ABSTRACT

Hyperurisemia is a condition when uric acid level in blood above normal value. It is caused by increasing of uric acid production or decreasing of uric acid excretion, 90% of hyperurisemia caused by decreasing of uric acid excretion. Pyrazinamide is one of first line drugs for anti-tuberculosis, more than one-third people worldwide has tuberculosis. Two million people died because of tuberculosis every year. A cohort retrospective study revealed, one of 4 major side effects in tuberculosis theraphy is hyperurisemia that is induced by pyrazinamide. Mechanism, diagnosis and management of pyrazinamide induced hyperurisemia in tuberculosis patients are important to be known.


A ac distribution system is very common in various commercial installations. Most of the loads require front end ac-dc converter to interact with the ac system. Also, various storage systems and renewable sources connect to the ac system through dc-ac converters. These multistage conversions in the power flow path from renewable sources and storage systems to the loads reduce system efficiency. In view of this, an ac distribution system can be replaced by a dc distribution system within a commercial facility to improve overall system efficiency. This paper proposes a module integrated dc-dc converter for integration of a photovoltaic (PV) source with a dc distribution system. Current-fed topology is suggested to avoid limitations associated with large energy storage capacitor. The converter injects very low ripple, continuous current into the dc microgrid. Effect of converter switching ripple at low insolation levels is analyzed. Use of L-C filter at the converter front end is proposed, to improve power extraction at low insolation levels. This modification also enables utilization of non-dissipative snubber circuits. The converter allows large voltage step-up ratio, suitable for integration of low voltage PV module with high voltage dc micro-grid. It has compact size and high reliability. The steady state and dynamic performance of the converter are studied through computer simulations and experimental tests.


Increasing evidence indicates that many published findings in psychology may be overestimated or even false. An often-heard response to this "replication crisis" is to replicate more: replication studies should weed out false positives over time and increase robustness of psychological science. However, replications take time and money – resources that are often scarce. In this chapter, I propose an efficient alternative strategy: a four-step robustness check that first focuses on verifying reported numbers through reanalysis before replicating studies in a new sample.


The decay of 176,182,188,196Pt* compound systems formed in 64Ni+112,118,124Sn and 132Sn+64Ni reactions is studied by using the well established dynamical cluster‐decay model (DCM), with effects of quadrupole deformations (β2) and "optimum" orientations for hot (compact) configurations included. Our calculations indicate that the mass fragmentation yields change from predominantly symmetric to predominantly asymmetric with the increase in number of neutrons in Pt* nuclei. The comparison between the experiments and DCM calculations are excellent for evaporation residue cross‐sections at both the below and above barrier energies, but the fission data show a significant quasi‐fission component at the highest one or two energies.


Abstract The role of the ambient stratification in semigeostrophic surface frontogenesis is examined. Model fronts forming in regions of large static stability 1) are weaker, 2) are tilted more toward the horizontal, and 3) propagate more slowly toward the warm air than fronts forming in regions of small static stability. These results are discussed in light of the differences between warm and cold fronts.


The Outbreak of war in August 1914 naturally gave a fillip to the development of aeronautics and to building up research teams at the NPL and at the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough. I was one of the earlier war-time recruits, in September 1914, engaged—after a mere assurance that I did believe in aeroplanes—by the enthusiast E. T. Busk, who was to lose his life so tragically when the BE2c he was flying caught fire on the 5th November 1914. At Farnborough I found a Cambridge contemporary of the Mechanical Sciences Tripos 1914, H. L. Stevens, who had joined before the outbreak of war, R. H. Mayo, Geoffrey Taylor, Melvill Jones, who had abandoned work on airships for Vickers, and F. M. Green from the motor trade on engines.


Polyfunctional ribozymes targeting more than one RNA might be ideal for treatment of diseases caused by the expression of more than one mRNA. This is the case of Graft versus Host Disease, which in the mouse model is due to the action of two proteins responsible for different lytic pathways: perforin and fasligand. We have created a bifunctional ribozyme fusing two antiperforin and antifas-ligand hammerhead ribozymes with a stretch of CA dinucleotides. This bifunctional ribozyme is able to recognize and cleave in vitro perforin and fas-ligand mRNA in a specific and selective fashion, with a catalytic efficiency similar to that of its individual components.


SUMMARY: The application of immunofluorescent techniques for the detection and identification of Haemophilus vaginalis in vaginal secretions by using fluorescent H. vaginalis antiglobulin (strains nos. 317, 4984) were found to be as specific and sensitive as cultural methods and had the advantage of being simple and rapid.


The Borobudur Temple tourism is targeted by the Indonesian government as one of the "Ten New Bali" in 2025. Currently, the service quality in Borobudur Temple is still perceived as low by tourists, which is shown in many bad reviews on social media, reflecting the lack of visitor satisfaction in Borobudur Temple, especially during the pandemic Covid-19 and the new normal era. Therefore, it is crucial to explore the factors that affect visitor's satisfaction in order to improve the tourism service quality in Borobudur Temple during the Covid-19 pandemic and the new normal era. Four pillars of tourism namely attraction, accessibility, amenity, and ancillary are analyzed using a Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) approach to formulating the best configurations model to improve the visitor's satisfaction. This research found the configurational model that consists of two factors combinations that produces a high visitor satisfaction and three factors combinations that result in low visitor satisfaction. Further analyses are made based on those configurational models to propose service quality improvements in Borobudur Temple.


We present an angular superresolution method for light fields captured with a sparse camera array. Our method uses local dictionaries extracted from a sampling mask for upsampling a sparse light field to a dense light field by applying compressed sensing reconstruction. We derive optimal sampling masks by minimizing the coherence for representative global dictionaries. The desired output perspectives and the number of available cameras can be arbitrarily specified. We show that our method yields qualitative improvements compared to previous techniques.


Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. and microsporidia are important intestinal protozoa responsible for diarrhea in humans and other mammals. China is a major chicken-raising country, and studies on these protozoa in chickens have important public health significance. Here, we investigated the prevalence and genetic characterization of these parasites in chickens from Ezhou City, Hubei Province, China. In total, 206 stool specimens were collected from chickens in four villages of Ezhou between July 2014 and February 2015. Genomic DNA of each specimen was tested by nested PCR based on the Cryptosporidium small subunit rRNA gene, the Giardia intestinalis triose phosphate isomerase gene, and the internal transcribed spacer of the Enterocytozoon bieneusi rRNA gene, respectively. The public health significance of G. intestinalis and E. bieneusi identified in our study was evaluated via phylogenetic analysis. The infection rates were determined to be 2.43% (5/206), 8.25% (17/206), and 1.94% (4/206) for Cryptosporidium, G. intestinalis, and E. bieneusi, respectively. One sample showed coinfection with G. intestinalis and E. bieneusi. Meanwhile, sequence analysis of the PCR-positive samples showed that the Cryptosporidium was C. baileyi, G. intestinalis was assemblage C, and E. bieneusi was genotype D and novel genotype EZ0008. This is the first report of zoonotic G. intestinalis assemblage C in chickens in the world, and the first report of zoonotic E. bieneusi genotype D in chickens in China. These findings indicate new transmission dynamics and molecular epizootiology.


Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignancy of the bone occurring mostly in children and adolescents. Alterations and mutations to genes associated with proliferation and differentiation increase the risk of OS tumourigenicity. Reprogramming of OS cells to a more primitive stage could be useful to study and understand OS pathogenesis. By using retroviral OSKM, the Yamanaka factors, two OS cell lines, G-292 and Saos-2, were reprogrammed to pluripotency. Colonies from the reprogrammed OS, designated as iG-292 and iSaos-2, showed ESC-like morphology, expressed pluripotency markers, formed embryoid body-like spheres, expressed markers from three germ layers and showed the ability to differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes. However, in vivo study showed teratoma formation only in iG-292. Hierarchical clustering analysis from global gene expression profile of both parental and reprogrammed OS demonstrated distinctive separation of two clusters of population. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were further grouped into DNA repair, cell cycle and apoptosis pathways. Our data showed that iG-292 displayed more DEGs than iSaos-2 in these three pathways. The ability to repair DNA damage in cells is regarded as a crucial process to protect genome integrity and to suppress tumourigenesis. There are no reports on DNA Damage Response (DDR) pathways of reprogrammed cancer cells. OS has been linked to DNA mutation and are known to be resistant to DDR. Thus, this study is essential to gather valuable and novel information on OS pathogenesis, in particular DDR, for future therapeutic intervention. Keywords: : Osteosarcoma, DDR


In group decision-making problems it is common to elicit preferences from human experts in the form of pairwise preference relations. When this is extended to a fuzzy setting, entries in the pairwise preference matrix are interpreted to denote strength of preference, however once logical properties such as consistency and transitivity are enforced, the resulting preference relation requires almost as much information as providing raw scores or a complete order over the alternatives. Here we instead interpret fuzzy degrees of preference to only apply where the preference over two alternatives is genuinely fuzzy and then suggest an aggregation procedure that minimizes a generalized Kemeny distance to the nearest complete or partial order. By focusing on the fuzzy partial order, the method is less affected by differences in the natural scale over which an expert expresses their preference, and can also limit the influence of extreme scores.


Introduction: Although it has been shown that voluntary activation (%VA) of the knee extensors during isometric contractions can be reliably assessed with the interpolated twitch technique, little is known about the reliability of %VA during concentric and eccentric muscle actions. Therefore, relative and absolute intersession reliability of quadriceps muscle's %VA during different contraction modes was determined. Methods: After a familiarization session, 21 participants (17 males, 25 ± 2 yrs) completed two testing sessions. Paired supramaximal electrical stimuli were administered to the femoral nerve during isometric, concentric, eccentric MVCs, and at rest to assess %VA (stimuli were applied at 70° knee flexion). Results and discussion: Data indicate that %VA of the knee extensors can be reliably measured during isometric [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.89, coefficient of variation (CV) = 4.1%], concentric (ICC = 0.87, CV = 6.6%), and eccentric muscle actions (ICC = 0.86, CV = 7.0%). Muscle Nerve 56: 324–327, 2017


A mild and catalyst-free sunlight induced protocol for the remote meta bromination of electron-deficient indoles is described for the first time. Herein, N-bromosaccharin is activated by sunlight irradiation. Alternately, a synergistic activation model (Sc(OTf)3/HFIP) has also been developed for the activation of haloniums, complementary to the light induced strategy. In addition, the cascade C6-H bromination and benzylic C-H oxidation under photocatalytic conditions was also discussed. High regio-and chem-selectivity, mild reaction conditions, and scalability demonstrate great potential of the developed methods in practical applications and further functionalization.


This diploma thesis deals with the issue of quality in shipping. The concept of quality in shipping is of course complex. It affects, but is also influenced by many factors in the shipping industry and, above all, the safety and the security issue. The aim of this diploma thesis is to complete an analytical, holistic approach to quality assessment in the field of shipping. This is done through the collection and processing of historical statistical data, along with the analysis of the relevant international institutional framework (International Regulations - Conventions), the evolution of the current status (Certifications - International Standards), the methods and the tools of the quality assessment (Internal Audits/Self Assessment - KPIs - Benchmarking - External Inspections/Surveys) and instances of exploitation of innovation in the maritime industry. Additionally, the detailed quality assessment of shipping completes by analyzing a specific case (case study) so that a more realistic approach to this concept can be achieved.


We aimed at extending the repertoire of high-quality miRNA normalizers for reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) of human plasma with special emphasis on the extremely guanine-cytosine-rich portion of the miRNome. For high-throughput selection of stable candidates, microarray technology was preferred over small-RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq) since the latter underrepresented miRNAs with a guanine-cytosine (GC) content of at least 75% (p = 0.0002, n = 2). miRNA abundances measured on the microarray were ranked for consistency and uniformity using nine normalization approaches. The eleven most stable sequences included miRNAs of moderate, but also extreme GC content (45%–65%: miR-320d, miR-425-5p, miR-185-5p, miR-486-5p; 80%–95%: miR-1915-3p, miR-3656-5p, miR-3665-5p, miR-3960-5p, miR-4488-5p, miR-4497 and miR-4787-5p). In contrast, the seven extremely GC-rich miRNAs were not found in the two plasma miRNomes screened by sRNA-seq. Stem-loop RT-qPCR was employed for stability verification in 32 plasma samples of healthy male Caucasians (age range: 18–55 years). In general, inter-individual variance of miRNA abundance was low or very low as indicated by coefficient of variation (CV) values of 0.6%–8.2%. miR-3665 and miR-1915-3p outperformed in this analysis (CVs: 0.6 and 2.4%, respectively). The eight most stable sequences included four extremely GC-rich miRNAs (miR-1915-3p, miR-3665, miR-4787-5p and miR-4497). The best-performing duo normalization factor (NF) for the condition of human plasma, miR-320d and miR-4787-5p, also included a GC-extreme miRNA. In summary, the identification of extremely guanine-cytosine-rich plasma normalizers will help to increase accuracy of PCR-based miRNA quantification, thus raise the potential that miRNAs become markers for psychological stress reactions or early and precise diagnosis of clinical phenotypes. The novel miRNAs might also be useful for orthologous contexts considering their conservation in related animal genomes.


Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify education, attitudes and beliefs, interest and perceived role, self-efficacy and barriers to physical therapists` implementation of evidence-based practice for people with stroke. Methods The participants were 120 physical therapists providing services to people with stroke in Gwang-ju. The questionnaire contained items to evaluate practitioner and organizational characteristics and perceptions of research considered to influence evidence-based practice. The prevalence of practitioner and organizational factors was estimated using percentages. Logistic regression was used to examine relationships between sociodemographic and practice characteristics and each practitioner factor. Results 40% of respondents had learned the foundations of EBP in their academic preparation or received training in searching or appraising research literature. 88.3% agreed that research findings are useful. Self-efficacy ratings were 45%. Conclusion Lack of education, negative perceptions about research and physical therapists` role in evidencebased practice, and low self-efficacy to perform EBP activities represent barriers to implementating EBP for people with stroke that can be addressed through continuing education.


Surgical treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer has been reported to be associated with increased mortality, especially when pneumonectomy has been employed. A 9‐year review of 81 patients treated surgically, with a policy of avoiding pneumonectomy and using internal radiation and wedge excisions rather than lobectomy among patients with impaired reserve, resulted in an operative mortality of 4.9% compared with an overall mortality of 2.1%. Three of the four deaths were among patients older than 80 3/17 (17.6%) years so that mortality of patients 70 < age < 80 was not significantly different from overall mortality. Two of the four deaths were related to pulmonary emboli but there have been no such deaths since routine use of mini‐heparin was initiated in 1990. Five‐year survival was 42% overall, 65% for stage I, and 24% for stages II‐IIIB. We conclude that surgical treatment of patients 70 < age < 80 may be accomplished with similar mortality and survival as the overall population. Heparin prophylaxis may be especially important among patients older than 80 years. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


We consider a Large Eddy Simulation model for a homogeneous incompressible Newtonian fluid in a box space domain with periodic boundary conditions on the lateral boundaries and homogeneous Dirichlet conditions on the top and bottom boundaries, thus simulating a horizontal channel. The model is obtained through the application of an anisotropic horizontal filter, which is known to be less memory consuming from a numerical point of view, but provides less regularity with respect to the standard isotropic one defined as the inverse of the Helmholtz operator.
It is known that there exists a unique regular weak solution to this model that depends weakly continuously on the initial datum. We show the existence of the global attractor for the semiflow given by the time-shift in the space of paths. We prove the continuity of the horizontal components of the flow under periodicity in all directions and discuss the possibility to introduce a solution semiflow.


An experiment was conducted at, School of Chemical Sciences Department of Chemistry, St. John's College Agra, in factorial randomized block design by using different concentrations of RSC rich irrigation water (viz, 0, 5, 10 and 15 meq/l) with an aim to know the "oil content and growth characters of lemongrass with respect to iron Pyrite and RSC rich irrigation water". The chemical ameliorant pyrite in lemongrass was applied through basal appl ication @ 0, 5 and 10 t/ha at the time of the transplanting. The results showed that the oil content and growth characters of lemongrass decreased significantly with increasing levels of RSC on the other hand enhancing levels of pyrite significantly increased all the above characters but Pyrite did not show appreciable performance in case of plant height. The P2 (10 t/ha) level of pyrite proved more beneficial with regards to herbage yield of lemongrass.


Thank you for that kind introduction - and for inviting me here today. It's a pleasure to be back at AU, and a privilege to join so many experts, essential partners, and good friends in advancing one of the most important conversations currently facing government and private sector leaders across the country.At the Justice Department's National Security Division, there is little we do that is more important than working on how the government can partner with private companies to protect our nation and its people better - from terrorism, from cyber-attacks, and from a range of other malicious activities.This past December, I attended a ceremony marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, which claimed the lives of 259 people on the plane and 11 on the ground. 189 were Americans. It was the deadliest act of terror against the United States prior to September 11th.The families and friends of those who were lost came together that winter day at Arlington National Cemetery to recall the event that changed their lives forever. They spoke movingly of loved ones who had been on board that plane, many of whom were American college students flying home for the holidays.On December 21, 1988, instead of reuniting with their companions and loved ones, they heard news reports of a catastrophic explosion and wreckage strewn over miles of the Scottish countryside. Shortly thereafter, they learned, as did the rest of the world, that terrorists were to blame.There was a call for justice - to find the perpetrators and hold them responsible. And there was also a call for new security measures designed to stop another attack from happening.At the ceremony last winter, former Secretary of Labor Ann McLaughlin Korologos spoke of her experience leading the seven-member Presidential Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism that was formed a few months after the attack to investigate what went wrong. Eighteen months after Lockerbie, that Commission issued a report calling for national attention to our aviation security system, and identifying a host of specific proposals intended to harden our nation's airline security and keep all Americans safe - both at airports and in the skies.Many of these measures did not become reality. Interest faded, attention waned - and so did political and social will. Twelve years later, the horror of 9/11 changed that. It reinvigorated the focus on aviation security - and the 9/11 Commission called for many of the same security measures called for in the wake of Lockerbie. This time, almost all of them were implemented.Today, national leaders in both government and private industry must apply the lessons we learned from unspeakable tragedies like these, and from decades of effective counterterrorism policy, to business action in cyberspace. It is imperative that we take action promptly, without waiting for a galvanizing tragedy. We can work together to change norms now- not in the wake of an immensely damaging terrorist cyber-attack. In doing so, we will have a much better chance of preventing such an attack from ever taking place.I grew up in New York City, a place where you can experience the anonymity now enjoyed by so many on the Internet. And when I was a kid, the NYPD sent an officer to our school who told us how to conduct ourselves on the streets of New York.Our version of Officer Friendly told us to look both ways when we crossed the street. Of course, he told us not to make eye contact with people on the street-which was pretty standard advice back then.As a kid, that seemed to make total sense. Decades later, New York City is now one of the safest major cities on the planet. And when we look back at that advice, it seems crazy that there was a consensus of blaming the victim for making eye contact. These days, on the internet, we tell our kids to beware of chatting with individuals they don't know, to avoid certain websites or apps. …


As a kind of policy tools with strong Chinese characteristics, Mobilized Governance has a deep historical origin. Moreover, it has become the preference of public governors when they faced with internal public issues. This paper based on the case analysis of M city, in which taking a series of policy measures of "Mobilized Governance" in the process of constructing the National Sanitation City (Chuang Wei) to achieve policy objectives, and explores the intrinsic logic why "Mobilized Governance" has become the policy tool selection preference of public governors. And the final conclusion is that the path dependence of political mobilization, the limitation of policy resources, and the structural limitation of bureaucratic system are the reasons for this preference.


1) Forty-seven children were examined and treated because of psychotic signs during the last 13 years, 35 of them improved and the rest deteriorated. 2) Twelve deteriorated children had four similar symptoms in spite of different age of onset. These are fluid regressive motor play, compulsive tendency for the maintenance of sameness, autistic language disorder and body image disorder. 3) The author calls this illness regressive childhood psychosis, and it can occur between six and 10 years of age.


In this paper, we fully investigate cosmological scenarios in which dark matter is non-minimally coupled to an extra scalar degree of freedom. The interaction is realized by means of conformal and disformal terms in the transformed gravitational metric. Considering linear perturbation theory, we show that the growth rate of dark matter differs from the uncoupled case and that the well-known Kaiser formula undergoes modification. As a result, redshift space distortion measurements cease to be a direct probe of the linear growth rate of total matter, since the distortion factor has an extra, coupling-dependent term. We study the effect of the coupling in three cosmological models, two conformally and one disformally coupled, and forecast the constraints on the coupling, and other cosmological parameters, from future galaxy surveys.


4-hydroxycarbophenyl retiamide (R II) is a new synthetic analogue of retinol, but with lower toxicity than retinoic acid. We studied its induction effects and its effects on some malignant phenotypes of the MFC cell line. The mechanism of these effects was also explored. MFC cells were grown in complete RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10(-5) mol/L R II for five passages. By then the cell growth rate slowed down; the rate of 3H-TdR incorporation and the colony-forming capacity of MFC cells decreased; morphologically, the cells became epithelial rather than fibroblastic with various degrees of polarization. Further investigation about the mechanism of these changes was also undergone. First by flow cytometry, it was shown that the R II-treated cells were retained in G1 phase. Second, dot blot hybridization showed a decrease of more than 61% of c-myc mRNA and an increase of more than 52% of v-fos mRNA. The major chromosome distribution changed from 54-56 to 46-54 with an increase in diploid. Scanning microscopic examination showed that the R II-treated cells were covered by numerous microvilli and pseudopodia with round terminal expansion in contrast to the ruffle protrusions and leaf-like pseudopodia of control cells. All the results suggested that R II could reverse some malignant phenotypes of MFC cells.


This article examines Islamic political governance in Indonesia. Islamic political revival began in the reform era. Reform era provides democratic space for national political parties and local political parties in exploring democracy in the regions. Islamic politics in the region has different forms in carrying it out and does not lose the side of locality because it is in accordance with the socio-cultural conditions of the local community. Islamic politics in kediri by adjusting the socio-cultural condition the people tidak kagetan so that the form of Islamic politics kediri is an tolerant. Politics Islamic in sumenep etnic islam politics with the philosophy "bhuppa', bhabu', guru, rato" the from of leadership respect the kiai as a teacher and rules. Islamic politics in aceh with characteristics maintains Islamic politics in accordance with Allah provisions.


A 38-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of fever, general malaise, and abnormal blood count. The white blood cell count was 19,500/µl, with 72% lymphoblast. Bone marrow examination showed increased cellularity with 94% lymphoblast. Flow cytometry revealed the following T-cell lineages: cyCD3 (+), CD5 (+), CD7 (+), and CD34 (+). Chromosome analysis revealed hypodiploidy. The patient was diagnosed with early T-cell precursor lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL). After two cycles of induction chemotherapy, she achieved complete remission, but the disease relapsed after one cycle of consolidation therapy. At the time of relapse, leukemic cells were myeloperoxidase positive and showed a loss of T-cell surface antigen, suggesting that a lineage switch occurred. The patient did not respond to the second induction therapy. She subsequently received 3+7 (idarubicin+cytarabine) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but she deceased due to refractory leukemia. At the time of relapse, genome sequencing was performed and mutations of NRAS, TP53, and MLLT-PICALM fusion genes were revealed. Here, we report a case of ETP-ALL who relapsed with a lineage switch to AML in concordance with refractory disease.


This article aims to test the relevance of learning through Genetic Algorithms (GA) and Learning Classifier Systems (LCS), in opposition with fixed R&D rules, in a simplified version of the evolutionary industry model of Nelson and Winter. These three R&D strategies are compared from the points of view of industry performance (welfare): the results of simulations clearly show that learning is a source of technological and social efficiency.


A research dietitian summarises the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet as suggested by recent research. Reasons for the current shortfall in intakes are explained and readily available dietary sources of omega-3s given. Although the public is now better educated about saturated and unsaturated fats, health professionals need to give people more guidance on the sources and health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet.


Online periodic self-testing is a cost-effective technique to ensure correct operation of microprocessor-based systems in the field and improve their dependability in the presence of failures caused by components aging/wearout. Effective online self-test tasks in embedded systems should have limited resource requirements: memory, execution time, and power consumption, while at the same time, they should guarantee the highest possible self-test quality levels. These requirements are not always easy to satisfy in real-time embedded systems with hard task deadlines. In this paper, we investigate the maximization of the effective self-test utilization and present solutions for the scheduling of online self-test tasks in hard real-time systems. The primary goal is to guarantee high self-test quality without affecting the deadline requirements of normal hard real-time tasks. We show that with appropriate selection of the periodicity of the self-test tasks, these goals can be met.


A low-cost cashew-nut cracker was designed, fabricated, and tested. Materials of construction were locally available and the cost affordable to peasant farmers in Nigeria. The machine consists of the main frame; a 600 mm x 900 mm mild steel table and a cracking jug assembly composed of the assembling plate; and the pillar pole, cutting case, knives or blades, hand lever, and springs (tension and return). The machine was tested using small, medium, and large nuts (the three sizes of the cashew nut). Machine efficiencies were obtained as 69.4, 75.5, and 75.7% for the three sizes, respectively. From the results obtained, it was concluded that even a simple device, such as the one fabricated, would considerably improve the capacity for processing cashew nut in Nigeria.


Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the second most common cause of death from cancer worldwide (745 000 deaths). Since 2008, HCC is the cancer with the highest mortality rate (0.95).[1] Nowadays, the only systemic treatment that has demonstrated a real benefit in advanced HCC is Sorafenib, but it remains associated with many side effects and this therapy is still very expensive. So, it is desirable to offer a treatment more efficient, and cheaper.
Many studies showed the overexpression in tumor tissue, and especially in HCC cases, of somatostatin receptors in contrast to healthy cells. [2, 3] That's why, these kind of receptors are interesting for tumor targeting, either for imaging or for therapy. Indeed, selective localization or destruction of cancer cells by means of such radiolabelled bioconjugates is a simple and attractive concept, based on the use of the recognition properties of biomolecules towards tumour cells (magic bullet concept).[4] The challenge is to develop radiotracers, so-called radiopharmaceuticals, which consist in a three-parts system including a biomolecule, a bifunctional chelating agent (BCA) and a radioactive isotope which delivers γ or β- emission. To be efficient, this system must be stable in vivo in order to image and/or irradiate selectively the targeted tumour mass. Consequently, our challenge is to develop a targeting radiopharmaceutical with Rhenium-188 as destructive part, a tripodal N2O bifunctional chelator and as biovector, a synthetic somatostatin analogue.

In this communication, we reported our first results related to the development of a targeting radiopharmaceutical including: (i) the synthesis of original tripodal N2O BCAs based on a triazolyl moiety, these chelators being synthesised via a click chemistry approach [5], (ii) a complete structural study of corresponding non-radioactive tricarbonylrhenium complexes (iii) the first trials of coupling and of 188Re-labelling of the tripodal ligand (proof of concept).

References:
[1]            J. Ferlay, I. Soerjomataram, R. Dikshit, S. Eser, C. Mathers, M. Rebelo, D.M. Parkin, D. Forman, F. Bray, Int. J. Cancer, 2014, 136, E359–E386
[2]               J. C. Reubi, A. Zimmermann, S. Jonas, B. Waser, P. Neuhaus, U. Laderach, B. Widenmann, Gut, 1999, 45, 766-774
[3]            H. Reynaert, K. Rombouts, A. Vandermonde, D. Urbain, U. Kumar, P. Bioulac-Sage, M. Pinzani, J. Rosenbaum, A. Geerts, Gut, 2004, 53, 1180-1189
[4]            C.F. Ramogida, C. Orvig, Chem. Commun., 2013, 49, 4720-4739
[5]            S. Guizani, N. Malek-Saied, C. Picard, E. Benoist, M. Saidi, J. Label. Compd Radiopharm., 2014, 57, 158-163.


This research present the methodology, through which quantitative evaluation can be
made of the rate of impact of each optimization method on the dimensions of the subprocesses
within a business process. To that end, first of all the methods of
optimization of the sub-processes, four of the most often used dimensions in the
practice, as well as the four aspects of business optimization are presented. A
classification scheme has been drafted which reflecting the impact of the optimization
methods on the dimensions of the processes. Next, it describes the steps of
ascertaining the type of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method which must be
used - traditional AHP, triangular fuzzy AHP, trapezoidal fuzzy AHP or widetrapezoidal
fuzzy AHP, as well as of determining the membership function. Further,
the entire methodology is presented through an algorithm built of three main blocks.
The steps of performing the traditional and the fuzzified AHP methods are
considered. The essence of functioning of the presented methodology is described.


Xaluritamig (AMG 509) is a six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1)-targeted T-cell engager designed to facilitate lysis of STEAP1-expressing cancer cells, such as those in advanced prostate cancer. This first-in-human study reports monotherapy dose exploration for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), primarily taxane pretreated. Ninety-seven patients received ≥1 intravenous dose ranging from 0.001 to 2.0 mg weekly or every 2 weeks. MTD was identified as 1.5 mg i.v. weekly via a 3-step dose. The most common treatment-related adverse events were cytokine release syndrome (CRS; 72%), fatigue (45%), and myalgia (34%). CRS occurred primarily during cycle 1 and improved with premedication and step dosing. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and RECIST responses across cohorts were encouraging [49% PSA50; 24% objective response rate (ORR)], with greater frequency at target doses ≥0.75 mg (59% PSA50; 41% ORR). Xaluritamig is a novel immunotherapy for prostate cancer that has shown encouraging results supporting further development.

SIGNIFICANCE
Xaluritamig demonstrated encouraging responses (PSA and RECIST) compared with historical established treatments for patients with late-line mCRPC. This study provides proof of concept for T-cell engagers as a potential treatment for prostate cancer, validates STEAP1 as a target, and supports further clinical investigation of xaluritamig in prostate cancer.


The study examines the main character in Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects, Camille. It analyzes her personality influenced by the situation with her parents during her childhood. Accordingly, the issues that will be discussed are how Camille's fixation to the phallic stage which consists of the penis-envy and female Oedipus complex fixations is portrayed in the story, and how the phallic imageries in the novel represent Camille's desire or conflict with her parents. This study uses the Freudian psychoanalysis theory specifically regarding; the phallic stage, fixation, the phallic symbolization, and Eros and Thanatos. This study is a qualitative descriptive research. This study finds that Camille's behaviors are influenced by her phallic fixation. Her penis-envy highly supported by her libido attachment to her absent father and her fail identification with her mother makes her look for boys or man who are similar in attitude with her father, yearn for someone with fatherly figure, hostile towards her mother, and affects her femininity traits. The study finds that the phallic imagery such as elongated and sharp objects and her pull into it symbolizes the conflict and the desire with her parents in which she still channels her libido towards her father to gain "penis" substitute and her inability to identify with her mother. Her gravitation towards the phallic symbols also affects her Thanatos. The eventual resolved issue to her phallic fixation makes her focus on her Eros.


ABSTRACT Backgrund: A growing body of evidence suggests that activity of the stress-responsive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and its end-product cortisol also may be associated with perinatal emotional well-being. A number of preventive interventions, such as Yoga, targeting psychosocial and physiological risk factors for perinatal depression have utilized mind-body practices, which embody the idea that the mind interacts with the body to influence physical functioning, improve symptoms, and promote health. This study aimed to investigate effectiveness of prenatal yoga in reducing cortisol hormone in pregnancy Subjects and Method: This was a meta-analysis and systematic review. This study collected published articles during 2000 to 2020 from PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Proquest, and Chocrane electronic databases. The inclusion criteria were full text, randomized controlled trial, and prenatal yoga intervention. The study subjects were pregnant women who received prenatal yoga for 8 to 20 weeks. Outcome was cortisol hormone reduction during pregnancy. The selected articles were analyzed by PRISMA flow chart and RevMan 5.3. Results: 5 articles from America and Asia were met the inclusion criteria. This study had high heterogeneity (I2=88%; p<0.001). Therefore, this study used random effect model (REM). Prenatal yoga reduced cortisol level 0.59 times in pregnancy (Mean Difference= -0.59; 95% CI= 1.18 to 0.01; p= 0.050). Conclusion: Prenatal yoga is effective to reduce cortisol level in pregnant women. Keywords: prenatal yoga, cortisol hormone, pregnant women Correspondence: Shiva Aflahiyah. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36 A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the7thicph.05.47


The development of wireless communication networks worldwide has triggered an exponential growth in the number of wireless communication devices and sensors for applications such as e-health, automated control, environmental monitoring, energy management, and safety management. It is expected that, by 2020, the number of inter-connected devices on the planet may reach 50 billion. Recent efforts in nextgeneration communication system development aim at providing secure, ubiquitous, and high-speed communication with guaranteed quality of service (QoS). However, the related tremendous increase in the number of transmitters and receivers has also led to a huge demand for energy. A relevant technique for reducing the energy consumption of wireless devices is multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), since it offers extra degrees of freedom for more efficient resource allocation. In particular, multiuser MIMO, where a transmitter equipped with multiple antennas serves multiple single-antenna receivers, is considered an effective solution for realizing the potential performance gains offered by multiple antennas to improve the system spectral efficiency and reduce the transmit power. On the other hand, battery-powered mobile devices such as wireless sensors have been widely deployed and have become critical components of many wireless communication networks over the past decades. However, batteries have limited energy storage capacity and their replacement can be costly or even impossible, which creates a performance bottleneck in wireless networks. As a result, energy harvesting technology is foreseen as a viable solution to remove the last wires of wireless devices. The integration of energy harvesting (EH) capabilities into communication devices facilitates self-sustainability of energy limited communication systems. Solar, wind, hydroelectric, and piezoelectric are the major conventional energy sources for EH. For instance, energy harvesters for harvesting wind and solar energy have been successfully integrated into base station transmitters for providing communication services in remote areas [1]. However, the availability of these natural energy sources is usually limited by location, climate, and time of day. Besides, the implementation of conventional energy harvesters may be problematic and renewable energy from natural sources may not be


This study examines whether there is a price discovery type relationship between CDS and stock market at the level of 5 Eastern European countries for the period 2004-2014. The analysis follows the pattern of the financial time series: testing the structural breaks, the stationarity, cointegration and subsequently the development of VAR models. The study finds out that before and after the crisis, the stock market has played a crucial role in the price discovery phenomenon while during the financial crisis period and of the sovereign debts there has been an inverse relationship and the CDS has influenced the stock market.


Professional diving existed since antiquities when divers collected resources from the bottom of the seas and lakes. With technological advancements in the recent century, professional diving activities also increased significantly. Diving has many adverse effects on human physiology which are widely investigated in order to make dives safer. In this study, we focus on optimizing the breathing gas mixture minimizing the dive costs while ensuring the safety of the divers. The methods proposed in this paper are purely theoretical and divers should always have appropriate training and certificates. Also, divers should never perform dives without consulting to professionals and medical doctors with expertise in related fields.


Due to geographical proximity and historically long multi-faceted linkages between China, India and Nepal their foreign policy with each other is not distinctly independent but is mutually interdependent. This paper argues that Nepal's foreign policy has always prioritized maintaining balanced relation with these two nations for safeguarding its national interests, integrity and independence. While doing so it will also shed light upon how Nepal has age old and deep rooted relations between both China and India whereupon Nepal-China and Nepal-India relations have evolved through different circumstances, stages and periods till date.


Broadleaf coppice forests have the capacity to mitigate the threat posed by rockfall in many mountainous regions. Other forest types alike the rockfall protective effect is determined by the mechanical resistance of the coppice tree stems. In addition, the rockfall protective function of coppice forests is enhanced by specific stem aggregations (clumps) that have a rock interception and retention effect difficult to evaluate. The main objectives of this study are to quantify the mechanical resistance of small diameter coppice stems and to gain qualitative insight on breakage behavior. The aim is to supply data for more reliable assessments of the rockfall protective function of coppice forests with rockfall simulation models and to provide a basis for better estimating the rockfall protective effect of coppice clumps. To achieve these objectives we assessed the mechanical resistance of 73 beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) coppice stems using an impact pendulum device. We found an exponential relationship between the stem diameter at breast height (DBH) and mechanical resistance (loss of momentum or kinetic energy of the impactor during impact). Moreover, the results show that the high flexibility of the stems leads to relatively long lasting impacts and only negligible damage at the point of impact on the stem. As a result, the mechanical resistance of the stems is partly determined by impactor velocity and mass. These findings question the practicality of defining mechanical resistance by means of the change of momentum or energy of the impactor. Moreover, the results highlight the limits of upscaling or downscaling the data of this study to conclude for the mechanical resistance of beech trees of other than the tested dimensions. For the target DBH range the obtained dataset is nevertheless more reliable than data of previous studies, because the DBH specific impact process could be considered. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Dorothy Smith (1987) says investigations often begin with 'a feeling of uneasiness'. Smith's insistence of the importance of starting with women's standpoint, to redress the way in which women's lives have been negated or neglected in research, informs the methodological premise of this inquiry. The unease that prompted this project emerged in conversations I had with women diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder whilst working as a practitioner at a women's health centre. The frequency with which the discourses of biomedicine figured in these women's narrated experiences engendered a collective commitment to make problematic 'living with a label'. Loosely connected as mental health service recipients, the women I researched with are often positioned as 'subject' to an objective medical gaze. Disrupting dichotomies that these women are accustomed to in clinical settings, and destabilising notions of neutral and detached research, our investigations were contingent, reflexive and relational. Recognising that all were intrinsic to the knowledge production processes, this project was cast in the feminist 'with', rather than the 'on'. Together we explored how women read and respond to a psychiatric diagnosis in their daily lives, to generate understandings that can be used by the women who joined this project. This included close consideration of social relations shaping the lived actualities these women described, and their agency in sustaining and unsettling these. Acknowledging these women's capacity to have expertise not only as reporters, but as theorists too, experience and analysis were conflated in our explorations of 'living with a label'. Congruent with feminist philosophy, our methodology had a praxis orientation as well, 'to produce different knowledge and to produce knowledge differently' as Patti Lather (2001) suggests. The attendant opportunities to research the process of researching and contemplate how we might participate in change-oriented activities were thus integral to this project. Our experience of researching together, and allowing the 'researched' room to know and act, produced possibilities, and also created conundrums, perhaps less frequently encountered in more conventional research – all of which gave rise to celebration!


The field should have a representative and iconic place for the value of art. Representative and iconic became a common point of view of the community so easily recognized and emerging interest to try the various activities in it. However, the state of today's cultural park is not feasible to accommodate local art and cultural activities. Such inadequacy is evidenced by the decline of public interest. Therefore, it is necessary to rejuvenate the North Sumatra Cultural Park to function again as a forum capable of responding to the community's response to art and culture. North Sumatra Redevelopment expected to perform its function optimally as an art development of Medan city. Keyword: performance, culture, art, neo-vernacular.


This paper describes a subset of the findings of a simulation study conducted to explore the usefulness and usability of a prototype of the Surface Management System (SMS), designed to assist in expediting the movements of aircraft on the surface of a large airport. In particular, this paper focuses on the use of SMS by Traffic Management Coordinators (TMCs) in airport Air Traffic Control Towers. The overall study included three airport tower air traffic controllers supported by a traffic management coordinator working in a full mission simulation of air and surface traffic environment at the Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW). During each of nine one-hour runs of the simulation, the controllers at the four positions were responsible for approximately 120 airline aircraft preparing for departure or arriving at the airport. The findings include results of behavioral protocols, questionnaires completed by the subjects immediately after each run, and knowledge elicitation interviews with the controllers who served as the TMC or TMC Assistant during the simulation.


Assessing erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in farm workers across agricultural seasons can be used to monitor risks of pesticide exposure. We surveyed a total of 403 households in Nepal and adopted the Test-mate ChE Cholinesterase Test System to monitor AChE activity across season on the 127 individuals of the sampled households. The study aims to (i) document knowledge and practices of pesticide use among farmers and (ii) present the relationship between farmers' reported acute health symptoms and erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase depression. We found low levels of pesticide use hygiene and high levels of individuals' knowledge on the local environmental impacts of pesticide use. Safety measures taken against potential risks of pesticides exposure were inadequate. Exposure to organophosphates significantly reduced AChE activity across season, but was not sufficient enough to claim clinical symptoms whereas exposure to the pyrethroid insecticides and fungicides were sufficient enough to claim acute symptoms of poisoning.


The role of momentum-dependent interactions (MDI) in the nuclear stopping at intermediate energies using an isospin-dependent quantum molecular dynamics model is studied. The calculations are performed for incident energies between 50 and 1000 MeV/nucleon. Our findings show that the nuclear stopping is sensitive to the impact parameter, incident energy, and the mass of the colliding system. The degree of stopping is suppressed by the inclusion of MDI, whereas the particle production is not affected by MDI.


Serial passage of undiluted herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 resulted in cyclic production of infectious and defective virions. Defective virus production was characterized by the appearance of a new species of viral DNA with a higher bouyant density in CsCl than standard viral DNA. Measurement of the infectivity titer and DNA synthesis revealed that the defective particles interfered with the replication of standard virions and stimulated the overproduction of a large molecular weight (175,000 daltons) polypeptide.


A polarization recombination channel of electron on heavy ions with a complex core is under investigation. The channel is connected with a dynamic polarization of an ion's core which results in radiation of the core and an inelastic transition of electron. This channel is estimated in the frame of statistical model of the complex ion. It is shown that the contribution of polarization radiation may be comparable or exceed the standard radiation contribution. The significance of interference effects is demonstrated as well.


The problems in teaching and learning programming techniques prevail all over the world. Learning programming logic without utilizing any visualization material is difficult. One possible solution to overcome this problem is by using program animation. The proposed program animation software used in teaching novices learning introductory programming is JELIOT 3. The aim of this project is to investigate the effectiveness of teaching programming classes for beginners using programming tool JELIOT 3 that incorporate visualization and animation, specifically the outcome of students' performances before and after using JELIOT 3. The study population is novice students with no significant programming experience. They were drawn from an on campus section of second semester Foundation in Business Information Technology introductory programming course at INTI International College, Subang Jaya. The class size when this study was conducted was only 9 students. The 9 students were divided into two groups at random. The first group (POST-JELIOT) received standard classroom lectures then followed by JELIOT 2. The second group (PRE-JELIOT) received the JELIOT 3 lesson and then the traditional classroom lecture. From the findings, there was a significant difference in performance when comparing between students who are first taught JELIOT 3 in the overall assessments on the two programming tests and on the two array model assessments. The implications then are that a visual teaching and animated illustration to programming is an effective method for teaching programming. Instruction in computer programming must make use of such visualization to develop good mental visualization of programming. (Abstract by author)


Background Increased risk of cardio-vascular disease, and osteoporosis is documented in SpA. Some of these co-morbidities (e.g. cardiovascular disease risk) are subject to recommendations, with specific components relevant to rheumatic inflammatory diseases (e.g. yearly evaluation of BP, LDL-cholesterol). However, it is known that a gap exists between recommendations and their implementation in practice. Objectives To evaluate: 1) the prevalence of SpA co-morbidities and risk factors for these comorbidities in different countries worldwide, 2) the gap between available recommendations and daily practice concerning prevention/management of these co-morbidities and 3) the number of risk factors detected due to the present initiative Methods International, cross-sectional study of consecutive SpA patients in routine care. Data comprise SpA characteristics, plus relevant cardiovascular, infection, cancer, osteoporosis and gastro-intestinal disorders. Results Twenty-two participating countries (from 4 continents) included 3984 patients. Age: 44±14 years, disease duration 8±9 years, male gender: 65%, past or current axial (89%) and articular peripheral (56%) involvement; ASDAS-CRP: 2.0±1.1, BASFI 3.2±2.7, NSAID intake during last 3 months 68% and any past or current intake of methotrexate (33%), sulfasalazine (44%) or biologicals (44%). The most frequent diseases (past or current) found were osteoporosis (13%), gastro-duodenal ulcus (11%), cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction or stroke) (4%), solid cancers (3%), and hepatitis B infection (3%). The most frequent risk factors for these diseases were hypertension (34%), smoking (current or past (<3years)) 29%, dyslipidaemia (27%) and family history of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer (each 15%). Substantial inter-country variability was observed for the screening of co-morbidities (e.g. LDL-cholesterol measured at least in the last year from 8% (Taiwan) to 98% (Germany) or dentist visit in the last year from 0% (China) to 85% (Netherlands)). Evaluation of comorbidities and risk factors as part of this study unveiled previously undetected abnormalities [e.g. elevated blood pressure (14%), hyperglycemia (4%)] and emphasized the sub-optimal management of co-morbidities. Conclusions This study suggests a) a high prevalence of co-morbidities in SpA, b) a substantial inter-country variability c) a highly variable detection of relevant risk factors. This study strongly suggests that rigorous application of systematic evaluation of co-morbidities may permit earlier detection, which ultimately may result in an improved outcome of patients with SpA. Acknowledgements Study was conducted under the umbrella of ASAS and financially supported by unrestricted grants from Abbvie, Pfizer and UCB. Disclosure of Interest None declared


Assessing Pupils' Progress (APP) was introduced into schools in England during 2008/2009 as part of Government policy, by National Strategies consultants. It provides a framework for teacher assessment in English, mathematics, science and ICT, from primary through to key Stage 3 (KS3), and is firmly rooted in the National Curriculum. It is claimed that the use of APP will promote Assessment for Learning (AfL) and will lead to improvements in teachers' curriculum planning and a raising of standards. A small-scale study is in progress to investigate how APP works in practice in secondary science classrooms, and the initial findings are reported here. There is evidence that it could have a potentially transformational effect on the science curriculum. The findings are analysed in the light of the literature on assessment in order to gain insights in to how that potential might be realised and the issues for teachers and teacher educators.


Observations of very low values of the holding current of amorphous chalcogenide memory devices, which have nearly complete crystalline filaments, are attributed to microfilaments which connect neighbouring crystallites. The effect of the trailing edge of the set pulse when switching memory devices is described, and the observations are attributed to the occasional occurrence of microfilaments which do not crystallize unless cooled slowly. Microfilaments may also explain the effect of polarity when additional short set pulses are applied to a fully set switch. Distinctive changes in resistivity occur, which may be due to electromigration.


We introduce a simple method for text style transfer that frames style transfer as denoising: we synthesize a noisy corpus and treat the source style as a noisy version of the target style. To control for aspects such as preserving meaning while modifying style, we propose a reranking approach in the data synthesis phase. We evaluate our method on three novel style transfer tasks: transferring between British and American varieties, text genres (formal vs. casual), and lyrics from different musical genres. By measuring style transfer quality, meaning preservation, and the fluency of generated outputs, we demonstrate that our method is able both to produce high-quality output while maintaining the flexibility to suggest syntactically rich stylistic edits.


The present invention relates to a new use of enzymes in animal feed. It concerns more specifically the addition of enzymes to animal feed to reduce ammonia emissions into the atmosphere.


This article discusses the impact of suspended particles on human health, by providing small definitions of PM2.5, including how they appear, what particles they consist of, and how they harm the respiratory and circulatory systems.  In addition, the analysis of the pollution level of the city of Almaty for the last three years from March 22, 2017, to October 6, 2020, with categorical intermediate values of suspended particles was carried out. Careful work was done with the SCV file such as data was skipped in the cells, that is, there were empty values; translation to a single data type; filling in empty cells. It also considers making a decision on the six categories provided to identify the average meeting categories. The authors identified specific categories based on digital readings of values received from sensors, where each category has its own verbal values that are understandable for each person. The indicator displays with weights as a graph for a specific Seifullin-Dulatov sensor location with categorical and without categorical division. Then for each intersection or location of the sensors is shown in a table. It is also revealed which level or category is the rarest among the others and the most common category as well.


Circulation in the Atlantic Ocean is currently dominated by a northward flow of upper waters balanced by a return flow of deep water (i.e., the conveyor). Paleoproxies tell us that, unlike today, during the glacial age the deep Atlantic was stratified. Rather than being flooded with one nearly homogeneous water mass, there were two distinctly different ones. In this paper, the paleoproxy results are analyzed in an attempt to constrain the sources and ventilation rate of the deeper of these two glacial Atlantic water masses. Taken together, the cadmium and carbon isotope measurements on benthic foraminifera and the radiocarbon measurements on coexisting benthic and planktonic foraminifera appear to require a conveyor-like circulation no weaker than half of today's. This conclusion is at odds with geostrophic reconstructions. This seeming disagreement could be eliminated if, as suggested by Keigwin and Schlegel, the radiocarbon measurements by Broecker et al. significantly underestimate the difference between the 1 4 C to C ratio for glacial-age surface water and deep water in the equatorial Atlantic.


: Introduction: Peptic perforation is a common surgical case that occurs as an acute abdomen. Fortunately, perforation, which is potentially the most serious complication for a patient with an ulcer, is rare. It probably does not affect more than 2% of patients with peptic ulcer disease. Therapy options accepted in perforated peptic ulcer are simple closure or immediate action. Conservative / non-surgical treatment originally recommended by Wangensteen was proposed as the preferred treatment for peptic ulcer pierced by Taylor in 1956. Material and method: This study is a retrospective prospective study conducted with the diagnosis and determination of dry peptic perforation and review of patient records. In the prospective study 25 patients the study groups who presented as peptic perforation to be sealed and/ or hemodynamically stable patients with peptic perforation and/or with other serious illness when the risk of surgery is prohibitive. Place and Duration: In the Surgical Unit I and Medical Unit II of Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi for one year duration from February 2018 to February 2019. Objectives and tasks: Achieving efficacy and safety of conservative / non-surgical treatment of perforated peptic ulcer, as well as observing complications leading to morbidity and mortality. It was also aimed at achieving and assessing the criteria used in the conservative treatment of peptic perforation. Results: In 75 cases, non-surgical treatment was preferred. 60% (80%) of the total was cured by non-surgical treatment. Six patients (8%) underwent surgical intervention and were considered to be unsuccessful in conservative treatment, 4 patients (5.33%) experienced complications and the mortality rate was 9.33%.


The repeated exposure of normal cells to carcinogenic agents may lead to mutations in their genetic material, changing them into cancerous cells. In this case, the structure and function of these cells would alter, and they would not behave like a normal cell. Treatment of cancer by bacteria is a promising and new strategy. Recently, scientists demonstrated that bacteria could induce apoptosis in cancerous cells. Cell death was identified by cellular cytotoxicity assays when bacterial structures were utilized, and these observations proved bacterial capability for apoptosis induction. Helicobacter pylori (or H. pylori) is known as a pathogenic and carcinogenic bacterium that can cause various problems. Recently, practical therapeutic applications of this bacterium has drawn attention. Here, we analyzed the advantages and merits of bacterial compounds of H. pylori as active remedial agents for cancer treatment. Besides describing H. pylori virulent factors and their role in cancer incidence, we also discuss how their potentials can significantly be strengthened and used for cancer treatment. This review results suggest that some factors of H. pylori can be exploited as therapeutic agents for cancer therapy in future (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 77). Keywords: apoptosis induction, bacteriotherapy, cancer treatment, Helicobacter pylori.


Almost half a million of all new cancers have been attributed to obesity and epidemiologic evidence implicates visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and high-fat diets (HFD) in increasing cancer risk. We demonstrated that VAT-derived fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) from mice fed an HFD or obese individuals stimulates the malignant transformation of epithelial cells. Mechanism-based strategies to prevent this VAT-enhanced tumorigenesis have not been explored. Clinical studies have indicated that bromodomain inhibitors have considerable potential as therapeutic agents for cancer by inhibiting the activity of several oncogenes, including c-Myc; however, their chemopreventive activity is unknown. We show herein that mice with visceral adiposity have elevated nuclear c-Myc expression in their epidermis. We hypothesized that the bromodomain inhibitor I-BET-762 (I-BET) would have efficacy in the prevention of malignant transformation by VAT and FGF2. We tested this hypothesis using our novel models of VAT-stimulated transformation in vitro and FGF2- stimulated tumor formation in vivo. We found that I-BET significantly attenuates VAT and FGF2-stimulated transformation and inhibits VAT-induced c-Myc protein expression in several skin and breast epithelial cell lines. Moreover, I-BET attenuated tumor growth significantly in FGF2-treated nude mice. Work is ongoing to determine the role of visceral adiposity in c-Myc activity in several tissues and determine the inhibitory effect of I-BET on VAT-promoted tumors in vivo. Cancer Prev Res; 11(3); 129–42. ©2017 AACR. See related editorial by Berger and Scacheri, p. 125


Solar energy is an available high-quality source for the operation of many technological systems that fulfil the needs of human society. Among all the many applications, the use of solar energy in aircraft is extremely challenging, with a lot of potential advantages. The application of solar energy for flight is one of the promising uses of renewable energy, and in particular the possibility of improving the long endurance requirement in complex missions of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using solar energy is very attractive. In this context, the article deals with the problem of flight path planning in solar-powered UAVs that fly at a constant altitude. The UAV model incorporates kinematic and dynamic equations where the components of the input vector are the thrust force and the bank angle. Planning the flight path relies here on the flatness property of the system. In fact, his property allows us to plan a flight path without solving non-linear differential equations, and most importantly to link the dynamics of the system, the energy lost and the solar energy absorbed during the flight. Some relevant applications of the approach are discussed, and numerical results are demonstrated. Key words. Solar energy, UAV control, kinematic & dynamic equations, path planning, differentially flat system.


The strength and stability of frictional interfaces, ranging from tribological systems to earthquake faults, are intimately related to the underlying spatially extended dynamics. Here we provide a comprehensive theoretical account, both analytic and numeric, of spatiotemporal interfacial dynamics in a realistic rate-and-state friction model, featuring both velocity-weakening and velocity-strengthening behaviors. Slowly extending, loading-rate-dependent creep patches undergo a linear instability at a critical nucleation size, which is nearly independent of interfacial history, initial stress conditions, and velocity-strengthening friction. Nonlinear propagating rupture fronts-the outcome of instability-depend sensitively on the stress state and velocity-strengthening friction. Rupture fronts span a wide range of propagation velocities and are related to steady-state-front solutions.


Beam-down concentrating solar tower (BCST) is known for its merits in easy installation and maintenance as well as lower convection heat loss of the central receiver (CR) when comparing to a traditional concentrated solar tower system. A point-line-coupling-focus (PLCF) BCST system using linear Fresnel heliostat (LFH) as the first stage concentrator (heliostat) and hyperboloid/ellipsoid reflector as the tower reflector (TR) is proposed and theoretically analyzed and compared in this paper. Theoretical investigation on the ray concentrating mechanism with two commonly used reflector structures, namely, hyperboloid and ellipsoid, is conducted utilizing Monte Carlo ray-tracing (MCRT) method. The objective of this study is to reveal the achievable optical performance of these types of TRs in the PLCF system considering the effect of LFH tracking errors on TR astigmatism as well as the differences of optical efficiency factors and power transmission in a large-scale biomimetic layout. Results indicate that the ellipsoid system is superior in terms of interception efficiency over the hyperboloid system due to smaller astigmatism at the CR aperture, especially at larger facet tracking error. However, the ellipsoid reflector shows significantly lower TR shading efficiency resulting from the larger TR surface area compared to that of the hyperboloid reflector. The total optical efficiency of the hyperboloid system is always better than that of the ellipsoid system, and this efficiency gap decreases as the ratio epsilon increases. The hyperboloid TR is proved to be more promising and practical for the PLCF system.


We present a high statistics, quenched lattice calculation of the B-parameters BBd and BBs , computed at lowest order in the HQET. The results were obtained using a sample of 600 quenched gauge field configurations, generated by Monte Carlo simulation at β = 6.0 on a 243 × 40 lattice. For the light quarks the SW-Clover action was used; the propagator of the lattice HQET was also tree-level improved. Our best estimate of the renormalization scale independent B-parameter is B̂Bd = 1.08 ± 0.06±0.08. B̂Bd has been obtained by using "boosted" perturbation theory to calculate the renormalization constants which relate the matrix elements of the lattice operators to the corresponding amplitudes in the continuum. Due to the large statistics, the errors in the extraction of the matrix elements of the relevant bare operators are rather small. The main systematic error, corresponding to ±0.08 in the above result, comes from the uncertainty in the evaluation of the renormalization constants, for which the one-loop corrections are rather large. The non-perturbative evaluation of these constants will help to reduce the final error. We also obtain B̂Bs/B̂Bd = 1.01 ± 0.01 and f2 BsB̂Bs/f 2 Bd B̂Bd = 1.38 ± 0.07.


Background Our pharmacy has recently installed and GMP qualified an automated robot (APOTECAchemo) for cytotoxic compounding. Within a year the robot will be upscaled to produce 34,000 units per year. A majority of the units will be stock held for more than 24 h, which makes greater demands on the documentation of the aseptic process. Purpose To describe the setup of the initial performance qualification of the robot with media fill and continuous particle counts. Materials and methods Media fills with growth media were used to simulate the compounding processes in order to evaluate sterility of the products. Critical factors were taken into account: Personnel (number and time shift), type and size of final container, number of needle picks in the final containers and different compounding processes with liquid drugs and powder drugs. Planned interventions were made several times during the media fill to simulate 'worst case' scenarios that could happen in a normal working day. The waste bin was changed, the door into the production area was opened twice to simulate cleaning after a spill and picking up a fallen vial. Media fills were performed at least eight hours a day, three days in a row. 108 units were produced and incubated for 14 days at 32.5 ± 2.5 ºC. Particle counts in the robot production zone were monitored continuously during media fills. The acceptance criteria of the media fill were <1 contaminated unit and the acceptance criteria of the particle level was in accordance with EN ISO 14644–1. Results After incubation, the units were inspected visually for microbial growth. None of the products were contaminated and none of the particle counts measured during the media fill exceeded the acceptance criteria. Conclusions With media fill and continuous particle monitoring, we assessed our technique, evaluated the aseptic preparation on the robot and qualified the operators. We demonstrated that the environmental control is adequate to meet the requirements necessary to produce cytotoxic units for stock hold. No conflict of interest.


We introduce the notion of Characteristic Distributions which is a way of representing information about the payoffs of different behaviors in a Multi-Agent System. We discuss how they can be used to simplify and structure the analysis of strategies and prove the existence of optimal environments, given a certain behavior, and that all behaviors payoff equally, when taken over all possible environments (no free lunch theorem for strategies).


This Ouverture introduces the theme of the volume and highlights the convergences and inter- actions between the Commune of Florence and the Dominican convent of Santa Maria Novella by referring to a number of Remigio de' Girolami's sermons.


Several hitherto to unknown µ-oxybis[triarylantimony(V)]dicarboxylates & µ-oxybis[triarylantimony]halo-carboxylates of the general formula R3Sb(L)-O-Sb(L)R3 & R3Sb(Cl)-O-Sb(L)R3 respectively have been synthesised by the metathetical reactions of µ-oxybis(triarylantimony)dichloride reactions and silver salts of corresponding carboxylic acids in 1:2 & 1:1 ratio [where L= 2-pyrazine carboxylic acid, p-methoxy medallic acid, salicylic acid, benzillic acid, )]. The newly synthesised antimony derivatives have been characterised on the basis of melting point, elemental analysis, IR IH & 13C NMR spectra. The molecular weight & conductivity data indicate the monomeric & non electrolytic behaviour in solution, these have been found to exhibit moderate to significant antimicrobial activity.


The Irish Government reiterated its commitment to expand the productive forest area to 18% of the land area by 2046 (DAFM 2014) in order to maintain a sustainable processing sector with its many additional benefits. The process of increasing afforestation rates may also offer significant scope to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially from agriculture, which is expected to expand production to cater for increased demand for food and fibre. The challenges of managing multiple conflicting land use objectives (aimed at both increasing food and fibre production as well as trying to maintain conservation values) and their effect on land availability for forestry expansion are examined in this paper. An assessment was made of the land resource available for afforestation and the related opportunities and constraints are discussed. Results indicate that 4.65 million ha of land in Ireland are potentially suitable for forestry; of this 896,880 ha are subject to national and EU designations where existing habitat conservation is prioritised. Of the remaining 3.75 M ha, 2.42 M ha are classed as productive agricultural land, likely to be the main focus of agricultural expansion. The remaining 1.3 M ha, classed as being marginal for agriculture, shows significant scope for afforestation. To assist in the achievement of forestry targets, it may be necessary to consider all sources of land, including a significant area currently under-utilised (unenclosed land), more than a third of the target planting area (c. 178,000 ha), as well as the development of native woodlands that may also fulfil conservation and carbon sequestration objectives.


Background Sjögren's syndrome patients (SS) have oral and ocular dryness attributed to alterations in the quantity and quality of saliva and tears (1). We have demonstrated that disruption of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions that could modify the secretory pathway (2). Salivary acinar cells of SS-patients display alterations in their cell-polarity, affecting the correct localization and function of proteins composing the secretory machinery. SNARE-complexes are responsible for the secretion of proteins which are essential components of saliva. VAMP-2 and STX2 are SNARE-proteins that participate in the constitutive and regulated secretion. VAMP-2 is located in secretory granules next to the basolateral plasma membrane and it is involved in vesicular traffic towards the apical and basolateral poles, while STX2 is exclusively located in the apical plasma membrane (3). Objectives To determine the expression and localization of VAMP-2 and STX2, as well as their ability to form SNARE complexes under basal conditions in salivary acinar cells of SS-patients. Methods In labial salivary glands from SS-patients (n=27) and control subjects (n=17) mRNA and proteins levels of SNARE complex components were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Protein localization was evaluated by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Results In controls and SS-patients, STX2 and VAMP-2 mRNA levels remained unchanged. STX2 protein levels were found significantly augmented in SS-patients, while VAMP-2 protein levels did not change. In SS-patients, VAMP-2 showed a significant increase in apical staining, while STX2 showed decreased apical staining and apico-basal redistribution. Interestingly, increased formation of SNARE complexes containing VAMP-2 or STX2 in a manner independent of external secretory stimuli was detected in SS-patients. Conclusions In SS-patients, VAMP-2 was relocated to the apical cytoplasm; a change that might compensate the significant decrease of VAMP-8 observed in the apical region, as reported previously (4). Apical relocalization of VAMP-2 has been reported in VAMP-8 knockout mice, associated to a significant increase of VAMP-2 protein levels. Regardless of VAMP-2 relocalization, these mice show a decreased the secretory response to secretagogues (5). Conversely, STX2 protein levels increased significantly and showed a strong relocation from apical to basal plasma membrane. These findings suggest a probable loss of exocytic ability by the apical pole of acinar cells that may affect the destination of secretion proteins, thus impairing physiological production of saliva. Furthermore, a higher quantity of fusion complexes containing the studied proteins has been detected in SS-patients. The ectopic formation of SNARE-complexes in the basal domain of acinar cells is probably enhanced. FONDECYT #1120062, 1080006 and CONICYT PhD fellowship (BMJ). References Fox RI. Lancet. 2005;366:321-31 Ewert P. et al. Arthritis Rheum 2010;62:1280–9. Gaisano HY et al. Gastroenterology. 1996;111:1661-9 Barrera MJ et al. J. Autoimmunity, 2012 in press Wang CC et al. Dev Cell. 2004;7:359-71. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


In the recent years, the uses of the binding materials of different types in addition to cement become very wide in the product of concrete as blending of portland cement with limestone, so it is necessary to investigate the influence of the binder material on the concrete properties. In order to asses the performance of this type of concrete, it is important to understand the changes in the concrete properties especially in case of exposure to elevated temperature. This paper summarize and discuss the effect of the limestone powder (CaCO3) as a compensating material with cement on the compressive and tensile strength and discuss the effect of elevated temperature on this type of concrete. Limestone powder (LP) was used as a compensating material with different ratio of cement include (0, 10, 15, 20, 25) %. Compressive and tensile strength were investigated before and after the exposure to high temperature including (200, 400, 600) °C. The study show that limestone compensate changes in both compressive, and tensile strengths. Negative effects on the properties observed as the amount of limestone exceeds 15% of the cement weight. After the exposure to high temperature the results show a drop in compressive and tensile strengths in a different form.


Effective low energy models arising in the context of D-brane configurations with standard model (SM) gauge symmetry extended by several gauged Abelian factors are discussed. The models are classified according to their hypercharge embeddings consistent with the SM spectrum hypercharge assignment. Particular cases are analyzed according to their perspectives and viability as low energy effective field theory candidates. The resulting string scale is determined by means of a two-loop renormalization group calculation. Their implications in Yukawa couplings, neutrinos and flavor changing processes are also presented.


This study assessed the anti-tumor activity and tolerability of gefitinib (IRESSA, ZD 1839) in a series of patients with previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) seen at Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, W.Va. All patients were required to have proven advanced or metastatic NSCLC, along with meeting other study criteria. In 41 patients, the partial response rate was 7%, and 10% of patients achieved stable disease. Symptom improvement (dyspnea, anorexia) was reported in 44%. Mean survival for the entire group was 6.7 months (10.3 months for females, 3.7 months for males), with a 6-month survival rate of 33%. Adverse events were generally mild (grade I or II) and reversible and consisted mostly of diarrhea, rash, and anorexia. Although the major response rate was low, gefitinib (IRESSA, ZD 1839) demonstrated clinically meaningful anti-tumor activity with significant improvement in symptoms in this heavily pretreated group of patients with advanced NSCLC.


Recognizing the issues with conventional water resources and stricter wastewater effluent disposal standards, the treatment and recovery from wastewater are gaining impetus. The dairy industry consumes a substantial amount of water and generates a massive quantity of wastewater annually. Whey, which is about 94% water, is a waste stream produced in the dairy industry during the manufacture of cheese, paneer, yogurt, etc. Although various wastewater treatment technologies are available in the market, membrane technologies are considered the most advanced and reliable ones, but they are expensive. In recent years, Forward Osmosis (FO) is looked upon as a potential alternative to these costly and energy intensive pressure driven membrane processes. FO works on the principle of natural osmotic pressure where energy is just required to lift the solutions. The present lab-scale study investigates the partial reclamation of water from whey using FO technology. The Continuous Single Pass (CSP) and Recirculation mode (RC) study is conducted using high osmotic pressure (π = 375 bar at 298K) saturated aqueous(aq.) NaCl as the draw solution. The aq. NaCl solution is a potential brine stream in the dairy industry and finds applications in the manufacture of paneer, butter, cheese and ice cream eliminating the need for draw regeneration. The back diffusion study of the Hollow Fibre Forward Osmosis (HFFO) membrane revealed about 0.82% back diffusion of solute. The maximum water recovery of ~ 56% is achieved in CSP mode while 57.6% is achieved for RC mode with Feed/Draw ratio of 4.5:1. For F/D of 10:1, the maximum permeate flux of ~ 8.7 kg m− 2 h− 1 is observed for the CSP mode of operation for 10 minutes of study. Thus, FO is an efficient membrane technique that eliminates the need for draw regeneration and can be applied in the dairy industry.


Implementation of the use of multimodal approaches in teaching listening and speaking skills has remained elusive. Mastering listening and speaking skills in the English language in the early years of learning plays a critical role in the achievement of Second Language (L2) learning and continuous cognitive and meta-cognitive development among learners. Consequently, researchers who examine the best approaches to use in teaching listening and speaking skills agree that proper identification, description and use of multimodal approaches have a bearing on achieving competencies in listening and speaking skills. However, teachers of the English language have shown less engagement in the identification and usage of multimodal approaches while teaching listening and speaking skills. As a result, studies show that over 70% of learners in lower primary schools in Kenya cannot dully express themselves in the English language. It is against this background that this paper attempts to elucidate how the identification, description and use of multimodal approaches by teachers of English can aid in the effective teaching of listening and speaking skills during classroom interaction. The paper further highlights the bottlenecks that teachers of the English language go through while trying to use multimodal approaches in a classroom with learners with multiple learning styles. The study was conducted among selected primary schools in Western Kenya. Stratified sampling was applied to source for respondents who included Grade 1 teachers of English and 7 Curriculum Support Officers from the same zones. Primary data was sourced from 75 primary schools' teachers of English. Questionnaires, observation schedules and interviews were used to elicit data. Findings revealed that proper identification, description and use of multimodal approaches motivated teachers of English to design and use multimodal approaches during classroom interaction. However, the findings also revealed that some teachers of English were not aware of the importance of identification and use of the right multimodal approaches played in the classroom. The paper advocates for teacher training in proper identification, description and implementation of multimodal approaches for effective teaching of listening and speaking skills among Grade one learners.


Volcanic ash is a well-known hazard to population, infrastructure, and commercial and civil aviation. Early assessment of the parameters that control the development and evolution of volcanic plumes is crucial to effective risk mitigation. Acoustic infrasound is a ground-based remote sensing technique—increasingly popular in the past two decades—that allows rapid estimates of eruption source parameters, including fluid flow velocities and volume flow rates of erupted material. The rate at which material is ejected from volcanic vents during eruptions, is one of the main inputs into models of atmospheric ash transport used to dispatch aviation warnings during eruptive crises. During explosive activity at volcanoes, the injection of hot gas-laden pyroclasts into the atmosphere generates acoustic waves that are recorded at local, regional and global scale. Within the framework of linear acoustic theory, infrasound sources can be modelled as multipole series, and acoustic pressure waveforms can be inverted to obtain the time history of volume flow at the vent. Here, we review near-field (<10 km from the vent) linear acoustic wave theory and its applications to the assessment of eruption source parameters. We evaluate recent advances in volcano infrasound modelling and inversion, and comment on the advantages and current limitations of these methods. We review published case studies from different volcanoes and show applications to new data that provide a benchmark for future acoustic infrasound studies.


As the supplement of spaceborne and airborne imaging spectrometer system, field Imaging spectrometer system spans a very broad range of applications. Imaging spectrometer system of this new kind could provide vital information especially for which spaceborne or airborne remote sensing could not be competent, such as proximal detection of plant population, individual plant or plant organs for site-specific management in precision agriculture. A new self-developed imaging spectrometer system was utilized to monitor spatio-temporal dynamics of spectral changes of plant leaves in response to dehydration. lThe phenomenon of blue shift of red edge of plant leaves was successfully detected and visualized in the form of image series. The patterns of photochemical reflectance index (PRI) of leaves during dehydration were compared and confirmed by fluorescence parameter quantum yield. Our results show that FISS has good spectral and radiometric properties and could be used in quantitative researches and precise information mapping.


The Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) will be upgraded with L-band Phased Array Feeds to increase its survey speed. Measurements on a prototype system revealed that out-of-band RFI at the WSRT site generated unacceptably high intermodulation products in the frequency band of operation. A low-loss high-pass filter between the antennas and the low-noise amplifiers was introduced to successfully reduce in-band intermodulation products. Verification of the system performance will be performed with ALPHA-3: a 3-dish PAF interferometer.


In the first six months of its deadly spread across the world, the Covid-19 incidence has exhibited interesting dichotomy between the rich and the poor countries. Surprisingly, the incidence and the Case Fatality Rate has been much higher in the richer countries compared with the poorer countries. However, the reasons behind this dichotomy have not been explained based on data or evidence, although some of the factors for the susceptibility of populations to SARS-CoV-2 infections have been proposed. We have taken into consideration all publicly available data and mined for the possible explanations in order to understand the reasons for this phenomenon. The data included many parameters including demography of nations, prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases, sanitation parameters etc. Results of our analyses suggest that demography, improved sanitation and hygiene, and higher incidence of autoimmune disorders as the most plausible factors to explain higher death rates in the richer countries Thus, the much debated hygiene hypothesis appears to lend credence to the Case Fatality Rate dichotomy between the rich and the poor countries.


We have performed the electronic band structure of the bulk and monolayer of PtO using the full potential linear muffin-tin orbital and the projector augmented wave method with the density functional theory. We applied the LDA and LDA+U scheme to both methods. It was found out that the LDA calculation of bulk PtO predicted a metallic nature in agreement with previous LDA and GGA calculations but in disagreement with the semiconductor nature favored by experiment. Our LDA+U calculation for both methods predicted PtO to be a semiconductor with a band gap value of 1.4 eV which is in reasonable agreement with experiment the experimental band gap value of 1.2 eV. The band structure of the monolayer PtO was found to be the same with the bulk in qualitative term. The position of the valence band maximum and the conduction band minimum are same as the bulk. The indirect band gap value of 1.4 eV is in agreement with the experimental value of 1.5 eV.


Abstract Question: Relevés in large phytosociological databases used for analysing long-term changes in plant communities are biased towards easily accessible places and species-rich stands. How does this bias influence trend analysis of floristic composition within a priori determined vegetation types and how can this bias be reduced by resampling methods? Location: The Netherlands. Methods: Basis for the analysis was the Dutch national phytosociological database, consisting of more than 460 000 relevés. For the Cirsio dissecti-Molinietum, Genisto anglicae-Callunetum and the Stellario-Carpinetum betuli, we analysed differences in floristic composition (species frequencies) before and after 1970, using χ2-statistics. We resampled the original dataset, using different types of stratification. The results of the trend analysis with the resampled datasets were compared with the results using the original dataset. Results: In the resampled datasets a much smaller number of plant species showed a significant trend over both periods, compared to the results form the original dataset. Differences could be related to the smaller size of datasets after resampling, but also to avoiding over-representation of certain geographical localities in the datasets. The influence of stratification was different for the three plant communities, due to the different distribution of relevés in time and space. Conclusions: Analysis of long-term changes in plant communities is strongly affected by the uneven spatiotemporal distribution of relevés in different research periods. These effects are reduced by geographical stratified resampling. The results of the trend analysis after stratified resampling are expected to give a more reliable representation of true changes, than the results after using the original data. The scale of stratification is dependent on the structure of the data.


Reinforced concrete (RC) buildings in Taiwan have suffered failure from strong earthquakes, which was magnified by the non-ductile detailing frames. Inadequate reinforcement as a consequence of the design philosophy prior to the introduction of current standards resulted in severe damage in the column and beam-column joint (BCJ). This study establishes a finite element analysis (FEA) of the non-ductile detailing RC column, BCJ, and three-story building that was previously tested through a tri-axial shaking table test. The results were then validated to laboratory specimens having the exact same dimensions and properties. FEA simulation integrates the concrete damage plasticity model and the elastic-perfectly plastic model for steel. The load-displacement responses of the column and BCJ specimens obtained from FEA were in a reasonable agreement with the experimental curves. The resulting initial stiffness and maximum base shear were found to be a close approximation to the experimental results. Also, the findings of a dynamic analysis of the three-story building showed that the time-history data of acceleration and displacement correlated well with the shaking table test results. This indicates the FEA implementation can be effectively used to predict the RC frame performance and failure mode under seismic loads.


Ulmus pumila L. is an excellent afforestation and biofuel tree that produces high-quality wood, rich in starch. In addition, U. pumila is highly adaptable to adverse environmental conditions, which is conducive to its utilization for vegetating saline soils. However, little is known about the physiological responses and transcriptional regulatory network of U. pumila under salt stress. In this study, we exposed five main cultivars in saline–alkali land (Upu2, 5, 8, 11, and 12) to NaCl stress. Of the five cultivars assessed, Upu11 exhibited the highest salt resistance. Growth and biomass accumulation in Upu11 were promoted under low salt concentrations (<150 mM). However, after 3 months of continuous treatment with 150 mM NaCl, growth was inhibited, and photosynthesis declined. A transcriptome analysis conducted after 3 months of treatment detected 7009 differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs). The gene annotation indicated that these DEGs were mainly related to photosynthesis and carbon metabolism. Furthermore, PHOTOSYNTHETIC ELECTRON TRANSFERH (UpPETH), an important electron transporter in the photosynthetic electron transport chain, and UpWAXY, a key gene controlling amylose synthesis in the starch synthesis pathway, were identified as hub genes in the gene coexpression network. We identified 25 and 62 unigenes that may interact with PETH and WAXY, respectively. Overexpression of UpPETH and UpWAXY significantly increased the survival rates, net photosynthetic rates, biomass, and starch content of transgenic Arabidopsis plants under salt stress. Our findings clarify the physiological and transcriptional regulators that promote or inhibit growth under environmental stress. The identification of salt-responsive hub genes directly responsible for photosynthesis and starch synthesis or metabolism will provide targets for future genetic improvements.