In the scope of initial discussions about a standard OMG IDL-to-VHDL language mapping, we present some requirements and propose a configurable mapping. We demonstrate the advantages of a common component-oriented approach to specify HW and SW interfaces compared to previous object-oriented approaches. Our proposition is based on a family of hardware interfaces enabling to represent various interaction semantics and mapping configurations. Our approach is illustrated through the CORBA component model (CCM).


Injuries to the thoracic and lumbar vertebral column are not uncommon and are the result of increased loading on structures endowed with little motion or flexibility. Conventional radiographs, when carefully analyzed for the ÒfootprintsÓ and ÒfingerprintsÓ of the injury, will define its nature and, to a degree, its extent. A system of radiologic analysis is described and the parameters for diagnosis and differentiation are given. CT and MR imaging will provide further information regarding the full extent of injury and involvement of the spinal cord, if any. The importance of the radiographic signs described in the text is discussed in regard to posttraumatic stability of the vertebral column.


The article examines the linguistic relevance of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. It describes the emergence of a new type of discourse shaped by COVID-19 and revolving around it. The article lists the main discursive trends that are related to the pandemic. The first of them is the dominance of COVID-19 in public discourses of all types, including politics, economy, culture, sport, and entertainment. Another trend is the unprecedented medicalization of everyday communication, with medical terms actively appropriated and modified to describe the new reality. At the same time, the pandemic has spurred grassroots discursive activity by necessitating the coinage of certain units, collocations and phrases that convey the unique experience of self-isolation, social distancing, and ubiquitous online interaction. However, the most striking trend is the competition between different metaphoric scenarios of COVID-19 that can be observed in the media. The research is based on the concept of discursive construal which implies that discourses do not merely reflect reality, but actively create it imposing a certain mode of perception and shaping a certain kind of attitude. A particularly important instrument of discursive construal is metaphor, which can act as a framing device by serving as a linguistic packaging cue and containing important conceptual content at the same time. The choice of metaphoric framing is often accounted for by ideological purposes and helps to achieve the desired manipulative effect. As any situation can be framed in different ways, metaphors often compete within the same discursive space giving it a special type of dynamics, when some metaphors are being actively promoted while others are being pushed to the margins. The analysis of English-medium newspapers shows that the first framing to occur was military, the war metaphors actively used and promoted by influential politicians, including Queen Elizabeth II, Boris Johnson, and Donald Trump. The situation was explicitly described as a battle, with doctors fighting at the forefront. However, this traditional framing was vigorously opposed by clinicians, patients, and discourse specialists, who pointed out that the war metaphor was both unnecessarily aggressive and semantically inadequate as in the current pandemic people are required to isolate themselves and be idle rather than be active fighters against the new disease. Alternative solutions include journey, natural cataclysm, puzzle, and zoological metaphors, as well as highly creative framings, based on technical and metaphysical imagery. As the article shows, experimentation with metaphorical framing has turned into an intellectual game, involving thousands of enthusiasts and enabling them to evince remarkable conceptual and verbal creativity.


Reverse transcription‐real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) for the VP6 gene was used to study group A rotavirus shedding in children with symptomatic and asymptomatic rotavirus infection. Sequential stool samples (n = 345) from 10 children with rotavirus associated diarrhea and from five children (n = 161) with asymptomatic rotavirus infection were collected over a period of 2 months. A RT‐qPCR assay on the samples using a rotavirus VP6 plasmid standard demonstrated high reproducibility, with an inter‐assay coefficient of variation (CV) of 1.40–2.97% and an intra‐assay CV of 0.03–3.03%. The median duration of shedding was longer in children with diarrhea compared to asymptomatic children (24 days vs. 18 days; P = 0.066). The median quantitation cycle (Cq) at presentation in symptomatic children was 17.21 compared to 30.98 in asymptomatic children (P = 0.086). The temporal pattern in symptomatic children consisted of a high initial viral shedding coinciding with the duration of diarrhea, followed by a rapid fall, and then a small increase in secondary shedding 21 days later. Compared to children with rotavirus diarrhea, those with asymptomatic infection shed lower quantities of virus throughout the observation period. No difference was noted between the G and P genotypes of samples collected at onset of infection and during the shedding period. Shedding was intermittent in a subset of children in both groups. RT‐qPCR is a useful method to characterize shedding patterns. J. Med. Virol. 85:1661–1668, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


: Passage of a flexible catheter into a septic flexor tendon sheath can be difficult and time consuming because of the catheter's pliability. This article discusses a technique for converting the flexible catheter into a semirigid stylet.


This search used the low-cost boric acid and borax as a source of boron, urea as a nitrogen source, surface-active agent Dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid (SDBS) as a dispersant, and thus prepared different micro-morphology and crystallinity hexagonal boron nitride powders under a flowing ammonia atmosphere at a nitriding temperature of 900 °C. The effect of the surface-active agent (SDBS) content on the crystallinity and micro-morphology of hexagonal boron nitride powders was studied, and the corresponding relationship between micro-morphology and crystallinity was explored. The results showed that under a certain synthetic process (900 °C for 3 h), the surfactant content had affected the crystallinity and micro-morphology of h-BN powders. Without the added surfactant, the graphitization index (GI) was 3.61, and micro-morphology of h-BN powders. was spherical, the distribution of ball diameters was uneven, and there was also significant particle agglomeration, with some particles even exhibiting adhesion, sintering necks, and high sphericity and diameter. When the added SDBS percentages were 2%, 4% and 6%, the graphitization index (GI) decreased to 2.98, 2.58 and 2.41 respectively: the corresponding crystallinity improved significantly. When the surfactant SDBS content was higher (10%), the diameter distribution of the h-BN powders was even, but there was evidence of agglomeration of particles and particle adhesion. The crystallinity decreased when the GI value was increased to 4. When the surfactant SDBS content was 6%, the dispersion of h-BN powders was at its optimum, and the particle size distribution was at its most uniform. Meanwhile the GI value was at its lowest, and the crystallinity at its highest.


In order to suppress the electron leakage to p-type region of near-ultraviolet GaN/In x Ga1–x N/GaN multiple-quantumwell (MQW) laser diode (LD), the Al composition of inserted p-type Al x Ga1–x N electron blocking layer (EBL) is optimized in an effective way, but which could only partially enhance the performance of LD. Here, due to the relatively shallow GaN/In0.04Ga0.96N/GaN quantum well, the hole leakage to n-type region is considered in the ultraviolet LD. To reduce the hole leakage, a 10-nm n-type Al x Ga1–x N hole blocking layer (HBL) is inserted between n-type waveguide and the first quantum barrier, and the effect of Al composition of Al x Ga1–x N HBL on LD performance is studied. Numerical simulations by the LASTIP reveal that when an appropriate Al composition of Al x Ga1–x N HBL is chosen, both electron leakage and hole leakage can be reduced dramatically, leading to a lower threshold current and higher output power of LD.


The dissociation profile of the antagonist [3H]‐rimonabant from recombinant CB1 cannabinoid receptors expressed in plated HEK293 cells followed a complex pattern when measured in medium only. After a rapid decline, the specific binding levelled off at about 20% below the initial value. To unravel the responsible mechanism(s), we examined the relative contribution of binding to cells and walls of the culture wells respectively. Washout was also performed in the presence of an excess of unlabelled ligand and/or bovine serum albumin (BSA). The findings suggest that dissociated [3H]‐rimonabant molecules not only undergo rebinding to the same or neighbouring receptors but also partition in the cell membranes and fix to the walls. As these non‐receptor associations still occur in presence of unlabelled ligand, they can be erroneously regarded to represent 'specific binding'. While the unlabelled ligand was most effective in preventing receptor rebinding, BSA was most effective in preventing non‐receptor associations. To measure receptor‐dissociation only, washout is best performed in presence of unlabelled ligand and BSA or any other protein that can pick‐up free radioligand molecules. Yet, washout in medium only could hint at mechanisms that affect the in vivo residence time of the drug in question.


To examine whether an excess mortality due to dementia is independent of coexisting physical disability, a probability-sample of the non-institutionalized elderly (n = 3,308) living in Sendai City, Japan was followed between 1988 and 1991. Of those, 128 were diagnosed as dementia in 1988 by psychiatrists, using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition-Revised as a diagnostic standard. Information on the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) was collected by self-report of the study subjects in 1988 baseline survey. The survival status was investigated three years later. The risks of dementia and co-existing ADL disability for mortality was examined by Cox proportional hazard models. The results indicated that the relation between dementia and mortality was two-fold, depending upon the physical functions. Dementia increased the risk for mortality among those without ADL disability, but it did not so among those with ADL disability, rather ADL function was a stronger predictor for mortality among the latter individuals. Prevention and treatment of physical disability would be important for improving the survival of the demented people.


Molecular docking is emerging as a frequently applied structure-based virtual technique in the drug design processes. The method could significantly reduce the time required for the development of novel and effective molecules compared to high-throughput screening. However, a major drawback of the docking simulations is the high number of false-positive ligands in the top-ranked solutions. Thus, this work focuses on the optimization of genetic optimization for GOLD , and Glide docking protocols in the active sites of crystallographic acetylcholinesterase proteins, which could be used in the processes of design and optimization of novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. The performance of GOLD and Glide was assessed by their ability to reproduce known inhibitor conformations of co-crystallized ligands, and to efficiently detect known active compounds seeded into a decoy set. In addition, ensemble docking and molecular mechanics with generalised Born and surface area solvation (MM/GBSA) recalculations were introduced to observe the alterations in the enrichment factors. The variances in the enrichment values between both docking softwares were significant, considering the weak performance of Glide. In all of the employed crystallographic structures, GOLD 5.3 showed drastically better results. Interestingly, the enrichment factors were not increased after utilizing the ensemble docking simulations and the free binding energy recalculations with MM/GBSA. Overall, it was noted that the application of ChemPLP (GOLD 5.3) scoring function in a single acetylcholinesterase protein structure (PDB: 1Q84) displays the most reliable docking results. The obtained data will be beneficial for future virtual screenings of novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.


Ground faults in electrical power systems represent more than 90% of total faults. Their detection, location, and elimination are essential and must be carried out in a precise way to allow multiterminal high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable networks to operate in stable conditions by removing only the faulty cable from service. This paper presents a new differential protection method based on the measurement of currents at both ends of the shields of power cables. This new method is cheaper and easier to set in operation compared to other protection methods that measure currents circulating in the active conductors. The values of such intensities and their polarities were evaluated to know which cable had a ground fault in a multiterminal HVDC cable network. The method was successfully validated by computer simulations, and experimental results were successfully obtained.


The present research aimed to understand the effects of medicalization through the use of medication in the schooling process of children attending a psychological-school service. It was sought, through the analysis of medical records, to understand what led to the diagnosis as a disease and, consequently, to the medicalization, and what the effects for the child, the family, and the school. We read 43 medical records of a psychological-school service of a psychology course and only 2 met the criteria defined by the researchers. The results obtained with this research were divided into two categories of analysis: 1) the family and the medicalized child and 2) medicine as a panacea. As a result, we noticed the continuity of a school that discriminates against those who do not meet the model of student and family that fits their predominant teaching modalities, naturalizing as an individual difficulty phenomena of socio-historical-cultural origin.


We measured the Stark coefficient for the (3)H(4)(1) ? (1)D(2)(1) transition of Pr(3+):YAlO(3), using the technique of Stark-modulated photon echoes. This gave a value of 58 kHz/(V cm(-1)) for the vector difference between ground-and excited-state electric dipole moments. The resolution with which Stark shifts could be measured in these experiments was ~500 Hz, which is more than an order of magnitude less than the homogeneous linewidth.


BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an increasingly recognized childhood disease. Esophageal atresia (EA) is the most frequent congenital malformation of the esophagus. Recently, cases of EoE occurring in patients with EA have been reported, although the exact prevalence of EoE in EA remains unknown. The aim is to investigate the prevalence of EoE among EA in adolescents and to describe these patients' characteristics.

METHODS
Systematic upper gastrointestinal endoscopies with multistage esophageal biopsies were prospectively performed in 63 adolescents with EA. A standardized form was used to collect clinical and endoscopic data. Diagnosis of EoE was made as ≥15 intraepithelial eosinophils/high power field, whatever the response on proton pump inhibitors therapy.

RESULTS
Six patients (9.5%) presented an EoE (17-100 eosinophils/high power field). An atopic condition was reported more frequently in the eosinophil ≥15 group than in patients with no EoE (66% vs 16%; P = 0.014). Except for chest pain, symptoms and endoscopic features were similar in patients with EoE and patients with no EoE.

CONCLUSION
In our series of 63 patients born with EA, mainly distal tracheoesophageal fistula, the prevalence of EoE is increased, and therefore should be considered in adolescents with EA.


We introduce the implementation of a streaming video distribution scheme based on client relay modules. The purpose is the formation and maintenance of an overlay network architecture responsible for the dispensation of streaming traffic to end-clients. This architecture has been based on the use of modular system components that can accommodate the integration of existing commercial solutions for media reproduction such as video players (used in the implementation as black box components). The result is a system design capable to manage and sustain a media distribution scheme based on an overlay network infrastructure. The presented implementation has been developed in the context of the EU IST OLYMPIC project and is part of a large network architecture for supporting personalised multimedia distribution for covering major athletic events (Ch. Z. Patrikakis et al., 2003).


Background. Porphyromonas. gingivalis is one of the most aggressive periodontopathogens causing periodontitis. Present scientific evidence proves the possibility of the influence of P.gingivalis on the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system.
Objective. To verify frequency of P.gingivalis detection within the cerebrospinal fluid of patients affected by various types of CNS inflammatory diseases.
Material and Methods. Cerebrospinal fluid of 36 patients, aged 18 to 79 years, with various infectious diseases of the central nervous system was analyzed during two years of study. Real-time PCR technique was used for P.gingivalis detection.
Results: 13 patients out of 36 demonstrated the presence of P.gingivalis within cerebrospinal fluid. 4 of them were diagnosed with meningoencephalitis, 3 patients had fever of unknown origin, at that one of them had Parkinson's disease, 3 patients had acute disseminated unspecified demyelination, 1 had multiple sclerosis, 1 had unspecified cerebrovascular disease. 77% of the total number of patients in whom P.gingivalis was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid, also were diagnosed with periodontitis.
Conclusions: Based on the data obtained, it can be assumed that P.gingivalis plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system. Sanitation of the oral cavity and timely treatment of periodontal diseases can significantly reduce the incidence of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system.


A combination of KBr modification and laser processing is utilized to prepare SnO2 films for rigid and flexible perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The KBr modification effectively passivates the defects at the interface between SnO2 and perovskite as well as grain boundaries of the perovskite film. A power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.14% is achieved with the KBr‐modified SnO2 for the rigid PSCs fabricated under a relative humidity of around 65–75%, compared to the pristine SnO2 films with a PCE of 18.66%. Then, a picosecond ultraviolet laser is employed to process KBr‐modified SnO2 films on flexible substrates with a rapid scanning rate of 100 mm s−1. The laser process improves the PCEs and durability of the PSCs. The flexible PSCs fabricated by the laser remain over 80% of their initial PCEs after 1000 bending cycles, higher than those fabricated by the hot plate showing 40% of their initial PCEs after the same bending cycles.


The existence of significant differences between human cultures has been known since antiquity and has long been the occasion for philosophical reflection. Sceptics, for instance, have almost traditionally pointed to cultural divergence in matters of morality in order to challenge the assumption that such matters can be discussed objectively. On similar grounds they have cast doubt on the pretensions of any particular religion to be the 'true" one. It is a commonplace that much we find natural and necessary to our way of thinking proves on examination to be no more than a local custom. But if cross-cultural comparisons could lead to scepticism they seemed also to lead back from scepticism to be a true science of human nature. For the more striking the points of divergence within a range of cultures the more striking is any feature which is universally to be found among them. Reflections such as these still find some place in recent philosophical discussions, including those which comprise the present volume. But recent discussions have taken new turnings. In the first place, they have tended to reflect the considerable growth of a variety of culture studies as well as the greater sophisitication which results from pursuing them in a professional way. Classics of social anthropology well illustrate, for example, how easy it is for a researcher to project the values and assumptions of his own society on to that which he claims to be observing. The problem of 'subjectivity' is now acknowledged as a professional hazard for anyone whose business it is to try to understand cultures other than his own. At a philosophical level it can be asked what kind of understanding that would be and whether the kind of understanding sought can be achieved. These are among the matters discussed in the first group of papers included in this volume. Placed between this group and a third group on ethics is a group of papers concerned with an alleged way of imparting objectivity from one of the natural sciences into culture studies and into ethics. But, if that is how advocates of sociobiology see their enterprise, their critics have not been slow to question its objectivity. Several contributors to this volume have sought to characterize the natural sciences as possessing a kind of objectivity not attainable in ethics or in cultural and social studies. This is a view partly defended by Bernard Williams. Renford Bambrough, by contrast, seeks to defend a strong form of moral objectivism.


Abstract : Mass shootings in the United States tend to be succeeded by a period of great public attention to gun control laws. Often of particular concern is the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which is promulgated by law to prevent statutorily defined individuals, including the dangerously mentally ill, from obtaining firearms. This thesis analyzed the NICS, particularly its ability or inability to prevent firearm access to the mentally ill. The examination looked at three criteria: (1) the weaknesses in the NICS that inhibit its ability in preventing the dangerously mentally ill from obtaining firearms, (2) how consistently applicable records are submitted to the NICS from the individual states, and (3) the proposed recommendations to change and create a more efficient NICS. Specific highprofile mass shootings in the United States were reviewed to illustrate legislative response to those shootings and the changes to the NICS, if any, that followed them. The goal was to identify any immediate deficiencies in the NICS and determine any corrective actions necessary to enhance it to produce a more reliable system. This research should serve as a roadmap for committees or individuals tasked with gun control legislation in the United States.


Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a severe condition with high mortality rates that typically occurs among immunocompromised patients, mostly those affected by hematological malignancies. In the past few years, an increasing number of cases have been reported among patients without classic risk factors. Although the current guidelines report voriconazole as the first-line therapy for IA, the increase in the rates of Aspergillus fumigatus resistant to azoles represents an emerging problem and requires the introduction of new therapeutic options. For these reasons, alternative antifungal therapies may be used in selected scenarios. The 2014 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease guidelines recommend the use of isavuconazole, a new azole, as one of the first-line treatments for IA, and liposomal amphotericin B with a lower strength of recommendation; other lipid formulations of amphotericin B, posaconazole, and caspofungin can be used as second-line or salvage therapy. More studies are awaited to investigate the benefits of antifungal combination therapies in IA.


This study aims to investigate social behavior students of SMP Muhammadiyah Luwuk Central Sulawesi, the effect of use mobile phones among students of SMP Muhammadiyah Luwuk, factors which are encourage students of SMP Muhammadiyah Luwuk to use mobile phones, and effect of peer relation on social behavior among students of SMP Muhammadiyah Luwuk Central Sulawesi. This research used naturalistic qualitative research method, which was description natural condition. Meanwhile the sampling technique was used is incidental sampling that is based on coincidence. The results of this study show that; (1) student of SMP Muhammadiyah Luwuk have behavior not agree with value and norm; (2) students of SMP Muhammadiyah Luwuk are free to do anything they want such as using mobile phones; (3) mobile phone is a part of the needs of young people, many of them to obtain information, make lots of friends and eliminate boredom; (4) the student of SMP Muhammadiyah Luwuk prefer friends who are able to maintain the confidence, able to maintain solidarity among friends, but it leads to negative things.


Summary Total talar dislocation is a rare injury, which is usually open. We report on a case of closed anterolateral dislocation in a 28-year-old man caused by a road traffic accident. He was treated with prompt closed reduction. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan 3 months later showed no signs of avascular necrosis. At the 2½-year follow-up examination the patient had pain-free motion of the ankle and subtalar joints with some loss of movement in the latter. Radiographs and a new MRI scan showed preservation of joint spaces and confirmed the absence of avascular necrosis.


A hundred thirty years after the abolition of slavery and postslave trade in Brazil, Black people remain the minority amongst teachers in English courses of private and public schools. This situation is tagged in their professional situation insofar as an aftermath of racism and coloniality are concerned, as I shall argue here. In this study, I seek to examine the ways race can be negatively or positively expanded in the performance of the identities of Black English language teachers, framing themselves as either resistant identities in/through language (using the language as a strategy to resist) or resistant identities to language (negating themselves as capable speakers or teachers).


Firearm homicide and suicide deaths for 2014 were examined in Harris County, Texas, for spatial variation and socio-economic correlates. Higher firearm homicide rates were found closer to central Houston than firearm suicide rates. Local hot spots were identified for both types but overlapped at only two locations. A Poisson–Gamma–Exposure regression model showed the homicide rate was associated with higher percentages of persons who are Black, aged 15 to 29 years, and living in poverty whereas the suicide rate was associated with a higher percentage of persons of non-Hispanic White ethnicity. Firearm policies that reduce homicides may also reduce suicides.


BACKGROUND
Trauma in South Africa (SA) has been referred to as a malignant epidemic, but the impact of trauma on the elderly has tended to be overlooked.

OBJECTIVES
To address this deficit by focusing on trauma victims aged ≥65 years.

METHODS
All patients aged ≥65 years who were admitted to Grey's Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, SA, following trauma between December 2012 and January 2019 were reviewed.

RESULTS
Over the 6-year study period, a total of 281 patients aged ≥65 years were admitted to Grey's Hospital following trauma. There were 150 males (53.4%) and 97 females (34.5%). The sex of 34 patients was unknown. The average age was 72 years (range 65 - 97). There were 226 cases of blunt trauma, 42 cases of penetrating trauma (including two incidents of impalement following blunt trauma) and 15 cases of other types of trauma. The most common causes of blunt trauma were accidental falls (n=76), motor vehicle accidents (n=46), pedestrian vehicle accidents (n=32) and falls from a height (n=23). Gunshot wounds (n=22) and knife wounds (n=14) were the most common forms of penetrating trauma. Other trauma mainly comprised dog bites (n=6) and snakebites (n=6). There were 72 incidents of assault (25.6% of total cases). The majority of assaults were committed by a single perpetrator, and the perpetrator was frequently known to the victim. There were no significant differences in the proportions of penetrating, blunt and other trauma injuries between males and females. A total of 44 patients (15.7%) required surgical intervention, and 41 patients (14.6%) experienced complications during their hospitalisation. Respiratory, renal and cardiac complications were most frequent, and 5 patients had a cardiac arrest. Seven experienced acute kidney injury. Seventeen patients (6.0%) required intensive care unit admission and 5 (1.8%) required ventilation. Patients stayed in hospital for an average of 2.96 days (range 0 - 39). Of the patients, 241 (85.8%) survived, 32 (11.4%) died and 8 (2.9%) had an unknown outcome.

CONCLUSIONS
Geriatric trauma in SA is relatively rare, but will increase as the population ages. There is a high incidence of assault as a mechanism, highlighting the fact that elderly people are a vulnerable group. Managing these patients is challenging and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.


The oil extraction residue of walnuts is rich in proteins and has been employed in the formulation of various functional food products. In this study, alcalase and neutrase were used to hydrolyze defatted walnut meal protein to obtain anti-inflammatory peptides. After separation by ultrafiltration and by using Sephadex G-25, the fraction with the highest anti-inflammatory activity was identified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and 579 peptides were obtained. Then, four of the most stable binding tripeptides with the sequences Trp-Pro-Leu (WPL, MW: 414.2 Da), Trp-Ser-Leu (WSL, MW: 404.2 Da), Phe-Pro-Leu (FPL, MW: 375.2 Da) and Phe-Pro-Tyr (FPY, MW: 425.2 Da) were successfully identified by virtual screening. The anti-inflammatory activity determination of the synthetic peptide assay indicated that FPL (200 μM) exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory activity with inhibitory rates of 63.65 ± 2.64%, 68.25 ± 2.19%, 42.52 ± 2.01% and 59.39 ± 2.21% in terms of four inflammatory mediators (NO, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β), respectively. It was speculated that the anti-inflammatory activity of walnut peptides might be related to hydrophobic amino acids and aromatic amino acids. By molecular docking, further insight into the theoretical interaction mechanism of binding revealed that hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds turned out to be the main interaction forces between the four peptides and iNOS. These results indicated that FPL screened in this study could be expected to be used as a natural anti-inflammatory active substance in the functional food and pharmaceutical industries.


To the Editor: Recently, Scheld summarized factors that he considered to have an influence on the efficacy of fluoroquinolones (1). In the review, ciprofloxacin was presented as the most active fluoroquinolone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MICs typically two- to eightfold lower than those for levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, or gatifloxacin. However, because the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) MIC interpretative breakpoints are fluoroquinolone-specific, percent susceptibility is considered to be a better measure by which to compare fluoroquinolone activities. Our company has conducted annual investigations called TRUST (Tracking Resistance in the United States Today) since 1996. These surveillance studies have consistently shown similar susceptibility rates for levofloxacin (67.7% in 2002) and ciprofloxacin (67.4% in 2002) against P. aeruginosa (2,3). Both agents show higher in vitro activity against P. aeruginosa than gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin (2–4). A critique of antipseudomonal fluoroquinolone activity should also consider peak achievable fluoroquinolone levels at a site of infection, the area under the serum concentration curve in 24 hours (AUC24h), and the AUC24h/MIC ratio (5). At equivalent dosages for nosocomial pneumonia, levofloxacin (750 mg intravenously, once daily) has a threefold higher peak serum level (Cmax) and threefold higher AUC24h than ciprofloxacin (400 mg intravenously, every 8 hours) (package inserts for Levaquin and Cipro). While certain P. aeruginosa isolates have lower ciprofloxacin than levofloxacin MICs, the two fluoroquinolones have equivalent activity against P. aeruginosa because of their equivalent AUC24h /MIC ratios (6). We agree strongly with Scheld's suggestion that the fluoroquinolone used clinically should be the fluoroquinolone tested by the laboratory and reported; surrogate testing of fluoroquinolones may lead to major errors in reporting, particularly for Enterobacteriaceae (2,3,7).

The review also stated that levofloxacin-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa emerge at a significantly higher rate than with ciprofloxacin. However, a recent study of P. aeruginosa isolated from cystic fibrosis patients reported that fewer resistant mutants were isolated after exposure to levofloxacin (11 mutants) than to ciprofloxacin (28 mutants) (8).

With regards to S. pneumoniae, the review stated that in vitro studies have demonstrated that ciprofloxacin (1–4 mg/L) and levofloxacin (1–2 mg/L) are not as active as moxifloxacin (0.06–0.25 mg/L) and gatifloxacin (0.5–1 mg/L) against pneumococci. As with P. aeruginosa, fluoroquinolone comparisons against S. pneumoniae should not be limited to MICs alone because pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics differ for each fluoroquinolone. Pneumococcal time-kill studies with levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and moxifloxacin in a pharmacodynamic model have demonstrated that these three agents possess equal bactericidal activity and are equally effective in preventing resistance development because the lower in vitro MICs for gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin were offset by the higher serum and tissue levels of levofloxacin (9). In the same study, ciprofloxacin did not exhibit rapid killing and selected for resistance faster than the other three agents (9). TRUST and other U.S. surveillance studies, using the NCCLS-recommended broth-dilution method, have shown that S. pneumoniae remain highly susceptible to levofloxacin with resistance rates in the United States of <1%; the MIC90 for levofloxacin in these studies has remained at 1 mg/L from 1997 through 2002 (10–15). Further, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and moxifloxacin are equally effective in rates of clinical cure and microbiologic eradication of pneumococcal respiratory infections (16, and FDA website; available from: URL: http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/nda/99/21061_Tequin_medr_PI and http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/nda/2001/21277_Avelox_medr_PI)

The review implied that, in general, higher AUC24h/MIC ratios were associated with better patient outcomes. For S. pneumoniae, several pharmacodynamic studies have demonstrated that a target AUC24h/MIC ratio of 30 to 35 for fluoroquinolones is the best correlate for successful bacteriologic eradication, clinical cure, and prevention of emergence of resistance during therapy (5,11,21–23). Levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and moxifloxacin all achieve this AUC24h/MIC ratio (9). Zhanel et al. demonstrated that AUC24h/MIC ratios above the target value of 30 to 35 did not improve bacteriologic eradication or reduce the emergence of resistance (9). Moreover, no clinical data support the claim that higher AUC24h/MIC ratios correlate with better patient outcomes.

The review discusses the question of whether C-8-methoxyquinolones (moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin) have a lower propensity to select resistant mutants of S. pneumoniae compared with levofloxacin. Mutation prevention concentration is a theoretical laboratory concept based on agar dilution methodology, and no published data have shown any clinical correlation between this theory and clinical outcomes. NCCLS does not recommend agar dilution for susceptibility analysis of S. pneumoniae. Moreover, the extremely low levels of resistance in S. pneumoniae (<1%) after many years of fluoroquinolone use do not support the theory of mutation prevention concentration. The review did not reference an analysis of 16 penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae strains by Kolhepp et al. (20). In that broth-dilution study, in vitro resistance developed in a greater proportion of strains exposed to gatifloxacin (11/16) and moxifloxacin (8/16) than to levofloxacin (2/16). Similarly, in a study by Klepser et al. that used an in vitro pharmacodynamic model, levofloxacin was less likely than moxifloxacin to select for resistant isolates of S. pneumoniae; moreover, after 24 hours of exposure, levofloxacin MICs remained unchanged while moxifloxacin MICs increased two- to eightfold (21).

Levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and moxifloxacin all have susceptibility rates >99% for S. pneumoniae (22,23). Although resistance is rare, considerable cross-resistance among fluoroquinolones is observed once two or more key mutations (e.g., Ser79 in ParC, Ser81 in GyrA) are detected (24,25). Using topoisomerase IV-selecting fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin) in the same patient population as DNA gyrase-selecting fluoroquinolones (gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin) could potentially accelerate the development of double mutants (ParC and GyrA) and clinically important class resistance because selective pressure would be applied to both enzyme targets (26).

The review stated that, since 1999, at least 20 case reports of pulmonary infection that did not respond to levofloxacin therapy have been published. This number is remarkably small considering that >250 million patients have been treated with levofloxacin worldwide. A number of the treatment failures cited had documentation of prior ciprofloxacin use and ciprofloxacin failure, and many isolates were not tested for levofloxacin susceptibility before treatment (27). We agree with the recommendation in the cited Davidson et al. reference: a patient's failure to respond to one fluoroquinolone is sufficient reason not to use other fluoroquinolones (27). Isolated clinical failures will occur with the use of any antimicrobial agent when treating pneumococcal pneumonia.

The notion that fluoroquinolone therapy can be "targeted" for an indication requires challenge as fluoroquinolone therapy will always result in systemic drug levels. Evidence does not indicate that the use of two fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin, minimizes fluoroquinolone resistance. Targeted fluoroquinolone therapy may in fact have adverse implications for the patient and for overall institutional resistance patterns. For example, the use of ciprofloxacin for urinary tract infections exposes resident streptococci in the respiratory tract to an agent that has demonstrated weaker activity against pneumococci, thus potentially selecting for pneumococcal resistance (9). Moreover, 20%-35% of ciprofloxacin is excreted through the intestinal tract (Cipro package isnert), compared to 4% of levofloxacin (Levaquin package insert). Studies have shown that ciprofloxacin displays weaker in vitro activity (lower percentage of isolates susceptible) than levofloxacin for several gram-negative enteric bacteria (2,3). Stepwise adaptive changes towards fluoroquinolone resistance in enteric bacteria may be selected by fluoroquinolones with weaker in vitro activity and higher levels of exposure in the intestinal tract. Therefore, ciprofloxacin would have a greater potential than levofloxacin for the selection of resistant strains for intestinal gram-negative pathogens. A recent report stated that ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli were isolated from the feces of 48% of patients treated with ciprofloxacin for prostatitis; before ciprofloxacin therapy, only ciprofloxacin-susceptible E. coli were isolated from the feces of these patients (28). Further, given that 25% of moxifloxacin is excreted through the intestinal tract (Avelox package insert), the use of moxifloxacin for respiratory infections exposes pathogens in the intestinal tract to a fluoroquinolone with higher anaerobic activity against Bacteroides fragilis and other intestinal anaerobes than levofloxacin (29,30). Moxifloxacin has a greater potential than other fluoroquinolones to alter the normal intestinal flora and select for vancomycin-resistant enterococci (31) and strains of intestinal gram-negative strains with increased resistance towards fluoroquinolones.

In conclusion, we believe that the data we have briefly presented here supplements the previous discussion by Scheld (1) and will help facilitate an improved understanding of the factors influencing the maintenance of fluoroquinolone efficacy.


A chromium-catalyzed pinacol-type cross-coupling reaction between alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and aldehydes is reported. Even sterically demanding substrates could be coupled to afford the corresponding pinacols in good yields. Systematic studies concerning the origin of the diastereoselectivities led to the proposal of a mechanism for this synthetically useful reaction. Acroleins with alpha-branched alkyl side chains were coupled to give the corresponding syn pinacols, while on the other hand, acroleins with less bulky substituents furnished the anti derivatives. The effects of both the substrates and the reagents on the diastereo- and enantioselectivities were investigated. An unexpected catalytic formation of cyclopropanols was found.


Efficient methodologies for synthesis of nanocrystals (NC) are a crucial component for creation of nanostructured electronic components. Physical vapor deposition (PVD) is one of the most flexible techniques to fabricate self-assembled arrangements of nanoclusters. Controllable fabrication of such assemblies can improve reliability of nanocapacitors, enhance performance of magnetic memories, and has many applications in opto-electronics devices, etc. However, size, shape and density of nanocrystals are highly sensitive to the process conditions such as duration of deposition, temperature, substrate material, etc. To efficiently synthesize nanocrystalline arrays by PVD, the process control factors should be understood in greater detail. In this work, we present a kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) model and report simulations that explicitly represent the PVD synthesis of nanocrystals on substrates. Here we study how varying the most important process parameters affects the morphologies of self-assembled metallic islands on substrates. We compare our results with experimentally observed surface morphologies generated by PVD and demonstrate that KMC models like this are an efficient tool for computer-aided design of PVD processes for synthesis of nanocrystals.


by these authors in reference to my earlier work' with a similar series of children ? Quite rightly, the authors differentiate between two main groups of cases-namely, those with constipation as a primary condition, in whom, if soiling occurs, it is of the overflow type; and those in whom soiling is the primary symptom. In this latter group psychogenic factors are acknowledged to play a predominant role, and, because of this, it was incorrectly assumed that I was dealing with this second group in my own series. In fact I was not.


Vascular calcification is highly correlated with cardiovascular disease mortality, especially in patients with ESRD or diabetes. In addition to the devastating effects of inappropriate biomineralization seen in cardiac valvulopathies, calciphylaxis, and idiopathic arterial calcification, vascular calcification is now recognized as a marker of atherosclerotic plaque burden as well as a major contributor to loss of arterial compliance and increased pulse pressure seen with age, diabetes, and renal insufficiency. In recent years, several mechanisms to explain vascular calcification have been identified including (1) loss of inhibition, (2) induction of bone formation, (3) circulating nucleational complexes, and (4) cell death. Alterations in calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) balance as seen in patients with ESRD promotes vascular calcification via multiple mechanisms and may explain the alarmingly high levels of cardiovascular disease deaths in these patients. Strategies to control Ca and P levels in patients with ESRD have met with early success in preventing progression of vascular calcification. Whether or not vascular calcification can be reversed is not yet known, but exciting new studies suggest that this may be possible in the future.


The state has made various efforts to protect the lives of wild animals from the risk of illegal trade. Various regulations starting from the CITES convention have been ratified and followed up with various other regulations. Although, a series of efforts have been made to protect wild animals from extinction, but animal trade continues. This study explores how the commodification of wild animals carried out by the state since its habitat causes the life of animals threatened. This research is a desk study conducted by tracking secondary data from environmental organization monitoring reports, government reports, journal articles, online media related to the topic being studied. The results of the study show that the forest territorial initiation process carried out by the state through species control, unilateral determination of forest area boundaries and formal control through various institutions and regulations actually causes wild animals and their habitats to be threatened by economic exploitation efforts. Residents around the territorial forest that were affected by territoriality were forced to become hunters to make a living. The state apparatus also cannot be separated in taking advantage of opportunities to be involved in hunting wild animals. Illegal hunting is a supplier for the trade in wild animals involving various modes of sale. The lives of wild animals have truly been threatened by making them commodities. The food chain has changed by making economic rents the main predator for wildlife.


OBJECT
The goal of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of multisession Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) in the treatment of benign orbital tumors.

METHODS
Twenty-three patients who retained their vision despite having tumors touching their optic nerve were treated with multisession (4-fraction) GKS. The median tumor volume was 2800 mm(3) (range 211-10,800 mm(3)), and the median cumulative margin dose was 20 Gy (range 18-22 Gy).

RESULTS
The median clinical follow-up duration in these patients was 38 months (range 9-74 months). No patient experienced tumor progression in this study. In particular, a higher degree of tumor shrinkage was found in the 7 patients with cavernous hemangiomas than in patients with other types of lesions (p < 0.05). Of the 23 patients whose preoperative vision was preserved, 11 showed improvement in visual acuity and/or visual field and 12 showed stable visual acuity. No GKS-related adverse events were noted during or after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS
Multisession radiosurgery using the Gamma Knife may be a good strategy for tumors in direct contact with the optic nerve. A cumulative margin dose of up to 22 Gy delivered in 4 sessions is safe for preservation of visual function with a high probability of tumor control.


The physical and chemical properties of crude roselle seed oil as well as its fatty acid composition were estimated and compared with those of corn oil. Campesterol, campestanol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol and β-sitostanol fractions (the most common phytosterols) of both oils were also determined by GLC. The results indicated that the melting point (−1.1±0.3°C), unsaponifable matter (1.0±0.2%) and iodine value (109±7) of roselle seed oil were not significantly (P<0.05) different than those of corn oil (1.0±0.1°C, 1.1±0.2% and 117±5). Therefore, the oil could be classified as semi-dry oil. The oil contained significant amounts of triacyglycerols (69.2±1.6%) and sterols (3.5±0.4%). GLC analysis proved that the linoleic (45.3%), oleic (27.2±0.7%) and palmitic (17.3±0.8%) of roselle seed oil were the predominant fatty acids. Because of the similarity of roselle seed oil to corn oil in chemical composition and lipid fractions, roselle seed oil might provide a new source of edible oil. Further study on the nutritional and physiological value of roselle seed oil is needed.


The restoration of chemically degraded rivers, lakes, and estuaries with large watersheds and pollution sources that are primarily diffuse in nature requires the grading of thousands of kilometers of tributary streams. Many population-and community-oriented biomonitoring methods have been developed that avoid the cost limitations of chemical/biomarker/bioassay approaches and the serious limitations of single-factor analysis as related to complex systems. In this study of the coastal plain and piedmont geomorphologic provinces of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, we have demonstrated a set of quantitative measures based on analysis of macrophyte populations that provide statistically significant separation of streams in accordance with their state-issued water quality rating. Macrophytes can be abundant and diverse in lower-order streams, and they demonstrate patterns of community structure and diversity similar to those of other organisms developed for biomonitoring of stream degradation. Unlike organisms previously and extensively used in biomonitoring techniques, however, macrophytes are considerably easier to identify and quantify. In addition, macrophyte techniques provide a range of measures of increasing sensitivity from species numbers at a few sites, to the presence/absence and abundance of indicator species, and, finally, to a diversity analysis based on easily identified species at an extended number of sites. We suggest that the ease of utilization of this methodology will allow repeated surveys of all streams in large watersheds with the invertebrate, fish and diatom biomonitoring to biomarking and chemical bioassays and finally analytical chemistry, progressively applied to verify and then identify specific pollution sources ("hot spots") in a more limited number of problem streams.


A deepwater cardinalfish, Hynnodus megalops Smith and Radcliffe in
Radcliffe, 1912
, originally described from four specimens from the Philippines, is redescribed as a valid species of Epigonus. Epigonus megalops is similar to E. atherinoides (
Gilbert, 1905
) but differs in having a relatively longer head and upper jaw, a relatively deeper caudal peduncle, and ctenoid scales on the lateral sides of the body. Epigonus atherinoides is redescribed based on the holotype, previously known specimens, and newly collected ones from the Society Islands and Western Australia. Additionally, two specimens of E. draco
Okamoto, 2015
collected from the Society Islands represent the first record of this species from the central South Pacific.


A new case of pregnancy in a 29-year-old woman with trisomy 21 is described. She gave birth to a male infant, chromosomally and phenotypically normal, who died the day after delivery due to prematurity. Thirty pregnancies of 26 affected mothers, including the present woman, resulted in 10 children with Down syndrome, 18 children (1 set of twins) without Down syndrome, and 3 spontaneous abortions. Although rare, pregnancies in women with Down syndrome could become more frequent, increasing the importance of genetic, reproductive, and obstetric problems. These problems are reviewed with special reference to the occurrence of nonspecific abnormalities in chromosomally normal children, difficulties in labor and delivery, and frequency of prematurity and low birth weight. (Obstet Gynecol 59-.13S, 1982)


The cause of massive blooms of Ethmodiscus rex laminated diatom mats (LDMs) in the eastern Philippine Sea (EPS) during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) remains uncertain. In order to better understand the mechanism of formation of E. rex LDMs from the perspective of dissolved silicon (DSi) utilization, we determined the silicon isotopic composition of single E. rex diatom frustules (δ30SiE. rex) from two sediment cores in the Parece Vela Basin of the EPS. In the study cores, δ30SiE. rex varies from −1.23‰ to −0.83‰ (average −1.04‰), a range that is atypical of marine diatom δ30Si and that corresponds to the lower limit of reported diatom δ30Si values of any age. A binary mixing model (upwelled silicon versus eolian silicon) accounting for silicon isotopic fractionation during DSi uptake by diatoms was constructed. The binary mixing model demonstrates that E. rex dominantly utilized DSi from eolian sources (i.e., Asian dust) with only minor contributions from upwelled seawater sources (i.e., advected from Subantarctic Mode Water, Antarctic Intermediate Water, or North Pacific Intermediate Water). E. rex utilized only ~24% of available DSi, indicating that surface waters of the EPS were eutrophic with respect to silicon during the LGM. Our results suggest that giant diatoms did not always use a buoyancy strategy to obtain nutrients from the deep nutrient pool, thus revising previously proposed models for the formation of E. rex LDMs.


In recent decades infectious and parasitic diseases (class 1 according to the International Classification of Diseases-9) constitute 2-3% of causes in the total morbidity structures in the USSR. The main causes of death among diseases of class 1 are tuberculosis (37%), acute enteric infections (30%), septicemia (11%), viral hepatitides (11%), meningococcal infection (4%), measles (2%). The main groups are children aged up to 2 years (48% of fatal cases of diseases belonging to class 1). The territorial irregularity of mortality indices has been revealed.


Conceptual river water quality models are widely known to lack identifiability. The causes for that can be due to model structure errors, observational errors and less frequent samplings. Although significant efforts have been directed towards better identification of river water quality models, it is not clear whether a given model is structurally identifiable. Information is also limited regarding the contribution of different unidentifiability sources. Taking the widely applied CSTR river water quality model as an example, this paper presents a theoretical proof that the CSTR model is indeed structurally identifiable. Its uncertainty is thus dominantly from observational errors and less frequent samplings. Given the current monitoring accuracy and sampling frequency, the unidentifiability from sampling frequency is found to be more significant than that from observational errors. It is also noted that there is a crucial sampling frequency between 0.1 and 1 day, over which the simulated river system could be represented by different illusions and the model application could be far less reliable.


Globalisation raises questions about the capacity of the nation-state to function within the national interest. Hardt and Negri argue that nation-state sovereignty is in decline and that Empire -- a new supranational and deterritorialising form of sovereignty -- has superseded it. The question then arises, where does sovereignty reside if it is no longer existent within the nation-state. It is here that post-colonial theory may well provide insights as post-colonial subjects have had to confront these issues. The following questions are explored through a critical engagement with recent social theory. What is the relationship between the biological and political body within such a context? Furthermore, what are the implications of this for a politics of resistance?


The first step of the coding technique proposed in the MPEG standard is motion compensation. It reduces the residual error energy using a fraction of the total bit rate to transmit motion information. Motion compensation is performed using a block matching approach though the algorithm to compute motion vectors is not given in the MPEG standard. Usually, an exhaustive search around the macroblock position is used. This solution (proposed in the test model) gives the lowest error but has the highest complexity. In this work we propose an algorithm that reduces the complexity of the block matching procedure while achieving comparable performance with the exhaustive search. The proposed solution is particularly attractive for the spatially scalable version of the coder when both a full resolution and a spatially downsampled sequence are transmitted. The algorithm uses a multiresolution motion compensation scheme. Exhaustive search block matching is performed in the downsampled sequence and the vector field computed is used as an estimate of the motion vectors for the full resolution sequence. Thus, only a refinement needs to be computed. This allows a consistent reduction of the computation time with respect to exhaustive search at the full resolution level, while the residual error energy increases only slightly.


Public managers and researchers devote much attention to the benefi ts of coproduction, or the mixing of the productive eff orts of public employees and citizens in public service design and delivery. One concern, however, is the distributional consequences of coproduction. Th is article proposes that disadvantaged citizens may be constrained by a lack of knowledge or other resources necessary to contribute to and benefi t from the coproduction process. From this assumption, the authors develop the theoretical argument that if coproduction programs were designed to lift constraints on disadvantaged citizens, they might increase both effi ciency and equity. Th is claim is tested using a fi eld experiment on educational services. A coproduction program providing immigrant parents with knowledge and materials useful to their children's early educational development had a substantial positive impact on the educational outcomes of disadvantaged children, thereby diminishing inequity. Economically, the program was more effi cient than later compensation of low-performing children.


Flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy was performed on 51 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of canine transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. The DNA ploidy data obtained were compared to several clinicopathologic features. In addition, the DNA ploidy of 15 hyperplastic/inflamed and 8 normal canine urinary bladders was measured. Forty-three of the 51 neoplastic samples had interpretable DNA histograms. DNA aneuploidy was found in 34/43 (79%) of the transitional cell carcinoma samples. Of the 34 aneuploid neoplasms, 16 (47%) were hyperdiploid, 17 (50%) were tetraploid, and 1 (3%) was hypertetra-ploid. No significant correlation was found between the presence of DNA aneuploidy and the growth pattern. histologic grade, clinical stage, or individual morphologic features of this neoplasm. Additionally, the DNA ploidy was not related to the sex, age, or survival time of dogs with transitional cell carcinoma. All of the normal and all but one of the hyperplastic/inflamed urinary bladders were diploid. The results from this study demonstrated that DNA ploidy can be measured from paraffin-embedded canine samples by flow cytometry, a majority of the canine transitional cell carcinomas were aneuploid, and a significant correlation did not exist between the DNA ploidy and specific clinicopathologic features of this neoplasm.


Islamic Social Reporting is the standard index of performance reporting in sharia-based companies. This index was born on the basis of reporting standards based on AAOIFI (Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions). The objective of this research was to knowing the extent of Corporate Governance, leverage dan liquidity of Islamic Social Reporting Disclosure (ISR). The independent variables were used in this study is The Board of Comisionner, The Board of Directors, The Audit Comitte, Sharia Supervisory Boad, leverage and liquidity, while the dependent variable is the ISR disclosure. Samples were taken by using census sampling technique. The final sample as many as 12 islamic bank in Indonesia on 2012-2016. Data analysis method of the data used in this research is descriptive analysis, classical assumption test, and multiple linear regression using SPSS 23 for windows. The results of this study showed that The Board of Comisionner and liquidity has effect ISR disclosure. The Board of Directors, The Audit Comitte, Sharia Supervisory Boad, leverage does not affect the ISR disclosure.
Keywords: The Board of Comisionner, The Board of Directors, The Audit Comitte, Sharia Supervisory Boad, leverage, liquidity and ISR disclosure


beta-Amyloid (Abeta) is a constituent of senile plaques found with increasing age in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and in the canine model of aging. Sections of DS and dog brain were immunostained using an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody for a posttranslationally modified Abeta with a racemized aspartate at position 7 (d7C16). The immunostaining characteristics of d7C16 Abeta in DS and dog brain indicate that it is present in all plaque subtypes, including the thioflavin-S-negative diffuse plaques that develop with age in dogs. The youngest DS case exhibited weak immunolabeling for d7C16 but the extent of d7C16-positive plaques increased with age. In addition, d7C16-positive plaques were initially found in clusters in the superficial layers of the frontal and entorhinal cortex but, with advancing age, increasing numbers appeared in deeper layers, suggesting a progression of Abeta deposition from superficial to deeper cortical layers. Ultrastructural studies in DS brain were confirmed using perfused dog brain and provided consistent results; thioflavin-S-negative diffuse plaques consist of fibrillar Abeta and racemized Abeta is associated with thicker and more highly interwoven fibrils than nonracemized Abeta. The use of antibodies to modified forms of the Abeta protein should provide insight into the progression of plaque pathology in DS and Alzheimer's disease brain.


Abstract Background Obesity with developmental disability/intellectual disability (DD/ID) is the most common association in syndromic obesity. Genomic analysis studies have allowed the decipherment of disease aetiology, both in cases of syndromic obesity as well as in cases of isolated or syndromic DD/ID. However, more data are needed to further elucidate the link between the two. The aim of this pangenomic study was to use single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array technology to determine the copy number variant (CNV) type and frequency associated with both obesity and DD/ID. Methods Thirty-six patients were recruited from the Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania during the period 2015–2017. The main inclusion criterion was a diagnosis that included both obesity and DD/ID. Genomic analysis via SNP array technology was performed. Results Out of the 36 patients, 12 (33%) presented CNVs with a higher degree of pathogenicity (A group) and 24 (66%) presented benign CNVs (B group). The SNP array results for the A group were as follows: pathogenic CNVs in 8/12 patients (67%); variants of unknown significance (VOUS) in 2/12 patients (16%); and uniparental disomy (UPD) in 2/12 patients (16%). Conclusions Some of these CNVs have already been observed in patients with both obesity and DD/ID, but the others were noticed only in DD/ID patients and have not been described until now in association with obesity.


Presence-only data are referred to situations in which, given a censoring mechanism, a binary response can be observed only with respect to on outcome, usually called \textit{presence}. In this work we present a Bayesian approach to the problem of presence-only data based on a two levels scheme. A probability law and a case-control design are combined to handle the double source of uncertainty: one due to the censoring and one due to the sampling. We propose a new formalization for the logistic model with presence-only data that allows further insight into inferential issues related to the model. We concentrate on the case of the linear logistic regression and, in order to make inference on the parameters of interest, we present a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm with data augmentation that does not require the a priori knowledge of the population prevalence. A simulation study concerning 24,000 simulated datasets related to different scenarios is presented comparing our proposal to optimal benchmarks.


Abstract This paper presents the evidence of the major part played by deep weathering accompanied, or followed, by stripping of a weathering mantle in the formation of Tertiary surfaces in the Sudetes. It also highlights the complicated nature of the topography of surfaces developed upon differentiated bedrock over protracted time-scales. The evidence is gained from the available data about weathering mantles and Tertiary sediments, and from the analysis of pre-Quaternary landforms such as rolling plains, scarps and inselbergs. A classification of the Tertiary surfaces, recognized here as etchsurfaces, is proposed for the Sudetes. The palaeosurfaces in the Sudetes are regarded as a part of an extensive etch surface which dominated the Tertiary landscape of Central and Northern Europe.


Introduction, C.A. Woods Biogeography of the West Indies: An Overview, S. Blair Hedges Climate Change in the Circum-Caribbean and Implications for Regional Biogeography, J. Curtis, M. Brenner, and D. A. Hodell Functional Adaptations to Island Life in the West Indies, B.K. McNab Phylogeny and Biogeorgraphy of Lyonia sect. Lyonia (Ericaceae), W.S. Judd Patterns of Endemism and Biogeography of Cuban Insects, J.A. Genaro and A. E. Tejuca Patterns in the Biogeography of West Indian Ticks, J. O. de la Cruz The Caribbean's Contribution to the Spider Fauna of Florida, J. Reiskind Rhysodine Beetles in the West Indies, R.T. Bell New Perspectives on the Biogeography of West Indian Butterflies: A Vicariance Model, J.Y. Miller and L.D. Miller Relationships and Divergence Times of West Indian Amphibians and Reptiles: Insights from Albumin Immunology, C.A. Hass, L.R. Maxson, and S. Blair Hedges The Historic and Prehistoric Distribution of Parrots in the West Indies, M.I. Williams and D.W. Steadman Early Tertiary Vertebrate Fossils from Seven Rivers, Parish of St. James, Jamaica, and Their Biogeographic Implications, R.W. Portell, S.K. Donovan The Sloths of the West Indies: A Systematic and Phylogenetic Review, J.L. White and R.D.E. MacPhee The Origin of the Greater Antillean Insectivorians, H.P. Whidden and R.J. Asher Systematics and Biogeography of the West Indian genus Solenodon, J.A. Ottenwalder Characterization of the Mitochondrial Control Region in Solenodon Paradoxus from Hispaniola and the Implications for Biogeography, Systematics, and Conservation Management, M.W. Allard, S.D. Baker, G.L. Emerson, C.W. Kilpatrick, and J.A. Ottenwalder Insular Patterns and Radiations of West Indian Rodents, C.A. Woods, R. Borroto Paez, and C.W. Kilpatrick Biogeography of West Indian Bats: An Ecological Perspective, A. Rodriguez-Duran and T.H. Kunz Patterns of Extinction in West Indian Bats, G.S. Morgan The Mongoose in the West Indies: The Biogeography and Population Biology of an Introduced Species, G.R. Horst, D.B. Hoagland, and C.W. Kilpatrick Status and Biogeography of the West Indian Manatee, L.W. Lefebvre, M. Marmontel, J.P. Reid, G.B. Rathbun, and D.P. Domning Historical Biogeography in Cuba: The 19th Century Interpretations and Misinterpretations, P.M. Pruna Goodgall Native American Use of Animals in the Caribbean, E.S. Wing The Prehistory and Early History of the Caribbean, S.M. Wilson Impact of Hunting on Jamaican Hutia (Geocapromys Brownii) Populations: Evidence from Zooarchaeology and Hunter Surveys, L. Wilkins Status of Conservation in Haiti: 10 Years After, F.E. Sergile and C.A. Woods


The potential mechanism by which P antagonizes the toxicity of Zn and Cd was investigated in Elodea nuttallii and Hydrilla verticillata to understand the interactions between P, Cd and Zn pollutants. The two submerged macrophytes were treated with a combination of Cd (0.25 mg L-1) and Zn (1.0 mg L-1) and various concentrations of P (0, 0.05 and 5 mg L-1) for different exposure times (0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 7 days). The toxic effects and oxidative stress caused by the Cd and Zn resulted in a reduction of the total chlorophyll (chlorophyll a and b) and an increase in the content of glutathione (GSH). The activity of catalase (CAT) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) both increased in the 1st day, and then reduced during the following 6 days. However, the activity of guaiacol peroxidase (POD) and the contents of soluble protein both decreased in the first day then increased from the 2nd to 7th days. Each index in the plants treated with Cd and Zn containing P showed similar changing trends to those treated with only Cd and Zn during the 7 days. However, different indices had different response times. At the best response time in each index, the result showed that using P can protect plants from the toxicity and oxidative stress caused by Cd and Zn, which suggested that P can produce an antagonistic response with Cd and Zn to mitigate the oxidative stress to plants. Also, these results suggested that Cd and Zn exerted their toxic effects on the growth of E. nuttallii and H. verticillata, at least in part, by the induction of oxidative stress and inhibition of photosynthesis. Through comparing the response of the two plants to oxidative stress caused by Cd and Zn, it was found that E. nuttallii was more sensitive than H. verticillata. E. nuttallii can be regarded as an indicative plant for Cd and Zn polluted waters.


In developing countries, the impact of Plant diseases on agricultural productivity is immense. In most cases the farmers of these countries are using chemical pesticides for the welfare of their produce. Negligibly, other plant disease management strategies are not in use. In some instances, resistant crop varieties, crop production and integration of them are getting exercised. Currently, there is a need of increasing food production to feed the ever increasing world population. To achieve this goal, management of production constraints is of major concern using any available options. In this regard, biological control of plant disease is better alternative as it is cheap, easy for application as it regenerate in the natural environment, its effect on the applicator is minimal or no effect unlike chemical pesticides, environmentally safe and economically sound. Compatible integration of these biocontrol organisms with other control methods will bring better control of the pests. In this context, this piece work is aimed to introduce the naturally available biocontrol agents and their mode of action in the diseases control process.


The effectiveness of a technique for binding rice-washed solution with trimethylamine (TMA) was investigated in this study. The mixtures of TMA and rice-washed solution were quantified using an electronic nose based on the mass spectrometer. After 7 min of reaction in a model system, the binding of TMA to the rice-washed solution was detected. As the concentration of rice-washed solution increased, the levels of TMA detected in the headspace decreased, thereby indicating an increase in the binding of TMA to the rice-washed solution. The binding effect of the rice-washed solution was comparable to those of starch, α-cyclodextrin, or amylose, and superior to that of flour. The results of this study demonstrate the potential for reduction of off-flavors using the rice-washed solution.


Information about tourist visits, especially foreign tourist visits, plays important role in tourism planning. One of the main tourist markets for Bali is Australia. The aims of this research are twofold. First, we forecast the number of Australian tourist visits and we also forecast exchange rate and inflation. Second, we study the dynamic relationship between the number of tourist visits, exchange rate, and inflation for the next twelve months, for instance, 2017 and 2018. We model the visits, exchange rate and inflation using Bayesian vector autoregression. We compare several different priors such as Minnesota, normal-Wishart and normal diffuse independent normal-Wishart. Among these priors, the normal-Wishart prior produces the smallest root mean square error. Hence, the normal-Wishart prior was chosen as the prior of choice for our Bayesian Vector Autoregressive model. The forecast shows that there is a decline in the number of tourist visits, but inflation and exchange rates tend to reach a certain level, for instance, stabilized. The impulse response function shows that there were shocks in the beginning period before reaching zero.


Chemotaxis—movement toward or away from a chemical—is a universal behavior of motile cells and organisms. Pioneering work in the last few decades of the 1800s, notably by Engelmann, Pfeffer, and Beijerinck, first demonstrated chemotactic and aerotactic behaviors in bacteria. See reference 1 for an intriguing summary of those early studies, which were largely overlooked for the next 50 years or more. In 1960, Julius Adler began his faculty career in the Biochemistry Department at the University of Wisconsin—Madison and chose to study bacterial chemotaxis. Because chemotactic behavior in any organism requires detection of a chemical gradient and conversion of stimulus information to internal signals that elicit appropriate locomotor responses, Adler reasoned that it should be possible to uncover basic principles of signal transduction by studying the chemotaxis machinery of a bacterium. He chose Escherichia coli as his experimental subject "because the vast knowledge of its biochemistry and genetics could be brought to bear on the problem." Adler's initial report on E. coli chemotaxis appeared in the Journal of Bacteriology (2). In a series of elegantly simple experiments, he observed cells moving through medium in a closed capillary tube and showed that they were chemotactic toward oxygen and the amino acid serine. The choice of E. coli strain for this initial work proved to be most serendipitous. The strain had auxotrophic requirements for the amino acids threonine, leucine, and methionine, but Adler noted that "only methionine had to be added [to the medium] to get the bands to form readily and to travel." Subsequent study of the methionine requirement for E. coli chemotaxis revealed that the critical compound was S-adenosylmethionine and that it served as the methyl donor for a protein methylation reaction involved in sensory adaptation and temporal sensing of chemoeffector gradients (3). We now know that methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) are the most abundant and important transmembrane chemoreceptors in the microbial world (4). Who can say how long their discovery would have been delayed if Adler hadn't fortuitously chosen a methionine auxotroph as his test subject. Adler's initial paper set the stage for subsequent work by thousands of bacterial behaviorists that has made the E. coli chemotaxis machinery the best-understood signal transduction system in all of biology.


Two population surveys were conducted near old lead workings in Wales. The first, at Y Fan in the middle of Wales, gave evidence suggestive of a gradient in blood lead level, highest in subjects resident close to the contaminated spoil heaps, and lowest in those who lived in farms some distance away. However, the gradient was significant (P less than 0.05) only in males, and all but one of the blood lead levels were below 2.0 mumol/l. In the second survey, at Halkyn in North Wales, levels in subjects living in the area contaminated by spoil were compared with those in subjects living in a nearby industrial area, and with subjects in a market town some distance away. Mean blood lead in people living in the three areas were homogeneous. These studies give no evidence that old lead workings in Wales are a serious hazard to health.


We report about the interactions of dirhenium(III) compound cis-[Re2(Trp)2Cl4(CH3CN)2]Cl2 (I) with bovine serum protein (BSA) and guanine (G4) quadruplexes DNA by UV-Vis titration. Addition of I to BSA led to the interaction between these compounds with binding constant 5.6103 M–1 and hyperchromism (20.9%) of the main protein absorption band (280 nm). These results support our assumption about formation of the additional conjugated systems during the process of interaction with BSA. Stabilization of the quadruple bonded rhenium(III) complex compound was shown in the presence of BSA (the rate of destruction was reduced), that may be explained by interaction between amino acid residues of BSA and quadruple bond of dirhenium(III) complex compound. In addition, we have obtained data about strong hyperchromism (up to 100%) and significant shift of the maximum of absorption (blue shift) towards UV (2–9 nm) and visible (22 nm) regions in the spectra of mixtures G4s and I, that, in our opinion, correlated with a conformational change in DNA and with formation of additional conjugated systems around quadruple bond of I. In a whole, our work confirms the strong binding activity of a cluster dirhenium(III) compound towards G4 quadruplexes, that exceed the binding activity to proteins and witness to preferential interactions of I with G4 DNA in a living cell. These results may be used in DNA "silencing technology" and "antisense therapy".


Increasing the spatial resolution is an ongoing research topic in image processing. A recently presented approach applies a non-regular sampling mask on a low resolution sensor and subsequently reconstructs the masked area via an extrapolation algorithm to obtain a high resolution image. This paper introduces an acceleration of this approach for use with full color sensors. Instead of employing the effective, yet computationally expensive extrapolation algorithm on each of the three RGB channels, a color space conversion is performed and only the luminance channel is then reconstructed using this algorithm. As natural images contain much less information in the chrominance channels, a fast linear interpolation technique can here be used to accelerate the whole reconstruction procedure. Simulation results show that an average speed up factor of 2.9 is thus achieved, while the loss in visual quality stays imperceptible. Comparisons of PSNR results confirm this.


It was found by the x-ray diffraction experiment under hydrostatic pressure that the carbon nanotubes are compressed easily with a high volume compressibility of 0.024 GPa−1. The single-walled carbon nanotubes are polygonized when they form bundles of hexagonal close-packed structure and the inter-tubular gap is smaller than the equilibrium spacing of graphite. Under high pressure, further polygonization occurs to accommodate the extra amount of volume reduction. The ratio of the short and the long diagonals in the hexagonalized cross section is found to have changed from 0.991 at zero pressure to 0.982 at 1.5 GPa pressure, when the Bragg reflection from the nanotube lattice diminished. Accompanying polygonization, a discontinuous change in electrical resistivity was observed at 1.5 GPa pressure, suggesting a phase transition had occurred.


Abstract We address the problem of verifying the satisfiability of Constrained Horn Clauses (CHCs) based on theories of inductively defined data structures, such as lists and trees. We propose a transformation technique whose objective is the removal of these data structures from CHCs, hence reducing their satisfiability to a satisfiability problem for CHCs on integers and booleans. We propose a transformation algorithm and identify a class of clauses where it always succeeds. We also consider an extension of that algorithm, which combines clause transformation with reasoning on integer constraints. Via an experimental evaluation we show that our technique greatly improves the effectiveness of applying the Z3 solver to CHCs. We also show that our verification technique based on CHC transformation followed by CHC solving, is competitive with respect to CHC solvers extended with induction.


In comparison with the reductive theories of Aristotle's predecessors, Aristotle's ontology is very full. He takes it as an undeniable fact that medium-sized objects of experience really do come to be and perish. Their appearing to do so is not reducible, as the materialists would have it, to changes in position of more basic material particles. Medium-sized objects are substances. Living organisms are paradigm instances of Aristotelian substances. Aristotle takes it as a further, undeniable fact that organisms regularly produce other organisms that are the same in kind or species: Human begets human, not dog or fish. These facts are not explicable by the movements of more basic materials, nor are they explained by the relation that material substances stand in to an immaterial, separately existing Platonic Form. Rather, Aristotle explains the regular reproduction of conspecific organisms of the same species in terms of the transmission of form from one generation to the next. A form at the level of the species, present to the matter as an organizing principle, plays an indispensable causal explanatory role. Given this indispensable role for forms in explanations, Aristotle's confidence in the superiority of his ontology - one that countenances forms in addition to matter that the forms organize - appears warranted. The inclusion of form in his ontology is justified by the explanatory work that forms do. This justification for forms is threatened, however, by the current consensus on Aristotle's Generation of Animals. Scholars think that the form that is actually used in Aristotle's scientific explanation of animal reproduction is not the same as the form in his Metaphysics. The dominant reading of Generation of Animals is that it employs a sub-specific form, one that varies from one individual to the next. This reading is not only in tension with Aristotle's Metaphysics, but I argue, internally inconsistent. I argue for an interpretation of the theory of reproduction in Generation of Animals that avoids these problems, by assigning to species form a privileged causal role in generation.


At RFC 3776, IP security protocol (IPsec) has been implemented in mobile IP for securing IP datagram at IP layer. Previous research only considered the traffic between mobile node (MN) and home agent (HA), but the traffic from HA to correspondent node (CN) was not considered. Network Mobility (NEMO) is based on Mobile IPv6 (MIPv6), so it inherits the same problem of only providing protection between mobile router (MR) and MR_HA. This paper aims to improve the security vulnerability by proposing a nested IPsec Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) scheme capable of establishing nested IPsec ESP from MN to CN. The proposed scheme obviously enhances security with confidentiality and integrity in NEMO.


The increasing popularity of biomimetic design principles in nanomedicine has led to therapeutic platforms with enhanced performance and biocompatibility. This includes the use of naturally derived cell membranes, which can bestow nanocarriers with cell-specific functionalities. Herein, we report on a strategy enabling efficient encapsulation of drugs via remote loading into membrane vesicles derived from red blood cells. This is accomplished by supplementing the membrane with additional cholesterol, stabilizing the nanostructure and facilitating the retention of a pH gradient. We demonstrate the loading of two model drugs: the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin and the antibiotic vancomycin. The therapeutic implications of these natural, remote-loaded nanoformulations are studied both in vitro and in vivo using animal disease models. Ultimately, this approach could be used to design new biomimetic nanoformulations with higher efficacy and improved safety profiles.


Background/Aim: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is associated with a high risk of malnutrition. Malnutrition is defined as acute weight loss greater than 5% and increases mortality 1.7-fold for HNC patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the social and nutritional impairments that patients face throughout cancer-survivorship. Patients and Methods: The study was conducted nationwide via the self-help network and in a single oncological center. We analysed 134 patient reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires with a mean age of 65.5±9.4 years, including 88 males, 36 females, and ten participants of undisclosed sex. The questionnaire contained 47 items enquiring about demography, weight development, and how treatment impaired nutrition. Results: The patient data showed a weight loss of 8% after surgery, 13% after (chemo)radiotherapy [(C)RT] and a return to baseline weight in convalescence. However, patients with a baseline weight >100 kilogram (kg), had a 22% weight loss after (C)RT (p<0.0001) and this remained permanent at 11% (p=0.0041). Treatment-associated side-effects gradually decreased in the course compared to the time of treatment: loss of taste (55% to 21%), xerostomia (56% to 42%), dysphagia (57% to 43%), and dental problems (33%/ to 21%). (C)RT immediately led to more loss of taste (p=0.0461) and dysphagia (p=0.0334), and surgery as a singular modality scored the lowest odds ratio for side-effects. Social Impact: mood, supporting networks, and supplement satisfaction were rated "good" (Likert Scale). Conclusion: Malnutrition is common among HNC patients. High baseline weight and extensive multimodal treatment are important risk factors that require enhanced stewardship.


Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC

GSK-3 (glycogen synthase kinase-3) has a major role in Wnt and Hedgehog signaling pathways and regulates the cell cycle, stem cell renewal and differentiation, apoptosis, and insulin action. The pharmacological inhibitors of GSK-3 could be used to treat several diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, other neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes. In this study, we investigated the cellular and molecular effects of a newly developed GSK-3 inhibitor, CG9, in seven breast cancer cell lines of the NCI-60 cell line panel. CG9 treatment increased inhibitory phosphorylation of GSK-3α/β (Ser21/9), whereas decreased activating phosphorylation of GSK-3β (Tyr216), together with the overall reduction of the level of GSK-3 proteins. CG9 also induced growth inhibition and stimulated a caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway regardless of estrogen receptor (ER) positivity with IC50 of 12 μM in T47D to ≤ 0.1 μM in MCF7 cells. The GSK inhibitor down-regulated the cellular levels of ERα and cyclin D in ERα-positive MCF7 cells. Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that CG9 treatment inhibits the interaction of Hsp90 with ERα in cytoplasm. Taken together these results indicate that CG9 may be an effective anti-cancer agent in human breast cancers. Currently, we are investigating the efficiency of CG9 compared with that of antiestrogen tamoxifen (Tam) and a possibility of combined treatment with CG9 and Tam.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4149.


We report on a measurement of the $B^0_d$ mixing frequency and the calibration of an opposite-side flavor tagger in the D{\O}experiment. Various properties associated with the $b$ quark on the opposite side of the reconstructed $B$ meson were combined using a likelihood-ratio method into a single variable with enhanced tagging power. Its performance was tested with data, using a large sample of reconstructed semileptonic $B \to \mu \dzero X$ and $B \to \mu \dst X$ decays, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of approximately 1 fb$^{-1}$. The events were divided into groups depending on the value of the combined tagging variable, and an independent analysis was performed in each group. Combining the results of these analyses, the overall effective tagging power was found to be eD^2 = (2.48 \pm 0.21 (stat.) ^{+0.08}_{-0.06} (syst.))%. The measured $B^0_d$ mixing frequency dmd = 0.506 \pm 0.020 {\rm (stat) \pm 0.016 (syst) ps}^{-1} is in good agreement with the world average value.


Panduroga has been well known to Indian people the since Vedic period. It is described in complete detail by the Acharyas of Ayurveda as a specific disease with its pathogenesis and treatment. In panduroga, the colour of the body gets changed to pale, sclera, nail, tongue, etc. Due to Rakta-Alpata, haemoglobin level decreases from the normal level. It is linked with both important Dhatus, i.e., Rasa and Rakta. It is represented as anaemia, recognised as the world's second important cause of disability and responsible for about one million deaths a year. Recently, physicians preferring ayurvedic medicines to manage panduroga as these formulations are considered safe compared to modern treatments like Vit-B12 and Ferrous Sulphate. With this research interest, the present study has been undertaken thoroughly to review the management of panduroga by ayurvedic formulations and extracts. This study has selected nine herbal extracts and nine ayurvedic formulations. The reported pre-clinical and clinical trials performed on these herbal extracts and formulations are discussed in detail, with special efforts towards the ayurvedic opinion of panduroga.


Research into sports coaches has identified the valuable role they play concerning social support provided to athletes together with their contribution to social and cultural interactions within both the participation and performance domains. The purpose of the present study was to qualitatively extract and examine the knowledge and on-task cognitions of high-level coaches (HLCs) within strength and conditioning (S and C). Applied cognitive task analysis (ACTA) was used to examine ten HLCs, each purposefully sampled to reflect over eight years of work in full time environments. The analysis of responses demonstrated HLCs engage in a pattern of innovative and diverse thinking, together with adaptability and multilevel planning, designed to promote an inclusive approach from performers, coaches and management. Commonality was demonstrated within the decision making of HLCs during the design of training programs. Communication was another important consideration when connecting with athletes, observing athletes, speaking to the head coach and integrating their approach with others. A confident, flexible approach to adapting to situational demands was evident and supported by the ability to recall and select from a wide range of previously learnt and tested strategies. Evidence is offered for the importance of interpersonal and social factors in HLCs' relationships with athletes and coaches. The incorporation of strategies to support versatile, dynamic decision making within future S and C coach development materials will support more impactful performances by coaches at all stages of the coaching process.


We perform molecular dynamics simulations of supercritical water (SCW) with a wide range of densities along a near critical isotherm using the simple point charge extended (SPC/E) pair potential in order to study the entropy and the solvation shell structure around a central water molecule. It is shown that both the translational and orientational two-particle correlation entropy terms can serve as the metrics of the translational-orientational structural orders in water and it is revealed that the translational structural order is very sensitive to the density variation in the gas-like and liquid-like region, while the orientational structural order is much more dependent upon compression in the medium-density SCW region. The comparison of the magnitudes of the full thermodynamic excess entropy and two-particle correlation entropy confirms the recent findings that the many-body terms other than two-body ones also present significant and non-neglectable contributions to the full excess entropy for the highly anomalous fluids like water. The analysis of entropy terms as a function of intermolecular distance and the orientational distribution functions as well as the three-dimensional spatial distribution functions indicate that the structural order occurs only in a much more diffused first solvation shell due to the elongated hydrogen bonds under supercritical conditions. It is revealed that no obvious second or higher neighbor shells occur in SCW, in contrast with the feature of normal liquid water that the anomalous decrease of translational order upon compression occurs mainly in the second shell.


Since the vehicle is a complex mechanical system with many subsystems, the influence of the dynamic coupling between the subsystems of the vehicle on shimmy should be taken seriously. Therefore, a 12 degrees-of-freedom dynamic model of vehicle shimmy system with consideration of the dynamic coupling between the vertical motion and the lateral motion of the vehicle is established. In particular, the influence of the vertical load of the tire on the nonlinear cornering force is also considered. Then, the dynamic stability of the shimmy system is discussed with the help of the system eigenvalues, and the influence of the damping of the front suspension on the dynamic stability is also examined from the viewpoint of the energy transfer. On this basis, the damping of the front suspension is selected as a bifurcation parameter, and the two-dimensional center manifold of the high dimensional shimmy system is obtained by means of the center manifold theory. Finally, the Hopf bifurcation characteristic of the shimmy system is analyzed, and the analytical solutions of the shimmy system are derived for different damping of the front suspension. The results show that the increase of the damping of the front suspension is beneficial to attenuate vehicle shimmy and improve the dynamic stability of the vehicle.


The methods of determining the maximum permissible and functionally justifiable (upper and lower) limits of arterial pressure fluctuations limiting the zones of individual "comfort" "caution" and "alarm" for every patient are described. The mathematical method of the least squares was used for long-term control of the maintenance of arterial pressure within the limits individually pre-set for those treated on an out-patient basis. The above methods permit to decrease the duration of therapy with a minimal drug expenditure and to ensure a mass control of the efficacy of hypotensive therapy.


This paper examines a case of radial nerve palsy in a 13-year-old girl caused by nerve embedded in a humeral shaft fracture. An X-ray showed a mild angular-displaced humeral shaft fracture. Two weeks later, an intramedullary Ender nailing was performed. Because of brain injury due to traffic accident, the patient lost consciousness for one month. Once she regained consciousness, radial nerve palsy was discovered and closely observed. As the radial nerve palsy had not healed after five months, the radial nerve was explored and found to be interposed between fracture sites and totally entrapped in the fracture callus. During surgery, both the proximal and distal ends of the radial nerve were cut at the surface of the humeral bone. Then, the radial nerve stumps were end-to-end sutured because of their enough length. One year after surgery, the radial nerve palsy had completely recoverd.


Nephropathia epidemica (NE) is a zoonotic disease caused by hantaviruses transmitted from rodents, endemic in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. The disease presents clinically with mild, moderate, and severe forms, and time-dependent febrile, oliguric, and polyuric stages of the disease are also recognized. The patient's cytokine responses have been suggested to play a central role in disease pathogenesis; however, little is known about the different patterns of cytokine expression in NE in cohorts of different ages and sexes. Serum samples and clinical records were collected from 139 patients and 57 controls (healthy donors) and were used to analyze 48 analytes with the Bio-Plex multiplex magnetic bead-based antibody detection kits. Principal component analysis of 137 patient and 55 controls (for which there was full data) identified two components that individually accounted for >15% of the total variance in results and together for 38% of the total variance. PC1 represented a proinflammatory TH17/TH2 cell antiviral cytokine profile and PC2 a more antiviral cytokine profile with patients tending to display one or the other of these. Severity of disease and stage of illness did not show any correlation with PC1 profiles; however, significant differences were seen in patients with high PC1 profiles vs. lower for a number of individual clinical parameters: High PC1 patients showed a reduced number of febrile days, but higher maximum urine output, higher creatinine levels, and lower platelet levels. Overall, the results of this study point towards a stronger proinflammatory profile occurring in younger NE patients, this being associated with markers of acute kidney injury and low levels of high-density cholesterol. This is consistent with previous work indicating that the pathology of NE is immune driven, with an inflammatory immune response being associated with disease and that this immune response is more extreme in younger patients.