Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA

Whether previous oral contraceptive (OC) use impacts on prognosis women who subsequently develops breast cancer is unclear. The aim was to study history of OC use in relation to breast cancer events in a prospective population-based cohort.

Between 2002 and 2011, primary breast cancer patients without preoperative treatment were enrolled in Lund, Sweden and followed until December 2012. Tumor characteristics, clinical data, and date of death were obtained from pathology reports, patient charts, and population registries. History of OC use was obtained from preoperative questionnaires.

Among the 948 patients with invasive cancer and no metastasis detected on the postoperative screen, 74% had ever used OCs. Patients were followed for up to nine years and 100 breast cancer events were recorded. Ever OC users had significantly smaller tumors than patients who never used OCs (Ptrend = 0.013). However, there was a significantly higher frequency of grade III tumors in patients with OCs use before age 20 (Ptrend = 0.013), compared to patients with later start or never use. Ever OC use was not associated with prognosis, irrespective of duration. However, any OC use before age 20 was associated with a 3-fold increased risk for breast cancer events in patients younger than 50 years at diagnosis (adjusted HR 3.26: 95% CI 1.06-10.01) adjusted for age, tumor size, axillary lymph node involvement, histological grade, estrogen receptor status, and body mass index, but not in patients 50 years or older at diagnosis (Pinteraction = 0.009). In conclusion, these findings warrant confirmation in an independent cohort. If confirmed, history of OC use may yield prognostic information in addition to currently used criteria.

Citation Format: Louise Huzell, Mia Persson, Maria Simonsson, Andrea Markkula, Christian Ingvar, Carsten Rose, Helena C. Jernstrom. History of oral contraceptive use in breast cancer patients and risk for early breast cancer events. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 855. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-855


We provide examples of foliations on the complex projective plane $\CP^2$ carrying positive foliated harmonic currents whose supports coincide with singular Levi-flats which, in turn, can be chosen real-analytic (but non-algebraic) or merely continuous with fractal transverse nature. Furthermore, non-trivial examples as above can already be found among foliations of degree~$2$ and~$3$. In addition, the space of positive foliated harmonic currents for these foliations is fully characterised and it contains a unique harmonic (non-closed) current supported on the Levi-flat in question. Finally, we also provide examples of foliations carrying diffuse positive foliated closed currents related to a theorem due to Brunella as well as a general criterion for the existence of singular real analytic Levi-flats for Riccati foliations.


Freshwater fishes worldwide face an array of threats from dam construction, river fragmentation, pollution, over-exploitation and interactions with introduced species. Such impacts are especially prevalent in densely populated countries undergoing rapid development, and their effects are felt most strongly where regional fish diversity is high. We reviewed studies of the distribution of freshwater fish species throughout China to map a biogeographical pattern and ascertain the environmental factors contributing to this distribution. We then linked this information to identify geographic areas to be recommended as the focus of conservation efforts. A total of 920 species in 302 genera, 54 families and 21 orders were recorded. Among the recorded species, 73% were Cypriniformes and 12% were Siluriformes. Cyprinidae was the most dominant family with 473 species, followed by Balitoridae with 157 species. The administrative division of the biogeography of China's freshwater fishes consisted of nine regions, including the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Region, Oriental Region, Northwest Region, South Region, Loess Plateau Region, Heilongjiang Region, Upper Yangtze Region, 3H Plain Region and Middle-Lower Yangtze Plain Region. The river system was the primary factor in determining China's freshwater fish biogeography. Under stepwise regression analysis, river discharge was found to be the most influential factor in determining richness, followed by population size and net primary productivity. The higher level of fish endemicity and sensitivity to environmental change led to the identification of Southwest China and the higher areas of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau as the primary areas to be considered for fish conservation and potential natural reserves.


Do more flexible labor market regulations reduce informal employment in formal firms? This paper examines the effects of changes in labor regulations on the incidence of formal employment. Using the case of Egypt, we study the effects of the introduction of more flexible labor regulations in 2003 on the probability that non-contractual workers will be granted a formal employment contract. To identify the effect of the law and control for potential confounding factors, we use a difference-in-difference estimator that measures the difference in the pre and post-law probability of obtaining a formal contract across a treatment group of non-contractual workers initially employed in formal firms and a comparison group of non-contractual workers initially employed in informal firms. The latter serve as a useful comparison group since informal firms are unlikely to formalize as a result of the law, so that the only way their workers can become formal is to move to another firm. Our findings show that the passage of the new labor law did in fact increase the probability of transitioning to formal employment for non-contractual workers employed in formal firms by about 3-3.5 percentage points, or the equivalent of at least a fifth of informal workers in formal firms.


A durability related analysis has been performed using a new statistical-based method, called the Hybrid Integrated Kurtosis-based Algorithm for Z-notch filter (Hybrid I-kaz) Technique. This method provides a two dimensional graphical representation of the signal amplitude and the Hybrid I-kaz coefficient that were used to measure the degree of data scattering. For validation purposes, road tests have been conducted in order to measure the strain and vibration signals on a coil spring. Three road surfaces were used for the road test and data collection purposes. This study used test signals which excited based on three different road surfaces. The 5-mm strain gauge and an accelerometer were fixed on the outer surface of the coil spring for measuring the variable amplitude strain loadings together with the vibration response. The time domain strain and vibration signals were then analysed using global signal statistics and Hybrid I-kaz coefficients. Finally, it was found that the respective coefficients for each signals showed an increment with the total value of strain range and vibration amplitudes.


Recent studies of adsorption from solutions of mixtures of polymers have been examined. The experimental results reveal an interrelation between the adsorption of polymers from a mixture, the thermodynamic compatibility of the components in solution, the change in the thermodynamic quality of the 'mixed solvent' (polymer + solvent), and the critical crossover concentration for each component (on the one hand) and the averaged critical concentration for the mixture. The influence of the aggregation of macromolecules in solutions of mixtures on the adsorption in the concentration regions above and below the critical concentration for the overlapping of macromolecular globules has been demonstrated. The bibliography includes 30 references.


Objectives The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of existing dual-energy computed tomography (CT) angiography coronary artery calcium scoring methods to those obtained using an experimental tungsten-based contrast material and a recently described contrast material extraction process (CMEP). Methods Phantom coronary arteries of varied diameters, with different densities and arcs of simulated calcified plaque, were sequentially filled with water, iodine, and tungsten contrast materials and scanned within a thorax phantom at rapid-kVp-switching dual-energy CT. Calcium and contrast density images were obtained by material decomposition (MD) and CMEP. Relative calcium scoring errors among the 4 reconstructed datasets were compared with a ground truth, 120-kVp dataset. Results Compared with the 120-kVp dataset, tungsten CMEP showed a significantly lower mean absolute error in calcium score (6.2%, P < 0.001) than iodine CMEP, tungsten MD, and iodine MD (9.9%, 15.7%, and 40.8%, respectively). Conclusions Novel contrast elements and material separation techniques offer improved coronary artery calcium scoring accuracy and show potential to improve the use of dual-energy CT angiography in a clinical setting.


BACKGROUND
Immunisation of infants is effective and benefits the health of the children immunised as well as the community where uptake is high. Any social inequality in uptake will worsen any social inequalities that already exist.

AIM
To investigate the demographic characteristics of families attending for swine flu vaccination.

DESIGN AND SETTING
A prospective study in a semi-rural general practice in South Wales.

METHOD
Data were collected by questionnaire, and logistic regression models were used to test for associations between potential risk factors (including family demographic characteristics and the child's previous vaccination history) and swine flu vaccination uptake.

RESULTS
No evidence was found of any significant associations between potential risk factors and the outcome.

CONCLUSION
This suggests that social inequality did not affect vaccination uptake in this sample.


Natural disasters have increased in frequency and severity during the last few decades, causing considerable economic damage and loss of life. A combination of climate and socio-economic change is likely to augment disaster loss trends in the future, creating the need for more sophisticated disaster risk management. A resilient risk management strategy for uncertain low-probability, high-impact risks comprises a package of measures focused on disaster risk prevention, damage mitigation and arrangements for efficient risk sharing. Possible implications of climate change on future risks and risk management policies are outlined. It is argued that financial arrangements such as insurance can play an important role in an adaptation strategy aimed at limiting and ameliorating socio-economic impacts of natural disasters.


Abstract The period of in utero development is one of the most critical windows during which adverse intrauterine conditions and exposures can influence the growth and development of the fetus as well as the child's future postnatal health and behavior. Maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy remains a relatively common but nonetheless hazardous in utero exposure. Previous studies have associated prenatal smoke exposure with reduced birth weight, poor developmental and psychological outcomes, and increased risk for diseases and behavioral disorders later in life. Researchers are now learning that many of the mechanisms whereby maternal smoke exposure may affect key pathways crucial for proper fetal growth and development are epigenetic in nature. Maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy has been associated with altered DNA methylation and dysregulated expression of microRNA, but a deeper understanding of the epigenetics of maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy as well as how these epigenetic changes may affect later health and behavior remain to be elucidated. This article seeks to explore many of the previously described epigenetic alterations associated with maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy and assess how such changes may have consequences for both fetal growth and development, as well as later child health, behavior, and well-being. We also outline future directions for this new and exciting field of research.


Abstract The jaguar (Panthera onca) is an endangered species that occasionally visits the southwestern United States from Mexico. The number of jaguar sightings per decade has declined over the last 100 years in Arizona, USA, raising conservation concerns for the species at a local and national level. In 1997, state, federal, and local governments with land-management responsibilities agreed to characterize and identify potential jaguar habitat in Arizona and New Mexico. Specifically, the objectives of our analysis were 2-fold: (1) characterize potential jaguar habitat in Arizona from historic sighting records and (2) create a statewide habitat suitability map. We used a Geographic Information System (GIS) to characterize potential jaguar habitat by overlaying historic jaguar sightings (25) on landscape and habitat features believed important (e.g., vegetation biomes and series, elevation, terrain ruggedness, proximity to perennial or intermittent water sources, human density). The amount of Arizona (%) identified as potential jaguar habitat ranged from 21% to 30% depending on the input variables. Most jaguar sightings were in scrub grasslands between 1,220 and 1,829-m elevation in southeastern Arizona, in intermediately to extremely rugged terrain, and within 10 km of a water source. Conservation efforts should focus on protecting the most suitable jaguar habitat in southeastern Arizona (i.e., Santa Cruz, Pima, Cochise, Pinal, Graham counties), travel corridors within and outside Arizona, and jaguar habitat in the Sierra Madres of Sonora, Mexico.


This first systematic study of a wide range of Persian and European archival and primary sources, analyzes how the Muharram rituals changed from being an orginally devotional practice to public events of political significance, setting the stage for the emergence of the early modern Iranian public sphere in the Safavid period.


We present magnetotransport measurements on multiwall nanotubes contacted by ferromagnetic electrodes that are 1 µm apart. The observed magnetoresistance of 2.2% is consistent with a spin-scattering length of at least 380 nm. We further discuss a novel concept for spin-resolved scanning tunnelling microscopy (SR-STM) with a carbon-nanotube tip. The concept relies on a long spin-scattering length as well as on spin-dependent scattering at the interfaces to the ferromagnetic electrodes. The observed magnitude of the magnetoresistance effect and the distance between the electrodes are large enough for application in a SR-STM.


BACKGROUND
Lipids are associated with cancer because they play a key role in the maintenance of cell integrity. We studied the relationship of plasma lipids with gynecologic cancer.

METHODS
A total of 196 female individuals were included in the study. Of these 50 were normal subjects. The remaining were cancer patients: 80 breast cancer, 40 ovarian cancer and 26 patients with other gynecologic cancers. Plasma levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were estimated by using spectrophotometer.

RESULTS
In breast cancer patients there is moderate increase in the plasma levels of triglycerides (18%) and cholesterol (21%), and a high increase in LDL-cholesterol (43%), while there is a moderate decrease in HDL-cholesterol levels (30%) when compared with normal subjects. In ovarian cancer patients, there is a high decrease in the plasma levels of triglycerides (31%) and HDL-cholesterol (39%), while a moderate decrease in cholesterol (28%) and LDL-cholesterol levels (11%) when compared with normal subjects. In gynecologic cancers other than breast and ovarian cancer, there is a moderate decrease in plasma levels of the triglycerides (25%), cholesterol (21%), and HDL-cholesterol levels (27%), while a non-significant decrease in LDL-cholesterol (6.2%) when compared with normal subjects.

CONCLUSIONS
Plasma lipid levels, except HDL-cholesterol, are raised in breast cancer and are decreased in other gynecologic cancers. HDL-cholesterol is decreased in all gynecologic cancers. As there is an alteration in the plasma lipid profile during gynecologic cancers, it may be helpful for diagnosis of the disease.


The extraordinary growth of the Internet has created a revolutionary leap in the ability of health professionals to easily communicate and access information. These resources are readily available to the public as well, and an understanding of these sources is important in determining the validity of the content. A few Internet sites of interest to dentists interested in anesthesia and pain control are presented to demonstrate the depth and breadth of these resources via the Internet.


Abstract In Brazil, there is a lack of valid instruments for screening for Developmental Dyslexia (DD) and so the aim of this study was an in-depth investigation of evidence of validity based on the relations with external variables for the Identifying Signs of Dyslexia Test (TISD). More specifically, it seeks to investigate the validity of the criterion, i.e. whether such instruments would be capable of identifying this diagnosis. The research involved comparing two samples: (a) children with DD diagnosis (n = 15) and (b) children without complaints of reading and writing difficulties (n = 146). It was found that in all the subtests of which the instrument is made up (reading, writing, visual attention, calculation, motor skills, phonological awareness, rapid naming, short term memory) there were significant differences between the groups, and in the test total. The results suggest that the TISD was able to identify the group with DD, evidencing the validity of the criterion for this instrument.


The formation constants of the complexes formed between H+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ and 2-amino-N-hydroxyacetamide (aha) and 2-amino-N-hydroxypentanamide (ahp) have been measured at 25 °C and I= 0.5 mol dm–3(KCl) using potentiometric techniques. Their acid–base and metal–ligand reaction stoicheiometries have been determined, and the equilibrium constants of the corresponding proton and metal ion association constants have been calculated from potentiometric data with the aid of the program SUPERQUAD. The equilibrium chemical models are selected on the basis of a critical evaluation of the least-squares results and of a statistical analysis of the weighted residuals. Interpretation of the results was facilitated by visible spectrophotometry of solutions containing metal ions (M), and aha or ahp (HL) at various pH. All metals form the mononuclear ([ML]+ and [ML2]) and hydroxo complexes with both ligands, whereas with copper(II) polynuclear species are also present. The ligands are bound to the metals through co-ordination of the aminohydroxamate moiety, via the N atom of the amino group, and by the deprotonated NHO– group; the square-planar complexes are probably held together by quite strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving the unco-ordinated ketonic oxygen atom.


Introduction High levels of recurrence and residual tissue have been reported following piecemeal endoscopic resection (pEMR) of large colorectal polyps with figures approaching 30% described.1The application of argon plasma coagulation (APC) has been advocated to reduce recurrence following pEMR, with early data appearing to support the use of APC to treat tiny polyp fragments not amenable to endoscopic snare resection.2More recent data however, appears to oppose this view, suggesting no change in or even increased recurrence following adjunctive APC use.1With a lack of standardised APC application in relevant international case series, many of which include only small sample sizes, the position regarding its benefit remains controversial. Method Retrospective analysis was conducted on 153 pEMR procedures undertaken in the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) between 2011–12. Recurrence rates on first endoscopic follow-up were compared between 2 groups (APC use vs no APC use). Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-squared test. Results Recurrence was detected on first endoscopic follow-up in 25.5% of cases. A lower level of recurrence was seen in the APC group compared with the non APC group (17.9% vs 31.4%), with statistical significance seen on 1-sided but not 2-sided chi square analysis (p = 0.042 (1-sided), p = 0.064 (2-sided))Abstract PTU-023 Table 1 Piecemeal recurrence on first f/up (%) Total (n) no yes APC use? no 68.6 31.4 86 yes 82.1 17.9 67 Total 74.5 25.5 153 Conclusion While statistical significance was only seen on 1-sided chi-square analysis, the level of recurrence was over 40% lower in the APC group (17.9% vs 31.4%). It can be argued that our study may be underpowered and that the result indicates likely clinical significance. Our data does not support the data from other studies indicating a possible detrimental effect of APC. Whilst the use of APC is likely to be more standardised within the BCSP, the exact circumstances of its use, such as the amount of residual tissue post snare resection remaining prior to APC use in other studies, is unclear. We believe APC is appropriate therapy for tiny residual polyp fragments post snare resection, but should not be used on larger tissue areas. A large randomised controlled trial with a standardised protocol for APC application would add further evidence. Disclosure of interest None Declared. References Moss A, Bourke MJ, Williams SJ, et al. Endoscopic mucosal resection outcomes and prediction of submucosal cancer from advanced colonic mucosal neoplasia. Gastroenterology 2011;140:1909–18 Brooker JC, Saunders BP, Shah SG, et al. Treatment with argon plasma coagulation reduces recurrence after piecemeal resection of large sessile colonic polyps: a randomized trial and recommendations. Gastrointest Endosc. 2002;55:371–5


In order to identify the best control algorithm, the effects of modulation control algorithms on the energy characteristics of a two-level autonomous frequency converter inverter were studied. The research was carried out by the methods of mathematical and simulation modeling. The equa-tions of mathematical description were compiled taking into account a number of generally accepted assumptions. An equivalent circuit of a two-level autonomous inverter was created. Comparisons of pulse-width modulation algorithms with carrier signals of various shapes and frequencies were made. Three different forms of carrier signal were used: triangular, sawtooth with a falling edge and sawtooth with a leading edge. Studies were conducted at frequencies of 3,000, 6,000 and 9,000 Hz. Conclusions were made about the identity of the spectral composition of the front and rear edges of the sawtooth signal, it was also noted that with the triangular waveform, being the part of the har-monics, present in the sawtooth form is removed, so, the triangular shape provides the best result of the autonomous inverter. Also, by increasing in the carrier frequency, it was noted that pulse packets appear at different harmonic numbers, shift, and the amplitude and distortion factor decrease, that means, the best performance was obtained at the maximum frequency studied. In the study of the voltage at the output of the chokes at different frequencies of the carrier signal, it was noted that at a higher frequency, the ripple of the output voltage decreases. Throttles do not eliminate harmonics, but only reduce their amplitude. Based on the results, it was concluded that the algorithm with a triangular carrier signal and the maximum frequency provides the best harmonic composition of the output voltage of the frequency converter.


The conformational transition from right‐handed B–DNA to left‐handed Z–DNA—the B–Z transition—has received increased attention recently because of its potential roles in biological systems and its applicability to bionanotechnology. Though the B–Z transition of poly(dG–dC) · poly(dG–dC) is inducible under high salt concentration conditions (over 4 M NaCl) or by addition of multivalent cations, such as hexaamminecobalt(III), no cationic polymer were known to induce the transition. In this study, it is shown by circular dichroism and UV spectroscopy that the cationic comb‐type copolymer, poly(L‐lysine)‐graft‐dextran, but not poly(L‐lysine) homopolymer or a basic peptide, induces the B–Z transition of poly(dG–dC) · poly(dG–dC). At a cationic amino group concentration of 10−4 M the copolymer stabilizes Z–DNA. The transition pathway from the B to the Z form is different to that observed previously. We speculate that the cationic backbone of the copolymer, which reduces electrostatic repulsion among DNA phosphate groups, and the hydrophilic dextran chains, which reduce activity of water, cooperate to induce the B–Z transition. The copolymer specifically modified the micro‐environment around DNA molecules to induce Z–DNA formation through stable and spontaneous inter‐polyelectrolyte complex formation.


BACKGROUND
 Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), when applied over the primary motor cortex, elicits a motor-evoked potential (MEP) in electromyograms measured from peripheral muscles. MEP amplitude has often been observed to fluctuate trial to trial, even with a constant stimulus. Many factors cause MEP fluctuations in TMS. One of the primary factors is the weak stationarity and instability of cortical activity in the brain, from which we assumed MEP fluctuations originate. We hypothesized that MEP fluctuations are suppressed when TMS is delivered to the primary motor cortex at a time when several electroencephalogram (EEG) channels measured on the scalp are highly similar in the frequency domain.

 OBJECTIVE
 We developed a TMS triggering system to suppress MEP fluctuations using EEG coherence analysis, which was performed to detect the EEG signal similarity between the 2 channels in the frequency domain.

 METHODS
 Seven healthy adults participated in the experiment to confirm whether the TMS trigger system works adequately, and the mean amplitude and coefficient of the MEP variation were recorded and compared with the values obtained during the control task. We also determined the experimental time under each condition and verified whether it was within the predicted time.

 RESULTS
 The coefficient of variation of MEP amplitude decreased in 5 of the 7 participants, and significant differences (P=.02) were confirmed in 2 of the participants according to an F test. The coefficient of variation of the experimental time required for each stimulus after threshold modification was less than that without threshold modification, and a significant difference (P<.001) was confirmed by performing an F test.

 CONCLUSIONS
 We found that MEP could be suppressed using the system developed in this study and that the TMS trigger system could also stabilize the experimental time by changing the triggering threshold automatically.


The rate of flow of varying ratios of four sieve size fractions of rock salt through the hopper of a rotary press was represented by a second degree polynomial equation. This fitted polynomial accounted for 90 per cent of the variation in the mean flow rates. No correlation was found between the tangent of the angle of repose and flow rate. High positive correlation was found between flow rate and bulk density, while high negative correlation between flow rate and porosity was observed. There was no significant increase or decrease in flow rates with regard to the quantity of rock salt remaining in the hopper.


This study investigated the effect of dialectal difference on identification and rating of severity of speech impairment in children from Indigenous Australian backgrounds. The speech of 15 Indigenous Australian children identified by their parents/caregivers and teachers as having 'difficulty talking and making speech sounds' was assessed using the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology. Fourteen children were identified with speech impairment on the Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology using Standard Australian English (AusE) as the target pronunciation; whereas 13 were identified using Australian Aboriginal English (AAE) as the target. There was a statistically significant decrease in seven children's severity classification and a statistically significant increase in all children's percentage of consonants, vowels and phonemes correct when comparing AAE with AusE. Features of AAE used by the children included /h/ insertion and deletion, primary stress on the first syllable and diphthongs alternating with short clear vowels. It is important that speech-language pathologists consider children's dialect as one component of culturally and linguistically appropriate services.


The ceramic material listed, described, and photographed, on the enclosed ceramic resource disk, comes from an archaeological excavation funded by, and carried out at Lancefield Quay on the banks of the River Clyde and almost certainly a dumping ground in the 1850 for the nearby Verreville pottery and later from a Stoneware pottery. The ceramic material is generally in a very poor state as much of it has been stained by iron etc. I have sorted out from the mass what I thought important by fabric type, decoration, and form, into (30 Word Files). This material has been assigned to Glasgow Museums and was catalogued using there accession numbers (GM 2006. 06. 1 to 96) and (illus 1 to 92). The material will be housed in Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 200 Woodland Road, South Nitshill Industrial Estate, Glasgow G53 7NN: Tel 0141 276 9300 where it will be available for study


This article aims to show that although the apostle Paul did not call himself a prophet, still makes his presentation in his letters in the same way that the Old Testament prophets. The article points out the many similarities between Paul and the prophets. It seeks to analyze and interact with Scripture and literature concerning the matter.We conclude that the Apostle founded the authority of his call, highlighting the prophetic aspect of his apostolate. It is evident that the Apostle had a awareness of the prophetic character of his person, mission and message. It is called and sent directly by God, records the Scripture inspired by the Spirit and has a fruitful ministry of preaching and teaching.


Past studies have demonstrated that angry faces used as the first target (T1) in an attentional blink paradigm interfere with processing of a second, neutral target (T2). However, despite research that suggests that the sex and emotional expression of a face are confounded, no study has investigated whether the sex of a stimulus might interact with emotional expression to influence the attentional blink. In the current study, both the sex and emotional expression of a T1 stimulus were manipulated to assess participants' ability to report the presences of a subsequent neutral target. Although the findings revealed limited evidence to support an interaction between sex and emotion, both the sex and emotional expression of the T1 stimulus were found to independently affect reporting of T2. These findings suggest that both emotional expression and stimulus sex are important in the temporal allocation of attentional resources to faces.


Lipomas are very common benign slow-growing soft tissue neoplasms composed of mature adipose tissue mostly diagnosed in the fifth decade of life. These tumors rarely present in the oral cavity, representing less than approximately 5% of all benign mouth tumors. They are usually less than 2cm in size and etiology remains unclear. We report a young male patient presenting with a giant lipoma in the buccal mucosa. Histopathology revealed a large area of mature fat cells consistent with conventional lipoma and an area of the mucosal lining of the lesion suggestive of morsicatio buccarum. In the present article, we emphasize the clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of the disease.


Five Pleistocene glaciations lowered seal levels sufficiently to rejuvenate the Mississippi River system, enabling it to cut valley systems in Louisiana to depths of 100 to over 300 feet. Rising seas of waning glaciation permitted alluvial drowning of these valley systems and the deposition of five Quaternary formations, the latest being the Recent. Regional tilting, caused by subsidence of the deltas and a compensating elevation inland, has preserved the surfaces of the four Pleistocene formations as terraces, which extend continuously both coastwise and inland along major streams. In central Louisiana the oldest surface slopes at 10 feet per mile, younger surfaces at rates of about 6, 2, and one feet. The Recent surface slopes less than one-half foot. Slopes of terraces flatten inland and intervals are more constant in northern Louisiana. Slopes steepen coastward, particularly toward later deltas, and each formation passes below more recent deposits. Sediments grow finer upward in each formation. Basal gravels of each formation have been identified under the Recent deltaic plain and positions of maximum deposition have been located for four of the five Quaternary formations. Each of these positions is characterized by lenticular thickening downward, so that at least three of the formations attain a maximum thickness of about 3000 feet. Each lens marks the position of the delta of its period. No two center in exactly the same place. Seven subdeltas of the latest Recent have been identified, heaviest deposition being centered east of a line southward from Baton Rouge. North about 100 miles, in southwestern Mississippi, is the highest land of the lower Mississippi Valley, the result of subsidence of the Recent delta.


Over the past ten years, Papua New Guinea has established one of the best nationwide road accident reporting systems available among developing countries. In 1987, it switched over from a mainframe system to a microcomputer system developed by the Overseas Unit of TRRL. Seven years of data, some 35,000 accident records, are now available on microcomputer. This paper reports progress on a programme of co-operative road safety research that is designed to exploit this valuable source of data. The work covers three areas of research: (i) accident blackspot investigations and the evaluation of countermeasures; (ii) the effects of highway geometric design on accident rates; and (iii) a survey of driver alcohol levels. The accident blackspot work employs the techniques developed by Local Authorities in the UK over the past 15 years. This system is particularly orientated towards low-cost engineering measures and has proved to be highly cost-effective in the UK; it offers considerable potential for developing countries. Measures being evaluated in PNG include small island roundabouts, lane dividers, chevron boards, low-cost footpaths alongside rural highways and speed reduction devices. The factors being investigated in the geometric design/accident rate study include horizontal and vertical curvature, road width, shoulder width, drainage ditch design, cross-sectional profile up to 15m from the edge of the shoulder and skid resistance. The PNG National Roads and Bridges Inventory is a valuable source of data for the study. For the covering entry of the conference see IRRD 823206. (Author/TRRL)


Abstract The Neem tree, the oil of which has a long history of pesticide, fertilizer and medicinal use in India, has been studied extensively for its organic compounds. Here we present a physical, mineralogical and geochemical database resulting from the analyses of two Neem soil profiles (epipedons) in India. Neem tree derivatives are used in the manufacture of a variety of products, from anti‐bacterial drugs and insecticides to fertilizers and animal feeds. A preliminary geochemical and mineralogical analysis of Neem soils is made to explore the potential for chemical links between Neem tree derivatives and soils. Physical soil characteristics, including colour, texture and clay mineralogy, suggest the two pedons formed under different hydrological regimes, and hence, are products of different leaching environments, one well‐drained site, the other poorly drained. Geochemically, the two Neem soils exhibit similarities, with elevated concentrations of Th and rare earth elements. These elements are of interest because of their association with phosphates, especially monazite and apatite, and the potential link to fertilizer derivatives. Higher concentrations of trace elements in the soils may be linked to nutritional derivatives and to cell growth in the Neem tree.


This text reflects upon the way in which Rene Girard's Mimetic Theory has been applied to concrete research practice. It argues from the major difference made by Heidegger between the inquiry of science and the questioning of philosophy. This being the context from which Girard asks about the origin in order to track down the original omnipresent violence underlying in the role of sacred of every culture. These considerations suggest possibilities of researching from contexts which do not reproduce violence.


In the title molecule, C14H12Cl2O2, the dihedral angle between the least-square planes of the benzene rings is 62.17 (6)°. Both methoxy groups are slightly out of the plane of the benzene rings to which they are attached, making dihedral angles of 4.22 (18) and 18.82 (16)°.


Abstract. Western boundary currents act as transport pathways for
nutrient-rich waters from low to high latitudes (nutrient streams) and are
responsible for maintaining midlatitude and high-latitude productivity in the North
Atlantic and North Pacific. This study investigates the centennial oxygen
(O2) and nutrient changes over the Northern Hemisphere in the context
of the projected warming and general weakening of the Atlantic Meridional
Overturning Circulation (AMOC) in a subset of Earth system models included
in the CMIP5 catalogue. In all models examined, the Atlantic warms faster
than the Pacific Ocean, resulting in a greater basin-scale solubility
decrease. However, this thermodynamic tendency is compensated by changes in
the biologically driven O2 consumption which dominates the overall
O2 budget. These changes are linked to the slowdown of the nutrient
stream in this basin, in response to the AMOC weakening. The North Atlantic
resists the warming-induced deoxygenation due to the weakened biological
carbon export and remineralization, leading to higher O2 levels. Conversely, the projected nutrient stream and macronutrient inventory in the
North Pacific remain nearly unchanged.


Microstructures and deformation behaviour of Ti-45Ni-5Cu and Ti-46Ni-5Cu alloy ribbons prepared by melt spinning were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, thermal cycling tests under constant load and tensile tests. Spherical Ti2Ni particles coherent with the B2 parent phase were observed in the alloy ribbons when the melt spinning temperature was higher than 1773 K. Average size of Ti2Ni particles in the ribbons obtained at 1873 K was 8 nm, which was smaller than that (10 nm) in the ribbons obtained at 1773 K. Volume fraction of Ti2Ni phase in the ribbons obtained at 1873 K was 40%, which was larger than that (20%) in the ribbons obtained at 1773 K. The stress required at temperatures of Af + 10 K for the stress-induced martensitic transformation increased from 93 MPa to 229 MPa and apparent elastic modulus of the B2 parent phase increased from 56 GPa to 250 GPa with increasing the melt spinning temperature from 1673 K to 1873 K in Ti-45Ni-5Cu alloy ribbons. The critical stress for slip deformation of the ribbons increased by coherent Ti2Ni particles, and thus residual elongation did not occur even at 160 MPa, while considerable plastic deformation occurred at 60 MPa in the ribbons without Ti2Ni particles. Almost perfect superelastic recovery was found in the ribbons with coherent Ti2Ni particles, while only partial superelastic recovery was observed in the ribbons without coherent Ti2Ni particles.


Introduction: The diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is a challenge. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay [Cepheid, United States of America (USA)], using a heminested real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific sequence of the rpoB gene for the rapid and simultaneous detection of M. tb complex (MTBC) and resistance to rifampicin from a clinical specimen. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of the GeneXpert MTB/RIF test with conventional mycobacterial culture in EPTB specimens. Materials and methods: This prospective study (February–October 2017, 11 months) includes data on 287 EPTB specimens that were processed by conventional culture on Lowenstein–Jensen (LJ) medium and the rapid molecular-based GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay system. Results: Among the 287 EPTB samples tested, GeneXpert detected the deoxyribonucleic acid of MTBC in 51 samples (17.8%). Standard bacteriological assays, including acid-fast bacilli microscopy and culture, were positive in 26 (9.1%) and 35 (12.1%) specimens respectively. The performance of GeneXpert results was evaluated against culture as a gold standard. The overall sensitivity and specificity of the Xpert assay were calculated to be 94.6 and 94.4%, respectively. The sensitivity of the Xpert assay with tissue specimens was 84.6 and 80.7% specificity, while there was 86.6% sensitivity and 98.1% specificity with the body fluids. Conclusion: GeneXpert had high performance than culture for the EPTB specimen. It can be a useful tool for the early diagnosis of patients with high clinical suspicion of EPTB. The other major advantage of GeneXpert is that it simultaneously detects rifampicin resistance within 2 hours.


In this paper, we have collected the data about the 507 high-cited (citations >= 25) papers on Covid 19 published by India using Scopus database. Within small span of time many papers have received considerable number of citations. Further we have analyzed in terms of types of papers, major funding agencies, major collaborating countries, prolific authors, productive organizations and cluster analysis of author supplied keywords. Most of the papers were research articles. Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India has funded considerable numbers of papers on Covid 19 and K. Dhama form Indian Veterinary Research Institute has contributed highest numbers papers and USA was major collaborating country and PGIMER-Chandigarh was most contributing organization. This study will be useful to the scientist/researchers to know the characteristics of high cited papers on Covid- 19 from India.


The population of rocks larger than 15 cm in diameter was measured at 36 locations imaged by the Spirit rover over ∼ 4 km of the traverse across the Gusev plains and Husband Hill in Gusev crater on Mars. The rock population observed on plains surfaces is consistent with impact fragmentation of rubbly/fractured volcanics and reveals little evidence for modification by secondary processes or weathering. Interpretation of counts from Husband Hill suggest an influence by bedrock for rocks larger than 0.5 m across, but the distribution of smaller rocks is consistent with ejecta possessing contributions from pre‐plains impact events. Results indicate plains surfaces experienced only tens of centimeters of eolian erosion/deposition since the Hesperian, whereas meters rather than tens of meters of erosion modified Husband Hill since the early Hesperian.


Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) are established ligands for TLR9, however functional response via ODN in CD4+ T cells has been believed to be independent of TLR9 and MyD88. Here, we studied the uptake of ODN2216 in human peripheral CD4+ T cells and assessed its effect on TLR9 signaling. We observed that ODN2216 was taken up intracellularly by endocytosis in CD4+ T cells, leading to increase in gene expression of TLR9 in a time dependent manner (p=0.029). The inhibition of endocytosis by dynasore and promethazine resulted in lower uptake of ODN2216 by CD4+ T cells. Inhibition of MyD88 resulted in decreased uptake of ODN2216 (p=0.0009) by CD4+ T cells, while there was no significant effect of inhibiting IRAK1 or IRAK4. Post uptake, we observed a significant increase in gene expression of TLR9, MyD88, IRAK1, IRF-7, and TRAF3 but unlike canonical TLR9 signaling, there was no significant increase in expression of IRAK4, IRF-3, and TRAF6 (p<0.0001). Moreover, TLR9 expression on CD4+T cells also decreased significantly upon treatment with endocytosis inhibitor (p=0.0001), MyD88 inhibitor (p=0.016), IRAK1 inhibitor (p=0.0001) but not IRAK4 inhibitor as compared with untreated CD4+ T cells. Further the uptake of ODN2216 led to an increase in TGF-β synthesis in TLR9 signaling dependent fashion by CD4+ T cells (p<0.0001). Collectively, our results demonstrate a direct but distinct TLR9 agonist ligation induced signaling pathway in CD4+ T cells which is independent of antigen presenting cells. This TLR9 signaling pathway may have a significant role in modulation of T-cell responses in exaggerated inflammatory responses.


The equine coat color genes chestnut (e) and roan (Rn) have been tested for linkage to 15 protein and blood group loci. Data showing close or fairly close linkage to the serum albumin locus (Al) and loose linkage to the serum esterase locus (Es) for both e and Rn are presented. This means that three coat color genes (To, e and Rn) and three serum protein loci (Al, Gc, and Es) are linked in the same linkage group. The gene order can tentatively be written Al, Gc, Rn, To-e-Es. The implications of the results for studies on coat color inheritance in horses are discussed. The possibility of using electrophoretic markers when testing hypotheses of allelism between coat color genes is suggested. The linkage of e and Es in the horse is proposed to be homologous to the loose linkage of the extension locus (e) and a cluster of esterase loci on chromosome 8 in the mouse, and on linkage group IV in the rabbit. Designations for the known autosomal linkage groups in the horse are suggested.


Nowadays micro and movable devices are widely used in many fields. In these fields, many data message exist. The fourth generation data mining software is trying to analysis data in these areas. The problems we need to solve are changing as the time past, to design a system which can be working longer, it must be adaptive. SOA is becoming to be the standard of appliance software on enterprise level because of it's flexible and expandable architecture. This paper first points out the direction of data mining research, then describes study on wireless sensor network data mining, designs the Service Oriented Sensor Network Data Mining System, includes three algorithm: distributed k-means, multi target tracking, improved FDM, describes the implement of multi target tracking and compares the improved FDM algorithm with FDM.


The uptake of Carbon nanomaterials by plants has shown a very recent field of nano-agriculture. This work investigated about the beneficial effects of functionalized multiwalled Carbon nanotubes on wheat, maize, peanut and garlic. Here in, we explore the potential influence of 0-50 m g/mL, the MWCNT S on these different seeds at different concentration. The effects of MWCNT S on root and shoot growth, biomass, number of leaves were investigated. It was hypothesized that MWCNT S were able to penetrate the seed coat by creating new pores; thereby enhancing water uptake. The results of the combined morphological and physiological analysis indicate that after about 5-10 days exposure under our experimental conditions MWCNT S significantly enhances plant growth and biomass compared to control. The number and size of leaves of the MWCNT S treated plants had shown positive effects in a dose dependent manner. Nanotubes exposed seeds sprouted upto three to four times faster than controlled. TEM images of peanut root shows the presence of Carbon nanotubes that could explain the enhanced water delivery. Overall after investigation we conclude that low dose MWCNT S have seen to be beneficial, improving water absorption, found to accelerate the process of germination by shortening the germination time and higher biomass production. The uptake of Carbon nanomaterials by plants has shown a very recent field of nano-agriculture. This work investigated about the beneficial effects of functionalized multiwalled Carbon nanotubes on wheat, maize, peanut and garlic. Here in, we explore the potential influence of 0-50 m g/mL, the MWCNT S on these different seeds at different concentration. The effects of MWCNT S on root and shoot growth, biomass, number of leaves were investigated. It was hypothesized that MWCNT S were able to penetrate the seed coat by creating new pores; thereby enhancing water uptake. The results of the combined morphological and physiological analysis indicate that after about 5-10 days exposure under our experimental conditions MWCNT S significantly enhances plant growth and biomass compared to control. The number and size of leaves of the MWCNT S treated plants had shown positive effects in a dose dependent manner. Nanotubes exposed seeds sprouted upto three to four times faster than controlled. TEM images of peanut root shows the presence of Carbon nanotubes that could explain the enhanced water delivery. Overall after investigation we conclude that low dose MWCNT S have seen to be beneficial, improving water absorption, found to accelerate the process of germination by shortening the germination time and higher biomass production.


Abstract Aedes albopictus originates from Southeast Asia and is considered one of the most invasive species globally. This mosquito is a nuisance and a disease vector of significant public health relevance. In Europe, Ae. albopictus is firmly established and widespread south of the Alps, a mountain range that forms a formidable biogeographic barrier to many organisms. Recent reports of Ae. albopictus north of the Alps raise questions of (1) the origins of its recent invasion, and (2) if this mosquito has established overwintering populations north of the Alps. To answer these questions, we analyzed population genomic data from >4000 genome‐wide SNPs obtained through double‐digest restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing. We collected SNP data from specimens from six sites in Switzerland, north and south of the Alps, and analyzed them together with specimens from other 33 European sites, five from the Americas, and five from its Asian native range. At a global level, we detected four genetic clusters with specimens from Indonesia, Brazil, and Japan as the most differentiated, whereas specimens from Europe, Hong Kong, and USA largely overlapped. Across the Alps, we detected a weak genetic structure and high levels of genetic admixture, supporting a scenario of rapid and human‐aided dispersal along transportation routes. While the genetic pattern suggests frequent re‐introductions into Switzerland from Italian sources, the recovery of a pair of full siblings in two consecutive years in Strasbourg, France, suggests the presence of an overwintering population north of the Alps. The suggestion of overwintering populations of Ae. albopictus north of the Alps and the expansion patterns identified points to an increased risk of further northward expansion and the need for increased surveillance of mosquito populations in Northern Europe.


Recovering after the partition period, the Polish state faced many challenges and one of them definitely was the penitentiary policy. Among the legacies of the period of partition were three different prison systems and different regulations in the field of penitentiary law. The main task of the Polish legislator was to unify the national prison system by taking into account not only the specificity of the existing solutions but also the achievementsof the contemporary penitentiary. The purpose of the paper is to present the history of the organization of the Polish prison system between 1918 and 1939 in more detail. It is necessary to describe the political situation in the Polish lands during the final years of the First World War which significantly influenced the different character of the institutions in the Polish territories.The reflections on the organization of the Polish prisons during the interwar period will be centered around the following issues: taking over prisons by the Polish authorities, systematic unification of the structure of the prison system, prison stratification, the legal status of the prison staff, the education system of prison officers as well as the system of supervision of the execution of prison sentences. The literature on the subject highlights the importance of the international penitentiary congresses for the development of the penitentiary law in the interwar period. The contribution of the Polish delegations to the works of the London, Prague and Berlincongresses was significant. Taking into account the importance of the resolutions of the congresses, the paper will present the participation of Poles in the debates. Research methodology is based on the analysis of normative acts devoted to the organization of the Polish prison system between 1918 and 1939. The following are among the analyzed elements: the decree on the provisional prison regulations of the 8th of February1919, the regulation by the President of the Republic of Poland on the organization of the prison system of the 7th of March 1928, the regulation by the Minister of Justice on the rules and regulations of the prison system of the 20th of June 1931, the regulation by the President of the Republic of Poland on the Prison Guard of the 23rd of August 1932, and the act on the organization of the prisoner system of the 26th of July 1939. Memories ofpersons involved in prison activity and publications pertaining to penitentiary law issues from the interwar period were also used to prepare this article.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the value of high frequency and color Doppler ultrasonography in detection of synovitis and the intra-articular vascularization in the knee joint of patients with newly-diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS
Forty-one patients (30 women, 11 men) with newly-diagnosed RA were recruited to a cross sectional study (RA group). Forty-one age and gender-matched healthy volunteers were used as control group. The thickness of hydatid fluid, synovium hyperplasia, color flow imaging, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI), venous blood flow and intra-articular perfusion were evaluated by high frequency and color Doppler ultrasonography.

RESULTS
Totally 91.46% knee joints with synovial hyperplasia (> 2 mm) were found in 41 patients with RA (75/82 knee joints), and the thickness of the synovial membrane was 2.2 - 19.7 mm (average 6.3 ± 3.4 mm). In aspect of blood flow, the percentage of 0 to 3 grade were 18.67% (14/75), 29.33% (22/75), 45.33% (34/75) and 6.67% (5/75), respectively; the results of arterial blood were indicated with PSV (10.82 ± 3.71 cm/s), EDV (3.86 ± 1.12 cm/s) and RI (0.61 ± 0.07), while the average of venous blood velocity was 2.72 ± 1.02 cm/s. Joint effusion was found in 69 joints (84.15%) with the anteroposterior diameter 2.4 - 16.1 mm (average 6.9 ± 3.2 mm). The thickness of synovial membrane was 1.2 - 1.8 mm (average 1.4 ± 0.4 mm) and no significant difference were observed in joint effusion, signal of blood flow and thickness of synovial membrane in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS
High frequency and power Doppler ultrasonography may be a valuable and optimal clinical tool to accurately and objectively detect synovial hyperplasia, vascular pannus formation and joint effusion in the knee joint of patients with RA.


Kratom is a herbal and natural dietary supplement from Southeast Asia that is gaining popularity in the United States. Its leaves contain multiple psychoactive chemicals that stimulate opioid, alpha-2, and serotonergic receptors. Kratom is used as a stimulant and in the treatment of anxiety, pain, and opioid withdrawal. In most states, kratom can be purchased legally and is sold at smoke shops, gas stations, and online. To date, only limited data is available on the impact of habitual kratom use on patients undergoing anesthesia. The following case report highlights multiple anesthetic challenges posed by a heavy kratom user.


In this study, some selected physico-chemical properties such as fruit weight, fruit length, fruit width, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity, TSS/acidity ratio, pH, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging capacity of 9 cultivated and 16 selected wild blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.) genotypes grown in Turkey were investigated. The total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and free radical-scavenging capacity of blackberry cultivars and genotypes were determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu, β-carotene bleaching and DPPH radical assays. The results showed that, average fruit weight and fruit dimensions were higher in cultivated blackberries than wild materials. However, TSS, acidity and pH values were higher in wild materials. The total phenolic contents of blackberry cultivars and wild genotypes were in a range of 584 (cv. Bartin) to 788 (cv. Chester) mg/100 g and 610 (Genotypr R2) to 1455 mg/100 g (Genotype R16), expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE), on a fresh weight basis. Antioxidant activity of cultivated and wild growing blackberry fruits was found between 72.15 (cv. Arapaho)-89.75% (cv. Bursa 3) and 59.85 (R1)-87.42% (R10), respectively. The antioxidant activity of standard BHA was 85.07%. Different cultivars grown in same location consistently showed differences in antioxidant capacity. The results of this study outlines that the blackberry fruits tested are good sources of natural antioxidants.


Psoriasis-the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the United States-is a chronic, relapsing disease with variable clinical features and triggers that are both genetic and environmental. Psoriasis is an independent risk factor for mortality and is linked to numerous comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, clinical depression, diabetes, cancer, Crohn's disease, hypertension, obesity, metabolic syndrome, liver disease, infections, dyslipidemia, and osteoporosis. While there is no cure, topical medications, phototherapy, traditional systemic agents, and biologics offer a wide array of options for management of symptoms. A combination of agents is frequently needed for moderate-to-severe cases, and positive long-term outcomes require medication adherence. Significant knowledge gaps exist on disease onset and progression along with a lack of comparative-effectiveness research on treatment regimens.


UNLABELLED
Parasitic infection can cause local or systemic inflammatory process. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, with eosinophils as the effector cells, is the major mechanism of antiparasitic defence. The cytotoxic activity against antibody-coated parasites is also demonstrated by blood platelets. Platelets initiate and maintain inflammatory processes, become activated due to contact with immunocompetent cells or due to a direct contact with a parasite.

THE OBJECTIVE
The aim of the examination was to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of platelets in patients infected with Echinococcus granulosus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
The study was conducted on a group of 24 patients (aged 26-69) infected with Echinococcus granulosus, 19 women and 5 men. The patients were treated with albendazole (Zentel) and did not give consent to surgical procedure. Blood for analysis was collected prior to treatment. Patients infected with E. granulosus were subjected to the examination of platelet activation through the assessment of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 concentrations. The concentration of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 were assayed using a set of ASSERACHROM (Boehringer Mannheim) according to the immunoenzymatic method with labelled antibodies. Platelet count and their morphological parameters were determined with haematologic analyser Technicon H-3 System. Although platelets do not get into a direct contact with the parasite, an increase is observed in the concentrations of beta-thromboglobulin (16.09 +/- 2.68 IU/ml) and platelet factor 4 (8.47 +/- 3.32 IU/ml), which may indicate the involvement of platelets in the parasitic disease.


The purpose of the present investigation was to study various aspects of renal bone disease in patients treated at a centre with a low general incidence of symptomatic renal osteodystrophy. In a study of signs of progressive secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in a random sample of patients with chronic renal disease, symptomatic bone disease occurred only in transplanted patients with osteonecroses of major joints. Biochemical and radiographic signs of severe progressive HPT were comparatively infrequent. Hypercalcaemia was the major indication for parathyroid surgery. Normocalcaemic patients on haemodialysis (HD) investigated with dynamic bone histomorphometry showed normal mean bone formation rates. Serum PTH was a major determinant of bone remodelling activity. Histochemical evidence of bone aluminium accumulation was found in the majority, and the trabecular surface extent of aluminium was directly related to indices of defective mineralization. Long-term continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was associated with normocalcaemia and acceptable control of hyperphosphataemia. Serum PTH remained high and radiographic evidence of progressive HPT developed in some patients. Histomorphometrical findings, including signs of aluminium accumulation, were similar to those in HD, indicating that CAPD has no specific effect on renal bone disease. Low serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in CAPD could not be related to specific findings regarding histomorphometry. Chronic haemofiltration (HF) was associated with a high risk of calcium loss and hypocalcaemia. Despite decreasing serum calcium serum PTH decreased, and bone biopsy findings indicated decreased skeletal effects of PTH as a further cause of hypocalcaemia. Bone histomorphometry also showed the development of a progressive mineralization defect probably related to calcium deficiency, while trabecular bone aluminium decreased in all patients during HF.


Cochlear implants are the first device to successfully restore neural function. They have instigated a popular but controversial revolution in the treatment of deafness and they serve as a model for research in neuroscience and biomedical engineering. In this talk the physiology of natural hearing will be reviewed from the perspective of a physicist, and the function of cochlear implants will be described in the context of historical treatments, electrical engineering, psychophysics, clinical evaluation of efficacy and personal experience. The social implications of cochlear implantation and the future outlook for auditory prostheses will also be discussed.


In this current era, the world is facing environmental challenges where the future communities are losing interest in science subjects such as chemistry. There are many factors that contributed to students' success. One of the factors is the students' attitude in learning. The result of this study revealed that a majority of the students has a positive attitude towards learning chemistry when they conduct chemistry experiments in the laboratory. Students also show positive attitude towards teachers' teaching style. Result also revealed that most students have a negative attitude towards chemistry because they lack interest in the subject and the syllabus itself. Keywords: Attitude, chemistry, future communities, environmental challenges eISSN 2398-4295 © 2018. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.


High-velocity clouds (HVCs), fast-moving ionized and neutral gas clouds found at high galactic latitudes, may play an important role in the evolution of the Milky Way. The extent of this role depends sensitively on their distances and total sky covering factor. We search for HVC absorption in Hubble Space Telescope high-resolution ultraviolet (UV) spectra of a carefully selected sample of 133 active galactic nuclei (AGN) using a range of atomic species in different ionization stages (e.g. O i, C ii, C iv, Si ii, Si iii, Si iv). This allows us to identify neutral, weakly ionized or highly ionized HVCs over several decades in H i column densities. The sky covering factor of UV-selected HVCs with |vLSR| ≥ 90 km s−1 is about 68 per cent for the Galactic sky at . About 74 per cent of the HVC directions have  cm−2 and 46 per cent have  cm−2. We show that our survey is essentially complete, i.e. an undetected population of HVCs with extremely low H (H i + H ii) column density is unlikely to be important for the HVC mass budget. We confirm that the predominantly ionized HVCs contain at least as much mass as the traditional H i HVCs and show that large H i HVC complexes have generally ionized envelopes extending far from the H i contours. There are also large regions of the Galactic sky that are covered with ionized high-velocity gas with little H i emission nearby. We show that the covering factors of HVCs with  km s−1 drawn from the AGN and stellar (with stars at d > 3 kpc) samples are similar. This confirms that most of the HVCs are within 5–15 kpc of the sun. The HVCs with |vLSR |≳170 km s−1 are largely associated with the Magellanic Stream at b 20° as well as other large known H i complexes. We conclude that there is no evidence in the Local Group that any galaxy shows a population of HVCs extending much farther away than 50 kpc from its host, except possibly for those tracing remnants of galaxy interaction.


Background Because of the durable clinical effects of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg (CT3.5) in patients with multiple sclerosis, the influence of treatment on cells with regulatory immune function is of interest. Objective Examine effects on central memory; effector memory; and naturally occurring regulatory (nTregs) CD4 +T cells after first administration of CT3.5 in ORACLE-MS. Methods Peripheral blood T-lymphocytes were immunophenotyped at baseline, and Weeks 5, 13, 24, 48 in CT3.5 treated patients (n=41). Absolute numbers and proportions of central memory (CD4+RO+CCR7+), effector memory (CD4+RO+CCR7-), Th1-type (CD4+CXCR3+), nTregs (CD4+CD25+CD127-), including naïve-like and memory-like nTregs were measured. Results Greatest median reductions in absolute numbers occurred at Week-13 for effector memory cells (−54%); Week-24 for central memory (−63%) and Th1-type cells (−51%); with similar/slightly increased levels at Week-48. There was ~5% reduction in proportion of central memory cells, but no change in proportions of effector memory and Th1-type cells. Absolute numbers of nTregs (−48%), naïve-like (−67%) and memory-like nTregs (−42%) decreased by Week-48. nTregs and naïve-like nTregs proportions were unchanged. Proportions of memory-like nTregs slightly increased up to 48 Weeks. Conclusion CT3.5 administration has a comparable effect on CD4+ T cell subpopulations, with no dramatic shifts in proportions. Disclaimer http://medpub-poster.merckgroup.com/ABN2018DISC_ORACLE.pdf


Several theoretical models accommodate the possibility of Heavy Stable Charged Particles(HSCP). With improved data acquisition in the phase-II upgrade of the CMS-RPC system, triggering and identification of HSCPs are expected to be possible using the Time of Flight technique. Moreover, new RPC chambers will be installed to extend the acceptance up to |η|<2.4 with improved time and spatial resolution which can complement this search. Performance of new Level-1 trigger strategies to detect HSCPs at the High Luminosity LHC is presented.


The aim of this study was to determine the effect of electrical stimulation applied soon after slaughter on the meat quality of pork. The examinations were carried out in a South German EU approved slaughterhouse under routine slaughter conditions. Electrical stimulation was performed in the slaughterhouse using the device Beef Low Voltage Stimulator, Modell BV 80 (Jarvis, New Zealand), a stimulation apparatus for cattle. A group of stimulated (n = 492) and a control group of nonstimulated carcasses (n = 267) was included in the study. The main parameter pH value, as well as electrical conductivity, water-holding capacity and reflection value were determined and related to each other. In addition, individual influences of the slaughter animals (origin, gender, class) and influences of the slaughterhouse (staff, water used while driving animals into the restrainer) were recorded. Analytical values were obtained from carcasses of 150 farms of origin and the results observed with and without stimulation were compared. In the case of three farms of origin details concerning breed, stabling, transport and lairaging were also registered. These carcasses originated from the Bavarian Hybrid Pig Breeding Program, the German Hybrid Pig Breeding Program and the Danish Hybrid Pig Breeding Program.

Electrical stimulation triggered an advanced onset of glycolysis, which resulted in an accelerated decline in post mortem pH values. Differences in meat quality due to individual influences of the slaughter animals or the slaughterhouse, which were observed in the pH of nonstimulated carcasses, were levelled out after application of electrical stimulation. The breed of the slaughter animals in combination with the duration of lairaging in the slaughterhouse considerably influenced early post mortem pH development. The electrical conductivity values measured in this study confirmed literature data. Yet, new insights were gained inasfar as the values of electrical conductivity were determined to be clearly elevated already 30 min post mortem after stimulation. The maximum difference was detected 4 hours post mortem amounting to an increase of the average conductivity value of approximately 47 % after stimulation. The reflection values of the stimulated slaughter pigs were shown to be clearly elevated in comparison with the values of the nonstimulated carcasses. Yet, the range of the values measured varied similar to those of the electrical conductivity and did not in all cases permit a sure evaluation of the meat quality to be expected in the individual animal. The nonstimulated slaughter animals showed higher average Q-values which indicated a superior meat quality concerning the PSE properties of the slaughter pigs.

Electrical stimulation resulted in the development of paler and more exudative meat in all carcasses and therefore in an enormous increase of carcasses with obvious PSE qualities. It is liable to cause a deterioration in meat quality and is not to be recommended for pork production.


Dental ceramics are extensively used to restore damaged or missing tooth structure but these fracture in service. Finite element analysis and quantitative fractography of failed restorations have demonstrated that all-ceramic crowns fracture due to the extension of pre-existing surface defects that occupy the inner 'fit' surface of the restoration under tensile loading. Clinically the environment of the inner surface defects is influenced by the dental cement used to retain the restoration on the prepared tooth structure. The use of methacrylate resin-based cements is associated with enhanced clinical performance and in vitro laboratory investigations have demonstrated that thin coatings of resin-based cements can significantly increase the flexural strength of a number of all-ceramic crown materials. Mechanisms to account for the apparent strengthening have been proposed including the generation of crack closure stresses, crack 'healing' effects and the creation of a 'hybrid layer' which radically modifies the stress patterns in the region of the critical defect. However, conjecture remains regarding the basis of the strengthening mechanism, thereby preventing the optimisation of resin-based cementation materials and clinical techniques. The aim of the current article is to provide an insight into resin cementation and the mechanisms by which adhesive cements may determine all-ceramic restoration performance.


UML is a third-generation state-of-the-art object modeling language that supports object-oriented software requirements and design. Software requirements and design are very important which must be validated and verified before implementation. Testing is one of the best ways to do so. This paper considers the method for testing UML Statecharts. Statechart is an important formalism to model the dynamics of the system. However, so far, the testing problems in Statecharts have been investigated in the context of structural programming. In this paper, the method presented, which is based on the Wp-method, can automatically generate and select test cases from UML Statecharts in the context of object orientation, which will detect errors early on to improve software quality.


Summary The Japanese Association for Acute Medicine (JAAM) disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) study group recently announced new diagnostic criteria for DIC. These criteria have been prospectively validated and demonstrated to progress to overt DIC as defined by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH).Although an underlying condition is essential for the development of DIC, it has never been clarified if patients with different underlying disorders have a similar course. Among 329 patients with DIC diagnosed by the JAAM criteria, those with underlying sepsis (n=98) or trauma (n=95) were compared. The 28-day mortality rate was significantly higher in sepsis patients than trauma patients (34.7% vs. 10.5%, p<0.0001).Within three days of fulfilling the JAAM criteria, sepsis patients had a lower platelet count, higher prothrombin time ratio, higher systemic inflammatory response syndrome score, and higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score compared with trauma patients. On day 3, a significantly higher percentage of trauma patients than sepsis patients showed improvement of DIC (64.2% vs. 30.6%, p<0.001).These differences were mainly due to patients with lower JAAM DIC scores. More than 50% of the JAAM DIC patients with sepsis who died within 28 days could not be detected by ISTH DIC criteria during the initial three days. In contrast, most trauma patients who died within 28 days had DIC simultaneously diagnosed by JAAM and ISTH criteria, except for those with brain death. These findings suggest that coagulation abnormalities, organ dysfunction, and the outcome of JAAM DIC differ between patients with sepsis and trauma.


Radio-frequency reflectometry (RFR) is a technique that was developed to characterize the properties of transmission lines by observing reflected waveforms. Today, it is widely used in a variety of applications, ranging from the detection of faulty wires in cables and objects buried in the ground to soil moisture detectors and the measurement of dielectric properties of blood. Recently, one important application of this technique, which requires a very small amount of applied power, was developed for the characterization of electronic nanostructures. In this implementation, a microwave radio-frequency (RF) signal is sent to a resonator coupled to the specimen to be studied. If in a specimen the change of some external parameter (e.g., gate voltage) leads to a change of an active [Figure 1(a)] or a reactive (typically, capacitive) load to the resonator, the self-resonance is affected, resulting in a change of magnitude [Figure 2(a)] and phase of the reflected signal. If an impedance matching condition is achieved, the modification of the specimen parameter (e.g., the increase of its resistance) will lead to a very significant change in the reflection coefficient. Here, we discuss two important applications of the RFR technique on nanoscale devices.


I document a new stylized fact: the higher the share of institutional ownership in a stock, the more its price-dividend ratio is driven by discount rate variation rather than by changes in dividend growth expectations. Hence, the dividend-price ratio of stocks with high institutional ownership predicts returns. Conversely, for stocks held mostly by individual investors, returns are not predictable. As a general equilibrium outcome, return predictability crucially depends on the properties of the marginal investor. More strongly time-varying volatility in the marginal utility of institutions acting as marginal investors in the respective stocks provides a natural explanation for the observed pattern. In an equilibrium model, time-varying redemption risks generate the observed predictability patterns among a priori identical stocks. My findings help explain the weak return predictability of small and value stocks, the postwar predictability reversal, and the fact that dividend smoothing cannot explain that reversal.


Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC

Introduction. Recently, the clinical relevance of molecular subtypes of breast cancer has been demonstrated, but the evidence on etiologic differences among them is limited. Some epidemiological studies in Western populations have shown that body-mass-index (BMI) is a risk factor for luminal-type breast cancer. However, it is unclear whether the impact of BMI on the risk differs among tumor subtypes in Japanese population. Methods. We conducted a case-control study with 715 case subjects and 1430 age- and menopausal status-matched controls to evaluate the associations of BMI at current age, age at 20 years, and its change (from age 20 years to the current age) with the breast cancer risk. We applied conditional logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Tumor subtypes were determined by estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor 2(HER2) and divided into four subtypes: luminal, luminal / HER2, HER2-rich, and triple-negative subtype. Results. Current BMI and BMI change were positively associated with the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. On stratified analyses by tumor subtype, we observed the associations between current BMI, BMI change and thepostmenopausal breast cancer risk for luminal subtype; OR for each 1 kg/m2increase of current BMI was 1.14 (95%CI: 1.07 - 1.20) and the corresponding OR of BMI change was 1.16 (1.09 - 1.23) (each Ptrend < 0.001). Additionally, we found the same tendency for triple-negative subtype; the OR for 1 kg/m2 increase of current BMI was 1.21 (1.05 - 1.39), and that for BMI change was 1.18 (1.02 - 1.36) (Ptrend was 0.008 and 0.024, respectively). No significant associations among them were seen for the other subtypes. In premenopausal women, the suggestive inverse association was observed between BMI change and breast cancer risk only for luminal subtype; OR of BMI change was 0.93 (0.87 - 1.00, Ptrend= 0.054). There were no associations between BMI at age 20 years and the risk for any tumor subtypes. Conclusions. BMI and its change are associated with the risk of both luminal and triple-negative breast cancer among postmenopausal women, despite the molecular and clinical differences between these two subtypes. Our results provide additional evidence for an etiological heterogeneity of breast cancer among tumor subtypes.

Citation Format: Aiko Sueta, Hidemi Ito, Tania Islam, Satoyo Hosono, Miki Watanabe, Hiroji Iwata, Kazuo Tajima, Hideo Tanaka, Keitaro Matsuo, Hirotaka Iwase. Associations of body mass index and its change with breast cancer risk by molecular subtypes: a case-control study in Japanese women. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3654. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3654


Recently, a number of authors have explored the use of recursive neural nets (RNN) for the adaptive processing of trees or tree-like structures. One of the most important language-theoretical formalizations of the processing of tree-structured data is that of deterministic finite-state tree automata (DFSTA). DFSTA may easily be realized as RNN using discrete-state units, such as the threshold linear unit. A recent result by J. Sima (1997) shows that any threshold linear unit operating on binary inputs can be implemented in an analog unit using a continuous activation function and bounded real inputs. The constructive proof finds a scaling factor for the weights and reestimates the bias accordingly. We explore the application of this result to simulate DFSTA in sigmoid RNN (that is, analog RNN using monotonically growing activation functions) and also present an alternative scheme for one-hot encoding of the input that yields smaller weight values, and therefore works at a lower saturation level.


The effect of serotonin, Met- and Leu-enkephalin was studied on the dialysed neurons of Helix pomatia L. Both the Ca- and K-currents were modulated by the above agents. Two types of neurons could be distinguished by their response to serotonin in the case of the voltage activated Ca-current. One group responded by increasing the inward Ca-current, others by decreasing it. Met-enkephalin decreased the Ca-current on every studied neuron, while Leu-enkephalin had modulatory action to both directions. Opiate peptides and serotonin showed a dose-dependent effect, but had different threshold concentrations. The peptides and serotonin also influenced the voltage activated transient and delayed K-currents. Serotonin increased the K-current, while Met-enkephalin decreased it, and Leu-enkephalin could either decrease or increase it. The variations on the response to serotonin and the opiate peptides on non-identified dialysed neurons of Helix can be explained by the presence of different receptors on the neurons used.


The article explores processes of group integration and disintegration among Soviet veterans of World War II during the first postwar decade. Approaches that focus on generation, legal privilege, formal organization, social mobility, or ideological outlook miss the considerable sociocultural complexity of this group. Between the end of mass demobilization in 1948 and the foundation of the Soviet Committee of War Veterans in 1956, former soldiers were integrated neither as a generation nor as a status group with formal privileges and their own organization (as would be the case in later years). What held them together was instead a shared sense of entitlement based on wartime sacrifice. During the first postwar decade, therefore, Soviet veterans are best understood as an "entitlement group." Only in the 1960s and 1970s was this entitlement group transformed into a status group that became one of the major pillars of the late Soviet order.


Air conditioners are widely used in family homes all over the world. However, the side effects of using air conditioners and dehumidification can cause health problems if people remain in lowhumidity environments. This paper traces the development of a software application and system to create an intelligent humidifier that automatically turns on or off for convenience or for those who cannot engage manual control. We applied our application to a humidifier for several days and conducted a qualitative evaluation of the approach. Results affirmed the usability and capacity of our automatic control system.


Oral cancer affects people in the 6th and seventh many years of existence with a background marked by smoking tobacco and, or liquor utilization. Early acknowledgement and referral are basic as less treatment is required to decrease mortality and morbidity. Past examinations have demonstrated that oral cancer can be quiet in symptoms with attention to primal signs being increasingly advantageous in diagnosis. To assessing oral cancer knowledge and awareness among undergraduate dental studentsA cross-sectional survey was done with a self-administered questionnaire with 10 questions circulated among 100 dental students. The questionnaire assessed the awareness about oral cancer, their risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management strategies. The responses were recorded and analysed. 96 % of dental students were aware of oral cancer.95% said smoking and tobacco-related products are the major risk factors of oral cancer.85% were aware of clinical manifestation of oral cancer.71% were aware of the diagnosis of oral cancer and 65% were aware of management strategies for oral cancer.Greater part of the responders in this investigation had satisfactory information about clinical indications of oral cancer. Efforts ought to be made to develop inspirational disposition towards avoidance of oral cancer. There is a necessity to present instructions on counteraction, early referral and demonstrative techniques for oral cancer.


This article introduces an extremely simple and local learning rule for to pographic map formation. The rule, called the maximum entropy learning rule (MER), maximizes the unconditional entropy of the map's output for any type of input distribution. The aim of this article is to show that MER is a viable strategy for building topographic maps that maximize the average mutual information of the output responses to noiseless input signals when only input noise and noise-added input signals are available.


A model system was developed in which the dissolution behavior of a single crystal of potassium ferricyanide was studied at a liquid paraffin-water interface. Since the equilibrium position of a crystal at the interface is independent of its size, the lifetime of a crystal dissolving at the interface is determined entirely by its initial size and its dissolution rate in the water phase. The dimensions of every crystal were measured microscopically before dissolution. A continuous-flow recording dissolution apparatus was used to measure spectrophotometrically the mass flow of dissolved potassium ferricyanide. The dissolution cell in this system was mounted in an optical bench, making it possible to follow dissolving crystals visually by projecting them on a screen. The results show that the lifetime of a crystal is proportional to the shortest length of the crystal face in contact with the liquid paraffin and is rather independent of its form. Furthermore, crystal shape changes during dissolution, which is explained partly by the nonisometric dissolution of potassium ferricyanide crystal faces and partly by the nonconstancy of film thickness.


Abstract Background and Aims: Mirror therapy (MT) is an alternative therapeutic intervention that uses the interaction of visuomotor-proprioception inputs to enhance movement performance of the impaired limb. Despite strong evidence for task-specific training in stroke, MT has been investigated using nontask movements. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of task-based MT on motor recovery of the upper extremity in chronic stroke patients. Method: In a pretest-posttest single-group design, a convenience sample of 13 chronic stroke patients at an occupational therapy department of a rehabilitation institute was assessed on a task-based MT intervention. Participants received a task-based MT program, performing various tasks by the less affected upper extremity and observing in the mirror box along with conventional management, 4 days per week for 4 weeks. Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), which includes subsection upper extremity (FMA-UE) and subpart upper arm (FMA-UA) and hand (FMA-WH), was used as an outcome measure. Results: Participants showed no significant improvement for FMA-UE and FMA-UA at postassessment. FMA-UE changed from 43% to 51%. Post FMA-UA score showed only 2% improvement. However, there was statistically significant improvement on mean scores of FMA-WH at postassessment (16.21 ± 3.06) as compared with the prescores (12.29 ± 3.1; P < .05). FMA-WH improved from 41% to 54%. Conclusions: The preliminary findings suggest that task-based MT is effective in improving wrist and hand motor recovery in chronic stroke patients. Further studies in the form of randomized trials are needed to validate its effectiveness.


BACKGROUND Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare degenerative disease of the central nervous system that can be contagious or hereditary and is a rare cause of rapidly progressive dementia. It almost always results in death within 1-2 years from symptom onset. CASE SUMMARY Here, we report the case of a 57-year-old male who initially experienced dizziness followed by a 1-mo fast decline in memory function. He presented to the local hospital and underwent magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination, with no definitive diagnosis. However, the symptoms of progressive forgetting worsened. In addition, he exhibited progressive involuntary tremor of the limbs. Then, he came to our hospital, and according to the results of CSF examination, electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests and clinical manifestations of cerebellar ataxia, dementia, and myoclonus that rapidly progressed, with a short duration of illness, he was finally diagnosed with sporadic CJD (sCJD). CONCLUSION This case report aims to create awareness among physicians to emphasize auxiliary examination, CSF examination, EEG and MRI tests and recognition of cerebellar ataxia, dementia, and myoclonus that rapidly progress to prompt pursuit of an early diagnosis and identification of sCJD and to reduce complications.


This paper proposes a real-time data compression and adapted protocol technique for wide-area measurement systems (WAMS). The compression algorithm combines exception compression (EC) with swing door trending (SDT) compression. The compression logic is designed to perform this algorithm in real time. Selection of compression parameters and data reconstruction are presented. An adapted protocol is introduced by improving the format of data frames defined by IEEE standard C37.118 for compressed data packets. The proposed compression technique and protocol were applied to the phasor measurement units (PMUs) of a hydropower plant in Guizhou Power Grid in Southwest China. A low-frequency oscillation incident was recorded by this technique. The raw, compressed and reconstructed data were analyzed to verify the compression and determine the accuracy of the proposed technique. Also, the wavelet-based data compression, the standalone EC and SDT are compared with the proposed compression technique. Our results demonstrated that this compression can reach the compression ratios in the range of 6 to 11. Also, this compression and adapted protocol technique can reduce the size of data packets by approximately 75% with high accuracy in both dynamic and steady states.


BACKGROUND
Two of the most common modifiable barriers to help-seeking for mental health problems during adolescence are stigma and poor mental health literacy. However, relatively little is known about stigma as it relates to suicide, and knowledge about suicidality in this age group.

AIMS
To assess levels of suicide literacy and suicide attitudes in an adolescent sample, and to identify correlates of these constructs.

METHODS
Data were drawn from the pre-intervention survey of the Sources of Strength Australia Project. A total of 1019 adolescents aged between 11 and 17 years participated. Suicide literacy and attitudes were measured alongside potential correlates including psychological distress, suicidal ideation, mastery, previous exposure to suicidal thinking and behaviour, and demographics.

RESULTS
Participants more strongly endorsed attitudes attributing suicide to isolation/depression, compared to attitudes glorifying or stigmatising suicide. Gaps in knowledge about suicide included the risk factors, signs and symptoms. Key correlates of suicide attitudes and literacy included age, gender and cultural background.

CONCLUSION
Findings highlight the need for further education activities in schools and public awareness campaigns that address the gaps in suicide knowledge and attitudes. Such activities would assist in the identification of suicide risk among young people and improve help-seeking in this population.


Cases of parallel ecological divergence in closely related taxa offer an invaluable material to study the processes of ecological speciation. Applying a combination of population genetic and metagenomic tools on a high-coverage RAD sequencing dataset, we test for parallel evolution across six population pairs of Heliosperma pusillum and H. veselskyi (Caryophyllaceae), two plant species found in the south-eastern Alps and characterized by clear morphological (glabrous vs. hairy) and ecological (alpine vs. montane, wet vs. dry) differentiation. Our analyses support a scenario of multiple independent instances of divergence between these species during the last 10,000 years. Structure analyses and simulations show that interspecific gene flow in each population pair is very low. A single locus, annotated as E3 ubiquitin ligase, an enzyme involved in plant innate immunity, shows a pattern of non-random segregation across populations of both species. A metagenomic analysis revealed information about contaminant exogenous DNA present in RAD sequencing libraries obtained from leaf material. Results of this analysis show clearly divergent bacterial and fungal phyllosphere communities between the species, but consistent communities across populations within each species. A similar set of biotic interactions is involved, together with abiotic factors, in shaping common selective regimes at different growing sites of each species. Different occurrences of H. veselskyi appear now genetically isolated from H. pusillum and from each other, and may independently proceed along the speciation continuum. Our work supports the hypothesis that repeated ecological divergence, observed here at an early stage, may be a common process of species diversification.


Unimodal biometrics uses the single source of physiological/biological characteristics (e.g. face, fingerprint, online signature, DNA) for person authentication. So, if any issue persists in the person's physiological/biological traits then the system leads to serious issue. To overcome this issue, we move into the Multimodal biometrics. Multimodal biometrics is the integration of two or more types of biometrics (e.g. Fingerprint and Face, Face and Iris, Iris and Fingerprint).In Multi biometrics the noise in any one of the biometrics will lead to high false reject rate (FRR) while identification. If any multi biometrics failure means, we can use another type of multi biometrics. To keep the biometric template as secure we use the soft computing technique i.e. Fuzzy Logic. The proposed work is to enhance the security in ATM system with multimodal biometrics along with email verification code which provides two level securities to the system. General Terms: Biometric Cryptosystem, Security, Biometrics, Template Protection


Lung cancer is the most common cancer in men, although the alarming statistics of recent years indicate that this pathology affects also more likely a group of women and in recent years has become the leading cause of cancer deaths among Polish women. This article presents the main issues relating to occupational determinants of lung cancer in women. The results of the analysis show that the number of neoplastic diseases, including the lung cancer, recognized as an occupational disease in Poland is low, particularly among women. A major factor hampering the certification of occupational etiology of lung cancer is a long latency period, no differences in terms of the clinical and morphological characteristics from lung cancer occurring in the general population, and relatively small number of identified occupational carcinogens. Analysis of the available literature on the adverse workplace conditions shows that only a few epidemiological studies focus on the problem of job-related risk among women, and only some of them provide detailed results for lung cancer. Moreover, the abundant literature on the subject concerning the male workers might not be fully relevant because of possible differences in hormonal, genetic and other gender-related biological differences that may significantly modify the risk of cancer in women. These aspects cause that the true contribution of occupational factors to the risk of lung cancer, particularly in women, is underestimated.


The aims of the research were to evaluate soil characteristics, to study land suitability and to propose recommendation of land use and rehabilitation of the tsunami affected agricultural area in Lhoong Sub-District. The result showed that soil textures were varied from very coarse at the area near the coastline to rather fine at the area far from the coast. The soil structures of topsoil were generally plate and blocky, and at subsoil generally massive. The quality of irrigation water in Sub District of Lhoong was still suitable for crops. The pH of water was neutral and low in salinity (0, 4 mS cm -1 ). The recommendations for land of class A were (1) cleaning and repairing of irrigation and drainage channel, (2) leaching of salinity in topsoil from soil profile by flooding method (irrigation basin) or furrow irrigation, (3) making the ditches for cultivation in managing the excess of salinity, (4) establishing ditches for paddy, and (5) requiring a specified amount of water for the leaching processes and the amount of water required for crops. The recommendation for land class B were (1) cleaning and repairing of irrigation and drainage channel, (2) removing the sediment above the topsoil, (3) leaching the salt from topsoil passing soil profile by irrigation water, (4) constructing ditches for cultivation in managing the excess of salinity.