The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the demand for goods and services worldwide. The combination of a public health emergency, economic distress, and disinformation-driven panic have pushed customers and vendors towards the shadow economy. In particular Dark Web Marketplaces (DWMs), commercial websites easily accessible via free software, have gained significant popularity. Here, we analyse 472,372 listings extracted from 23 DWMs between January 1, 2020 and July 7, 2020. We identify 518 listings directly related to COVID-19 products and monitor the temporal evolution of product categories including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), medicines (e.g., hydroxyclorochine), and medical frauds(e.g., vaccines). Finally, we compare trends in their temporal evolution with variations in public attention, as measured by Twitter posts and Wikipedia page visits. We reveal how the online shadow economy has evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the importance of a continuous monitoring of DWMs, especially when real vaccines or cures become available and are potentially in short supply. We anticipate our analysis will be of interest both to researchers and public agencies focused on the protection of public health.


Granular materials are predominantly plastic, incrementally nonlinear, preparation-dependent, and anisotropic under shear. Nevertheless, their static stress distribution is well accounted for, in the whole range up to the point of failure, by a judiciously tailored isotropic nonanalytic elasticity theory termed granular elasticity. The first purpose of this paper is to carefully expound this view. Then granular elasticity is employed to consider the stress distribution in two-dimensional sand piles (or sand wedges). Starting from a uniform density, the pressure at the bottom of the pile is found to show a single central peak. It turns into a pressure dip, if some density inhomogeneity, with the center being less compact, is assumed. These two pressure distributions are remarkably similar to recent measurements, made in piles obtained, respectively, by rainlike pouring and funneling. In an accompanying paper, the stress distributions in silos and under point loads, calculated using the same method, are also found to agree with experiments.


ABSTRACT The silane coupling agent 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH-550) was used to modify the surface of two kinds of high-performance polyimide (PI) fibres (i.e., PI-1 and PI-2). The surface chemical composition, morphologies and roughness of modified PI fibres were characterised by XPS, SEM and AFM. Results showed that the elemental ratio between O and C, the surface oxygen concentration and the surface roughness increased with KH-550 concentration. However, the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) values of PI fibre/epoxy resin composites increased and then decreased with KH-550 concentration. When KH-550 concentration was increased to 4 wt%, the IFSS and ILSS values reached their maximum point. At this point, the IFSS values were found increase by 17.3% and 8.3% for PI-1 and PI-2, respectively, compared with their pristine state. Meanwhile, the ILSS values of PI-1- and PI-2-reinforced composites were found increase by 22.4% and 24.1%, respectively. Graphical Abstract GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT


The prevalence of e-commerce has made customers' detailed personal information readily accessible to retailers, and this information has been widely used in pricing decisions. When using personalized information, the question of how to protect the privacy of such information becomes a critical issue in practice. In this paper, we consider a dynamic pricing problem over T time periods with an unknown demand function of posted price and personalized information. At each time t, the retailer observes an arriving customer's personal information and offers a price. The customer then makes the purchase decision, which will be utilized by the retailer to learn the underlying demand function. There is potentially a serious privacy concern during this process: a third-party agent might infer the personalized information and purchase decisions from price changes in the pricing system. Using the fundamental framework of differential privacy from computer science, we develop a privacy-preserving dynamic pricing policy, which tries to maximize the retailer revenue while avoiding information leakage of individual customer's information and purchasing decisions. To this end, we first introduce a notion of anticipating [Formula: see text]-differential privacy that is tailored to the dynamic pricing problem. Our policy achieves both the privacy guarantee and the performance guarantee in terms of regret. Roughly speaking, for d-dimensional personalized information, our algorithm achieves the expected regret at the order of [Formula: see text] when the customers' information is adversarially chosen. For stochastic personalized information, the regret bound can be further improved to [Formula: see text]. This paper was accepted by J. George Shanthikumar, big data analytics.


Abstract Observations and numerical simulations with a hydrostatic model are used to examine effects of regional and local terrain, synoptic forcing, and stability on the wind fields of an intermountain basin. The study area is centered on the Hanford site in southeast Washington. Two wintertime case studies are presented, each characterized by a surface inversion but with different synoptic forcing. In both cases, the local topography produces a region of blocked flow and significant horizontal wind shear, but slight differences in the direction of the synoptic winds lead to marked differences in the subsequent development of the wind fields over the site. Numerical experiments show that these differences are related to flow through gaps in the Cascade Mountains over 100 km to the west. Additional experiments show that a modest increase in vertical wind shear can cause significant alterations in the local flow patterns, the elimination of the blocked-flow region, and less sensitivity to regional or local...


ABSTRACT
Coffee consumers (n = 60) tasted and rated samples of a new soy–coffee beverage made from instant coffee, soymilk powder and sugar. Ingredient concentrations (independent variables) varied according to a 23central composite design for overall degree of acceptance. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), least square difference and response surface methodology, followed by internal preference mapping (IPM) with cluster analysis. ANOVA from the consumers' acceptance data revealed that samples differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05). Although soymilk content did not influence significantly the consumers' acceptance in the tested range, IPM with cluster analysis indicated that at least part of the acceptance differences was based on the soy beverage consumption habit. The final beverage formulation was evaluated cold and hot for overall acceptability (9-point structured hedonic scale) by 112 coffee consumers and the cold beverage reached a good acceptability mean score (6.2) among the participants.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
The consumption of soy products has been reported to reduce the risk of several diseases and a number of recent studies have found beneficial health properties attributed to coffee. Considering the current consumer trend for healthier alternatives in food products, we decided to combine the health benefits of these two important Brazilian commodities in a functional beverage. In order to optimize the formulation and maximize sensory acceptance, we performed consumers' tests using response surface methodology. Internal preference mapping and cluster analyses were also applied to provide information on the variability of the consumer individual opinions and segment them in groups of similar preference criteria.


Pressure anisotropy is a commonly observed phenomenon in tokamak plasmas, due to external heating methods such as neutral beam injection and ion-cyclotron resonance heating. Equilibrium models for tokamaks are constructed by solving the Grad–Shafranov equation; such models, however, do not account for pressure anisotropy since ideal magnetohydrodynamics assumes a scalar pressure. A modified Grad–Shafranov equation can be derived to include anisotropic pressure and toroidal flow by including drift-kinetic effects from the guiding-centre model of particle motion. In this work, we have studied the mathematical well-posedness of these two problems by showing the existence and uniqueness of solutions to the Grad–Shafranov equation both in the standard isotropic case and when including pressure anisotropy and toroidal flow. A new fixed-point approach is used to show the existence of solutions in the Sobolev space $H_0^1$ to the Grad–Shafranov equation, and sufficient criteria for their uniqueness are derived. The conditions required for the existence of solutions to the modified Grad–Shafranov equation are also constructed.


BACKGROUND: Adolescents bear a large burden of TB but high-prevalence countries differ significantly in their approach to address the specific needs of adolescent patients. We explore the national approaches to TB care in adolescents and compare them to the recommendations of the WHO.METHODS: We conducted a scoping review to describe the country-level guidelines to TB care in adolescents in high-burden countries. These guidelines were obtained through open sources. Information on TB care in adolescents were extracted from guidelines and compared to WHO recommendations.RESULTS: We found a lack of consensus in defining adolescents and that many national guidelines do not address the special healthcare needs of adolescents nor align with the WHO recommendations. Recently updated country guidelines are more likely to recommend short-course regimens for TB preventive treatment and countries with a higher level of income were more likely to follow WHO guidance for microbiological confirmation of TB disease in adolescents.CONCLUSION: A clear understanding of the burden of TB in adolescents that is reflected in disaggregated data reported at the country level is imperative in order to address the specific challenges to care in this high-risk group.


The high incidence of right ventricular hypertrophy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a well-known fact. In clinical medicine according to our present status of thinking, severe impairment of ventilatory function and pulmonary hypertension are the two essential prerequisites for right ventricular involvement. To investigate this accepted assumption we studied 51 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, while they were in a remission period. The patients were subjected to clinical examination, chest roentgenography, spirometry, blood gas examination, electrocardiography, vectorcardiography, echocardiography, and right heart catheterization. The majority of the patients with significantly compromised ventilatory function and abnormal blood gases had right ventricular hypertrophy with elevation of the pulmonary artery pressure. Two subgroups of patients could be distinguished: One included 15 patients (29.4% of all patients) with normal pulmonary artery pressure and evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy. In this subgroup are included 10 patients (19.6% of all patients) showing mild ventilatory impairment and mild hypoxaemia. The second subgroup consisted of 5 patients (9.8% of all patients) with elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure at rest and right ventricular hypertrophy showing relatively mild ventilatory impairment and moderate hypoxaemia. Two conclusions could be drawn: (1) the pulmonary artery pressure at rest could be normal despite the evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy, and (2) a mild ventilatory impairment does not exclude an elevated pulmonary artery pressure or the development of right ventricular hypertrophy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.


In Cloud Computing, a wide range of virtual platforms are integrated and offer users a flexible pay-as-you-need service. Compared to conventional computing systems, the provision of an acceptable degree of resilience to cloud services is a daunting challenge due to the complexities of the cloud environment and the need for efficient technology that could sustain cloud advantages over other technologies. For a cloud guest resilience service solution, we provide architectural design, installation specifics, and performance outcomes throughout this article. Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) enables execution statistical test of the virtual machine states to be monitored and avoids to reach faulty states.


A new two-switch, single-phase, power-factor-correction (PFC), discontinuous-conduction-mode (DCM) boost rectifier that features zero-voltage switching (ZVS) and can achieve less than 5% input-current total harmonic distortion (THD) by injecting a simple feedforward signal obtained from input and output voltages to the output voltage feedback control is introduced. Since low THD is achieved without high bandwidth active current shaping control, the proposed topology is suitable for modern aviation applications that require line frequency up to 800 Hz. The evaluation was performed on a 320 W prototype designed to operate from 94-134 V line input and deliver 220 V dc output. The prototype achieves 2.3% THD at full load over the line frequency range from 360 Hz to 800 Hz and meets the required harmonic limits specified by the DO-160 standard that describes the environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment.


A case study is presented which involves the implementation of the discrete cosine transform; a commonly encountered algorithm in image data compression coding. Two commercially available digital signal processing devices are considered. The use of a more highly integrated component, despite offering the potential for greater processing power, does not necessarily result in the most suitable solution. This is because the internal architecture of the component imposes a particular structure on a solution, which can lead to extra complexities if this structure does not closely match that of the algorithm. In addition, it is shown that manipulation of the basic algorithm to suit the hardware is an important consideration when designing for real time solution.


This paper describes a general, scalable, end-to-end framework that uses the generative adversarial network (GAN) objective to enable robust speech recognition. Encoders trained with the proposed approach enjoy improved invariance by learning to map noisy audio to the same embedding space as that of clean audio. Unlike previous methods, the new framework does not rely on domain expertise or strong assumptions, and directly encourages robustness in a data-driven way. We show the new approach improves simulated far-field speech recognition of vanilla sequence-to-sequence models without specialized front-ends or preprocessing.


This paper addresses the problem of spatial stochastic process clustering in a model-based framework. A data set is used, in which each realization has two components : a non-uniform time series, which describes the process evolution with independent increments and a set of additional attributes which describes the system characteristics. It is assumed that realizations with similar additional attributes tend to have the same cluster label. The aim is to find out the unknown cluster labels and the parameters of the statistical model characterizing the processes. Thus this is a kind of a problem of spatial clustering with a time component. The proposed method is based on an EM procedure and takes into account the proximity of the additional attributes using a local a posteriori probability. The importance of the neighborhood influence is tuned thanks to a parameter. The method is illustrated using simulated data.


My article replies to Allen Carlson's critique of the existing literature on Chinese nationalism (Carlson's article was published in Volume 15, issue 1 of Nations and Nationalism, 2009). I address Carlson's criticisms and proceed to evaluate his proposal to move away from an allegedly unhelpful focus on nationalism towards the allegedly more illuminating framework of national identity construction. My approach to the existing literature on Chinese nationalism acknowledges efforts made within it at grappling with issues of theory and definition and builds on this acknowledgement to operate a selective appraisal of its strengths and weaknesses. I argue that while some of the problems identified by Carlson do indeed plague the literature, his advocacy of abandoning nationalism as a focus of research is unwarranted. There is continuing validity in using nationalism as a lens for understanding how China sees its place in the world.


We propose a technique to perform frame-rate up-conversion in baseline H.264/AVC compliant decoders. It exploits a low-complexity motion estimation algorithm, including a novel method to enhance the consistency of motion fields. The final adaptive interpolation, through median filtering, provides excellent objective and subjective visual results.


Visual content in learning material most commonly found in schools learning materials and less in higher education learning. Students in universities and colleges are dependent on wordy textbook and lecture notes to study. Use of visual contents depends on educator's interests, needs and willingness to provide the material to students. Nowadays, learning started to emerge at a rapid pace in producing learners with excellent academic achievements. The role of cloud computing hence increases the capability of delivering education from educator's perspectives. The purpose of this paper is to highlight important features of cloud computing in enhancing the use of interactive visual content in higher education learning and promotes interactive learning to students. Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method is used to obtain primary data from online databases Scopus and by using the coding procedure in Grounded Theory(Strauss & Corbin, 1990), research produces meta-model data of codes extractions from primary data. Findings shows there are four major abstractions of cloud features that lead to enhancing interactive visual content use in higher education.


Aim: To determine the Frequency and Pattern of Presentation of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and its Predisposing Factors in Patients Presented to Nishtar Institute of Dentistry. Study design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted from Aug 2021 to Jan 2022 at Nishtar Institute of Dentistry. Methodology: A total of 100 patients were included. Patients aged between18-80 years males and females were included whom were presented with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Detailed history and biopsy was taken along with CT scan or MRI. Radiological findings and TNM staging was observed of the patients. Results: Among those 100 patients 60 (60%) males and 40 (40%) females, 67 % of patients were in between 41-60 years. 35 patients (35%) had a lesion in buccal mucosa, 24 patients (24%) were presented with eythroplakia while histopathological reports of 100 showed 44 patients (44%) had grade 1 (well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. TNM showed 49 patients (49%) were placed in T1, 42 patients (42%) were in N2b and 13 patients (13%) had metastatic disease on presentation. Conclusion: Result shows that OSCC was present more in male population. Smoking was recorded as common risk factor. Buccal mucosa was common site of involvement followed by tongue. Ulceration was the frequent presenting feature while majority cases had moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Key words: oral squamous cell carcinoma, smoking, TNM


Although drought causes more yield losses than combined effect of all biotic stress factors, the progress in increasing yield under water-limited conditions is small. Major reasons for slow progress are listed and the relationships between crop productivity and drought resistance are examined. Adapations to drought in sorghum are discussed in order of their utility in the immediate future: phenological, morphological, physiological and biochemical. Results of interdisciplinary research in understanding drought resistance are discussed with respect to available screening methods, genetic variability and breeding methods. Breeding and managment strategies should be aimed at increasing transpirational water use throughout the season and decreasing injury caused by drought.


REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY
Little information is available regarding the prevalence of abnormalities of the upper airway and their association with performance in the general population of Thoroughbred racehorses.

OBJECTIVES
To describe the prevalence of selected abnormalities of the upper airway and their association with performance in Thoroughbred racehorses in Australia.

HYPOTHESIS
That abnormalities of the upper airway of Thoroughbred racehorses are associated with poor race performance.

METHODS
Rhinolaryngoscopy was performed after racing and presence and characteristics of abnormalities of the larynx and pharynx were recorded in a prospective cross-sectional study of Thoroughbred horses racing in Victoria, Australia.

RESULTS
Rhinolaryngoscopy was performed once on each of 744 horses over 35 months. Fifty abnormalities of the upper airway were detected in 47 horses (6.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.7-83%). Epiglottic entrapment was detected in 7 horses (0.9%, 95% CI 0.4-1.9%) and was significantly (P = 0.015) associated with superior performance. Grade 2 asymmetry (4 grade scale) of the left arytenoid cartilage was detected in 9 horses (1.2%, 95% CI 0.5-2.4%) and was also associated with superior performance (P<0.001). Ulceration or erosion of the mucosa of the axial surface of one or both arytenoids was detected in 18 horses (2.4%, 95% CI 13-3.8%) and was not associated with alterations in exercise performance (P = 0.31).

CONCLUSIONS
Epiglottic entrapment, Grade 2 laryngeal asymmetry and mucosal erosions detected in Thoroughbred racehorses were not associated with impaired performance; therefore, surgical correction and concern over laryngeal function in horses with Grade 2 asymmetry may not be necessary in individuals performing to expectation.


INTRODUCTION
Toxoplasmosis and narcotic drug addiction are endemic in various regions of Iran. These drugs can provide situations for infections by disrupting the immune system. The current case-control study was designed to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in narcotic drug-addicted persons in comparison with healthy subjects using serology and molecular techniques in the southwest of Iran.

METHODS
A total of 201 subjects (including 101 individuals with drug addiction and 100 control participants) were randomly selected. Chronic and acute toxoplasmosis was detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG avidity. T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were also determined by the ELISA. Moreover, the presence of T. gondii in blood samples was diagnosed using the nested-polymerase chain reaction (Nested-PCR).

RESULTS
For T. gondii IgG, 17 (17.0%) of 100 and 39 (38.6%) of 101 cases were diagnosed in the control participants and drug-addicted people, respectively [P=0.001, OR=3.071, CI= (1.591-5.929)]. Moreover,16 (15.8) and 5 (5.0%) cases were positive for the B1 gene in the drug-addicted patients and controls by the nested-PCR technique, respectively [P=0.019, OR=3.576, CI= (1.257-10.179)]. However, no significant differences were found between the opium (n=64) and crystal methamphetamine (n=37) groups in terms of T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies and the presence of the parasite in the blood (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION
The present results demonstrated that the outbreak of the infection was more frequent in narcotic drug-addicted persons than the controls using serology and molecular techniques.


A new small sized Lateral Trench Electrode Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (LTEIGBT) was proposed to improve characteristics of the conventional Lateral IGBT (LIGBT) and Lateral Trench gate IGBT (LTIGBT). The entire Electrode of LTEIGBT was replaced with trench-type electrode. The LTEIGBT was designed so that the width of device was 19 /spl mu/m. Latch-up current densities of the proposed LTEIGBT increased 10 and 2.3 times more than those of the conventional LIGBT and LTIGBT. Forward blocking voltage of the LTEIGBT was 130 V. Conventional LIGBT and LTIGBT of the same size were 60 V and 100 V, respectively. Because the proposed LTEIGBT was constructed of trench-type electrodes, the electric field moved toward the trench-oxide layer and punch-through breakdown occurred, lately.


OF THE THESIS DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE MODEL OF EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK by Amy M. Cook Florida International University, 2012 Miami, Florida Professor Hector R. Fuentes, Major Professor An integrated surface-subsurface hydrological model of Everglades National Park (ENP) was developed using MIKE SHE and MIKE 11 modeling software. The model has a resolution of 400 meters, covers approximately 1050 square miles of ENP, includes 110 miles of drainage canals with a variety of hydraulic structures, and processes hydrological information, such as evapotranspiration, precipitation, groundwater levels, canal discharges and levels, and operational schedules. Calibration was based on time series and probability of exceedance for water levels and discharges in the years 1987 through 1997. Model verification was then completed for the period of 1998 through 2005. Parameter sensitivity in uncertainty analysis showed that the model was most sensitive to the hydraulic conductivity of the regional Surficial Aquifer System, the Manning's roughness coefficient, and the leakage coefficient, which defines the canal-subsurface interaction. The model offers an enhanced predictive capability, compared to other models currently available, to simulate the flow regime in ENP and to forecast the impact of topography, water flows, and modifying operation schedules.


Among the leading reference implementations of the Software Defined Networking (SDN) paradigm is the OpenFlow framework, which decouples the control plane into a centralized application. In this paper, we consider two aspects of OpenFlow that pose security challenges, and we propose two solutions that could address these concerns. The first challenge is the inherent communication bottleneck that arises between the data plane and the control plane, which an adversary could exploit by mounting a "control plane saturation attack" that disrupts network operations. Indeed, even well-mined adversarial models, such as scanning or denial-of-service (DoS) activity, can produce more potent impacts on OpenFlow networks than traditional networks. To address this challenge, we introduce an extension to the OpenFlow data plane called "connection migration", which dramatically reduces the amount of data-to-control-plane interactions that arise during such attacks. The second challenge is that of enabling the control plane to expedite both detection of, and responses to, the changing flow dynamics within the data plane. For this, we introduce "actuating triggers" over the data plane's existing statistics collection services. These triggers are inserted by control layer applications to both register for asynchronous call backs, and insert conditional flow rules that are only activated when a trigger condition is detected within the data plane's statistics module. We present Avant-Guard, an implementation of our two data plane extensions, evaluate the performance impact, and examine its use for developing more scalable and resilient SDN security services.


In the small intestines, the major task of the slow wave is to induce mechanical movements in the intestinal wall by generating local calcium spikes. High resolution electrical mapping reveals fundamental differences in propagation between slow waves and calcium spikes. These differences suggest that slow waves and spikes are propagated by different mechanisms through different cell networks.


This exploratory qualitative case study provides a description of the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation's practice in addressing deep-rooted conflict, from the Republic of Ireland. This research grew out of practical problems from the field of conflict resolution in Canada, in particular interest-based mediation, in addressing deep-rooted conflict. Using an extended epistemology, data is harvested from praxis to create naturalistic generalizations: guidelines for addressing deep-rooted conflict. The research findings are the result of a synthesis of three data sources: interviews with facilitators from Glencree, textual data, and nearly five months of onsite observation. The main themes derived from the research include: Glencree's Diverse Practice; Glencree's Approach to Conflict; Glencree's Identity; Glencree's Approach to Deep-Rooted Conflict; and Implementing Glencree's Approach. This study is intended as a snapshot in time of a set of dynamic and emergent ideas addressing conflict in practice. Through an inductive research design, findings from praxis are related to theory from the field of conflict resolution. In addition, implications for addressing deep-rooted conflict are identified, including Glencree's emphasis on the need for flexibility as a characteristic for conflict work, and an underlying worldview incorporating aspects of dynamic systems theory and chaos theory.


Compositae of Southern California.-H. M. HALL'8 has brought together our present knowledge of the Compositae of Southern California, an area about the size of Pennsylvania. The 445 species and varieties are distributed as following among the tribes: Eupatorieae (9), Astereae (II3), Inuleae (25), Ambrosieae (i8), Heliantheae (34), Madieae (29), Helenieae (86), Anthemideae (ia), Senecioneae (25), Cynareae (It), Mutisieae (2), Cichorieae (68). These numbers would be largely increased if the author were not very conservative in his conception of species. As it is, the contribution becomes a manual of readily recognized forms, which are further brought within easy reach by the numerous well-constructed keys. It is unusual to find in so extensive a contribution that only three new species have been described, two in Aster and one in Lessingia. However, there is large recognition of varieties, many new ones being proposed; and new combinations are frequent. The reduction of numerous names to synonymy may be a service or may add to the confusion, dependent upon the care with which the types were studied. In any event, this type of monograph for so interesting a region is to be commended.-J. M. C. Nuclear division in Zygnema.-ESCOYEZ'9 has published the results of cytological studies on Zygnema. The conclusions are as follows: (i) A chromatin network forms chromosomes by gradual concentration. (2) The nucleolus contains no chromatin substance and does not furnish any morphological elements to the chromosomes. (3) The chromosomes are not formed by the fusion of four groups of chromatin granules, as was claimed by Miss MERRIMAN. (4) The chromosomes split longitudinally in the metaphase as in typical mitosis. (5) In the telophase the chromosomes first become massed at the poles and then vacuolated. The anastomosed structure of the nucleus consists entirely of chromosomes. (6) The nucleolus is not formed by the confluence of chromosomes, but appears quite independent of the chromatin network. (7) There is formed no continuous spirem, and the chromosomes evidently keep their individuality. (8) Pyrenoids and chromatophores divide simply by constriction, and the division is independent of that of nucleus. The division of the two pyrenoids does not necessarily occur Simultaneouslv.-S. YA1WANOuCmE. The double leaf trace.-Miss THOMAS20 has brought together the facts in reference to the double leaf-trace, so characteristic of the ancient fern and older gymnosperm series, and well marked in the living cycads. This condition is claimed to exist in the "double bundle" of the cotyledons of angiosperms, and is of very frequent occurrence in modern ferns. A phenomenon of such wide occurrence suggests "the existence of a common cause of a fundamental and primitive character," and this the author finds in dichotomous branching; which means


A research application of life skills-oriented worksheets on circulatory system materials has been conducted. The study aims to describe the increase of cognitive learning outcomes of students. This study used a pre-experimental design of pre-test and post-test group. The population of this study is all students of class XI IPA SMA. The sample in this research is the students of class XI IPA 1, SMAN 1 Ngoro Jombang. The results show that there is an increase of student learning outcomes from pre-test to post-test that are indicated by the results of classical mastery of 11.1% to 82.3%. These show that the application of life skills oriented worksheet on circulatory system matter can be done well and was be able to increase student learning outcomes. Keywords: Life skills, application of the worksheets, circulatory system


The Cenozoic section in the vicinity of Carlin, northeastern Nevada, comprises the following units, separated by erosional or slight angular unconformities: (1) several thousand feet of volcanic rocks ranging from rhyolite to basalt; diorite and granodiorite intrusive rocks (early Tertiary ?); (2) Rand Ranch formation (new name): 1700 feet of Paleozoic-pebble conglomerate and sandstone (Oligocene?); (3) Safford Canyon formation (new name): 700 feet of volcanic conglomerate and sandstone, rhyolitic tuff, and limestone (late Oligocene, early Miocene?); (4) Raine Ranch formation (new name): 2000 feet of pumice lapilli tuff, volcanic breccia, lava flows, conglomerate, rhyolitic tuff, diatomite, shale, and limestone (late Miocene); (5) 500 feet of rhyolite; (6) Carlin formation (new name): at least 600 feet of tuffaceous conglomerate and sandstone, rhyolitic and basaltic tuffs, diatomite, shale, and limestone (early Pliocene); (7) Hay Ranch formation (new name): several thousand feet of lacustrine clay, limestone, and rhyolitic ash with basin-border facies of conglomerate and fanglomerates (middle Pliocene–middle Pleistocene); (8) thin welded tuff (Pleistocene). Units 4, 6, and 7 are dated by vertebrate fossils. Basin and Range faulting was active from late Miocene to Pleistocene and may have begun in Oligocene time. Rhyolitic tuffs are extensively altered to zeolites. The transformation seems to have taken place under the influence of the water of the lakes in which the volcanic glass was deposited.


A pathologic finding about one or more characteristics of ovarian cancer, following the rules of the TNM AJCC v6 classification system as they pertain to staging of the primary tumor. TNM pathologic primary tumor findings are based on clinical findings supplemented by histopathologic examination of one or more tissue specimens acquired during surgery.


Immobilization of active molecules by attachment onto solid surfaces is a well-established practice in many processes and applications. Silica micro- and nano-particles are attractive candidates as support for active molecules as a result of a combination of desirable properties. The present study deals with grafting of a functional UV active molecule onto silica surfaces via hydrosilylation reactions using multivalent organosilicon spacers. Different types of organosilicon precursors based on dimethylsiloxysilanes containing multiple SiH groups were used as spacers between vinyl-modified silica surface and the benzotriazole UV-absorber (UVA). Firstly, the surface of silica was modified with vinyltrimetoxsisilane coupling agent. The UVA molecules were attached to the silica-vinyl by a two-step procedure involving hydrosilylation reaction. The successful grafting was confirmed by FTIR, TGA and UV-Vis characterization. More than fivefold increase in UVA loading was found for the MH30 multifunctional spacer, which contains approximately 75 SiH groups per molecule, when compared to a four-functional spacer. Furthermore a branched, bulky six-functional spacer is preferred over a linear spacer of the same functionality. UV activity of functionalized silica was studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy, indicating that the immobilization of UVA onto silica surface has not altered its UV absorbance properties.


We present an algorithm that recognizes tables in document images and extracts their structural information. We use region growing to locate bounding boxes around text, and cluster them into columns by examining spatial relationships between bounding boxes and their vertical neighbors. Once initial clustering is complete, a series of post-processing steps are applied to the clusters to find columns that line up horizontally and may form tables.


This white paper was commissioned by the Center for Consumer Law and Education, a joint initiative launched by West Virginia University and Marshall University to "coordinate the development of consumer law, policy, and education research to support and serve consumers."

As such, this paper has a dual purpose. First, it provides a comprehensive overview of the many different legal issues that affect data privacy concerns (both nationally and in West Virginia). Second, it documents and discusses the result of a survey and specific focus groups that were undertaken throughout the fall of 2019 into January 2020 where individuals within the state provided valuable feedback regarding what they felt were the most pressing data privacy issues and what they would like in a law. These responses (along with the extensive research that was undertaken regarding other statutes, cases and responses across the nation and the world) were used to formulate best practices for legislative recommendations.


Objective: The goal of the study was to develop and validate a prediction model for cesarean delivery after labor induction that included factors known before the start of induction, unlike prior studies that focused on characteristics at the time of induction. Materials and Methods: Using 17,370 term labor inductions without documented medical indications occurring at 14 U.S. hospitals, 2007-2012, we created and evaluated a model predicting cesarean delivery. We assessed model calibration and discrimination, and we used bootstrapping for internal validation. We externally validated the model by using 2122 labor inductions from a hospital not included in the development cohort. Results: The model contained eight variables-gestational age, maternal race, parity, maternal age, obesity, fibroids, excessive fetal growth, and history of herpes-and was well calibrated with good risk stratification at the extremes of predicted probability. The model had an area under the curve (AUC) for the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.82 (95% confidence interval 0.81-0.83), and it performed well on internal validation. The AUC in the external validation cohort was 0.82. Conclusion: This prediction model can help providers estimate a woman's risk of cesarean delivery when planning a labor induction.


When U.S. President Harry Truman asked his allies for military support in the Korean War, Canada's government, led by Prime Minister Louis St-Laurent, was reluctant. St-Laurent's government was forced to change its position however, when the Canadian populace, conditioned to significant degrees by the powerful influence of American media and culture, demanded a more vigorous response. Warming up to the Cold War shows how American cultural influence helped to undermine waning Canadian nationalism. Comparing Canadian and American responses to events such as the atomic bomb, the Gouzenko Affair, the creation of NATO, and the Korean War, Robert Teigrob traces the role that culture and public opinion played in shaping responses to international affairs. With penetrating political and cultural insight, he examines the Cold War consensus between the two countries to reveal the ways that Canada cited .home-grown. rationales to justify its increasing subservience to American strategy and posturing. Full of fascinating insights, Warming up the Cold War is essential reading for anyone interested in the Cold War, the role of culture in politics, and the history of U.S.-Canada relations.


OBJECTIVES
FMF shows considerable variability in severity and type of clinical manifestations by geographic region, which are attributed to Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene allelic heterogeneity, additional genetic modifiers and environmental factors. Considering the severe impact of MEFV mutation M694V on the FMF phenotype, this work aimed at investigating a possible disease modifying role of the serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) genotype in a cohort of 386 Armenian FMF patients homozygous for MEFV mutation M694V.

METHODS
A cohort of 386 Armenian patients diagnosed with FMF based on the Tel-Hashomer criteria and carrying two MEFV M694V mutant alleles were included in this study. Fifty-two (13.40%) of these patients experienced their first attack at the age of ≥20 years (i.e. adult-onset FMF). MEFV and SAA1 analyses were performed by a commercial reverse-hybridization assay, and resulting genotypes were matched against the patients' clinicodemographic profiles.

RESULTS
Genotypic distribution of SAA1 alleles was significantly different between patients with an age of onset <20 and ≥20 years. SAA1 genotypes α/α, α/β and β/β could be identified in 8 (15.38%), 12 (23.08%) and 32 (61.54%) adult-onset patients while this was the case for 47 (14.07%), 172 (51.50%) and 115 (34.43%) patients with a disease onset <20 years, respectively (P < 0.001). Furthermore, adult-onset disease was associated with a less severe FMF phenotype (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION
We have identified a significant relationship between the SAA1β/β genotype and the age of disease onset in M694V homozygous FMF patients.


Abstract. Regional seismic risk assessment is paramount in
earthquake-prone areas, for instance, to define and implement prioritisation
schemes for earthquake risk reduction. As part of the Indonesia School Programme to Increase Resilience (INSPIRE), this paper
proposes an ad hoc rapid-visual-survey form, allowing one to (1) calculate the
newly proposed INSPIRE seismic risk prioritisation index, which is an
empirical proxy for the relative seismic risk of reinforced concrete (RC)
buildings within a given building portfolio; (2) calculate the Papathoma
Tsunami Vulnerability Assessment (PTVA) index, in any of its variations; (3) define one or more archetype buildings representative of the analysed
portfolio; (4) derive detailed numerical models of the archetype buildings,
provided that the simulated design is used to cross-check the model assumptions.
The proposed INSPIRE index combines a baseline score, calibrated based on
fragility curves, and a performance modifier, calibrated through the
analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to minimise subjectivity. An attempt to
define a multi-hazard prioritisation scheme is proposed, combining the
INSPIRE and PTVA indices. Such a multi-level framework is implemented for 85
RC school buildings in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, the most affected city by
the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake–tsunami sequence. As part of the proposed
framework, two archetype buildings representative of the entire portfolio
are defined based on the collected data. Their seismic performance is
analysed by means of non-linear static analyses, using both the analytical
simple lateral mechanism analysis (SLaMA) method and numerical finite-element pushover analyses to investigate the expected plastic mechanisms and
derive displacement/drift thresholds to define appropriate damage states.
Finally, non-linear dynamic analyses are performed to derive fragility
curves for the archetype buildings. This paper demonstrates the
effectiveness of the INSPIRE data collection form and proposed index in
providing a rational method to derive seismic risk prioritisation schemes
and in allowing the definition of archetype buildings for more detailed
evaluations/analyses.


The present research concerns the use of organic s elenium (Sel-plex) in quantities of 0.03 mg/kg grained fodder, in the nutrition of b reeding carp (Cyprinus carpio ), Lausitz variety (for short carp) three summers old. Nutrition has been c arried out during 47 days before naturally directed reproduction, from which carp fry resulted. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of orga nic selenium on morphological traits and survival of ca rp fry and later carp juvenile carp. The experiment was placed at Martinesti farm (Cluj County) and used two breeding families: an experimental one (2 ♂ 1 ♀) and a witness one (2 ♂ 1 ♀); reproduced naturally in two pools offering the same conditions. After reproduction, h atching and larval morphological characteristics were studied on resulting fry and juveniles. During exogenous feeding fry were fed with powder milk, containing for the experimental group 0.03 mg organ ic selenium/kg fodder. After this growth stage of 8 days there were no significant morphological diff erences between the two groups. From this point on a juvenile stage followed, when feeding was carried out using 50% powder milk and 50% corn flour; improved with 0.03 mg organic selenium /kg fodder for the experimental group. At the end of this stage there were signific ant differences in terms of average body weight: th e control group showed an average weight of 0.5996±0.2269 g/specimen and its variability of 37.84% compared to the experimental group which recorded a higher average weight of 0.6212±0.2267 g/specimen and a variability of 36.49%.


Background. In the general population, parent report of injury in children is subject to recall bias that can substantially underestimate injury rates derived from medical record data. This study aimed to assess whether or not carer recall of injury in young people with intellectual disability is also subject to similar recall bias and consequent underestimation of injury incidence rates. Methods. In 1996, the Australian Child and Adolescent Development program collected carer reports of injury during the previous year on 465 subjects with intellectual disability, aged 5–29 years. Medical record injury data for hospital admissions, emergency department presentations, and general practitioner visits were collected for 185 of the parent injury recall records. Results. The sensitivity and specificity of parent recall of injury for all levels of medical care combined were 57.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 44.1–69.9) and 99.2 (95% CI 95.6–99.9) respectively. The sensitivities and specificities of parent recall for injury presentation to general practice, emergency departments, and for hospital admissions were 43.3 (95% CI 25.5–62.6) and 99.4 (95% CI 96.5–99.9); 51.9 (95% CI 32.0, 71.3) and 96.8 (95% CI 92.8–99.0); and 75.0 (95% CI 19.4–99.4) and 99.9 (95% CI 97.9–99.9) respectively. Conclusions. When adjusted for recall bias, the carer-reported injury incidence for young people with intellectual disability is approximately double that of the general population and indicates an urgent need for the development, implementation, and evaluation of injury prevention programs for this population.


Background and Objectives. Systemic chemotherapy administered prior to cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for peritoneal mucinous adenocarcinoma of appendiceal origin (PMCA) is associated with a significant rate of histological response. The impact of preoperative systemic chemotherapy (PSC) on intraperitoneal tumor burden, completeness of cytoreduction, and perioperative complications is unknown. Methods. We analyzed prospectively collected data from our HIPEC database. Thirty-four patients with PMCA were prospectively recruited and treated with PSC. Perioperative variables and survival in this group of patients were compared against 24 patients with PMCA who did not receive PSC. Results. Ten of 34 patients (29%) receiving PSC had a complete or near complete histological response. Patients receiving PSC had a lower peritoneal carcinomatosis index, required fewer peritonectomies and visceral resections, and achieved complete cytoreduction more frequently compared to patients with no preoperative chemotherapy. The incidence of perioperative complications and survival were not significantly different between the two groups. However, patients with complete histological response had better overall survival compared to patients without complete response. Conclusions. Preoperative systemic chemotherapy in appendix-originated PMCA is associated with a significant rate of histological response which may reduce the tumor burden, facilitate less aggressive and more complete CRS, and improve short-term survival in patients with a significant histological response.


Boundary conditions in relativistic QFT can be classified by deep results in the theory of braided or modular tensor categories.


Bacteremia is a common complication in hospitalized patients, and intravenous catheterization is a routine intervention in dogs in intensive care units (ICU). This study aimed to investigate bacteria associated with bacteremia in an ICU of a veterinary teaching hospital during 2013-2014. Fifty dogs admitted to the ICU were included in this study. Twenty-four dogs (48.00%) presented bacteremia by blood culture. Bacterial species were identified, including Klebsiella pneumoniae (8/24), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7/24), Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (3/24), Escherichia coli (2/24), Bacillus sp. (1/24), Acinetobacter sp. (2/24) and Burkholderia cepacia (1/24). Only five dogs had positive catheter colonization by identical bacterial species with those isolated from blood. Risk factors and clinical presentation were not associated with bacteremia in the dogs and need further evaluation. The study showed that commensal flora and environmental saprophytes were sources of bacteremia in canine patients admitted to the ICU.


We have developed short protocol for the preparation of compounds having histone deacetylase inhibition activities, as shown in chapter 1. Among these compounds, OSU-HDAC-44, displayed promising antitumor activities in non small lung cancer cell (NSCLC) and xenograft models. This compound not only repressed cell viability but also induced apoptosis in various NSCLC cell lines with 3-4 times greater potency than SAHA (known anticancer drug). In addition, submicromolar concentration of OSU-HDAC-44 exhibited prominently synergistic effects in combination with cisplatin on suppressing proliferation of NSCLC cell lines. Furthermore, it induced cell apoptosis and thereby inhibited tumor growth in vivo without adversely affected body weight, major organs and hematological parameters. Collectively, these results suggested that OSU-HDAC-44 is a promising HDAC inhibitor for NSCLC treatment. Additionally, we have also prepared two novel compounds for HDAC inhibition. Among these two molecules, one bearing tans-cyclopropyl moiety exhibited promising activities towards lung and breast cancer cells.
N-hydroxy p-(acylamido)benzamide (HAAC) is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, which regulates deacetylation of the N-terminal group of lysine in histone, leading to chromatin compaction and transcriptional inactivation of chromosomal loci containing tumor suppressor genes. A new tri-antennary, N-hydroxy-p-(Acylamido) benzamide (HAAC) capped gallamide anchor with thiolate focal group is synthesized via click chemistry. The resulted highly hydrophilic dendron was efficiently anchored onto the surface of CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanoparticles in a covalent fashion, as evidenced by 1H NMR spectrum of the resultant nanohybrid with intact core fluorescent property. The water-miscible nanohybrid which bears peripheral HAAC as the HDAC inhibitor was found smoothly uptaken by lung cancer cells and translocated inside cell nucleus in 2-3 hours, as evidenced by confocal microscopic analysis. In addition, Nano-HAAC displayed promising activities towards A549 and H1299 lung cancer cell lines. Nanohybrid-HAAC at 20 nM induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M and eventually led to apoptotic cell death of lung cancer cell lines, demonstrating that nanohybrid-HAAC is much more potent in inhibiting lung cancer cell growth than parental HTPB. In addition, nanohybrid-HAAC was more effective than the parental HTPB to increase the acetylation of histone proteins and non-histone proteins. Our results provided the compelling evidences that encapsulation of quantum dots with triantennary dendritic HDAC inhibitors represent a feasible and novel strategy for drug delivery preserving the biological effects of drug.
In chapter 3, we have documented the first successful synthesis of heterogeneous chiral vanadium complexes through direct immobilization of C5-propargyl ether modified, chiral N-Salicylidine oxidovanadium tert-leucinates onto 4-azidomethyl-substituted polystyrene by click chemistry. This protocol offers promising alternative to synthesize polymer bound catalyst which is prepared by immobilization of ligands followed by metallation. The grafting occurred cleanly, under mild conditions, affording heterogeneous chiral vanadium (V) catalysts with excellent vanadium loadings. The resulting polystyrene-supported (PSS) catalysts were then successfully used in asymmetric, aerobic oxidation of α-hydroxy carboxylic acid derivatives with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee, krel up to 41). In addition, practical scale synthesis of optically pure, mandelic acid derivatives can be made with only 3 mol% loading of PSS catalyst in CHCl3.These PSS catalysts can be readily recovered by filtration and reused for at least four consecutive runs without discernible loss of reactivity and enantioselectivity.
In chapter 4, we have demonstrated a unique green protocol for highly sensitive and specific Hg(II) recognition and transport from an aqueous solution containing ten different M+ and M2+ of similar size by utilizing two tailor-made, C4-symmetric Na+-bound tetramers based on simple chiral oxidovanadium(V) methoxide complexes. Exclusive swapping of Na+ by Hg2+ in these tetramers can be achieved readily in reasonable time scale with discernible δ changes of their 51V signals by 5 ppm and Δe change of their CD-ORD spectra by 8-49% at 267-272 and 400-417 nm. The structural identify was subsequently confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Furthermore, the original Na+-bound cluster can be regenerated by simply treating the corresponding Hg2+ Cluster in CDCl3 with a saturated, aqueous solution of Na2SO4 in 5 min. Reusability and sustainability of the sodium clusters make the newly developed system unique and highly desirable for the Hg2+-specific recovery and storage as HgSO4. Our experimental findings offer new and tailor-made opportunity for rapid, easy, and economical diagnosis and removal of toxic metal ions from highly contaminated environmental sewage.


The characteristics of four-wave mixing signals were studied in Eu(3+)-doped glasses. When the Eu(3+) ions were resonantly excited, two types of laser-induced grating were formed: a transient population grating associated with the excited Eu(3+) ions and a holographic grating, which was permanent at room temperature but could be erased either thermally or optically.


Abstract We characterized the tree community of a mesic hardwood hammock in south-central Georgia as an oak-pine-hickory forest, with Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum), Magnolia grandiflora (Southern Magnolia), and Ilex opaca Ait. (American Holly) as subdominants. We surveyed this forest for colonies of the most northerly distributed epiphytic orchid in the Western Hemisphere, Epidendrum magnoliae (Green Fly Orchid), and recorded the species and trunk diameter of 112 host trees (phorophytes) as well as the height and size of each orchid colony. We calculated a selectivity index (SI) to compare phorophyte frequency with availability, based on a point-transect survey. Green Fly Orchid occurred on 8 species of hardwood trees, but had a strong preference for Southern Magnolia as a host and a moderately strong preference for Quercus virginiana (Live Oak). Host trees were much larger (presumably older) than the average of available trees, and that effect was strongest for the most preferred host. Orchid colonies also occupied significantly greater areas on individual Southern Magnolia than on other phorophytes. It is likely that old-growth Southern Magnolia and Live Oak trees are critical to the viability of this population of Green Fly Orchid, which is rare in inland forests in Georgia. In addition to being the most persistent epiphyte substrates in this environment, their broadleaf evergreen canopies—which would be especially true of Southern Magnolia —may provide the most favorable microclimates in terms of shade, humidity, and frost protection.


This study presents the design of an LLC resonant converter as using the leakage inductance of the transformer instead of the inductance in the resonance tank. With serial resonant characteristics, the power MOSFETs are conducted at zero voltage switching and secondary diodes are commutating under soft switching, so the switching power losses on the semiconductor components are decreased. Using the proposed power stage and feedback control loop design considerations, the LLC resonant converter can achieve high power conversion efficiency and stability enhancement. This study provides the working principle of the resonant LLC converter topology by designing the simulation model.


Author(s): Moore, Robert; Gottesfeld, Shimshon; Zelenay, P | Abstract: For an automotive application of a fuel cell power system, it is important to maximize the fuel conversion efficiency, while also providing the required peak power levels for vehicle performance. This paper first compares the fuel conversion efficiency and power density of a state-of-the-art direct-methanol fuel cell (DMFC) with the equivalent parameters of a state-of-the-art direct-hydrogen fuel cell (DHFC). The cell level comparison is then extended to the system level for a potential ZEV automotive application. It is concluded that a DMFC-powered vehicle can become directly competitive with a DHFC-powered ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) in any localities or market niches where ZEVs are "a condition of doing business" as a vehicle manufacturer.Following a brief outline of the experimental conditions used to generate the DMFC data reported and analyzed in this paper, a technique for optimizing the conversion efficiency of a DMFC is briefly reviewed. The technique is then applied to the DMFC state-of-the-art data, and compared with the efficiency and power density of the DHFC state-of-the-art. Next a "system" level comparison is introduced that captures the major differences between the DHFC and DMFC systems for automotive applications. This system level comparison is then used to evaluate the attributes of a DMFC-powered vehicle against the "benchmark" of a DHFC-powered vehicle.Overall, the conclusion is that a DMFC powered FCV could meet the requirements for a general-purpose ZEV, and could be an effective competitor to a DHFC-based FCV. It would have an range of 350 miles, and provide the same class of performance (acceleration) as a lightweight purpose-built hydrogen-fueled FCV, if two key criteria were met:- DMFC cell/stack power density of 0.35 kW/L,- DMFC stack conversion efficiency over the required dynamic power range of 50% of the equivalent DHFC stack efficiency.In fact, these criteria are marginally met for the present state-of-the-art in laboratory DMFC performance. However, for implementation of a DMFC power system in an FCV, the development of a commercial DMFC stack technology and fuel control system is also required, and a number of RaD advances are needed before the DMFC cell, stack and system can fully realize its great promise. Even so, because of this promise there are significant worldwide RaD efforts underway to address the technical and commercialization barriers for direct-methanol fuel cell vehicles.


This paper discusses the current shortfalls in support for the pre-coding phases of a discrete event simulation project. The paper then presents a process modelling technique, Simulation Activity Diagrams (SADs), developed to specifically support the initial requirements gathering phases of a simulation project. The paper concludes with an outline of proposed future developments to the modelling technique.


We examined the generational differences in Chinese employees' work values using the Chinese Work Values Scale with 1,015 Chinese employees across three generations (i.e., Cultural Revolution generation, n = 148; Transitional generation, n = 355; Millennial generation, n = 512). We found that, even with gender, education, and position taken into account, the Millennial generation placed more importance on intrinsic and extrinsic rewards than did the Transitional generation or the Cultural Revolution generation, and that the Cultural Revolution generation placed more importance on altruism than did the younger generations. Results also showed that generation exerted more influence on work values than did age. This implies that, taking these results into account, current human resource management practices in organizations and institutions in China should be adjusted accordingly.


Rocks are naturally heterogeneous; two rock samples with identical bulk properties can vary widely in microstructure. Understanding how the microstructure and bulk properties of rocks then evolve during experiments and computations simulating diagenesis is inherently a multiscale problem. The advent of modern 3‐D printing has provided an unprecedented opportunity to link those scales by combining the strengths of digital and experimental rock physics. In this study, we take a computerized tomography‐scanned model of a natural carbonate pore space then iteratively digitally manipulate, 3‐D print, and measure the flow properties in the laboratory. This approach allows us to access multiple scales digitally and experimentally and test hypotheses about how changes in rock microstructure due to compaction and dissolution affect bulk transport properties in a repeatable manner.


This study is aimed to find out how the legal status of buying and selling motorbikes without vehicle registration STNK and BPKB, where many of the people of the District of Kebharga, especially Kala Lengkio Village and Mendale Village, conduct transactions of buying and selling motorbikes without STNK and BPKB. In general, buying and selling carried out by the public has fulfilled the legal requirements of buying and selling in Islam, which does not explain in detail that buying and selling motorbikes without the STNK of BPKB is a sale and purchase which is canceled. Unlike the case with the police which states that buying and selling motorbikes without a STNK and BPKB is a canceled sale. Based on the description above that is the focus of research on the formulation of the problem namely: how to buy and sell motorbikes without proof of ownership in the community of the District of Kebayakan and how is its legality from the perspective of sadd al-'arī'ah ?. In this study the author uses the case study research method then analyzed using the theory of sadd al-'arī'ah, then in the technique of collecting data the author uses interviews / interviews. The results of the study that the authors get about buying and selling motorbike transactions without proof of ownership and analyzed using the theory of sadd al-īarī'ah that looks at the benefits and mafsadat arising, then the motorcycle sale and purchase transactions without proof of ownership there is a level of understanding that is superior to with benefit, the sale and purchase of the people of the district is a sale that must be prevented and must also be avoided by the community because the sale can cause a lot of damage even though the sale of a motorcycle is a sale that is in accordance with the terms and conditions of the legal sale.


Observation on carcass and carcass' cuts of F1 crossbred of Pelung x Kampung chickens influenced by dietary protein (15%, 17%, 19%, and 21% crude protein=CP) was carried out at the Research Institute for Animal Production, Ciawi Bogor. There were 360-day-old chicks of the crossbred, allocated to 9 dietary-protein treatments. The treatments were P1 (21%-17% CP), which was the ration with 21% CP given to chicks aged of 0-6 weeks, then continued with 17% CP ration up to 12 week of age; P2 was 21%-15% CP; P3 was 19%-19% CP; P4 was 19%-17% CP; P5 was 19%-15% CP; P6 was 17%-17% CP; P7 was 17%- 15% CP; P8 was 15%-19% CP and P9 was 15%-15% CP. At 6 and 12 weeks of age each two out of 10 birds per cage were randomly picked for carcass and carcass portion analysis. Results showed that carcass and wings of 6 weeks of age birds were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by dietary protein, whilst breast and thighs & drumsticks were significantly (P<0.05) lower on lower dietary protein. The weight of carcass and carcass parts were 256, 58, 71, 32, 44, 8.6, 9.7 and 2.09 g/bird, for carcass, breast, thighs and drumsticks, wings, oval; liver, gizzard and abdominal fat, respectively. At 12 weeks of age, weight of carcass and carcass cuts were not affected by dietary protein. The weight of carcass and carcass' cuts of 12 weeks of age were 803, 189, 251, 102, 123, 20, 25 and 21 g/bird, for carcass, breast, thighs and drumsticks, wings, oval, liver, gizzard and abdominal fat, respectively. The results indicated that ration with 15% CP given up to 12 weeks of age was recommended to be optimum without any reduction in carcass quality. Key words : F1 crossbred of Pelung x Kampung chickens, dietary protein, carcass and carcass' cuts


This paper addresses the problem of extending biodiversity conservation onto the communal lands of the Dwesa-Cwebe conservation area in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, by investigating the conditions that must be fulfilled for any success to be registered. These conditions were derived based on a qualitative survey conducted in the Nqabara Administrative Area. The study developed a conceptual framework to unravel the complex nature of the whole community conservation initiative. A focus group discussion was adopted as the data collection method; and the underlying factors that have contributed to the success of the initiative in the Nqabara Administrative Area were identified. Appropriate coding was assigned to each distinct and major factor for proper presentation of the results and observations were appropriately indicated to buffer the explanation of the achieved results. Recommendations were subsequently made for the Dwesa-Cwebe in terms of the decision-making instruments that demand critical consideration for any successful community biodiversity conservation to be achieved.


ABSTRACT Although inselbergs from around the world are iconic ecosystems, little is known on the underlying mechanisms of community assembly, especially in their characteristic patchy outcrop vegetation. Environmental constraints are expected to cause phylogenetic clustering when ecological niches are conserved within evolutionary lineages. We tested whether vegetation patches from rock outcrops of the Piedra La Tortuga Natural Monument, in the northern Amazon region, are phylogenetically clustered, indicating that environmental filtering is the dominant driver of community assemblage therein. We classified all patches according to their size as very small (< 1 m2), small (1-4 m2), medium-sized (4-8 m2), and large patches (8-15 m2). From each class, we randomly selected 10 patches, totalizing 40 patches covering 226 m2. All individuals found in the 40 isolated patches were identified to the species level. We also correlated measurements of phylogenetic community structure with patch size. We found that species from patches are restricted to the clades monocots, fabids, malvids, and lamiids. We conclude that vegetation in this rock outcrop is phylogenetically clustered. Furthermore, we found that phylogenetic turnover between pairs of patches increases with patch size, which is consistent with a scenario of higher environmental stress in smaller patches. Further research is necessary to identify nurse species in inselberg vegetation, which is pivotal for conservation and restoration of this particular ecosystem.


Epiphytic dinoflagellates were isolated from samples collected from macroalgae and corals during an expedition to the Kermadec Islands group, led by the Auckland Museum in November 2013. Isolates included species of Gambierdiscus and Ostreopsis, genera included in the ciguatera fish poisoning complex. Cells of a compressed (apical to antapical) form of Gambierdiscus were isolated into growth media, but species identification was not possible as isolates failed to grow in culture. The Ostreopsis isolate was successfully cultured and appears to be a new species (a full description will be undertaken). Palytoxin production was determined by chemical analysis (LC-MS/MS) as 0.013 pg palytoxin equiv. per cell. Prorocentrum isolates were identified morphologically as P. cf. emarginatum and P. lima; both were non-toxic. Amphidinium cf. massartii and Coolia malayensis were identified by DNA sequence analysis. The suite of dinoflagellates isolated was typical of the co-occurring genera found throughout the Pacific region.


This paper deals with an application of a virus-evolutionary genetic algorithm (VEGA) to hierarchical trajectory planning of a redundant manipulator. The hierarchical trajectory planning is composed of a trajectory generator and position generator. The position generator generates collision-free intermediate positions of the redundant manipulator. The trajectory generator generates a collision-free trajectory based on some intermediate positions sent from the position generator. To generate a collision-free trajectory of the redundant manipulator, the VEGA is applied to the hierarchical trajectory planning only based on forward kinematics. The VEGA realizes horizontal propagation and vertical inheritance of genetic information in a population of candidate solutions. The main operator of the VEGA is a reverse transcription operator, which plays the roles of a crossover and selection simultaneously. In this paper, self-adaptive mutation is applied to the VEGA for local search of trajectory planning to obtain higher performance and the quick solution. Simulation results of the hierarchical trajectory planning show that the VEGA can generate a collision-free trajectory.


A fundamental factor of digital image compression is the conversion processes. The intention of this process is to understand the shape of an image and to modify the digital image to a grayscale configuration where the encoding of the compression technique is operational. This article focuses on an investigation of compression algorithms for images with artistic effects. A key component in image compression is how to effectively preserve the original quality of images. Image compression is to condense by lessening the redundant data of images in order that they are transformed cost-effectively. The common techniques include discrete cosine transform (DCT), fast Fourier transform (FFT), and shifted FFT (SFFT). Experimental results point out compression ratio between original RGB images and grayscale images, as well as comparison. The superior algorithm improving a shape comprehension for images with grahic effect is SFFT technique.


CONTEXT
The effects of parathyroid hormone deprivation on bone are still unclear. Our objective was to report the characteristics of patients with postsurgical hypoparathyroidism (PsH) at a specialized outpatient service and correlate their trabecular bone score (TBS) values to clinical, densitometric, and laboratory findings. A secondary objective was to evaluate the fracture rates and look for associations between these events and the collected data.

RESULTS
Eighty-two patients were enrolled, of whom 70 (85.4%) were female and 17 (20.7%) had type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The median body mass index (BMI) was 27.7 kg/m2 and the median age was 59 years. Of 68 DXA scans performed, osteopenia and osteoporosis were present in 32.4% and 2.9%, respectively. In all, 62 lumbar scans were analyzed using TBS. The mean TBS value was 1.386±0.140, and 32.2% of the results were below 1.310. TBS values correlated negatively with BMI (mainly above 30kg/m2), age (mainly above 60 years), and glycemia, while abnormal TBS correlated with osteopenia, T2DM, low impact fracture, and menopause. Six female patients had low impact fractures, which were associated with a lower TBS (1.178±0.065 vs. 1.404±0.130 in the group without fractures, p<0.001), greater age, higher BMI, impaired renal function, abnormal glycemia, and osteopenia.

CONCLUSION
This study suggested that known risk factors for bone loss compromise the bone microarchitecture of individuals with PsH, despite DXA results. PsH menopausal women, PsH patients who are older, osteopenic and have a higher BMI or T2DM may be candidates for a more detailed assessment using, for example, TBS.


Owing to the expanding function of Li-ion transmission channels, it is important to explore the doping effects of different compounds into sulfide solid electrolytes to improve their electrochemical performances. However, it is hard to characterize the doping behaviors within sulfide solid electrolytes with low crystallinity and poor stability just by conventional crystallography analytical methods. In this work, the dielectric spectrum testing combined with other analytical methods, such as 7Li solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical method, has been applied to investigate the dual-doping behaviors of WS2 and LiBr within Li7P3S11 glass-ceramic electrolytes. This research method can not only evaluate the internal acting effect between the skeleton of sulfide solid electrolytes and the migrating kinetics of Li-ions, but also explore the capacitance at the interfaces of LiCoO2/sulfide solid electrolytes. The experimental results show that the number of Li-ions with fast transport velocity within Li2S-P2S5 based solid electrolytes has been increased. Meanwhile, the interfacial capacitances between Li2S-P2S5 based solid electrolytes and LiCoO2 cathode have been decreased after dual-doping of WS2 and LiBr, indicating a synergetic effect for the doped Li7P3S11 glass-ceramic electrolytes in terms of the ionic conductivities and interfacial compatibilities. This work may provide a novel analytical approach to explore both the diffusion kinetics and interfacial behaviors for the solid electrolytes of lithium batteries.


This article outlines a set of arguments that responds to some of the aspects associated with the so-called "skills-based approach": a) The sources of what now appears to be an "irresistible advancement" of skills-based logic in the field of education and particularly in higher education. b) The advantages of that approach, specifically its point of view and the opportunities that should not be wasted. c) Its dangers, given the limitations and potential risks with any new teaching approach, which must be identified to lessen their effects. Based on the foregoing points, the article proposes an "intellectual skills-based approach" to college teaching and learning.


Sunitinib is an oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for treating metastatic renal cell carcinoma. This study reports a specific and sensitive competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the pharmacokinetic evaluation of sunitinib. Anti-sunitinib serum was obtained from mice by using N-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl)-5-formyl-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide (DFPC) as a hapten, which has the same substructure as sunitinib, in order to avoid the effects of structural changes in the geometrical isomers of sunitinib. Enzyme labeling of sunitinib with horseradish peroxidase was similarly performed using DFPC. Serum sunitinib concentrations below the limit of quantification of 0.52 ng/mL were reproducibly measurable. This ELISA was specific for sunitinib (Z- and E-isomers) and showed very low cross-reactivity (0.094%) with its major metabolite, N-desethyl sunitinib. Its analytical applicability was demonstrated by a kinetic study with human liver microsomes. In addition, the levels of sunitinib measured by ELISA in a kinetic study with human liver microsomes were comparable with those measured by HPLC, and there was a strong correlation between the values determined by both methods (y = 1.065x - 51.2, R2 = 0.9804). The developed ELISA provides for the specific and sensitive quantification of sunitinib without the influence of its major metabolite or light-induced geometric isomers. This ELISA will be a valuable tool in pharmacokinetic studies of sunitinib.


The loss of expression of the ABH blood group antigens is suggested to be associated with more aggressive behavior of cancers. We have compared the growth behaviors of two hamster pancreatic cancer cell lines with different blood group-A expressions. PC-1.0 cells, which expressed blood group-A antigen poorly, showed a faster growth in vitro and in vivo when implanted into the pancreas of homologous animals, whereas PC-1.2 cells, all of which express the antigen, had a slower growth rate both in vitro and in vivo. PC-1.0 also tended to metastasize, whereas PC-1.2 cells grew primarily locally. The allografts of both PC-1.2 cells (PC-1.2AG) and PC-1.0 cells (PC-1.0AG) and the metastases of PC-1.0 cells expressed blood group A antigen in a similar rate. There was no significant difference in the number of A-antigen positive cells (A+) between the PC-1.2AG and PC-1.0AG, although the expression of A antigen in PC-1.0AG showed a greater heterogeneity. The combined immunohistochemistry and autoradiography did not show any significant differences in the labeling index of A+ or A- cells between the two allografts. Thus, the results indicate that blood group A antigen expression is unrelated to malignancy in this model. The faster growth rate of PC-1.0 cells may be due to their shorter cell cycle.


In the title compound, [Zn(C6H6N4)2(H2O)2](C16H8O8), the ZnII atom, located on an inversion centre, is coordinated by two aqua and two bidentate biimidizole ligands, resulting in a slightly distorted octahedral ZnO2N4 geometry. The four N atoms from the two biimidizole ligands lie in the equatorial plane and the two aqua O atoms lie in the axial sites. The biphenyltetracarboxylate anion also lies on an inversion centre. The ZnII complex cation and the anion are held together by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a zigzag chain along [21]. The chains are further connected by water molecules via O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.


Background. Estimation of correlation between genotype-mutagen interaction and mutagen depression is a main topic of this paper. Materials and methods. Eight winter wheat varieties were treated by gamma-rays and chemical mutagens. The frequency and spectrum of chromosomal aberrations, parameters of field growing and development were investigated. Results. Frequency of chromosomal aberrations, plant survival and some parameters of yield structure are reliable indicators of mutagen depression. Repeat action of same mutagen lead to decreasing of chromosomal aberrations number. Conclusion. Mutation varieties are less sensitive to some types of mutagen action.


Pesticides such as pyrethroids have been frequently found in runoff water from urban areas and the offsite movement is a significant cause for aquatic toxicities in urban streams and estuaries. To better understand the origination of pesticide residues in urban runoff, we investigated the association of pyrethroid residues with loose particles in runoff water from concrete surfaces after treatment with commercial products of bifenthrin and permethrin. In runoff water generated from simulated precipitations after 1 to 89 d exposure under dry outdoor conditions, over 80% of the pesticides was found on particles >0.7 μm for most treatments. The solid-water partitioning coefficient (K(d)) on day 1 was estimated to be 2.4 × 10(3) to 1.1 × 10(5) L/kg for permethrin and bifenthrin on these solids. Except for solid formulations, the pesticide-laden particles likely originated from dust particles preexisting on the concrete before treatment and the disintegration of the surficial concrete matter through weathering. We consequently tested a simple sponge-wipe method to collect and analyze the loose particles on concrete. Concurrent analyses (n = 30) showed an excellent linear correlation between the amount of pesticides transferrable to runoff water and that on the wipe (R(2) = 0.78, slope = 1.13 ± 0.11, P < 0.0001). The fact that the linear relationship has a slope close to 1.0 suggests that this method may be used to predict pesticide residues available for contaminating runoff water before runoff actually occurs. The importance of loose particles should be considered when developing practices to mitigate pesticide runoff contamination from urban residential areas.


Acylsilanes as a new type of "hard" carbon prenucleophile reacted with monosubstituted allyl reagents under Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation reaction conditions to provide products with high regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselectivities. The usefulness of the protocol has been demonstrated by the ready conversion of the allylated products into the corresponding alcohols, esters, and ketones with retention of stereochemistry as well as by the enantioselective synthesis of cis-3-ethyl-4-phenylpiperidine and cinnamomumolide.


Numerous basic drugs are extensively bound to α 1 -acid glycoprotein. Fentanyl, with a pK a value of 8.43, is also a basic drug. Protein binding studies have yielded contradictory results concerning binding of fentanyl to α 1 -acid glycoprotein. In this study we investigated time courses of serum protein concentrations and serum protein binding of fentanyl during postoperative acute phase reaction, assuming that an increase of α 1 -acid glycoprotein is accompanied by an increase of serum protein binding, if fentanyl is extensively bound to α 1 -acid glycoprotein. Fentanyl protein binding measurements using equilibrium dialysis can be affected by volume shifts and pH changes. Therefore, volume shifts from buffer to serum and the influence of various phosphate buffers on increasing pH due to loss of CO 2 were also evaluated. Methods. Thirteen patients with no history of renal or hepatic disease undergoing an operation with a significant acute phase reaction were studied. Preoperatively and on the first 3 postoperative days serum concentrations of α 1 -acid glycoprotein, albumin, total protein and apolipoprotein A and B were determined by rocket immunoeolectrophoresis, biuret method and laser nephelometry, respectively. Corresponding serum protein binding of fentanyl was measured by adding 40 ng of fentanyl to 1 ml serum followed by equilibrium dialysis at 37° C for 4 h. A 0.167 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.27), which gave a final pH of 7.40, was used. Volume shifts from buffer to serum were measured. Fentanyl concentration in serum before dialysis (F s ) was determined by gas chromatography, and fentanyl concentration in buffer after dialysis (F B ) was determined by radioimmunoassay. Serum protein binding (SPB) was calculated by the formula: SPB=(F S -F B -F B *C)/(F S -F B ) where c is a correction factor. Ten randomly selected patient sera were dialyzed against four phosphate buffers of different pH values and molarities, and the serum pH at the end of equilibrium dialysis was measured. Results. Postoperatively, the serum concentration of α 1 -acid glycoprotein rose to 151% of the control value. In contrast, serum protein binding of fentanyl did not change significantly, with a slight decrease to 96% of control value. There was a significant decrease in serum concentrations of albumin (3rd postoperative day), total protein (2nd postoperative day) and apolipoprotein B (lst-3rd postoperative day) to 85%, 90% and 75% of control values, respectively. Changes in apolipoprotein A concentration were not significant. Protein binding of fentanyl did not correlate with α 1 -acid glycoprotein and apolipoprotein A, but there was a positive linear relationship between protein binding of fentanyl and albumin, total protein and apolipoprotein B. At the end of equilibrium dialysis the mean volumes of the serum and buffer compartments were 1114±72 and 834 ± 68 μl, respectively. The two phosphate buffers, with pH 7.30 (0.15 M) and pH 7.27 (0.167 M), gave final serum pH of 7.42 and 7.40, respectively. Conclusions. Present findings suggest that in contrast to other basic drugs, fentanyl binding to α 1 -acid glycoprotein is of minor importance. In agreement with the findings of former studies, protein binding of fentanyl depended on albumin, total protein and apolipoprotein B concentrations. Due to unspecific binding of fentanyl by hydrophobic interactions, a major role of albumin, which amounts to about 60% of total protein, seems to be evident. Determining fentanyl protein binding by equilibrium dialysis, volume shifts must be taken into account if calculation is based on fentanyl concentrations in plasma (serum) and buffer after dialysis, and an appropriate buffer must be used.


Objective: To investigate the polyadenylation of mRNA in E. coli. Methods: The mRNA of E. coli was enriched from the total RNA with oligo(dT)-cellulose, prior to reverse transcription using oligo(dT)18 as the primer. Double-stranded cDNA was subsequently synthesized, which was subjected to digestion with Sau3A. I to produce multiple gene fragments for ligation with the adapters. PCR was carried out in 10 groups according to 10 different pairs of the selective primers, and the PCR products were then cloned into T-vectors. Results: More than 100 gene fragments had been cloned, 30 of which were sequenced. Conclusion: Polyadenylation of E. coli mRNA may not be a biochemical curiosity but a general attribute of bacterial mRNA.


The binding energies, geometric structures and electronic properties of molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) molecule encapsulated inside (8,0), (9,0), (10,0) and (14,0) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT) method. Due to curvature effect, the calculated binding energy values are different, the variation of which indicated that the stability of MoO3 /SWNT systems increases with increasing the radius of SWNTs. At the same time, owing to the presence of MoO3 molecule, the band gap of MoO3 /SWNTs systems decreases. The analysis of density of states (DOS) reveals hybridization between C-2p and Mo-4d and between C-2p and O-2p orbitals near the Fermi level, which results in electron transfer from SWNTs to MoO3 molecule. The present computations suggest that electronic properties of SWNTs can be modified by doping MoO3 molecule.


A 1.1mW 87dB dynamic range 3rd order ΔΣ modulator is implemented in 0.18 µm CMOS technology for the audio applications. By adopting a feed-forward multi-bit topology, the signal swing at the output of the first integrator can be suppressed and only one simple current mirror single-stage OTA with 34dB DC gain is used in the first integrator. The prototype modulator achieves 87dB DR and 83.8dB peak SNDR across the bandwidth from 100Hz to 24 KHz with 3 KHz input signal.


Myocardial infarction (MI) results in the death of cardiomyocytes (CM), which causes scar formation and pathological remodeling of the heart. The delivery of healthy myocytes or bone marrow cells reduces pathological remodeling after MI, however, current cell injection methods have low cell survival rates and high cell loss. The main objective of this work was to develop a novel hydrogel that can promote survival of CMs. Photocrosslinkable azidobenzoic acid modified chitosan (Az-chitosan) was conjugated with the angiopoietin-1-derived peptide, QHREDGS. This novel peptide is thought to mediate attachment and survival responses of CM to angiopoietin-1 via integrin binding. Thin layers of Az-chitosan, Az-chitosan-QHREDGS, and Az-chitosan-DGQESHR (scrambled peptide control) were spin coated on glass slides and photocrosslinked with application of UV light (365 nm). Neonatal rat heart cells cultured up to 5 days, demonstrated significantly higher attachment and viability on Az-chitosan-QHREDGS compared to cells on other hydrogel controls. Surfaces were also stained for the CM-specific marker troponin I, demonstrating significantly higher percentage of CMs on Az-chitosan-QHREDGS compared to Az-chitosan. The cells cultivated on Az-chitosan-QHREDGS demonstrated significantly lower levels of caspase 3/7 activation after taxol treatment in comparison to cells cultivated on the control hydrogels, glass substrate, or Az-chitosan linked to RGD, an established integrin binding peptide that did not protect against apoptosis. Thus, Az-chitosan-QHREDGS supports attachment and survival of neonatal rat heart cells.


The granitic and leucogranitic Yas and Schuitdrift Gneisses occur together as a large ovoid pre-tectonic batholith that crosses the Orange River border between South Africa and Namibia. They occur in the central parts of the Kakamas Domain in the Namaqua Sector of the Namaqua-Natal Metamorphic Province where they intrude, and are deformed together with, slightly older (~1.21 Ga) orthogneisses and granulite-facies metapelitic gneisses. The Yas Gneiss occurs mainly on the outer perimeter and northern parts of the batholith and comprises equigranular leucogranite gneiss and biotite granite augen orthogneiss, whereas the Schuitdrift biotite-hornblende augen gneiss is located at the centre and southern parts of the batholith. The batholith is strongly deformed with penetrative Namaqua-aged gneissic fabrics defined by grain-flattening of quartz and feldspar in the equigranular leucogneisses and aligned K-feldspar megacrysts in the augen gneisses. The gneissic fabric is refolded during a large-scale folding event that results in the dome-shape of the batholith and controls the present outcrop pattern of its various components. Flexure along the margins of the batholith refoliated the gneisses into a zone of mylonitic rocks. The Yas and Schuitdrift Gneisses have similar geochemistry and classify as alkali granites and alkali leucogranites. They are felsic (mean SiO2: 74.5 wt%) and potassic (mean K2O: 5.8 wt%) but have low MgO, CaO and Na2O, reflecting their low mafic mineral and plagioclase contents. The Schuitdrift Gneiss yielded U-Pb zircon ages of 1 191 ± 7 and 1 187 ± 6 Ma.


On the basis of 38 spiroveloergometries performed in 20 patients with chronic bronchitis (ChB) there have been calculated energy characteristics of the function of the cardiorespiratory system (power of the heart, respiratory muscles and erythron, effectiveness of capturing of oxygen in the cardiac, pulmonary, erythron links and in the oxygen transport system as a whole) while they were doing their graded exercise. Mathematical simulation (factor analysis) permitted identification of two levels of work load (> and < 80 Wt) differing widely in their physiological and energy maintenance. A conclusion is substantiated and validated that loads under 80 Wt appear to be preferable, corresponding to the area of optimal, in terms of energy maintenance, functioning of the cardiorespiratory system of ChB patients (strategy of increasing the oxygen consumption at the expense of the predominant augmentation of the adequate volume in proportion to enlargement of the stroke volume).


The influences of F-strain Mycoplasma gallisepticum (FMG) vaccine inoculation during the pullet period on the subsequent productive and reproductive performance of parent broiler chicken breeders on a multi-age farm were evaluated. Three thousand breeders were randomly divided into 2 treatment groups that were either vaccinated with FMG (FMG-vaccinated group) or not vaccinated with FMG (FMG-free group). Body weight and egg production were determined through approximately 50 wk of age. Egg weight and feed conversion was determined at 26, 32, 35, 38, and 43 wk of age. Egg quality parameters, including eggshell strength, egg-specific gravity, egg shape index, blood-meat spots, Haugh unit score, eggshell thickness, yolk:albumen ratio, percentage yolk, albumen and eggshell weights, and percentage fertility, hatchability, and second-quality chicks were determined at 26, 32, and 43 wk of age. Air sacs were examined and lesions were scored at 20, 32, and 50 wk of age. The number of mature ovarian follicles, histologies of ovary, and lengths, and histologies of the infundibulum, magnum, isthmus, uterus, and vagina were determined. In the present study, an increase in egg production of broiler breeder hens in the FMG-vaccinated group during peak of lay was compared with the FMG-free group. Feed conversion of hens in the FMG-vaccinated group was significantly less at 32, 35, 38, and 43 wk of age. Eggs from hens in the FMG-vaccinated group had a significantly higher Haugh units score at 26 wk of age and had a significantly higher eggshell thickness and lower incidence of blood-meat spots at 32 wk. Hatching eggs from hens in the FMG-vaccinated group had a significantly higher hatchability. The mean lesion score of air-sac lesion of birds in the FMG-vaccinated group was significantly less than FMG-vaccinated group. Uteruses of hens in the FMG-vaccinated group had a significantly longer length compared with the FMG-free group at 32 wk of age. The results indicate that inoculation of commercial parent broiler chicken breeders with the FMG vaccine before laying may prevent infection by field M. gallisepticum, and facilitate productive and reproductive performance.


Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important cause of liver disease in patients with thalassemia. Standard treatment for adult patients without thalassemia is pegylated interferon-alfa (PEG) and ribavirin, but has been contraindicated in patients with thalassemia due to ribavirin-induced hemolysis, with associated increase in transfusion requirement and iron loading. This study examines whether increased iron burden accelerates liver, heart, and endocrine disease, increases the risk of antiviral treatment in these patients, and influences response to therapy. An open-label, single arm trial of PEG (180 μg/week) and ribavirin (~16mg/kg/day) was performed through the NIH-sponsored Thalassemia Clinical Research Network. Patients were treated for 24 weeks (genotypes 2&3) or 48 weeks (genotype 1). Iron burden was measured as liver iron concentration (LIC) in dry weight biopsy samples and HCV-RNA levels by using the Roche COBAS HCV Tests (qualitative and quantitative). Safety for iron-related toxicities was assessed by liver pathology, cardiac echo and ECG, fasting blood sugar and thyroid function tests. Standard PEG/ribavirin toxicities were followed using biochemical parameters, vision and hearing tests, and adverse event monitoring. 21 patients (48% male, mean age 32y, 15 genotype 1, 6 genotype 2 or 3) were enrolled and started treatment. 4 participants discontinued between weeks 4 through 12 [death from presumed sepsis, persistent cough, extreme fatigue, and pregnant spouse], and 1 participant dropped out at 36 weeks. Transfusion requirement had increased by 40% after 24 weeks (range: −5 to 68 %) in all participants and by 31% after 48 weeks (range: −2 to 77%) in participants with genotype 1. Week 48 liver biopsies were obtained in 14 /16 patients. The mean baseline LIC was 11.2 mg/g (range: 1.1 to 44.1) and did not change significantly at 48 weeks (median increase: 1.7 mg/g). LIC increased in 29% (4/14) of participants by more than 5 mg/g. Ejection fraction remained stable over 48 weeks (range: −15 to +17 %) and no pathologic arrhythmias were reported. No participants developed diabetes mellitus or thyroid disease. A ≥ 2 log HCV-RNA reduction was achieved by week 4 in all participants with genotype 2 or 3, and in 47% by week 4 and 73% by week 12 in those with genotype 1. Although end of treatment viral response (ETR) in genotype 2 or 3 was 100 % (4/4), 75% did not obtain sustained viral response (SVR; HCV undetectable in blood six months after treatment). In contrast, genotype 1 participants had ETR of 75% (9/12) and SVR of 55% (6/11). No significant correlations were found in baseline LIC, baseline HCV-RNA level, or change in transfusion requirement with ETR or SVR. In summary, baseline LIC was not a predictor of early or SVR. Response rates for participants with genotype 1 were similar to the non-thalassemia population. Genotype 2 or 3 patients appear to have a lower SVR rate after 24 weeks of therapy; therefore, 48 weeks of therapy should be considered. Despite an increase in iron burden in some participants, combination therapy did not appear to pose significant iron-related safety issues. (Study medications provided by Hoffmann-La Roche).