Analysis of peripheral blood or tumor DNA samples from 101 patients with apparent sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) was performed to assess the frequency of RET proto-oncogene mutations in this patient population. Peripheral blood and/or tumor DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. DNA sequence or restriction enzyme analysis was performed to detect mutations of RET proto-oncogene codons 609, 611, 618, 620, 634, 768, and 918. Six of 101 patients with apparent sporadic MTC had peripheral blood DNA mutations more commonly associated with hereditary MTC. In 4 patients, these mutations led to the identification of previously unrecognized kindreds. The remaining 2 patients were examples of de novo mutations. A codon 918 mutation was found in 14 of 57 (approximately 25%) tumor DNA samples. Mutations were not identified in the remaining patients. In this large cancer center population, approximately 6% of patients with sporadic MTC carry peripheral blood DNA mutations, either inherited or de novo, more commonly associated with MEN 2A or familial MTC. Seven additional gene carriers were identified as a direct result of these studies, a 2-fold multiplying effect. We conclude routine application of RET proto-oncogene testing should be included in all cases of apparent sporadic MTC.


Introduction: To detect the ability of the lumbar infusion test to predict the outcome of shunt surgery in patients with suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus. Methods: Twenty patients with suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus were studied. Preoperative CT and/ or MRI of the brain was done in all cases. The absence of preceding history indicated idiopathic disease. All patients were assessed with walking and psychometric tests before lumbar infusion test and tap test assessments. Tap test was done in all cases because it is the standard test used in these cases. The lumbar infusion test was done using a constant infusion rate (0.80 ml/min) using a syringe pump and regarded as positive if the steady state CSF plateau pressure reached levels of > 22 mm Hg (16 cm H2O). The tap test was regarded as positive if two or more of three different test items improved after CSF removal. Walking and psychometric tests were used to assess patients postoperatively. Results: The results of the CSF tap test and the lumbar infusion test agreed in only 40% of cases. Of all cases in the study, 18 (90%) had positive test results and were operated on; 16 (80%) of patients reported subjective improvement, and postoperative assessments verified the improvements in 15 patients (75%). Improvements were highly significant in walking and memory. Most of the patients improved by surgery (90%) were selected by a positive lumbar infusion test, and only 67% by a positive tap test. Conclusions: Both the lumbar infusion test and the tap test can predict a positive outcome of shunt operations in patients with suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus. Lumbar infusion test has a higher predictive value than the CSF tab test. The two tests are complementary and should be used together for a better patient selection. KeyWords: Normal pressure hydrocephalus - Lumbar infusion test - Tap test"


According to recent studies,  high-profile terrorist attacks, industrial accidents and natural disasters have highlighted the importance of resilient infrastructure. This paper discusses the concepts and considerations associated with designing resilient physical infrastructure.By using case study analysis, the case for resilience is stated, providing a high-level overview of why it is important. In particular,  the consequences of its absence and the significance of the concepts of risk and tolerance. To form the basis of design, exploring the significance of scale and understanding of the hazards. The challenges faced by the designer will be emphasised and, finally, guidance will be provided on how to incorporate better resilience into infrastructure design.


We developed an atmospheric gas absorption table for the Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI) based on the correlated k -distribution (CKD) method with an optimization method, which was used to determine quadrature weights and abscissas. We incorporated the table and band information of the AHI into a multi-purpose atmospheric radiative transfer package, RSTAR. We updated the package so that users could easily specify the satellite and band number. Use of this update made it possible to carry out calculations rapidly and accurately using the optimized CKD method. RSTAR is easy for beginners to use and facilitates comparison of results. Cloud retrieval tests using different numbers of quadrature points showed that cloud retrievals could be significantly affected by the CKD model's accuracy.


Earlier work, especially on metals, has shown that the friction of unlubricated solids is largely due to strong adhesion occurring at the regions of real contact; in addition part of the friction may arise from the ploughing of the softer surface by asperities on the harder. The following paper shows that the friction of wood may be explained in a similar way, that is, it arises from an adhesion term and a deformation or ploughing term. In particular, it is found that the moisture content may have a profound effect—not necessarily a collateral one— on each of these terms. The friction w as studied between balsam wood (Abies balsamea) and surfaces of steel and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The most revealing results are obtained when steel or PTFE spheres are slid or rolled over the wooden surface. The rolling friction is found to be due to in tern al friction or hysteresis losses in the wood and not to surface interaction. It is essentially the same for both steel and PTFE spheres. As the moisture content is raised from 0 to 30 % the rolling friction increases and then remains constant; this is apparently due to changes effected in the mechanical rather than the surface properties of the wood. In contrast, the sliding friction is found to depend both on the moisture content of the wood and on the chemical nature of the other surface. For a hard slider of a given material under specified moisture conditions the sliding friction, F8, may be expressed as the sum of F8 = FD + FA; FD is the tangential force involved in deforming the wood and is directly related to the internal friction or hysteresis losses in the wood itself. It corresponds to the rolling friction. FA is the tangential force required to overcome interfacial adhesion. This is specific to the surfaces. It is high for steel whatever the moisture content of the wood, showing that the adhesion, which is probably due to hydrogen bonding, is strong in both cases. For PTFE the friction is fairly high when the wood has a low moisture content, implying a relatively strong adhesion, but it is very low when the moisture content exceeds 30 to 40 %. This emphasizes the importance of surface structure in the adhesion term of friction in contrast to the deformation term which is essentially a bulk phenomenon.


Previously, we have shown that PDE2 is required for hyphal development and cell wall integrity in Candida albicans. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of its deletion by genome‐wide transcriptome profiling. Changes in expression levels of genes involved in metabolism, transcription, protein and nucleic acids synthesis, as well as stress responses, cell wall and membrane biogenesis, adherence and virulence have been observed. By comparing these changes with previously reported transcriptome profiles of pde2Δ mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as well as cdc35Δ, ras1Δ and efg1Δ mutants of C. albicans, conserved and species‐specific cAMP‐regulated genes have been identified. The genes whose transcription is altered upon deletion of PDE2 in C. albicans has also allowed us to predict that the pde2Δ mutant would have a defective ability to adhere to, and invade host cells, and an impaired virulence as well as response to different stresses. Using appropriate assays, we have tested these predictions and compared the roles of the high‐ and low‐affinity cAMP phosphodiesterases, Pde2p and Pde1p in stress, adhesion and virulence. We suggest that phosphodiesterases, and in particular the high‐affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase encoded by PDE2, have real potential as targets for antifungal chemotherapy.


This article provides a discourse analysis framework that explicitly interrogates how conceptions of space and time are implicated in the discursive processes of urban policy making. Urban policy increasingly delineates social subjects and geographical space according to internationally mobile discourses of urban and social pathology, but local actors construct these discourses as localized urban 'realities' with corresponding market-based solutions. Reporting on a five-year study of the Bonnyrigg Living Communities project in Sydney, Australia, the analysis demonstrates how employees of the state-, non-government- and private-sector institutions reimagined and (re)coordinated time and space within this public housing estate redevelopment project, according to market-centric logic. Using the spatial metaphor of 'invited space' (Cornwall 2004) and the temporal metaphor of 'imaginary time' (Hawkings 1988) , the analysis shows market-centric approaches reconfigure and demarcate space and time in specific ways. These allegorical forms showcase the power relations inherent to the structure of market-centric policy formation.


Discovering causal relations among genes from observational data is a fundamental problem in systems biology, especially in humans where direct gene interventions or perturbations are unethical/infeasible. Furthermore, causality is emerging as an integral factor for building interpretable and generalizable machine-learning models of complex phenotypes. Existing methods can discover causal relations from observed gene expression and matched genetic data using the well-established framework of Mendelian Randomization. But, the prevalence of expression measurement errors can mislead most existing methods into making wrong causal discoveries, especially among genes transcribed at low to moderate levels and using data with large sample size (say thousands as in modern genomic or GWAS studies). In this study, we propose a new framework for causal discovery that is robust against measurement noise by extending an established statistical approach CIT (Causal Inference Test). We specifically developed a two-stage approach called RCD (Robust Causal Discovery), wherein we first estimate measurement error from gene expression data and then incorporate it to get consistent parameter estimates that could be used with appropriately extended statistical tests of correlation or mediation done in the original CIT. By quantifying and accounting for noise in the data, our RCD method is able to significantly outperform the baseline method in recovering ground-truth causal relations among simulated noisy genes and transcription factor to target gene relations among noisy yeast genes using data on 1012 yeast segregants. Encouraged by these results, we applied our RCD to a human setting where perturbations are infeasible and identified several causal relations, including ones involving transcriptional regulators in the skeletal muscle tissue. Data and Code Availability The code that implements our two-stage RCD framework is available here: https://github.com/BIRDSgroup/RCD; code for reproducing the figures/tables in this manuscript is also provided in this link.


alpha2u-Globulin (AUG) is a major rat urinary protein, which has a molecular weight of 16 kDa (kidney type) or 19 kDa (native type). The biosynthesis of this protein is under multi-hormonal regulation. In this study, we investigated changes in serum AUG level and their association with changes in the reproductive organs of male rats after the administration of the estrogenic chemical, diethylstilbestrol (DES) at doses ranging from 0.01 mg/kg per day to 100 mg/kg per day by gavage for 14 days. Our aim was to establish basic data for the development of a new screening method for endocrine disrupting chemicals based on serum AUG levels. DES treatment decreased the weight of testes in a dose-dependent manner; and was accompanied by atrophic histopathological changes in testes. Testis weights were significantly decreased by the group given 1 mg/kg per day DES; however, histopathological abnormalities were found in the group given 0.1 mg/kg per day DES. In four of five animals in the group given 1 mg/kg per day there was no significant decrease in testis weight and only a slight or moderate degeneration of the pachytene spermatocytes. Despite these findings, serum AUG levels in this group decreased markedly, while the serum AUG level markedly decreased even in the animals with no histopathological change in the 1 mg/kg per day or 0.1 mg/kg per day groups with no histopathological change also showed decreased serum AUG level. These results suggest that the serum AUG level may be a sensitive parameter for detecting the activity of estrogenic chemicals in intact male rats. Although a uterotropic assay has been proposed for immature female or ovariectomized female rats and is currently undergoing validation studies internationally, there is no screening method for estrogenic chemicals in intact male animals. More data on AUG changes by treatment with other estrogenic chemicals are needed in order to determine the sensitivity and specificity of this response to estrogens. Nonetheless, an AUG-based screening test for estrogenic chemicals may be useful owing to its applicability to conventional toxicity studies and an apparently higher sensitivity of this parameter compared to organ weight change or histology of testis in intact male rats and applicability to conventional toxicity studies.


DFB laser intermodulation distortion were theoretically analyzed, taking longitudinal electrical field distribution in the laser cavity into account. The modulation distortion mechanism caused by longitudinal electrical field nonuniformity along the laser cavity was theoretically clarified. Furthermore, theoretical law distortion yields, which are decided by the uncontrollable grating phases at cleaved facets, were calculated for devices with various /spl kappa/L values and facet reflectivities, in order to obtain desirable design for the lasers used for subcarrier multiplexing.<<ETX>>


A great majority of studies on ethnic identity or ethnic separatism indicate that a minority group dealing with severe deprivation becomes more frustrated, more aggressive, and more demanding of autonomy or separation. However, in a multi-cultural society where the people can live with their both separate and co-existing identities, the minority group usually demands for greater rights within societies, not an exit from them. This is the case of the Muslims in Canada who constitute a tiny minority in the Canadian population. Since Canada is a multicultural country, the Muslims have not demanded any kind of autonomy but have demanded rights to preserve Islamic values, and their own distinct identity as Muslims. In this article some basic questions are raised regarding the Canadian Muslims. When and how did the Muslims arrive in Canada? What types of challenges they are facing? How do they meet these challenges? What is the future of Muslims in Canada?


Based on earlier studies using the 1999 and 2004 National Study of Postsecondary Faculty (NSOPF) data, a causal model explaining faculty technology use was constructed. Path analysis was used to test the causal effects of age, gender, highest degree, discipline (health science or not), recent research productivity, and teaching load on faculty use of websites in teaching. Two models, one for faculty from Research I institutions and the other for faculty from Community Colleges, were tested and both models fit the data with satisfying indices. Results confirmed that age, highest degree, and teaching loads influenced technology use directly, but indicated the lack of relationship between research productivity and technology use in teaching. An additional connection is suggested from discipline to teaching load. One important difference between the two models is that the impact of gender and teaching load on research productivity is significant for faculty at Research institutions, but not for faculty at community colleges. The models confirm the consistent and relatively strong relationship of teaching load to faculty technology use.


Theodore Inslee Jones ("Ted") made his first visit to Scotland in 1941 as a pilot in 422 Night Fighter Squadron of the US Army Air Force. He returned to the United States to qualify in medicine at Cornell University and then to become a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, with appointments as an associate professor at the Medical School in Rochester, New York, and visiting surgeon at two teaching hospitals, and a private practice. He married Ann Kramer and had five children, four boys and a girl, and now four grandchildren.

Their vigorous and prosperous life style in New York State included sailing and rural pursuits. It was surprising when, from this enviable base and with Ann's agreement, Ted decided to fulfil an earlier ambition dating from his wartime experience in Scotland to seek a simpler, more natural life as a general practitioner in a friendly community with his boat moored near by and a cottage hospital to maintain his link with surgery. So, in 1973, he set sail with three companions in his 35 foot yawl ARIES (a milestone in longitude) and crossed the Atlantic from Long Island to Falmouth in 33 days. His family followed by air, and they rented an apartment in Townhead Terrace, Paisley, Renfrewshire, a …


The role of laparoscopic resection in the management of colorectal cancer is still unclear. It has been shown that laparoscopic colectomies can be accomplished with acceptable morbidity. Major concerns are port-site recurrences and neoplastic dissemination. The aims of this study were to compare perioperative results and long-term outcomes in a prospective, nonrandomized study of patients treated by laparoscopic versus open colorectal resection for cancer. In particular, the effects of an initial laparoscopic approach on survival and recurrence were examined. One hundred fifty-seven patients with colorectal carcinoma were included in the prospective trial: 74 underwent laparoscopic resection and 83 underwent conventional open surgery. The two groups were comparable in terms of characteristics, demographic data, stage of disease, and use of adjuvant or palliative chemoradiotherapy. All patients were observed at 1.3- and 6-month intervals. The median duration of follow-up was 60 months (range, 10–125 months). The mean operating time was significantly longer in the laparoscopic group. Six conversions (8.1%) were necessary. The passage of flatus and the restarting of oral intake (P = 0.0001) occurred earlier in the laparoscopic surgery group than in the open conventional surgery group. The mean postoperative stay was significantly shorter in the former group (P = 0.005), as was the length of the scar (P = 0.001). There were no deaths in either group. The overall morbidity was significantly lower (13% versus 33.7%;P = 0.001) in patients treated laparoscopically. No significant differences were observed between the groups in the length of specimens, the size of the tumor, or the number of nodes removed. Late complications were more frequent after open resection (12% versus 5.4%;P = 0.01). Two port-site metastases (2.6%) were seen in stage III and IV locally advanced carcinoma. There was no significant difference in recurrent disease between the groups (24.3% versus 25%) during the 60-month follow-up. Stage-for-stage comparisons showed that disease recurrence rates and crude death rates were comparable.


Given the pressures on land to produce ever more food, doing it 'sustainably' is growing in importance. However, 'sustainable agriculture' is complex to define, not least because agriculture impacts in many different ways and it is not clear how different aspects of sustainability may be in synergy or trade off against each other. We conducted a meta‐analysis to assess the relationships between multiple measures of sustainability using novel analytical methods, based around defining the efficiency frontier in the relationship between variables, as well as using correlation analysis. We define 20 grouped variables of agriculture's impact (e.g. on soil, greenhouse gas, water, biodiversity) and find evidence of both strong positive and negative correlations between them. Analysis based on the efficiency frontier suggests that trade‐offs can be 'softened' by exploiting the natural between‐study variation that arises from a combination of farming best practice and context. Nonetheless, the literature provides strong evidence of the relationship between yields and the negative externalities created by farming across a range of measures.


Abstract Safety risk during the construction of a Large Scale Engineering (LSE) project can be avoided through safety education, following a correct procedure and using an engineering method. In order to ensure that LSE works in a safe state, some parameters need to be restricted to a certain range. Besides, in order to apply the former control for the predictive values, a Model Predictive Control (MPC) theory is suggested to be used for safety risk controlling. We share a MPC work flow and detail calculation steps of the rolling optimization, feedback correlation and constraint control, and a mean time gradient decent method is used during the optimization calculation iteration steps. At the end, regarding the resource allocation issue in the ship-lift engineering construction area of "Three Gorges" we verify how MPC works; and the numeric results show MPC's efficiency. We can see that MPC might have important future in safety risk management of LSE, because as long as the model can be predictive, regardless of an accurate mathematical model of the system, MPC can control a dynamic and uncertain system very well, which is also a characteristic of the safety risk of LSE.


After the nuclear disaster at the Fukushima I nuclear power plant caused by the 2011 earthquake off the Pacific Coast of Tohoku, harmful rumors have reduced sales of fishery products made in Fukushima Prefecture. In order to examine the structure of consumers' attitudes towards fishery products made in Fukushima Prefecture after the earthquake, which would affect their buying intentions, a survey was conducted in six areas of Japan. Seven components of consumers' attitudes were scored at seven levels, and structural equation modeling analysis was performed to investigate the interactions among the components. Among the seven components, 'anxiety over radiation and nuclear power' had negative effects on consumers' buying intentions, while 'support for earthquake-hit areas' had positive effects. It was suggested that cultivating awareness of the need to support the areas affected by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake increased the likelihood of consumers purchasing fishery products made in Fukushima Prefecture although consumers also had anxiety about radiation and nuclear power.


The detection and location of faulty passive components is crucial in testing printed circuit boards. This issue is one of the objectives to be satisfied by the development of a mixed-signal test bus standard-IEEE P1149.4-now on the final phase of evaluation. In this paper a method is presented that enables electronic in-circuit testing for presence and value of passive components, based on the use of analogue boundary modules like those developed under P1149.4, but making use of the positive power supply rail as an analogue test line. This method allows saving one analogue test line while profiting from the eventual presence of current sensors inserted for power supply current monitoring.


The dogfish shark Squalus acanthias regulates plasma osmolality and extracellular volume by secreting a fluid from its rectal gland which has a higher NaCl and lower urea concentration than plasma. We have previously identified the presence of a calcium-sensing receptor or polyvalent cation sensing receptor (CaSR) on vascular smooth muscle of the rectal gland artery (RGA) and rectal gland tubules (RGT). Activity of the CaSR is influenced by changes in ionic strength. This led us to speculate that the ingestion of invertebrate sea animals increased plasma ionic strength, resulting in inhibition of the receptor, relaxation of RGA, and reversal of inhibition of chloride secretion by the RGT. In contrast, ingestion of fish could diminish ionic strength and have the opposite effect. To study the effect of changes in extracellular ionic strength, shark Ringers solutions were adjusted to three different ionic strengths with NaCl, but the osmolarities were kept constant by varying the concentration of urea. High ionic strength inhibited and low ionic strength enhanced the response to increasing external Ca2+ from 2.5 to 4.7 mM in RGT. The increase in cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) of cells in low, normal, and high ionic strength Ringers solution was 344 +/- 60, 201 +/- 26, and 114 +/- 15 nmol/L, respectively. The [Ca2+]i responses of RGA to external Ca2+ in Ringers of three different ionic strengths were 323 +/- 43, 231 +/- 14, and 56 +/- 11 nmol/L, respectively. Activation of the CaSR by spermine was reduced by more than 50% by high ionic strength in both RGT and RGA. Whether the small changes in shark plasma ionic strength that occur after a shark ingests marine animals with lower and higher ionic strength modulates salt secretion by the rectal gland is not yet known.


Gymnosperms and angiosperms are thought to have evolved from a common ancestor c. 300 million yr ago. The manner in which gymnosperms and angiosperms form seeds has diverged and, although broad similarities are evident, the anatomy and cell and molecular biology of embryogenesis in gymnosperms, such as the coniferous trees pine, spruce and fir, differ significantly from those in the most widely studied model angiosperm Arabidopsis thaliana. Molecular analysis of signaling pathways and processes such as programmed cell death and embryo maturation indicates that many developmental pathways are conserved between angiosperms and gymnosperms. Recent genomics research reveals that almost 30% of mRNAs found in developing pine embryos are absent from other conifer expressed sequence tag (EST) collections. These data show that the conifer embryo differs markedly from other gymnosperm tissues studied to date in terms of the range of genes transcribed. Approximately 72% of conifer embryo-expressed genes are found in the Arabidopsis proteome and conifer embryos contain mRNAs of very similar sequence to key genes that regulate seed development in Arabidopsis. However, 1388 loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) embryo ESTs (11.4% of the collection) are novel and, to date, have been found in no other plant. The data imply that, in gymnosperm embryogenesis, differences in structure and development are achieved by subtle molecular interactions, control of spatial and temporal gene expression and the regulating agency of a few unique proteins.


Standardization of portable neutron assay instrumentation has been achieved by using the neutron coincidence technique as a common basis for a wide range of instruments and applications. The electronics originally developed for the High-Level Neutron Coincidence Counter has been adapted to both passive- and active-assay instrumentation for field verification of bulk plutonium, inventory samples, pellets, powders, nitrates, high-enriched uranium, and materials-testing-reactor, light-water-reactor, and mixed-oxide fuel assemblies. The family of detectors developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory and their performance under in-field conditions are described. 16 figures, 3 tables.


Abstract : Available methods for collecting human factors data rely heavily on observations, interviews, and questionnaires. A need exists for other methods. The feasibility of using two-way voice-radio for this purpose was studied. The data-collection methodology consisted of a human factors analyst talking from a radio base station with technicians wearing portable radio units while they worked on jobs dispersed over an area. Verbal communication probed for information on equipment problems, procedural problems, delays, and potential hazards. The concept of using radio equipment to collect human factors data was tested, using technicians performing flight-line maintenance. Data collected by radio were compared with data collected by questionnaire. It was concluded that voice-radio is not only a feasible means of collecting human factors data in the field, but has certain advantages over questionnaires in determining hardware problems and amplifying the data-collection capability of the human factors analyst. (Author)


The invention relates to a method for synchronizing personal data between a memory (11) of at least one mobile equipment unit (9, 9a) and an external device (12), each of said at least one mobile equipment units (9, 9a) including or being connected to a SyncML synchronization client (16), said external device comprising a SyncML synchronization server (14) associated with said SyncML synchronization client, characterized in that said external device (12) is a smart card (12), and in that said method comprises steps in which said smart card (12) is associated with said mobile equipment unit; said SyncML synchronization client (16) transmits (24) a synchronization request to said SyncML synchronization server (140; said SyncML synchronization server synchronizes (26) said personal data between said smart card and said mobile equipment unit. ® KIPO & WIPO 2009


Background: A large proportion of ER-positive breast cancer patients are offered endocrine therapy following surgery for primary breast cancer. However, many of these patients do not benefit from the treatment. Currently, no markers exist to predict whether or not an ER positive breast cancer patient will respond to endocrine therapy. Thus, additional predictive markers need to be identified to ensure a more tailored treatment. In this regard, recent clinical studies have demonstrated that high serum levels of TIMP-1 are associated with a poor response to tamoxifen or letrozole in ER positive patients with metastatic disease (Lipton et al., JCO 2008). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between TIMP-1 and endocrine therapy by using an in vitro approach. Tamoxifen has been shown to induce apoptosis in human breast cancer cells in vitro and TIMP-1 has been shown to inhibit drug induced apoptosis. Materials and Methods: We stably transfected the human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 S1 with the human TIMP-1 gene and established single cell clones expressing different levels of TIMP-1. The sensitivity of these cells to estradiol, tamoxifen and 4-hydroxy tamoxifen was compared using the crystal violet assay. For the estradiol experiments, cells were grown in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10% DCC-stripped FCS and without phenol red and for the tamoxifen/4-hydroxy tamoxifen experiments cells were grown in RPMI supplemented with 10% FCS. Cells were grown in their maintenance medium. Experimental media was added at day two, at a cell density of 20-30%, renewed at day five, and cell number determination was performed at day seven., In all experiments the mean value for each treatment was estimated from triplicate or quadruplicate independent wells and expressed in percentage relative to cells treated only with vehicle. Results: TIMP-1 overexpresing cells grew with a distinct morphology with more well circumscribed cells, and adapted faster to stripped serum than wild type and vector control MCF-7 cells. Independent of TIMP-1 production, all cell lines demonstrated estradiol sensitivity and inhibition of growth by either tamoxifen or 4-hydroxy tamoxifen. Conclusions: This in vitro study shows that overexpression of TIMP-1 in MCF-7 cells did not change the sensitivity of endocrine treatment of the cells. This is in contrast to our experiments with the same cells demonstrating decreased sensitivity to chemotherapy of TIMP-1 overexpresing cells. Moreover, our results are in contrast to those published by Lipton et al., JCO 2008, showing that patients with metastatic breast cancer and high serum TIMP-1 levels had a reduced benefit from endocrine therapy. On the other hand, the present results are supported by our recent finding that TIMP-1 cancer cell immunoreactivity is not associated with benefit from adjuvant tamoxifen therapy in ER-positive breast cancer patients (Bjerre et al., 2009) Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 2029.


The heat transfer enhancement for phase change materials (PCMs) has received much attention nowadays, since most of PCMs have low thermal conductivities which prolong the charging and discharging processes. Metal foams, as a sort of novel material with relatively high thermal conductivity, are believed to be a promising solution to enhance heat transfer performance and shorten charging and discharging processes of PCMs for waste heat recovery and thermal energy storage systems. In this paper analytical analyses have been carried out for heat transfer enhancement in PCMs by using metal foams. The prediction results agree fairly
well with the experimental data. The solid/liquid phase change heat transfer performance can be improved significantly by 3 to 10 times depending on the metal foam microstructures.


Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine with central roles in immune regulation, inflammation, hematopoiesis, and oncogenesis. Its biological activities are shared by IL-6-family of cytokines such as leukemia inhibitory factor and oncostatin M. When IL-6 binds to IL-6R, the IL-6/IL-6R complex then associates with gp130, the common signal transducer of cytokines related to IL-6. IL-6R does not have to be expressed on the cell surface for IL-6 signaling because soluble form of IL-6R (sIL-6R) can bind to IL-6 and function through gp130. Increased levels of IL-6 and sIL-6R have been demonstrated in both serum and intestinal tissues of the patients with active Crohn's disease. In animal model studies, anti-IL-6R monoclonal antibody (mAb) successfully prevented intestinal inflammation and systemic wasting disease by suppressing adhesion molecule expression by vascular endothelium. It also reduced colonic expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1beta, and interferon gamma mRNA without affecting the production of transforming growth factor beta, IL-10, and IL-4. Moreover, the treatment displayed therapeutic efficacy against established colitis through the induction of lamina propria T-cell apoptosis. These results strongly suggest that specific targeting of IL-6/sIL-6R pathway will be a promising new approach for the treatment of Crohn's disease, and the clinical trial of humanized anti-IL-6R mAb has been carried out.


In CDMA mobile communications the cross-correlation between signature codes yield multiaccess interference which will limit the system capacity. Multiuser diversity reception in a multipath fading environment is considered. We design a diversity reception scheme with equal gain combining of the multiuser detection outputs, and its performance for a Rayleigh fading channel is evaluated by computer simulation. The performance comparison is made among the conventional algorithm, the decorrelating algorithm and the maximum likelihood sequence detection algorithm for different combiners.


To construct their first lexicon, infants must determine the relationship between native phonological variation and the meanings of words. This process is arguably more complex for bilingual learners who are often confronted with phonological conflict: phonological variation that is lexically relevant in one language may be lexically irrelevant in the other. In a series of four experiments, the present study investigated English–Mandarin bilingual infants' abilities to negotiate phonological conflict introduced by learning both a tone and a non-tone language. In a novel word learning task, bilingual children were tested on their sensitivity to tone variation in English and Mandarin contexts. Their abilities to interpret tone variation in a language-dependent manner were compared to those of monolingual Mandarin learning infants. Results demonstrated that at 12–13 months, bilingual infants demonstrated the ability to bind tone to word meanings in Mandarin, but to disregard tone variation when learning new words in English. In contrast, monolingual learners of Mandarin did not show evidence of integrating tones into word meanings in Mandarin at the same age even though they were learning a tone language. However, a tone discrimination paradigm confirmed that monolingual Mandarin learning infants were able to tell these tones apart at 12–13 months under a different set of conditions. Later, at 17–18 months, monolingual Mandarin learners were able to bind tone variation to word meanings when learning new words. Our findings are discussed in terms of cognitive adaptations associated with bilingualism that may ease the negotiation of phonological conflict and facilitate precocious uptake of certain properties of each language.


This article contends that class politics has receded in advanced capitalist societies during the last century, while cultural politics has increased, and it focuses on social and political institutions, rather than on occupational structure, to explain the shift. Participation in solidary groups has consequences for the social bases of politics, and the political salience of such groups is affected by social institutions that are independent of occupational structure. The first such institution is direct rule. Whereas indirect rule tends to promote class politics, direct rule favors cultural politics. Rapid expansion of direct rule since the 1960s has muted class politics and increased cultural politics. This relationship is not deterministic, however; other institutions can mitigate the effects of direct rule on the social bases of politics.


Hyperactive PI3 kinase-Akt (PI3K-Akt) signaling has an important role in cell growth and resistance to apoptosis in B cell malignancies. Inhibition of this pathway by blocking PI3K activity, and or inhibiting mTORC1/2 signaling complexes is an active area of research in B cell leukemia/lymphoma such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). With a tissue-scan array, the expression of Rictor is a component of the mTORC2 complex was determined by quantitative PCR in a number of B cell malignancies. Rictor was found to be over-expressed in CLL and MCL cells as compared to normal B cells with no over-expression in Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins lymphomas. Inactivation of Rictor was performed by shRNA in two Mantle cell lines and these stable Rictor knockdown cell lines demonstrated a slower growth of cells as compared to scrambled shRNA control. In addition, there was a decrease of mTORC2 signaling and B cell receptor (BCR) cross-linking mediated Akt (Ser473) and NDRG1 (Thr 346) phosphorylation. To specifically disrupt the mTORC2 signaling complex and target Rictor overexpression, previously identified inhibitors that block Rictor and MTOR interaction in a yeast two-hybrid system were analyzed. Treatment of primary CLL specimens with these inhibitors followed by immunoprecipitation experiments confirmed the disruption of the mTORC2 complex. These inhibitors also induced apoptosis in CLL specimens and were more effective than rapamycin, an MTOR inhibitor and pp242, an mTORC1 and 2 inhibitors, at equimolar concentrations. Treatment of CLL specimens with the lead inhibitor, compound#6, resulted in inhibition of p-Akt, p-GSK 3 beta, p-PKC alpha, p-Foxo1, and p-Foxo3, with minimal effect on the phosphorylation of an mTORC1 target gene, S6 kinase. In comparison with Idelalisib (CAL-101), a clinically approved PI3Kinase p110 delta inhibitor in CLL, comp#6 is more effective in inducing apoptosis in primary CLL specimens at equimolar concentrations (mean 51.2, SD 21.7 as compared to mean 26.9, SD 17.2). The data support the effectiveness of these novel inhibitors that specifically disrupt the mTORC2 complex in primary CLL specimens.


APRENDER PARA NO DEPENDER: AN ANALYSIS OF CASA DE LA MUJER WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTRE IN NICARAGUA Samantha Blostein Advisor: University of Guelph, 2013 Professor Lisa Kowalchuk This thesis investigates an adult education program led by Casa de la Mujer, a women's organization in San Juan del Sur in the south of Nicaragua. At this centre, women acquire vocational skills and engage in workshops about women's rights, domestic violence awareness and sexual and reproductive health. Several gender and development scholars suggest that empowerment can be achieved through women's informal education programs that aim to facilitate critical learning for consciousness-raising and self-awareness. This was the topic of my field research at this centre. I conducted semi-structured interviews and participant observation to gain an understanding of how those in the program feel that their participation has impacted their gendered power social relations and livelihood opportunities. My research indicates that despite facing various barriers, through the skills development and gender training programs participants of Casa de la Mujer are able to act as agents to make strategic life


souroe, and the residence of the parties; an annual pUblication of the record; and the declaratory clause we have indicated, to secure to all who are upon it the rights and privileges of legally qualified *practitioners. The requisite forms for a bill to be introduced on the subject might be at once drawn up, and the measure itself confided to Sir Thomas Wilde, Mr. Macauley, or any other member of the House, who would take sufficient interest in the subject to see it through ils several stages.


To offer the best possible care for their patients, family physicians need coordinated data obtained from the physicians own patient database, from other physicians database, pharmacies, and drug reference databases. P2P-based sharing systems have been actively researched to enable resource sharing between multiple heterogeneous healthcare enterprises. Unfortunately, P2P system introduces a whole new class of privacy and security threats and in order to enable resource sharing between multiple heterogeneous healthcare enterprises, a policy management framework is required. To solve these problems in a loose-coupling way, we propose a dynamic, distributed and heterogeneous policy management framework for sharing medical information among autonomous and disparate healthcare information systems.


AlCl 3 -mediated intramolecular cyclization of N,N-bis(1H-1,2,3-benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl)-3-phenyl-1-propanamine (5) gave 2-benzotriazolylmethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-2-benzazepine (6). Subsequent nuclcophilic substitution of the benzotriazolyl group in 6 with Grignard reagents, triethyl phosphite and sodium borohydride afforded 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-2-benzazepines 1a-e, 2 and 3. Similarly, TiCl 4 -mediated cyclization of 8 and 10 gave 5,6,7,13b-tetrahydro-9H-isoindolo[1,2-a][2]benzazepin-9-one (9) and 1,2,5,6,7,11b-hexahydro-3H-pyrrolo[2,1-a][2]benzazepin-3-one (11), respectively.


Sugarcane cultivar resistance to Eldana saccharina is the best strategy to control the stalk borer. The present study aimed to establish the influence of stalk rind hardness, fibre and nitrogen content, and the effect Fusarium species associated with E. saccharina infestation, on borer damage and performance in different sugarcane cultivars. In two glasshouse trials, larvae were inoculated into 7-month-old stalks of seven cultivars with different E. saccharina resistance ratings via wounds created in the rind. In one of the trials, E. saccharina-beneficial fungal strain Fusarium pseudonygamai SC17 and E. saccharina antagonistic F. sacchari PNG40 were inoculated into the stalk of N41 and NCo376 three weeks before larval inoculation. Rind hardness and fibre content were higher in resistant cultivars and mature stalk parts, whilst nitrogen content was lower in these genotypes and in older tissues. However, E. saccharina survival, damage and growth indicators were not entirely consistent with known resistance ratings of cultivars, possibly due to the absence of the rind effect owing to mechanical wounding and differential effects of fibre and nitrogen in the cultivars. The absence of rind protection did not affect resistance in N29 and N33 upper internodes. Fusarium infection was higher in the bottom of the stalk compared to the top in both N41 and NCo376. The least length bored was exhibited in the bottom internodes of NCo376 (3.3 cm) and N41 (1.7 cm) infected with PNG40, whilst SC17-colonized NCo376 stalks experienced the most damage (8.2 cm). The contribution of stalk rind hardness, fibre and nitrogen content to E. saccharina resistance in sugarcane may vary in different cultivars and stalk parts, whilst biochemical defences possibly play a larger role in some genotypes. Infection by Fusarium species, especially in lower internodes, may have variable effects on resistance to the borer depending on the fungal strain present.


While deep reinforcement learning (RL) has fueled multiple high-profile successes in machine learning, it is held back from more widespread adoption by its often poor data efficiency and the limited generality of the policies it produces. A promising approach for alleviating these limitations is to cast the development of better RL algorithms as a machine learning problem itself in a process called meta-RL. Meta-RL is most commonly studied in a problem setting where, given a distribution of tasks, the goal is to learn a policy that is capable of adapting to any new task from the task distribution with as little data as possible. In this survey, we describe the meta-RL problem setting in detail as well as its major variations. We discuss how, at a high level, meta-RL research can be clustered based on the presence of a task distribution and the learning budget available for each individual task. Using these clusters, we then survey meta-RL algorithms and applications. We conclude by presenting the open problems on the path to making meta-RL part of the standard toolbox for a deep RL practitioner.


Objective: To determine types of disabilities in children referred to Teaching Children Rehabilitation Center (TCRC) in Suliamania. Material & Method: A retrospective study of cases referred during 2008. Patient's information include age, sex, residence and parents consangious marriage, socio-economic status in addition to type of disability and it's relation to maternal age, parity, previous family history of abortion, dead fetus or handicaps .Data were statistically analyzed. Results: Seven hundred seventy three patients were referred to the center,(61.5%) were diagnosed before they completed their first year,(50.2%) of mother age were between 25-34 years, female offspring were affected more than males(53%,47%), primary educated mothers were more than illiterates(47.5%,11.9%),more in urban areas than rural (63.8%,36.2%), hospital delivery was more than home (86.4%,13.6%),low parity(52.9%),consanguineous marriage was(40.4%),family history of abortion was(23.2%),dead fetus was(13.8%) and handicapped (63.0%), low socioeconomic status more affected by disability (61%).The musculo-skeletal system was the mostly affected system (57.6%) followed by central nervous system (30.3%) & then chromosomal abnormalities (6.9%). Conclusion: Disability was more common among middle maternal age, low parity, female babies, low socio-economic status, urban area of Suliamania, primary education of mothers, non-consanguineous marriage and family history of abortion, dead fetus or handicapped. We recommend premarital counseling which is of great use in the detection of congenital malformation, reducing consanguineous marriage and mothers should have medical care and get the necessary vaccination.


Corrosion of rebar is one of the major problems in reinforced concrete structures under a corrosive environment which causes serious damage to the structures. Corrosion of rebar is a complex process and one of the important factors of failure of reinforced concrete structures which reduces the strength and serviceability of the structures thus avoiding these adverse effects requiring a high cost. For this reason, this process needs to be modeled using probabilistic analysis and reliability analysis with uncertainties in the corrosion phase. Considering the different maintenance strategies and life cycle analysis methods, the cost of maintenance and repair can be delayed. One of the corrosion effects on structure performance is crack on the concrete surface due to the expansion of the corrosion product. The crack width is an important parameter for designing and evaluating the performance of concrete structures. Therefore, this paper presents an analytical model to calculate the crack width due to corrosion. Crack evolution in the concrete cover due to expansive corrosion products is investigated at different stages during crack propagation across the cover, from the reinforcing bar-concrete interface to the concrete. A merit of this model is that it is directly related to the factors that affect the corrosion-induced cracking process. Then, the predicted crack width is chosen as a stochastic variable and the probability of failure in concrete structures is calculated by using a stochastic deterioration model and the gamma process. The calculated probability is then used to calculate the life cycle cost and determine the optimal repair time by using the renewal process. The effect of structural parameters on the probability of failure is also investigated. The results show that the corrosion rate is one of the most important factors affecting the crack width, the probability of failure and life cycle cost.


This work presents the analysis results on the requirements in PISA 2009mathematical items. The analysis is based on all 35 mathematical literacy items, which were involved in PISA 2009 assessment. The research objectives were to determine what mathematical contents and activities are required in mathematical PISA 2009 items, to compare Croatian PISA results with the results of other countries in the region (Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro), and to compare PISA and curricular requirements in Croatia. The results show that PISA 2009 requirements differ from the textbook and curricular requirements in Croatia to a great extent. The paper presents the detailed analysis of requirements in the items, in which the Croatian students showed poor results, compared to the OECD average and other countries from the region.


The benefits to be gained from closer relationships between academia and practice were given official endorsement in Britain in the independent Nuffield report into pharmacy and in a circular issued by the Department of Health. Hospital based academic pharmacy practice units (APPUs) were recommended. This paper examines the planning and development of such units and the threats and opportunities presented. The experiences gained in directing a hospital-based unit serving a complete region (Mersey) are provided. Nationally it is shown that APPUs differ in rate of development, organisational structure, relationships and financial support. Their differences are outweighed by their common purpose to improve pharmacy practice by linking academia and practice.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of electrolyte disturbances in patients with chronic, stable asthma, and to assess whether the therapeutic agents used to treat chronic asthma have an effect on abnormal electrolyte levels.

DESIGN
Prospective, hospital-based, cross-sectional study.

SETTING
University teaching hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

PATIENTS
Patients with chronic, stable asthma.

METHOD
Ninety-three consecutive patients with chronic, stable asthma were involved in the study. On the day of the visit to the asthma clinic, particulars such as age, sex, duration of asthma, and details of drug therapy were obtained from each asthmatic patient. Serum potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and sodium levels were measured. Normal values were as follows: potassium, 3.5 to 5 mmol/L; magnesium, 0.74 to 1.2 mmol/L; phosphorus, 0.8 to 1.4 mmol/L; and calcium, 2.1 to 2.6 mmol/L.

RESULTS
Electrolyte disturbances were found in 43% of the patients; 85% of the patients had one electrolyte disturbance, 10% had two electrolyte disturbances, and 5% had three electrolyte disturbances. The highest proportions were for magnesium (26.9%) and phosphorus (15.1%) [serum levels were 0.69 +/- 0.04 mmol/L and 0.64 +/- 0.09 mmol/L, respectively], the lowest proportions were for potassium (5.4%) and sodium (4.3%) [serum levels were 3.3 +/- 0.01 mmol/L and 133 +/- 0.01 mmol/L, respectively], and no patient had a calcium disturbance. Logistic regression analysis showed no statistically significant association between the therapy used and electrolyte disturbances.

CONCLUSION
Hypomagnesemia and hypophosphatemia were found to be the two most common electrolyte disturbances in patients with chronic, stable asthma. Therapeutic agents used to treat patients with chronic asthma have no effect on abnormal electrolyte levels. The underlying cause still remains unclear.


This paper outlines a complete strategy for patient un-specific detection of epileptic seizures on scalp data. Using a crude estimation of entropy and contextual information derived from methods employed by human experts, a true positive classification rate of 94% was achieved on 125 seizures, 22 different patients and over 500 hours of EEG recordings. False positives remain low enough for this algorithm to be clinically applicable. This paper outlines the strategy, providing justification and exploration on the estimation of entropy using low number of data samples.


Following on from her publication "Roses," Cologne-based artist Sabine Moritz here turns her attention to lilies, which she first began depicting in the mid 1990s. Working on paper to produce fifty-nine charcoal, pastel and oil pastel drawings, she often approaches these works as studies or exercises in observation and representation. During the development of this publication, which was originally conceived as a collection of Moritz's drawings of lilies, the artist had the idea to introduce another ongoing body of work - drawings of objects - alongside the lilies. These objects are primarily statues, statuettes and figurines - hand-made works of art from different periods in history, such as a classical torso, an African figurine, and a Buddhist head. Moritz's drawings of objects reflect a range of ideas and registers, moods and sentiments. Including the objects alongside the lilies opens up questions of time, life, death, belief, human psychology and the very process of making art. What drives us to make art and what does it tell us about ourselves and the civilizations we create?


Power systems have increased in size and complexity due to rapid growth of widespread interconnection. This situation will make power system operated closer to steady-state stability limit (SSSL) resulting in higher probability voltage instability or voltage collapse. This paper presents SSSL assessment in power system using Extreme Learning Machine (ELM) model based on REI-Dimo method. The equivalent REI-Dimo is used to determine SSSL index of the power systems. Then, the result of REI-Dimo will be taught on ELM method via online. The results of ELM will compared with Artificial Neural Network (ANN) method. Studies were carried out on a Java-Bali 500kV system. The simulation showed that the proposed method could accurately predict the proximity to SSSL in power system. The proposed method was computationally efficient and suitable for online monitoring of steady-state stability condition in the power systems.


Background Diacerein is currently registered as a drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Evidence from in vitro studies and animal models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) [1–3] suggest that it may also be a treatment option in early RA. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of diacerein in early RA patients with inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX). Methods Active early RA patients, according to the 1987 ACR revised criteria for RA, were invited to join this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre phase II study. Inclusion criteria were insufficient response to MTX (≥7.5 mg/week), <2 years disease duration, DAS28 >4.0, tender joint count ≥6/68 and swollen joint count ≥6/66. After a one-month run-in period on stable MTX therapy, eligible patients were randomised to receive either diacerein (DAR) 50 mg or matching placebo (PBO) twice daily in addition to MTX. Study assessments were scheduled at baseline (W0), then every 4 weeks through 24 weeks of treatment (W24). The primary endpoint was the ACR20 response criteria at W24. Secondary endpoints included EULAR response criteria for RA, MCII (≥15 mm improvement in pain on VAS) and PASS (<41 mm of pain on VAS) response criteria. Results On 45 patients screened, 40 were randomised (ITT data set), and received at least one dose of study medication (safety data set). Five patients prematurely discontinued the study due to consent withdrawal (DAR: 2; PBO: 1) or unacceptable increase in disease activity (DAR: 2). Both groups were homogeneous at baseline for demographic and disease characteristics, except for a lower tender joint count in the DAR group (16.5±8.8 vs 24.6±13.2, p=0.0220). The efficacy analysis performed on the ITT data set showed that all parameters improved throughout the study in both groups. At W24, 13 patients in the DAR group and 9 patients in the PBO group responded to the ACR20 criteria (p=0.2036), while 15 patients in the DAR group reached a good or moderate EULAR response vs 5 patients in the PBO group (p=0.0016). The DAS28 improved from baseline by 1.26±1.37 and 0.85±1.17 in the DAR and PBO groups, respectively (p=0.1199). At W24, the MCII was met by 13 patients in the DAR group vs 9 patients in the PBO group (p=0.0388), while 16 and 10 patients reached the PASS, respectively (p=0.0014). Rescue medication consumption (paracetamol) was similar in both groups. The sensitivity analysis performed on the per protocol set (DAR: 19; PBO: 20) confirmed the results of the primary analysis. Thirty-one patients reported one or more adverse events (DAR: 16, PBO: 15). The most frequent adverse event (AE) was chromaturia (DAR: 8, PBO: 2), followed by diarrhoea (DAR: 4, PBO: 4) and upper respiratory tract infection (DAR: 2, PBO: 5). Gastrointestinal disorders accounted for 37.5% of all AEs (DAR: 8, PBO: 7). One serious AE was reported in each group (DAR: hip fracture; PBO: pharyngotonsillitis); both were not related to the study medication. Conclusions Diacerein 100 mg was shown to have efficacy in reducing RA signs and symptoms when combined with MTX. However, more powered clinical trials are needed to confirm these pilot findings. References Douni E et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2004; 6:R65-R72. Tamura T et al. Eur J Pharmacol. 2002; 448(1):81–87. Tamura T et al. Eur J Pharmacol. 2001; 419(2–3):269–274. Disclosure of Interest None declared


To the Editor.— Extraordinary advances are being made in computer technology. The derivative question is whether we are using that computer capability as effectively as we should for health purposes. It seems to me there are two areas in which we should surely use our computer capabilities more extensively. The first relates to potential illnesses caused by workplace exposure. More than 50,000 chemicals are in use in this country, and there are virtually daily pronouncements concerning the dangers of some of them to workers and sometimes to the public. Many companies have sedulously attempted to improve workplace health conditions. Others are absolutely intransigent in refusing to permit any investigation, even after evidence is presented suggesting strongly that their employees have health problems (particularly a higher cancer incidence) that merit analysis. The number of investigations needed is so large that our present regulatory agencies cannot even begin to cope with the


Renal interstitial fibrosis is a key factor in the development of chronic renal diseases, possibly leading to uremia. The present study conducted aimed to assess the hypothesis whether keratin 1 (KRT1) silencing could suppress kidney interstitial fibrosis and glomerular sclerosis via the Notch pathway to alleviate uremic symptoms. Differentially expressed genes associated with uremia were identified using the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Uremic rat models were established, in which short hairpin‐RNA against KRT1, activators, and inhibitors of the Notch pathway were transfected. To further validate the mechanism of KRT1 in uremia, KRT1 expression, cell apoptosis, glomerular area (GA), and glomerular capillary volume (GV), the score of glomerular sclerosis, and tubulointerstitial injury were assayed and investigated. GEO database revealed that KRT1 was upregulated in uremia and regulated the Notch pathway. GA, GV, cell apoptosis, glomerular sclerosis, and tubulointerstitial injury were typically located in more elevated levels of uremia in rats. KRT1 silencing and Notch pathway inhibition decreased the expression of Jagged1, Notch1, NICD1, Hey1, Hes1, α‐SMA, and FN, which further resulted in decreased cell apoptosis, GA, GV, the score of glomerular sclerosis, and tubulointerstitial injury. Subsequently, the effect of KRT1 silencing on uremia was no longer evident once the Notch pathway was activated. The co‐localization of high expression KRT1 and Notch1 was found in uremia. In summary, the results identified KRT1 as a key regulator in uremia progression, and KRT1 silencing can suppress glomerular sclerosis and tubulointerstitial injury via inactivation of the Notch pathway in uremic rats.


Thousands of U.S. soldiers have suffered grievous wounds in Iraq, but only one of them is a Doonesbury character. This special collection chronicles seven months of cutting-edge cartooning, during which B.D.-and readers of the strip-got an up-close schooling in a kind of personal transformation no one seeks. Deprived not only of leg but also his ubiquitous trademark helmet, B.D. survives first-response Baghdad triage, evacuation to Landstuhl's surgeon-rich environment, and visits by innumerable morale-boosting celebs, both red and blue in hue. He's awed in turn by morphine, take-no-guff nurses, his fellow amps, and his family, including the daughter who hand-delivers succor, one aspirin at a time. From rebuilding tissue to rebuilding social skills to rebuilding lives, B.D's inspiring, insightful, and darkly humorous story confirms that it can take a village, or at least a ward, to raise a soldier when he's gone down. "Thank you for getting blown up," offers one of B.D.'s visiting players. Replies the coach, "Just doing my job."


Based on the analysis of the particularities of the monetary policy of the Bank of Russia in the period 2000-2018, an assessment of its effectiveness has been carried out and the main problems in the sphere of monetary regulation have been identified. It has been determined, that the Bank of Russia focuses solely on ensuring price stability, limits the availability of credit for enterprises in the real sector of the economy, which significantly reduces their development potential. It has been shown, that under the conditions of unjustified monetary policy rigidity, the efficiency of the banking system's function of transforming savings into investments is reduced. Thus, the easing of the monetary policy by the Bank of Russia is considered as a necessary condition for the development of national production.


Accumulating evidence shows that adventitial inflammation contributes to the development of atherosclerotic lesions. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between atherosclerotic lesions in coronary artery (CA) and accumulation of inflammatory cells at local adventitia in apolipoprotein E gene knockout (apoE-/-) mice. Modified Movat's pentachrome staining, HE staining, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe and to identify serial paraffin sections of aortic foot and inflammatory cells in CA adventitia of apoE-/- mice of 60 weeks old. There was always accumulation of inflammatory cells in the adventitia of CA with extending lesions from aortic orifice to CA trunks. The CA samples were divided into type I: infiltration of inflammatory cells in CA adventitia without lesions extending in the intima, type II: infiltration of inflammatory cells in CA adventitia with the top of extending lesions in the intima and type III: infiltration of inflammatory cells at CA adventitia with lesions covering all the face of intima. The three types of CA sample represent the different developmental processes of atherosclerotic lesions, respectively. No extending lesions were found in the CA trunks without inflammatory cells in adventitia. In type I samples, 60% of infiltrated inflammatory cells were macrophages 57% of infiltrated cells were neutrophils in type II samples; 67% of infiltrated cells were lymphocytes in type III samples. Our studies revealed that adventitial inflammation may be an early event in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Different cell types predominate in different stages of CA adventitia. The neutrophils are closely related to the extending of atherosclerotic lesions.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the impact of hip fracture on coagulation function in elderly patients.

METHODS
In our study, 127 elderly patients with hip fracture were diagnosed and admitted to Peking University People's Hospital from January 2011 to March 2012. Specimens of their venous blood were obtained before and after the surgery, and measured for fibrinogen (FIB) and D-dimer. Also, we analyzed their age, type of fracture, fracture time, and concomitant diseases.

RESULTS
The FIB level of the patients (127 cases) before surgery was (3.91 ± 1.06) g/L, and 42.52% (54/127) patients' FIB was higher than normal. After the surgery, 28 patients underwent FIB test [(4.21 ± 1.24) g/L], which was higher than the FIB value before surgery, but was not statistically significant. Before surgery, 15 patients underwent D-dimer test [(2 059.5 ± 1 948.0) μg/L]. After the surgery, 26 patients underwent D-dimer test [(2 574.9 ± 1 702.4) μg/L].The two values were significantly higher than normal (P<0.05). The elevated value of FIB had no relationship with age, diabetes, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases. Before surgery, 45.83% (22/48) of the intertrochanteric fracture patients had abnormal FIB, and 40.50% (32/79) of the patients with femoral neck fracture had abnormal FIB, but they were not statistically significant. Grouped according to the fracture time, when fracture time was longer than 96 h, the ratio of abnormal FIB was 26.7%, lower than those of other groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION
The hip fracture in elderly patients has a direct impact on coagulation system, and FIB and D-dimer have significantly changed. According to the variation of FIB after fracture,we speculate that fracture surgery after 96 h may affect the coagulation system at the lowest level.


Farms growing rice changed significantly over the past two decades in terms of operation size and the ways in which rice is produced. As the total number of farms growing rice declined (from 9,627 in 1997 to 5,591 in 2012), total U.S. planted rice acres also dropped at an annual average rate of about 0.75 percent between 1995 and 2017. U.S. farms growing rice expanded that acreage more than 50 percent between 2000 and 2013 to an average of 600 acres per farm. Farm size increased most in the South where larger farms were able to take advantage of size economies. The most significant change in rice production technologies from 2000 to 2013 was the introduction and adoption of new rice seed varieties. Southern rice producers increasingly planted hybrid and non-genetically modified herbicide-tolerant seed. Precision farming technologies also proliferated, especially the use of yield monitors and guidance systems for tractors and other self-propelled machines. The adoption of new technologies in rice farming pushed per-acre production costs higher, but rice yields also increased, offsetting much of the higher costs. U.S. rice production saw an estimated productivity gain of 29 percent from 2000 to 2013, about 2.2 percent annually. Structural and productivity changes on U.S. farms growing rice benefited U.S. domestic rice consumers by helping to keep prices low and enhanced the competitiveness of U.S. rice producers in global markets.


Hyperphosphataemia in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) is thought to be an important contributor to cardiovascular risk, in part because of endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction induced by inorganic phosphate (Pi). Such patients also have an elevated circulating concentration of pro-coagulant endothelial microparticles (MPs), leading to a pro-thrombotic state, which may contribute to acute occlusive events. It is hypothesised that hyperphosphataemia leads to MP formation from ECs via an elevation of intracellular Pi, which directly inhibits phosphoprotein phosphatases, triggering a global increase in phosphorylation and cytoskeletal changes. Using cultured human endothelial cells (EAhy926), incubation with elevated extracellular Pi (2.5mM) led to a rise in intracellular Pi concentration within 90min. This was mediated by PiT-1/slc20a1 Pi transporters; and led to global accumulation of Tyr- and Ser-Thr phosphorylated proteins, a marked increase in cellular Tropomyosin-3, plasma membrane blebbing and release of 0.1 – 1 micron diameter MPs. The effect of Pi was independent of oxidative stress or apoptosis. Similarly, global inhibition of phosphoprotein phosphatases with orthovandate or fluoride also yielded a global protein phosphorylation response and rapid release of MPs. The Pi-induced MPs expressed VE-cadherin and superficial phosphatidylserine, and in a thrombin generation assay were significantly more pro-coagulant than particles derived from cells incubated in medium with a physiological level of Pi (1mM). These data demonstrate a mechanism of Pi-induced cellular stress and signalling which may be widely applicable in mammalian cells; and in ECs provides a novel pathological link between hyperphosphataemia, generation of MPs and thrombotic risk.


In the last couple of years incretin-based antidiabetic drugs became increasingly popular and widely used for treating patients with type 2 diabetes. Immediately after launching, case reports and small case series were published on the potential side effects of the new drugs, with special attention to pancreatic disorders such as acute pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. As clinical observations accumulated, these side-effects were noted with nearly all drugs of this class. Although these side-effects proved to be rare, an intensive debate evolved in the literature. Opinion of diabetes specialists and representatives of pharmaceutical industry as well as position statements of different international scientific boards and health authorities were published. In addition, results of randomized clinical trials with incretin-based therapy and meta-analyses became available. Importantly, in everyday clinical practice, the label of the given drug should be followed. With regards to incretins, physicians should be cautious if pancreatitis in the patients' past medical history is documented. Early differential diagnosis of any abdominal pain during treatment of incretin-based therapy should be made and the drug should be discontinued if pancreatitis is verified. Continuous post-marketing surveillance and side-effect analysis are still justified with incretin-based antidiabetic treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes.


Previous researchers considered facility location problems with transportation decisions or facility location problem with inventory decisions costs but integration among them in a multi-echelon supply chain have not given much attention. In the same time, the implications of this involvement to the decisions in selecting facility locations are more significant when the structure of supply chain system is multi-echelon. This book reviews the existing literature regarding the integration of inventory and transportation into location-allocation modelling in multi-echelon distribution system. This review has the objectives to explore previous works in facility location problems and present the recent research in facility location-allocation problems in conjunction with its involvement with other components as inventory, transportation and service level. The review also identifies the current facility location research applications in multi echelon supply chain


Radiotherapy is an essential part of the multidlevel treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. However but it is responsible for several adverse effects on different tissues. The tissue damage may occur immediately or over a prolonged period of time. A 33 years old woman, with a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma, nodular sclerosis histotype, II grade according to WHO classification, stage 2A has been examined for this study. At the physical examination, the ulcer was of 6 x 5 cm, 2 cm deep, of circular shape, with uneven margins. There was rash around the lesion too. The wound was infected with abundant serous and fibrinous exudate in the center and squamous-crostous formations around the center itself. The lesion was bleeding and smelled bad. Platelet gel has been applied once a week with a control after 3 days to check and evaluate the conditions of the medication.
The situation improved after the first two applications with a noticeable reduction of the rash and inflammation. During the fourth level of application the first areas of granulation tissue appeared and by the end of the eighth cycle, the therapy concluded with the lesion completely re-epitelized. Platelet gel showed to be effective and accomplished a complete re-epitelization of the lesion after eight cycles. At the same time, it allowed us to proceed with the myeloablative chemotherapy, which was the most appropriate therapeutic choice for the Hodgkin's disease but was supposed to enhance the risk of infective complications of the ulcer.


The influence of N2O on O2 consumption by mitochondria isolated from the cerebral cortex of goats was examined in incubations preequilibrated with N2O-O2 or N2-O2. Rates of O2 consumption were measured polarographically in a closed system while adenosine triphosphate (ATP) formation was maximal (after addition of excess adenosine diphosphate (ADP), state 3 respiration) and then when it was at zero (after addition of excess oligomycin, state 4 respiration). Compared with 90% N2, 90% N2O produced no change in the rate of state 3 respiration; but an observed 9% decrease in the state 4 rate and an 11% increase in the state 3: state 4 ratio were statistically significant (P < 0.05). These differences were not seen with N2 and N2O at 70% rather than at 90%, or when succinate rather than pyruvate-malate was used as the respiratory substrate. We conclude the following: Unlike other inhalation anesthetics, N2O at comparable anesthetic concentrations does not inhibit mitochondrial electron transport or ATP formation coupled to it (oxidative phosphorylation). N2O does inhibit one or more other processes, as yet unidentified, which are energetically coupled to electron transport. The increased cerebral O2 consumption that accompanies N2O anesthesia cannot be attributed to a direct effect of N2O on mitochondrial respiration.


This paper presents a novel content-based music retrieval system that accepts a query containing multiple tags with multiple levels of preference (denoted as an MTML query) to retrieve music from an untagged music database. We select a limited number of popular music tags to form the tag space and design an interface for users to input queries by operating the scroll bars. To effect MTML content-based music retrieval, we introduce a tag-based music aspect model that jointly models the auditory features and tag-based text features of a song. Two indexing methods and their corresponding matching methods, namely pseudo song-based matching and tag co-occurrence pattern-based matching, are incorporated into the pre-learned tag-based music aspect model. Finally, we evaluate the proposed system on the Major Miner dataset. The results demonstrate the potential of using MTML queries to retrieve music from an untagged music database.


The aim of this study was to determine the contribution pulsating compression component of the breast pump in total volume milk ejection by vacuum and compression stimuli. It was found that volume milk ejection together with vacuum and compression stimuli was on 10-46% more than expressing only vacuum stimuli. Average values 40,5 ± 5%, for expression only vacuum stimuli and 59,5 ± 5% for expression vacuum with compression stimuli. It was conclude that compression stimuli increase the efficacy of the breast pump is not only due to the effective formation milk ejection reflex, but also directly by an additional squeezing the milk from the breast.


The kinetics of iridium(III) catalyzed oxidation of ethyl diethylene glycol by ceric sulphate has been investigated in sulphuric acid media. The result indicates zero order kinetics with respect to cerium(IV) ion and first order kinetics with respect to ethyl diethylene glycol and iridium(III) chloride. The dielectric constant of the medium shows positive effect on the reaction rate. There is insignificant effect of ionic strength of potassium sulphate on the reaction rate indicating interaction in the rate-determining step being an ion-dipole type and not an ion type. Elevation of temperature increases the rate of reaction. Various activation parameters have been calculated and recorded. A suitable mechanism in conformity with the above observation has been proposed.


The influence of a planar input coil on the V-I characteristics of a dc-SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) has been analyzed by means of computation and experimental investigation. An extended electrical model of the input coil based on transmission lines has been proposed. The frequency behavior of this model has been validated with an expanded copper model. The V-I characteristics of DC-SQUIDs have been calculated with this extended circuit model using a SPICE-type circuit analysis program. The results have been compared with measurements of niobium dc-SQUIDs. In this paper the relationship between the V-I characteristics of the SQUID and the coupling impedance of the washer is demonstrated.


Background Parents use alternative protective methods instead of having their children vaccinated because of their various concerns. Aims The aim of this study is to examine the processes by which the parents preferred alternative methods rather than the vaccines to strengthen their child's immune system. Methods Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 parents who had vaccine hesitancy. The study sample consisted of parents whose children were between the ages of 0 and 18 years and who experienced vaccine hesitancy and lived in Turkey. The interviews with individuals were conducted online and aimed to be representative of the population of Turkey. Results The factors that caused parental vaccine hesitancy were various, such as vaccine contents, distrust of healthcare workers and false information about vaccines. Because of these factors, parents resorted to natural nutrition, vitamin support and some other precautions, such as avoiding takeaway food or preparing homemade food, rather than having their children vaccinated. Conclusions In recent years, it is thought that parents need education about vaccination; outbreaks may be caused by immigrant children who cannot be registered, and therefore cannot be vaccinated, in Turkey, which has received immigration at a high rate.


Whether defined as "fecundity" or "sustainable spending," the primary goal for investors is to increase the real spending that a portfolio can sustain. A closely related goal is to avoid shocks that jeopardize that future real spending. When sustainable real spending is the measure, a portfolio of "all asset classes," but not a balanced U.S. stock/bond portfolio, provides true diversification to see the investor through bull and bear markets.


ABSTRACT Lyophilized preparations of Chlamydia trachomatis were made to investigate how well they would survive storage at four relevant incubation temperatures for 1 week and 1 month. Good viability was maintained by storage at either 4°C or 20°C for 1 week. If the ambient temperature is not too high, short-term transportation of C. trachomatis is achievable through lyophilization.


The trimming power of on-chip optical networks consisted by 105 microrings is simulated. The total trimming power is no larger than 14W from 20°C to 100°C, if the distribution of these rings is optimized.


It is generally agreed the same criterion for hydraulic heave and for piping can be used. In vertical upward flow the theory is well established. The weight of the soil must be greater than the seepage force of the water. Despite this well established theory piping and sand boiling occurs at much lower hydraulic gradient than the theoretical value. It is concluded that this discrepancy resulting from a conceptual error by not making distinction between the local and the global equilibrium. In the case of hydraulic heave the equilibrium of the entire soil prism (global equilibrium), while for the initiation of piping on the surface of the soil the equilibrium of one grain (local equilibrium) should be investigated. Investigating the local equilibrium of a single grain physical model for the initiation of piping is proposed. Criterion for piping on the top of a horizontal surface in granular soil subject to an upward flow deduced from first principles. It is concluded that hydraulic gradient alone does not sufficiently describe the hydraulic stability of the soil. The particle size and its distribution also have effect on the hydraulic stability of the soil. Critical grain diameter corresponding to the critical hydraulic gradient is introduced. If the diameters of the grains in a soil matrix are bigger than the critical diameter then the Terzaghi criterion is valid. Grains with smaller diameters lose their stability at lower hydraulic gradient than the critical one. The removals of grains from the soil matrix increase both the hydraulic gradient and the permeability of the soil. Thus the initial grain removal from the surface of the soil can progressively lead to sand boiling; therefore, the stronger criterion of piping should also be required for hydraulic heave.


OBJECTIVES
To investigate the clinical features, diagnostic methods, therapeutic approaches, outcomes and the alterations of peripheral lymphocyte subsets in cytomegalovirus (CMV) diseases.

METHODS
From August 2000 to October 2002, 50 cases of CMV diseases were treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The diagnosis were made by their symptoms and positive CMV pp65 antigen or/and CMV specific IgM. Of the 50 patients, 15 were male, and 35 female. Their age was (35.5 +/- 16.2) years. Their clinical data were collected, and their peripheral lymphocyte subsets were measured at the time when they were first diagnosed as CMV disease. The lymphocyte subsets of 51 healthy blood donors were tested as normal controls. The lymphocyte subsets were compared between those who had an immunocompromising underlying disease and those who had not.

RESULTS
(1) CMV disease occurred in 39 patients who had immunocompromising underlying diseases, and in 11 patients who had not; (2) CMV disease caused various symptoms, most of them were nonspecific. Fever (100%), hematological abnormalities (96%) and abnormal liver function test (30%) were the most common manifestations. 3 cases of CMV retinitis were acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients with CD4+ T cell count less than 50/ microl; 2 patients developed multiple organ failure; (3) The positive rates of CMV pp65 antigen and specific IgM assays were 85.3% and 68.3%, respectively; (4) Comparing with normal controls, all patients with CMV disease had decreased B cell and nature killer cells, increased CD8+ T cell percentage and a reversed CD4+/CD8+ ratio; further more, the patients with underlying diseases had lower CD4+ T-cell and CD8+ T-cell counts than those without underlying diseases.

CONCLUSIONS
CMV disease occurred in patients with or without underlying diseases. Their clinical manifestations were heterogeneous and non-specific, therefore, special laboratory tests were necessary to confirm the diagnosis. pp65 antigen assay had more diagnostic value than IgM assay. The dramatic changes in lymphocyte subsets suggest CMV disease has a immunological pathogenesis.


ABSTRACT Cycling is a healthy, low-cost, and low-carbon alternative to motorized transport. As a relatively fast active mode of transport, cycling can overcome the distance barrier of walking, while also providing cardiovascular exercise and reducing demand for motor vehicle travel. The "cycling renaissance" has seen an increase in the number of cyclists in urban spaces, and there is evidence of increased investment in cycling infrastructure and cycle skills training in some places. Yet the number of high school students cycling to school is declining in many industrialized countries. Transport to school is a major contributor to daily traffic congestion, resulting in both local and global environmental concerns, and high school students have been relatively overlooked in research to date. In this paper, we present empirical material from a qualitative study of high school students and parents in Dunedin, Aotearoa New Zealand. Focus group sessions were conducted during 2014 and 2015 with students and parents separately, to explore their perceptions of modes of transport and transport to school decision making. Key findings relate to perceived safety, implicit messages, and social norms. We find that a complex range of factors contribute to perceptions of cycling safety, including features and perceptions of the built environment, traffic safety (including behaviors of other road users), previous cycling experiences (including accidents), and adolescents' cycling skills and on-road experiences. Overcoming concerns through behavioral and cultural interventions coupled with upskilling and thoughtful infrastructure may present a pathway to increasing rates of cycling.


We have studied with electron microscope the cysts formed in the liver of rats fed acetylaminofluorene in order to further characterize the lesion and its histogenesis. The cysts were lined by cuboidal and flattened epithelium or both and resembled bile ductular cells. Most of the flattened cells showed adaptive and degenerative changes indicative of pressure atrophy. The cuboidal cells lining the smaller ducts showed ultrastructural signs of activity. Similar "active" cells were seen in the outpouchings of the larger cysts. Our data indicate that the cysts are of cholangiocellular origin. Ultrastructurally the cells forming the cysts showed no signs of anaplasia and represent more likely the end point of bile ductular proliferation than a stage in development of biliary neoplasia.


1. Many field studies have shown that small herbivorous mammals include fungus (usually hypogeous sporocarps of ectomycorrhizal fungi) in their diets. However, the dietary importance of fungus relative to other foods is generally unclear because of limitations on the power of conventional techniques of diet analysis. Stable isotope analysis in conjunction with faecal analysis was used in an attempt to overcome these limitations.

2. Two foregut-fermenting marsupials (the Northern Bettong Bettongia tropica and Rufous Bettong Aepyprymnus rufescens) and a hindgut fermenter (the Northern Brown Bandicoot Isoodon macrourus) were studied. The Northern Bettong and Northern Brown Bandicoot are of similar body size (around 1 kg); the Rufous Bettong is significantly larger at 3 kg. Faecal analysis showed that the two bettongs ate a variety of grasses, lilies and fungi; the bandicoot ate these foods and also invertebrates.

3. Ratios of 15N/14N and 13C/12C differed in major food types collected in the field (fungus, grass, lily and invertebrates). Grass was clearly separated from the other food types by its low 13C/12C ratio, while fungus was separated from the other types by its high 15N/14N ratio. Invertebrates and lilies differed slightly in 13C/12C ratios.

4. Isotope ratios in body tissue (sampled in hair) of the three mammals were also discrete, showing that the species differed in the predominant sources of their C and N. Estimates of the proportion of C assimilated in body tissue that was derived from grass were 80% for the Rufous Bettong, 40% for the Northern Bettong and 45% for the Northern Brown Bandicoot. Analysis of 15N/14N ratios suggested that the Northern Bettong derived almost all its N from fungus, the Northern Brown Bandicoot derived practically no N from fungus, and the Rufous Bettong was intermediate.

5. The results confirm that for the Northern Bettong, fungus is a predominant source of N and C assimilated into body tissue. Differences between the use of fungi by the Northern Bettong and the Northern Brown Bandicoot strengthen conclusions from other studies that foregut fermentation confers on small mammals a greater ability to utilize fungus than does hindgut fermentation. It is hypothesized that the limited use of fungus by the Rufous Bettong is due to the patchy distribution of hypogeous sporocarps, which would result in a high energy cost of foraging for this larger-bodied species with a higher absolute food requirement.


The title compound, C18H13Cl11, is an undecachlorinated commercial flame retardant. The asymmetric unit contains two independent half-molecules. The complete molecules are generated by crystallographic inversion symmetry, causing the terminal H atoms and one of the Cl atoms to be disordered equally over two sites in each molecule. The central eight-membered rings are in chair-type conformations. In the crystal structure, there is a single weak intermolecular C—H⋯Cl hydrogen bond.


Since the middle of the last century the river areas of Andalusia have undergone a process of degradation. This paper presents a historical and multiscale approach of the spatial distribution of river areas by using the land cover maps. At regional level, evidence of that Andalusia has lost a tenth of river areas over the last six decades. Secondly, analyzed of two local paradigmatic cases (Guadalmina river and Guadalquivir river) that can be extended to the rest of territory. The effort for the management of river areas has not been reflected in the results, being the interrelationships between water and land management (regional, sub regional and municipal) still an unresolved issue.


With the rapid development of information technology, some experience intensive work like fault detecting has been greatly improved by information technology. Traditional fault detecting method depends on the knowledge of expert to some extent which can not satisfy the requirement of large engine, which is with poor testability. Regarding this problem, this paper apply the technology of Independent Components Analysis (ICA) and BP neutral network to the process of fault detecting, the accuracy and efficiency are greatly improved with these methods, and the experiment result has proven the validity of the method described.


It's not just hype any more: commercial print shops that have exclusively worked with lithography printing in the past are looking at aggressively integrating digital technologies into their businesses.


The objective was to evaluate the effect of intervals of irrigation frequency (water deficit) in the development of cover crops. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the experimental campus of the Federal University of Piaui (UFPI) in Bom Jesus-PI in the period between June to August 2011, on soil classified as Typic Dystrophic - Lad. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial scheme 5 x 4, with factors consisting of 5 cover crops (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piata; Mucuna aterrima; Pennisetum glaucum cv. ADR-500; P. glaucum cv. ADR 8010; Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), and 4 intervals of irrigation frequency (2, 4, 6 and 8 days), with 4 replications. Cover crops were significantly affected in their development, with reductions in biomass above 50% when subjected to the interval of irrigation frequency to 8 days. The P. glaucum cv. ADR-500 has potential to overcome the water deficit conditions during the off season in the Cerrado of Piaui.

 Key words: Brachiaria, Pennisetum glaucum cv. ADR-500, no-tillage.


ABSTRACT A growing body of research on the media's effects on body image suggests that media of different forms plays a vital role in shaping people's body image concerns and behavioral intentions. By conducting a comprehensive meta-analysis of published and gray literature (in total 127 studies yielding 543 effect sizes of seven measures), this study examined the relationship between media and a wide range of body image-related outcomes as well as moderators (e.g., media type, outcome type, age group, gender proportion in the sample, and study design). The analysis demonstrated that the magnitude of this relationship significantly varied across media types (i.e., television commercial, television program, magazine commercial, magazine contents, and social media) and outcome types (i.e., affective, cognitive, or behavioral outcomes). Moreover, there were three major findings of this meta-analysis: 1) both women and men of all age groups across multiple countries could be affected by thin/athletic-ideal media exposure; 2) media with a commercial purpose compared to those with no commercial purpose was less effective in increasing body image concerns; 3) media exposure was the most influential in provoking the eating disorder and the internalization of thin-ideal.


Until 2000 it was believed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was the sole regulator of hypophyseal gonadotropes. In 2000, the discovery of a gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) initiated a revolution in the field of reproductive physiology. Identification of GnIH homologues in mammals, the arginine-phenylalanine-amide (RFamide)-related peptides (RFRPs), indicated a similar function. Subsequently, further works conducted in various laboratories worldwide have shown that these neuropeptides inhibit the hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis. This review discusses the role of RFRPs in mammalian reproductive processes.


The authors describe necrotizing sialometaplasia, a benign inflammatory lesion primarily involving the minor salivary glands of the hard palate. The lesion presents itself as a deep-seated palatal ulcer with clinical and histologic features mimicking those of a malignant neoplasm. The lesion is believed to be the result of vascular ischemia initiated by trauma. An incisional biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis, and the lesion heals by secondary intention within four to 10 weeks.


The coupling of matter fields to a quantised gravitational field in the strong-coupling limit (GN to infinity ) of gravity is studied. A generalised form of affine commutation relations is proposed and their ultralocal representations are constructed. The structure of ultralocal spinor representations is found to be intrinsically supersymmetric.


It is necessary in visible light communication where different information from adjacent cells is distinguishable without inter-cell interference for indoor localization-based services and positioning systems. In order to mitigate inter-cell interference, a carrier allocation-visible light communication system, adopting various carriers among the system's respective cells, is suggested. The effects of inter-cell interference for a single channel and the proposed systems are investigated by experimentation with simultaneous transmissions of QPSK signals.


ABSTRACT Background: Previous evaluation in the literature of ambulatory care pharmacist management on glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c) has been positive, but often limited to 6 to 12 months of follow up. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of an ambulatory care pharmacist on HgbA1c among patients with diabetes in a primary care clinic over two years. Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted on patients with type 2 diabetes managed by the ambulatory care pharmacist. Patients with at least one HgbA1c value ≥7% in the two-year pre-intervention period were included. The primary outcome was the change in mean HgbA1c from baseline to two years post-intervention. The secondary outcome was the change in mean of all HgbA1c values over two years pre-intervention compared to two years post-intervention. Results: Data for 116 patients was analyzed two years prior to and two years after ambulatory care pharmacist service initiation. The mean HgbA1c at baseline pre-intervention was 8.8% compared to a mean HgbA1c of 7.8% two years post-intervention. A total of 12.9% of patients (n=15) had a baseline HgbA1c of less than 7% pre-intervention, compared to 42.2% of patients (n=49) two years post-intervention (p<0.001). The overall mean HgbA1c was 8.8% in the two-year pre-intervention period and 8.2% in the two-year post-intervention period (p<0.001). Among patients with an overall mean HgbA1c ≥8% in the pre-intervention period, the mean HgbA1c was 9.8% pre-intervention and 8.7% post-intervention. Conclusion: Ambulatory care pharmacist interventions demonstrated a significant impact on HgbA1c reduction over two years of follow up.