength data, from the SKA to the cosmic microwave background, optical/infrared and X-ray, substantially reduce these limiting factors. In this chapter, we summarize future survey projects and show highlights of complementarity and synergy, which can be very powerful to probe major cosmological problems such as dark energy, modified gravity and primordial non-Gaussianity.


Abstract Objectives In this study, we aimed to evaluate the bactericidal effect and cytotoxicity of an ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA)-based root canal irrigant solution capable of efficiently removing both the organic matter and the smear layer. We prepared a strong alkaline EDTA (AE) solution with an acid buffer capacity similar to that of sodium hypochlorite. Materials and Methods AE was used at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3%. The bactericidal effect of AE on Enterococcus faecalis was evaluated by determining the colony number and biofilm removal rate. Biofilms were visualized using a Live/Dead BacLight bacterial viability kit. Viability of AE-treated cells were determined using a CCK-8 cell counting assay. Statistical Analysis One-way analysis of variance followed by a Dunnett's multiple comparison test were used for comparisons among groups. Results Significant reduction in cell viability and biofilm formation were observed in case of 3% and 2% AE. AE exerted bactericidal effects in a concentration-dependent manner. Damage of normal human fibroblasts was not observed at any of the AE concentrations. Conclusions Our results suggest that the AE solution could be used as an effective canal irrigant for the removal of bacterial biofilm.


We present accurate measurements of carrier-envelope-phase effects on ionization of the noble gases with few-cycle laser pulses. The experimental apparatus is calibrated by using atomic hydrogen data to remove any systematic offsets and thereby obtain accurate CEP data on other generally used noble gases such as Ar, Kr, and Xe. Experimental results for H are well supported by exact time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation theoretical simulations; however, significant differences are observed in the case of the noble gases.


This paper presents a trade model with capital and labor as factors of production. The main contribution of this paper is that it considers a new type of firm heterogeneity, which is empirically relevant: firms in this paper differ with respect to their factor shares in production. Therefore, this paper addresses the following four empirical facts on globalization, firms' factor shares and factor prices: (i) firms within narrowly defined industries exhibit a large degree of heterogeneity in factor shares in production; (ii) exporters are, on average, more capital intensive than non—exporters; (iii) globalization decreases labor's share in national income; (iv) the larger the share of exporters in the industry, the larger the increase in the industry's wages due to globalization.


Abstract Aims Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) promise vast advances in medicine. The current state of AI/ML applications in cardiovascular medicine is largely unknown. This systematic review aims to close this gap and provides recommendations for future applications. Methods and results Pubmed and EMBASE were searched for applied publications using AI/ML approaches in cardiovascular medicine without limitations regarding study design or study population. The PRISMA statement was followed in this review. A total of 215 studies were identified and included in the final analysis. The majority (87%) of methods applied belong to the context of supervised learning. Within this group, tree-based methods were most commonly used, followed by network and regression analyses as well as boosting approaches. Concerning the areas of application, the most common disease context was coronary artery disease followed by heart failure and heart rhythm disorders. Often, different input types such as electronic health records and images were combined in one AI/ML application. Only a minority of publications investigated reproducibility and generalizability or provided a clinical trial registration. Conclusions A major finding is that methodology may overlap even with similar data. Since we observed marked variation in quality, reporting of the evaluation and transparency of data and methods urgently need to be improved.


Background Molecular tools may greatly improve our understanding of pathogen evolution and epidemiology but technical constraints have hindered the development of genetic resources for parasites compared to free-living organisms. This study aims at developing molecular tools for Podosphaera plantaginis, an obligate fungal pathogen of Plantago lanceolata. This interaction has been intensively studied in the Åland archipelago of Finland with epidemiological data collected from over 4,000 host populations annually since year 2001. Principal Findings A cDNA library of a pooled sample of fungal conidia was sequenced on the 454 GS-FLX platform. Over 549,411 reads were obtained and annotated into 45,245 contigs. Annotation data was acquired for 65.2% of the assembled sequences. The transcriptome assembly was screened for SNP loci, as well as for functionally important genes (mating-type genes and potential effector proteins). A genotyping assay of 27 SNP loci was designed and tested on 380 infected leaf samples from 80 populations within the Åland archipelago. With this panel we identified 85 multilocus genotypes (MLG) with uneven frequencies across the pathogen metapopulation. Approximately half of the sampled populations contain polymorphism. Our genotyping protocol revealed mixed-genotype infection within a single host leaf to be common. Mixed infection has been proposed as one of the main drivers of pathogen evolution, and hence may be an important process in this pathosystem. Significance The developed SNP panel offers exciting research perspectives for future studies in this well-characterized pathosystem. Also, the transcriptome provides an invaluable novel genomic resource for powdery mildews, which cause significant yield losses on commercially important crops annually. Furthermore, the features that render genetic studies in this system a challenge are shared with the majority of obligate parasitic species, and hence our results provide methodological insights from SNP calling to field sampling protocols for a wide range of biological systems.


The paper examines two patterns found in one type of copular constructions in Polish, i.e., those containing the verbal copula być 'be' and the pronominal copula to. In the first pattern the verb być 'be' agrees with the second, postverbal element, not with the first one, while in the other 1st and 2nd person pronouns are banned from appearing as the first elements in to być copular clauses. It is argued that these apparently unrelated patterns are amenable to a uniform analysis couched within the minimalist approach to the Person Case Constraint (henceforth, the PCC). This approach crucially relies on the application of multiple Agree and the assumption that in Polish, just like in other languages, T probes separately for person and number. It is argued that in both patterns under consideration T probes the first DP for person and the second one for number and gender, which accounts for agreement with the second element in the first pattern. If the first DP is 1st or 2nd person, it values the person feature of T as 1st or 2nd and this is responsible for a person clash if the second DP is marked for 3rd person, which accounts for the second pattern. The analysis offered predicts that the two DPs in to być clauses must match in person. It is shown that this prediction may turn out to be problematic in the light of the fact that identity statements and inverted copular sentences allow person mismatch. It is argued that although they seem to be problematic in fact neither in the former nor in the latter the mechanism underlying the PCC effect, i.e., multiple Agree, is operative, but for a different reason. Equatives are analysed along the lines proposed by Perelstvaig (2001; 2008) for Russian and Italian by Moro (1997; 2006), i.e., they are treated as bare small clauses which lack a label unless the second DP is internally merged with the bare small clause and thus provides it with a label (DP). As a result of this movement, the moved DP is closer to the probe T than the other DP, which blocks multiple Agree. In inverted copula sentences, on the other hand, parallel probing by T and C applies, which forces the movement of the inverted element to Spec CP and thus makes it unavailable to Agree with T.


Previous findings from our laboratory have demonstrated that cPLA2α is directly activated by the emerging bioactive sphingolipid, ceramide 1-phosphate (C-1-P) (1). In this study, a Triton X-100/phosphatidylcholine (PC) mixed micelle assay was utilized to determine the kinetics and specificity of this lipid-enzyme interaction. Using this assay, the addition of C-1-P induced a dramatic increase in the activity of cPLA2α (>15-fold) with a Ka of 2.4 mol % C-1-P/Triton X-100 micelle. This activation was highly specific as the addition of other lipids had insignificant effects on cPLA2α activity. Studies using surface-dilution kinetics revealed that C-1-P had no effect on the Michaelis-Menten constant, KmB, but decreased the dissociation constant (K As) value by 87%. Thus, C-1-P not only increases the membrane affinity of cPLA2α but also may act as an allosteric activator of the enzyme. Surface plasmon resonance analysis of the C-1-P/cPLA2α interaction verified a decrease in the dissociation constant, demonstrating that cPLA2α bound PC vesicles containing C-1-P with increased affinity (5-fold) compared with PC vesicles alone. The effect on the dissociation rate of cPLA2α was also found to be lipid-specific with the exception of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, which caused a modest increase in vesicle affinity (2-fold). Lastly, the binding site for C-1-P was determined to be within the C2-domain of cPLA2α, unlike phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. These data demonstrate a novel interaction site for C-1-P and suggest that C-1-P may function to recruit cPLA2α to intracellular membranes as well as allosterically activate the membrane-associated enzyme.


Abstract Objective The benefits of the 39-week rule have been questioned and concerns of increased stillbirth after adoption of this rule have been raised. Whether expectant management risks outweigh the benefits of awaiting 39 weeks has not been studied. We analyze the risks of expectant management at term and the optimal timing for delivery. Study Design All U.S. nonanomalous singleton term deliveries in 2013 were selected, excluding diabetes/hypertension, and low birth weight. Maternal/neonatal complications and stillbirth/infant death were compared among expectant management versus deliveries at each term gestational age. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjust odds ratios of complications according to delivery plan at each gestational age. Results From approximately 3 million deliveries, maternal complications during expectant management were lower at early term, and became higher at 39 weeks, relative risk [RR] (95% confidence interval [CI]) = 1.18 (1.16–1.19). Neonatal complications during expectant management were lower during early term, and became higher at ≥39 weeks, RR (95% CI) = 1.09 (1.08–1.09). The risk of perinatal mortality in the expectant management group was lower during early term, and became higher at ≥39 weeks, 18.93 (17.83–20.10) versus 17.37 (16.61–18.16), p = 0.010. Conclusion Complications during expectant management occurring while awaiting full term do not outweigh the benefits of better outcomes from reaching 39 weeks. However, extending beyond 39 weeks may put these pregnancies at an increased risk.


The bulk dynamic load could make the voltage of Point of Common Coupling (PCC) fluctuate and results in flicker. It usually transforms in power grid and perhaps exists in several voltage ranks. In order to mitigate flicker locally, the disturbance source location is desirably solved. Flickermeter is helpful to confirm if there is flicker at the detecting bus. But its reading indicates the accumulative intensity containing upper background disturbance and down load disturbance. It can not point out whether the main disturbance source results from upper side or downside. Supposing that only one load is feed without background disturbance, flicker intensity detected at PCC can represent the intensity level of that load. A responsibility allocation algorithm derived from that fact is proposed in this paper. It tracks the impedance of loads using wavelet-transform based method from operating data, computes the virtual voltage of PCC according to the percent of system impedance to load impedance and calculates the respective flicker intensity for each interference load. The flicker intensity corresponds to the hazard level of each customer. A Real Time Digital Simulation (RTDS) test of Flicker Source Location System (FSLS) and a practical application in Fujian Grid are introduced in this paper too.


C-18 fatty acid-coated silver nanoparticles are synthesized using a facile and worthwhile chemical method. The structural, morphological, and optical characteristics were broadly studied, endorsing the synthesis of the modified nanoparticles. Analyses were performed using routine characterization methods like FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, etc. The XRD patterns confirm the crystalline pattern, while TEM confirms the structure as fine spherical nanoparticles. The photocatalytic studies of the nanoparticles were performed using the degradation of eriochrome black T and methylene blue dyes. They revealed that the saturated form of the fatty acid-coated silver nanoparticles shows a higher degradation rate compared to the unsaturated derivative. Further, the rate constant for the brominated derivative of oleic acid-capped AgNPs, i.e. DOAN, of both the dyes is greater than that of SNP, while that of ONP is the least. The antibacterial assay of the above nanoparticles against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens has also been performed. DOAN proved to be a bit more effective compared to the other two. This successful study of photocatalytic and antibacterial properties of fatty acid-coated silver nanoparticles can be used for the reasonable treatment and commercial disposal of debris from wastewater.


The nonreciprocity of the characteristics of counterpropagating waves in a ring resonator formed by totally reflecting prisms is analysed. The polarisation-inhomogeneous properties of a prism resonator and their effect on the nonreciprocity of the frequencies of counterpropagating waves are studied.


A number of analytical and numerical techniques are available for the two dimensional study of stress concentration around the hole(s) in isotropic and composite plates subjected to in-plane or transverse loading conditions. The information on the techniques for three dimensional analyses of stress concentration around the hole in isotropic and composite plates subjected to transverse loading conditions is, however, limited. In the present work, distributions of stresses and deflection in simply supported rectangular isotropic and orthotropic composite plates with central circular hole subjected to transverse static loading have been studied using 3-D finite element method. The effect of t/A and D/A ratio upon stress concentration factor and deflection in isotropic and orthotropic plates under transverse static loading condition is studied. The 3-D results are compared with 2-D results and it is observed that the 2-D results for orthotropic composite plates subjected to transverse loading conditions vary too much and hence should not be taken for conclusion. All results are presented in graphical form and discussed. The finite element formulation and its analysis are carried out using ANSYS package.


At first glance the human bone appears to be solid, rigid and unchangeable. But in point of fact this is not so, for a process of change is continuously going on, during which bone mass is resorbed and formed. Up until the age of 30 bone mass continues to be formed, although at an increasingly slower pace. A few years of equilibrium between bone formation and bone resorption follow. Thereafter, from about the age of 40, a continuous slow loss of bone mass sets in. This is considered to be a normal process of aging. But if the speed of resorption exceeds a certain degree and bone resorption increases, osteoporosis can develop after several years. Osteoporosis is therefore an illness in which bone mass has been massively resorbed over the past years and/or is being acutely resorbed. Given the altered demographic structure--an ever larger number of people living to an advanced age--the number of people affected by osteoporosis is increasing. Once the bone loss reaches a certain degree, there is a greater susceptibility to bone fractures. Particularly affected are the vertebrae, the neck of the femur, and the forearm.


BACKGROUND
The literature in the field of access management in relation to home haemodialysis (HHD) was reviewed.

FINDINGS
One of the greatest benefits of HHD is the possibility for high dose dialysis. There is, however, concern about its adverse effects on access survival. Furthermore, for the patients, self-cannulation is often the biggest obstacle for HHD. Both problems might be resolved by applying a single needle dialysis technique or, in case of arterio-venous fistulae, using the buttonhole (BH) method. As for the BH method there is one limitation-the elevated risk of life-threatening infections. However, in none of the trials referred to in this paper, the BH method was abandoned, probably due to the implementation of successful, problem-tackling measures.

CONCLUSION
Continued training and re-training of staff and patients is vital to gain and maintain a wide understanding of successful vascular access management.


It has generally been thought that the C4 photosynthetic pathway evolved from C3 ancestors due to low CO2 and high temperature, but recent studies have challenged this long-held hypothesis by suggesting water availability was a prime selective factor. Our work aimed to determine the importance and order that the environmental factors of CO2, temperature, water availability and light selected for C4 evolution and the evolutionary dynamics of hydraulics and photosynthesis traits along and after C4 evolution through time. First, we coupled hydraulics to photosynthesis models while optimizing photosynthesis over stomatal resistance and leaf/fine-root allocation to analyze the four selective pressures and their interactions through the historical origin and expansion of C4 plants. We found that water limitation was the primary driver for a C4 advantage with CO2 as high as 600 ppm in the Oligocene and low CO2 together with high light drove the mid-to-late Miocene global expansion of C4. Also, we predicted the geographical hotspots of C4 origins, consistent with fossil records, but the evolutionary center in northwest Africa and a Miocene-long origin in Australia are novel. Then, we analyzed the evolutionary divergence and reorganization of the hydraulic and photosynthesis system before and after C4 using mathematical models and phylogenetic comparative experiments for grasses. For hydraulic traits, C4 pathway led to higher hydraulic conductance (Kleaf), leaf capacitance (CFT) and leaf turgor loss point. The evolutionary trends of hydraulic traits diverged between C3 and C4: Kleaf and CFT decreased in C4 grasses, but not in C3; the evolution of C4 diminished the positive correlation between maximal assimilation rate and Kleaf. For photosynthesis traits, C4 have significantly higher resource allocation to light reaction than C3 and the empirical measurements are consistent with the optimal modeling. C4 have a significantly higher chlorophyll a/b and a significantly lower ratio of fluorescence-based electron transport, which indicated a lower proportion of linear electron transport. In addition, to analyze the divergence and evolution of the photosynthesis systems in C4, we extend the framework of widely-used estimation methods for C3 plants to build estimation tools of photosynthesis parameters for C4. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Biology First Advisor Brent Helliker Second Advisor Erol Akçay


A cytotoxic effect, as measured by 51Cr release, was detected after a 6-h incubation with two strains of Borrelia burgdorferi with neonatal rat primary brain cultures and with astroglial enriched cultures derived from the primary rat brain cells. A low-passage strain, J31, induced a significantly greater cytotoxic effect than did strain B31 in long-term in vitro culture. Live spirochetes and sonicates of both strains induced cytotoxicity, whereas heat-killed organisms did not. The degree of injury was greater in the primary brain than in the astroglial enriched cultures. Scanning electron microscopy revealed marked contraction of the membrane sheets and bleb production by the oligodendroglia of primary brain cultures after incubation with B. burgdorferi. The astroglial layer appeared unharmed.


SUMMARY Vitamin D could modulate pathways leading to dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS). We examined the associations of serum total 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) concentrations in patients with uncomplicated dengue fever (DF) with risk of progression to DHF/DSS. In a case–control study nested in a cohort of DF patients who were followed during the acute episode in Bucaramanga, Colombia, we compared 25(OH)D and VDBP at onset of fever between 110 cases who progressed to DHF/DSS and 235 DF controls who did not progress. 25(OH)D concentrations were also compared between the acute sample and a sample collected >1 year post-convalescence in a subgroup. Compared with 25(OH)D ⩾75 nmol/l, adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for progression were 0·44 (0·22–0·88) and 0·13 (0·02–1·05) for 50 to 75 nmol/l (vitamin D insufficiency) and <50 nmol/l (vitamin D deficiency), respectively (P, trend = 0·003). Mean 25(OH)D concentrations were much lower post-convalescence compared with the acute episode, regardless of case status. Compared with controls, mean VDBP was non-significantly lower in cases. We conclude that low serum 25(OH)D concentrations in DF patients predict decreased odds of progression to DHF/DSS.


A paradigm shift in neuroscience was the discovery that new neurons are constantly produced in the adult mammalian brain of several species, including Homo sapiens. These new-born cells are formed in some main neurogenic niches, including the subventricular zone (SVZ) at the margin of the lateral ventricle and subgranular zone (SGZ) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). In the DG, neuroblasts derive from SGZ progenitors and migrate to the hippocampal granular layer becoming adult granule cells, which are integrated into functional adult circuits. It has been confirmed that adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) is a long-lasting phenomenon in the human brain. The functions of hippocampal new-born cells are not fully established. Experimental studies suggest that they have unique electrophysiological properties, including hyperexcitability, which enable them to regulate adult granule cells. Their specific function depends on the anatomical hippocampal location along the hippocampal dorsal-ventral axis. Dorsal hippocampus plays a more defined role on spatial learning and contextual information, while the ventral hippocampus is more related to emotional behavior, stress resilience and social interaction. Several reports suggest a role for AHN in pattern separation, cognitive flexibility, forgetting and reversal learning. It has been proposed that deficits in AHN might impair normal DG function, including pattern separation and cognitive flexibility, which could play a role on the etiology of affective disorders, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this paper, we review recent scientific evidence suggesting that impairment of AHN may underlie the pathophysiology of affective disorders even in humans and that neurogenesis-inspired therapies may be a promising approach to reduce symptoms of affective disorders in humans.


Studying heritability and genetic correlation between traits is important to improvement genetic programs and indirect selection, for that, this study was conducted in the poultry field of Animal Production department - College of Agriculture - University of Kirkuk for the period from 28/3/2022 to 15/1/2023, to study heritability and genetic correlation between production and biochemical traits of white Japanese quail. One day hatched white quail chicks were obtained from College of Agriculture - University of Kirkuk, and reared for 35 days until reaching sexual maturity. Then chicks were randomly distributed to 30 families, with a male and a female for each family for two generations. Simple correlation between productive traits and blood biochemical were estimated, and heritability using full sibs method by variance between dam and total variances. The results of the study showed that there was a highly and significant genetic correlation between estrogen hormone in blood serum, egg production and egg mass, while a negative and highly significant genetic correlation was found between estrogen hormone and feed conversion ratio. Heritability values for productive and blood biochemical traits ranged from 0.22 to 0.42 and they considered within mediate heritability. The study recommended to use of selection programs and indirect genetic improvement based on some blood biochemical values (estrogens, total protein and glucose) due to their positive and significant association with productive traits of white Japanese quail.


Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a rare inherited disorder of heme metabolism. It has the ability to trigger posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), a rare acute neurologic condition that is characterized by acute neurological symptoms. Pregnancy may induce AIP attacks. The present report describes the case of a pregnant woman with AIP. The patient was treated with heme-arginate during pregnancy and successfully delivered a healthy baby. Following delivery, the patient presented with PRES and experienced generalized seizures. Treatment including arginine hemoglobin, calcium gluconate and sodium chloride was administered. The symptoms of epilepsy did not recur. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head demonstrated that the bilateral occipital lobe lesions were significantly reduced in size following the treatment. In the present report, it was demonstrated that administration of heme-arginate for AIP during pregnancy is safe. Timely administration of arginine hemoglobin, calcium gluconate and sodium chloride may more efficiently improve the clinical status in AIP patients diagnosed with PRES who experience generalized seizures.


The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical efficacy of dexametha-sone-lidocaine (DX-L) phonophoresis on perceived pain associated with symptomatic tendinitis. Twenty-four subjects were randomly assigned to a DX-L or placebo phoresis group. All subjects received strengthening, stretching, and cryotherapy. Five double-blind sessions were administered over a 5- to 10-day period, with 24 to 48 hr between sessions. Perceived pain was quantified using a visual perceived pain scale (VPPS) and a punctate tenderness gauge (PTG). Data were collected before stretching, strengthening, and DX-L/placebo phoresis treatments, 1 min after treatment, and 10 min after cryotherapy. There were no significant differences for VPPS or PTG between groups. There was a significant difference between treatment sessions, regardless of group or test, and there were significant decreases in perceived pain between Tests 1 and 3 and between Treatment Sessions 1 and 5. It was concluded that stretching, strengthening, and cryo...


Introduction High dose chemotherapy (HDC) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has been adopted as an effective treatment in patients with relapsed or refractory primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and also has been proposed as a consolidative treatment option for newly diagnosed PCNSL. HDC-ASCT may overcome chemoresistance mediated by blood-brain barrier by affording higher drug concentrations in the central nervous system. We investigated the feasibility of thiotepa, busulfan, and cyclophosphamide (TBC) conditioning followed by ASCT in patients with PCNSL. Method Between December 2012 and July 2015, a total of 27 patients with PCNSL underwent TBC conditioning followed by ASCT. Those with a complete or partial response after induction chemotherapy or salvage chemotherapy proceeded with TBC conditioning followed by ASCT. TBC conditioning consists of thiotepa 250 mg/m2 on days -9 to day -7, busulfan 3.2 mg/kg on days -6 to day -4 and cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg on days -3 to day -2. The event free survival (EFS) was defined from the date of transplant to the date of relapse, progression or any cause of death, while overall survival (OS) was calculated from the date of transplant to death. Result Baseline characteristics were summarized in table 1. Twenty patients received TBC conditioning followed by ASCT as a consolidative therapy after high-dose methotrexate-based induction chemotherapy and the other 7 patients received TBC conditioning followed by ASCT after salvage chemotherapy due to relapsed or refractory disease. The median time to neutrophil recovery (absolute neutrophil count >500/uL) and platelet recovery (>20000 x103/uL) were 8 (range, 7-9) and 8 (range, 4-15) days, respectively. All 27 patients experienced febrile neutropenia and 33.3% of patients (9/27) and 7.4% of patients (2/27) had documented bacterial and viral infection, respectively. Commonly observed nonhematologic grade 3 or 4 toxicities were mucositis (63%), diarrhea (59.3%) and nausea (25.9%). The 100-day transplant-related mortality rate was 0%. With median follow-up duration of 27.8 months (range 6.7-42.6), median EFS and OS were not reached. The 2-year EFS and OS estimates were 76.8% (95% CI: 68.4-85.2) and 88.9% (95% CI: 82.9-94.9), respectively (Figure 1). Conclusion ASCT with TBC conditioning appears to be feasible in patients with PCNSL. Although survival outcomes are encouraging, longer follow-up is required. Further studies are warranted to investigate the role of ASCT with TBC conditioning in both clinical settings of consolidative treatment of newly diagnosed PCNSL and salvage treatment of relapsed or refractory PCNSL. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Bacterial blight (BB), a devastating disease caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), causes serious production losses of rice in Asian countries. Protein misfolding may interfere with the function of proteins in all living cells and must be prevented to avoid cellular disaster. All cells naturally contain molecular chaperones that assist the unfolded proteins in folding into the native structure. One of the well characterized chaperone complexes is GroEL-GroES. GroEL, which consists of two chambers, captures misfolded proteins and refolds them. GroES is a co-chaperonin protein that assists the GroEL protein as a lid that temporarily closes the chamber during the folding process. Xoo4289, the GroES gene from Xoo, was cloned and expressed for X-ray crystallographic study. The purified protein (XoGroES) was crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method and a crystal diffracted to 2.0 Å resolution. The crystal belonged to the hexagonal space group P6(1), with unit-cell parameters a=64.4, c=36.5 Å. The crystal contains a single molecule in the asymmetric unit, with a corresponding VM of 2.05 Å3 Da(-1) and a solvent content of 39.9%.


The wide and indiscriminate use of pesticides for pest control in agriculture has inflicted serious harm and problems to humans as well as to the biodiversity. Microbial degradation of pesticides in contaminated soils has been considered advantageous to decontaminate areas that have been polluted by pesticides. Chlorpyrifos and diazinon were the most persistent residues in Egyptian soils. Four bacterial isolates were isolated from organophosphorus insecticides contaminated soils and genetically identified based on DNA sequence of 16s rDNA gene, Cronobacter muytjensii GH10, Achromobacter xylosoxidans GH9OP, Pseudomonas aeruginosa GH2NO8 and Pseudomonas putida GH4SNO/P were able to degrade 92.59%, 97.75%, 91.82%, and 90.78% of diazinon (600mg/l) as compared with 16.99% in control and 93.43%, 78.51%, 93.18% and 95.36% of chlorpyrifos (480mg/l) as compared with 4.28%, in control, respectively after 20 days of incubation.


This Policy Insight suggests the UN must account for a diverse range of conflict drivers, including health insecurity, and that UN peace operations can play a role in countries of deployment to counter health crises. Insecurity is experienced in a variety of different ways in a complex world where threats are multifaceted. COVID-19 is merely the latest health crisis which has impacted populations around the globe in both developed and developing countries. However, UN peace operations have not typically played a major role in addressing health insecurity nor have they undergone any major shifts in their focus to provide direct health-related assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. With health in-security likely to persist, there should not need to be a global pandemic for the UN Security Council to use peace operations to undertake further preventative work in this area.


The coat protein of cardamom mosaic virus (CdMV), a member of the genus Macluravirus, assembles into virus‐like particles when expressed in an Escherichia coli expression system. The N and C‐termini of the coat protein were engineered with the Kennedy peptide and the 2F5 and 4E10 epitopes of gp41 of HIV. The chimeric proteins reacted with sera from HIV positive persons and also stimulated secretion of cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from these persons. Thus, a system based on the coat protein of CdMV can be used to display HIV‐1 antigens.


N-Methyl-cis-5,6-trimethylene-, and cis- and trans-5,6-tetra- and -pentamethylene-1,3-oxazinan-4-one derivatives (15) and (16) were prepared by cyclisation, with aldehydes, of the appropriate alicyclic 2-hydroxy-1;-carboxamides. In each case, formation of the new C-2 centre of chirality was found to take place stereospecifically and only the (r-5,t-2,t-6) and (r-5,c-2,c-6) diastereoisomers, respectively, were formed. The conformations of the N-methyl-and N-unsubstituted cis-trimethylene-, cis-tetramethylene-, and cis-pentamethylene-1,3-oxazinan-4-ones (13)–(16) were determined by 1H and 13C n.m.r. spectroscopy in solution. Good agreement was obtained with the earlier data established by X-ray diffraction analysis of the crystalline substances. The relative steric structure of the C-2 centre of chirality was also proved by d.n.O.e. measurements. It was found that the substituent at position 2 did not affect the conformation significantly.


Responses of metabolites to environmental fluctuations may play large roles in biological adaptation, yet how these responses initiate in the natural environment and the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Synthesis of floral anthocyanins, as typical examples of secondary metabolites, is known to respond to the physical environment and therefore an ideal system for understanding the process of the environmental regulation. Here, by simultaneous monitoring of six natural environmental variables and anthocyanin content of daily opening flowers throughout a natural flowering season (∼50 days) of Ipomoea purpurea, we have identified significant and positive correlations of temperature (3‐days ago) and ultraviolet (UV) light intensity (5‐days ago) with the floral anthocyanin content. We sequenced all known (seven structural and three regulatory) anthocyanin genes in I. purpurea flowers and examined their transcript quantities in the natural environment across eight floral developmental stages (covering 0–96 h before anthesis). The anthocyanin gene expression patterns corroborated with the inferred effects from the time‐series data, and further showed that the positive UV effect became negative on transcript levels about 36 h before anthesis. With falling natural temperature, content of the principal anthocyanin declined, whereas that of an alternative anthocyanin with fewer glucose and caffeic acid moieties increased. Our data suggest that environmental regulation of the anthocyanin pathway may account for more than half of the flux variation in the floral limb, and is influenced mainly by daily average temperature and UV light intensity that modulate anthocyanin transcript levels (most likely via myb1) at floral developmental stages.


Standard-setting represents one of the main constitutional functions of UNESCO and an important tool for realizing the goals for which the Organization was created. In addition to conventions and recommendations, the declarations adopted by the General Conference promulgate principles and norms intended to inspire the action of Member States in specific fields of activity. This first of a two-volume work on Standard-setting in UNESCO contains the essays presented at a symposium held on the occasion of its sixtieth anniversary. Topics addressed in Normative Action in Education, Science and Culture include methods of elaboration and implementation; constitutional objectives and legal commitments; international collaboration; and impact. CO-PUBLICATION WITH: UNESCO


Supplementing chemotherapy and radiotherapy with selenium has been shown to have benefits against various cancers. This approach has also been shown to alleviate the side effects associated with standard cancer therapies and improve the quality of life in patients. In addition, selenium levels in patients have been correlated with various cancers and have served as a diagnostic marker to track the efficiency of treatments or to determine whether these selenium levels cause or are a result of the disease. This concise review presents a survey of the selenium-based literature, with a focus on hematological malignancies, to demonstrate the significant impact of selenium in different cancers. The anti-cancer mechanisms and signaling pathways regulated by selenium, which impart its efficacious properties, are discussed. An outlook into the relationship between selenium and cancer is highlighted to guide future cancer therapy development.


Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) can be used to prevent accidents, or to reduce their severity. It is essential to determine what functional requirements such systems should fulfill to meet drivers' support needs. An understanding of the underlying contributing factors and context in which the accidents occur is therefore crucial.

One aim of this thesis is to identify drivers' support needs in accidents involving vulnerable road users (VRUs) in urban intersections. Another aim is to identify the most promising ADAS for this accident type and to derive functional sensor, collision detection, and human-machine interface (HMI) requirements. A third aim is to develop an ADAS concept based on these requirements.

Microscopic and macroscopic accident data were analyzed. The microscopic data, obtained from the European project SafetyNet, consisted of causation charts describing contributing factors for 60 accidents. These charts have been compiled by means of the SafetyNet Accident Analysis System (SNACS). This thesis aggregated the individual causation charts for the drivers. The macroscopic data, obtained from the Swedish national accident database STRADA, consisted of 9702 accidents.

The results revealed that the most frequent contributing factor was failure to observe the VRUs. This was mostly due to reduced visibility, reduced awareness, and/or insufficient comprehension. An ADAS should therefore help the drivers to notice the VRUs and enhance their ability to interpret the development of events in the near future. Such a system should include a combination of imminent and cautionary collision warnings, with additional support in the form of information about intersection geometry and traffic regulations. The warnings should preferably be deployed via in-vehicle HMI and according to the likelihood of accident risk. To enable timely warnings, it may be necessary to predict road user intentions approximately 4 seconds ahead. The study also showed that the system must be able to operate under a variety of road, weather, and light conditions. It should have the capacity to support drivers when their view is obstructed by physical objects. To this end, it is recommended that onboard sensors be complemented by cooperative infrastructure-car systems. Consequently, an ADAS concept utilizing a vision based VRU detection system in the infrastructure is proposed. The VRU position and velocity were continuously broadcast to the cars in the vicinity. The cars used global positioning systems to determine their own position and velocity. Based on these data, each car's system estimated its own collision risk with each VRU. If this risk was high, information about the intersection and a cautionary warning were issued to the driver via an in-vehicle HMI. An initial evaluation of this conceptual system indicated that several technical factors and human aspects need further investigation and development. These include mainly detection and tracking of road users as well as prediction of their intentions.


Fractional Lévy motion (fLm) is the natural generalization of fractional Brownian motion in the context of self-similar stochastic processes and stable probability distributions. In this paper we give an explicit derivation of the propagator of fLm by using path integral methods. The propagators of Brownian motion and fractional Brownian motion are recovered as particular cases. The fractional diffusion equation corresponding to fLm is also obtained.