The tourism sector has been identified as an industry that has the potential to make a substantial contribution to the growth of the South African economy. The majority of tourism ventures are, however, small businesses, which differ from their larger counterparts not only in terms of size, but also in regard to access to resources and marketing expertise. Not surprisingly, one of the issues identified as preventing this sector from reaching its full potential is access to markets. The Internet has been identified as tool which may assist small businesses in both their global and domestic marketing. The focus of this study was to identify the factors specific to the Internet (rather than the technology per se or organisational factors) driving the success of the use of the Internet for marketing purposes in small businesses operating in the tourism sector in South Africa. If these factors can be identified and their relative influence on Internet marketing success be determined, it will allow small tourism businesses utilise the capabilities of the Internet more effectively. The results indicate that having a product champion in the business, having a network of effective alliances, a high level of owner-manager involvement in the Internet marketing strategy as well as a clear owner-manager vision are important to the successful use of the Internet for the marketing of small tourism businesses in South Africa.


Magnesium and its alloys have emerged as some of the most promising biodegradable metals for temporary bone implants, but challenges remain in controlling their corrosion and biocompatibility and endowing them with bioactivity and osteogenic functionality. Herein, we presented newly developed bioactive Ca, Sr/P-containing silk fibroin films (the Ca, Sr/P silk) on top of Mg-1Ca alloy to simultaneously improve the corrosion resistance, osteocompatibility, and osteogenic activities important in maintaining mechanical integrity and stimulating bone formation, respectively. Briefly, extracellular matrix (ECM) mimicking Ca, Sr/P silk fibroin films were constructed layer upon layer on fluoridized Mg-1Ca alloy via simple spinning assembly. The corrosion resistance property of different samples was studied in vitro by immersion experiments and electrochemistry measurements in Hanks' solution, with the silk-coated ones showing over 1 order of magnitude increase in corrosion resistance compared to the uncoated. Particularly, the Ca, Sr/P silk had the best anticorrosion performance, presumably because of better retaining of the β-sheet silk conformation and ion-induced structural conversion from random coils to silk I and α-helices. Furthermore, the preliminary study of the corrosion behavior of the Ca, Sr/P silk was confirmed the availability of the films for corrosion resistance improvement. The osteocompatibility and osteogenic activities were evaluated by the multiple osteoblast (MC3T3-E1) responses, i.e., proliferation, adherence, spreading, and differentiation in vitro. The Ca, Sr/P silk exhibited the optimal osteogenic activity among all experimental groups. These preliminary results comprehensively confirmed the validity of the coating strategy and they implicated the great potential of the modified Mg alloys as degradable bone implants.


【This study performs the objective evaluation on simple comparison and calculation works by students under LED illumination conditions according to three types of color temperatures (7000K, 5000K, 3000K) in the classroom, Since the objective of this study is to develop an electric lighting conditions suitable for students in the classroom, the learning performance under three types of LED illumination conditions were analyzed. The 4 kinds of simple tests concerning with learning performance were developed and test results under natural light and LED illumination by 3 types of color temperatures were analyzed. There were differences by t-test in most cases among simple experiment results of different illumination conditions ( $p{\leq}.05$ ). It was confirmed that illumination condition plays an important role when students simply compare words or perform arithmetic calculations. The experimental results of this study might be applied to designing better luminous environment.】


The Copernicus Space Component Data Access system (CSCDA) incorporates data contributions from a wide range of satellite missions. Through EO data handling and distribution, CSCDA serves a set of Copernicus Services related to Land, Marine and Atmosphere Monitoring, Emergency Management and Security and Climate Change. The quality of the delivered EO products is the responsibility of each contributing mission, and the Copernicus data Quality Control (CQC) service supports and complements such data quality control activities. The mission of the CQC is to provide a service of quality assessment on the provided imagery, to support the investigation related to product quality anomalies, and to guarantee harmonisation and traceability of the quality information. In terms of product quality control, the CQC carries out analysis of representative sample products for each contributing mission as well as coordinating data quality investigation related to issues found or raised by Copernicus users. Results from the product analysis are systematically collected and the derived quality reports stored in a searchable database. The CQC service can be seen as a privileged focal point with unique comparison capacities over the data providers. The comparison among products from different missions suggests the need for a strong, common effort of harmonisation. Technical terms, definitions, metadata, file formats, processing levels, algorithms, cal/val procedures etc. are far from being homogeneous, and this may generate inconsistencies and confusion among users of EO data. The CSCDA CQC team plays a significant role in promoting harmonisation initiatives across the numerous contributing missions, so that a common effort can achieve optimal complementarity and compatibility among the EO data from multiple data providers. This effort is done in coordination with important initiatives already working towards these goals (e.g. INSPIRE directive, CEOS initiatives, OGC standards, QA4EO etc.). This paper describes the main actions being undertaken by CQC to encourage harmonisation among space-based EO systems currently in service.


Abstract Blood pressure (BP), a surrogate of cardiac output (CO), is also dependent on systemic vascular resistance (SVR). But SVR is not routinely monitored in daily clinical practice. We hypothesise that the time difference between the peripheral arterial waveform and the finger plethysmographic waveform (time lag index - TLi) could indicate the systemic vascular resistance. In this study, we correlated TLi with the systemic vascular resistance measured by minimally invasive CO monitor (pulse contour analysis). SVR changes in response to administration of mannitol were studied. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I and II patients undergoing major intracranial surgeries were recruited. Arterial cannulation and pulse-oximetry recordings were done in the same limb. Arterial and plethysmographic waveforms were recorded before mannitol infusion (baseline) and at every 10 minutes for 60 minutes after the termination of mannitol infusion. Simultaneously, SVR was recorded from the Vigileo FLotrac CO monitor. Using custom-made programme, the time difference between both waveforms was calculated and corrected for heart rate (TLi). The correlation between time lag and the systemic vascular resistance was assessed using a mixed effect model, adjusting for the subject. Data of one hundred subjects were analysed. Following mannitol administration, there was a significant decrease in the SVR and the TLi (p < .001). The patient characteristics influenced both the baseline values of SVR (intercept) and the changes in SVR over time (slope). As both the baseline value and the change over time for SVR were different in each patient, we used mixed effect model analysis to assess the relationship between SVR and TLi for different time periods. The effect of TLi on SVR was significant (β = 877.16, p = .008). The high beta coefficient suggests that when SVR increases, the TLi also increase and vice versa. A strong correlation between SVR and TLi was demonstrated for a given patient. Further studies are needed to explore the possibility of utilising this parameter to follow up changes in SVR in an individual patient at a particular point in time in different clinical scenarios.


The binding of 8 beta-adrenergic blocking drugs to human serum albumin, to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and to serum from normal volunteers and from patients with rheumatoid arthritis was studied. Protein binding was determined in vitro using equilibrium dialysis of labelled drug at 25 degrees C. Oxprenolol and propranolol were highly bound to serum, alprenolol, pindolol and timolol to a lesser degree, and atenolol, metoprolol and sotalol were negligibly bound. For the five compounds which were appreciably bound, the mean binding was significantly higher in serum from patients with rheumatoid arthritis than in serum from normal volunteers. For those drugs, binding to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein was higher than to human serum albumin, and binding to a mixture of both proteins approached that to serum from healthy volunteers. For each of these drugs there was a strong correlation between the serum alpha 1-glycoprotein concentration and the percentage binding.


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

Introduction: Hypoxia (reduced oxygen levels) is a common characteristic of solid tumors, and is strongly correlated with poor prognosis and resistance to treatment. In response to hypoxia, cells initiate a cascade of transcriptional events regulated by the Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1) heterodimer. During hypoxia, the oxygen sensitive HIF-1α subunit is stabilized and translocates to the nucleus where it interacts with the HIF-1β subunit to form a functional HIF-1 transcription factor that regulates genes to facilitate cellular adaptation to hypoxia. To date, while the mechanisms governing HIF-1α stabilization and function have been well studied, those governing HIF-1α gene expression are not fully understood. Recent studies have revealed that the transcription factor Kaiso, a member of the POZ-ZF family of transcription factors implicated in tumorigenesis, is aberrantly expressed and mislocalized at the hypoxic core of various tumors. Mounting evidence suggests that, like other POZ-ZF proteins, Kaiso has a role in tumorigenesis. More importantly, the HIF-1α promoter contains several copies of the consensus Kaiso Binding Site (KBS) suggesting that HIF-1α may be a Kaiso target gene. Since HIF-1α is a key regulator of many hypoxia-induced pathways, and Kaiso is aberrantly expressed in hypoxia, some feed-back mechanism may exist between Kaiso and HIF-1α. These studies seek to elucidate the relationship between Kaiso and HIF-1α during the adaptive response to hypoxia.

Methods: Western blot analysis was performed on whole cell lysates harvested from cultured cells that were incubated in hypoxia for varying time periods to compare Kaiso expression levels in these cells. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays (EMSAs) were used to determine the specificity of Kaiso binding to the HIF-1α promoter. To assess the effect of Kaiso on HIF-1α transcription, promoter-reporter assays were performed in cultured cells using a HIF-1α promoter-luciferase construct and a Kaiso expression plasmid.

Results: During hypoxia, Kaiso protein levels steadily decline and are significantly reduced after 24 hours in the MCF7 tumor epithelial cell line. Interestingly, the decrease in Kaiso protein levels is less apparent in the non-tumor MCF10A breast cell line. Kaiso binds 3 of the 6 putative Kaiso binding sites as well as a CpG rich region in the HIF-1α promoter in a methylation-dependent manner. Furthermore, Kaiso represses transcription of the HIF-1α promoter in MCF7, MCF10A and HCT116 cell lines.

Conclusion: These results indicate that Kaiso negatively regulates HIF-1α and thus implicates HIF-1α as a Kaiso target gene. The fluctuation of Kaiso expression during hypoxia suggests that HIF-1 may also regulate Kaiso and that a feedback mechanism may exist between Kaiso and HIF-1α. Ongoing studies are being performed to elucidate the functional interaction between HIF-1α and Kaiso.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1239.


There are several software estimation models such as Line of Code, Function Point and COnstructive COst MOdel (COCOMO). The original COCOMO model is one of the most widely practiced and popular among the software development community because of its flexible usage. It is a suite of models i.e., COnstructive Cost MOdel I and COnstructive Cost MOdel II. In this paper, we are evaluating the both models, to find out the level of efficiency they present and how they can be tailored to the needs of modern software development projects. We are applying COCOMO models on a case study of an e-commerce application that is built using Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) and JavaScript. We will also shed light on the different components of each model, and how their Cost Drivers effect on the accuracy of cost estimations for software development projects.


Overfitting, a common problem in Machine Learning, occurs when a predictive model learns the noise in the training data instead of the true underlying patterns and converges to perform very well with the training data but poorly with unseen data. Models that overfit cannot be deployed in practice. Regularization is a technique typically used to help a model better generalize. This is usually achieved by adding a penalty term in the loss function to discourage the model from fitting noise, making it more robust to noise in the data and, therefore more generalizable. One method of regularization is to take some of the concentration (called Smoothing Ratio (SR)) from the data sample's ground truth label and distribute it uniformly among all the other labels during training. This method is called label smoothing and is a simple yet effective method to improve generalization. In this work, we explore what happens if we distribute the SR to the non-ground truth labels based on how closely they are related to the ground truth label, instead of uniformly. We call this approach of distributing the SR based on relation between labels as Preferential Label Smoothing (PLS). PLS represents a more unified approach of performing label smoothing. Ordinary uniform label smoothing becomes pointless as the number of labels becomes large since the SR proportion distributed per label becomes negligible. PLS is inconsequential in the case of binary classification, since there are only two labels. Therefore, we investigate the effects of PLS when the number of labels in the dataset is high. We also examine the effects of uniform and preferential label smoothing, as well as the absence of label smoothing, on the training dynamics. We demonstrate our study on image classification and text classification.


In this paper, we introduce a Sign Language Interpreter Module (SLIM), which delivers transparent sign language videos to deaf and hard of hearing users. Since their first language is the sign language, they rely on the visual modality with some speech input. Therefore in addition to text and images, a video of sign language interpreter should be provided. The SLIM system uses layers for exposing videos over existing web pages, which preserves the layout structure. Our evaluation study has shown that such a system is highly acceptable by deaf and hard of hearing users. Therefore our proposal is to enhance the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, by adding an additional multimodal aspect for presenting existing web information with transparent videos for deaf and hard of hearing users


A hybrid model was used to simulate a dc argon micro glow-discharge at atmospheric pressure. The simulations were carried out for a pin-plate electrode configuration with inter-electrode gap spacing of 200 µm together with an external circuit. The predicted voltage–current characteristics and current density profiles identify the discharge to be a normal glow-discharge. The neutral gas temperature predictions indicate that the discharge forms a non-thermal, non-equilibrium plasma. Experimental studies were conducted to validate the numerical model. Predictions from the numerical model compare favourably with the experimental measurements.


Rapid growth in the use of e-commerce applications requires reliable user identification for secure access control. Hand vein biometrics is a recent technology that offers secure system for identification/authentication. Just like any other identification system, this has four stepsimage acquisition, pre-processing, feature extraction and classification/matching. This paper presents a simulation to identify the individuals using dorsal hand vein images. In the proposed system an infrared camera is used to capture the hand image. After pre-processing, method known as maximum curvature is used to find the centerlines of veins. For matching, a simple correlation method is used. Maximum curvature method is robustous against any temporal fluctuations in brightness and vein width.


The initial diabetic foot evaluation should be completed with ease and reliability. The first preventive step involves identification of primary findings of the dermatologic, musculoskeletal, vascular, and neurologic systems, coupled with the presentation of educational information.


The question of whether computers have positively or negatively impacted student learning is still hotly contested in educational technology circles, particularly in the area of international development, by proponents and critics of technology in education. Overall, research offers conflicting answers to this question. However, the abundant research on effective school change and innovation implementation points to practices which those who promote technology in schools should tap. This paper outlines the long-term structural conditions that can lead to the deep change technology initiatives seek to promote.


The analysis of anamnestic, clinical and arteriographic parameters in 127 young patients with arterial disease of the lower limbs allowed a definite distinction between thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) and early-onset atheroma, even if the etiopathogenic of TAO is still obscure. The HLA gene frequency has been determined in 54 patients (14 TAO, 40 early atheroma) and has been compared with local blood donors and with caucased subjects from the IXth Workshop. The results (higher frequency of HLA A28, AX, B53 and BX in the TAO group) have, however, a dubious significance. Furthermore, there were no differences between TAO and early atheroma in a comparative study of immunological parameters (anti-nuclear antibodies, circulating immune complexes, C3, C4 and CH50, cryoglobulin) in 72 patients (22 TAO, 50 early atheroma). So, neither a genetic predisposition nor a dysimmunity could be involved in the pathogenesis of TAO.


The Halley missions of 1986 gave us a first, quick glimpse of a comet nucleus and the first in situ measurements of cometary gas and dust. Many of our basic ideas about cometary nuclei were confirmed while a number of startling new discoveries were also made. However, in many respects the very fast Halley flybys raised more questions than they answered. We learned, for example, that comets contain a large amount of organic material but we were unable to determine precisely which organic molecules were present. We learned, too, that the nucleus of a comet is a dark, irregularly shaped body, but we could determine very little about the physical state and structure of the ices and grains within the comet nucleus.


Abstract : Because the military relies on voluntary enlistments of fill its entry-level positions, there has been widespread interest in estimating how military enlistments respond to various supply factors, both those originating in the civilian sector (e.g., business cycles) and those over which the military exerts some control (e.g. recruiters). To help the military anticipate manpower shortages before they actually develop, these estimated supply parameters are used to predict the future course of enlistments under various hypothetical situations. This report documents research on a model of the supply of high aptitude, high school diploma graduate, non-prior service male enlistees. The emphasis is on methodology, including variable construction and methods of estimation and forecasting. The methodology is applied to monthly state-level data over the period October 1974 through March 1981. The output is fitted equations for the four Services that relate the enlistment rate to military/civilian pay, the number of recruiters per potential enlistee, a business cycle variable, and other control variables reflecting changes in enlistment policy, including the end of the GI Bill. The fitted models are then used in conjunction with future scenarios to obtain forecasts of high quality (AFQT category I-IIIA, high school graduate), non-prior service male enlistments.


Expression of the δ-opioid receptor gene (dor) is tightly controlled during neuronal differentiation and developmental stages. Such distinct temporal and spatial expression of dor during development suggests a role for the δ-opioid receptor in early developmental events. However, little is known about intracellular signaling pathways that control dor expression. A well established cell line model for the study of gene expression during neuronal differentiation is the rat adrenal pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line. Here we found that the constitutively activated TrkA/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt (protein kinase B)/NF-κB survival cascade mediates dor expression during nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced differentiation of PC12h cells. Biochemical experiments showed that constitutive phosphorylation of Akt and IκBα correlates with NGF-induced dor expression. Overexpression of the transcriptional activator NF-κB/p65 increased dor promoter activity. Overexpression of the NF-κB signaling super inhibitor mutant IκBα (S32A/S36A) abolished the effect of p65 and blocked NGF-induced activation of NF-κB signaling, resulting in a significant reduction in dor promoter activity. Treatment with SN50, an NF-κB-specific nuclear translocation peptide inhibitor, inhibited the translocation of NF-κB, resulting in a reduction of dor mRNA. The gel shift assay supported the fact that there exists an NF-κB-binding site on the dor promoter. RNA interference experiments using NF-κB/p65 small interfering RNA confirmed that NF-κB signaling is required for dor expression. Our findings not only provide a new mechanistic explanation for NGF-induced dor expression but also shed some light on the molecular mechanism of the temporal and spatial expression of dor and the roles of the δ-opioid receptor during neuronal differentiation.


Conventional digital cameras, the Nikon Coolpix885® and the SeaLife ECOshot®, were used as in situ optical instruments for water quality monitoring. Measured response spectra showed that these digital cameras are basically three-band radiometers. The response values in the red, green and blue bands, quantified by RGB values of digital images of the water surface, were comparable to measurements of irradiance levels at red, green and cyan/blue wavelengths of water leaving light. Different systems were deployed to capture upwelling light from below the surface, while eliminating direct surface reflection. Relationships between RGB ratios of water surface images, and water quality parameters were found to be consistent with previous measurements using more traditional narrow-band radiometers. This current paper focuses on the method that was used to acquire digital images, derive RGB values and relate measurements to water quality parameters. Field measurements were obtained in Galway Bay, Ireland, and in the Southern Rockall Trough in the North Atlantic, where both yellow substance and chlorophyll concentrations were successfully assessed using the digital camera method.


The behaviour of an adjustable length of coaxial line containing a standing wave is considered theoretically. It is shown that a relationship can be obtained between the change in the line length and the resulting change of phase. This is then followed by a description of how the complex permittivity of a liquid such as water can be measured using the phase changer in conjunction with a phase-amplitude balance method.


The role of c-fos gene disruption on binding characteristics of selected G protein-coupled receptors has been investigated. The following receptors were studied: muscarinic receptors (MR), alpha1-adrenoceptors (AAR), beta-adrenoceptors (BAR), D1-like dopamine receptors (D1R), D2-like dopamine receptors (D2R). We have tested the hypothesis that c-fos gene disruption would not influence the receptor density in central nervous system (CNS: brain cortex and cerebellum) and in the periphery (lung, heart). We found that both in the periphery and in the CNS there were important changes in receptor density. Both MR and BAR were increased in the lung and heart. The effects of c-fos gene disruption in CNS were more selective. In general, the receptors that activate Gq-phospholipase C-proteinkinase C pathway (AAR, MR) were affected, while the others (that activate/or inhibit adenylyl cyclase: BAR, D1R, D2R) were not. These results show that disruption of c-fos gene could significantly change the expression of G protein-coupled receptors. Moreover, these changes could be comprehended as one of the adaptive mechanisms that help the organism to cope with c-fos gene disruption.


This paper outlines issues arising from engagement with the remote Aboriginal community of Papunya. Researching the relationship between the community's football club and the organization of competitive fixtures in the Central Australian Football League (CAFL), we found that contrary to popular discourse the well-being of men in Papunya may be damaged by their participation in 'town football'. We outline the nature of the current relationship between Papunya and the CAFL and the efforts of Elders to reshape the organizational interface via the establishment of an 'on-country' football league. We highlight that organizational rhetoric about reconciliation and cross-cultural awareness is not enough to warrant effective working relationships with Papunya people. We argue that there is a need to move beyond recognition of difference that is embodied in such agendas to develop strategies of interface inclusive of Aboriginal understandings of football


A recent increase in the area open to hunters in the Swedish mountains has directed attention to the possibility of overharvesting and greater wildlife disturbance. Using radio-telemetry, the movements of willow grouse Lagopus lagopus in a heavily hunted area were compared to movements in areas where hunting was prohibited. Although hunter density was higher than the regional average, no significant differences in movements, measured as rate or distance, between grouse in hunted and unhunted areas were found. Willow grouse did not move out of the hunted area, a common belief amongst many hunters. Seasonal migration was not induced by deliberate human disturbance. It is suggested that grouse reduce the risk of being killed by habitually moving within a familiar area with known escape sites (cover). Neither hunting, deliberate flushing or catch and release caused a change in the movement patterns of willow grouse. It is suggested that such disturbances were perceived as part of a naturally unpredictable predator environment, and not sufficient to alter grouse movements.


A series of ZnX2O4:Er3+/Yb3+ (X = Al3+, Ga3+, In3+) nanoparticles were obtained by using a modified Pechini technique. The crystal structure, morphology, and chemical composition of the engineered compounds were characterized in detail by means of X-ray diffraction, Micro-Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Particle sizes were estimated by using theoretical calculations (Scherrer and Rietveld methods) as well as experimental techniques [TEM and dynamic light scattering (DLS)] and were, furthermore, cross-compared. The calculated average grain size, for dry powders, is in the range 20–45 nm. The hydrodynamic size was measured by using the DLS technique on nonmodified, surfactant-free particles of the whole ZnX2O4 series. The up-conversion properties of the particles were discussed in detail. The low value of the green-to-red ratio points to a significant contribution of non-radiative pathways, such as multiphonon relaxation or cross relaxation processes, to the depopulation of the green band, which feeds and favors the red emission of Er3+ in the up-conversion process.


Abstract By the beginning of the twentieth century, differentiation had emerged as the leading theory to explain the chemical and mineralogical diversity of igneous rocks. Soret diffusion, liquid immiscibility, compositional stratification of magma by gravity (Gouy-Chaperon effect), volatile transport, crystal settling and other processes had been advocated as mechanisms of differentiation, but no consensus was achieved regarding a dominant mechanism. During a career spent primarily at the Geophysical Laboratory, Washington DC, Norman Levi Bowen (1887–1956) initiated a new approach to petrology. On the basis of experimental studies of rock-forming silicates and on physicochemical principles, Bowen argued against the importance of Soret diffusion, liquid immiscibility, volatile transport and assimilation as major causes of diversity. He formulated a comprehensive theory of differentiation that emphasized the role of separation of crystals from liquid. He reasoned that rocks of the subalkaline igneous rock series, including granite, have been derived from parental basalt by crystal separation, e.g. settling, filter-pressing or armouring of crystals. Apart from its scientific merits, Bowen's achievement rested on personal, institutional and technical factors that included his determination to dedicate virtually his entire career to solution of the problem of igneous rock diversity; his affiliation with the Geophysical Laboratory; the prior development of the quenching method and the calibration of the temperature scale to very high temperatures; and the influence of Arthur L. Day.


The thermophysical properties of lithium hydride ({sup 7}LiH), particularly small density (0.775 gm/cc), high melting point (688 C) and relatively high hydrogen atomic number density makes it an attractive material for use as a neutron moderator and shield (for LiH) in space nuclear thermal propulsion. However, the unavailability of neutronic cross section data in the thermal energy range for {sup 7}LiH in the ENDF/B library necessitated the generation of the relevant data which is required in criticality studies and for the determination of temperature-dependent feedback coefficients in the moderator and fuel regions. Here, the scattering kernel data for {sup 7}LiH have been generated for the first time in the temperature range 50--1,000 K. This is based on a phonon distribution function derived from both experimental data and theoretical calculations. A detailed study of the variation of the moderator temperature coefficient {alpha}{sub m}(T) with temperature, T, is carried out for a typical space nuclear reactor of the particle bed type. It is established that the moderator temperature coefficient is proportional to T{sup {minus}1.65} where T is the moderator temperature in Kelvin units.


ABSTRACT The hypoxic and dry environment of the high mountains seems to select eggshells with porosities appropriate for the altitudinal level. At moderate altitudes, the conservation of water takes precedence over the oxygen-supply gradient. At very high altitudes there is a compromise between reducing water loss on the one hand and the defense of the oxygen supply to the embryo on the other.


Global entrepreneurship defines the orientation of the firms in the direction of growing interdependence and integration. On the contrary international entrepreneurship is just a combination of innovative, proactive, and risk seeking behaviour that crosses national borders and is intended to create value in organizations. In global markets, the strategic leverage of the firms moves from goods to knowledge. Information systems and inter-firm collaboration become fundamental ways to access to knowledge and to exploit its potential. Market-driven organizations possess superior capabilities in anticipating and exploiting trends and market changes as well as competitors' moves. Firms, in order to be successful, must combine market-driven management with an entrepreneurial attitude.


ELISA values (O.D.s) of extracts of separately roots and individual leaves of barley and wheat plants infected by a French BYDV-PAV isolate (PAV-4), were assessed for five different virus incubation periods in controlled conditions (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days after inoculation). In most cases, virus contents of individual roots or leaves were not statistically different for barley and wheat. For both plant species, ELISA values peaked sooner in roots than in leaves and in most harvesting dates were higher in roots. The old leaf had a significantly lower virus titre than other leaves. Upper leaves exhibited the highest ELISA values. These results indicate that the upper part of infected plants is the most suitable for virus acquisition by aphids. A scheme for BYDV-PAV spread in young plants is proposed, and compared to the distribution of vectors on the plants.


We report measurements of long-period P wave polarization (P pol) in Australia and Tahiti made by combining modeling of the polarization deviation and harmonic analysis. The analysis of the deviation of the horizontal polarization of the P wave as a function of event back azimuth may be used to obtain information about (1) sensor misorientation, (2) dipping discontinuities, (3) seismic anisotropy, and (4) velocity heterogeneities beneath a seismic station. The results from harmonic analysis and a grid search using Snell's law suggest the presence of a dipping seismic discontinuity beneath stations CTAO and CAN in Australia. These results are consistent with published receiver function studies for these stations. The P pol fast axis orientation is close to the N–S absolute plate motion direction at station TAU (Tasmania), which may be due to plate-motion-driven alignment of olivine crystals in the asthenosphere. Interestingly, measurements of SKS splitting at Tahiti (French Polynesia) show an apparent isotropy, whereas an inversion of P pol observations at PPTL seismic station located in Tahiti suggests the presence of two anisotropic layers. The fast axis azimuth is oriented E–W in the upper layer, and it is close to the NW–SE orientation in the lower layer. Since P pol orientations are used for real-time earthquake locations, especially in poorly instrumented areas such as the South Pacific, we show that the bias from anisotropy and sensor misorientation determined here can be corrected to improve the location accuracy, which yields fundamental data for rapid location necessary for effective tsunami warning.


With new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and likely more to come, the (extraordinarily complex) logistics of deploying them have gotten underway. Public health officials across the country face a daunting task: convincing the majority of individuals to queue up for shots while also maintaining a steady supply of doses and efficient appointment sign-ups. The road ahead is still long and, even with increasing vaccination, will still require adherence with other effective public health behaviors, such as mask-wearing. This article addresses the importance of effectively matching the message, the audience, and the sender for messages to promote uptake of vaccination and of such behaviors as mask-wearing. It offers suggestions about how to leverage such factors as variations in risk perception and variation among U.S. subcultures regarding tendencies to follow rules and to act for the good of the group. The authors also review evidence that suggests health messages should engage directly with misinformation to refute it.


Opacification of a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular (IOL) lens is a rare phenomenon. We herein report a case of a 57-year man complaining of decreased vision at left eye for the last 4 months. He had undergone phacoemulsification with IOL implantation 2 years back. IOL opacification was observed through slit-lamp. IOL exchange was carried out. The exchanged IOL and a new lens of the same model were sent to laboratory for pathologic analysis. Confocal microscopy showed uniformly distributed granules from the surface to 80 µm internal surface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the details of granules. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the presence of calcium and silicon in the deposits. Aqueous humor biochemical analysis revealed a normal result. We discuss the possible causes of opacification of IOL in this report.


Summary Fumonisins are important naturally-occuring mycotoxins produced purely by Fusarium species. The occurrence, frequency and implication of mycotoxins entering the food and feed chain through cereal grain have gained global attention over the last decade. The aim of this work was to monitor fumonisins synthesis in sixteen cultivars maize grain samples in four replication. There were statistically significant differences in the degree of contamination of fumonisins in analysed cultivars of maize. We found that the selected corn cultivars were significantly different in terms of the content of fumonisins. Hybrids with F (flint) and D (dent) grain type had significantly higher content of fumonisins than those of mixed type D/F (dent/flint) and F/D (flint/dent). Together with an increase in FAO number, fumonisins concentration decreased.


This compact book outlines issues surrounding consultations that patients have about medications and how these can be improved to raise compliance and understanding.


Measuring the semantic similarity between words is important for natural language processing tasks. The traditional models of semantic similarity perform well in most cases, but when dealing with words that involve geographical context, spatial semantics of implied spatial information are rarely preserved. Geographic information retrieval (GIR) methods have focused on this issue; however, they sometimes fail to solve the problem because the spatial and textual similarities of words are considered and calculated separately. In this paper, from the perspective of spatial context, we consider the two parts as a whole—spatial context semantics, and we propose a method that measures spatial semantic similarity using a sliding geospatial context window for geo-tagged words. The proposed method was first validated with a set of simulated data and then applied to a real-world dataset from Flickr. As a result, a spatial semantic similarity model at different scales is presented. We believe this model is a necessary supplement for traditional textual-language semantic analyses of words obtained by word-embedding technologies. This study has the potential to improve the quality of recommendation systems by considering relevant spatial context semantics, and benefits linguistic semantic research by emphasising the spatial cognition among words.


We address the problem of reconstructing X-Ray tomographic images from scarce measurements by interpolating missing acquisitions using a self-supervised approach. To do so, we train shallow neural networks to combine two neighbouring acquisitions into an estimated measurement at an intermediate angle. This procedure yields an enhanced sequence of measurements that can be reconstructed using standard methods, or further enhanced using regularisation approaches. Unlike methods that improve the sequence of acquisitions using an initial deterministic interpolation followed by machine-learning enhancement, we focus on inferring one measurement at once. This allows the method to scale to 3D, the computation to be faster and crucially, the interpolation to be significantly better than the current methods, when they exist. We also establish that a sequence of measurements must be processed as such, rather than as an image or a volume. We do so by comparing interpolation and up-sampling methods, and find that the latter significantly under-perform. We compare the performance of the proposed method against deterministic interpolation and up-sampling procedures and find that it outperforms them, even when used jointly with a state-of-the-art projection-data enhancement approach using machine-learning. These results are obtained for 2D and 3D imaging, on large biomedical datasets, in both projection space and image space.


It is common to synthetically generate essential data series including rain and evaporation based on limited station record in practice. This paper aimed at the impact of how these synthetic series are generated/corrected and investigated several methods such as fixed number of rainy days, monthly averaging, annual averaging etc (five synthesis methods for rain and seven for ETref). These synthetic data are then used in predicting groundwater recharge in one-dimensional Hydrus models with different soil types, and factors influencing groundwater recharges including methods to synthesize data as well as climate and soil type, are analyzed. The results indicated that groundwater recharge statistics indeed depend on data statistics perserved in synthesis methods. It brings attention to the synthesis methods to generate rain and ETref in groundwater applications. I do believe that the conclusions in this paper are very important in a broad community. However, I agree that the authors are onto a good idea and the manuscript is well written, clear and detailed. My only major concern is that: this study bears a significant limitation of considering only perfectly uniform soil, which greatly constrains the potential values of this study, as is also stated by the authors. If not so, I'd recommend acceptance of this manuscript without hesitation. Hence, it is highly suggested that the authors take factors such as topography and soil structure into account in their ongoing work.


In this study, an investigation of winding structures is performed for 3-phase unbalanced and asymmetric winding permanent magnet (PM) machines including different slot-pole combinations. There are two different cases for unbalanced winding (UBW) structure: 1) Stator slot number of the machine is divisible by three, 2) Stator slot number of the machine is not divisible by three. Only the first case is examined in this paper. The unbalanced winding layouts are created for minimum unbalance and maximum winding factor. Total magneto motive force (MMF) distributions for nine different slot-pole combinations and their harmonic contents are presented. Variation of the amount of unbalance for different slot-pole combinations is also provided in the paper. A prototype motor with 39-slots and 12-poles has been manufactured for experimental verification. A comparison between the finite element analysis (FEA) results and experimental results is presented for the prototype motor for both no-load and on-load conditions.


Report: Hufanga, S. and Bennett, V.(2007). Mortality data in the Kingdom of Tonga: a review of changing trends over the ten years since 1996. Health Information Management Journal, 36(2): 43–48. The authors sincerely apologise for the omission of the following references and acknowledgement in the previous edition of the journal. and any confusion caused by this oversight. The following should be noted when reading the above report.


In business process management, decision situations are often characterized by fuzziness. This means that the decision premises are not available in the form of mathematic models or numeric values, but rather as fuzzy conditions, such as "low processing time" or "high quality". This article will show how fuzzy conditions and vaguely formulated goals in business process models can be considered using the fuzzy set theory. This fuzzy extension of process modelling is carried out with the event-driven process chain.


CONTENTS I. Introduction 73 II. The mechanism of autocatalysis 74 III. Catalysis by a solid product 78 IV. The impedance phenomenon 80 V. Unblocking of the initial solid phase 81 VI. The Pilling-Bedworth rule and the principle of the acceleration or retardation of reversible topochemical reactions with participation of gaseous and solid reactants 82


A numerical study of the mixing of two fluids(pure water and a solution of glycerol in water) in a microchannel was carried out. By varying the glycerol content of the glycerol/water solution, the variation in mixing behavior with changes in the difference of the properties of the two fluids(e.g., viscosity, density, diffusivity) was investigated. The mixing phenomena were tested for three micromixers: a square mixer, a three-dimensional serpentine mixer, and a staggered herringbone mixer. The governing equations of continuity, momentum and solute mass fraction were solved numerically. To evaluate mixing performance, a criterion index of mixing of mixing uniformity was proposed. In the systems considered, the Reynolds numbers based on averaged properties were 1 and 10. For low Reynolds number (Re = 1), the mixing performance varied inversely with mass fraction of glycerol due to the dominance of molecular diffusion. The mixing performance by diffusion deteriorated due to a significant reduction in the residence time of the fluid inside the mixers.


By the extensive large-scale nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation on an effective generic model-A2B2 tetramer for amphiphiles, we investigate the shear-induced parallel to perpendicular orientation transition in the lamellar phase as a function of segregation degree and shear rate. Under low rate shear flow the evolution of parallel lamellar configurations at different segregation strengths shows a similar kinetic pathway independent of the segregation degree. While under high rate shear flow in which the lifetime of undulation instability exceeds the characteristic time of the applied shear flow, the kinetic pathway of the shear-induced parallel-to-perpendicular orientation transition in lamellar systems is the segregation degree dependent. Comparing the temporal mesoscopic domain morphology, the microscopic chain conformation, and macroscopic observable-viscosity changes with the experimentally proposed mechanisms, we find that the undulation instability, partial breakup of monodomain, grain rotation, and recombination combined with defect migration and annihilation are the kinetic pathway for the parallel-to-perpendicular orientation transition in the lamellar phase in or near the intermediate segregation limit, and that the undulation instability, domain dissolution, and reformation along the preferred direction combined with defect migration and annihilation are the kinetic pathway for the parallel-to-perpendicular orientation transition in the lamellar phase close to the order-to-disorder phase transition point. A detailed underlying microscopic picture of the alignment process illustrates that the orientation transition is driven by the alignment of molecules with shear flow. The orientation diagram that characterizes the steady-state orientations as a function of shear rate and attractive potential depth is built, in which the attractive potential depth takes the role of an inverse temperature, somewhat like the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter. The microscopic mechanism of the critical orientation transition condition is discussed.


In the retina, the interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein shuttles retinoids between the retinal pigment epithelium and the rod outer segment. A molecular mechanism for this transport is proposed.


Cervical smears from 516 women were investigated cytologically and for the presence of papilloma virus (HPV) type 16/18 DNA sequences. From the cytologically normal smears (Pap I, II, IIw) 57/424 (13%) 16/18 were found HPV positive and from the pathological ones (Pap III, IIID, IVa, IVb, V), 30/92 (33%). The age prevalence of the HPV infection--provided a cytologically normal smear--appears compatible with the period of sexual activity, but persistence of the HPV infection has to be considered as a complicating factor. Our investigations on successive smears nevertheless permit the hypothesis that an HPV infection may disappear. The use of biotin-labeled nucleic acid probes yields results at least as reliable as those obtained with radioactive probes. The test for HPV positivity appears at present to be of limited diagnostic and prognostic benefit, particularly for the individual case. Investigations on fundamental oncogenic mechanisms are a different matter.


A general class of one-dimensional, sequence-specific, Ising models is defined, with length-dependent long-range effects extending throughout the lengths, n, of the systems. The models are relevant to helix-coil transitions in DNA molecules. With k, mutually coupled, long-range effects the models provide a simple prototype for intractable problems, with algorithmic time complexities growing in O(nk + 1). It is shown that there is a single rigorous solution which reduces the complexities of the models from O(nk + 1) to O(n), with the long-range effects expressed as multiexponential functions. Using this method, partition functions may be evaluated much faster than with an exact treatment. The calculations are performed with prescribed numerical accuracy, following the accuracy of the multiexponential representations of the long-range effects. For relevant classical models (with k = 2 or 3, and n = 5000), the calculation times are reduced by factors ranging between thousands and millions, with accuracy better than 1%.


Objective: Benzodiazepine is the drug of choice in treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). Fixed-dosed therapy (FDT) and Symptom-triggered therapy (STT) are the commonly used treatment strategies. In this study, we intended to assess the benefits of the newly introduced STT compared to FDT for AWS management in a psychiatric setting. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 60 admitted patients fulfilling DSM-IV-TR criteria for alcohol dependence. They were divided into two groups based on the alcohol detoxification regimen they received (30 patients each in STT and FDT). AWS severity was measured using a Chinese version of the revised Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale (CIWA-Ar-C). We also compared the total lorazepam dosages and the changes in CIWA-Ar-C scores. Results: We found that despite the first-day AWS severity being more severe in the STT group (CIWA-Ar-C 15.2 vs. 9.4, p < 0.001), patients in the STT group received significantly less lorazepam dosage compared to the FDT group during detoxification (10.3 ± 4.5 vs. 23.1 ± 9.0 mg for Day 1-3; 18.0 ± 6.9 vs. 47 ± 18.8 mg for Day 1-7, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Being consistent with previous reports that supported the advantage of STT in medical wards when managing AWS, our study provides evidence that STT is as effective as FDT for alcohol detoxification in psychiatric settings and associated with less doses of lorazepam.


Food marketing research shows that child-directed marketing cues have pronounced effects on food preferences and consumption, but are most often placed on products with low nutritional quality. Effects of child-directed marketing strategies for healthy food products remain to be studied in more detail. Previous research suggests that effort provision explains additional variance in food choice. This study investigated the effects of packaging cues on explicit preferences and effort provision for healthy food items in elementary school children. Each of 179 children rated three, objectively identical, recommended yogurt-cereal-fruit snacks presented with different packaging cues. Packaging cues included a plain label, a label focusing on health aspects of the product, and a label that additionally included unknown cartoon characters. The children were asked to state the subjective taste-pleasantness of the respective food items. We also used a novel approach to measure effort provision for food items in children, namely handgrip strength. Results show that packaging cues significantly induce a taste-placebo effect in 88% of the children, i.e., differences in taste ratings for objectively identical products. Taste ratings were highest for the child-directed product that included cartoon characters. Also, applied effort to receive the child-directed product was significantly higher. Our results confirm the positive effect of child-directed marketing strategies also for healthy snack food products. Using handgrip strength as a measure to determine the amount of effort children are willing to provide for a product may explain additional variance in food choice and might prove to be a promising additional research tool for field studies and the assessment of public policy interventions.


Molecular markers have been used to identify the sex of sampled individuals for several decades, but the time‐consuming development phase prevented their application in many systems. Recently, a growing number of papers have applied reduced‐representation sequencing (RRS) protocols to the identification of sex‐specific markers without the use of test crosses or prior genomic information. While such an approach has great advantages in terms of versatility and ease of use, the "shotgun sequencing" nature of RRS data sets leads to a high amount of missing data, which results in statistical challenges to the confident assignment of sex to individuals. In this issue of Molecular Ecology Resources, Stovall et al. (Molecular Ecology Resources, 18, 2018) provide a statistical framework to answer two questions: (1) how many individuals of one sex only must possess a genotype for this locus to be considered significantly sex‐specific? and (2) How many sex‐specific loci must an individual of unknown sex possess (in a given data set) to be confidently assigned a sex? The statistical pipeline introduced, and applied to samples of New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) to identify 90 sex‐specific loci, should be broadly applicable to a large number of species and constitutes a nice addition to the molecular ecology toolkit in the genomics era.


A new preparative approach, using main group iodides as mineralization agents, was developed to prepare bulk quantities of HgPbP14 [(M1)(M2)P14] type polyphosphides containing group 11 cations on the M1 and main group elements Sn or formerly unseen Sb on the M2 position. The known (M1)2+:(M2)2+ combination of cations is extended with the combination (M1)1+:(M2)3+ in AgSbP14. A single crystal structure determination was performed for Cu1−xSn1+xP14. Cu0.73(1)Sn1.27(1)P14 crystallizes orthorhombically, space group Pnma (No. 62) with lattice constants a = 12.513(2) A, b = 9.800(1) A, c = 10.445(1) A, V = 1280.8(3) A3 and Z = 4. Small differences in the cell parameters between the single crystal and powder diffraction experiments of CuSnP14 are probably due to a small homogeneity range. Tetravalent tin postulated beside divalent tin for isostructural Au0.64Sn1.36P14 could not be detected by 119Sn-Mossbauer spectroscopic experiments for the copper tin polyphosphide.

An ionic description like [(M1+)1−x(M24+)x]2+ [(M22+)(P0)10(P1−)4]2− with x = 0.33 according to a Zintl-Klemm concept has to be substituted by a more covalent description of [(M1+)1−x(M22+)x](1+x)+[(M22+)(P14)](1+x)− for the copper tin polyphosphide.


The most common materials used to generate near-infrared-driven photocatalysis occur by 980 nm laser excitation of composites that are a combination of a semiconductor and upconverting luminescence particles. The challenge remains to increase the light harvesting efficiency, and thus, it is necessary to extend the absorption spectra of photocatalysts. In this work, NaYF4:Yb,Er/CdSe composites were prepared by depositing CdSe nanocrystals onto the surface of NaYF4:Yb,Er microcrystals. UV and visible emission of light resulted from multiphoton upconverting processes in Er3+ under 1560 nm laser irradiation, which, in turn, activated the CdSe catalyst. The energy transfer between NaYF4:Yb,Er and CdSe was investigated by steady-state and dynamic fluorescence spectroscopy. The photocatalytic performance was investigated by the degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution. These results show that Er coupled with semiconductor heterojunctions provides a photocatalyst that operates in the extended near-infrared range.


This thesis examines the particular difficulties with multiplicative thinking experienced by students with very low attainment in school mathematics, and the representational strategies they use for multiplication and division-based tasks.
Selected students in two mainstream secondary schools, all performing significantly below age-related expectations in mathematics, placed in 'bottom sets', and described by their teachers as having particularly weak numeracy, received a series of tuition sessions (individual or paired). These involved ongoing qualitative diagnosis of their arithmetical strengths and weaknesses, and personalised, flexible learning support, delivered by the author. Students engaged mainly in division-based scenario tasks designed to encourage their engagement in multiplicative thinking, and explored various visuospatial representational strategies tailored to their specific areas of conceptual and procedural difficulty.
Multimodal audiovisual data collected from tuition sessions was analysed qualitatively across multiple analytic dimensions using a microgenetic approach. This led to the development of an adaptable framework for the analysis of nonstandard visuospatial representations of arithmetical structures and relationships. Analysis of changes in individual students' strategies provided insight into some possible learning trajectories for multiplicative thinking. Parallel comparison of students' varied representational strategies resulted in evidence for the psychological power of certain fundamental representation types, such as unit arrays and containers.
The main findings of this thesis concern: the fundamentally componential nature of the concept and practice of division, the potential difficulties this causes in understanding, and the importance of modelling and manipulating unitary multiplicative structures; and the relationship between representational strategies, economy and efficiency in carrying out multiplication and division-based tasks.
Conclusions are drawn on the relationship between the development of representational strategies and multiplicative thinking. Recommendations are given regarding learning and teaching practice for students with severe and milder difficulties in mathematics, and particularly the nature of 1:1 support provision for those considered to have Special Educational Needs.


This paper explores the relationship between consumer confidence, stock prices and the business cycle in the United States using a Structural Vector Autoregression (SVAR). It finds three key results. First, the addition of confidence and stock price shocks to a small SVAR has important effects on the dynamic responses of the US economy. A confidence shock of four index points changes US GNP by 0.14% (noting that it is not uncommon for confidence shocks to total 20 points in a few consecutive quarters), while a 7% change in the S&P 500 leads to a 0.5% change in GNP. Second, the influence of these two shocks on the US business cycle in the second half of the twentieth century has been important at various times. Confidence shocks accounted for 19% of the total effect of structural shocks to GNP during the early 1990s recession, while stock prices contributed 20% of the effect of structural shocks to GNP in the 2001 recession. Finally, adding confidence and/or stock prices to the benchmark SVAR model leads to a small improvement in out-of-sample forecasting performance of GNP but this is not statistically significant. Nevertheless, confidence and stock prices do provide statistically significant incremental information during recessions.


Study aims : The immunization coverage against HPV remains low in France (less than 20%). The attitude of French girls was studied to understand the motivations and breaks to HPV.
Methods : This study was conducted in 2014 on a population of 170 young women aged 15 to 25 years. Predictors of intention to vaccinate against the HPV were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire with items taken from previous research and based on TPB (Theory of Planned Behavior, Aizen et al, 1986). Statistical analyzes were performed using the software R. Different types of treatment were carried out on the data: Analyze of comparisons; Analyze of associations between variables and Linear Regression; Principal Component Analysis (PCA).
Results : Our results mostly confirm previous studies and provide new insights about the process of decision on vaccine acceptance. The proposed model elucidates the articulation between the different factors. It appears that certain factors such as the favorable attitude to vaccination, vaccine safety, the perceived control, and the anticipated regret play a decisive role in this decision process. The doctor's advice and family also play an important role.
Conclusion : HPV knowledge was found to be low. However, this does not constitute a barrier to the acceptance of vaccination. From the performed classification treatment we are able to find a category of people "neutral", who need to be better informed on HPV in order to decide if they should be vaccinated. A targeted intervention would be helpful to this category to elucidate their questions.


PURPOSE Apolipoprotein B mRNA-Editing Catalytic Polypeptide-like (APOBEC) enzymes are mutagenic factors contributing to tumor progression and therapy resistance. However, the effects of APOBEC-induced protein changes have not been systematically assessed. Here, we describe the effects of APOBEC on the coding sequence in primary and metastatic estrogen receptor–positive (ER+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2–) breast cancer (BC). METHODS We determined the enrichment of amino acid (AA) changes resulting from APOBEC mutagenesis in 323 primary BC tumors and 424 metastatic breast cancer (mBC) lesions via comparison with a simulated mutational genomic landscape not under selection pressure. We subsequently explored genes with recurrent APOBEC-associated AA changes and investigated the clonality of individual APOBEC-associated mutations. Using public sequencing data from an independent primary BC and mBC cohort, we further confirm our findings by reporting genes having these enriched AA changes in an APOBEC context. RESULTS Our analysis demonstrated that several APOBEC-derived AA changes are significantly enriched compared with a simulated AA change distribution drawn at random. Among the enriched AA changes, Glutamate(E)>Lysine(K) and Glutamate(E)>Glutamine(Q) were mostly found at hotspots in oncogenes, whereas termination codons (Glutamine[Q]>STOP[X] and Serine[S]>STOP[X]) occurred in tumor suppressor genes and, mostly, not at hotspot locations. These mutations are found in genes contributing to BC initiation, eg, introduction of termination codons in TP53, MAP3K1, and CDH1 (in lobular BC) and two oncogenic hotspots in PIK3CA (p.E542K and p.E545K). In endocrine-resistant BC, we observed APOBEC-induced termination codons at ER-modulating genes, KMT2C, ARID1A, NF1, and ZFHX3. Finally, in mBC, compared with single PIK3CA mutations, dual PIK3CA mutations occurred more frequently in an APOBEC context (Fisher's exact P < .001). CONCLUSION Our results show that APOBEC mutagenesis recurrently targets various known drivers of BC initiation, progression, and endocrine resistance. APOBEC drives early, metastatic and endocrine resistant disease in ER+/HER2- breast cancer


AIM: To evaluate the microleakage at the implant-abutment (I-A) interface of Morse tapered implants inoculated with different volumes of bacterial suspension.METHODS: Morse tapered I-A sets were selected and divided in two groups depending on the type of abutment: passing screw (PS) and solid (S), and then subdivided into four subgroups (n=6) according to the suspension volume: PS1: 0.1 µL; PS3: 0.3 µL; PS5: 0.5 µL; PS7: 0.7 µL; S1: 0.1 µL; S3: 0.>3 µL; S5: 0.5 µL and S7: 0.7 µL. A control test was performed to verify the presence of external contamination during the inoculation and the implants were incubated for microbiological analysis. The microleakage was evaluated every 24 h for 7 days by the clarity of solution. After this period, the implants were disassembled for confirmation of bacterial viability.RESULTS: All the specimens with 0.7 µL and one sample of S5 presented turbidity in the control test indicating external contamination, and were excluded from the study. After 7 days of observation, none of the specimens presented positive results for microleakage and the bacterial viability was confirmed in all specimens. The 0.1 µL and 0.3 µL volumes did not present bacterial microleakage, meaning that these volumes may be inadequate for analysis.CONCLUSIONS: None of the sets evaluated showed bacterial microleakage at the I-A interface and the volume of 0.7 µL exceeded the internal capacity of the implants.


Little information is available about morphologic changes of mitochondria in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We examined the anterior horns of the lumbar spinal cord in 14 patients with sporadic ALS and 15 age-matched controls by electron microscopy to illuminate the subject. In the controls, one patient showed occasional swollen mitochondria with markedly increased cristae and marked accumulation of mitochondria in the somata of anterior horn neurons. Another patient had periodic, stubby protrusions on the outer membrane. Among the patients with ALS, 7 showed filamentous structures in the inner compartment of the mitochondria mainly of the somata and only occasionally of the axons. The structures were composed of a stack of multilayered cristae consisting of linear structures on a longitudinal section. Other abnormal structures were periodic transverse processes like rungs of a ladder predominantly in somata and only occasionally in the axons, marked accumulation of mitochondria in the somata, dendrites or proximal axons (axon hillock and initial segment), stubby protrusions on the outer membrane, and swollen mitochondria with markedly increased cristae in the somata. The findings in this study may reflect the metabolic disturbance of mitochondria, probably associated with the pathomechanism of degenerative processes of anterior horn neurons in sporadic ALS.


We present a new phenomenological gravitational waveform model for the inspiral and coalescence of nonprecessing spinning black hole binaries. Our approach is based on a frequency-domain matching of post-Newtonian inspiral waveforms with numerical relativity based binary black hole coalescence waveforms. We quantify the various possible sources of systematic errors that arise in matching post-Newtonian and numerical relativity waveforms, and we use a matching criteria based on minimizing these errors; we find that the dominant source of errors are those in the post-Newtonian waveforms near the merger. An analytical formula for the dominant mode of the gravitational radiation of nonprecessing black hole binaries is presented that captures the phenomenology of the hybrid waveforms. Its implementation in the current searches for gravitational waves should allow cross-checks of other inspiral-merger-ringdown waveform families and improve the reach of gravitational-wave searches.


Abstract COVID‐19 has disrupted social and spatial life. In this work, I argue that such disruption provides an opportunity for all tiers of government to reassess collective priorities and reorient societal goals to work towards better health outcomes for all. I offer a systems thinking perspective to show how societal goals such as economic growth are supported by "system rules" created by governments—the same rules largely responsible for prevailing inequities and preventable chronic, noncommunicable diseases and conditions. The work is significant because it shows how the disruption caused by COVID‐19 changed deep system leverage points, highlighting places inside governmental systems susceptible and acceptable to change and revealing how systems can be reoriented. It draws on empirical data from one subnational jurisdiction of Australia. Specifically, in late 2020, 81 Tasmanian local government personnel shared views on diverse governmental changes made in response to the pandemic. Most participants wanted those changes to continue because of their net benefits to health and social, economic, and environmental outcomes more broadly. They expressed overwhelming support for actions to improve the social determinants of health and communicable and noncommunicable disease prevention and management. I conclude that unless such efforts for change continue, poor health outcomes and health inequities are likely to be exacerbated and argue that a shared systems goal to create a wellbeing economy could reorient systems to achieve better health outcomes for all.


Abstract Languages are subject to change, but they are also stable. The linguistic knowledge of the members of speech communities is similar, but also differs in many ways. Language use affects individual linguistic knowledge and contributes to linguistic conventionality. The present paper outlines a model of how language works that strives to do justice to these commonsensical observations. The model consists of cognitive processes and social processes and shows how these interact under the influence of usage events and a range of different types of forces.


A large unmet medical need exists for safer anti-thrombotic drugs since all currently approved anticoagulants interfere with hemostasis leading to an increased risk of bleeding. Genetic and pharmacological evidence in humans and animals suggest that reducing Factor XI (FXI) levels has the potential to effectively prevent and treat thrombosis with minimal risk of bleeding. We generated a fully human antibody—MAA868—that binds the catalytic domain of both FXI (zymogen) and the activated FXI (FXIa). Our structural studies show that MAA868 traps FXI and FXIa in an inactive, zymogen-like conformation, explaining its equally high binding affinity for both forms of the enzyme. This binding mode allows the enzyme to be neutralized before entering the coagulation process revealing a particularly attractive anticoagulant profile of the antibody. MAA868 showed favorable anticoagulant activity in mice with a dose-dependent protection from carotid occlusion in a FeCl3-induced thrombosis model. MAA868 also caused robust and sustained anticoagulant activity in cynomolgus monkeys as assessed by aPTT without any evidence of bleeding. Based on these preclinical findings, we conducted a first-in-human study in healthy subjects demonstrating that single subcutaneous doses of MAA868 were safe and well tolerated. MAA868 resulted in doseand time-dependent robust and sustained aPTT prolongation and FXI suppression for up to 4 weeks or longer, supporting further clinical investigation as potential once monthly subcutaneous anticoagulant therapy. For personal use only. on January 30, 2019. by guest www.bloodjournal.org From


lnjury of the tracheal mucosa at the decubitus site of the endotracheal tube cuff during prolonged endotracheal intubation and resulting fibrin deposits may predispose for the development of tracheal stenosis. Frequent endoscopic control examinations, following the increased use of dilation tracheostomy techniques, have revealed a considerable number of these once misrecognized complications in laryngeal and tracheal structures alike. The case reported here appears to confirm this sequence of events. Timely operative endoscopy using a pair of pincers mounted on a rigid endoscope permitted the removal of the fibrin membrane causing the tracheal lumen stenosis and allowed us to achieve complete and definitive recalibration of the trachea, with restoration of spontaneous breathing. Cortisone therapy prolonged for 5 days probably prevented recurrence of the stenosis. Follow-up was carried out in 3 phases. The 1(st) phase included early control using tracheal endoscopy; 2(nd) comprised neck CT scan to examine the tracheal lumen 15 days after endoscopic control, and the 3rd phase involved medical examination after about 3 months and neck radiography in 2 projections.


We substantially refine asymptotic logarithmic upper bounds produced by Svante Janson (2015) on the right tail of the limiting QuickSort distribution function $F$ and by Fill and Hung (2018) on the right tails of the corresponding density $f$ and of the absolute derivatives of $f$ of each order. For example, we establish an upper bound on $\log[1 - F(x)]$ that matches conjectured asymptotics of Knessl and Szpankowski (1999) through terms of order $(\log x)^2$; the corresponding order for the Janson (2015) bound is the lead order, $x \log x$.
Using the refined asymptotic bounds on $F$, we derive right-tail large deviation (LD) results for the distribution of the number of comparisons required by QuickSort that substantially sharpen the two-sided LD results of McDiarmid and Hayward (1996).


AIM
To evaluate published trials examining oral post-operative protein supplementation in patients having undergone gastrointestinal surgery and assessment of reported results.

METHODS
Database searches (MEDLINE, BIOSIS, EMBASE, Cochrane Trials, Cinahl, and CAB), searches of reference lists of relevant papers, and expert referral were used to identify prospective randomized controlled clinical trials. The following terms were used to locate articles: "oral'' or "enteral'' and "postoperative care'' or "post-surgical'' and "proteins'' or "milk proteins'' or "dietary proteins'' or "dietary supplements'' or "nutritional supplements''. In databases that allowed added limitations, results were limited to clinical trials that studied humans, and publications between 1990 and 2014. Quality of collated studies was evaluated using a qualitative assessment tool and the collective results interpreted.

RESULTS
Searches identified 629 papers of which, following review, 7 were deemed eligible for qualitative evaluation. Protein supplementation does not appear to affect mortality but does reduce weight loss, and improve nutritional status. Reduction in grip strength deterioration was observed in a majority of studies, and approximately half of the studies described reduced complication rates. No changes in duration of hospital stay or plasma protein levels were reported. There is evidence to suggest that protein supplementation should be routinely provided post-operatively to this population. However, despite comprehensive searches, clinical trials that varied only the amount of protein provided via oral nutritional supplements (discrete from other nutritional components) were not found. At present, there is some evidence to support routinely prescribed oral nutritional supplements that contain protein for gastrointestinal surgery patients in the immediate post-operative stage.

CONCLUSION
The optimal level of protein supplementation required to maximise recovery in gastrointestinal surgery patients is effectively unknown, and may warrant further study.


18.02.2020 Россия в глобальной политике https://eng.globalaffairs.ru/print/number/Unilateral-Sanctions-in-a-Multipolar-World--20214 2/12 In the 1990s-2000s unilateral sanctions were viewed primarily as a reactive, often tactical, policy tool applied to weaker countries, or as an auxiliary strategic instrument (greatly inferior in importance to military-political ones). But today the status of sanctions has risen significantly. From a formal point of view, they are still ineffective since in most cases they do not lead to the achievement of declared political goals. However, in the past two to three years sectoral sanctions against Iranian and Russian companies and their partners, and technological ones against China (in addition to the trade war) have been expanded, which increasingly turns them from a "noisy" but ineffective tactical instrument into one of the pillars of strategic deterrence. This article examines three interrelated developments that have occurred in recent years: unilateral sanctions as such, their effects, both direct and concomitant (collateral damage), and, finally, reactions to them. Our analysis suggests that formal and informal unilateral sanctions will be intensified both in the short term and in the medium term of three to five years. However, within the next ten to fifteen years, as the international political and economic system becomes increasingly mosaicked, even their immediate effects and consequently their importance will be smoothed over, while the cost of international cooperation will increase. In other words, sanctions will become less ruinous, but fostering "fortress to fortress" bonds will become significantly more expensive and will require large investments in "building trust" with new partners. For Russia, this means transforming the strategy of survival under sanctions, launched five years ago, into a strategy of development under sanctions.


In our study, we aimed to evaluate environmental and socio-economic conditions in children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and to point at possible etiologic factors that can affect leukemia risk. The parents of 105 children diagnosed and treated as ALL between the years 1997 –2007 in our clinic of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology were questioned in terms of environmental and socio-economical factors and results were compared with control group that consisted of 102 healthy children with similar age and gender. Educational level and monthly income were similar between the groups. Occupational exposure of fathers to dust and chemicals were significantly higher in leukemia group (OR:2.00; %95 CI=1.41–3.50, p:0.015). Living near transformer stations (OR: 4.08; %95 CI= 1.3–12.76, p: 0.034) and high-voltage power lines (OR: 2.43; %95 CI= 1.05–5.63, p:0.01) is found to be associated with increased risk of leukemia in children. There was no significant difference in terms of living near base stations (p>0.05). Exposure to industrial air pollution was significantly higher in leukemia group and was related to an elevated risk of ALL (OR: 26.77; %95 CI= 3.53–202.80, p:0.001). There was no significant difference in terms of exposure to insecticides and pesticides between the groups (p:>0.05). In conclusion, leukemia is a disease with multi-factorial etiology that occurs as a result of interactions of genes and environment. The list of possible chemical, physical and biologic agents suspected to play a role in its etiology increase with developing technology and environmental pollution. However there are no sufficient data and more extended studies have to be carried out.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the Infant Neurological International Battery (Infanib) as a screening tool for early detection of gross motor developmental delay in preterm infants discharged from NICU, and to predict their later neuromotor dysfunction (cerebral palsy or motor retardation).

METHODS
A cohort of preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit between June 2008 and March 2010 were enrolled in the study. Infanib assessment was performed at corrected age 3-4 months and 6-7 months. Peabody Developmental Motor scale-2 (PDMS-2) and neuro-examinations were used to confirm the last motor retardation. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the Infanib were calculated.

RESULTS
A total of 147 preterm infants were participated in this study, and 129 infants were followed up at correct age 12 months or more than 12 months. Eleven (8.5%) had celebral palsy, 28 (21.7%) had motor retardation, and 90 (69.8%) normal mortor development. The predictive validity of the Infanib at correct age 3-4 months (n=14) was: sensitivity 84.6%, specificity 75.6%, positive predictive value 60.0% and negative predictive value 91.9%. The predictive validity of the Infanib at correct age 6-7 months (n=117) was: sensitivity 100%, specificity 91.7%, positive predictive value 82.5% and negative predictive value 100%.

CONCLUSIONS
The Infanib can be used as an appropriate screening tool and validity measurement for early detection of gross motor developmental delay in preterm infants.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between immunochemical level of salivary and caries in children aged 4-6 years old.

METHODS
Two groups were assorted as patients with caries and without caries. Every group included 45 people. Measurements of salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA)were performed by using radio-immunoassay and single agar diffusion assay. The levels of lysozyme (LZ), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) were studied with colorimetry and turbidimentry.

RESULTS
The levels of LDH, SigA, ALP, LZ had significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The level of LDH between patients and peoples without caries had little difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION
The incidence of caries is associated with age, and it may have association with immunochemical levels of salivary.


The objective of this work was to investigate on safety and health risks to which tropical agricultural workers are exposed, mainly in relation to heat stress and ergonomic evaluation. In total, five workers from the sugarcane industry were assessed through the Life Quality Questionnaire (SF-36), and four through measuring their body composition, heart rate, hydration status, and ergonomic evaluation. Meteorological data on air temperature, relative humidity and air movement were gathered through a nearby metrological station. The analyzed sugarcane activities were found to be of moderate physical activity, and therefore less consuming than the activity of sugarcane cutters. The work-rest periods were found to be appropriated, without repetitive movements. The workers involved in agricultural activities should always evaluate the thermal environment conditions and appropriate their working activities and stay well hydrated in order to minimize heat stress risk.


Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective chemotherapeutic treatment with lasting side effects in heart and skeletal muscle. DOX is known to bind with iron, contributing to oxidative damage resulting in cardiac and skeletal muscle toxicity. However, major cellular changes to iron regulation in response to DOX are poorly understood in liver, heart, and skeletal muscle. Additionally, two cotreatments, exercise (EX) and metformin (MET), were studied for their effectiveness in reducing DOX toxicity by ameliorating iron dysregulation and preventing oxidative stress. The purposes of this study were to 1) characterize the DOX-induced changes of the major iron regulation pathway in liver, heart, and skeletal muscle and 2) to determine whether EX and MET exert their benefits by minimizing DOX-induced iron dysregulation. Mice were assigned to receive saline or DOX (15 mg/kg) treatments, paired with either EX (5 days) or MET (500 mg/kg), and were euthanized 3 days after DOX treatment. Results suggest that the cellular response to DOX is protective against oxidative stress by reducing iron availability. DOX increased iron storage capacity through elevated ferritin levels in liver, heart, and skeletal muscle. DOX reduced iron transport capacity through reduced transferrin receptor levels in heart and skeletal muscle. EX and MET cotreatments had protective effects in the liver through reduced transferrin receptor levels. At 3 days after DOX, oxidative stress was mild, as shown by normal glutathione and lipid peroxidation levels. Together these results suggest that the cellular response to reduce iron availability in response to DOX treatment is sufficient to match oxidative stress.


Dietary influences play a major role in the pathogenesis of most gastrointestinal malignancies. However, it has been difficult to define which dietary components will be most significant for any given individual. In this article we discuss the methodological challenges to research in this field as well as recent observations that have been made on the role of dietary factors in specific digestive tract neoplasms.


The magnetic polariton spectrum characteristic of collective behavior in magnetic/nonmagnetic superlattices has been obtained within the framework of a macroscopic theory.


Specimens of the sipunculans Phascolosoma perlucens, Antillesoma antillarum, and Sipunculus nudus, were collected for PCB analysis in three coastal embayments on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica in October 2005. After collection the worms were kept in cool sea water and transferred to the laboratory for freeze drying. Half of the specimens of S. nudus were depurated in filtered sea water for 72 h before freeze drying. The whole worm sample was ground, using a mortar and pestle prior to being extracted with dichloromethane solvent. The extract was cleaned using a florisil column and analyzed using a 6890 Hewlett-Packard gas chro- matograph equipped with a mass selective detector. Recovery efficiencies averaged between 72 and 80 %. Data are not corrected for blank or recovery efficiencies. Concentration data were calculated based on comparison with standards for Arochlor 1221, 1242, 1248 and 1254 (Supelco, Inc. ®). No worm samples were identified with six or more chlorine atoms. However, the higher chlorinated congeners were identified in the standards. Therefore, the lack of chlorination in the worms was not an analytical artifact. The sum of identifiable PCBs ranged from a barely discernable 0.01 ng/g dry wt in an A. antillarum sample from Culebra Bay to 67.71 ng/g dry wt in a P. perlucens sample obtained near the Rincon river in the inner Golfo Dulce. S. nudus worm samples from the Cocorocas sand flat in the Gulf of Nicoya had relatively high concentrations of PCBs whether they were depurated or not. The samples from Costa Rica are low in PCBs, especially compared to the marine sedi- ment samples measured previously in Costa Rica. This was the first attempt to identify and quantify the presence of PCBs in any marine organisms from the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54 (Suppl. 1): 27-33. Epub 2006 Sept. 30.


Network attacking using malware has become very popular on the Internet and in many other networks, namely Vehicular Ad-hoc Network (VANET) networks. It is required to have the model describing the malware spreading based on factors, which directly affect this process to limit its influences. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model called SEIR-S (Susceptible–Exposed–Infectious–Recovered–Susceptible) based on the characteristics of the VANET network and the well-known disease-spreading model SIR (Susceptible–Infectious–Recovered). We take into account possible behaviors of malware and provide the corresponding states to vehicles: Susceptible (S), Exposed (E), Infectious (I), Recovered (R). We evaluate the basic reproduction number R0 of the model and perform a stability analysis of the proposed model. The results show that, when R0 < 1, the malware spreading will gradually decrease, and, when R0 > 1, that spreading cannot be extinguished. We also point out the condition that we can control the endemic in the VANET network. In addition, the correctness of the proposed model is verified using both numerical analysis and agent-based simulation on NetLogo.


We propose dynamic curriculum learning via data parameters for noise robust keyword spotting. Data parameter learning has recently been introduced for image processing, where weight parameters, so-called data parameters, for target classes and instances are introduced and optimized along with model parameters. The data parameters scale logits and control importance over classes and instances during training, which enables automatic curriculum learning without additional annotations for training data. Similarly, in this paper, we propose using this curriculum learning approach for acoustic modeling, and train an acoustic model on clean and noisy utterances with the data parameters. The proposed approach automatically learns the difficulty of the classes and instances, e.g. due to low speech to noise ratio (SNR), in the gradient descent optimization and performs curriculum learning. This curriculum learning leads to overall improvement of the accuracy of the acoustic model. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach on a keyword spotting task. Experimental results show 7.7% relative reduction in false reject ratio with the data parameters compared to a base-line model which is simply trained on the multiconditioned dataset.


This thesis investigates the field of imprinting by comparing the behaviour of a range of precocial, nidifugous avian species, i.e. types of bird which leave their nest soon after hatching. In the first chapter literature relevant to imprinting is reviewed. A fact emerging from this review is the lack of comparability between various imprinting experiments. In this thesis the importance of experimental uniformity is stressed. It had been thought by Lorenz: (1935) that some species of wader, i.e. curlews (Numenius arquata), and godwits (Limosa limosa), could not imprint on an inappropriate stimulus. This suggestion was investigated in the present comparative study in which, for the species studied, the experimental method was kept uniform. In the second chapter the experimental method is described as is the type of species and the taxonomic group from which they come. The species used were: the domestic fowl; pheasant; partridge; wild mallard; curlew; lapwing and oyster-catcher. The stimulus used to encourage approach from these species was a rotating, white disc, with a 45 red sector. In the third chapter, four experiments are described. In the first three experiments the effects of various stimuli and training procedure in imprinting, were investigated using domestic fowl. This was done in order to examine the effectiveness of the stimuli in inducing approach. The fourth experiment compared a range of species responses to a combined visual and auditory stimulus. In chapter five, two further experiments are described which were conducted on lapwings, extending the generality of conclusions from experiment four. Chapter six contains the conclusions drawn from the experiments, and the need to consider the natural parent-chick bond is stressed.


Inactivation of the hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumour syndrome (HPT- JT) gene, HRPT2, was recently established as a genetic mechanism in the development of parathyroid tumours. Its encoded protein parafibromin has tumour-suppressor properties that play an important role in tumour development in the parathyroids, jaws and kidneys. Inactivating HRPT2 mutations are common in HPT- JT and parathyroid carcinomas, and have been described in a few cases of parathyroid adenomas with cystic features. In this study, 46 cases of cystic parathyroid adenomas previously investigated for HRPT2 mutations were characterized with regard to MEN1 gene mutations, cyclin D1 expression and parafibromin expression. In normal tissues and cell lines, parafibromin was ubiquitously expressed. Furthermore, parafibromin was detected as a dominating nuclear and a weaker cytoplasmic signal in transfected cell lines. In the three parathyroid tumours with inactivating HRPT2 mutations parafibromin expression was not detectable, and in one of two cases with aberrantly sized parafibromin the protein was delocalized. Both high and low cyclin D1 levels were found among HRPT2-mutated and -unmutated tumours, suggesting that these events are not mutually exclusive in parathyroid tumour development. The presented data suggest that in the majority of benign parathyroid tumours the expression of parafibromin remains unaltered, while the loss of parafibromin expression is strongly indicative of gene inactivation through mutation of the HRPT2 gene.


Mannose-specific binding sites in the two types of synoviocytes (A and S) from the synovial membrane of normal rat knee joints were studied by an ultrastructural-cytochemical method using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a ligand. The A cells showed mannose-specific binding sites for HRP which were localized in coated pits and coated vesicles (110 nm) as well as in smooth-walled vesicles, vacuoles, and tubules. No mannose-specific binding sites for HRP were detected in the S cells. Together with previous observations on absorption of intraarticularly injected HRP in type A and type S synoviocytes, the present results strongly support the interpretation that the A cells internalize HRP by receptor-mediated endocytosis and that the S cells internalize HRP by fluid-phase endocytosis only. The present results agree with the suggestion that mannose-specific binding sites consist of two pools, the one concerned with internalization of ligand and the other with intracellular targeting of internalized ligand.


We develop the Floquet scattering theory for quantum-mechanical pumping in mesoscopic conductors. The nonequilibrium distribution function, the dc charge, and heat currents are investigated at arbitrary pumping amplitude and frequency. For mesoscopic samples with a discrete spectrum we predict a sign reversal of the pumped current when the pump frequency is equal to the level spacing in the sample. This effect allows us to measure the phase of the transmission coefficient through the mesoscopic sample. We discuss the necessary symmetry conditions (both spatial and temporal) for pumping.


Mushrooms are known to complement chemotherapy and radiation therapy by countering the side-effects of cancer. Recently, a great deal of interest has been developed to isolate novel bioactive compounds from mushrooms because of their numerous health beneficial effects. Chemically water-extractable polysaccharide (MFKF-AP1β) was isolated from fruiting bodies of mushroom Fomes fomentarius. In this research, we investigated the anticancer effects of MFKF-AP1β on human lung carcinoma A549 cell. Results showed that MFKF-AP1β distinctly inhibited A549 cells growth in a dose-dependent manner and induced cell apoptosis evidenced by apoptosis assay. Besides that, MFKF-AP1β induced the LDH release and causes morphological alterations. Furthermore, the MFKF-AP1β (25.100 μg/ml) resulted in a significant single strand DNA breakage, on A549 cells as shown by comet assay. Taken together, our results demonstrate that MFKF-AP1β possesses strong antitumor activities through the induction of apoptosis. All these results suggested that MFKF-AP1β has evident anticancer activity through apoptotic induction.


Prediction of RNA base pairings yields insight into molecular structure, and therefore function. The most common methods predict an optimal structure under the standard thermodynamic model. One component of this model is the equation which governs the cost of branching, where three or more helical "arms" radiate out from a multiloop (also known as a junction). The multiloop initiation equation has three parameters; changing those values can significantly alter the predicted structure. We give a complete analysis of the prediction accuracy, stability, and robustness for all possible parameter combinations for a diverse set of tRNA sequences, and also for 5S rRNA. We find that the accuracy can often be substantially improved on a per sequence basis. However, simultaneous improvement within families, and most especially between families, remains a challenge.


Studies on urban and periurban agriculture in Zambia have not adequately tackled land use practices in relation to problems associated with wastewater irrigated farming. This study investigated land use practices in two wastewater irrigated farming areas in the industrial towns of Mufulira and Kafue respectively in the Copperbelt and Lusaka provinces of Zambia. Drawing on data from field interviews and focus group discussions, as well as laboratory analysis of the heavy metal content in the wastewater used for irrigation in farm plots at both sites, the study outlines the problems associated with wastewater irrigated farming, including the vulnerability context of those whose livelihoods depend on insecure access to vacant land for informal farming. The findings also confirm the heavy metal contamination of the wastewater used for farming, as well as seepage into the surrounding environment, from mining and industrial enterprises located amidst residential areas. The characteristics of mixed land use, high crop diversification, multiple cropping systems and multiple livelihood practices found in these areas of informal farming are similar to those noted in periurban farming in other developing economy contexts. Given that wastewater irrigated crop farming forms part of the livelihood portfolio among the majority of periurban populations, these preliminary results reinforce the need for municipal authorities to improve scrutiny of land use regulation, raise awareness among informal farmers of the hazards associated with using domestic sewage wastewater and untreated industrial effluents, and ensure improve treatment of the wastewater used for human consumption.


As COVID-19 spread throughout across the U.S. this spring, it highlighted worsening health disparities faced by minority populations in the U.S., including Hispanics. In April, half of U.S. Hispanics said they or someone in their household had taken a pay cut, lost their job or both because of the coronavirus outbreak. Preliminary data has also shown that Hispanics make up an unequal proportion of coronavirus cases in some states. In a recent podcast, The Nation's Health spoke with Amelie Ramirez, who is the director of Salud America.