Respiratory acidosis developing in emphysematous patients from impaired pulmonary ventilation is well known.2-4Patients with normal lungs undergoing surgery have been observed to develop carbon dioxide retention from the failure of the anesthetist to maintain adequate ventilation.1,6In the immediate postoperative period, it is not unexpected that instances of serious respiratory acidosis are found. This may be an exacerbation of a chronic acidosis in an emphysematous patient, or it may be acute, from interference with ventilation by events related to the operation. At Duke Hospital two postoperative patients have been studied with the two types of respiratory acidosis. An account of difficulties in recognition and the methods of treatment of this condition is outlined in this report. Report of Cases Case 1. —A 61-year-old white man, a conservation engineer, was admitted to Duke Hospital on Oct. 6, 1954, complaining of recurrent small hemoptyses, of eight weeks' duration. There


Ranunculus kobendzae Halamski sp. nova (Ranunculaceae) is a representative of the partly apomictic R. auricomus complex and is characterised by undivided, reniform radical leaves with a very wide basal angle, segments of stem leaves with partly slender teeth, mostly imperfect flowers, and pilose, ovate to cylindrical tori (receptacles) with a marked intervallum. Similar microspecies of the R. auricomus complex are R. uplandicus, R. allemannii, R. ganeschinii, R. neumannii, R. zmudae and R. mendosus, but the combination of characters of radical and stem leaves of R. kobendzae is unique. At the type locality in Lipka (Dębina) near Warszawa (Warsaw, capital of Poland), R. kobendzae grows in an oak–hornbeam forest, and in three other locations in central Poland (Puszcza Słupecka, Brańszczyk and Błogie) in hornbeam or alder forests. The DNA ploidy level was determined by propidium iodide flow cytometry from a dried herbarium specimen and was found to be tetraploid (2n = 4x).


The article examines the role played by the Portuguese oppositionist diaspora in the final years of the Estado Novo dictatorship (c. 1968–c.1974). It advances an explanation for the apparent lack of success met by several exile groups when trying to persuade the Western democracies to withdraw (or at least reduce) their support for Lisbon's authoritarian regime during a period in which the public was increasingly aware of human rights abuses. The choice of this particular juncture is justified for several reasons. Firstly, it was a time of renewed expectations regarding a possible liberalisation of the regime in the aftermath of the replacement of the incapacitated Oliveira Salazar by the younger Marcelo Caetano (September 1968), an event that confronted the different sections of the Portuguese opposition with a number of dilemmas, both at home and abroad, and exposed rifts that would take some time to repair. Secondly, this was also an epoch of momentous social and cultural change in Europe, with obvious ramifications for the political orientations and attitudes of those who, for different reasons, had decided to leave Portugal in the 1960s. Finally, the vicissitudes of the East–West détente are seen here as equally important for understanding the opportunities and limitations of the anti-Estado Novo opposition abroad.


Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with a clinical presentation characterized by memory impairment and executive dysfunction. Our group previously demonstrated significant alterations in white matter microstructural metrics in AD compared to healthy older adults. We aimed to further investigate the relationship between white matter microstructure in AD and cognitive function, including memory and executive function. Methods: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neuropsychological data were downloaded from the AD Neuroimaging Initiative database for 49 individuals with AD and 48 matched healthy older adults. The relationship between whole-brain fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AxD), radial diffusivity (RD), and composite scores of memory and executive function was examined. We also considered voxel-wise relationships using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics. Results: As expected, individuals with AD had lower composite scores on tests of memory and executive function, as well as disrupted white matter integrity (low FA, high MD, AxD, and RD) relative to healthy older adults in widespread regions, including the hippocampus. When the AD and healthy older adult groups were combined, we found significant relationships between DTI metrics (FA/MD/AxD/RD) and memory scores across widespread regions of the brain, including the medial temporal regions. We also found significant relationships between DTI metrics (FA/MD/AxD/RD) and executive function in widespread regions, including the frontal areas in the combined group. However, when the groups were examined separately, no significant relationships were found between DTI metrics (FA/MD/AxD/RD) and memory performance for either group. Further, we did not find any significant relationships between DTI metrics (FA/MD/AxD/RD) and executive function in the AD group, but we did observe significant relationships between FA/RD, and executive function in healthy older adults. Conclusion: White matter integrity is disrupted in AD. In a mixed sample of AD and healthy elderly persons, associations between measures of white matter microstructure and memory and executive cognitive test performance were evident. However, no significant linear relationship between the degree of white matter disruption and level of cognitive functioning (memory and executive abilities) was found in those with AD. Future longitudinal studies of the relations between DTI metrics and cognitive function in AD are required to determine whether DTI has potential to measure progression of AD and/or treatment efficacy.


Bilal is terrified of The Test. He can't answer any of the questions!
But then Bumble the bee comes along, and he can answer any question you ask, even the really tricky ones. Then Bilal's granny suggests they go on the wildly popular TV quiz show, What's What? Win the Lot!
But what will happen if Bilal and Bumble do win the lot...?

A wonderfully bonkers and laugh-out loud funny story from dream team Rosen and Ross.


At its minimum inhibitory concentration, undecanoic acid (UDA) inhibits biosynthesis of phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and polyphosphoinositol but does not inhibit the synthesis of phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl inositol and phosphatidic acid in Trichophyton rubrum. At higher concentration, however UDA inhibits biosynthesis of all phosphatides present in this dermatophyte. UDA also affects catabolism of these phosphatides. This inhibitory effect of UDA may be partially responsible for its toxic action on T. rubrum.


The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit's role in the U.S. Patent system has never been so controversial. And at the center of the debate concerning the institutional structure of the patent system lies the Federal Circuit's 2005 en banc decision in Phillips v. AWH, representing that court's effort to resolve problems with perhaps the most important doctrine in the patent law – claim construction, or the interpretation of patent claims. Building on our prior work in this area, we report the results of an empirical study evaluating the jurisprudence of claim construction at the Federal Circuit. We find little to suggest that the Phillips opinion has had any measurable effect on the law of claim construction. Indeed, we find that the open-ended nature of the Phillips opinion, and its failure to resolve the longstanding split in claim construction jurisprudence, has undermined the Federal Circuit's efforts to develop a coherent and predictable jurisprudence. Accordingly, Phillips stands forth as an unfortunate example of poor decision-making by the court, and one that negatively impacts its overall role in the patent system.


Background The most severe complication of Sjögren Syndrome is the development of lymphoproliferative processes. Several neoplasia have been associated with the disease, being non-Hodgkin lymphoma the most frequent one. Objectives Our objective was to evaluate incidence of cancer in a cohort of patients with primary Sjögren Syndrome. Methods A retrospective descriptive study was performed in a university hospital with its own health insurance and captive population. Using electronic medical records and laboratory database were review the entries performed between 01/01/2000 and 12/31/2015. We analyzed those patients with either diagnosis of Sjögren Syndrome, complain of dry mouth/eyes, or positive antibodies anti-Ro/SSA and anti-LA/SSB. Among these patients, we included those fulfilling either ACR 2012 or EULAR 2002 Sjögren criteria, or those who were diagnosed as Primary Sjögren Syndrome by the treating rheumatologist even if they did not fulfill criteria. We then proceeded to register and analyze demographic, clinical and histopathologic information available on their clinical records. Results One hundred fifty-seven patients with Primary Sjögren Syndrome were identified. Female accounted for 95.5% of the cohort; mean age at diagnosis was 49.4 years (SD 19). Median follow-up time was 7.7 years (IQR 8). The development rate and type of neoplasia was the following: Lymphomas: Three (Two MALT lymphomas of the parotid and one disseminated non-Hodgkin lymphoma). Density of Incidence 260/100,000 person/year (CI 95%: 50 – 750/100,000 person/year) Multiple Myeloma: One Skin (non-melanoma) neoplasia: Four Solid organ Neoplasia: Seven (Four breast cancer, one lung cancer, one uterus cancer, one tongue cancer). Density of Incidence 600/100,000 person/year (CI 95% 240 – 1240/100,000 person/year) Univariate analysis showed association between lymphoma and cryoglobulinemia (p=0.01; OR=5,8), low C4 fraction of complement (p=0.01; OR=5,1), anemia (p=0.02; OR=1,96) and leucopenia (p=0.03; OR=1,67) Conclusions Development of cancer is a known complication of Primary Sjögren Syndrome. The association between lymphoma and cryoglobulinemia, low C4 fraction of complement, anemia and leucopenia enhances the importance of periodic screening for neoplasms among this subgroup of patients with Primary Sjögren Syndrome. Disclosure of Interest None declared


Supernatant from culture of a virally transformed OVA-specific helper T clone (C-41) was examined for the presence of soluble helper factor. Inoculation of helper clone supernatant into DNP-KLH-primed mice enhanced the IgG anti-DNP response when given with DNP-OVA. The C-41 supernatant did not trigger the DNP-primed B cells in mice when injected with hapten (DNP) coupled to an unrelated carrier (BSA). The carrier-dependent helper activity of C-41 supernatant in vivo demonstrates the presence of an antigen-specific T helper factor in the media of the cultured helper clone. Extensive immunization of F1(C57BL X BALB/c) mice with the helper clone resulted in the production of anti C-41 antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies prepared from the immunized mice were screened for specificity of binding to other transformed T lines and clones, some specific to OVA. Monoclonal antibodies that stained the C-41 cells exclusively were considered clone-specific. Supernatants of the helper clone were passed over columns of anti-clone-specific antibodies. The eluates from three antibodies were active as antigen-specific helper factor, i.e., they elevated the IgG anti-DNP response in vivo in a linked recognition fashion in the presence of DNP-OVA. The affinity-purified factor was inactive when injected with DNP-BSA or DNP-BSA + OVA. Thus, we describe the antigen-specific immune function of a clone-produced helper factor in normal mice.


Honor, as a "folkloristic, emotive" value (Wikan, 1984), has long been recognized as central to the Middle Eastern inter- and intracommunal dispute resolution tradition of Sulha (Lang, 2002). This article highlights the centrality of honor to conciliation facilitation in Sulha and demonstrates the utilitarian, rather than folkloristic, use of honor within Sulha's distinct functional stages. Further, it shows how disputants and interveners alike wield honor extensively as a purposeful, task-specific tool to maneuver for position before and during the deliberations, move the process along (or postpone its progress), facilitate an agreement, and ensure the durability of the agreement.


Background

Childhood malnutrition in all its forms is a significant public health challenge for developing countries like Bangladesh. There is a gap in knowledge of the coexistence of various forms of malnutrition among children under five years (under-5) in Bangladesh. This study aims (i) describe prevalence and risk factors for the coexistence of stunting, wasting and underweight among children under-5 in Bangladesh.
Methods

This study included 6,610 and 7,357 under-5 children from Bangladesh Demographic Health Surveys (BDHS) 2014 and 2017/18 respectively. Associations between coexistence stunting, wasting and underweight and socio-demographic factors were assessed by the Chi-square test and negative binomial regression.
Results

The prevalence of coexistence of stunting, wasting and underweight gradually declined from 5.2% in 2014 to 2.7% in 2017/18. Children of uneducated mothers ((Adjused incidence rate ratio (aIRR) 5.0, 95% CI 2.3, 11.0)); with low birth weights (aIRR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4, 5.1); children of age group 36–47 months (aIRR 2.5, 95% CI 1.5, 4.1); and children of underweight mothers (aIRR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4, 2.7) were the most important risk factors. However, maternal educational status was not associated with coexistence of stunting, wasting and underweight among children under-5 in 2014 whereas in 2017/18 it was the most influential risk factor. Moreover, watching television less than once a week increased the risk of coexistence of stunting, wasting and underweight by 54% (aIRR 1.54, 95% CI 1.0, 2.4).
Conclusions

one out of thirty-five under-5 children were identified to have coexistence of stunting, wasting and underweight in Bangladesh. The burden of malnutrition was disproportionate among uneducated mother, underweight mother, low birth weight and socio-economically poorest household. Our study indicates that there is a need for multi-level interventions from household level to societal level to reduce consequences of childhood malnutrition.


A catheter specifically designed for percutaneous cholecystostomy was inserted into the gallbladders of 17 hospitalized patients who were thought to have acute cholecystitis. Cholecystostomies were performed in all patients without complications, and catheters were inserted in the intensive care unit with use of portable sonographic guidance in all but two patients. The catheter was inadvertently dislodged in one patient but there were no sequelae. Therefore, for all subsequent patients the catheter was modified to include a Cope loop to prevent migration of the catheter out of the gallbladder. The sonographically detectable catheter may be placed via a Seldinger technique or trocar method. Because it is short, the catheter is easily maneuverable.


This paper describes a third-order sigma-delta (/spl Sigma//spl Delta/) modulator that is designed and implemented in 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS process. In order to increase the dynamic range, this modulator takes advantage of mixed-mode integrators that consist of analog and digital integrators. A calibration technique is applied to the digital integrator to mitigate mismatch between analog and digital paths. It is shown that the presented modulator architecture can achieve a 12-dB better dynamic range than conventional structures with the same oversampling ratio (OSR). The experimental prototype chip achieves a 76-dB dynamic range for a 200-kHz signal bandwidth and a 55-dB dynamic range for a 5-MHz signal bandwidth. It dissipates 4 mW from 1.8-V supply voltages and occupies 0.7-mm/sup 2/ silicon area.


OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and persistence of depression in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the relationship between assessment modality and prevalence.DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE®, Cochrane, CINAHL®, PsycINFO®, and EMBASE®.REVIEW METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in March 2004 to identify original research studies published since 1980 that used a standardized interview or validated questionnaire to assess depression. The search was augmented by hand searching of selected journals from October 2003 through April 2004 and references of identified articles and reviews. Studies were excluded if only an abstract was provided, if not in English, or if depression was not measured by a validated method.RESULTS: Major depression was identified in 19.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 19.1% to 20.6%) of patients using structured interviews (N=10,785, 8 studies). The prevalence of significant depressive symptoms based on a Beck Depression Inventory score ≥10 was 31.1% (CI 29.2% to 33.0%; N=2,273, 6 studies), using a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score ≥8%, 15.5% (CI 13.2% to 18.0%; N=863, 4 studies), and with a HADS score ≥11%, 7.3% (CI 5.5% to 9.3%; N=830, 4 studies). Although a significant proportion of patients continued to be depressed in the year after discharge, the limited number of studies and variable follow-up times precluded specification of prevalence rates at given time points.CONCLUSIONS: Depression is common and persistent in AMI survivors. Prevalence varies depending on assessment method, likely reflecting treatment of somatic symptoms.


In order to achieve a better understanding of the mechanism leading to the decay of wooden monuments in the old medina of Fez, we undertook a project aiming at identifying bacteria isolated from infected wood. We found that the principal wood-inhabiting bacteria are Bacillus pumilis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus atrophaeus and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, all of witch present an important cellulotic activity with an Index of Relative Enzyme Activity greater than 1 (ICMC = 2.32, ICMC = 2.02, ICMC = 1.75 and ICMC = 3.22, respectively). Moreover, all four species showed the ability to grow at temperatures ranging from 4°C to 25°C. The highest FPUase activity was observed at 15°C for Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (0.34 UI) and at 25°C for Bacillus pumilis, Bacillus atrophaeus and Bacillus Bacillus atrophaeus (0.2 UI, 0.33 UI, 0.28UI respectively).


This agenda-setting article examines emotion and work–family conflict (WFC) through different paradigmatic lenses. To date, WFC and emotion research has been dominated by the functionalist perspective. This perspective has been quite informative; however, examining WFC and emotion through three alternative paradigms, namely, interpretivism, critical management theory, and postmodernism will serve to broaden and deepen our understanding of this important area of organizational and management scholarship. A paradigmatic analysis can offer a more comprehensive understanding of WFC and emotion because it utilizes an array of theoretical and methodological approaches. In addition, we advance the co-mingling of certain paradigms to offer a more comprehensive future research agenda for emotion and WFC scholarship.


Background: The Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) is a well conserved mechanism that mammalian cells use to cope with stress and infections. This mechanism is exquisitely regulated at several levels, including post-transcriptional modifications by microRNAs. These small non-coding RNAs are mainly involved in the degradation of mRNA, thereby blocking protein translation. The finely balanced interplay between the UPR and microRNAs is altered in several disorders, contributing to both disease aetiology and pathology.

Methods: We review and explore alterations in the UPR and microRNAs in several inflammatory conditions, including bone, lung, and neurodegenerative diseases. We also evaluate the impact of these alterations on the disruption of cellular homeostasis and suggest possible therapeutic options to restore this balance.

Results: Several components of the UPR, including IRE1, ATF6, and PERK, are clearly dysregulated in inflammatory bone, lung, and neurodegenerative diseases, contributing to the inflammatory process in these disorders. XBP1s, which is downstream of IRE1, is shown to be dysregulated in several diseases, and significantly contributes to the inflammatory process. MicroRNAs show unique dysregulated signatures in each individual tissue and disorder, suggesting that these small transcripts may regulate different pathways in a cell-dependent manner. Finally, there are functional connections between these dysregulated microRNAs and the UPR, which may underlie important pathological aspects of these disorders.

Conclusion: It is evident that microRNAs regulate several components of the UPR and that these small non-coding RNAs, or other molecules that restore the UPR balance, may represent possible therapeutic options to normalise intracellular homeostasis.


Introduction: Short sleep duration has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CVD), cognitive impairment (CI) and mortality. However, the role of sleep duration in predicting mortality in the context of CVD and CI is still not well-understood. Hypothesis: Short sleep duration is a key effect modifier of the relationship between CI associated with CVD and all-cause mortality. Methods: We addressed this hypothesis in the Penn State Adult Cohort, a random, general population sample of 1,741 middle-aged adults who were studied in the sleep lab and followed-up for 15y. An in-lab, 8-hour polysomnography was performed to ascertain sleep duration. CI associated with CVD was defined by the presence of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and/or stroke with impaired higher-order, executive cognitive functioning, including slow processing speed. We tested the interaction between sleep duration and CI associated with CVD on all-cause mortality with multiple logistic regression while adjusting for sex, age, race, obesity, smoking, cholesterol, depression, insomnia, dementia, and sleep apnea. Results: The odds of mortality associated with CI-alone, CVD-alone, and CI associated with CVD were 1.3 (95% CI: 0.7-2.4), 1.7 (95% CI: 1.1-2.8), and 4.6 (95% CI: 2.8-7.7), respectively. As shown in Figure 1, the interaction between CI associated with CVD and sleep duration was significant (p Conclusion: We found that objective sleep duration modifies the relationship between CI associated with CVD and all-cause mortality in a dose-response manner. Short sleep duration in individuals with probable vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) may serve as a biomarker of the severity of central autonomic dysfunction. Future studies should examine whether improving sleep reduces the odds of mortality in individuals with VCI.


Background Leg length inequality (LLI), a condition in which one limb is longer than the other, is associated with osteoarthritis (OA) and pain of the knee and hip. OA is a leading cause of disability, but it is not known whether LLI is a risk factor for disability when accounting for OA. Objectives This longitudinal analysis examined the hazard of incident and progressive disability by LLI in a large, bi-racial (African American and Caucasian) community-based study in the United States of men and women 45+ years old with and without OA. Methods Participants were enrolled from 1991–1997 (original cohort) or 2003–2004 (enrichment cohort); 2369 participants had complete baseline LLI and baseline and follow-up (1999–2003 or 2006–2010) disability data available for analyses. With the participant supine, right and left lower extremity lengths were measured by trained examiners using a tape measure from anterior superior iliac spine to distal medial malleolus. LLI was defined as a difference between limbs ≥2 cm at baseline. Self-reported disability was assessed with the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index, which assesses 20 functions covering 8 domains (dressing, arising, eating, walking, reaching, gripping, chores, hygiene) scored on a scale of 0–3 (no difficulty to unable). HAQ scores were calculated by averaging the scores of the 8 domains. Incident Disability was present if baseline HAQ =0 and follow-up HAQ >0, and Progression of Disability was present if baseline HAQ < follow-up HAQ. Separate parametric Weibull time-to-event models estimated hazard ratios of the association of LLI and disability outcomes, adjusting for time of LLI assessment (1991–1997 or 1999–2004), age, sex, race, body mass index (BMI), radiographic knee or hip OA, knee or hip problems (injury, surgery, fracture, or congenital anomaly), and knee or hip symptoms (pain, aching, stiffness on most days). Interactions between LLI and covariates were examined (p<0.05 considered statistically significant). Results Characteristics of the total sample were: mean ± standard deviation (SD) baseline age 60 ± 9.7 years; 66% women; 31% African American; mean ± SD baseline BMI 30 ± 6.2 kg/m2; 23% knee OA; 26% hip OA; 21% knee problems; 8% hip problems; 44% knee symptoms; 36% hip symptoms; median follow up time 7.6 years, range 3.6–17.8 years. 154 participants (6.5%) had a LLI ≥2 cm. Compared to those without LLI, the adjusted hazard of Incident Disability was 39% higher among participants with LLI (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.002, 1.93). For the model with Progression of Disability, a statistically significant interaction was noted between baseline LLI and time of baseline LLI assessment; thus, results were stratified by time of assessment. Among participants with baseline LLI collected during 1999–2004, the adjusted hazard for Progression of Disability was 60% higher among participant with LLI vs. no LLI (aHR 1.60, 95% CI 1.12, 2.28). Conclusions LLI appears to be a modifiable risk factor for incident and progressive disability outcomes when accounting for OA. Treatment for LLI, such as shoe lift therapy, should be examined as an approach to prevent disability progression. Disclosure of Interest None declared


Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is a confirmed carcinogen. The effects of VCM on telomeres and the gene expression of telomere complex proteins, shelterin, have not been well studied but could be of potential relevance to the carcinogenic mechanism of VCM and the health surveillance of VCM‐exposed workers. A group of 241 VCM‐exposed workers and 101 internal controls from the same plant in Shandong, China were recruited and quantitative polymerase chain reaction was preformed to measure relative telomere length (RTL) and gene expression of shelterin proteins. VCM cumulative exposure dose (CED) was estimated for the exposed workers. The differences in RTL and gene expression between groups were compared by Wald test fitted with robust regression. Shorter RTL was observed in VCM‐exposed workers than in the controls (P < 0.001) and was related to CED of VCM. Shortened RTL was also significantly related to increasing age (P = 0.012) and high blood pressure (P = 0.056). Levels of gene expression of shelterin components in exposed workers were all lower than in controls except increased TIN2 expression, and the gene expression differences in TIN2 and POT1 among exposed and control groups were significant (P = 0.014 for TIN2 and P < 0.001 for POT1, respectively). VCM exposure is found associated with altered telomere length and gene expression of shelterin components. This provides new insights into the potential carcinogenic mechanisms of VCM and could be helpful for the health surveillance for VCM‐exposed workers. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 60:361–367, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


This paper attempts to provide a theoretical basis for the design of high-strength concrete columns in terms of the spacing of lateral reinforcement. In order to achieve this, important concepts had to be addressed such as the choice of a measure of ductile behaviour and a realistic high-strength concrete stress-strain model, as well as limiting factors such as longitudinal steel buckling and lateral steel fracture. A design method incorporating above factors are suggested in the paper. It is shown that both buckling of longitudinal steel and hoop fracture will not demand a reduction in spacing of lateral ties with increase in compressive strength of concrete.


Introduction: Internet addiction among the youth has become a public health concern. It leads to impairments in several aspects of life. Previous studies identified individual and environmental risk factors for internet addiction. The effect of online activities on youth internet use behavior is not well investigated. This study assessed the prevalence of internet addiction and determined the roles of online activities for internet addiction among students in Bahir Dar University. Methods: Data were collected from 812 randomly selected undergraduate regular program students recruited from 10 departments. Participants completed a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Results: The results indicated that 35.2% of students were classified as being addicted to the internet. The four most important online activities students engaged on the internet are social networking (75.5%), entertainments (73.6%), academic works (72.5%), and online game (60.8%). Including online activity variables improved the explanation of internet addicted behavior over the individual and environmental attributes. Online activities explained 48.4% of the variance in internet addiction. Students who did not use the internet for social networking (AOR = .11; 95% CI: .06 - .21) and online game (AOR = .31; 95% CI: .21 - .46) were less likely to be internet addicted. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that more than one third of the participants were addicted internet users. Online activities better predict students' addicted internet use behavior than individual and environmental attributes. Thus, university authorities and other concerned bodies need to be aware of the prevalence of IA and introduce regulatory mechanisms to limit the usage of potentially addictive online internet applications and promote responsible internet use behavior.


The presence of widespread corruption in the political and administrative system became a major political issue in Italy during the 1990s, but a few years after the beginning of the mani pulite ("clean hands") inquiries the question faded from the agenda of Italian politics. Using statistical and survey data, judicial and newspapers sources, the article shows that presumably political corruption is still systemic in Italy, and that its spread in the last decade can be explained by several institutional and cultural factors, including the failure of anti-corruption policies, the approval of some potentially corruption-enhancing measures, and the persistence of internal 'governance structures' of corrupt transactions. The legacy of mani pulite, therefore, has not been an improvement of public ethics, but an escalation of tensions been political powers and the judiciary, exacerbated by the involvement of the Prime Minister and media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi in several inquiries for corruption crimes.


This paper describes an signal processing method for the hall sensorless position control of ETC control system using a BLDC motor. The proposed ETC control system, which is mainly consisted of a BLDC motor, a throttle plate, a return spring and reduction gear, has a position sensor with an analog voltage output on the throttle valve instead of BLDC motor for detecting rotor position of motor. So the additional commutation information is necessarily needed to control the mentioned ETC module. In order to estimate and determine the commutation state, it is proposed to properly manipulate the resolution of A/D converter considering the mechanical parameter, that is, the number of motor slot and the ratio of reduction gear. Through this method, the estimation of commutation state for operating the system is possible and the discrete signal for commutation is stably obtained. The validity of the method is examined through the experimental results.


This study extends our understanding of why firms choose to take discretionary write-offs and identifies factors that influence the measurement of the charges taken. We focus on segment disposals, initial provisions recorded upon discontinuance of those segments, and adjustments to initial provisions that accompany the segment disposals. We partition our sample into those disposals that were substantially completed at the time of recognition (nondiscretionary disposals) and those that were recognized prior to disposal completion (discretionary disposals). With respect to motivations for taking discretionary rather than nondiscretionary disposals, we find that firms electing discretionary disposals discontinue segments that experience sharp declines in earnings and that require more negative initial provisions; the continuing portion of these firms are less profitable and are in weaker financial condition when compared to firms recognizing disposals upon completion. Further, they are more likely to announce the disposal in the fourth quarter, and they are more likely to underestimate the cost of disposal. With respect to measurement issues, we find that subsequent adjustments to initial provisions for discretionary disposals relate both to firms' abilities to estimate losses on disposal at the plan date and to management incentives to manage disclosures. In contrast, subsequent adjustments accompanying nondiscretionary disposals relate primarily to uncertainties contained in the disposal agreement.


OBJECTIVES
Antimicrobial resistance patterns change over time and longitudinal surveillance studies provide insight into these trends. We sought to describe the important trends in antimicrobial resistance in key pathogens across Canada to provide useful information to clinicians, policy makers and industry, to assist in optimizing antimicrobial therapy, formulary choices and drug development.

METHODS
We analysed longitudinal data from the CANWARD study using a multivariate regression model to control for possible effects of patient demographics on resistance, in order to assess the impact of time on antimicrobial resistance independent of other measured variables.

RESULTS
We identified several key trends in common pathogens. In particular, we observed a statistically significant increase in the proportion of Escherichia coli isolates that were resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, an increase in the proportion of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates that were resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, a reduction in the proportion of Staphylococcus aureus that were methicillin, clindamycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole resistant, and a reduction in the proportion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that were fluoroquinolone and gentamicin resistant.

CONCLUSIONS
Although some of these trends, such as the dramatic increase in fluoroquinolone and cephalosporin resistance in E. coli, can be attributed to the emergence and global spread of resistant clones (e.g. ST131 E. coli), others remain unexplained. However, recognizing these trends remains important to guide changes in empirical antimicrobial therapy and drug development.


This study proposes an approach for off-grid micro-hybrid system model to represent the locally available sustainable and renewable energy sources (RESs). This model is comprised of wind and solar energy as primary sources along with a pumped storage unit (PSU) as backup. The proposed PSU is modelled with pico-hydro turbines (PHTs) and an open well. The ground water in the open well is effectively utilised along with agriculture and domestic needs in rural areas. The depth of the open well is exploited as the working head for the PHT. The power dispatch of two PHTs at a constant operating head, using the standard lambda iteration method, is obtained ensuring optimal utilisation of the stored water. The performance of the proposed model is tested using solar irradiance and wind speed data during winter and rainy seasons. The ratio of expected input energy and load demand on the succeeding day is used to control the water discharge on the current day. This model taps the unused potential of the open well as an energy storage system. Thereby, it limits the usage of batteries in satisfying the basic load demand of domestic consumers who do not have access to grid electricity.


Acute febrile illnesses occur frequently in Guinea. Acute fever itself is not a unique, hallmark indication (pathognomonic sign) of any one illness or disease. In the infectious disease context, fever's underlying cause can be a wide range of viral or bacterial pathogens, including the Ebola virus. In this study, molecular and serological methods were used to analyze samples from patients hospitalized with acute febrile illness in various regions of Guinea. This analysis was undertaken with the goal of accomplishing differential diagnosis (determination of causative pathogen) in such cases. As a result, a number of pathogens, both viral and bacterial, were identified in Guinea as causative agents behind acute febrile illness. In approximately 60% of the studied samples, however, a definitive determination could not be made.


Produced water is naturally occurring water that is produced as a byproduct during the exploration and production of oil and natural gas from the subsurface system. Produced water brought to the surface contains high saline content and may also contain Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM). Therefore, the efficient treatment, use, and disposal of produced water remain a critical issue for the energy industry with environmental and human health implications. Over the years, researchers have presented numerous treatment technologies ranging from physical, chemical, and biological perspectives. Some industries have combined one or two of these methods to improve the treatment quality of produced water required for distinct purposes, and these practices have been extended to the energy industry. As the energy industry strives to sustain production capacities and maintain or increase profitability in this energy-transition era, water production is also rising while there is a reduction in its re-purposing and utilization for energy and environmental industries. Our study focuses on over 100 studies conducted over the past five decades. This study presents a comprehensive overview of the produced treatment methods, challenges regarding the execution and implementation of these methods in the energy industry. We highlight the important fundamental questions that are yet to be addressed and propose new directions for more environmentally friendly and economically viable solutions for the treatment and use of produced water.


Background Clinical and epidemiological evidence implicates elevated lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] level as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).1 Lp(a) is also implicated as a causal agent in the atherothrombotic process.1 RA pts are at increased risk for CVD and have higher Lp(a) levels than the general population.2 Treatment guidelines recommend reduction of Lp(a) at levels >50 mg/dL.3 Niacin is the most recognized means to lower Lp(a) but is no longer recommended given recent trial results.4 Although some evidence implies a beneficial role for TNF inhibitors in reducing CV risk and mortality in RA pts, their effect on Lp(a) remains unclear. Some studies report a decrease in Lp(a) following treatment with MTX and TNF inhibitors; others show no such effects.5–7 Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a proinflammatory cytokine, has been shown to increase Lp(a) levels in monkey hepatocyte cultures.8 Conversely, inhibition of IL-6 signaling with TCZ decreases serum Lp(a) levels.9,10 Objectives This post hoc analysis examined the response of Lp(a) to TCZ in comparison to ADA and to MTX in two separate clinical trials. Methods ADACTA was a randomized, double-blind, phase 4 study in RA pts (TCZ, n=163; ADA, n=163).11 Pts received TCZ 8 mg/kg IV Q4W or ADA 40 mg SC Q2W for 24 wks, both as monotherapy. MEASURE was a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 study in RA pts (TCZ + MTX, n=69; pbo + MTX, n=63).10 Pts received TCZ 8 mg/kg IV Q4W or pbo IV Q4W, both in combination with MTX. Serum samples were analyzed at baseline (BL) and wk 8 for Lp(a). Change from BL to wk 8 in Lp(a) was summarized within each study split by EULAR and ACR50 response at wk 24. Shifts from >50 mg/dL to ≤50 mg/dL in Lp(a) from BL to wk 8 were summarized for each study. Results A greater reduction in Lp(a) was seen in pts receiving TCZ compared to those receiving ADA (p<0.0001) and in pts receiving TCZ + MTX compared to those receiving MTX (p<0.0001) (Table 1). Although the reduction was greater in both ACR50 and EULAR responders compared to nonresponders, the numerical differences were mostly small. At wk 8, numerically higher proportions of pts with BL Lp(a) >50 mg/dL improved (defined as achieving Lp(a) ≤50 mg/dL) in the TCZ group (11/21 [52.4%]) compared to the ADA group (6/24 [25%]) and in the TCZ + MTX group (7/12 [58.3%]) compared to the MTX group (2/20 [10%]). Conclusions The current analysis showed greater reduction of Lp(a) levels in RA pts treated with TCZ monotherapy compared to ADA and with TCZ + MTX compared to MTX. This effect appears to be partially related to treatment response. These results suggest that IL-6 receptor inhibition may modulate Lp(a) more than MTX or TNF blockade with ADA. More studies are needed to elucidate the hierarchy of signaling pathways that modulate Lp(a) and how this may impact CV risk. References Curr Atheroscler Rep 2013;15:360. Circulation 2003;108:2957. Eur Heart J 2010;31:2844. N Engl J Med 2011;365:2255. Ann NY Acad Sci 2006;1069:414. Arthritis Rheum 2007;56:831. Clin Exp Rheum 2013;31:415-21. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1998;18:984. PLoS One 2010;5:e14328. Ann Rheum Dis 2013 doi:10.1136. Lancet 2013;381:1541. Disclosure of Interest C. Gabay Grant/research support: Roche, AbbVie, Merck, Consultant for: Roche, AbbVie, Merck, I. McInnes Grant/research support: Pfizer, Roche, Consultant for: BMS, Pfizer, NovoNordisk, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, UCB, Speakers bureau: BMS, Pfizer, NovoNordisk, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, UCB, A. Kavanaugh Grant/research support: Roche/Genentech, K. Tuckwell Employee of: Roche, N. Collinson Employee of: Roche, M. Klearman Shareholder of: Roche/Genentech, Employee of: Roche/Genentech, J. Green Employee of: Roche, N. Sattar Consultant for: Roche, Speakers bureau: Roche DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3030


For better understanding of the structures comprising the human body and in view of possible need for future revision, Latin anatomical names (Terminologia Anatomica) of the skeletal tubers and tubercles were analyzed and classified, and compared with the corresponding English and Japanese anatomical names. The words following Tuber indicated: (1) the structure to which the tuber belongs; or (2) location of the tuber. The words following Tuberculum indicated: (1) the structure to which the tubercle belongs; (2) location of the tubercle; (3) the structure attached to the tubercle; (4) the structure that exists near the tubercle; (5) the structure that passes near the tubercle; (6) the structure of which the tubercle is a component; (7) the relative size of the tubercle; (8) the relative position of the tubercle; or (9) the non-relative position ofthe tubercle. Analysis of Latin names and comparison with English and Japanese names clarified some characteristics of those names and revealed some problems in them.


In this paper we will show how the methods of computational and geometric algebra can be used to analyze the kinematics of multibody systems. As an example we treat thoroughly the well known Bricard's mechanism which is a classic example of so called overconstrained mechanism, but the same methods can be applied to wide class of rigid multibody systems. It turns out that the configuration space of Bricard's system is a smooth closed curve which can be explicitly parametrized. Our computations also yield a new formulation of constraints which is better than the original one from the point of view of numerical simulations.Copyright © 2008 by ASME


Pharyngitis caused by group A streptococci (GAS) is one of the most common infections around the world. However, relatively little is known about which genes are expressed and which genes regulate expression during acute infection. Due to their ability to provide genome-wide views of gene expression at one time, microarrays are increasingly being incorporated in GAS research. In this study, a novel electrochemical detection-based microarray was used to identify gene expression patterns among humans with culture-confirmed GAS pharyngitis. Using 14 samples (11 GAS-positive and three GAS-negative) obtained from subjects seen at the Brooke Army Medical Center paediatric clinic, this study demonstrated two different clusters of gene expression patterns. One cluster expressed a larger number of genes related to phages, immune-system evasion and survival among competing oral flora, signifying a potentially more virulent pattern of gene expression. The other cluster showed a greater number of genes related to nutrient acquisition and protein expression. This in vivo genome-wide analysis of GAS gene expression in humans with pharyngitis evaluated global gene expression in terms of virulence factors.


Background Delayed diagnosis of HIV is a problem in both high and low prevalence areas. In Cornwall, the relatively low prevalence means that most general practitioners (GPs) have little or no experience in managing patients with HIV infection; they may be unfamiliar with indicator conditions and thus be unlikely to offer an HIV test. Aims To see if simple correspondence and feedback regarding testing rates can lead to changes in practice. Methods We compared testing rates before and after the intervention which comprised of a letter to all individual GPs attached to a PCT weekly communication e-bulletin sent July 2011. This highlighted recent local delayed HIV diagnoses, benefits of earlier testing and contact details of the sexual health clinic. We included an anonymised "ski-jump" graph showing ranked testing rates by practice, an invitation to GPs and practice managers to find out where their practice fell on the graph and the 2008 HIV testing guidelines, drawing attention to the table of indicator conditions. Results Initial comparison of absolute numbers of tests and tests per head of practice population in GP practices in Cornwall during 2010 revealed large variation in testing rates between practices, from <0.5 tests per 1000 population to approximately 30 tests per 1000 population, with a total of 593 tests over 12 months. An interim analysis of HIV testing rates for the period April to September 2011 has shown an apparent increase in testing of 29% when projected for 12 months. Most practices showed increased rates of testing after the intervention. Conclusion Our findings suggest that a simple targeted communication may result in increased testing in a low incident GP population. Monthly figures leading up to and following the intervention will be presented.


Streptococcus pyogenes  is the leading cause of uncomplicated bacterial pharyngitis and tonsillitis commonly referred to as strep throat. Erythromycin is administered for patients allergy to penicillin. In this study, 125 throat swab samples were collected from children between 2-12 years old with tonsillo-pharyngitis attended to at the AL-Imammain AL-Kadhimain Medical City-Baghdad-Iraq and Pediatric Caring Hospital-Baghdad-Iraq from February 2014 to February 2015. Only 72 throat swab samples showed bacterial growth. The isolates were identified using Vitek 2 Compact system for Gram-Positive. Antibiotics susceptibility was examined using the BioMerieux Vitek2 compact system AST card. For direct molecular identification of S. pyogenes , 16S rRNA and 16S-23S rRNA gene amplification were used. Molecular screening for erythromycin resistance genes erm(A), erm(B) and mef(A) were done using PCR. The results of identification using Vitek2 GP show that 21 (29.2%) samples were S. pyogenes- positive while 51(70.8%) of samples were due to other causes of tonsillo-pharyngitis. The results of molecular identification of S. pyogenes strains using 16S rRNA and 16S-23S rRNA amplification showed that only four strains were positive for 16S-23S rRNA , while two strains out of four were also positive for 16S rRNA . According to the results of antibiotic sensitivity, there were seven strains resistant to erythromycin. The results of molecular screening for erythromycin resistant genes showed that all these resistant strains did not contain the resistant genes erm(A), erm(B) or mef (A). We conclude that, maybe there was a specific sequence variations in genes used for identification of S. pyogenes . Also, resistance to erythromycin could be attributed to causes other than the studied mutations, such as structural modification of erythromycin by phosphorylation, glycosylation or lactone ring cleavage by erythromycin esterase. Keywords: Streptococcus pyogenes , Molecular Identification, Erythromycin Resistance Genes


The sensation in the throat while drinking is important for beer. To evaluate this feeling, we developed a noninvasive biometric system for measurement of the swallowing motion while drinking. The system measures movement of the Adam's apple and provides an electromyogram (EMG) of the throat musculature and swallowing sounds by simultaneously employing pressure sensors, EMG electrodes, and microphones, all mounted on the throat surface. As analytic parameters, we used the period of larynx heave, throat muscular activity, and intervals of swallowing sound. Three beer samples with different throat sensation features confirmed by sensory evaluation were investigated. The subjects swallowed beer for 15 sec successively to measure throat movement while drinking a glass of beer. The difference in laryngeal movement time and swallowing sound intervals was significant. It was determined that a sample with a light finish, ease of drinking, and drinkable sensation had short laryngeal movement time, low muscular activity, and small swallowing sound intervals. It was suggested that the sensation in the throat could be an important factor in beer drinkability. It is expected that this system could characterize the difference in swallowing motion while drinking beer and the sensation in the throat.


The endocrine effects of pregnancy cause striking changes in maternal metabolism, cardiovascular regulation, acid-base balance, and thermoregulation at rest and during standard submaximal exercise. The apparent purpose of these changes is to accommodate fetal needs in addition to those of the exercising woman. A significant body of evidence supports the hypothesis that healthy women can perform acute exercise of moderate intensity and duration without jeopardizing fetal well-being. Compiled studies also suggest that maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max, L.min-1) and the work rate at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA) are not significantly altered during the course of a normal pregnancy. However, some evidence suggests that maximal anaerobic power may be reduced. More information is needed on maternal cardiorespiratory function, carbohydrate metabolism, and acid-base balance at exercise intensities above OBLA and on fetal adaptability to strenuous maternal exercise. Recent studies support the view that moderate fitness conditioning can augment maternal metabolic and cardiopulmonary capacities without altering fetal development or pregnancy outcome. Implications of recent scientific studies for the design of aerobic exercise programs for pregnant women are discussed.


It is well known that thermal gradients penetrating deep into a material can preserve a memory of the temperature history of the surface. To date, this concept has been largely applied in the earth sciences, but there are many applications where a memory of rapid thermal events would be useful. For example, multiple layers of thermoluminescent films could serve as temperature sensors that indicate temperature versus depth in a microfabricated structure. As an advance toward this goal, this paper examines the effect of nonuniform temperature profiles on the thermoluminescence of heterogeneous multilayers. A Nd:YAG laser is used to create a known thermal event and apply pulses of heat energy of varying duration to a metalized thermoluminescent multilayer composed of LiF:Mg,Ti and CaF2:Dy. The thermoluminescence of the system is measured before and after the applied laser pulse. To model the process, a finite-difference time-domain method is used to calculate the dynamic heat transfer, and the temperature di...


Introduction An important group of working women has been laid aside of research: housewives and micro entrepreneurs. Perhaps multiple roles are detrimental to housewives' both physical and mental health; it is supposed that these damaging effects are worst in the case of women taking care of housekeeping tasks and being workers at the same time. Therefore: how housewives, female microentrepreneurs, workers and professionals compare in the above mentioned fields? Methods 353 women were surveyed in Cuernavaca, Mexico. 25% were housewives, 21% were housewives which sold goods or rendered services (baby sitting, laundry, ironing, for instance) to people outside the family circle, 13% were housewives and micro entrepreneurs at the same time, 5% said were blue-collar workers and housewives, 7% saw themselves as clerks and house-wives, 21% were professionals and housewives, and 5% saw themselves as professionals without being housewives at the same time. The BREF-WHOQOL, the Siegrist Effort-Reward Questionnaire (slightly modified to adapt it to the sample), a stress, and self-efficacy, self-esteem, sense of life as well as a demographic questionnaire were administered. Results MANOVAS were calculated for the whole sample. Housewives rendered the lowest scores in mental health and self-efficacy, followed by micro-entrepreneurs, and manual workers. Regarding mental health, office employees, professionals and women without being housewives were better off as well as considering self-esteem, physical health, stress and recognition from their families. Stress correlated egatively with family satisfaction, recognition from their family, physical health, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and mental health. Effort was positively associated with stress, and negatively with the rest of variables. However, from a practical viewpoint scores were minor, mounting to less than a point. Conclusion Protective factors balance negative ones. Public policies should aim to pay attention to housewives since their important role within families impact in children and husbands as well as to society.


A collision integral for three-wave interactions in a collisionless plasma is derived from the full plasma description by means of the Klimontovich–Dupree and Maxwell equations. This collision integral differs from its traditional counterpart (calculated within the framework of Vlasov theory) by an additional functional factor. This means that the changes in the wave spectral density, which are induced by three-wave interactions, occur with a rate other than that calculated in Vlasov theory.


The aim of this study was to optimize machining parameters to obtain the smallest average surface roughness (Ra) and flank wear (Vb) values as a result of the surface milling of a nickel-titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloy (SMA) with uncoated cutting tools with different nose radius (rε) under dry cutting conditions. Tungsten carbide cutting tools with different rε (0.4 mm and 0.8 mm) were used in milling operations. The milling process was performed as lateral/surface cutting at three different cutting speeds (Vc) (20, 35 and 50 m/min), feed rates (fz) (0.03, 0.07 and 0.14 mm/tooth) and a constant axial cutting depth (0.7 mm). The effects of machining parameters in milling experiments were investigated based on the Taguchi L18 (21 × 32) orthogonal sequence, and the data obtained were analyzed using the Minitab 17 software. To determine the effects of processing parameters on Ra and Vb, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. The analysis results reveal that the dominant factor affecting the Ra is the cutting tool rε, while the main factor affecting Vb is the fz. Since the predicted values and measured values are very close to each other, it can be said that optimization is correct according to the validation test results.


Background: The aim of this study was to compare energy expenditure (EE) predicted by accelerometery (EEAcc) with indirect calorimetry (EEMETA) in individuals with hemiparesis. Methods: Twenty-four participants (12 with stroke and 12 healthy controls) performed a six-minute walk test (6MWT) during which EEMETA was measured using a portable indirect calorimetry system and EEACC was calculated using Bouten's equation (1993) with data from a three-axis accelerometer positioned between L3 and L4. Results: The median EEMETA was 9.85 [8.18;11.89] W·kg−1 in the stroke group and 5.0 [4.56;5.46] W·kg−1 in the control group. The median EEACC was 8.57 [7.86;11.24] W·kg−1 in the control group and 8.2 [7.05;9.56] W·kg−1 in the stroke group. The EEACC and EEMETA were not significantly correlated in either the control (p = 0.8) or the stroke groups (p = 0.06). The Bland–Altman method showed a mean difference of 1.77 ± 3.65 W·kg−1 between the EEACC and EEMETA in the stroke group and −2.08 ± 1.59 W·kg−1 in the controls. Conclusions: The accuracy of the predicted EE, based on the accelerometer and the equations proposed by Bouten et al., was low in individuals with hemiparesis and impaired gait. This combination (sensor and Bouten's equation) is not yet suitable for use as a stand-alone measure in clinical practice for the evaluation of hemiparetic patients.


AC gate effects on electron transport of a nano electromechanical single electron transistor having a moveable nano particle in the tunnel regime are theoretically studied. The AC gate drives the nano particle vibrations, giving rise to resonance of the vibrations at the natural frequency ω0 of the confining potential and fractional magnitudes of ω0. The current and noise show remarkable increase with respect the gate frequency, reflecting the dynamic response of the nano particle vibrations to the gate. Artificial shuttle mechanism is confirmed under certain situation.


Additive manufacturing (AM) enables cost-effective and efficient production toward sustainability. However, a rigorous evaluation method is required to further investigate the measurement method and efficiency before AM can be well-positioned in sustainable manufacturing and become the industry mainstream. Cost savings play a key role in the manufacturing industry. Compared to conventional manufacturing (CM), the cost of AM is volume-independent. In contrast, CM production requires a certain volume to share the initial tooling costs to achieve cost reduction. This constraint limits CM from service on demand and leaves ambiguity in the threshold setting of that critical batch volume. In addition, the invisibility of AM advantages in cost factors blocks AM technologies from appropriate processes and affects its applications. To address these issues, this paper proposes a business model. The major issues encountered by AM are the scaling, speed, and size of products. The enhancement of cost modeling and addressing speed, scale, and size issues are the novelties of this study and provide a breakthrough in AM issues. Generic equations are derived using the convergence effect and cost–volume intersection calculation between AM and CM. Furthermore, the divide-and-conquer approach is proposed to support scaling factors and dependencies for both AM and CM. Consequently, appropriate AM technologies can be compared with the CM convergence threshold to contribute to decision-making. Next, the advantages and weaknesses of AM are identified, and a collaboration pattern is proposed to connect large enterprises, small-and medium-sized enterprises, and home-based manufacturers into an AM society. Through this society, the advantages of AM can be fully exploited, scaling and speed issues can be addressed, and AM's dominant role in sustainable manufacturing can be made feasible.


OBJECTIVE
Soluble triggering receptors expressed by myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) and inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in macrophage cells were stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis-lipopolysaccharide (Pg-LPS) to investigate the expression of triggering receptors expressed by myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) and further explore the correlation between TREM-1 and the pathogenesis of periodontitis.

METHODS
THP-1 cells (a human monocytic cell line derived from an acute monocytic leukemia patient) were induced to differentiate THP-1 macrophages by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate and were injected with 0 (blank control), 0.5, or 1.0 μg·mL⁻¹ Pg-LPS. The THP-1 cells were then grouped in accordance with incubation time, and each group was incubated for 4, 6, 12, or 24 h. The expression of the TREM-1 mRNA in macrophages was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, while the expression of TREM-1 protein was detected by Western blot; the site where TREM-1 protein expression was observed in macrophages was detected by immunofluorescence staining, and the expression of soluble sTREM-1 and TNF-α in cell culture medium was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS
Compared with the blank control group, the expression of TREM-1 mRNA, TREM-1 protein, and sTREM-1 in Pg-LPS-stimulated macrophages was significantly upregulated (P<0.05). The expression of TREM-1 mRNA, TREM-1 protein, and sTREM-1 in the supernatant of cell culture was higher in the 1.0 μg·mL⁻¹ Pg-LPS group than in the 0.5 μg·mL⁻¹ group; this expression was statistically significant since the 6, 4, and 4 h time point (P<0.05). Cell immunofluorescence staining showed that TREM-1 protein was positive when the THP-1 macrophages was stimulated by Pg-LPS (1.0 μg·mL⁻¹) for 24 h, and the staining sites of TREM-1 were mainly located in the cell membrane of the macrophages (P<0.05). The expression level of TNF-α increased in groups stimulated by Pg-LPS, and the expression level of TNF-α was significantly higher in 1.0 μg·mL⁻¹ Pg-LPS stimulated groups than in 0.5 μg·mL⁻¹ Pg-LPS-stimulated groups since the 6 h time point (P<0.05). The expressions of TREM-1 mRNA, TREM-1 protein, and sTREM-1 in 0.5 μg·mL⁻¹ Pg-LPS-stimulated macrophages were positively correlated with one another (r=1, P<0.05), but no statistically significant correlation was found in the expression of TNF-α. The positive correlation between sTREM-1 and TNF-α expressions was detected when macrophages were stimulated by 1.0 μg·mL⁻¹ Pg-LPS (r=1, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
The expression of TREM-1 mRNA, TREM-1 protein, and sTREM-1 in the culture supernatant in Pg-LPS-stimulated macrophages was significantly upregulated on the basis of the concentration of Pg-LPS; moreover, their upregulation was positively correlated with one another. The expression of TNF-α in the supernatant of cell culture was also upregulated and was positively correlated with the expression of sTREM-1 at the group of high Pg-LPS concentration (1.0 μg·mL⁻¹). Results reveal that TREM-1, which has been realized as a proinflammatory receptor protein, can promote the development of periodontitis by regulating the expression of TNF-α in macrophages.


In this paper, the influence of plastic deformation on the rebound behaviour of spheres during oblique impacts with a substrate at various impact angles is analysed using Finite Element Methods (FEM). Both oblique impacts of the elastic spheres with an elastic-plastic substrate and those of an elastic-plastic sphere with an elastic substrate are considered. For each impact case, impact angles ranging from 0° to 85° are specified by either keeping the impact speed constant, i.e, changing impact angle will vary both the normal impact velocities and tangential velocities, or keeping the normal impact velocity constant, i.e., only the tangential velocities are changed for different impact angles. It has been found that, during oblique impacts, the plastic deformation not only dissipates the initial impact kinetic energy but also leads to permanent deformation of the impacting bodies that significantly affect the rebound behaviour of the spheres, especially at relatively high impact angles. Consequently, the rebound behaviour of spheres during oblique impacts depends upon which of contacting bodies (the sphere or the substrate) deforms plastically and different rebound behaviours were observed between the impacts of an elastic sphere with an elastic-plastic substrate and those of an elastic-plastic spheres with an elastic substrate.


The advent of training packages is a further change to the vocational education and training sector and is currently being implemented by teaching professionals. This paper outlines the findings of a project involving teachers in a TAFE institution as they begin the process of implementing the cross-industry Laboratory Operations Training Package into their teaching centre. The impetus for the research was the recognition that the change brought about by the new initiative would present a challenge for the teachers and a further change to their role in vocational education and training (VET). The research was qualitative in the form of a case study. Findings demonstrated that the implementation required a significant change in the philosophy of educational practice within the centre and that the implementation process was causing the teachers anxiety and confusion.


The aim of this article is to measure the effect on performance, of the innovation in the organizational structure of the laboratories for clinical research associated with healthcare in infectious diseases of the Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases (INI) at Fiocruz in 2007, na effect herein identified as representative of the corporate intangible assets resulting from such restructuring strategy. The method consists, first, in the analysis of the literature about the measurement of intangible assets and organizational innovation, the potential effects of organizationi?½s structure in performance, and the assessment of multipurpose public organizations in health, as sources of the basic notion on relations between intangible assets, organizational structure and performance which is used in this research. Next, the empirical research involves: (a) characterizing the change in organizational structure of 8 INI laboratories; (b) quantifying variables on the use of consumer goods and specialized personnel and on the production of teaching, research and health care; (c) calculating indicators about the development of relative technical efficiency of INI laboratories in the period 2002-2014, through Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA); and (d) using these indicators to compare the performance of these laboratories before and after the organizational innovation associated with the adoption of the Innovative Structure in their restructuring. As a contribution to knowledge, opens up prospects of collaborative research in Administration, Accounting and Economics for the development of a metric for organizational innovation. As management contribution, confirms the association between restructuring of INI laboratories as Innovative Organizations and their improvement in performance. Although the case study method imposes limitations to the generalizability of these results, mainly because there are no sufficient multipurpose organizations that use this methodology in performance assessment, it brings evidence on the potential benefit of the entrepreneurial-oriented innovation for the expansion and improvement of multipurpose public organizations.


Samples of seven species of cephalopods and crustaceans were collected from major fish markets on the Korean coast and analyzed for mercury (Hg) using a direct Hg analyzer and for the metals cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium, silver, nickel, copper, and zinc using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The distributions of heavy metals in muscles, internal organs, and whole tissues were determined, and a risk assessment was conducted to provide information concerning consumer safety. The heavy metals accumulated to higher levels (P < 0.05) in internal organs than in muscles for all species. The mean concentrations of Cd, which had the highest concentrations of the three hazardous metals (Cd, Pb, and Hg), in all internal organs (except those of blue crab) exceeded the regulatory limits set by Korea and the European Union. The Cd concentrations in all whole tissues of squid and octopus (relatively large cephalopods), red snow crab, and snow crab exceeded the European Union limits. The estimated dietary intake of Cd, Pb, and Hg for each part of all species accounted for 1.73 to 130.57%, 0.03 to 0.39%, and 0.93 to 1.67%, respectively, of the provisional tolerable daily intake adopted by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives; the highest values were found in internal organs. The hazard index (HI) is recognized as a reasonable parameter for assessing the risk of heavy metal consumption associated with contaminated food. Because of the high HI (>1.0) of the internal organs of cephalopods and the maximum HI for whole tissue of 0.424, consumers eating internal organs or whole tissues of cephalopods could be at risk of high heavy metal exposure. Therefore, the internal organs of relatively large cephalopods and crabs (except blue crab) are unfit for consumption. However, consumption of flesh after removing internal organs is a suitable approach for decreasing exposure to harmful metals.


This paper describes shallow semantically-informed Hierarchical Phrase-based SMT (HPBSMT) and Phrase-Based SMT (PBSMT) systems developed at Dublin City University for participation in the translation task between EN-ES and ES-EN at the Workshop on Statistical Machine Translation (WMT 13). The system uses PBSMT and HPBSMT decoders with multiple LMs, but will run only one decoding path decided before starting translation. Therefore the paper does not present a multi-engine system combination. We investigate three types of shallow semantics: (i) Quality Estimation (QE) score, (ii) genre ID, and (iii) context ID derived from context-dependent language models. Our results show that the improvement is 0.8 points absolute (BLEU) for EN-ES and 0.7 points for ES-EN compared to the standard PBSMT system (single best system). It is important to note that we developed this method when the standard (confusion network-based) system combination is ineffective such as in the case when the input is only two.


Abstract 2635

EBV+ Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) arises from a latently EBV infected B cell and is associated with infectious mononucleosis (IM), a febrile illness that presents upon primary EBV infection of B cells in a proportion of adolescents and young adults. After primary infection, the virus establishes lifelong persistence in a small number of circulating B cells and this number is strongly controlled by the immune system, with a prominent role for HLA class I restricted recognition of EBV antigenic peptides by cytotoxic CD8 T cells.

Interestingly, in the western European population, HLA-A1 is a susceptibility type for EBV+ HL, while HLA-A2 is protective. This corresponds well to known HLA restricted immune responses to EBV in healthy individuals, with consistent cytotoxic responses in the context of HLA-A2 and no responses in the context of HLA-A1. Because EBV+ HL tumor cells usually express all components of the antigen presenting pathway, including HLA class I, the effect of HLA type on susceptibility may act at any stage of disease pathogenesis. We therefore tested 2 hypotheses in this study: 1. HLA-A type is associated with IM risk and 2. HLA-A type determines EBV+ HL risk by influencing the number of circulating EBV+ B cells.

To test the first hypothesis a total of 158 consecutive IM patients diagnosed from 1993 to 2011 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, United Kingdom were included. These were all Caucasians patients with a clinical diagnosis of IM, including positive EBV antibody titers and/or Monospot test. HLA class I typing (HLA-A, B and C) was performed and allele frequencies were compared to 12,762 regional Blood Bank volunteers. The HLA-A1 type was clearly under represented in IM patients (12.3%) compared to controls (19.3%, OR 0.59; 95%CI 0.42–0.83), in sharp contrast to the situation in EBV+ HL. The uncommon HLA-B53 type was overrepresented in IM patients (1.6% vs. 0.3%, OR 5.313; 95%CI 2.14–13.2). Some other types showed borderline significance: HLA-A3 (OR 1.41; 95%CI 1.07–1.87), HLA-B14 (OR 1.68, 95%CI 1.07–2.62), HLA-C7 (OR 0.75; 95%CI 0.58–0.97) and HLA-C8 (OR 1.76, 95%CI 1.10–2.81). These data indicate that the known association of HLA-A1 and HLA-A2 with EBV+ HL is not paralleled by a similar association with IM. The unexpected negative correlation between HLA-A1 and IM may be caused by an association with less severe IM symptoms as suggested in another study (McAulay et al J Clin Invest 2007), if individuals with less severe IM symptoms did not seek medical attention.

To answer the second hypothesis, first year medical students from the University of Birmingham, UK were asked to participate and donate blood in the years 2007 and 2008. EBV viral load was measured by Q-PCR using PBMC DNA from 270 students with positive EBV serology (30% of all students were serology negative) and no recent IM symptoms. Viral load was considered indicative for number of circulating EBV+ B cells. HLA-typing was done for HLA-A1, A2, B7, B8 and B35. For each type EBV loads were compared between HLA type carriers and non-carriers. Results with medians are shown in [figure 1][1]. The percentages of EBV seropositive students with detectable EBV loads per HLA-type are indicated under the x-axis (57.5% for all subjects). EBV seropositive students with undetectable EBV loads were also included in the statistical analyses. Of the individuals with HLA types previously shown to be involved in cytotoxic immune responses to latent EBV (A2, B7, B8 and B35), only HLA-B7 positive individuals had a significantly lower viral load than HLA-B7 negative individuals (p=0.038, median: 0 vs. 44). None of the other HLA types showed a significant difference between HLA type carriers and non-carriers, including HLA-A1 (expected to have higher viral loads in A1+ donors).

In conclusion, the risk effect of HLA-A1 and the protective effect of HLA-A2 in the development of EBV+ HL are unlikely to be explained by differences occurring during primary EBV infection or differences in the lifelong virus-host balance. Instead, these effects probably relate to immune surveillance of EBV infected Hodgkin (precursor) cells at later stages of disease pathogenesis.

![Figure][2]

Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

 [1]: #F1
 [2]: pending:yes


We study the dynamics of the Bak-Sneppen model on small-world networks. For each site in the network, we define a ``connectance,'' which measures the distance to all other sites. We find radically different patterns of activity for different sites, depending on their connectance and also on the topology of the network. For a given network, the site with the minimal connectance shows long periods of stasis interrupted by much smaller periods of activity. In contrast, the activity pattern for the maximally connected site appears uniform on the same time scale. We discuss the significance of these results for speciation events.


How do typological properties such as word order and morphological case marking affect the ability of neural sequence models to acquire the syntax of a language? Cross-linguistic comparisons of RNNs' syntactic performance (e.g., on subject-verb agreement prediction) are complicated by the fact that any two languages differ in multiple typological properties, as well as by differences in training corpus. We propose a paradigm that addresses these issues: we create synthetic versions of English, which differ from English in one or more typological parameters, and generate corpora for those languages based on a parsed English corpus. We report a series of experiments in which RNNs were trained to predict agreement features for verbs in each of those synthetic languages. Among other findings, (1) performance was higher in subject-verb-object order (as in English) than in subject-object-verb order (as in Japanese), suggesting that RNNs have a recency bias; (2) predicting agreement with both subject and object (polypersonal agreement) improves over predicting each separately, suggesting that underlying syntactic knowledge transfers across the two tasks; and (3) overt morphological case makes agreement prediction significantly easier, regardless of word order.


In safety critical systems, Modified Condition/ Decision Coverage (MC/DC) is a compulsory criterion for testing as per RTCA/DO-178B/C standard. To reduce the burdensome task of software testing, test case generation has been elongated and can be generated not only from the coding documents but also from Software Requirement Specification (SRS) and object-oriented design model (or, UML model). A Unified Modeling Language (UML) contains different diagrams for visual modeling of the object-oriented software. Different types of UML diagrams are used to describe individual perspectives of a software system. In this study, we have used UML Communication Diagram and generated test cases under Modified Condition/ Decision Coverage (MC/DC) criterion. Communication diagram is used to describe a set of objects collaborating to implement a specific task and illustrate the relationship between them through a complex operation. We first propose a model-based technique for automatic generation of MC/DC test cases from UML communication diagram and for that we have proposed a framework named MC/DC Evaluator for UML Communication Diagram (MEUCD) which is a combination of different tools like Modelio, JiBX, jCUTE, and COPECA. We first design a UML communication diagram in Modelio UML Modeler and using the classes and instances of communication diagram, we design the XML Schema Design (XSD) model in Modelio XSD Designer. Then, XSD is given to a Java XML Binding tool JiBX to generate the Java Code. Next, we convert this Java code to a jCUTE executable form and supply it to jCUTE for generating the test cases. Finally, MC/DC coverage is measured using the acceptable Java code and the generated test cases by jCUTE.

In our second proposal, we prioritize these MC/DC test cases by applying Genetic Algorithm with the help of total Fault Exposing Potential (FEP). We mutate the original Java program by applying different primary mutants to it. Next, we apply test cases to the mutated program and calculate FEP estimate of each test case by finding out the total number of mutants killed by that test case. We prepare two coverage matrices for MC/DC predicates and conditions used in Java program to calculate the number of individual conditions affected by each test case(TI) and the total number of conditions covered by the test case(TC). We calculate test case weight of each test by using FEP,TI and TC. Using this test case weight, the fitness function is calculated for the genetic algorithm. After applying genetic algorithm it is found that we get an optimal test suite. The effectiveness of this test suit is measured using a new metric named Average Percentage Modified Condition/ Decision Coverage (APMC) which is proposed by us. It is found that prioritized test suit has better APMC than non-prioritized random test suit


The down-conversion of high energy light with a fluorescent
material may provide sufficient emission intensity to invoke a measurable
neurological response in optogentically-active neurons. This work describes the use of
anthracene-containing copolymers for use as a fixed emission material in
optogenetic electrophysiology to demonstrate the feasibility of this
technique. An anthracene-modified
methacrylate was synthesized and copolymerized with methyl methacrylate to
produce glassy copolymers with physical properties like those of poly(methyl methacrylate)
(PMMA). The fluorescence in both
solution and solid states are like those of pure anthracene and overlap fully
with the absorption spectrum of channelrhodpsin-2. Scintillation is observed but is weak compared
to fluorescence. The copolymers were found to be non-toxic to neuronal
cultures. Whole cell patching measured
the voltage changes of neurons under UV-irradiation in the absence and presence
of a copolymer film. Increased frequencies
and amplitudes of electrical events were observed in the presence of the
polymers.


James et al. claim that there are areas of concern in our work. We believe that they have misunderstood the methods behind our paper and that differences in scale have been overlooked. Once those misunderstandings have been resolved, their remaining criticisms are either not sustained or agree with our statements. To advance the field, we recommend additional sampling using comparable methodologies in underrepresented areas.


A sound understanding of the key resources and capabilities that span firm boundaries in regional clusters is important for firms embedded in networked structures to exploit strategic opportunities and manage associated challenges. A resource-based perspective of value creation in clusters to develop a better conceptualisation of strategic competitive advantage on different levels is also a relevant topic from a strategic management perspective. Therefore, the aim of this research is to strengthen and extend a resource-oriented perspective on clusters, according to the value adding web (VAW) approach developed by Brown et al. (e.g., 2008, 2010). This contribution complements the state of the art of contemporary concepts with a coherent fundament for the resource-based value adding web concept and thereby develops the basis for further empirical studies. In this conceptual paper, we focus on the interaction between actors and relationships as sources for value creation within clusters as well as gaining a better understanding of value creation based on shared relational resources. We illustrate this approach through a discussion of a maritime cluster. Specifically the role of social capital and the relevance of knowledge-related resources on different cluster levels is elaborated. Building on a descriptive and theoretical fundament, we present a set of propositions reflecting our chain of arguments.


This paper illustrates the benefits of an integral feedback compensation control approach applied to a sugar precipitation process for Chinese medicine mixed solution. This relevant approach proposes set point tracking for the crystal mass/concentration couple. In this purpose, a model dedicated to the stage crystallization is designed, without consideration of crystal size distribution. An integral feedback compensation strategy is constructed through identifying on-line and compensating real-time the quantities of external disturbance and parametric uncertainty, and only the upper bound of their derivative is required. The performance of the proposed control strategy, which apply to sucrose and fructose precipitation constitutes a real novelty, is tested via simulation in cases of set point tracking. The results reveal a significant validity in terms of precipitation efficiency.


Introduction: Bisphosphonates (BPs) evolved as the mainstay for the treatment of osteoporosis, reducing the incidence of fractures. Recently several publications described the occurrence of low-energy sub-trochanteric and femoral shaft fractures associated with long-term BPs use; those have been defined as atypical femoral fractures (AFF). The aim of this study was to value the influence of BPs on the shaft and sub-trochanteric fractures and to describe the outcome of surgically treated femur fractures associated with prolonged BPs use.
Material and Methods: Between 2010 and 2014, a total of 129 patients 50 years and older were hospitalized with a sub-trochanteric or femoral shaft fracture at a single university medical centre. Admission x-ray and medical and treatment records were examined, and patients were classified as having atypical or classic femoral fractures. X-ray and clinical controls were assessed to describe the healing-fracture process. Chi-square test was used to assess the association of bisphosphonate use and atypical femoral fracture.
Results: Fourteen patients with AFF (10.8%) and 115 patients with typical fractures (89.1%) were identified. All patients with AFF had been treated with BPs (100%), compared with 7 (6%) in the typical fractures group (Chi-square statistic was 80.76. This result is significant at p 0.05). A contralateral fracture occurred in 2 of atypical cases. The mean time of bone consolidation was 13.2 months in AFF and 11.6 months in typical fractures (p>0.05). The follow-up was 38.4 months in AFF and 40.6 in typical fractures (0>0.05). No reoperations were identified in the patients with AFF, while 13 reoperations were observed in the patients with typical fractures (2 dynamizations, 9 exchanges nail and 2 plates) (p<0.05).
Conclusions: The BPs use increased AFF respect to typical fractures in our population. The patients with an AFF must be stopped and an anabolic agent should be employed. These patients should also have daily calcium and vitamin-D supplementation. No more reoperations were observed in patients with AFF who were treated with an intramedullary nail compared with patients who suffered typical fractures.


The French re-colonization of Senegal, after a brief period under British control, was overshadowed by the shipwreck of the ›Meduse‹ in July 1816. The vessel ran aground on a sandbank and due to a shortage of rescue boats, a makeshift raft had to be built. Within two weeks only 15 people were left, out of 148. In 1819, Géricault featured the disaster in a stunning, large-scale historical canvas that was widely regarded as an ›allégorie réelle‹ of the failings of the Napoleonic era. In his novel Das Floß der Medusa (The Raft of the Medusa), published in 2017, Franzobel revisits and reinvents the historical event, using it to conduct a radical human experiment. Whereas in 1816 the alleged representatives of human civilisation quickly succumbed to the very primal savagery associated with indigenous people and their cultures: cannibalism, in 2015 / 16, another humanitarian disaster once more challenged Europe's ideals and self-perception. This time it occurred on the external borders of the EU claiming the lives of thousands of refugees from Africa. Franzobel's novel only alludes to these recent events. But while his inversion of Géricault's ›allégorie réelle‹ is subtle, it is also unmistakable. Title: Novel and Painting as ›allégorie réelle‹. Human Experiment in Franzobel's and Géricault's Floß der Medusa


The Federal Government's commitment to deepen the Mississippi River channel and its decision to allow the exportation of crude have created many opportunities in the U.S. Gulf Coast region for private investment and development. Yet the country's resurgence in energy production is temporarily impeded by a lack of sufficient infrastructure necessary to match supply with demand. As the glut of U.S. crude and demand for infrastructure increases, the need for industrial facilities on the Gulf Coast continues to grow. These facilities are essential to economic development along the nation's southern energy corridor. The real estate industry's investment in this region emphasizes the interdependence of the public and private sectors to create value.


Like all children, children with disabilities deserve the fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. There are many barriers to optimal health for children with disabilities. Eliminating health disparities requires removing or minimizing the obstacles that keep children from being healthy. Because pediatric orthopaedic surgeons are often engaged in the clinical management of children with temporary or permanent disabilities, they are uniquely suited to advocate for inclusive orthopaedic care for all children regardless of their circumstances. Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons can promote health equity for children with disabilities by recognizing how ableist beliefs and actions negatively impact the clinical care of children with disabilities and can take action by addressing biases in their clinical practices and beyond.


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

Cisplatin is an anticancer drug used in treatment for many types of cancer, including lung cancer. The quick development of tumor cell drug resistance, however, greatly hindered the effectiveness of cisplatin in cancer treatment. Exploring new strategies that can sensitize tumor cells to cisplatin treatment, therefore, is essential for improving the effectiveness of cisplatin in cancer treatment. Triptolide is a bioactive ingredient isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been used to treat immune-related disorders. Recent studies revealed that Triptolide possesses potent antitumor properties through CDK7-depedent RNA polymerase II (Pol II) degradation and global transcription inhibition by binding to the XPB subunit of general transcription factor TFIIH and inhibiting its ATPase activity. We have studied the possibility of using Triptolide to sensitize lung tumor cell to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Using both HTB182 and CRL5985 lung tumor cells, our caspase 3 activation studies demonstrated that the presence of low-level Triptolide greatly sensitized these lung tumor cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Our western blots results indicated that the presence of low-level Triptolide increased the cisplatin-induced expression of PUMA but reduced expression of Bcl-XL in these lung tumor cells. Our immune-blotting studies revealed that the RNA Pol II level was not significantly affected by the presence of low-level Triptolide. Our real time PCR studies results indicated that expression levels of several tested genes also were not affected by the presence of Triptolide. These results suggest that the presence of low levels of triptolide sensitizes the lung cancer cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis through binding to XPB of the TFIIH and inhibiting the DNA repair activity for cisplatin DNA damage, resulting in increased apoptosis of the lung tumor cells. Therefore, the presence of low levels of triptolide sensitizes lung tumor cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis.

Citation Format: Gan Wang, Xiaoxin Susan Xu, Yi Zhang. The role triptolide in sensitizing lung tumor cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5110. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5110


The devastating cyclone that hit Myanmar in May 2008 and the lack of immediate action on the part of the military junta to respond to the humanitarian crises triggered not only international dismay but renewed debates on the utility of the R2P. But given the lack of international consensus on the R2P on the one hand, and the urgency to act to provide humanitarian relief and protection on the other, this paper argues that it is about time that a R2P variant be explored—if indeed the ultimate objective of the R2P is the protection and promotion of human security. This paper therefore examines the idea of a R2P-Plus that is responsive to different kinds of human security threats, such as those caused by intentional state neglect in times of natural disasters, and sensitive to the political context in Asia. The notion of a R2P-Plus is aimed at finding convergence between the advocates of the strict interpretation of the R2P and those who argue for an R2P that is more attuned to the realities of Asia.


Objectives: To examine the variation in Signal Intensity Ratio (SIR) values in Eurospin gel phantoms and healthy volunteer brain images in response to different MRI hardware and software settings. Materials and Methods: Gel phantoms with T1 relaxation times similar to the dentate nucleus (DN), pons (P), globus palladus (GP) and thalamus (Th) were scanned using a T1-weighted 2D spin-echo sequence on two MRI scanners (3.0T and 1.5T). Imaging was performed by sequentially altering selected MR parameters relative to a default pulse sequence, and the protocol was implemented repeatedly over three months. The experiment was also repeated on a cohort of fifteen young healthy volunteers. Calculations of DN/P and GP/Th SIR values were derived for the images of the gels (GelDN/P, GelGP/Th) and the healthy volunteers (HVDN/P, HVGP/Th). Results: For the default sequence the mean SIR values of GelDN/P and GelGP/Th varied by ±2.20% and ±0.75% respectively, when measured over multiple imaging sessions (3.0T). Within a single imaging session these variations were smaller (±0.17% for GelDN/P and ±0.15% for GelGP/Th). At 1.5T the equivalent SIR variations for GelDN/P were ±1.41% (multiple sessions), ±0.41% (single session); and for GelGP/Th ±0.47% (multiple sessions), ±0.33% (single session). Sequential changes to the MR sequence parameters resulted in gel SIR variations as follows: 14.07 ± 2.43% (with/without normalisation filters); -7.80 ± 0.28% (different echo times, TE); and -5.06 ± 0.59% (selective activation of RF coil elements). The largest variations were noted when the gels were positioned below the scanner iso-centre where SIR measurements were different by 22%. For the healthy volunteers, the SIR values were found to be consistently within 0.64% (single session) for the default sequence. Sequential changes to the MR sequence parameters resulted in SIR variations of -24.47 ± 2.47% (with/without normalisation filters); -15.32 ± 7.71% (different echo times, TE); and -2.90 ± 0.78% (selective activation of RF coil elements).


Background The effects of the Notch signaling pathway in fibroproliferative skin diseases have not been fully elucidated. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of activated Notch signaling molecules in various skin fibroproliferative diseases. Methods Immunohistochemical analysis of Notch intracellular domain (NICD) expression in keloid, hypertrophic scar, morphea, dermatofibroma, and normal control skin specimens was performed, and the clinical characteristics of patients with various skin fibroproliferative diseases were analyzed. Results NICD was highly expressed in fibroblasts of keloids and moderately to highly expressed in hypertrophic scars and dermatofibromas, whereas low or no expression was detected in the fibroblasts of normal skin specimens and morpheas. NICD was constitutively expressed in keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and immune cells in normal skin specimens. Conclusion NICD was significantly expressed in human fibroproliferative skin disorders, especially keloids, suggesting that an activated Notch signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis.


This paper focuses on securing confidential communication in multiple intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) assisted terahertz (THz) systems, where a potential eavesdropper can intercept either the base station (BS)-IRS link or the IRS-user link. Notably, the secure transmission may be intercepted and blocked by the eavesdropper due to the blockage-prone nature in THz bands. To characterize the blocking effects of the eavesdropper, the blocking-based path loss is first investigated. With the imperfect eavesdropper channel state information (ECSI), the worst-case secrecy rate (WCSR) is derived, and a joint optimization problem of hybrid beamforming at the BS and reflecting beamforming at the IRS is formulated. For the BS-IRS link eavesdropping, the zero-forcing (ZF) principle-based hybrid beamforming and the closed-form phase shifts of multiple IRSs are respectively proposed. For the IRS-user link eavesdropping, an iterative algorithm is proposed to tackle the non-convex optimization problem with a given information leakage threshold. Finally, a robust secure transmission strategy for multi-eavesdropper systems is further investigated. Simulation results demonstrate that compared with blockage-unaware scenarios, our proposed scheme can resist the adverse effects of the blockage-prone nature of THz waves on information security, and significantly boost secrecy performance.


We examine the effect of genetic rule selection as a postprocessing procedure in fuzzy data mining. Usually a large number of fuzzy rules are extracted in a heuristic manner from numerical data using a rule evaluation criterion in fuzzy data mining. It is, however, very difficult for human users to understand thousands of fuzzy rules. Thus it is necessary to decrease the number of extracted fuzzy rules when our task is to present understandable knowledge to human users. In this paper, we use genetic rule selection to decrease the number of extracted fuzzy rules. Through computational experiments, we examine the effect of genetic rule selection. First we extract fuzzy rules that satisfy minimum support and confidence levels. Thousands of fuzzy rules are extracted from numerical data in a heuristic manner. Then we apply genetic rule selection to extracted fuzzy rules. Experimental results show that genetic rule selection significantly decreases the number of extracted fuzzy rules without degrading their classification accuracy


Homozygous mouse blastocysts have been produced following microsurgical removal of one pronucleus from the fertilized egg, diploidization in cytochalasin B, and culture in vitro. This combination of techniques should greatly shorten the time required to obtain homozygous strains of mice.