A genetic algorithm for structure-activity relationships optimization was developed and implemented. The genetic algorithm was designed to be feed with families of molecular descriptors, and was tested on Molecular Descriptors Family. The objective of the genetic algorithm was to optimize the multiple linear regressions with four descriptors for prediction of octanol-water partition coefficient (expressed in logarithmic scale) of a series of 206 polychlorinated biphenyls. Relevant factors for evolution were parameterized in the implementation of the evolutionary program. The configuration file allows running of the genetic algorithm under different settings of parameters. The defined parameters were parameters used to characterize the adaptation to the environment (three parameters), to characterize the breading sample (four), the reproduction (four), the evolution objective (two), the selection (ten), the survival (four), and the program execution (three).


The results of colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) properties of La0.83Sr0.17Mn1.21O3 (LSMO) films grown by pulsed injection MOCVD technique onto various substrates are presented. The films with thicknesses of 360 nm and 60 nm grown on AT-cut single crystal quartz, polycrystalline Al2O3, and amorphous Si/SiO2 substrates were nanostructured with column-shaped crystallites spread perpendicular to the film plane. It was found that morphology, microstructure, and magnetoresistive properties of the films strongly depend on the substrate used. The low-field MR at low temperatures (25 K) showed twice higher values (−31% at 0.7 T) for LSMO/quartz in comparison to films grown on the other substrates (−15%). This value is high in comparison to results published in literature for manganite films prepared without additional insulating oxides. The high-field MR measured up to 20 T at 80 K was also the highest for LSMO/quartz films (−56%) and demonstrated the highest sensitivity S = 0.28 V/T at B = 0.25 T (voltage supply 2.5 V), which is promising for magnetic sensor applications. It was demonstrated that Mn excess Mn/(La + Sr) = 1.21 increases the metal-insulator transition temperature of the films up to 285 K, allowing the increase in the operation temperature of magnetic sensors up to 363 K. These results allow us to fabricate CMR sensors with predetermined parameters in a wide range of magnetic fields and temperatures.


Three different derivatisation procedures were evaluated for their general applicability to systematic toxicological analysis (STA) involving (a) acylation with pentafluoropropionyl anhydride (PFPA) and pentafluoropropanol (PFP-OH), (b) acylation/esterification (methylation) with pentafluoropropionyl anhydride (PFPA) and a novel methylating agent trimethylsilyldiazomethane (TMS-diazomethane), used as a chromatographic derivatisation reagent for the first time in this study, and (c) silylation with tertiary-butyldimethylsilyl-trifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA). Model compounds were selected for the evaluation process including a primary amine (amphetamine), a secondary amine (methamphetamine), alicyclic and aromatic hydroxy compounds (morphine, tetrahydrocannabinol), and carboxylic acids (benzoylecgonine, 11-nor tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid).

For method (a) derivatisation was successful for all of the test compounds and mass spectra were obtained for each of them. For method (b), the novel methylating agent trimethylsilyl-diazomethane was used to convert carboxylic acids into the corresponding methyl esters. This reaction was found to proceed rapidly and quantitatively at room temperature and holds potential for future use in toxicology to replace diazomethane, a hazardous and toxic material. Method (c) gave derivatives with all test compounds except the secondary amine, methamphetamine, and the alcohol, morphine. The gas chromatographic behaviour of these derivatives was good and the mass spectra had prominent ions suitable for GC-MS-SIM.

The extraction of multiple drugs from blood was evaluated using the novel polymeric SPE sorbent Strata-X. The same test compounds were used to assess the extraction step in terms of recovery and variation (within day and between days). The extracts were analysed by GC-MS-SIM using each of the three types of derivative. Recoveries of the test compounds were in the range of 50-100 percent depending on the analyte and its concentration in blood. All calibration curves were linear and had correlation coefficients higher than 0.99. Within day variations and between day variations were in the range of 2-22% relative standard deviation. Limits of detection and quantitation were measured for the model compounds and were found to be in the ranges of 0.4-7.3 ng/ml and 1.1-24.4 ng/ml respectively. The full method, combining extraction with each of the derivatisation reactions was finally evaluated for the presence of interferences with real case blood samples.

The three derivatisation procedures were evaluated using four test compounds comprising diazepam plus its three metabolites nordiazepam, temazepam and oxazepam. The hydroxylated metabolites (temazepam and oxazepam) formed derivatives readily with all three reagent mixtures but nordiazepam (secondary aromatic amine) did not react except with MTBSTFA.

Based on the work of this study it is concluded that a method is possible for STA based on a polymeric sorbent, to give a general extract, followed by a generalised derivatisation procedure such as acylation, with PFPA/PFP-OH prior to GC-MS.


THERMAL STRESS ANALYSIS OF A SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL INTERCONNECT USING A STAGGERED TUBE BANK GEOMETRY Robert Zinni Advisor: University of Guelph, 2018 Professor R. M. C. Clemmer In this study, the thermal stress of a 3-D planar solid oxide fuel cell, simulated within COMSOL Multiphysics, is investigated when the inlet boundary conditions of velocity and temperature for the fuel and oxidant are varied. Prior to the 3-D simulation, a 2-D flow study was conducted to investigate the effect the peg size of a staggered bank geometry had on the flow characteristics. It was found that the smallest peg radius of 0.5 mm had the best flow profile in terms of reducing the dead zone wake regions that formed. The 3-D study primarily focused on the thermal stress formation within the interconnect and electrodes of the SOFC. Of the three studied geometries (0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, and 1 mm), the 1 mm had the best von Mises stress distribution in the interconnect. Introducing the fuel and oxidant at 973 K was advantageous over the 1073 K inlet temperature resulting in a lower temperature distribution within the cell. Thermal expansion of the pegs into the electrodes caused local compressive stress around the pegs themselves. The 1 mm peg geometry had compressive stress crossover between adjacent pegs potentially causing local fracture.


The realization that folding free energy barriers can be small enough to result in significant population of the species at the barrier top has sprouted in several methods to estimate folding barriers from equilibrium experiments. Some of these approaches are based on fitting the experimental thermogram measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to a one-dimensional representation of the folding free-energy surface (FES). Different physical models have been used to represent the FES: (1) a Landau quartic polynomial as a function of the total enthalpy, which acts as an order parameter; (2) the projection onto a structural order parameter (i.e. number of native residues or native contacts) of the free energy of all the conformations generated by Ising-like statistical mechanical models; and (3) mean-field models that define conformational entropy and stabilization energy as functions of a continuous local order parameter. The fundamental question that emerges is how can we obtain robust, model-independent estimates of the thermodynamic folding barrier from the analysis of DSC experiments. Here we address this issue by comparing the performance of various FES models in interpreting the thermogram of a protein with a marginal folding barrier. We chose the small α-helical protein PDD, which folds-unfolds in microseconds crossing a free energy barrier previously estimated as ~1 RT. The fits of the PDD thermogram to the various models and assumptions produce FES with a consistently small free energy barrier separating the folded and unfolded ensembles. However, the fits vary in quality as well as in the estimated barrier. Applying Bayesian probabilistic analysis we rank the fit performance using a statistically rigorous criterion that leads to a global estimate of the folding barrier and its precision, which for PDD is 1.3 ± 0.4 kJ mol(-1). This result confirms that PDD folds over a minor barrier consistent with the downhill folding regime. We have further validated the multi-model Bayesian approach through the analysis of two additional protein systems: gpW, a midsize single-domain with α + β topology that also folds in microseconds and has been previously catalogued as a downhill folder, and α-spectrin SH3, a domain of similar size but with a β-barrel fold, slow-folding kinetics and two-state-like thermodynamics. From a general viewpoint, the Bayesian analysis developed here results in a statistically robust, virtually model-independent, method to estimate the thermodynamic free-energy barriers to protein folding from DSC thermograms. Our method appears to be sufficiently accurate to consistently detect small differences in the barrier height, and thus opens up the possibility of characterizing experimentally the changes in thermodynamic folding barriers induced by single-point mutations on proteins within the downhill regime.


We explain the emergence of organized structures in two-dimensional turbulent flows by a theory of equilibrium statistical mechanics. This theory takes into account all the known constants of the motion for the Euler equations. The microscopic states are all the possible vorticity fields, while a macroscopic state is defined as a probability distribution of vorticity at each point of the domain, which describes in a statistical sense the fine-scale vorticity fluctuations. The organized structure appears as a state of maximal entropy, with the constraints of all the constants of the motion. The vorticity field obtained as the local average of this optimal macrostate is a steady solution of the Euler equation. The variational problem provides an explicit relationship between stream function and vorticity, which characterizes this steady state. Inertial structures in geophysical fluid dynamics can be predicted, using a generalization of the theory to potential vorticity.


Screening for microorganisms that inhibit aflatoxin production from environments showed that Penicillium citrinum inhibited aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus. The inhibitory substance in the culture medium of P. citrinum was confirmed to be citrinin (CTN). RT-PCR analyses showed that CTN did not inhibit expressions of aflatoxin biosynthetic genes (aflR, pksL1, and fas-1) of A. parasiticus, whereas feeding experiments using A. parasiticus showed that CTN inhibited the in vivo conversion of dihydrosterigmatocystin to AFB2·AFG2. These results suggest that CTN inhibits a certain post-transcriptional step in aflatoxin biosynthesis. CTN in the culture medium of A. parasiticus was found to be decreased or lost with time, suggesting that a certain metabolite produced by A. parasiticus is the cause of the CTN decrease; we then purified, characterized, and then analyzed the substance. Physico-chemical analyses confirmed that the metabolite causing a decrease in CTN fluorescence was kojic acid (KA) and the resulting product was identified as a novel substance: (1R,3S,4R)-3,4-dihydro-6,8-dihydroxy-1-(3-hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-oxo-4H-pyran-2-yl)-3,4,5-trimethyl-1H-isochromene-7-carboxylic acid, which was named "CTN-KA adduct". Our examination of the metabolites' toxicities revealed that unlike CTN, the CTN-KA adduct did not inhibit aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus. These results indicate that CTN's toxicity was alleviated with KA by converting CTN to the CTN-KA adduct.


The complementary recognition of base pairs (bp) is the major strategy in the "DNA lithography" of gold (Au)clusters or nanoparticles, where single-stranded DNAs sulfurized at their termini are generally used to bind Au clusters or nanoparticles. In this report, we discuss a new material that can be used to locate Au clusters on the desired positions of DNA. For this purpose, we combined a two-domain zinc finger (ZF) and the analogue of R domain of rat's liver metallothionein (MT) to utilize the DNA-recognizing ability of ZF motifs and the heavy metal binding ability of MTs, and prepared an artificial fusion protein, ZFZF-MTalpha (1). Titration experiments monitored by absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopies, as well as an electrophoretic mobility shift assay and quantification using 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid), clarified that (1) the ZF domain traps two divalent metal ions to fold in a ZF structure with M(Cys)2(His)2 (M = Co, Zn, and Cd) coordination units, (2) the MT domain traps metal ions to form clusters (Cd2+ particularly forms a Cd4(Cys)9 cluster) without interfering with the folding of the ZF domain, and (3) 1 recognizes the 5'-GGGGGG-3' (G6) bp sequence in the presence of Zn2+ based on the amino acid sequence encoded in the ZF domain. The titration of Au11(PPh3)8Cl3 (Au11) into the solution of 1 in the presence of Zn2+ revealed that the MT domain strongly binds the Au11 cluster with a 1:1 ratio, and a Au11-containing conjugate, ZF(Zn)ZF(Zn)-MTalpha(Au11) was obtained. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that this conjugate maintains an Au11 core in the form of Au11(PPh3)4(S-Cys)6 without disturbing the folding nature of the ZF domain. ZF(Zn)ZF(Zn)-MTR(Au11) recognizes the bp sequence G6 with K(d1) = 450 nM, while simultaneously forming a dimer on the DNA with K(d2) = 200 nM. TEM experiments showed that the conjugates form parallelograms or triangles (defective parallelograms) on a double crossover (dx) DNA, according to the positions of G6 encoded in the dx DNA.


Wide amplitude, DC motor's speed and their facile control cause its great application in industries. Generally the DC motors gain speed by armature voltage control or field control. The suggestion method in this paper is using sliding mode fuzzy control for DC motors robust control. The result is showing by use of this method we can't see any oscillation in responses and the time for reaching the normal speed is very short.


This paper deals with broken bars detection in induction motors. The hypothesis on which detection is based is that the apparent rotor resistance of an induction motor will increase when a rotor bar breaks. To detect broken bars, measurements of stator voltages and currents are processed by an extended Kalman filter for the speed and rotor resistance simultaneous estimation. In particular, rotor resistance is estimated and compared with its nominal value to detect broken bars. In the proposed extended Kalman filter approach, the state covariance matrix is adequacy weighted leading to a better states estimation dynamic. Its main advantage is the correct rotor resistance estimation even for an unloaded induction motor. As part of this estimation process, it is necessary to compensate for the thermal variation in the rotor resistance. Computer simulations, carried out for a 4 kW four-pole squirrel cage induction motor, provide an encouraging validation of the proposed sensorless broken bars detection technique.


Revising the Tonsil Waiting-list Dr. J. P. KIEs had recently gone over a large tonsil waiting-list, some of the children on which had been waiting for two or three years for operation. On re-examining the -children he had found that about 30% had no clinical indication for tonsillectomy, 30% required operation, and in the remaining cases operation would not be justified until after further investigations. (Similar figures were given later in the meeting by a consultant.) Dr. Kies considered that too much attention was paid to the indications for tonsill-ectomy and not enough to those against it. Among the latter he mentioned persistent colds, enlargement of tonsils, allergy, and fussy parents. Dr. H. A. WARE described a group practice in an agricultural region of England, in which he was also responsible for the oto-rhino-laryngology at the hospitals. He agreed with all the previous speakers that students were not given enough instruction in that branch of medicine. The wholetime general practitioner, he said, Iacked the time, the equipment, and often the knowledge to examine the ear, nose, and throat properly. Dr. I. PIRRIE, in the discussion later, agreed that the " young locums " who came his way -were most ignorant of "skins and ears," and Mr. V. E. NEGUS was inclined to lay blame for this on the belief that the whole subject was " specialty." In fact, like diseases -of the chest, it was a subject both of general importance '(for the general practitioner to deal with) and for specialist opinion. He added that some of the blame must rest with -the examining boards, which hardly ever set oto-rhinolaryngology questions or had laryngologists among the examiners. Cauliflower Ears Dr. J. D. SIMPSON thought that the general practitioner's value lay in diagnosis and the simplest treatment. He referred to some common problems of practice: When should tonsils be removed ? When should a drum be pierced ? What was the association between sinusitis and pulmonary base collapse ? He fancied that the family doctor was often more anxious for tonsils to be removed -than the consultant was. He had a word to say, and some pictures to show, conceming cauliflower ears, a more or less occupational disease among the undergraduates of the ,university town in which he worked. And here he'rather shook the assembly by advocating incision, drainage, and the application of a cunning little splint devised by his colleague, Dr. E. Killey.


Transnational companies had become the most important players in global business having significant impact on international trade. In the paper we will show the main changes and rising importance of TNCs` foreign affiliates in world trade, referred to as the process of the transnationalization. Even if the history of TNCs is a century and a half long, their importance is particularly significant in the last few decades. One of the important tendencies is rising intra-company trade, the trade between parent companies and their foreign affiliates, but also the process of phasing out the production and moving of some of the production phases abroad even outside the TNC, known as off shoring. Even if the TNCs are important sources of private capital true foreign direct investments we have to notice rising importance of the state-owned TNCs, mostly from developing and transnational economies. TNCs are very important global actors but are particularly important for some national economies where their affiliates have significant influence on national turnover. In the final segment of the paper we will analyse using quantitative methods the interdependence of share of TNC in national economy and imports content of exports. For this purpose statistical methods of Correlation and Linear Regression were used. Our analysis is based on the data for 9 OECD countries and we can expect a high level of positive association between these two variables, especially in the economies where the activity of TNCs is strong.


During thousand years in Chinese history, lots of colors were named and used in people's life. And now, some traditional color names are still alive in the modern language, and the others are not used at all. For collecting and saving the name, cultural content and connotation of Chinese traditional colors, questionnaire with 386 colors were made for investigation among 1824 individuals of different ages and education backgrounds in China. 166 color names commonly used are chosen to representative of traditional Chinese color names, and the appearance information of the colors is collected, which include: traditional color names, habitual color names, colorimetric values and grades in Chinese color system.


The development of atmospheric pressure plasmas (APPs) for chemical synthesis, mat erials processing, environmental cleanup and now for biotechnology has been continually challenged by the desire, and the need, to produce uniform glow discharges. A scaling law in low temperature plasmas states that if ionization occurs only from the ground state, the gas density N is constant, and the E/N (electric field/gas density) is constant, the product Nτ is constant, where τ is the characteristic time that the plasma will come into a steady state— or become unstable [1]. APPs, by virtue of their high pressure (large N), have small values of τ. This instability formation time is typically so short at atmospheric pressure that feed back control systems cannot respond quickly enough to prevent an instability. The end result is that strategies for obtaining stable and uniform plasmas in APPs have typically relied on passive techniques where active intervention by the user is not required. The most common type of instability in APPs is the formation of an arc in which the discharge collapses into a small hot, intense region of plasma which often damages the electrodes. One of the features of APPs is that they are nonequilibrium, which means that the electron temperature can be controllably higher than the ion or gas temperature. This nonequilibrium nature of the plasma enables selective production excited states, ions and photons. The high temperature of the arc works against this selectivity by producing an equi librium set of conditions, not unlike combustion. Although arcs are highly desirable in many applications, for low gas temperature, selective processing, nonthermal plasmas are usually called for. The first step towards producing uniform APPs was the prevention of arcs. Perhaps the first example of a passive technique to stabilize an APP and prevent arcs is the dielectricbarrierdischarge (DBD) [2], invented by Ernst Werner von Siemens in 1857 as a means to produce ozone. The DBD is passively stable by inserting capacitance in series with the current flowing through the plasma—the dielectric barrier. By charging this series capacitance, the current through the plasma is cut off prior to an arc forming. Although the DBD is stable, it is usually not a uniform glow discharge. The plasma in a DBD is usually composed of a forest of small filaments having diameters of hundreds of microns [3]. Although this filamentary discharge serves well in many applications, it is often also desir able to have a uniform glow discharge. This means that on a microscopic basis, the plasma is spatially uniform without filaments, gradients or other inhomogeneities. In their article, Appearance of stable glow discharge in air, argon, oxygen and nitrogen at atmospheric pressure using a 50 Hz source, Satiko Okazaki, Mashuhiro Kogama, Makoto Uehara and Yoshihisa Kimura addressed this technological challenge—the desire and need Mark J Kushner


In 1999 the 'Care Programme to Work' project at the Institute for Applied Health and Social Policy undertook a survey of service users in Sheffield. The aim was to identify users' employment, education and training needs, as they perceived them. One hundred and fifty-six interviews were carried out across the city, followed by 11 focus groups to explore vocational issues in more detail and ensure that the views of groups under-represented in the interviews were included. Service users were employed as interviewers and focus group leaders. Open employment was the most frequently identified long-term goal. The study highlighted the need for an integrated approach to vocational guidance and support; for strong links with employment and educational agencies and with projects supporting diverse groups of users; for access to impartial benefits advice; and for mental health services themselves to take a lead in providing and promoting employment opportunities.


For Markov chains with a partially ordered finite state space we show strong stationary duality under the condition of M\"obius monotonicity of the chain. We show relations of M\"obius monotonicity to other definitions of monotone chains. We give examples of dual chains in this context which have transitions only upwards. We illustrate general theory by an analysis of nonsymmetric random walks on the cube with an application to networks of queues.


REPORT OF A CASE A 43-year-old woman presented with skin lesions of 1 year's duration. Two years earlier, an adenoma of the thyroid gland and a carcinoma of the left breast were removed surgically. She denied a family history of neoplasms of the breast or thyroid gland but said that her sister had growths similar to hers on the face and that her 13-year-old daughter had warty growths on her fingers. Her skin examination revealed sessile and conical (Figure 1) 2- to 3-mm papules scattered over the face, an oval white plaque on the left buccal mucosa (Figure 2), two circumscribed areas of hyperkeratosis on the terminal phalanx of the right thumb (Figure 3), and what appeared to be typical plantar warts. Her daughter had a similar hyperkeratotic papule on an index finger and on the lateral aspect of her right hand. Biopsy specimens were taken from one of the


Environmental perception and information processing are two key steps of active safety for vehicle reversing. Single-sensor environmental perception cannot meet the need for vehicle reversing safety due to its low reliability. In this paper, we present a novel multi-sensor environmental perception method using low-rank representation and a particle filter for vehicle reversing safety. The proposed system consists of four main steps, namely multi-sensor environmental perception, information fusion, target recognition and tracking using low-rank representation and a particle filter, and vehicle reversing speed control modules. First of all, the multi-sensor environmental perception module, based on a binocular-camera system and ultrasonic range finders, obtains the distance data for obstacles behind the vehicle when the vehicle is reversing. Secondly, the information fusion algorithm using an adaptive Kalman filter is used to process the data obtained with the multi-sensor environmental perception module, which greatly improves the robustness of the sensors. Then the framework of a particle filter and low-rank representation is used to track the main obstacles. The low-rank representation is used to optimize an objective particle template that has the smallest L-1 norm. Finally, the electronic throttle opening and automatic braking is under control of the proposed vehicle reversing control strategy prior to any potential collisions, making the reversing control safer and more reliable. The final system simulation and practical testing results demonstrate the validity of the proposed multi-sensor environmental perception method using low-rank representation and a particle filter for vehicle reversing safety.


Freshwater flows to estuaries shape habitat, transport nutrients to drive productivity, and generate a salinity gradient that impacts water quality and provides spawning cues for fish. The aim of this study was to quantify how environmental flows improved outcomes for a coastal lagoon system (the Coorong, South Australia), considering the export, and prevention of ingress, of salt from the system, and the increased available habitat for key fish biota. A hydrodynamic model was used to simulate salinity and water temperature, and to determine the salt exchange between the Coorong and ocean for the observed conditions with environmental water release included. Scenario simulations showed that maintaining river flow is shown to arrest salt intrusion from the ocean into the Coorong. Without environmental water, the net import of salt into the Coorong would have been considerably greater, ranging between 1.86 million tonnes in 2018–19 to approximately 2.33 million tonnes in 2019–20. The fresher conditions created by environmental water provision supported a considerable expansion of suitable fish habitat area, derived from a simple habitat index based on salinity and water temperature. Without environmental water the habitat suitable for mulloway would have contracted by 38% over the 3 year investigation period. A similar trend is evident for black bream, Tamar goby, greenback flounder, yelloweye mullet, congolli and smallmouth hardyhead. The results highlighted the importance of cumulative benefits from delivering environmental water over multiple years, with different results obtained if the environmental water provided regularly or just focused over a single year. The approach used in this work to relate hydrological changes from water management to indicators of habitat suitability through changes to physical attributes provides information to inform the evaluation of environmental watering, as well as a tool to support future decision making to maximise the benefits from this precious resource.


We conduct a series of simulations to compare how various strategies for seeding a policy in the American states affect the rate at which that policy spreads. Using empirically derived parameters of the policy diffusion process, we simulate the diffusion of a hypothetical policy after seeding the policy in just a handful of states. We compare these strategies to seeding the ten states the RWJF monitored during the states' implementation of the Affordable Care Act of 2010. We attempt to mimic the choices that policy advocates make when deciding which states to target with their resources. Our results indicate that focusing on innovative states, that is, those that tend to adopt new policies faster, offers a valuable boost in the speed of diffusion. Even better, though, is a strategy that targets policy leaders.


Genome stability is crucial for normal mammalian development. Broadly, genome maintenance is carried out by two distinct mechanisms; functional integration of DNA replication and DNA damage response signaling. Neural cells are particularly sensitive to DNA strand breaks and defective DNA damage responses can result in detrimental effects to the nervous system, including neurodegenerative disease and cancer. It remains unclear which DNA repair pathways are critical for preventing DNA damage accumulation in stem and progenitor cells. The same mechanisms that protect progenitor genomes also suppress DNA mutations that can result in cancer. A primary objective of the current study is delineation of key factors for genome stability that prevent tumorigenesis during cortical neurogenesis. We have compared the differential effects of inactivation of homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) towards tumorigenesis by directing their deletion specifically to early cortical progenitors in mouse models. We recently found that coincident loss of either of these repair pathways result in high-grade glioma formation. Furthermore, modelling histone H3 mutations found in human high-grade glioma, specifically the H3.3 K27M mutation, we found that gliomagenesis was accelerated after defective HR (Brca2 loss) or NHEJ (Lig4 loss), although the resultant cancers showed distinct differences in penetrance and diffusion throughout the cortex. Interestingly, gliomas resulting from NHEJ inhibition were more penetrant and diffuse than brain tumors subsequent from HR loss. Gene expression analysis through RNA sequencing is currently being used to identify causative events that drive these individual tumor identities. Embryonic analysis has further shown that inhibition of these repair pathways in combination with the H3.3 K27M mutation results in distinct spatiotemporal DNA damage early in cortical development. Our recent discoveries support cortical progenitor susceptibility to genomic damage is not only influenced by a critical early period of development but also the suppression of specific tumorigenic mutations involving DNA damage repair pathways and histone modifications during neurogenesis. Citation Format: Lee J. Pribyl, Susanna M. Downing, Cristel V. Camacho, Jon D. Larson, Suzanne J. Baker, Peter J. McKinnon. Genomic instability and the development of high-grade gliomas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-289.


Over 20 successive intra-articular injections of autologous or homologous cathepsin D-Fab2 produce chronic destructive arthritis marked by dense round-cell infiltration, epitheloid hyperplasia of the lining layer, lymph nodules and a few germinal centres. 75% of the animals become Rf-positive and develop high titers of homoreactants to cathepsin D-Fab. Both these antibodies are synthesized in the synovial membrane and phagocytosed. Careful study of control animals makes it possible to exclude the possibility that the effects observed are due to the repeated joint traumata, to endo- or exotoxin-like substances, to chromatographed lysosomal material or to traces of cathepsin D. Autologous and homologous Fab2 have largely identical effects, while those of homologous or autologous IgG are much less marked. These comparisons suggest that the cathepsin D site of IgG acts as a strong antigen when exposed in the joint. The synovitis thereby induced has a pronounced tendency to spread to the left knee joint which was injected with physiological saline.


The Singapore state's changing policies towards religion have been based on the one hand on a series of perceived exigencies, and on the other by a sustained conviction that religion has an inherent capacity for social disruption. Two strains of religious extremism—associated with Islamic and Christian fundamentalism—have provided a continuing focus of state attention. Iconic events enmeshed in religion are constantly rehearsed as evidence for the need to exercise vigilant surveillance over the religious sphere. This article examines the construction of the problem, especially in the official media, and the range of intervention strategies adopted. Some of these strategies, it will be shown, have relevance for current debates about religious extremism in Western societies.


The use of subspace information for estimating parameters of the model has gained increasing attention in recent years. However, the quality of the subspace information is usually unknown, and in consequence the classical maximum likelihood estimation strategies, which rely on this information, become biased and inefficient. Our goal was to improve the performance of estimation strategies for a Poisson regression model for which subspace information is available. We proposed estimators based on the linear shrinkage, preliminary test, and Stein-type strategies and investigated their asymptotic properties using the notation of asymptotic distributional bias and risk. Comprehensive Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to assess the simulated relative efficiency of the proposed estimators. Further, comparisons were made with the two penalized likelihood estimators: least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and ridge. Finally, the proposed estimators were applied to a real data set, to confirm their usefulness. Based on our findings, the proposed estimators were more efficient than the classical estimator when the accuracy of the subspace information was unknown. ______________________________


An algebraic fit is made to the results of a numerical analysis describing the collisionless current attracted to cylindrical Langmuir probes whose ratios of probe radius to Debye length are of moderate value. The probe currents indicated by these expressions are compared to some numerically computed values and to values obtained using an approximate analytical solution. This algebraic description of the single-probe response is then used to derive the double-probe characteristics in the region where the current attracted to the probe is potentialdependent. Equations are derived and methods are discussed for accurately determining both electron temperature and number density from these double-probe characteristics. The analogous results for double-probe operation in the region of orbital-motio n-limited current collection are also included.


We report on a unique combination of a novel scanning near-field optical microscope/scanning confocal optical microscope based on normal force distance regulation with bent etched fiber tips. The use of normal force detection makes all classic atomic force microscope operation modes such as contact mode and tapping mode accessible to scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM), thus allowing near-field optical imaging at sample distances unavailable to shear force regulated distance control. The SNOM laser light is pulsed or detected synchronously to the fiber tapping amplitude to illuminate the sample at a predetermined height above the sample. Bent etched fiber tips are used, whose fiber diameters are additionally etched down to yield resonant frequencies between 60 and 300 kHz, Q factors around 180 and spring constants in the range of 80–400 N/m. The typical roughness of the tip cone surfaces is shown to be due to etching in a meniscus. For the first time, simultaneously acquired constant gap width mode topography and constant height mode near-field optical images are presented, allowing topography induced contrast to be separated from true optical contrast such as absorption and fluorescence.


Puerto Rican migration has attracted much empirical research and has been used as an entry point into larger theoretical debates in demography, sociology, anthropology, and economics. Here we review quantitative studies and use the 1990s 5 percent PUMS to assess quantitative studies of Puerto Rican migration. The review suggests: (a) agreement that more educated and high-skilled Puerto Ricans have moved to the island; (b) disagreement about the effect of the minimum wage on the island and about the causes and consequences of circular migration; (c) agreement about data limitations for the study of Puerto Rican migration; and (d) disagreement about definitions. ABSTRACT


Remote education is usually based on the World Wide Web (WWW) and supported by multimedia. And it has been widely used in engineering majors, while music education including oral music education is very special for the traditional face to face teach is much more important in the field, this is a very serious challenge for the current remote education system which mainly only for engineering majors, the communication should be more quick, the storage should be more large, and the homework revision system becomes much more difficult. This paper proposes both hardware and software structure for remote oral music education and we hope it is useful for the future remote music teach of other music education institutes.


Dendritic cells (DCs) are prime mediators of innate and adaptive immunity. In humans the DC population comprise only 0.1% of all leukocytes, making their isolation and ex vivo manipulation difficult. Since study of DC activity in vitro requires large numbers of DCs to be readily available, a cell line model, KG-1, was selected. KG-1 cells are a cytokine-responsive human CD34+ myelomonocytic cell line and can be induced to differentiate to a DC phenotype. A range of differentiation agents and protocols were compared, and differentiation efficiency was determined using both morphological features and cell surface marker expression. Expression of CD83, CD11c, CD123, CD86, HLA-DR and DC-SIGN was assessed by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. KG-1 cells stimulated with 10 ng/ml PMA and 100 ng/ml Ionomycin were found to be the ideal model for obtaining Dendritic Like Cells (DLCs) in vitro. The effect of lactic acid bacteria on KG-1 differentiation was also tested using two immunomodulatory strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and Lactobacillus helveticus R0052. After 5 days of incubation with R0011 the KG-1 cells expressed DC-specific surface markers CD83, CD86, CD11c, CD123, DC-SIGN and HLA-DR. Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 induced a marked rise in CD83 expression with a mean fluorescence intensity of 115.3 after 5 days, suggesting this strain promoted KG-1 differentiation to DLC. Analysis of cytokine by KG-1 DLC indicated that constitutive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-12 was minimal. However IL-10 and TGF-β were detected after TLR-agonist stimulation of R0011-differentiated KG-1s. This study aimed to develop and assess the KG-1 cell model for screening effects of mediators and microbes on DC.


This paper proposes a kind of improved DV-Hop algorithm to solve the problem of low positioning accuracy in traditional DV-Hop algorithm. This method uses wavelet neural network to estimate the per-hop distance of the anchor nodes. In order to improve the positioning performance, the distance of per-hop is applied in the wireless sensor network. Simulation results show that, the localization error of the improved algorithm significantly reduced. And in the case of less anchor nodes, the superior positioning performance of the WNNDV-Hop algorithm is more obvious.


Inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 1 (IP6K1) is a small molecule kinase that catalyzes the conversion of the inositol phosphate IP6 to 5-IP7. We show that IP6K1 acts independent of its catalytic activity to upregulate the formation of processing bodies (P-bodies), which are cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules that store translationally repressed mRNA. IP6K1 does not localize to P-bodies, but instead binds to ribosomes, where it interacts with the mRNA decapping complex - the scaffold protein EDC4, activator proteins DCP1A/B, decapping enzyme DCP2, and RNA helicase DDX6. Along with its partner 4E-T, DDX6 is known to nucleate protein-protein interactions on the 5' mRNA cap to facilitate P-body formation. IP6K1 binds the translation initiation complex eIF4F on the mRNA cap, augmenting the interaction of DDX6 with 4E-T and the cap binding protein eIF4E. Cells with reduced IP6K1 show downregulated microRNA-mediated translational suppression and increased stability of DCP2-regulated transcripts. Our findings unveil IP6K1 as a novel facilitator of proteome remodelling on the mRNA cap, tipping the balance in favour of translational repression over initiation, thus leading to P-body assembly.


Transmyocardial revascularization, using the US FDA-approved holmium: yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Ho:YAG) laser system, is a surgical option for patients with debilitating angina caused by diffuse coronary artery disease in areas of the heart not amenable to complete revascularization using conventional treatments. Increased utilization of this therapy is warranted, in parallel with continuing research into therapeutic or cell-based methods for enhancing the clinically relevant, positive outcomes. This article will review the clinical science surrounding Ho:YAG transmyocardial revascularization with an emphasis on the randomized controlled trials performed in these patient groups.


The acoustic detection method is a promising option for future neutrino telescopes operating in the ultra-high energy regime. It utilises the effect that a cascade evolving from a neutrino interaction generates a sound wave, and is applicable in different target materials like water, ice and salt. Described here are the developments in and the plans for the research on acoustic particle detection in water performed by the ANTARES group at the University of Erlangen within the framework of the ANTARES experiment in the Mediterranean Sea. A set of acoustic sensors will be integrated into this optical neutrino telescope to test acoustic particle detection methods and perform background studies.


The chemical compositions of titanite in igneous rocks, hydrothermal veins, skarns, and hornfels from eight tungsten and molybdenum deposits in Yukon and British Columbia, Canada, were examined by electron probe and LA-ICP-MS. Four kinds of titanite were grouped in our study on the basis of genesis: magmatic titanite from the igneous rocks, hydrothermal titanite from the igneous rocks and hydrothermal veins, metasomatic titanite from the skarn samples, and metamorphic titanite from the hornfels samples. Magmatic titanite is hundreds of μm long, euhedral or subhedral, and in planar contact with magmatic K-feldspar, plagioclase, and quartz. Compared to hydrothermal titanite, early magmatic titanite (cores) is enriched in Ti, HSFE, and REE, but depleted in Al and F. Magmatic titanite can be enriched in W or Mo, reflecting high concentrations of these elements in the source melt and suggesting that titanite has potential for identifying fertile W or Mo intrusions. The titanite from W skarn samples are enriched in W, Sn, and Nb, which also has a potential application as an indicator for W exploration.


The aim of this article is to investigate T-shirts as semiotic tools of the politics of visibility, showing which role these sartorial artefacts may play in competing struggles for recognition in which gender and sexuality intersect with other axes of social categorisations. Drawing on a queer multimodal approach, the article offers an analysis of the four promotional T-shirts that were distributed each year between 2011 and 2014 by the Transformation and Employment Equity Office at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg, in the context of the annual Pride parade on campus. Our main argument is that changes over time in the design of Wits Pride T-shirts represent a shift both in what is claimed to be the main goal of campus sexual politics and in the proposed means to achieve such a goal. If one were to imagine that each T-shirt is a corporeal embodiment of Wits Pride, then this body has changed considerably in four years: from a gay man who is (supposedly) ashamed of voicing his sexual identity; into a camp though masculine figure that loudly urges to counter racial division within same-sex desire; into a more multifaceted individual who proudly carries their gender and sexual uniqueness; and finally, into an activist who, in tension with the complex intersections that underpin discrimination, is perhaps a little reluctant to foreground gender and sexuality at all.


Metalworking lubricants must allow the manufacture of acceptable products at competitive cost without causing harm to operators or the environment. One way of attaining such a goal is through the use of biobased raw materials in lubricant formaulations. Biobased materials are generally non-toxic, easily biodegradable, and abundantly available from renewable agricultural sources. However, successful application of biobased marterials in lubrication requires a thorough understanding of the tribochemical properties of these agricultural products. Recent studies have shown that biobased lubricants comprising starch and vegetable oils have promising lubrication properties. This paper discusses investigations into the effect of film thickness on the friction properties of dry-film lubricants formulated from starch-soybean oil composites.


The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of audit and the proportion completed in a group of practices. Data obtained by interviewing a member of each practice and inspecting practice records were independently coded by researchers. Practices initiated an average of 3.5 (range 1-7) audits in 2 years, of which an average of 0.9 (range 0-3) were completed. Ten of 16 completed audits were externally funded or facilitated. Few audits are com pleted in general practice and practices require continuing support for audit.


Jet noise prediction is notoriously challenging because only subtle features of the flow turbulence radiate sound. The article by Brès et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 851, 2018, pp. 83–124) shows that a well-constructed modelling procedure for the nozzle turbulence can provide unprecedented sub-dB prediction accuracy with modest-scale large-eddy simulations, as confirmed by detailed comparison with turbulence and sound-field measurements. This both illuminates the essential mechanisms of the flow and facilitates prediction for engineering design.


A negative chemographic effect, or fading of the latent image, has been found in autoradiographic studies of human red blood cells. The effect is heterogeneous, being restricted to a halo-shaped region over each cell.


ABSTRACT Peacekeeping is widely believed to introduce a civilian element into military culture. However, empirical tests of whether peacekeeping actually yields civilianizing effects on the armed forces are few. Based on the case of Chile, I argue that participation in peacekeeping has failed to lead to fundamental changes in the military's role perception vis-à-vis civilian actors, despite some practical learning experiences at the individual level. Peacekeeping has been assimilated into the existing warrior model, where civilian actors play only a secondary role.


Background: Context-Plateletcrit is a measure of total platelet mass. Values vary depending on mean platelet volume resulting in overlap between normal platelets, thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis. Aims of this study were to record platelet indices in our hospital set up and evaluate normal range of plateletcrit which could screen thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis and normal platelet count.  Methods: We studied platelet indices in 206 patients using Advia 2120 analyzer. At seven different cut off ranges of Plateletcrit the sensitivity and specificity for detecting thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis was calculated.  Results: The average of Mean platelet volume was 9.13 fl, plateletcrit- 0.23% and Platelet distribution width-56.6% in normal platelet counts. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of thrombocytopenia at plateletcrit cut off range of 0.20-0.36% is 97 and 80% and 94 and 98% for thrombocytosis.  Conclusion: In our hospital set up we found that majority of our patients with normal platelet count have a plateletcrit within the range of 0.20-0.36%. Plateletcrit is an effective screening tool for detecting platelet quantitative abnormalities. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jh70w


The pool of low-molecular metabolites in untreated breast cancer patients was investigated by high-resolution 1H-NMR spectrometry. It was found that the delta = 1.75 m.d signal can serve as a prognostically significant negative factor. Beside other markers, its absence in tumor sample extracts may indicate favorable prognosis.


Conventional steel-concrete composite floor systems utilizing steel headed stud anchors and metal decks are cost-effective and widely used solutions for non-residential multi-story buildings, due in part to their enhanced strength and stiffness relative to non-composite systems. Because these systems use steel headed stud anchors welded onto steel flanges and encased in cast-in-place concrete slabs to achieve composite action, it is not possible to readily deconstruct and reuse the steel beams and concrete slabs. As the building industry is moving towards sustainability, there are clear needs for developing sustainable steel-concrete composite floor systems to facilitate material reuse, minimize consumption of raw materials, and reduce end-of-life building waste. This paper presents the behavior and design strategies for a sustainable steel-concrete composite floor system. In this system, deconstructable clamping connectors are utilized to attach precast concrete planks to steel beams to achieve composite action. The load-slip behavior of the clamping connectors was studied in pushout tests, and the test results showed that the clamping connectors possess similar shear strength to 19 mm diameter shear studs and much greater slip capacity. Four full-scale beam tests were performed to investigate the flexural behavior of the deconstructable composite beams under gravity loading and validate the connector behavior attained from the pushout tests. All the beams behaved in a ductile manner. The flexural strengths of the composite beam specimens closely match the strengths predicted for composite beams by the design provisions of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).


If pollen donors are equally effective at siring seeds, the presence of equal proportions of pollen from two pollen donors on a stigma will lead to equal proportions of seeds sired by each pollen donor. Variation in germination rates, pollen‐tube growth, and embryo viability may cause one donor to sire more seed than another. We looked for differential donor success in the field by simultaneously applying equal amounts of pollen from two pollen donors. We simultaneously applied equal amounts of self and outcross pollen to receptive stigmas and simultaneously applied pollen from two donors at different physical distances from the recipient. Following simultaneous application of self and outcross pollen, significantly more of the seeds were sired by outcross pollen donors. Seed set following simultaneous application of two outcross donors was also nonrandom. Pollen donors from 100 m were more likely to sire seeds when competing with pollen from plants nearby (1 m). To determine whether pollen‐tube growth rates were responsible for these patterns of paternity, we varied the timing of deposition of outcross pollen allowing self pollen tubes a head start on the stigma. Outcross pollen was applied 3 or 24 h after self pollen. In spite of this time delay, the majority of the seeds were again sired by outcross pollen. There was no significant difference in the amount of seeds sired by self pollen between the two delay treatments. This result suggests that mechanisms operating after ovule fertilization may contribute to the discordance between the proportions of the pollen present and the proportions of seeds sired.

publisher-specific, author manuscript: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions


NASA is currently conducting an architecture study for the next-generation Space Communication and Navigation system. This is an extremely complex problem with a variety of options in terms of band selection (RF, from S-band to Ka-band and beyond, or optical), network type (bent-pipe, circuit-switched, or packet-switched), fractionation strategies (monolithic, mother-daughters, homogeneous fractionation), orbit and constellation design (GEO/MEO/LEO, number of planes, number of satellites per plane), and so forth. When all the combinations are considered, the size of the tradespace grows to several millions of architectures. The ability of these architectures to meet the requirements from different user communities and other stakeholders (e.g., regulators, international partners) needs to be assessed. In this context, a computational tool was developed to enable the exploration of such large space of architectures in terms of both performance and cost. A preliminary version of this tool was presented in a paper last year. This paper describes an updated version of the tool featuring a higher-fidelity, rule-based scheduling algorithm, as well as several modifications in the architecture enumeration and cost models. It also discusses the validation results for the tool using real TDRSS data, as well as the results and sensitivity analyses for several forward-looking scenarios. Particular emphasis is put on families of architectures that are of interest to NASA, namely TDRSS-like architectures, architectures based on hosted payloads, and highly distributed architectures.


Since the new hypertension guideline published by the American Heart Association/American College Cardiology/American Society of Hypertension in 2017, the Korean Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Hypertension revised and announced new hypertension guidelines. Also the Korean Society of Hypertension published Korea hypertension fact sheet 2018, including prevalence, awareness, management status of hypertension, and their trends in Korea. Herein, I provide information on diagnosis and treatment of hypertension based on the new guidelines of the Korean Society of Hypertension. J Korean Neurol Assoc 37(2):123-134, 2019


The Constitution is the most important document that determines the balance of values in the society, within the framework of which it is possible to achieve human well-being. The Constitutional Ratio of Freedom, Equality and Order creates a government where human rights and freedoms are guaranteed. Consequently, any changes that are included in the constitution affect the lives of people and it is important to involve citizens in the process of these changes. Creating a constitution is a rather complicated process, during which a conflict of interests leads to the formation of a common state and society. On the one hand, "legislators may try to include their policy course and biased views in the deliberation process or in the text of the Constitution itself", on the other hand, the constitution needs to be given wider public legitimacy, making the process accessible not only to a narrow circle of experts. For those citizens who want to be involved in this process.


This paper presents a control strategy of a doubly-fed induction machine used in generating mode (DFIG). This device is intended to be implemented in a variable-speed wind-energy conversion system connected to the grid. In order to control the active and reactive power exchanged between the machine's stator and the grid, the rotor is fed by a bi-directional variable frequency converter. The DFIG is controlled by a statespace regulator whose performances are compared with a traditional proportional-integral controller in term of robustness, reference tracking and sensibility to perturbations.


Recent estimates of nutrient budgets for the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (EMS) indicate that atmospheric aerosols play a significant role as suppliers of macro- and micro- nutrients to its Low Nutrient Low Chlorophyll water. Here we present the first mesocosm experimental study that examines the overall response of the oligotrophic EMS surface mixed layer (Cretan Sea, May 2012) to two different types of natural aerosol additions, "pure" Saharan dust (SD, 1.6 mg l-1) and mixed aerosols (A - polluted and desert origin, 1 mg l-1). We describe the rationale, the experimental set-up, the chemical characteristics of the ambient water and aerosols and the relative maximal biological impacts that resulted from the added aerosols. The two treatments, run in triplicates (3 m3 each), were compared to control-unamended runs. Leaching of approximately 2.1-2.8 and 2.2-3.7 nmol PO4 and 20-26 and 53-55 nmol NOx was measured per each milligram of SD and A, respectively, representing an addition of approximately 30% of the ambient phosphate concentrations. The nitrate/phosphate ratios added in the A treatment were twice than those added in the SD treatment. Both types of dry aerosols triggered a positive change (25-600% normalized per 1 mg l-1 addition) in most of the rate and state variables that were measured: bacterial abundance (BA), bacterial production (BP), Synechococcus (Syn) abundance, chlorophyll-a (chl-a), primary production (PP) and dinitrogen fixation (N2-fix), with relative changes among them following the sequence BP>PP≈N2-fix>chl-a≈BA≈Syn. Our results show that the 'polluted' aerosols triggered a relatively larger biological change compared to the SD amendments (per a similar amount of mass addition), especially regarding BP and PP. We speculate that despite the co-limitation of P and N in the EMS, the additional N released by the A treatment may have triggered the relatively larger response in most of the rate and state variables as compared to SD. An implication of our study is that a warmer atmosphere in the future may increase dust emissions and influence the intensity and length of the already well stratified water column in the EMS and hence the impact of the aerosols as a significant external source of new nutrients.


The radiation damage responses of fluorinated and non-fluorinated lateral PNP transistors are studied with specially designed gated-controlled lateral PNP transistors that allow for the extraction of the oxide trapped charge (Not) and interface trap (Nit) densities. All the samples are exposed in the Co-60γ ray with the dose rate of 0.5 Gy(Si)/s. After the irradiation, the buildup of Not and Nit of the samples with total dose is investigated by the gate sweep test technique. The results show that the radiation resistance of fluorinated lateral PNP transistors is significantly enhanced compared with the non-fluorinated ones.


Author(s): Kuang, Jianjing | Advisor(s): Keating, Patricia | Abstract: Phonation is used in many tonal languages, but how it should be incorporated into tonal systems is not well understood. The purpose of this dissertation thus is to examine the role of phonation in tonal contrasts, and to investigate how phonation and pitch interact in the tonal space. This dissertation presents close studies of tonal contrasts from three language families that provide different answers to these questions. From the case of Yi languages, where the tense/lax phonation ("register") contrast is orthogonal to the tone contrast, we show that phonation production can be independent from tonal production. Phonation in these languages is not only phonologically contrastive, but phonetically completely independent. Tone is purely pitch, and phonation is purely voice quality. From the case of Mandarin, where non-modal phonation (specifically, creaky voice) is known to be an allophonic cue to the low-dipping Tone 3, we show that the presence of creak in Mandarin is purely driven by pitch range, and can occur with any of the low-pitch targets. Moreover, we show that in a corpus of pitch sweeps that rose or fell over large pitch ranges, Mandarin speakers' voice quality co-vary with pitch in a wedge-shaped function. Finally, we investigate the case of Black Miao, a language with five-level-tone contrasts, the case of maximum use of pitch contrast attested among languages. Due to limitations on pitch production and perception, it should be very hard to make these contrasts purely by pitch. Both production and perception experiments show that non-modal phonations provide very important cues in both tonal production and perception, but in different ways. On the one hand, the three mid-range tones (T22, T33, T44) have very similar pitch cues, but T33 is quite distinct from T22 and T44 by its breathy voice quality. On the other hand, the extra-high (T55) and extra-low (T11) tones show the same kind of pitch-dependent voice quality that was found in Mandarin: the extra-low pitches tend to be creaky while the extra-high pitches tend to be tense. Taking these cases together, we establish: 1) there are two different uses of phonation types, based on their relationship with pitch: pitch-dependent and pitch-independent, which can either enhance the perceptual distinctiveness of extreme pitch targets, or serve as a contrastive dimension for tones with similar pitch values; 2) tonal contrast is multidimensional, and the dimensionality of tonal contrasts in part depends on the size of the tonal inventory. We propose a new tone space model, and principles for good dispersion of tonal contrasts. This dissertation thus extends our knowledge about tonal contrasts, and provides a better understanding of the interaction between phonation and pitch in tone languages.


INTRODUCTION
Hopelessness, suicide ideation and depression symptoms affect life quality and expectancy of chronic kidney disease patients.

OBJECTIVE
To verify whether there are differences in hopelessness, suicide ideation and depression symptoms between chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis or transplant recipients. We also analyzed the influence of sociodemographic factors in these symptoms.

METHODS
Cross-sectional study in which 50 clinically stable chronic hemodialysis patients and 50 renal transplant patients matched by gender and age. Instruments-Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

RESULTS
BHS: 2% of each group scoring > 8 (p = 1.00). BSI: 4% in hemodialysis and 6% of the transplant patients scoring > 1 (p = 1.000). BDI: 20% in hemodialysis and 12% of transplant patients scoring > 14 (p = 0.275). Patients who did not have a labor activity presented more depressive symptoms (average BDI score: 10.5 vs. 7.3, p = 0.027). Transplant patients from deceased donor presented more depressive symptoms compared with those with transplant from living donors (average BDI score: 11.0 vs. 6.7, p = 0.042).

CONCLUSION
There was no difference in the intensity of hopelessness, suicide ideation and depression symptoms between stable hemodialysis and transplant patients. Not performing a labor activity and receiving the transplant from deceased donor lead to more depressive symptoms. The high prevalence of depressive symptoms and the finding of suicide ideation in both modalities of renal replacement therapy point to the need to monitor and care for those patients.


Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cancer in Korea, typically has a poor prognosis, and constitutes the majority of primary hepatic malignancies. It is the number one cause of death among people in their 50s in Korea. The five-year survival rate of liver cancer is poor; at 18.9%. Efforts to increase the survival rate through early diagnosis of HCC and optimal treatments are keenly needed. Western guideline for the management of HCC were developed, but these guidelines are somewhat unsuitable for Korean patients. Thus, the Korean Liver Cancer Study Group (KLCSG) and the National Cancer Center (NCC), Korea jointly produced the Clinical Practice Guidelines for HCC for the first time in Korea in 2003. Owing to medical advances over the following six years, diagnosis and treatment of HCC has changed considerably. As more national and foreign data are accumulated, KLCSG and NCC, Korea recently revised the Clinical Practice Guidelines for HCC. Forty or more specialists in the field of hepatology, general surgery, radiology and radiation oncology participated, and meticulously reviewed national and foreign papers, and collected opinions through advisory committee conferences. These multidisciplinary, evidence-based guidelines summarized diagnosis, surgical resection, liver transplantation, local treatments, transarterial chemoembolization, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, preemptive antiviral treatments, and response evaluation of HCC. These Korean guidelines are expected to be useful for clinical management of and research on HCC.


Barrow, and Barrow and collaborators, have put forward theoretical models with variable fundamental constants including JBD theories. The experimental evidence for an accelerating Universe points out to a deceleration parameter approximately equal to -- 1. On the other hand, there is evidence for a time varying fine structure constant alpha . We have included the above results in a JBD cosmological model modified by J.D. Barrow by including a time varying speed of light, thus, finding an exponential inflationary phase with variables G, alpha and c . This means that the primordial value of alpha was exponentially larger than its present value. Planck`s time may not be then approximately 10 to the power - 43 s ; the same may happen to other Planck`s quantities. We found an exponentially time-decaying Cosmological term.


1. Crawshaw, J., and Chambers J., A concise course in A-level statistics (2nd edition), pp 591-2. Stanley Thornes (1990). 2. Ferrar. W.L., Higher Algebra, p261. Oxford (1956). 3. Francis, A., Advanced level statistics (2nd edition), pl75. Stanley Thornes (1988). 4. Greitzer, S.L., International Mathematical Olympiads 1959-1977, ppl6—17, 167. Mathematical Association of America (1978). 5. Hugill, M., Advanced statistics, pp349-50. Bell & Hyman (1985).


: A new brain-cutting box aids in the sectioning of autopsied brains along planes that correspond to computerized axial tomographic (CT) scans levels. There are two plastic boxes, one inside the other. The inner one has a platform slanted at a 15 degree angle from the horizontal plane. The brain, resting on this platform, can be raised by elevating the inner box and can be sectioned along the horizontal upper free edges of the outer box. The resulting sections, cut at appropriate intervals, correspond to CT scans. This box has numerous advantages over existing brain-cutting devices.


Section 1: Classification and Clustering.- MDL for Mixtures of Normal Distributions.- A New Algorithm for Two-Mode Clustering.- Computational Methods in Clustering from a Mathematical Programming Viewpoint.- Classification of Time Series with Optimized Time-Frequency Representations.- Cluster Analysis Using Spatial Autocorrelation.- Bounds for p-values of Combinatorial Tests for Clustering in Epidemiology.- Probability Distributions on Indexed Dendrograms and Related Problems of Classifiability.- On the Validation of Classification Trees.- Section 2: Uncertainty and Fuzziness.- Modeling Weak Information with Generalized Basic Probability Assignments.- Validity Measures for Fuzzy Partitions.- Uncertainty and Actor-Oriented Information Retrieval in -AKCESS. An Approach Based on Fuzzy Set Theory.- The "Combination Problem" for Probability Intervals: Necessary Assumptions.- A Classification System for Uncertainty Theories: How to Select an Appropriate Formalism?.- Section 3: Methods of Data Analysis and Applications.- Analyzing Paired Comparisons Data Using Probabilistic Ideal Point Models and Probabilistic Vector Models.- Consensus Rules for Molecular Sequences: Open Problems.- Latent Dimensions of Managers' Risk Perception: An Application of Correspondence Analysis.- Analysis of the Behaviour of New Car Buyers.- Statistical Analysis of Spatial Data in Geographic Information Systems.- Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Data Using Interactive Statistical Graphics.- Representation of Finite Ordinal Data in Real Vector Spaces.- Section 4: Statistical Models and Methods.- Statistical Models and Artificial Neural Networks.- Smoothing for Categorical Data: Discrete Kernel Regression and Local Likelihood Approaches.- Computer-based Design of Experiments in Industry.- Testing Simple Hypotheses.- Section 5: Bayesian Learning.- Bayesian Hierarchical Models for Random Routes in Finite Populations.- Metropolis Sampling in Bilinear Time Series Models.- Exact Likelihood Function Forms for an ARFIMA Process.- Learning about Degradation Models and Prognostic Factors.- Bayesian Classification Using Predictive Diagnostic Measures.- Section 6: Conceptual Classification, Knowledge Ordering and Information Systems.- On the Relationship between Description Logics and Conceptual Graphs with some References to the Medical Domain.- The Design of an Interpreter for Dialog-Controlled Rule Systems.- Conceptual Classifications and Nomenclatures in Medicine.- A Method for the Detection of Sources in the Logic Information System LIS.- Two Conceptual Approaches to Acquire Human Expert Knowledge in a Complex Real World Domain.- Terminology and Knowledge Representation in Complex Domains.- Knowledge Spaces and Formal Concept Analysis.- A Deductive Approach for Knowledge Base Refinement in Expert Systems and its Application to Credit Analysis.- Knowledge Representation of Pathological States.- Attribute Exploration with Background Implications and Exceptions.- Integrating an OR Model Base into a Knowledge-Based System for Marketing Data Analysis.- LIS/THESAURUS: A Model for Structuring and Representing Concepts of Mathematical Logic.- Section 7: Linguistics and Dialectometry.- Gender Classification of German Nouns: Symbolic and Sub-Symbolic Approaches.- Automatic Inference of DATR Theories.- Probability Distributions of Polysemantic Expressions.- German Dialectometry.- Subject Index (including List of Authors).


We present an algorithm to find a low-dimensional decomposition of a spectrogram by formulating this as a regularized non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) problem with a regularization term chosen to encourage independence. This algorithm provides a better decomposition than standard NMF when the underlying sources are independent. It is directly applicable to non-square matrices, and it makes better use of additional observation streams than previous nonnegative ICA algorithms.


Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant tumor in adult central nervous system and results in disappointing survival outcomes. Although the diagnosis and therapy approach have been developed recently, the prognosis of GBM remains poor. A novel, minimally invasive biomarker for GBM is necessary for early diagnosis or prognosis prediction. Methods All circRNAs were detected by qRT-PCR in GBM samples including training and validation sets. We used the risk score analysis to assume the diagnosis ability for GBM. The receiver operating characteristic curve was also employed. Results Among the 14 candidates, circRNA, circNT5E, circFOXO3, circ_0001946, circ_0029426, circ-SHPRH, and circMMP9 were detected with increased levels in the training set. Further investigation in the validation set indicated that circFOXO3, circ_0029426, and circ-SHPRH might be the fingerprints for GBM compared with controls. The risk score analysis revealed that the combination of three circRNAs could distinguish the GBM from healthy control with the area under curve value of 0.980 and 0.906, respectively. Conclusion The three circRNAs might be novel fingerprints for predicting the occurrence of GBM.


BACKGROUND
Endoscopic vessel harvest for coronary artery bypass conduit has become a routine procedure. With the advancement of endoscopic equipment, radial arteries can be safely harvested with excellent cosmetic results.

METHODS
One hundred consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting underwent endoscopic radial artery harvest without complications requiring intervention. The vessel was accessed through a 3-cm long, longitudinal incision performed several millimeters medial to the palpated artery to avoid the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve. Commercially available endoscopic retractors, using ultrasonic or direct-current shears, were used to ligate side branches and mobilize the pedicled artery and satellite veins. Ligation was performed with clips at the wrist, endo-loops proximally, and endoshears for transection.

RESULTS
Patient age ranged from 42 to 88 years; 70% of the patients were men, and 26% were diabetic. Le f t radial arteries were preferentially harvested. All arteries were used and no further conduit was needed because of inadequate length. In 2 patients subcutaneous hematomas formed postoperatively and resolved without exploration. Although some thenar dysthesia was present in 14 patients, no permanent neurovascular injuries occurred. There were no infections, although skin edges did get traumatized from the retractor.

COMMENT
Radial arteries can be harvested in a reproducible, safe, and efficient manner wi th less morbidity and better patient satisfaction.


Pre-stressed multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PS-MWCNTs) have (a) interwall distances less than 0.34 nm, (b) highest Young's moduli, and (c) interlayer shear strengths several orders higher than those of normal MWCNTs. In this paper, the buckling behaviors of PS-MWCNTs with two to six layers have been studied using both molecular mechanics simulation and continuum mechanics models. Considering the interlayer distance as the key factor, we reveal three features of the buckling behavior of PS-MWCNTs subjected to axial loading: (1) the buckling membrane force is not a monotonic function of interlayer distance, depending on the nanotube index (i.e. diameter); (2) the buckling membrane force increases as the interlayer distance decreases for PS-MWCNTs with fixed intertube chirality, which is a combined effect of interlayer distance and tube diameter; and (3) for PS-MWCNTs with the same innermost tube, the buckling membrane force increases as the number of walls increases. Furthermore, molecular mechanics simulation and the multi-shell continuum model agree on the trend of the buckling membrane force as a function of interlayer distance, tube chirality index, and number of layers. These results can serve as a bridge between the molecular simulation and the continuum model for the buckling behaviors of PS-MWCNT.


Both the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) Guidelines and the European Best Practice Guidelines (EBPG) support the use of substantial doses of iron supplementation when iron overload cannot be confirmed. However, excessive iron reduces iron utilization and is involved in the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, which induce cell injury; the risk of subtle toxicity from iron excess exists. Unnecessary iron supplementation also accelerates hepcidin (HP) production. HP, via its effect on ferroportin 1 (FP‐1), keeps intracellular iron from being carried even if the iron storage is adequate; it also decreases iron absorption from the intestine. The Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy Guidelines propose that a minimal amount of iron should be given to chronic kidney disease patients with anemia and only in cases of evident iron deficiency. Japanese clinicians believe that the risk/benefit ratio for iron supplementation is higher than that accepted in Western countries. When erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent hyporesponsiveness exists, we should consider conditions other than iron deficiency and treat these conditions to improve iron utilization.


Macroalgae have not been the subject of serious conservation attention. The conservation of biological diversity in terrestrial environments has become recognised as requiring conservation of habitats in order to preserve diversity. This concept is particularly applicable in the marine environment, where macroalgae are limited to the photic zone, and usually grow attached to hard substratum. Three of the major threats to marine macroalgae biodiversity are habitat alienation, pollution and the introduction of exotic (alien) species. The development of the coastline, particularly related to increased population pressure in coastal areas, leads to construction, for example, of marinas, port facilities and canal estates. Developments result in direct destruction of existing communities and indirect changes in hydrodynamics and sedimentation. They may produce extra habitat in the form of new surfaces for colonisation, but there is unlikely to be a net gain in habitat. Reduced water quality in association with development, and from point source and diffuse pollution, also results in macroalgal loss. Generally these losses do not lead to complete loss of a taxon, but the extent of human population growth in the coastal zone will continue to increase the impact on algal populations and certainly lead to zones of diversity depletion resulting from multiple, chronic pollution events. A third major threat to macroalgal diversity is that of introduced species. The examples of Sargassum muticum in Europe, and Undaria pinnatifida in France, Australia and New Zealand, suggest species introduction can cause replacement of dominant macroalgae by introduced species resulting in shifts in communities and their trophic food webs.


Background Various tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in combination with methotrexate (MTX) have been shown to be significantly superior to monotherapies of each agent in inhibiting radiographic progression of small joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Damage to large joints, especially weight-bearing joints such as the knee, has a larger impact on functional disability than damage to small joints. Accordingly, the evaluation of large weight-bearing joints is important when assessing the efficacy of drug therapy for RA, as is the evaluation of small joints. It is also important to evaluate the long-term inhibitory effect of drug therapy on joint damage. Given that total joint arthroplasty is a common procedure for treating damaged large joints, it can serve as a surrogate for the long-term outcome of large joint destruction in patients with RA. Objectives This study aimed to determine the effects of concomitant MTX on the incidence of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) resulting from the progression of joint destruction in patients with RA during long-term treatment with TNF inhibitors. Methods A total of 155 RA patients (310 knee joints) received TNF inhibitors at our institute between May 1, 2005 and May 31, 2008. A total of 111 symptomatic (tender and/or swollen) knee joints in 68 patients were retrospectively studied over the course of a minimum of five years of follow-up. The median (IQR) follow-up period was 8.1 (7.0-9.3) years. All data were analysed using the knee joint as the statistical unit of analysis. TKA during treatment with TNF inhibitors was used as the outcome variable in predictive analyses. The cumulative incidence of TKA was compared by concomitant or no MTX use (MTX (+/-)). Results Subjects were predominantly female (86%), and had a median age of 54 years, disease duration of 8 years and DAS28-CRP of 5.6 at initiation of TNF inhibitors. Based on the Larsen grade of knee joints, 5 joints were categorized as grade 0, 24 as grade I, 26 as grade II, 31 as grade III, 25 as grade IV, and 0 as grade V. Of all subjects, 79 (71%) received concomitant MTX. A total of 33 knee joints underwent TKA during treatment with TNF inhibitors. According to Kaplan-Meier estimates, the incidence of TKA for the MTX (+) group was significantly lower than that for the MTX (-) group (P=0.035) (Fig. 1). Previous studies reported that age and joint damage existing at baseline was a risk factor for the progression of large joint destruction in patients with RA treated with TNF inhibitors. Interestingly, multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model revealed that concomitant MTX predicted TKA (hazard ratio: 0.44, 95% confidence interval: 0.22 to 0.89) independently of age and joint damage at baseline (Table 1). Conclusions Concomitant MTX effectively reduces the incidence of TKA in patients with RA during long-term treatment with TNF inhibitors, regardless of age and pre-existing joint damage. Our findings suggest that TNF inhibitors should be used preferentially in combination with MTX to inhibit the progression of large joint destruction as well as small joint destruction, and also strongly support recent EULAR recommendations to commence MTX with all bDMARDs. Disclosure of Interest S. Asai Speakers bureau: Eisai Pharma Corporation, N. Takahashi: None declared, K. Funahashi: None declared, Y. Yoshioka: None declared, T. Takemoto: None declared, K. Terabe: None declared, N. Asai: None declared, N. Ishiguro Grant/research support from: Daiichi Sankyo, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical, Kaken Pharmaceutical, Eisai, Janssen Pharmaceutical, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Abbott Japan, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharmaceutical, Astellas Pharma, and Pfizer Japan., Speakers bureau: Daiichi Sankyo, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical, Kaken Pharmaceutical, Eisai, Janssen Pharmaceutical, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Abbott Japan, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharmaceutical, Astellas Pharma, and Pfizer Japan., T. Kojima Grant/research support from: Takeda Pharma Corporation, Janssen Pharmaceutical, and Astellas Pharma Corporation., Speakers bureau: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Takeda Pharma Corporation, Eisai Pharma Corporation, Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Chugai Pharma Corporation, Janssen Pharmaceutical, and Astellas Pharma Corporation


A retrospective study compared a group of 122 patients with brain metastases from unknown primaries with a second group of 121 patients, who developed brain metastases in the course of a known malignant disease. Special attention was paid to the kind of primary cancer, therapeutic influences and prognostic differences. The results pointed to a late occurrence of brain metastases in breast cancer, no patient with this type of cancer being found in group 1. Melanoma and colorectal cancer were also found predominantly in group 2, whereas lung cancer was the most common cause of metastasis in group 1 and the most frequent cancer in both groups. Clinical course, therapy and outcome showed no significant differences between the two groups. Mean survival time was 4.6 (+/- 6) months for the patient series as a whole. Patients with breast cancer had a significantly higher survival rate than those with other forms of cancer. Localisation and degree of malignancy mainly determine the life-prognosis, the type and intensity of therapy being of secondary importance.


Scopoletin is a component of several plant such as Erycibe obtusifolia, Aster tataricus, Foeniculum vulgare and Brunfelsia grandiflora. It was reported to have anti-angiogenesis and anti-allergy effects. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect of scopoletin was investigated in Raw264.7 cells, mouse macrophages. The effects of scopoletin on phagocytosis and nitric oxide (NO) production were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses. It was observed that scopoletin exerted inhibitory effects on both phagocytosis and NO production. In addition, scopoletin decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxy genase-2 (COX-2) which were related to NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. In particular, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 β (IL-1β ), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 were remarkably decreased by treatment with scopoletin. Furthermore, the content of TNFα produced by macrophage was decreased in the presence of scopoletin at 8 hr. These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of scopoletin could exert by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in Raw264.7 cells stimul ated with LPS. The above results suggest scopoletin could be a new remedial agent for anti-inflammation through inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1 β , IL-6 and TNF-α expressions as well as supression of phagocytosis and NO production.


We propose a new active vibration control strategy of structural systems based on the information of future seismic waveform observed in remote observation sites. The observed waveform information of the remote site is transmitted by a waveform transmission network to the structure under control. The waveform transmission network is realized by interconnecting multiple controlled structures and observation sites. By using the remote waveform containing the future information of the disturbance at the location of the controlled structure, we propose an active control method that achieves fairly higher control performance over conventional methodologies. A preview control consisting of the state-feedback and feedforward control (preview action) is adopted as the control law. For the preview action, a future seismic waveform in some time interval is needed. Because the future seismic waveform is not available, the preview action contributing the performance improvement is generally impossible. To get over this difficulty, an artificial intelligence–based waveform estimation system to estimate the future seismic waveform is proposed. The core of the wave estimation system is a multi-layered artificial neural network. Through a small-scale simulation study with a recorded seismic event in Japan, we show that the proposed control method achieves much higher control performance over the optimized H 2 state-feedback control law.


We studied the expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) and native myosin isoforms in the genioglossus (GG) and costal diaphragm (DIA) muscles of the rat during postnatal development using both denaturing and nondenaturing gel electrophoresis. Primary myotubes in both fast and slow muscles homogeneously express slow as well as embryonic myosin. Since the adult GG is comprised primarily of fast MHC isoforms, whereas the adult DIA is characterized by a mixture of MHC slow and fast isoforms, we hypothesized that the GG and DIA would be subject to different temporal patterns of MHC isoform expression during postnatal development. Native myosin and MHC gels demonstrated a persistence of neonatal MHC (MHC neo) on day 25 in the GG, whereas this isoform was not detected beyond day 21 in the DIA. The MHC phenotype in GG of the adult demonstrated a predominance of MHC 2× (35% ± 8) and MHC 28 (45% ± 10) with a smaller proportion of MHC 2A (19% ± 5). In contrast, the MHC phenotype in adult DIA was characterized by approximately equal proportions of MHC slow (25% ± 3), MHC 2A (34% ± 10), and MHC 2× (31% ± 12) with a small percentage of MHC 2B (9% ± 7). These data suggest that postnatal regulation of MHC expression in the GG and DIA is muscle specific. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


The study to evaluate the prevalence of Yersinia species in salad and Abstract The spectrum of foodborne illness has been changed dramatically because of modern life style. This pilot study was intended to investigate the contaminated salad and water with Yersinia species and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in 200 collected samples. Typical biochemical tests along with advanced molecular techniques were adopted for characterization of the isolated bacteria. In salad sample 20% (n=100) were contaminated with Yersinia species when biochemical tests were adopted for identification, however polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test confirmed the contamination of 27% of the samples. Out of 100 water samples analyzed 6 and 8 were found contaminated as confirmed by biochemical and PCR respectively. PCR based species typing was performed on the Yersinia isolated from the analyzed samples. The PCR confirmed isolates were further investigated by multiplex PCR to identify the specific species involved. Multiplex PCR demonstrated that 34 were Yersinia enterocolitica and 5 were identified as Yersinia pseudotuberculosis . Further segregation of multiplex PCR outcomes demonstrated that salad samples were most contaminated with Y. enterocolitica (n=27) and only two water samples were found positive. Similarly, out of five Y. pseudotuberclosis isolated, 4 were detected in salad samples while only 1 water sample was found contaminated with Y. pseudotuberclosis . Importantly, no sample was found contaminated with Y. pestis . The isolated Yersinia species were susceptible to Gentamicin, Tobramycin, Chloramphinicol, Nalidixic acid, Levofloxacin, Ciprolopxicin, Imipenum, Ceftaxine, and Cefrixone but resistant against Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Tetracycline and Fosfomycin.


Prof. Poppe is the acknowledged doyen of Mongolian studies, and it would be presumptuous for one much less qualified to criticize this book in detail. Nevertheless the Professor's numerous admirers will sincerely regret that he has felt himself bound to bow to the prevailing customs of his adopted country and write what is here in "para. O.o.o." called a "descriptive grammar" of Buriat. Admittedly, in the days of Stalin a Soviet philologist who failed to make the appropriate genuflexion to the master's Marksizm i voprosy yazykoznaniya (Marxism and questions of philology) (Gospolitizdat, 1953, 45 kopeks, 500,000 copies) was likely to find himself in hot water (or a very cold climate), but it does seem monstrous in a free society that a scholar of Prof. Poppe's distinction should have to abandon the terminology of his life's work and, instead of writing about, for example, "case endings", have to write about "pure relational suffixes". (Incidentally this raises the fascinating question whether there are also impure relational suffixes.) Moreover, it is hard for those who learnt their Mongolian from such standard authorities as the Professor's Grammar of Written Mongolian, Wiesbaden, 1954, or K. Granbech and J. R. Krueger's Introduction to Classical {Written) Mongolian, Wiesbaden, 1955, to have to learn a completely new set of names for familiar grammatical phenomena when reading this book. The position of the undergraduate taking a Degree in Mongolian and forced to memorize quite different terminologies for different stages of the language hardly bears thinking of. Subject to these remarks, this little book seems to cover the ground adequately and to be a useful addition to the short list of books about Mongolian not written in Russian or Mongolian. It does not compete in length with recent Soviet publications. For example pp. 5 to 26 on phonology cover the same ground as the 194 pages and 119 illustrations of I. D. Buraev's Zvukovoy Sostav Buryatskogo Yazyka, Ulan-ude, 1959 (a work which should be added to the bibliography on p. 3), but contain all that the western scholar needs to know on this subject, considering his limited opportunities of conversing with Buryats.


Citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) is a disease caused by Xylella fastidiosa. Using different concentrations of plant regulators, such as auxins (indole-3-butyric acid) and gibberellic acid biosynthesis-inhibitor (paclobutrazol), physiological rooting capacity of healthy and CVC-affected stem cuttings were evaluated in order to investigate the importance of plant hormone imbalance and xylem occlusion in plants with CVC. The percentages of dead, alive and rooted cuttings, cuttings with callus and mean number of roots per cuttings did not show statistical differences in response to the distinct concentrations of synthetic plant regulators. There were differences only between healthy and CVC-affected cuttings. This showed the importance of xylem occlusion and diffusive disturbances in diseased plants, in relation to root initiation capacity and hormonal translocation in the plant tissue.


: Background: Medicinal herbs are important in the treatment of diabetes. Studies have shown that diabetes causes reproductive changes in the male population. This study aimed to examine the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Nectaroscordum tripedale on testicular tissue changes in diabetic male rat. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=8, each group). The first and third groups (normal control and diabetic control) received distilled water. The second group (sham) received 50 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract and the fourth and fifth groups (diabetic treatment 1 and 2) received 50 and 100 mg / kg of hydroalcoholic extract of Nectaroscordum tripedale, respectively. Streptozotocin was used to induce diabetes. At the end of the period, after the anesthesia of the rat, the testicular tissue was isolated and tissue sections were prepared for examination of the testicular tissue changes in the experimental groups. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test using the SPSS software. Results: According to the results of this study, the number of spermatozoa tubes and the number of sperm in the diabetic control group showed a significant decrease compared to normal and control groups ( P =0.03). Nectaroscordum tripedale extract increased the number of sperm, and sperm tubes and improved testicular tissues in diabetic rats. Conclusion: It seems that the extract of Nectaroscordum tripedale has effects on reducing testicular tissue degradation and increasing the amount of sperm in diabetic rats.


In 1973, excavations were carried out in a rockshelter called River Rockshelter in Laikipia District, Kenya (the results will be published in AZANIA). The archaeological deposit was c 80 cm thick and contained an abundant lithic material belonging to a Late Stone Age industry. The deposit was excavated in seven layers each 5–15 cm thick. The stratigraphy was as follows (fig. 1): 1. 0–10 cm, brown, loose fine-grained earth; 2. 10–35 cm, brown, hard, medium-grained soil with stone slabs; 3. 35–50 cm, greyish brown, hard gravel with small stone slabs; 4. 50 cm + grey, hard gravel. Stratigraphical layers, radiocarbon dates and excavated layers from River Rockshelter. Vertical scale 1/10.


The economic consequences of bovine diarrhea are serious. Few long‐term epidemiological data are available concerning the causative pathogens of bovine diarrhea in Japan. From 2002 to 2011, surveillance of enteric pathogens was performed in cows of various breed and age from 302 farms in which diarrhea had occurred in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Differences between dairy and beef cows in the number of cases of diarrhea and rates of infection by Salmonella spp. and Eimeria spp. were found. Clinical symptoms (duration of epidemic, hematochezia and complications) caused by bovine rotavirus infection were milder than those caused by bovine coronavirus infection.


Aqueous Ca-ion batteries (ACIBs) attract immense attention due to its high safety and the high abundance of calcium. However, the development of ACIBs is hindered by the lack of high voltage cathode materials to host the large radius and divalent Ca2+ . Herein, polyanionic phosphate K3 V2 (PO4 )3 /C (KVP/C) is provided as a new cathode material for ACIBs. Due to the robust structure of polyanion material and the wide electrochemical window of water-in-salt electrolyte, KVP/C delivers a high working voltage of 3.74 V versus Ca2+ /Ca with a specific capacity of 102.4 mAh g-1 and a long-life of 6000 cycles at 500 mA g-1 . Furthermore, the calcium storage mechanism of KVP/C is shown to be the coexistence of solid solution and two-phase reaction by in situ X-ray diffraction, ex situ transmission electron microscope, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Finally, an aqueous calcium-ion full cell, based on an organic compound as anode and KVP/C as cathode, is constructed and it shows good stability for 200 cycles and a specific capacity of 80.2 mAh g-1 . This work demonstrates that vanadium-based phosphate materials are promising high-voltage cathode materials for ACIBs and renew the prospects for ACIBs.