The EU's strategic objective is to improve energy market integration while emphasising the goal of energy sustainability. This study summarises the progress made over the last six decades, particularly focusing on the latest steps, and outlines the present and future challenges of the European energy policy. In doing so, the study addresses the following research questions: Will the EU realise its original aspirations in the field of energy? Is the Energy Union on target to deliver the envisioned breakthrough for the EU? Are the benefits of the Energy Union tangible at the integrated EU level? What new conditions and expectations shape and influence the future of the Energy Union?


Glucose prediction is used in diabetes self-management as it allows to take suitable actions for proper glycemic regulation of the patient. The aim of this work is the short-term personalized glucose prediction in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). In this scope, we compared two different models, an autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model and a long short-term memory (LSTM) model for different prediction horizons. The comparison of two models was performed using the evaluation metrics of root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE). The models were trained and tested in 29 real patients. The results shown that the LSTM model had better performance than ARMA with RMSE 3.13, 6.41 and 8.81 mg/dL and MAE 1.98, 5.06 and 6.47 mg/dL for 5-, 15- and 30-minutes prediction horizon.


In more recent times, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measurements have formed an important part of assessing the quality of routine care in general practice. For a measure to have clinical usefulness it must not only be valid, appropriate, reliable, responsive, and capable of being interpreted, but it must also be simple, fast to complete, easy to score, and provide useful clinical data. The Two-step method of choosing appropriate measures is introduced. Then through comparison of generic instruments with disease-specific instruments, we can conclude that sometimes a combination of generic and disease-specific HRQOL measures may be more appropriate for monitoring changes in a patient's health status due to an intervention.


Late blight (Phytophthora infestans) can have devastating effects on tomato production over the whole world. Most of the commercial cultivars of tomato, Solanum lycopersicum, are susceptible. Qualitative and quantitative resistance has been described in wild relatives of tomato. In general qualitative resistance can more easily be overcome by newly evolved isolates. Screening of three S. habro- chaites accessions (LA1033, LA2099 and LA1777) through a whole plant assay showed that accession LA1777 had a good level of resistance to several isolates of P. infestans. To explore the potential in this wild species, an introgression line (IL) popula- tion of S. habrochaites LA1777 was used to screen individual chromosome regions of the wild species by a detached leaf assay. Two major isolates (T1,2 and T1,2,4) were used and two parameters were measured: lesion size (LS), and disease incidence (DI). Sub- stantial variation was observed between the individ- ual lines. QTLs were identified for LS but not for DI. The presence of five QTLs derived from LA1777 (Rlbq4a, Rlbq4b, Rlbq7, Rlbq8 and Rlbq12) results in unambiguous higher levels of resistance. All QTLs co-localized with previously described QTLs from S. habrochaites LA2099 except QTL Rlbq4b, which is therefore a novel QTL.


Introduction Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) or neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus is a rare disorder in children caused by an inadequate release of the antidiuretic hormone, arginine vasopressin (AVP). CDI is clinically caracterised by polyuria and polydipsia. Methods and materials Clinical, auxological, biological and neuroradiological characteristics of 10 children with central diabetes insipidus (CDI) were retrospectively analysed during a period of 18 years. Results Five girls and five boys with permanent diabetes insipidus were enrolled in the study. The mean age at diagnosis was 6 years five months (range: 4 months -14 years). The major cumulative and often subtle presenting manifestations were: polyuria (n = 10), polydipsia (n = 10), fatigue (n = 2), growth retardation (n = 4), headache (n = 1). All patients had low urine osmolality and elevated plasma osmolality on diagnosis. The aetiology of central DI was organic in 8 patients, craniopharyngioma in 3 patients, Langerhans cell histiocytosis in 2 patients, neurosarcoidosis in one case, Pituitary stalk interruption in one patient and wolfram syndrome in one patient. Three patients had anterior pituitary hormone deficiency and growth hormone deficiency. Polyuria and polydipsia have regressed in all patients put under desmopressin. Patients with craniopharyngioma were operated with a tumour recurrence in one case. Conclusion DIC is a rare disease in Paediatrics. The circumstances of discovery and positive diagnosis are often easy. The underlying aetiology of CDI in children may not initially be obvious. Long-term surveillance is therefore necessary, especially for the early detection of evolving treatable intracranial lesions.


AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA

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Alterations of p16INK4A, Rb and cyclin D1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Introduction: The tumor-suppressor Rb in its hypophosphorylated form acts as a cell cycle regulator for G1 arrest and abnormalities in the p16/cyclin D1/Rb pathway has been thought to be important in human neoplasia. p16INK4A is inactivated by several different ways including hypermethylation of the promoter. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between expressions of p16INK4A, Rb and cyclin D1 and methylation status of p16INK4A in papillary thyroid cancer.

Materials and Methods : Thirty six surgically resected papillary thyroid carcinoma cases at Dongsan medical center, Keimyung university from 2003 to 2005 were included in this study. We examined the promoter hypermethylation of p16INK4A and evaluated immunohistochemical analysis of p16INK4A, Rb and cyclinD1 expression.

Results: Aberrant hypermethylation of 5' CpG islands of the p16 gene promoter was detected in 17(47.2%) of 36 cases. Rb immunostaining was detected in 10(27.8%) of 36 cases and p16INK4A protein was lost in 18(50%) of 36 cases. Overexpression of cyclinD1 immunostaining was found in 27(75%) of 36 cases. There was an inverse relationship between Rb and p16INK4A immunostaining (p<0.026), and was a strong direct correlation between Rb and CyclinD1 immunostaining (p<0.0001). With the exception of a case, p16INK4A promoter hypermethylation correlated significantly with loss of p16INK4A protein expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma (p<0.0001).

Conclusions: These data suggest that promoter hypermethylation is a major mechanism in the inactivation of p16INK4A in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Furthermore, alterations in the p16/CyclinD1/Rb pathway are supposed to be very important in papillary thyroid carcinoma.


With enhanced samples of the eight isotopes of cadmium in electrodeless discharge tubes, measurements of the center of gravity line position of λ6438 have been made to better than one part in 25 million or to about 0.0003 A. The estimated resolution, based on Doppler broadening, was 500 000. The observed shifts, compared to a similar normal cadmium source, have been treated by a least squares analysis of a matrix multiplication by the ORACLE. These preliminary results indicate a difference for the extreme masses of about 0.008 A, which is comparable with the half-width of the red line in an atomic beam source. With the exception of mass 108, there is a regular increase in wavelength for the even mass numbers. The odd mass isotopes appear to give anomalous shifts, falling near the shift for the adjacent larger even mass. The principal source of error in the procedure is associated with apparent shifts due to differences in density of the patterns.


NisB-short for The Network is the Business-facilitates a network of heterogeneous information producers and consumers that share a common interest in harmonizing their knowledge assets. By trading knowledge assets, the network establishes and refines interoperability between its parties. The value of the accumulated interoperability knowledge in the network improves as more the network grows in parties and assets and that interoperability knowledge constitutes economic value in its own right. The innovative idea is to maintain and refine knowledge, striving for overall consistency. Knowledge creation leverages crowd concepts and the multitude of relationships among individual information items in the same domain. NisB introduces business model archetypes that base the sharing of interoperability assets on a sound economic model balancing investment with gain while stimulating usage. Based on the understanding that many small contributions generate a great value, incentive models and mechanisms will be developed by which realized value consumed by one will compensate the other underlying contributors.


In this paper high performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the determination of natamycin in dairy product in Turkish market. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C8 column (150 mm x 4.6 mm x 5 μm 100 mm) with a mobile phase of methanol : water : acetic acid (12:8:1 v/v/v), at 1ml/min flow rate with DAD detection at 303 nm. Natamycin was analysed simultaneously using HPLC-UV method of ISO 9233+2, 2007( IDF 140-2, 2007). The method was found linear over the concentration ranges of 0.01-0.8 mg/L. Correlation coefficients (r) of the regression equations were greater than 0.999. The LOD and LOQ values for UV and DAD were found 0.321 mg/kg and 0.355 mg/kg; 0.321 mg/kg and 0.388 mg/kg for cheese samples respectively. The relative recoveries obtained for the spiked cheese samples were between 90 and 110 %. Also the interday precision of the method was found as 1.874% and 3.442 % RSD values for UV and DAD dedections. From the results of the present study using HPLC-DAD indicated that it is not reasonable to attribute the determination of natamycin in cheese. Therefore, the difference of the validation parameters were found insignificant for both detections. However, It was succesfully applied to determination of 46 different cheese products and finding dealing with the presence of natamycin in cheese samples were presented.


A set of polymers have been synthesized in order to determine whether polymers containing nitrosation-reactive functional groups could effectively block nitrosamine formation. Polymers containing both hydrophobic backbones [poly[(chloromethyl)styrene], poly(ethylene oxide-co-epichlorohydrin), chloromethylated cross-linked polystyrene] and hydrophilic backbones [poly(ethylenimine) and poly(acryloyl chloride)] have been derivatized with pyrrole, 2,5-dimethylpyrrole, 2-[(methylamino)methyl]pyrrole, or hydroquinone. All of these polymers, as well as PEI itself, are effective at blocking the nitrosation of morpholine by nitrous acid. The hydrophilic polymers are much better able to compete for the available nitrosating agent in aqueous solution than are the hydrophobic polymers. Nevertheless, all of the polymers were highly effective in scavenging nitrous acid from aqueous solution prior to addition of the amine. The reaction products derived from the reactive, polymer-attached functional groups are retained on the polymer and are easily removed from mixtures of chemicals by physical means. Since nitrosamines and other N-nitroso compounds are known to be potent animal carcinogens, this work is of significance in the area of preventive chemical toxicology.


Abstract We examined the effect of neonatal deafening on frequency-specific pathways for processing of interaural time differences (ITDs) in cochlear-implant stimuli. Animal studies have demonstrated differences in neural ITD sensitivity in the inferior colliculus (IC) depending on the intracochlear location of intracochlear stimulating electrodes. We used neonatally deafened (ND) rats of both sexes and recorded the responses of single neurons in the IC to electrical stimuli with ITDs delivered to the apical or basal cochlea and compared them with acutely deafened (AD) rats of both sexes with normal hearing (NH) during development. We found that neonatal deafness significantly impacted the ITD sensitivity and the ITD tuning patterns restricted to apically driven IC neurons. In ND rats, the ITD sensitivity of apically driven neurons is reduced to values similar to basally driven neurons. The prevalence of ITD-sensitive apical neurons with a peak-shaped ITD tuning curve, which may reflect predominant input from the medial superior olivary (MSO) complex, in ND rats was diminished compared with that in AD rats (67%, AD vs 40%, ND). Conversely, monotonic-type responses rarely occurred in AD rats (14%) but were approximately equally as prevalent as peak-type tuning curves in ND rats (42%). Nevertheless, in ND rats, the ITD at the maximum slope of the ITD tuning curve was still more concentrated within the physiological ITD range in apically driven than in basally driven neurons. These results indicate that the development of high ITD sensitivity processed by low-frequency pathways depends on normal auditory experience and associated biases in ITD tuning strategies.


A novel serotonin reuptake inhibitor, (-)trans 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenoxy-methyl)piperidine hydrochloride (FG-7080), was investigated for its effects on scopolamine-induced impairments in memory tasks of rats. In the radial-arm maze task, FG-7080 (3 mg/kg, p.o.) improved the impaired performance. FG-7080 (1 mg/kg, p.o.) administered before the acquisition trial reduced the acquisition deficits in the passive avoidance task. Thus, the compound showed improving effects in the appetitive and aversive memory tasks. These findings suggest that FG-7080 may ameliorate the cognitive impairments caused by the cholinergic dysfunction.


Primary culture of adipose tissue has often been used to investigate pharmacological and nutritional regulation of adipocyte gene expression. Possible alteration of adipocyte gene expression by primary culture on its own has not been explored in detail. In order to address this issue, explants were prepared from human subcutaneous adipose tissue recovered from plastic surgery and maintained for 0 to 48 h in DMEM supplemented with 10 % serum. At different time points, adipocytes were isolated from the explants by collagenase digestion, and mRNA expression and lipolysis were studied. Culture was associated with an accumulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) in the culture medium, an increase in anaerobic glycolysis, and an increase in the basal lipolysis. In parallel, a rapid and dramatic decrease in the level of mRNA encoding for several adipocyte-specific proteins such as adipocyte lipid-binding protein, hormone-sensitive lipase, lipoprotein lipase, and peroxisome proliferation activating receptor-gamma2 was observed in isolated adipocytes. These downregulations were reminiscent of a dedifferentiation process. In parallel, primary culture was associated with an increase in adipocyte beta-actin, TNFalpha, glucose transporter-1 and hypoxia-induced factor-1alpha mRNAs. Treatment of explants with agents that increase cAMP (isobutylmethylxanthine and forskolin) prevented TNFalpha production and expression and culture-induced alterations of adipocyte gene expression. These data show that primary culture of human adipose tissue explants dramatically alters adipocyte gene expression.


The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism of various flow patterns of falling liquid film flow observed near an obstacle on a flow channel. In this report, a bend on the channel was chosen as the obstacle and the behavior of a ring-shaped swelling of the liquid film, which appears near the obstacle at a low flow rate, is considered. The Weber number at which the swelling shifts from the upside to the downside of the bend is theoretically estimated. The experimental results for the swelling behavior agree well with those of the above theory. Moreover, in order to investigate the characteristics of the stationary wave observed in the upstream side of the swelling, the wavelength and the damping rate of the amplitude were measured by the needle contact method. The measured results agree with the theoretical ones which were considered by the authors in the preceding report.


Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA

The MEK-ERK1/2 signaling pathway is constitutively activated in BRAF V600E/K melanomas. Concurrent BRAF and MEK inhibitor treatment was recently FDA-approved for BRAF V600E melanoma; however, acquired resistance to the drug combination limits durable responses. Our lab has developed a luciferase reporter system that temporally and non-invasively quantitates ERK1/2 activity in mutant BRAF melanoma xenografts. We used this reporter system to examine the temporal kinetics of ERK1/2 activity in vivo upon treatment with combined BRAF/MEK inhibition. Using a 1205Lu reporter system, all established tumors regressed to levels that were not detectable visually. After prolonged treatment with BRAF and MEK inhibitors, only 2 out of 8 mice regrew resistant tumors. In similar experiments with A375 xenografts, only 1 out 12 tumors developed resistance. In 1205Lu tumors, re-activation of the ERK1/2 pathway was evident prior to re-growth. Additionally, cell lines generated from these resistant tumors exhibited elevated levels of ERK1/2 suggesting that resistance to BRAF + MEK inhibitors involves re-activation of ERK1/2 signaling. In comparison to parental cells, resistant cells in vitro displayed reduced levels of apoptosis, increased proliferation, and increased viability in the presence of BRAF plus MEK inhibitor. Furthermore, when removed from drugs, combination-resistant cells showed increased apoptosis and reduced proliferation and viability, suggesting that the resistant lines may be addicted to the dual therapy. RPPA analysis and whole exome sequencing to elucidate mechanisms of resistance are ongoing.

Citation Format: Ileine Sanchez, Andrew Aplin. In vivo ERK1/2 pathway reporting during acquired resistance to combined RAF/MEK inhibition. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2686. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2686


Nihilism can no longer be regarded solely as an individual roadblock (problem of self); instead of that, it must be considered as a political problem (in terms of polis , understood as a society or community). Vattimo is most interested in examining how far can we go with positive nihilism, after Nietzsche and Heidegger; that is, where the presumed positive aspects of nihilism could lead us, after we have recognized (with Nietzschean figure of "perfect nihilist") that nihilism is our only chance . We will also see in which way Vattimo responded to the questions of crisis of metaphysics, mind, subject, conceptions of Humanism and the Enlightenment – the ideas which are not so easy to abandon in a manner of an old wardrobe.


The article provides an overview of hybrid warfare and psychological resilience, and the related challenges faced by individuals, communities and societal security in regard to the psychological effects of hybrid threats. Since the concept of psychological resilience is new and almost unknown in Bulgaria, and even less so in the Bulgarian military, the article introduces the reader to the concept of psychological resilience. It then suggests a model of developing resilience training in the Bulgarian armed forces.


The article is devoted to the study of organizational principles of inventory accounting in the process of innovation, based on the analysis and harmonization of current provisions of the main regulations that regulate inventory accounting and determine the procedure for innovation. Based on the systematization of legislative and normative legal acts, which takes into account the legal force of these normative legal acts and takes into account the powers of the state body that issued the relevant normative legal acts, a hierarchical model of normative legal regulation of accounting of inventories in the process of innovation was developed. This model is based on the regulation of inventory accounting by the state and determines the order of organization and maintenance of inventory accounting directly at the enterprise It is substantiated that the system of state regulation of inventory accounting in the process of innovation includes three levels. The first level includes regulations of higher legal force, which determine the general principles of organization of inventory accounting, its tasks, basic concepts, regulate innovation, regulate the organization and maintenance of inventory accounting in the process of innovation. The second level includes regulations that define the general principles, methodological principles of formation of accounting information on inventories and establish rules and methods of inventory accounting, reflection of inventory transactions in accounting accounts, the procedure for disclosure of information on inventories in financial statements. The third level includes regulations that set out recommendations and clarifications on certain issues of accounting for inventory transactions and control over their availability and preservation, taking into account the specifics of innovation. The content of the main normative documents that regulate the accounting of stocks and determine the basis for innovation at the appropriate levels of state regulation is analyzed. The methodological bases of formation in accounting of the information on stocks and the order of disclosure of the information on stocks in the financial reporting on the basis of national and international regulations are investigated. The study identified some inconsistencies between national and international legislation regarding the organization of accounting of inventories. Such inconsistencies relate to the scope of regulations, the procedure for recognizing inventories as assets, the composition (classification) of inventories, groups of assets not covered by the standard, approaches to valuing inventories upon receipt, disclosure in financial statements. It is substantiated that elimination of the revealed contradictions of the national and international legislation will promote perfection of system of the state regulation of accounting of stocks and will increase efficiency of management of stocks and efficiency of use of stocks in the course of innovative activity of the enterprises.


Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as mediators of a range of pathological processes, including cancer. However, their role in bone metastases has been poorly explored. We investigated EV‐mediated effects of osteotropic breast cancer cells (MDA‐MB‐231) on bone resident cells and endothelial cells. Pretreatment of osteoblasts with conditioned medium (CM) of MDA‐MB‐231 (MDA) cells promoted pro‐osteoclastogenic and pro‐angiogenic effects by osteoblast EVs (OB‐EVs), as well as an increase of RANKL‐positive OB‐EVs. Moreover, when treating osteoblasts with MDA‐EVs, we observed a reduction of their number, metabolic activity, and alkaline phosphatase (Alp) activity. MDA‐EVs also reduced transcription of Cyclin D1 and of the osteoblast‐differentiating genes, while enhancing the expression of the pro‐osteoclastogenic factors Rankl, Lcn2, Il1b, and Il6. Interestingly, a cytokine array on CM from osteoblasts treated with MDA‐EVs showed an increase of the cytokines CCL3, CXCL2, Reg3G, and VEGF, while OPG and WISP1 were downregulated. MDA‐EVs contained mRNAs of genes involved in bone metabolism, as well as cytokines, including PDGF‐BB, CCL3, CCL27, VEGF, and Angiopoietin 2. In line with this profile, MDA‐EVs increased osteoclastogenesis and in vivo angiogenesis. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of MDA‐EVs in mice revealed their ability to reach the bone microenvironment and be integrated by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. In conclusion, we showed a role for osteoblast‐derived EVs and tumor cell–derived EVs in the deregulation of bone and endothelial cell physiology, thus fueling the vicious cycle induced by bone tumors. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.


The task of recommending relevant scientific literature for a draft academic paper has recently received significant interest. In our effort to ease the discovery of scientific literature and augment scientific writing, we aim to improve the relevance of results based on a shallow semantic analysis of the source document and the potential documents to recommend. We investigate the utility of automatic argumentative and rhetorical annotation of documents for this purpose. Specifically, we integrate automatic Core Scientific Concepts (CoreSC) classification into a prototype context-based citation recommendation system and investigate its usefulness to the task. We frame citation recommendation as an information retrieval task and we use the categories of the annotation schemes to apply different weights to the similarity formula. Our results show interesting and consistent correlations between the type of citation and the type of sentence containing the relevant information.


The Ukrainian government owes its central bank around UAH 9 bn in the form of internal state debt. This debt originates from the unhealthy practice of financing budget deficits by printing money over 1991-1996. Both the government and the National Bank agree in principle on the necessity for restructuring and securitizing this debt. This is hardly surprising, since both institutions would gain much from restructuring this debt. But such a deal can and should only be conducted, once the government and especially the Ministry of Finance possess a clear quantitative assessment of the budgetary implications of the restructuring process. In this paper we provide such an assessment.


In this issue of the Korean journal of anesthesiology, Bae and colleagues [1] studied the induction and maintenance dose of propofol for anesthesia in major burn patients. They reported that an induction dose of 1.5 mg/kg is appropriate and a slow infusion rate of 20 mg/kg/hr is safe for maintaining the desirable hypnotic condition and this causes no significant hemodynamic problems. Many pathophysiologic alterations in patients with major burn can cause changes in the response of propofol. Many other diseases can change the effect of anesthetic drugs in patients. The study of Bae and colleagues [1] would seem to reflect the increasing interest of anesthesiologists in clinical pharmacologic study. Korean anesthesiologists have recently focused on the clinical pharmacologic studies including pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling. The Korean Society for Intravenous Anesthesia changed its formal name to the Korean Society for Anesthetic Pharmacology in May 2008. Microemulsion propofol was developed in Korea and its induction and recovery characteristics have been evaluated [2].

Historically, modern anesthesia has slowly developed as a medical discipline since William Morton first administered ether to a patient. But anesthesia today stands out as the major primary medical specialty that routinely incorporates clinical pharmacology principles into patient care. Anesthesiologists have made major contributions to clinical pharmacology in the areas of physiological pharmacokinetics, PK-PD modeling and pharmacogenetics [3]. Physiologic pharmacokinetic models describe the time sequences of the measured blood and tissue drug concentrations by apportioning the cardiac output and hence the drug distribution, among the tissues with similar perfusion and drug solubility characteristics [4]. Brodie et al. [5] demonstrated that the effects of small doses of thiopental were terminated by redistribution from the site of action to other body tissues and not by metabolism. The physiologic pharmacokinetic model provides the first understanding of factors that contribute the variability in response to rapidly acting drugs. PK/PD modeling is the process of constructing a mathematical model to relate the time course of the dose to the concentration (PK) and the concentration to the effect (PD). Minto and Schnider [6] well summarized the enormous contribution of PK/PD modeling to advances in intravenous anesthesia. They said that PK/PD models have provided us with insight into the factors affecting the onset and offset of drugs' effects. The PK/PD model was postulated from the most important concept of the "effect compartment" model and this concept was developed from the data obtained from experiments where a neuromuscular-blocking agent was administered [7,8]. The data was modeled to integrate and characterized the lag time between the time course of the concentration of a drug and the time course of its measured effect. This concept was developed under the circumstances that patients are routinely and exhaustively monitored during anesthesia. This makes it easy to observe and quantify the effects of anesthetic drugs.

Anesthesia has been the benchmark for the development of new concepts and principles in clinical pharmacology. Using PK/PD modeling techniques from the early phases of clinical development has helped to define the characteristics of most drugs and specially those drugs that are intravenously administered. With the appropriate statistical methodology, the effects of covariate factors have been identified and based on all this, rational dosing guidelines have been defined and later validated in routine clinical use [9]. For the point of view of the clinical pharmacologist, intravenously administered anesthetic drugs have concepts and lessons that are valuable for drug development. The intravenously administered hypnotic and opiate drugs that are used for producing anesthesia have fundamental characteristics that are applicable to all drug development. These characteristics include the 100% bioavailability and a precise knowledge of the administered drug dose, easy access to blood sampling, linear PKs, relatively rapid onset and offset, a profound degree of drug effect from awake to completely unconscious and the ability to directly record the drug effects as shown on an electroencephalogram [10]. Anesthesiologists have many advantages to gain knowledge and data for drug discovery, development, regulation, and utilization.


The adsorption of selenium on the surface at the coverage of 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 ML is studied by the ab initio molecular dynamics method. It indicates that will transfer to the buckled reconstruction at 0.25 and 0.50 ML, and finally be restored to symmetry structure spontaneously induced by the adsorption of Se. The dynamics process of restoration is also simulated, where vibrations of Se atoms with a period of about 0.60 ps are found, and the atoms in dimers vibrate relatively with the same period before the system is annealed. The geometry of the restored structure at coverage of 1.0 ML is in good agreement with previous studies.


Objectives A decade after the publication of the EULAR standardised operating procedures for the production of management recommendations, we assessed the quality of existing EULAR management recommendations according to the latest Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument [1,2]. Methods The EULAR standardised operating procedures for the "elaboration, evaluation, dissemination, and implementation of recommendations" published in 2004 has been used to provide a formal structure to ensure the quality of EULAR endorsed recommendations. We assessed the 26 EULAR recommendations for management published to date using the AGREE II tool. The AGREE II instrument was developed to provide a standardised structure for guidelines in development in order to improve consistency in quality, and provide a framework to assess the quality of published guidelines across 6 domains using 23 specific questions. The domains cover the scope and purpose; the extent of stakeholder involvement; rigour of the methodology and development process; clarity of presentation of the guideline; consideration of applicability, including barriers and facilitators to guideline implication and resource implications; and editorial independence. Results Overall the EULAR recommendations reviewed have been performed to a high standard. The mean and range scores for each domain and overall scores are given in table 1. This highlights strengths in the areas of scope and purpose, rigour of development and clarity of presentation of the guidelines. The scores also show areas for development in future recommendations, with potential to improve stakeholder involvement, such as the inclusion of patient representatives in the guideline development group, and applicability of the recommendations, including resource implications and provision of an implementation algorithm or audit tool. Improvements in quality have continued over recent years with patient representation in 4 of 13 (30.7%) recommendations published 2000-2009 but 6 of 13 (61.5%) published 2010-2013. Conclusions In the last 10 years the overall quality of recommendations was good with standards improving over the decade. However, this review process has also identified potential areas for improvement especially in patient representation and provision of implementation tools. References Dougados M, Betteridge N, Burmester GR, et al. EULAR standardised operating procedures for the elaboration, evaluation, dissemination, and implementation of recommendations endorsed by the EULAR standing committees. Ann Rheum Dis 2004;63:1172–6. Brouwers M, Kho ME, Browman GP, et al for the AGREE Next Steps Consortium. AGREE II: Advancing guideline development, reporting and evaluation in healthcare. Can Med Assoc J. 2010;182:E839-842. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.1160


Ischaemic postconditioning is a phenomenon whereby short periods of ischaemia applied during the start of reperfusion protect the myocardium from the damaging consequences of reperfusion. As such, pharmacological-induced postconditioning represents an attractive therapeutic strategy for reducing reperfusion injury during cardiac surgery and following myocardial infarction. The primary aim of this study was to determine the role of large-conductance Ca²(+)-activated potassium channels (BK(Ca) channels) in adenosine A₁ receptor-induced pharmacological postconditioning in the rat embryonic cardiomyoblast-derived cell line H9c2. H9c2 cells were exposed to 6 h hypoxia (0.5% O₂) followed by 18 h reoxygenation (H/R) after which cell viability was assessed by monitoring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and caspase-3 activation. The adenosine A₁ receptor agonist N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA; 100 nmol/L) or the BK(Ca) channel opener NS1619 (10 µmol/L) were added for 30 min at the start of reoxygenation following 6 h hypoxic exposure. Where appropriate, cells were treated (15 min) before pharmacological postconditioning with the BK(Ca) channel blockers paxilline (1 µmol/L) or iberiotoxin (100 nmol/L). Pharmacological postconditioning with CPA or NS1619 significantly reduced H/R-induced LDH release. Treatment with paxilline or iberiotoxin attenuated adenosine A₁ receptor and NS1619-induced pharmacological postconditioning. These results have shown for the first time that BK(Ca) channels are involved in adenosine A₁ receptor-induced pharmacological postconditioning in a cell model system.


Abstracts: 10th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; September 8-9, 2014; Seattle, WA

Objectives: Information technology provides an opportunity for systematic identification of high-risk patients for appropriate referral. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to test whether routine identification of women at high risk for epithelial ovarian cancer using an electronic database and subsequent referral to genetic counseling would promote genetic testing and prophylactic surgery.

Methods: Electronic data in a mammography reporting system from a large community hospital in Seattle was used to identify women at increased risk for ovarian cancer based on personal and family cancer history. Following secondary confirmation of eligibility and consent, women were randomly assigned to an intervention consisting of a genetic counseling referral, or to standard clinical care.

Results: A total of 458 women were enrolled. Compared to standard clinical care systemic identification and referral of high risk women to genetic counseling increased the number of women who elect to undergo genetic testing (75 vs 20, p<0.005) and prophylactic surgery (OR: 3.5, p=0.05).

Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that systematic identification of high-risk women for referral to genetic counseling is feasible and increases utilization of risk-appropriate prevention strategies.

Citation Format: Robert Resta, MS CGC; Charles W. Drescher, MD; David Beatty, MD; M Robyn Andersen, PhD; Kate Watabayashi, BA; Jason Thorpe, MSc; Hannah Purkey, BS; Jessica Chubak, PhD; Nancy Hanson, MS CGC; Diana S.M. Buist, MPH PhD; Nicole Urban, ScD. Systematic identification of high risk women for genetic counseling and surgical prevention of ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 10th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 8-9, 2014; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(16 Suppl):Abstract nr POSTER-CTRL-1214.


While digital tools are more and more used in classrooms, teachers' common practice remains to use photocopied paper documents to share and collect learning exercises from their students. With the Tangible e-Ink Paper (TIP) system, we aim to explore the use of tangible manipulatives interacting with paper sheets as a bridge between digital and paper traces of learning. Featuring an e-Ink display, a paper-based localisation system and a wireless connection, TIPs are envisioned to be used as a versatile tool across various curriculum activities. In this paper, we present the design principles of TIPs and a first functional prototype. We conclude by presenting future works in the evaluation of TIPs as a distributed sensor for teachers in their classroom, including learning scenario examples to illustrate our statements.


This report summarizes the experimental research conducted at the NASA Langley Research Center on general aviation seat and occupant crash response and discusses seat design considerations. Included are typical floor acceleration pulses from general aviation airplane crash tests, the performance of typical general aviation seats in a simulated crash environment, and the performance of prototype energy absorbing (EA) seat designs. Static and dynamic seat testing procedures and test facilities are discussed. Also presented are results from a series of dynamic tests of typical general aviation seats and prototype EA seats.


In today's electronic designs, more and more memories are embedded in a single chip. The latest technologies make them denser and thus defects due to the manufacturing process are more prone to occur not only in the array but also in the periphery of the memory. A fast and accurate localization of such defects has become much more difficult with traditional diagnosis approaches that do not allow a fast-enough yield learning and improvement. This paper describes a new and automated intra-cell diagnosis flow for SRAMs to precisely determine the root cause of observed failures during test. Based on the electrical and topological fault signatures obtained through traditional methods, each potential fault on the identified active nets is automatically simulated to retrieve the best defect candidates to precisely guide the Failure Analysis phase. The proposed intra-cell diagnosis flow has been experimented on simulated test cases as well as silicon (industrial) test cases. The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of the diagnosis flow in terms of low number of defect candidates. Moreover, for the silicon test cases, these diagnosis results match with the ongoing Failure Analysis reports.


It was recently suggested that a premotion silent period in isometrically loaded agonist muscle reflects transition process in switching motor program from an isometric to an isotonic condition. To test this hypothesis we investigated changes in EMG activity of a biceps muscle during motor preparatory phase in an entirely isometric paradigm. Five healthy volunteers produced rapid isometric elbow flexions superimposed on a slightly sustained contraction during self-paced and reaction time conditions. In addition to surface EMG, single motor units were recorded in agonist muscle prior to a rapid contraction. Silent period was found in responses of three out of five subjects, whereas inhibition of some but not all tonically active motor units was observed in all studied subjects prior to the phasic EMG burst. Inhibition of motor unit activity occurred more often in self-paced than reaction time contractions. Our results indicate that inhibition is not always powerful enough to produce a complete electrical silence, and weaker inhibitory effects were observed as a declining number of firing motor units. We conclude that the silent period or depression of the EMG activity is associated with changes in motor program from tonic to phasic muscle activation and is not merely a consequence of changes from an isometric to an isotonic condition.


An electrolyte-regulating corticoid has been identified and given the name aldosterone. This hormone may be produced in amounts above normal in adrenal cortical tumors in hyperplastic adrenal glands and in normal appearing adrenal glands. Overproduction of aldosterone is accompanied by certain characteristic clinical manifestations which should suggest the diagnosis. The diagnosis may be supported by examinations available in most well equipped clinical laboratories. Bioassay of aldosterone in the urine and estimation of exchangeable body sodium and potassium, using radioactive salts, are necessary for confirmation of the diagnosis.Since the description of this salt-retaining hormone by Simpson and Tait and the discovery of its chemical structure by Reichstein in 1954, reports of 14 cases have been published. Surgical removal of the offending tissue gives spectacular relief from the very distressing symptoms.


Very brief summaries are given on three research topics. Electron impact elastic, excitation, and total cross sections for K were investigated by using elaborate Cl target wave functions in the close-coupling approximation. Photoionization cross sections from ground-state Na were calculated near the 2s[sup 2]2p[sup 5]3s and 2s2p[sup 6]3s inner-shell thresholds; also, the photoionization cross sections of excited 3p [sup 2]P[sup o] and 3d [sup 2]D states were calculated with the R-matrix methodology near the 2s2p[sup 6]3s thresholds. A numerical approach was developed to calculate the charge transfer matrix elements for ion-atom(ion) collisions; this was used for the proton-hydrogen collision problem as an illustration.


Human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) contains a distinctively dense stroma that limits the accessibility of anticancer drugs, contributing to its poor overall prognosis. Nanoparticles can enhance drug delivery and retention in pancreatic tumors and have been utilized clinically for their treatment. In preclinical studies, various mouse models differentially recapitulate the microenvironmental features of human PDAC. Here, we demonstrate that through utilization of different organic cosolvents and by doping of a homopolymer of poly(ε-caprolactone), a diblock copolymer composition of poly(ethylene oxide)- block-poly(ε-caprolactone) may be utilized to generate biodegradable and nanoscale micelles with different physical properties. Noninvasive optical imaging was employed to examine the pharmacology and biodistribution of these various nanoparticle formulations in both allografted and autochthonous mouse models of PDAC. In contrast to the results reported with transplanted tumors, spherical micelles as large as 300 nm in diameter were found to extravasate in the autochthonous model, reaching a distance of approximately 20 μm from the nearest tumor cell clusters. A lipophilic platinum(IV) prodrug of oxaliplatin was further able to achieve a ∼7-fold higher peak accumulation and a ∼50-fold increase in its retention half-life in pancreatic tumors when delivered with 100 nm long worm-like micelles as when compared to the free drug formulation of oxaliplatin. Through further engineering of nanoparticle properties, as well as by widespread adoption of the autochthonous tumor model for preclinical testing, future therapeutic formulations may further enhance the targeting and penetration of anticancer agents to improve survival outcomes in PDAC.


The cytotoxic drug gemcitabine (GEM) has been conjugated to receptor-binding peptides to target melanoma tumors. A hexapeptide having a Lys-Gly-His-Lys sequence (pep-1), an octapeptide with an Arg-Gly-Asp-Lys-Gly-His-Lys sequence (pep-2), a GEM-conjugated Lys-Gly-His-Lys peptide (GEM-pep-3) and a GEM-conjugated Asp-Gly-Arg peptide (GEM-pep-4) were synthesized and characterized. In vitro uptake of fluorescently labeled GEM-pep-3 and GEM-pep-4 on B16F10 cells was investigated. Fluorescence microscopy studies demonstrated significant uptake of GEM-pep-3 in the B16F10 mouse melanoma cell line. The peptides and GEM-coupled peptides were radiolabeled with [99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+ and examined for in vitro cell binding in the B16F10 melanoma cell line and in vivo biodistribution and scintigraphic studies in a B16F10 melanoma tumor-bearing mice model. In vitro cellular uptake studies and biological evaluation confirmed significant deposition of GEM-pep-3 at the melanoma tumor site. The MTT assay depicted higher cytotoxic behaviour of GEM-pep-3 than free GEM. A considerable amount of cell apoptosis was also observed in B16F10 cells. Finally, the in vivo therapeutic efficacy study revealed a significant decrease in tumor growth in the GEM-pep-3-treated animal model. These studies reveal enough potentiality of GEM-pep-3 to treat melanoma and underline the need for further evaluation.


Ferromagnetism and exotic topological structures in SrRuO 3 (SRO) induce sign-changing anomalous Hall effect (AHE). Recently, hump structures have been reported in the Hall resistivity of SRO thin films, especially in the ultra-thin regime. We investigate the AHE and hump structure in the Hall resistivity of SRO ultra-thin films with an SrTiO 3 (STO) capping layer and ionic liquid gating. STO capping results in sign changes in the AHE and modulation of the hump structure. In particular, the hump structure in the Hall resistivity is strongly modulated and even vanishes in STO-capped 4 unit cell (uc) films. In addition, the conductivity of STO-capped SRO ultra-thin films is greatly enhanced with restored ferromagnetism. We also performed ionic liquid gating to modulate the electric field at SRO/STO interface. Drastic changes in the AHE and hump structure are observed with different gate voltages. Our study shows that the hump structure as well as the AHE can be controlled by tuning inversion symmetry and the electric field at the interface. Ultra-thin film systems can host a range of physical proper-ties that differ from those of bulk systems due not only to the reduced dimension but also to the natural inversion symmetry breaking (ISB). 1,2 Thin films of an itinerant ferromagnetic ox-ide, SrRuO 3 (SRO), have recently attracted widespread


Carbon, hydrogen and sulphur were determined in biomass (shoots and roots) of five species of shrub willow: Salix viminalis, Salix dasyclados, Salix triandra, Salix purpurea and Salix alba. Samples of the biomass collected from a strict experiment were dried to constant weight at 105oC. The content of carbon, hydrogen and sulphur was determined in an automatic determinator ELTRA CHS 500. In addition to the chemical determinations, willow plants were assessed, in the first year of cultivation, in terms of their morphological traits and yields. The results underwent statistical analysis using Excel spreadsheets and Statistica PL software programme. An average content of carbon in the biomass of the five analysed willow species was 496.33 g⋅kg -1 d.m. Among the five species, the highest carbon content was discovered in the biomass of Salix purpurea (501.32 g⋅kg -1 d.m.). An average content of hydrogen in aerial parts of shrub willow was significantly higher than in their roots (507.95 vs 465.88 kg -1 ⋅d.m.). The content of hydrogen in all the species of shrub willow was on average 71.11 g⋅kg -1 d.m., with the highest hydrogen amount in biomass attributed to Salix triandra (74.98 g ⋅kg-1 d.m.). This species, on the other hand, had the lowest concentration of sulphur in its biomass (on average 0.43 g⋅kg -1 d.m.). The average content of sulphur in aerial parts was significantly lower than in roots of willow plants (0.52 vs 0.95 g⋅kg -1 d.m.). This relationship held true for all the five species of willow plants. An average yield of dry biomass obtained from the five shrub willow species in the year when the experiment was established was 5.81 Mg⋅ha-1. The highest dry biomass yield was produced by Salix viminalis (7.22 Mg⋅ha-1).


We present the validation and characterization of Kepler-61b: a 2.15 R⊕ planet orbiting near the inner edge of the habitable zone of a low-mass star. Our characterization of the host star Kepler-61 is based upon a comparison with a set of spectroscopically similar stars with directly measured radii and temperatures. We apply a stellar prior drawn from the weighted mean of these properties, in tandem with the Kepler photometry, to infer a planetary radius for Kepler-61b of 2.15 ± 0.13 R⊕ and an equilibrium temperature of 273 ± 13 K (given its period of 59.87756 ± 0.00020 days and assuming a planetary albedo of 0.3). The technique of leveraging the physical properties of nearby "proxy" stars allows for an independent check on stellar characterization via the traditional measurements with stellar spectra and evolutionary models. In this case, such a check had implications for the putative habitability of Kepler-61b: the planet is 10% warmer and larger than inferred from K-band spectral characterization. From the Kepler photometry, we estimate a stellar rotation period of 36 days, which implies a stellar age of >1 Gyr. We summarize the evidence for the planetary nature of the Kepler-61 transit signal, which we conclude is 30,000 times more likely to be due to a planet than a blend scenario. Finally, we discuss possible compositions for Kepler-61b with a comparison to theoretical models as well as to known exoplanets with similar radii and dynamically measured masses.


Reverse osmosis technology has a great potential in the field of wastewater reclamation. A reverse osmosis plant includes the following processes: (1) feed water microfiltration and chemical conditioning, (2) membrane treatment, (3) permeate aeration, neutralization and disinfection, and (4) concentrate (liquid residue) treatment and disposal. The performance of reverse osmosis membranes depends on operating conditions and water quality parameters. Permeate productivity and contaminant removals increase with applied hydraulic pressure. Water quality parameters such as concentration, composition and pH also affect contaminant removal efficiencies. For example, the treatment of a simulated wastewater containing 10 mg/L of nitrate with a commercial polyamide-type reverse osmosis membrane resulted in membrane permeates containing approximately 0.05 mg/L of nitrate (or 99.5 percent removal) when sodium chloride was the major dissolved solid present in the feed water, and 1 mg/L (or 90 percent removal) when sodium sulfate was the predominant component. The removals of weak electrolyte contaminants are affected by feed water pH. For example, the removal of boron by a cellulose acetate-type membrane was reported to be greater than 99 percent at a pH of approximately 11, and less than 30 percent at a pH of 7. The practice of pre-treatment processes such as microfiltration and chemical conditioning can minimize performance deterioration resulting from membrane fouling by inorganic precipitates, organic macromolecules and microorganisms (biofouling).


Page 1 In both the PDF and full text view of the Perspective by Holz and Chepurney, Figure 1 was missing an arrow from nuclear PKA to the transcription factor CREB. In several references in the PDF, the Greek letter β appeared as the roman letter "b". Figure 1 has been corrected in the full text view and a revised PDF (http://stke.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/sigtrans;2005/268/pe2) is available starting 8 February 2005. The original, uncorrected PDF can be accessed from http://stke.sciencemag.org/cgi/reprint/sigtrans;2005/270/er2.


.. Objectives: The aim of our study was to determine the importance and assessment of a health-promoting lifestyle and its possible association with well-being of medical students. Study Design: Cross Sectional Study. Setting: Aziz Fatima Medical and Dental College Faisalabad. Period: June to July 2020. Material & Methods: The English version of Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile, and WHO-5 Well-Being Index were used in our study. Results: The research was conducted with 205 medical students. From which 102(49.8%) belongs from 4-year class and 103(50.2%) from 5-year class. Based on the table, the mean age of the total participants was 22.45(±1.03) years. Among the participants, the mean score of a health-promoting lifestyle was 133.36 ±18.90, which is interpreted as moderate. Lifestyle mean score is greater in 5th-year class as compare to 4th-year class but no significant difference was found because p value is greater than 0.05 there was a significant relationship between wellbeing and health-promoting lifestyle. Age and gender, were associated with students lifestyles. Independent t test is used to compare the mean difference in gender and MBBS class. Chi square test is used to find the significant association between well-being categories with gender and MBBS class. Pearson correlation coefficient method is used to measure the correlation between well being and healthy lifestyles. Conclusion: A health-promoting lifestyle of students in this study was moderate and they did not have an acceptable level of physical activity. The medical students' curriculums need to be improved to enhance health promoting lifestyles.


Spoken dialogue system has an uncertain parameter during the speech recognition which controls its performance that vary for the different users as well as for the same user during multiple repetitions of even the same dialogue. This paper discusses how recognition errors in the users utterances can be handled by making use of semi-supervised learning techniques over the hidden vector state (HVS) model. The HVS Model is an extension of basic Markov model in which the context is encoded in each state as a vector. The state transitions in the HVS are factored into a stack shift operation similar to the push-down automaton. HVS-Model being a statistical model requires lot of labeled training data which is practically difficult. In this paper we present how classification and expectation-maximization semi-supervised learning approaches can be trained on both labeled and unlabelled corpora for handling the uncertainty by the user as well as the recognition errors by speech recognition system. The experimental results show that the proposed framework using the HVS model can improve the performance of the dialogue management of the spoken dialogue system when compared with the baseline model.


We consider an inequality with equality condition where one side is greater (resp. less) than or equal to a multiple of the other side and an equality holds if and only if one value is a multiple of the other variable. When the two multiples constitute a Golden ratio, the inequality is called Golden. This paper presents six Golden inequalities both among one-variable functions and among two-variable functions. We show a cross-duality between four pairs of Golden inequalities for one-variable functions. Similar results for twovariable functions are stated. Further a graphic representation for Golden inequalities is shown.


Abstract The stress concentration and distribution around a triple-junction pore of three-fold symmetry in a polycrystalline ceramic material is considered. The perturbation method in the theory of plane elasticity is used to solve the problem of a nearly circular pore of three-fold symmetry under remote loading in the first approximation. The solution was specified to the uniaxial tension of convex and concave rounded triangular pores. The stress concentration on the pore surface and the stress distribution in vicinity of the pore along its symmetry axes are studied and discussed in detail. The numerical results, issued from the first-order approximation analytical solution, are compared with those of finite-element calculations.


Various guidelines for authors of research papers and the checklists that often accompany these statements play an important role in the creation of carefully written scientific papers - for authors, they serve as tools to ensure the correct structure and content of the manuscript, increasing the chances that a paper will be published in a journal with a high rejection rate. The aim of this editorial is to provide a concise outline of the checklists most frequently used to guide the structuring of papers published in Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, and to support current and prospective authors of this journal in choosing a checklist for their manuscript.The EQUATOR website is presented as a useful tool in choosing a checklist: https://www.equator-network.org/. Then, 8 checklists that are most popular among authors who publish their work in Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine are outlined: STROBE - for observational studies; ARRIVE - for any area of bioscience research using laboratory animals; CASP - for qualitative studies; CONSORT - for parallel group randomized trials; PRISMA - for all reviews and meta-analyses; SQUIRE - for studies on quality improvement in healthcare; STARD - for diagnostic accuracy studies; REMARK - for tumor marker prognostic studies. Each of the 8 presented checklists is discussed in a following order: 1) the name of the checklist is explained; 2) the type of articles to which it is intended is pointed out; 3) the structure of the checklist is explained; 4) if there are any extensions of the presented checklist for specific subtypes of papers, they are listed; 5) the most important literature on the presented checklist is provided.As a take-home message, basic tips for choosing a checklist are formulated. Finally, examples of papers adhering to each discussed checklist are provided.


As a Nation of Laws, every citizen is guaranteed to their freedom, being admitted and protected to their dignity, and also possesses the same position in the presence of law. Indonesia acknowledges and protects the human rights of its citizens without differentiating their background as enshrined in the 1945 Constitution. Part of Indonesian citizens is diffable (different in ability) group and they are supposed to have the same rights, responsibility, and positions as others. However, they have physical and psychological limitations and are considered to have difficulties to access public facilities without giving them the proper access. Accessibility is an important role to actualize the parity of opportunities in every aspect of life. It is an easiness provided for diffable people to achieve the same chance. In Islam, the issue of diffability has been discussed too which is drawn from the Qur'an and Hadith as the major source of Sharia. This article aims to point out the intersection between Islamic law and Indonesian law in providing concerns towards diffable people to obtain their rights and to observe how the legal protection to accessibility for diffable has been implemented. It finds that in the normative order, both Islamic and Indonesian law have provided adequate attention and protection for diffable people. Nevertheless, the means to provide access for them is yet to be optimal. The causes are: inconsistency to properly implement the law, incomplete facilities, and the unfriendly behavior and culture towards people with disabilities. Keywords: Islamic Law, Indonesian Law, Diffable, Accessibility


Riverine forests (willow stands and groves) along the upper course of the Soca River in western Slovenia were researched applying the standard Central-European phytosociological method (Braun-Blanquet 1964). After processing 52 releves applying the hierachical classification and ordination method (PCoA) we determined two subassociations of the association Salicetum albae Issler 1926 (alliance Salicion albae Soo 1930): -myosotidetosum I. Karpati ex Soo 1958 and -leucojetosum verni Silc, Cusin & Dakskobler 2004 subass. nova and two syntaxa from the alliance Alnion incanae Pawlowski in Pawlowski & Wallisch 1928: Lamio orvalae-Salicetum eleagni nom. prov. and Alnetum incanae Ludi 1921 var. geogr. Anemone trifolia Muller & Gors 1958 forma Galanthus nivalis f. nova. As a specific successional stage (subassociation -caricetosum albae, differentiated by the species Tilia cordata, Carex alba and Carpinus betulus) we classified into the latter syntaxon also the stands which thrive on sites that are only rarely (occasionally) still flooded and where hydromorphic soil traverses into automorphic. Even regarding its floristic composition this community is transitional between the forests from the alliance Alnion incanae and the forests from the alliance Erythronio-Carpinion.


Are labour rights human rights? This question has attracted much interest in recent years among lawyers, academic scholars, trade unionists and other activists, and has given rise to heated debates. In human rights law and labour law scholarship, some endorse the character of labour rights as human rights without hesitation, while others view it with scepticism and suspicion. This article finds that there are in fact three different approaches in the literature that examines labour rights as human rights, which are not always distinguished with sufficient clarity. First, there is a positivistic approach, according to which a group of rights are human rights insofar as certain treaties recognise them as such. The question whether labour rights are human rights is uncomplicated on this approach, which is often found in international law scholarship. A response to it comes through a survey of human rights law. If labour rights are incorporated in human rights documents, they are human rights. If they do not figure therein, they are not human rights. A second way in which the question of this article is approached is an instrumental one that looks at the consequences of using strategies, such as litigation or civil society action, which promote labour rights as human rights. This is the most common way in which labour law scholars analyse the problem in question. If strategies are, as a matter of social fact, successful, the question is answered in the affirmative; if not, scepticism is expressed. The third approach to the question whether labour rights are human rights is a normative one. It examines what a human right is, and assesses, given this definition, whether certain labour rights are human rights. This path is the one that has been least taken in the literature, but is an important one and has implications for the previous two approaches. This article maps out the three approaches above, addresses the main arguments advanced in scholarship and explores their implications.


Emigration from Slovenia represents an integral part of European migratory movements. Slovenia's strategic geographic position between the Pannonian, Mediterranean, and Alpine worlds as well as the Karst region fostered lively mobility within an ethnically heterogeneous population at the cross-roads of economic and cultural influences. During the twentieth century, the region belonged to several different state and social systems, which triggered both voluntary and forced migration. While Slovenia until the mid-twentieth century was an emigrant country, it became also an immigrant country during the Titoist decades, especially due to the arrival of workers from the other Yugoslav republics. Emigration peaked in the period of mass emigration to the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The main destinations of Slovenian emigrants between the world wars were France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. As a result of the Second World War, many refugees and "Displaced Persons" left or did not return to their home country. The last mass migration occurred from 1965 to 1973 and was directed mainly towards Germany, Switzerland, and Sweden. During the time of the second Yugoslavia, also daily migration to Italy and Austria was frequent. However, during the whole period under examination Slovenian emigrants result ethnically rather unrecognisable, as all three states, i. e. the Habsburg monarchy as well as the first and the second Yugoslavias, statistically classified them according to citizenship rather than to nationality. The same was true for the registration procedures in the states of destination. Only rarely did they ask about ethnic affiliation or mother tongue. As a result, quantitative analyses of Slovenian emigration prove difficult.


Persistent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions threaten global climate goals and have prompted consideration of climate controls supplementary to emissions mitigation. We present MARGO, an idealized model of optimally-controlled climate change, which is complementary to both simpler conceptual models and more complicated Integrated Assessment Models. The four methods of controlling climate damage—mitigation, carbon dioxide removal (CDR), adaptation, and solar radiation modification (SRM)—are not interchangeable, as they enter at different stages of the causal chain that connects GHG emissions to climate damages. Early and aggressive mitigation is necessary to stabilize GHG concentrations below a tolerable level. While the most cost-beneficial and cost-effective pathways to reducing climate suffering include deployments of all four controls, the quantitative trade-offs between the different controls are sensitive to value-driven parameters and poorly-known future costs and damages. Static policy optimization assumes perfect foresight and obscures the active role decision-makers have in shaping a climate trajectory. We propose an explicit policy response process wherein climate control policies are re-adjusted over time in response to unanticipated outcomes. We illustrate this process in two 'storyline' scenarios: (a) near-term increases in mitigation and CDR are deficient, such that climate goals are expected to slip out of reach; (b) SRM is abruptly terminated after 40 years of successful deployment, causing an extremely rapid warming which is amplified by an excess of GHGs due to deterred mitigation. In both cases, an optimized policy response yields substantial benefits relative to continuing the original policy. The MARGO model is intentionally designed to be as simple, transparent, customizable, and accessible as possible, addressing concerns about previous climate-economic modelling approaches and enabling a more diverse set of stakeholders to engage with these essential and timely topics.


In this study, we found that the photoluminescence (PL) of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (11-MUA)-protected gold nanodots (Au NDs; ca. 2.0 nm) was highly dependent on the capping ligands and the ligand density. Deposition of 11-MUA onto the surfaces of as-prepared gold nanoparticles (Au NPs; ca. 3.0 nm) yielded luminescent 11-MUA-capped Au NDs (11-MUA-Au NDs). The PL intensity (excitation/emission: 375/525 nm) of the Au NDs decreased dramatically after purification through centrifugation (purified Au NDs are denoted herein as p11-MUA-Au NDs) as a result of a decrease in the 11-MUA ligand density on the Au NDs. Moreover, the PL intensity of the purified Au NDs was recovered after introducing new mercaptoaliphatic acid ligands (the ligand-recapped Au NDs are denoted as Au NDs@ligand; e.g., the 11-MUA recapped Au NDs are denoted as Au NDs@11-MUA). The PL intensity of the Au NDs@ligand species increased upon increasing the ligand density and chain length. Furthermore, using the Au NDs@11-MUA as a probe allowed us to detect the total concentration of mercury ions {inorganic mercury [Hg(II)] plus organic mercury (methylmercury [MeHg(I)], ethylmercury [EtHg(I)] and phenylmercury [PhHg(I)])} in aqueous solution. The selectivity of this nanosensor system for the total mercury over other metal ions is remarkably high (1000-fold), with a limit of detection (LOD, S/N = 3) for mercury ions of 2.0 nM. We have demonstrated the practicality of this approach for the determination of mercury ions in complicated biological urine and plasma samples, as well as in a fish sample (DORM II). This simple, sensitive and selective approach appears to have practical potential for use in the clinical screening of mercury ions in biofluids.


The RAH-66 Comanche helicopter represents state of the art technology that provides interoperable reconnaissance and attack capabilities for the battlefield of the future. The program is currently in the Engineering Manufacture and Development (EMD) phase with first low rate initial production delivery scheduled for summer 2008. The current trend toward Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) for mission processing in military programs has long been the fundamental enabling concept of the Comanche Mission Equipment Package (MEP). Operational requirements and aggressive performance specifications relative to weight size, processing power, and IO throughput necessitated use of IMA as well as many unique design and integrations solutions resulting in an early instance of Open System Architecture technologies and approaches. As work continues on the program, typical problems associated with component obsolescence and a desire to reduce total ownership costs have meant evaluation of new technology and its application for argumentation as well as replacement of components in the current MEP. As in the past, the program continues to maximize incorporation of Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) products and the use of standards-based solutions as development cost reduction measures. New capabilities, just now being incorporated into commercial real-time operating systems, offer the potential of considering a COTS replacement for the comanche MEP OS. Over the last few years, advancements in COTS computer and telecommunications technologies are enabling broader acceptance of COTS OSA concepts. These concepts leverage commercial designs more closely, incorporate more modern commercial standards, and offer less costly obsolescence mitigation while meeting military rotorcraft integration challenges. This paper will give an overview of those


In this study, we performed the molecular and biochemical characterization of an ecto-enzyme present in Trypanosoma rangeli that is involved with the hydrolysis of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate. PCR analysis identified a putative proton-pyrophosphatase (H+-PPase) in the epimastigote forms of T. rangeli. This protein was recognized with Western blot and flow cytometry analysis using an antibody against the H+-PPase of Arabidopsis thaliana. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed that this protein is located in the plasma membrane of T. rangeli. Biochemical assays revealed that the optimum pH for the ecto-PPase activity was 7.5, as previously demonstrated for other organisms. Sodium fluoride (NaF) and aminomethylenediphosphonate (AMDP) were able to inhibit approximately 75% and 90% of the ecto-PPase activity, respectively. This ecto-PPase activity was stimulated in a dose-dependent manner by MgCl2. In the presence of MgCl2, this activity was inhibited by millimolar concentrations of CaCl2. The ecto-PPase activity of T. rangeli decreased with increasing cell proliferation in vitro, thereby suggesting a role for this enzyme in the acquisition of inorganic phosphate (Pi). Moreover, this activity was modulated by the extracellular concentration of Pi and increased approximately two-fold when the cells were maintained in culture medium depleted of Pi. All of these results confirmed the occurrence of an ecto-PPase located in the plasma membrane of T. rangeli that possibly plays an important role in phosphate metabolism of this protozoan.


HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS
A 59-year-old man was referred to the hospital for psychiatric reasons. To control hypertension and chronic heart failure he had been treated with 5 mg ramipril and 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide. In addition, he received 25 mg spironolactone. A prostate disease was diagnosed two months ago.

INVESTIGATIONS
Laboratory analysis revealed a severe hyperkalemia (9.3 mmol/l) as well as an increase in creatinine (24.3 mg/dl) and urea nitrogen (349.0 mg/dl). The ECG showed a bradycardia with increased T-wave amplitudes. Abdominal sonography revealed a full urinary bladder.

TREATMENT AND COURSE
Administration of terbutaline, sodium bicarbonate, and glucoseinfusion lowered potassium level to 6.3 mmol/l before hemodialysis was started. Hyperplasia of the prostate gland was found to be the reason for acute renal failure. Dialysis treatment was only temporarily necessary; afterwards, the patient was transferred to the urology department for subsequent therapy.

CONCLUSION
Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate therapy. Conservative treatment allows to partially correct water-electrolyte imbalance until hemodialysis can be performed. Hyperkalemia often results from the administration of combination therapy with ACE-inhibitors/AT (1)-antaganonists and antikaliuretic diuretics (spironolactone) in renal failure.


SIMNET was the first successful implementation of large-scale, real-time, man-in-the-loop simulator networking for team training and mission rehearsal in military operations. The paper provides some historical background on how SIMNET was developed within the US Department of Defense, and outlines the key philosophical and architectural principles on which it was based. The SIMNET battlefield simulation was sponsored by ARPA (then called DARPA), in partnership with the US Army, and was developed and implemented between 1983 and 1990. The emphasis of SIMNET from the outset was on enhancing tactical team performance by providing commanders and troops an opportunity to practice their skills in a dynamic, free-play environment, in which battle outcomes depend on team coordination and individual initiative, rather than on scripted scenarios controlled by an instructor. This program demonstrated the feasibility of linking together hundreds or thousands of simulators (representing tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, helicopters, fired-wing aircraft, etc.) to create a consistent, virtual world in which all participants experience a coherent, logical sequence of events. In this world, the causal connections among these tactical events, from the individual crew station to the battalion command post, are clear and easily inspectable. The SIMNET architecture and protocols have evolved into the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Standard Protocols (IEEE 1278-1993 and its successors), and have provided the foundation for a new generation of battlefield simulations for training, mission rehearsal, tactics development, evaluation of hypothetical new battlefield systems, and concept testing and evaluation. The authors are two of the principal architects of SIMNET: Thorpe was the original DARPA SIMNET program manager and Miller formed and led the group at Bolt Beranek and Newman, Inc. (BBN) that designed and implemented the SIMNET protocols and software. >


The characteristic features of TiN interlayers were investigated in three di€ erent materials: ® rstly TiN-coated C-® bres of the high-tensile-strength type in pure Mg; secondly TiN-coated ® bres in a Mg alloy containing 5 wt% Al (AM50) ; thirdly, for comparison, the latter alloy reinforced with the uncoated ® bres. The results were obtained using high-voltage electron microscopy, highresolution electron microscopy, energy-® ltered transmission electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy in combination with energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron-energy-loss spectroscopy, including analyses of near-edge ® ne structures. The chemically vapour-deposited coating was proven to consist partly of a nanocrystalline titanium carbonitride (TiCxNy) rather than of titanium nitride (TiN). It varies in thickness mainly between 10 and 30 nm. In the composite with the pure Mg matrix, the interfacial structure is characterized by an almost stringent separation of matrix and ® bre by the coating. A graphitic ribbon 10± 15 nm thick was only rarely observed at the coating/matrix interface. Thus, the coating almost fully prevents the C transport across the ® bre/matrix interface. Accordingly, changing the matrix to the Mg± Al alloy did not initiate a distinct formation of aluminium carbides. On the other hand, combining the same matrix with the uncoated ® bre resulted in the substantial formation of many Al2MgC2 carbides of di€ erent sizes at the ® bre/ matrix interface, which embrittle the composite as described in our former work. Therefore, an appropriate titanium nitride interlayer enables the applicability of Mg matrices with high contents of Al, which is of particular interest for the manufacturing of hybrid components. }


This work is a feasibility study of a 19-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft, to serve the short-haul segment within the 200–600 nautical miles. Its ambition is to answer some dominating research questions, during the evaluation and design of aircraft based on alternative propulsion architectures. The potential entry into service (EIS) is foreseen beyond 2030. A literature review is performed to identify similar concepts under research and development. After the requirements' definition, the first level of conceptual design is employed. The objective of design selections is driven by the need to reduce CO2 emissions and accommodate aircraft electrification with boundary layer ingestion engines. Based on a set of assumptions, a methodology for the sizing of the hybrid-electric aircraft is described to explore the basis of the design space, incorporating a parametric analysis for the consideration of boundary layer ingestion effects. Additionally, a methodology for the energy storage positioning is provided to highlight the multidisciplinary aspects between the sizing of an aircraft, the selected architecture (series/parallel partial hybrid), and the storage characteristics. The results show that it is not possible to fulfill the initial design requirements (600 nmi) with a fully-electric aircraft configuration, due to the far-fetched battery necessities. It is also highlighted that compliance with airworthiness standards is favored by switching to hybrid-electric aircraft configurations and relaxing the design requirements (targeted range, payload, battery technology). Finally, the lower degree of hybridization (40%) is observed to have a higher energy efficiency (−12% energy consumption) compared to the higher degree of hybridization (50%) and greater CO2 reduction, with respect to the conventional configuration.


As the corporate sector entrenches itself among the players of the global economy, more sophisticated strategies and novel business trends are required so as to enhance profitability and lower business costs. It is against this backdrop that the researchers undertook this study to explore possible alternatives of addressing the talent war rather than the orthodox methods. A multinational telecommunication company located in Ghana (Mobile Telecommunication Network, MTN Ghana) was selected as a case, due to its competitiveness and world presence, especially for its dominance in Africa. With substantive review of the literature, five thematic effective engagement variables were discovered: the work environment, supervisor-employee relationship, job satisfaction, HRM Practices, and organization culture. A quantitative approach was adopted as the main tool to gather 137 valid responses from employees of MTN Ghana. Some comprehensive interviews were also conducted to saturate the robustness of the findings. Therefore, the methodological approach to this research outcome could be best described as triangulation. Interestingly, the findings were insightful, intriguing and competitively viable. The role of human capital in the success of every giant firm certainly could not be overemphasized. Obviously, our findings shed amazing light on why the company is beating its industry competitors like Tigo and Vodafone hands down. The company is committed to her employees and the inverse is also true-commitment begets engagement. Though, few gaps were identified, on a whole the talent war is a done deal when the engagement strategies are sound.


Treatment of HeLa cells with the polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors, alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) or methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG), results in, depending on the conditions, partial or complete depletion of the cellular polyamines: putrescine, spermidine and spermine. In this compromised state cells exhibited a distinct deficiency in repair of X-ray-induced DNA strand breaks. The half-time for return of normal DNA sedimentation following 1.6 Gy was 9.5 min for untreated control cells and 22, 32 and 50 min for cells treated with MGBG, DFMO + MGBG and DFMO, respectively. Normal repair kinetics were restored to these cells upon a short incubation in media containing all three polyamines. The rapid early phase of repair following higher X-ray doses (16 Gy) was also delayed in polyamine-depleted cells but later repair occurring 1-4 h post-irradiation, representing chromatin reconstitution, was apparently normal.


Tax incentives are quintessential fiscal provisions designed by core industrydriven governmental authorities to attract and empower investors in strategic sectors of the economy. In Nigeria, several booster reliefs are obtainable, but many industrialists show soft spot for investment tax credit (ITC) and reinvestment allowance (RIA). This study, thus, examined the potency of these specifications in redefining corporate financial performance, particularly in terms of return on equity (ROE). Using financial (secondary) data obtained from a net sample of 58 firms quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); the correlation, regression and Z-test analytical results were vividly in the affirmative. Leveraging on the outcomes, therefore, a Tax Incentive – Corporate Profitability Impact Model (TICPIM) is conceptualized and presented herein, to accord meaningful impetus to a pragmatic proprietary system advocacy (PPSA), which is expedient for the Nigerian economy. It is expected that these tax appeals and ideals would conscientiously grow critical industries in nation to greater productive and competitive heights.


The effect of post space preparation on the sealing ability of a root canal filling is important because the sealer is crucial for preserving the apical seal. The question of how, when, and how much of the gutta-percha should be removed is a debate when preparing a post space. This study is aimed to compare the effect of immediate versus delayed post space preparation on the apical seal using AH Plus and EndoREZ sealers. Forty four single rooted teeth were prepared using the step-back technique and were obturated with combinations of gutta-percha/AH Plus and gutta-percha/EndoREZ using the lateral compaction technique. Four teeth were used as positive/negative controls. After the teeth were divided randomly into six groups, post spaces were prepared either immediately after filling or after storage of the obturated teeth in saline at 37°C for one week. The post space preparation procedure was performed using hot pluggers or Gates Glidden drills leaving a 5 mm of root canal filling in the apical part. Leakage was determined by a computerized fluidfiltration device. Immediate and delayed post space preparation of the gutta-percha/AH Plus groups had mean leakage values of 4.97 µl.cmH2O.min-1.10-4 and 4.94 µl.cmH2O.min-1.10-4, respectively. The respective mean leakage values of immediate and delayed post space preparation of the gutta-percha/EndoREZ groups were 4.97 µl.cmH2O.min-1.10-4 and 5.57 µl.cmH2O.min-1.10-4. The mean leakage value obtained in the positive control group was 398.16 µl.cmH2O.min-1.10-4, whereas there was no fluid filtration in the negative control group. Better sealing was achieved in the guttapercha/AH Plus delayed group in comparison to the other groups. Delayed post space preparation in the gutta-percha/EndoREZ group showed the highest percentage of leakage.


This is a well-organized, modest volume, very well put together by the publisher and a worth while addition to a rather crowded field. The almost irresistible urge of teaching neurologists to present their methods and the distillation of their experience in the clinic is happily matched by a steady market for their works. Students and practitioners of other disciplines seem eager to grasp a new opportunity to supplement their limited experience in neurologic examination. Many works are already available, but a new guide is welcome when it presents, as does this volume, a combination of the necessary cookbookery with clear trenchant writing and the unequivocal commitment of a mature neurologist. The book is of limited value to the specialist or other than beginning residents in neurology, but they will find it a pleasure to peruse and worthy of recommendation to students. The chapters are logically arranged, and many are concluded


Background/introduction Applications for higher speciality training in genitourinary medicine (GUM) have decreased dramatically in recent years leaving a number of unfilled posts. The reasons for this are unknown. Methods We produced an anonymous electronic survey for CMTs which was distributed to all deaneries in the UK. Survey questions included the advantages/disadvantages of a career in GUM and main barriers to application. A specific question was asked regarding the impact that the Shape of Training review (SOT) would have on the perceived attractiveness of a career in GUM. Results 100 CMTs responded, 51 CT1s and 49 CT2s. 35/100 were considering or applying for GUM and 17/100 may be. 61/100 gave reasons as to why they were not applying: 28% (17/61) interested in another speciality, 33% (20/61) no previous exposure, 21% (13/61) no interest, 20% (12/61) too specialist, and 3% (2/61) were uncertain of speciality future. The main advantage of GUM was an attractive work/life balance 44% (32/73). When specifically asked about the SOT implementation and likelihood of applying for GUM, 94/100 responded. 27% (25/94) were more likely to apply and for 36% (34/94) it made no difference. However of those applying/considering or maybe considering GUM (n = 52); 31% (16/52) would be less likely to apply and 27% (14/52) would apply but not if SOT is implemented. Discussion/conclusion This survey demonstrates that a significant proportion of CMTs are not considering GUM due to lack of exposure to the specialty. The SOT review is likely to significantly impact on GUM training, possibly deterring trainees currently considering applying but potentially also attracting other trainees who may not previously have considered it.


Two young women with idiopathic pseudotumor cerebri were treated successfully with lumboperitoneal shunts. Their shunts were removed electively several years later, following which there was rapid increase of cerebrospinal fluid pressure. In one patient, rapid increase of intracranial pressure resulted in bilateral visual loss. These cases provide further evidence that idiopathic pseudotumor cerebri may not be a self-limited condition.


Objective(s): It has been shown that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSC) have protective effects in acute kidney injury (AKI). This study was conducted to assess the therapeutic effects of AD-MSC in rats subjected to acute kidney injury by 45 min of renal ischemia followed by 48 hr of reperfusion (I/R). Materials and Methods: 28 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, including control, 48-hr sham, 48-hr I/R, and 48-hr I/R receiving AD-MSC. After 48 hr of reperfusion, blood samples were taken from rats' hearts, and 24-hr urines were collected using a metabolic cage. Serum creatinine level (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine clearance (Ccr), absolute sodium excretion (UNaV°), fractional sodium excretion (FENa), absolute potassium excretion (UKV°), factional potassium excretion (FEK), and urine osmolarity were measured. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) levels were measured in the right kidney, while the left kidney was used for histologic study after Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. Results: Renal I/R significantly increased serum Cr, BUN, UNaV°, FENa, FEK, and tissue MDA, and significantly decreased Ccr and urine osmolarity as compared with the sham group. Moreover, histologic studies showed that I/R increased Bowman capsule area, tubular necrosis, vascular congestion, and caused formation of intratubular casts. Administration of AD-MSC at the time of I/R completely or partially protected kidneys from these I/R induced injuries. Conclusion: Our results show that injection of AD-MSC can reduce degree of renal injury caused by 45 min of ischemia followed by 48 hr of reperfusion in rats.


Executive Summary The strength of Australia's economy and the opportunities it affords everyday citizens in a global context today is unarguable: our country has enjoyed over two decades of economic growth, with all classes of Australians enjoying the associated benefits. But it is becoming increasingly clear to economists, policy makers and the general public that the Australian economy is undergoing a challenging transformation. And making sure everyday Australians continue to benefit from future economic growth requires constant, honest appraisal of Australia's existing policy settings, and a clear focus on important, equitable economic reform. This report provides a policy blueprint for ensuring greater equality of opportunity in Australia and promoting the economy's continued growth into the future. The strength of today's middle class – the backbone of the Australian economy – is in large part due to the hard policy decisions that were made throughout Australia's recent modern history. Australia is often dubbed the 'lucky' country, but in fact, the strong economic growth and rise in living standards Australians are now accustomed to is not simply the result of good fortune. Active public policy choices - ones that suited the challenges of the previous generation – helped pave the way to the stable period of economic growth that is only now under threat. Today, new global challenges are emerging that risk the future stability of Australia's economy and society. Bold, creative and innovative new reform agendas must now be conceived, debated and legislated. Key areas of public policy need to be reexamined and reformed to orient Australia's economic and social trajectory towards a stable and prosperous future. This report begins by highlighting eight key priority areas for reform that will help grow and secure the middle class of Australia: prioritising wage growth, ensuring strong and equitable superannuation growth, improving the access to and quality of education, improving housing affordability, ensuring equal access to transport services, strategically investing in the 'new economy', modernising Australia's healthcare system, and reorienting Australia's taxation system towards a more equitable setting. The first section of this report defines what equal opportunity means in the Australian context, and what is really meant by the term 'middle class'. A distinction is drawn between the global middle class and Australia's middle class. By international standards, almost all Australians are in the global middle class, which is often crudely determined through measurements such as car ownership or living above the global poverty line.


In the fermented soybean product known as "chungkookjang", diverse bioactive compounds are produced when the soybean proteins are degraded during fermentation. Vascular endothelial cells (EC) are crucial in vein function and the formation of new vessels. A treatment to stimulate formation of new blood vessels is needed in cerebrovascular diseases that lead to ischaemic stroke and heart attack, as well as for diabetic ulcers. VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) simulates EC formation. The effect of Chungkookjang ethanol extract (CEE) on the proliferation of EC was studied. CEE (100, 1000 μg/ml) and boiled CEE were as effective as VEGF (10 ng/ml) for the proliferation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC). The effect of CEE on the migration of HUVEC was investigated using sprout analysis. CEE (100 μg/ml) was as effective as VEGF (10 ng/ml) for the migration of HUVEC. Isolation of specific peptides influencing the growth and migration of EC is needed.


Introduction The locus coeruleus noradrenergic (LC-NA) system is studied for its role in various neurological and psychiatric disorders such as epilepsy and Major Depression Dissorder. Chemogenetics is a powerful technique for specific manipulation of the LC to investigate its functioning. Local injection of AAV2/7 viral vectors has limitations with regards to efficiency and specificity of the transduction, potentially due to low tropism of AAV2/7 for LC neurons. In this study we used a canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV2) vector with different volumes and viral particle numbers to achieve high and selective expression of hM3Dq, an excitatory Designer Receptor Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADD), for chemogenetic modulation of LC neurons. Methods Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected in the LC with different absolute numbers of CAV2-PRSx8-hM3Dq-mCherry physical particles (0.1E9, 1E9, 5E9,10E9, or 20E9 pp) using different volumes (LowV = 3 nl × 300 nl, MediumV = 3 × 600 nl, HighV = 3 × 1200 nl). Two weeks post-injection, double-labeling immunohistochemistry for dopamine β hydroxylase (DBH) and mCherry was performed to determine hM3Dq expression and its specificity for LC neurons. The size of the transduced LC was compared to the contralateral LC to identify signs of toxicity. Results Administration of Medium volume (3 × 600 nl) and 1E9 particles resulted in high expression levels with 87.3 ± 9.8% of LC neurons expressing hM3Dq, but low specificity with 36.2 ± 17.3% of hM3Dq expression in non-LC neurons. The most diluted conditions (Low volume_0.1E pp and Medium Volume_0.1E pp) presented similar high transduction of LC neurons (70.9 ± 12.7 and 77.2 ± 9.8%) with lower aspecificity (5.5 ± 3.5 and 4.0 ± 1.9%, respectively). Signs of toxicity were observed in all undiluted conditions as evidenced by a decreased size of the transduced LC. Conclusion This study identified optimal conditions (Low and Medium Volume with 0.1E9 particles of CAV2-PRSx8-hM3Dq-mCherry) for safe and specific transduction of LC neurons with excitatory DREADDs to study the role of the LC-NA system in health and disease.


The influences of four parameters such as young's modulus, yield ratio, punch radius and blank thickness on the springback of diaphragm of automotive horn are analyzed by combining experiment with FEM (finite element method), and the springback laws of the parameters' interaction are revealed. The results show that the springback of diaphragm is influenced by the yield ratio of material evidently, but is influenced by punch radius slightly when the parameters interact. However, the influence of punch radius increases greatly when the young's modulus is very low. Therefore, the influence of the parameters' interaction must be considered so as to control the springback effectively when the forming scheme of diaphragm is designed.


In a study of 2,902 subjects from the National Institute of Mental Health Epidemiologic Catchment Area Project in North Carolina, the association between life events and the onset of new cases of generalized anxiety syndrome varied across demographic subgroups and type of life event measure. Men reporting four or more life events had a risk of generalized anxiety syndrome 8.5 times that of men reporting zero to three life events; no association was found for women. Both men and women reporting one or more unexpected, negative, very important life events had a threefold increase in the risk of developing generalized anxiety syndrome.


Extremely compact hard magnetic micromirrors are realized using a combination of silicon and polymer microelectromechanical systems technologies. Due to their hard magnetic properties, the mirrors may achieve high deflection angles with the application of very low magnetic fields, a few microteslas, which may be generated by means of miniaturized microcoils. Since no electrical wiring is required for the mirrors, they may be mounted on rotating platforms and thus used for complete circumferential scanning, as required, for example, in optical endoscopic diagnostics.