Glycosylation is one of the most abundant forms of protein posttranslational modification. O-glycosylation is a major type of protein glycosylation, comprising different types and structures expressed in several physiologic and pathologic conditions. The understanding of protein attachment site and glycan structure is of the utmost importance for the clarification of the role glycosylation plays in normal cells and in pathological conditions. Neoplastic transformation frequently shows the expression of immature truncated O-glycans. These aberrantly expressed O-glycans have been shown to induce oncogenic properties and can be detected in premalignant lesions, meaning that they are an important source of biomarkers. This article addresses the recent application of genetically engineered cancer cell models to produce simplified homogenous O-glycans allowing the characterization of cancer cells O-glycoproteomes, using advanced mass spectrometry methods and the identification of potential cancer-specific O-glycosylation sites. This article will also discuss possible applications of these biomarkers in the cancer field.


Abstract. The Mexican Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis lucida; hereafter spotted owl) is discontinuously distributed in the United States and Mexico. It is an understudied raptor and categorized as near threatened, with populations in rapid decline. Defining the distribution of the spotted owl can help delineate priority areas for monitoring and research. Using the Maxent algorithm, with seven climatic variables and 153 owl presence records, we generated the potential distribution of spotted owl in Mexico. Our distribution model had high predictive accuracy and defined potential areas in the Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre Oriental, and the Transverse Neovolcanic Belt. These areas were concentrated in the states of Durango, Zacatecas, Jalisco, Aguascalientes, and Chihuahua, as well as within four protected natural areas. Four weather variables contributed 81.8% to the model's prediction: mean diurnal temperature range (BIO 2, 33.5%), maximum temperature of the warmest month (BIO 5, 30.4%), mean temperature of the coldest quarter (BIO 11, 10.5%) and the amount of precipitation in the wettest month (BIO 13, 7.4%). We recommend population monitoring in areas of climatic suitability predicted by the model to improve knowledge about the status of the Mexican Spotted Owl.


Introduction The somatic symptom component of depression is associated with increased hospitalisation and mortality and poorer health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, the relationship of subsets of depression symptoms with frailty and outcomes is not known. This study aimed to (1) explore the relationship between the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and components of depression and (2) their association with mortality, hospitalisation, and HRQOL in haemodialysis recipients. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study of prevalent haemodialysis recipients, with deep bio-clinical phenotyping including CFS and PHQ-9 somatic (fatigue, poor appetite, and poor sleep) and cognitive component scores. EuroQol EQ-5D summary index assessed HRQOL at the baseline. Electronic linkage to English national administration datasets ensured robust follow-up data for hospitalisation and mortality events. Findings. Somatic (β = 0.067; 95% C.I. 0.029 to 0.104; P < 0.001) and cognitive (β = 0.062; 95% C.I. 0.034 to 0.089; P<0.001) components were associated with increased CFS scores. Both somatic (β = −0.062; 95% C.I. −0.104 to −0.021; P<0.001) and cognitive (β = 0.052; 95% C.I. −0.081 to −0.024; P < 0.001) scores were associated with lower HRQOL. Somatic scores lost mortality association on addition of CFS to the multivariable model (HR1.06; 95% C.I. 0.977 to 1.14; P=0.173). Cognitive symptoms were not associated with mortality. Neither the component score was associated with hospitalisation on multivariable analyses. Conclusions Both somatic and cognitive depression symptoms are associated with frailty and poorer HRQOL in haemodialysis recipients but were not associated with mortality or hospitalisation when adjusted for frailty. The risk profile of depression somatic scores may be related to overlap with symptoms of frailty.


With students having the opportunity of choosing to take part in courses online rather than attend physically, they may lose the personal contact with the lecturers. One way of inducing a personal touch is by providing personalized video-feedback on the students' assignments to maintain or establish a connection with the students. Video-feedback is tested out in blended learning, and thus far, the results have been positive. The students claim that this is a more personal and direct way of obtaining feedback on their work. The students in this research project are students in the study programme of Knowledge Management at the Business School at the Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences. The courses consist of three full-day seminars per semester, in addition to streaming video of the curriculum. There is also a mandatory assignment that the students need to pass in order to proceed and take their exam. The courses, both in the autumn semester and the spring semester, have been delivered as a hybrid version, meaning that the students have been able to follow the courses, either online or present in a (physical) classroom. The video-feedback on their assignments has been developed from only being feedback on their assignment and issues for improvement, to where in this semester, the focus has been on tying the feedback to the learning objectives of the course. In this paper, the focus has been on the students who have only been able to follow the courses on an online basis. Via in-depth interviews, such as via Zoom with online students, the impact of the video-feedback has been compared for these particular students to the generic students who have also attended in person. Our investigations have revealed that the impact on the online students were positive, as they do find this type of feedback more personal compared to the students who had also been present in the classroom.


Some moderate and extreme thermophilic bacteria grew well on media other than the recommended basic media. Attempts to induce phenylalanine hydroxylase (Phe H) in the various thermophiles as well as mild thermophily in the mesophiles Pseudomonas sp ATCC 11299a and Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12540 were unsuccessful. Evidence is presented indicating that the enzyme in the latter two organisms may be membrane bound. The level of Phe H activity induced was not always consistent with the level of the inducer phenylalanine (Phe) in the growth medium.


In a companion paper, we started an examination of the anatomy of the interspecific relationship between local abundance and geographical range size in the British avifauna by analysing its spatial dynamics. Here, we use the same data to extend this study to a consideration of the temporal dynamics of the relationship. Most species of British breeding bird show a positive intraspecific abundance–range size relationship through time: i.e. in years when a species is locally more abundant it also occupies a higher proportion of census sites. However, the majority of such relationships are not statistically significant, and other relationships that are statistically significant are negative. Therefore, intraspecific abundance–range size relationships do not simply mirror the relationship across species. Where they do arise, positive relationships are more likely to be associated with positive intraspecific relationships between range size and maximum rather than minimum abundance. The interspecific abundance–range size relationship is remarkably consistent across years, and is always significantly positive. The relationships for woodland and farmland census sites show correlated variation, so that in years when the linear regression slope and coefficient of determination are high across species on farmland plots, they also tend to be high across species on woodland plots. Common species tend to be common on both farmland and woodland plots, and tend to be common in all years. Likewise, rare species tend to be rare in all habitats and years. This concordance means that the positive interspecific abundance–range size relationship can be viewed as occurring largely independently of intraspecific relationships. It follows from the above that developing an understanding of intraspecific abundance–range size relationships may be of only limited value in ascertaining the determinants of positive interspecific abundance–range size relationships. We conclude that for interspecific relationships, it will be important to know why some species are consistently common and others rare, whereas for intraspecific relationships it will be important to understand the dynamic links between local abundances across sites.


Blocks containing 3% phenothiazine in solidified molasses (Wonnolas, Animeal Australia Ltd .) were tested to control gastrointestinal nematode infections and the effect on mineral status in sheep in villages in Cirebon, Indonesia. Two hundred and thirteen Javanese Thin Tail sheep which were grazed during the day and housed at night were divided into two groups on the basis of location . One group was allowed in an access to Wonnolas blocks when penned for 24 weeks while the other group remained untreated. The bodyweight was recorded and faecal samples were collected for egg counts and larval culture every four weeks. Sera and saliva samples were collected from 20 adult sheep in each group at weeks 0, 12 and 24 for mineral analysis by AAS and colorimetry. The results indicated that the mean egg counts of the treated group decreased from 576 epg to 123 epg and the percentage of sheep producing viable larvae decreased from 50% to 24%. In contrast egg counts of the control group increased from 768 epg to 4,840 epg and the percentage of sheep producing viable larvae increased from 65% to 84% over the same period . In the treated group the number of Haenronchus larvae declined significantly (36% to 80%) . Mineral analysis revealed deficiencies in sodium and copper, low levels of zinc and normal levels of potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus . Wormolas had a significant effect on sodium and zinc status but not on copper although sufficient levels of this element were available. Comparison of bodyweight gains showed a significantly (P<0.05) higher rate of increase in the treated animals.


Background Donor lungs obtained after prolonged warm ischemia (WI) may be unsuitable for transplantation due to the risk of reperfusion injury, but could be reconditioned using ex-vivo lung perfusion (EVLP). Key processes of reperfusion injury include the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)/nitrogen species (RNS) and the activation of poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP). We explored whether rat lungs obtained after WI could be reconditioned during EVLP using the ROS/RNS scavenger Mn(III)-tetrakis (4-benzoic acid) porphyrin chloride (MnTBAP) or the PARP inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB). Methods Rat lungs obtained after 3 hours cold ischemia (CI group, control), or 1 hour WI plus 2 hours CI (WI group) were placed in an EVLP circuit for normothermic perfusion for 3 hours. Lungs retrieved after WI were treated or not with 3-AB (1 mg/mL) or MnTBAP (0.3 mg/mL), added to the perfusate. Measurements included physiological variables (lung compliance, vascular resistance, oxygenation capacity), lung weight gain, levels of proteins, lactate dehydrogenase, protein carbonyl (marker of ROS), 3-nitrotyrosine (marker of RNS), poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) (PAR, marker of PARP activation) and IL-6, in the bronchoalveolar lavage or the lung tissue, and histology. Results In comparison to the CI group, the lungs from the WI group displayed higher protein carbonyls, 3-nitrotyrosine, PAR, lactate dehydrogenase and proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage, lung weight gain, perivascular edema, as well as reduced static compliance, but similar oxygenation. All these alterations were markedly attenuated by 3-AB and MnTBAP. Conclusions After EVLP, lungs obtained after WI exhibit oxidative stress, PARP activation, and tissue injury, which are suppressed by pharmacological inhibitors of ROS/RNS and PARP.


We introduce PyTorch Geometric, a library for deep learning on irregularly structured input data such as graphs, point clouds and manifolds, built upon PyTorch. In addition to general graph data structures and processing methods, it contains a variety of recently published methods from the domains of relational learning and 3D data processing. PyTorch Geometric achieves high data throughput by leveraging sparse GPU acceleration, by providing dedicated CUDA kernels and by introducing efficient mini-batch handling for input examples of different size. In this work, we present the library in detail and perform a comprehensive comparative study of the implemented methods in homogeneous evaluation scenarios.


Volume 1:- 1. Concepts in Development of Manufacturing Strategies for Monoclonal Antibodies B. Fish. 2. Antibody Fragments: Production, Purification and Formatting for Therapeutic Applications D.J. Glover, D.P. Humphreys. 3. Large Scale Production of Therapeutic Antibodies: Considerations for Optimizing Product Capture and Purification G. Kemp, P. O'Neil. 4. Scale-Up of Antibody Purification. From Laboratory Scale to Production L.R. Jacob, M. Frech. 5. Purification of Antibody by Chromatographic Methods C. Vandevyver, R. Freitag. 6. Quality Control of Antibodies for Human Use A. Richter, M. Jostameling, K. Muller, A. Herrmann, M. Pitschke. 7. Expression of Human Anti Rh(D) Monoclonal Antibodies into Different Cell lines: Influence on their Functional Properties C. de Romeuf, C. Gaucher, A. Glacet, S. Jorieux, P. Klein, D. Bourel. 8. Monoclonal Antibody Production: Minimising Virus Safety Issues J. Bray, M.K. Brattle. 9. Contract Manufacturing of Biopharmaceutical Grade Antibodies L.A. Van Der Pol, D.F. Westra. 10. The Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Monoclonal Antibodies D.B. Haughey, P.M. Jardieu. 11. Regulatory and Legal Requirements for the Manufacture of Antibodies L. Tsang. Index. Volume 2:- 1. Transgenic technology for monoclonal antibody production S. Sensoli. 2. Generation, engineering and production of human antibodies using HuCAL R. Ostendorp, C. Frisch, M. Urban. 3. Achieving appropriate glycosylation during the scaleup of antibody production X.K. Deng, T. Shantha Raju, K.J. Morrow Jr. 4. Approaches to devise antibody purification processes by chromatography E. Boschetti. 5. Novel HIV neutralizing antibodies selected from phage display libraries M. Moulard, Mei-Yun Zhang, D.S. Dimitrov. 6. Monoclonal and bispecific antibodies in combination with radiotherapy for cancer treatment D. Azria, C. Larbouret, B. Robert, M. Ozsahin, J.B. Dubois, A. Pelegrin. 7. Antibodies, a potent tool to target genes into designated cells and tissues F. Hirsch, O. Deas, G. Carvalho, A. Durrbach, D. Thierry, A. Chapel. 8. Intrabodies: development and application in functional genomics and therapy A. Barberis, A. Auf Der Maur, K. Tissot, P. Lichtlen. 9. Expression of recombinant antibodies by tumour cells: on road to anti-tumour therapy E. Bonnin, J.-L. Teillaud. 10. Antitumor antibodies: from research to clinic S. Menard, S.M. Pupa, M. Campiglio, E. Tagliabue. 11. Macrophages for immunotherapy D. Loirat, S. Jacod, A. Boyer, F. Auzelle, A. McAllister, J.-P. Abstado, J. Bartholeyns, D. Prigent. 12. Future prospects in antibody engineering and therapy S. Siberil, J.-L. Teillaud. Index.


The distribution of fibronectin and 140 Kd fibronectin-receptor was examined in the truncus arteriosus of the chick embryonic heart during aortico-pulmonary (AP) septation by immunohistochemistry. In 4-day-old chick embryos, immunoreactivity of both anti-fibronectin and anti-140 Kd fibronectin-receptor was seen in the primordia of the AP septum. In 5-day-old embryos, cells stained with anti-140 Kd fibronectin-receptor antibody were rarely found in the AP septum, though strong immunoreactivity of the anti-fibronectin antibody was observed in the AP septum. In 6-day-old embryos, at a late stage of septation, cells stained with anti-140 Kd fibronectin-receptor antibody were not found in the AP septum, and immunoreactivity of the anti-fibronectin antibody had decreased. In the cushion tissue, immunoreactivity of the anti-fibronectin antibody was seen, but that of the anti-140 Kd fibronectin-receptor antibody was recognizable only on a few cushion cells in the 4-day-old embryos. These findings suggest that fibronectin is involved in the formation of the AP septum primordia, that fibronectin does not promote the development of the AP septum, and that the migration mechanism of cushion cells is different from that of neural crest cells.


Available information on organochlorines and the chronic effects of exposure to them are set out. Organochlorinated compounds are the most persistent pesticides and can be found in all ecosystems. Although they are generally efficient in pest control, they are also a potent environment pollutant and can provoke health problems in man. The evidences of the carcinogenic potential of organochlorines are controversial and insufficient, but they have been related to an increase in the incidence of some kinds of tumors, such as leukemia and solid tumors. Reproductive effects, due to anti-androgenic and estrogenic action, on embryonic virilization, the incidence of abortion and the frequency of prematurity, have also been observed. The accumulation of the organochlorines in the adipous tissue is positively correlated to the increase in aging and could be implicated in the development of aging diseases, such as Parkinson's disease. The effects of pesticides on human health have not yet been completely elucidated. Genotoxicity is one of the most serious of the possible harmful effects caused by these compounds and calls for special attention in view of the irreversible nature of the process and to the long latency associated with its manifestation.


Dendritic cells (DCs) genetically modified to continually express and present antigens may be potent physiologic adjuvants for induction of prophylactic or therapeutic immunity. We have previously shown that an env and nef deleted HIV-1 vector (HIV-1 delta EN) pseudotyped with VSV-G transduced monocyte-derived macrophages as well as CD34(+) precursors of DCs. Here we extended these findings with HIV-1 delta EN to highly differentiated human DCs derived in culture from circulating monocytes (DCs). In addition, a new vector derived from HIV-1 delta EN but further deleted in its remaining accessory genes vif, vpr, and vpu (HIV-1 delta EN V(3)) was also tested. Both vectors efficiently transduced DCs. Transduction of DCs did not significantly alter their viability or their immunophenotype when compared with untransduced DCs. Furthermore, the phagocytic potential of immature DCs, as well as their ability to differentiate into mature DCs capable of stimulating T-cell proliferation, was not affected. Finally, DCs transduced by the HIV-1 delta EN vector were able to elicit a primary antiviral cytotoxic T-cell response in autologous CD8 T cells. These results suggest that HIV-1-based vectors expressing viral antigens may be useful for in vivo active immunization as well as ex vivo priming of cytotoxic T cells for adoptive T-cell therapy. (Blood. 2000;96:1327-1333)


Electron mobility scattering mechanism in AlN/GaN heterostuctures is investigated by temperature-dependent Hall measurement, and it is found that longitudinal optical phonon scattering dominates electron mobility near room temperature while the interface roughness scattering becomes the dominant carrier scattering mechanism at low temperatures (∼100 K). Based on measured current—voltage characteristics of prepared rectangular AlN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistor under different temperatures, the temperature-dependent variation of electron mobility under different gate biases is investigated. The polarization Coulomb field (PCF) scattering is found to become an important carrier scattering mechanism after device processing under different temperatures. Moreover, it is found that the PCF scattering is not generated from the thermal stresses, but from the piezoelectric contribution induced by the electrical field in the thin AlN barrier layer. This is attributed to the large lattice mismatch between the extreme thinner AlN barrier layer and GaN, giving rise to a stronger converse piezoelectric effect.


Bioleaching processes or microbially mediated iron/sulfur redox processes in acid mine drainage (AMD) result in mineral dissolution and transformation, the release of mercury and other heavy metal ions, and changes in the occurrence forms and concentration of mercury. However, pertinent studies on these processes are scarce. Therefore, in this work, the Fe/S redox-coupled mercury transformation mediated by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 under aerobic and/or anaerobic conditions was studied by combining analyses of solution behavior (pH, redox potential, and Fe/S/Hg ion concentrations), the surface morphology and elemental composition of the solid substrate residue, the Fe/S/Hg speciation transformation, and bacterial transcriptomics. It was found that: (1) the presence of Hg2+ significantly inhibited the apparent iron/sulfur redox process; (2) the addition of Hg2+ caused a significant change in the composition of bacterial surface compounds and elements such as C, N, S, and Fe; (3) Hg mainly occurred in the form of Hg0, HgS, and HgSO4 in the solid substrate residues; and (4) the expression of mercury-resistant genes was higher in earlier stages of growth than in the later stages of growth. The results indicate that the addition of Hg2+ significantly affected the iron/sulfur redox process mediated by A. ferrooxidans ATCC 23270 under aerobic, anaerobic, and coupled aerobic–anaerobic conditions, which further promoted Hg transformation. This work is of great significance for the treatment and remediation of mercury pollution in heavy metal-polluted areas.


Objective Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is rarely seen as a complication in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS); hence, its characteristics have not been documented in detail. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of this complication and the related risk factors, focusing on differences in ophthalmic artery (OA) supply (whether by the external or internal carotid artery [ECA or ICA]) prior to CAS procedures. Materials and Methods We retrospectively examined 342 patients who underwent CAS for severe and/or symptomatic carotid artery stenosis between January 2009 and December 2017. Cumulative medical records and radiologic data were assessed. RAO was confirmed by photography and fluorescent angiography of the fundus, which were performed by an ophthalmologist. In all patients, distal filter systems of various types were applied as cerebral protection devices (CPDs) during procedures. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the risk factors for RAO after CAS. Results Symptomatic RAO was observed in six patients (1.8%), of which five (6.8%) were ECA-dominant group members (n = 74). In a binary logistic regression analysis, OA supply by the ECA (odds ratio [OR], 9.705; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.519–62.017; p = 0.016) and older age (OR, 1.159; 95% CI, 1.005–1.336; p = 0.041) were identified as significant risk factors in patients with RAO after CAS. ECA-supplied OA was also associated with the severity of ipsilateral ICA stenosis (p = 0.001) and ulcerative plaque (p = 0.021). Conclusion In procedures performed using ICA distal filtering CPD systems, RAO as a complication of CAS (performed for severe stenosis) showed a relationship to ECA-supplied OA. For older patients, simultaneous use of ICA-ECA CPDs might help prevent such complications.


Kinases play a critical role in inflammatory disease and immune regulation. They are critical molecules that transduce signals from the environment, including cytokines and toxic exposures. Their participation in human rheumatic disease has been confirmed through the testing and introduction of kinase inhibitors to treat various immune-mediated diseases. Janus kinase inhibitors, for example, are effective in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and many others. These observations create opportunities for targeting other pathways and kinases that play a role in B cell activation and differentiation, stress responses, and cytokine signaling. Our experience with kinase inhibitors also demonstrates that the specific kinase and its inhibitor must be carefully matched to the pathogenic process. Several unsuccessful clinical development programs, such as p38 MAP kinase or Syk, show that the balance between efficacy, clinical indication, and toxicity need to be carefully considered. The future, however, is bright because there is an abundance of potential targets. Carefully designed clinical trials, use of biomarkers to stratify patients, and patience will pay off we new and creative ways to treat our patients. Disclosure of Interest None declared


With the rapid development of Internet technology, two new terms, such as wearable devices and AR, have begun to appear in front of people. AR technology refers to things that are difficult to experience in reality. It appears in front of people's eyes in space and time, and these things actually exist in the real world. The development process of AR technology shows that the boundary between teachers and students is gradually disappearing. If the school purchases a wearable device, they can use this device for university English listening and speaking teaching. This article will discuss the advanced equipment of AR supported by wearable technology applied in the field of university English teaching and complete the discussion and analysis of the following aspects: first, analyze the current situation of the application of AR technology in education and collect some domestic research cases outside, finding the problems. Then, this article introduces the theoretical basis and technical support for the education application of wearable AR technology, and a total of 110 students in the experimental class and control class of a university's English department are interviewed and investigated. Finally, this article applies wearable AR technology to the university. In the English listening and speaking teaching model, we use questionnaire surveys, interviews, and quasi-experimental research methods to understand the teaching model of wearable devices. We used AR technology in English listening and speaking learning and discussed the application of mobile AR technology in education and found that wearable AR technology is of great help to college English listening and speaking teaching.


Collision warning-collision avoidance (CWCA) systems are showing increasing promise in preventing rear-end collisions. The effectiveness of many prototype systems has been evaluated on driving simulators or through numerical simulation, and several field tests are under way. Most investigations have focused on the safety benefits to host vehicles. Possible effects of CWCA-equipped vehicles on other traffic, especially the direct follower, have received little attention. Results of an evaluation study of this issue are presented. It is found that CWCA vehicles may have higher risk of rear-end collision with following vehicles. Thus, it may be necessary to design a CWCA system that is able to offer a balanced protection to host vehicles and to other traffic by considering possible effects of CWCA systems on other traffic.


If biological collections tend to be taken near accessible areas, and the number of such areas is limited, then we should expect a similar spatial distribution of collecting effort across taxa. Alternatively, if researchers working on a given taxon pick collection localities based on idiosyncratic criteria, then there should be no spatial similarity in collecting effort. This study compares the spatial distribution of collecting effort for plants and birds in Amazonia. Collection localities were transformed into a Thiessen network where polygon size works as a surrogate for collecting effort. A correlation between botanical and ornithological datasets, with an adjustment for spatial autocorrelation, showed little congruence in the spatial distribution of collecting effort between the two taxa. This incongruence of the distribution of collection effort among taxa suggests that the identification of priority areas for research, and correction for Wallacean and Linnean shortfalls based on taxon‐specific studies, should not be generalized.


The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (Morris et al., 1989) neuropsychological battery, including its 10-word list-learning task, remains in clinical and research use. The present study examined learning characteristics of this word list in a clinical series of elderly military veterans referred for neuropsychological evaluation of suspected dementia. Findings are presented establishing specific normative data by age, education, race, and diagnosis on learning outcomes including total new learning, delayed recall, and recognition memory. In addition, variables such as primacy and recency, intrusion and repetition errors, learning slope, and across-trial consistency are reported. There were no unexpected between-group findings, and the current data may be valuable as a reference when patients with similar demographic and health backgrounds are evaluated.


Purpose To compare postsurgical anterior chamber flare (ACF) among conventional (trabeculectomy, LEC) and novel (EX-PRESS Shunt, EXP) filtration surgeries and microhook ab interno trabeculotomy (μLOT), a novel minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). Subjects and methods This retrospective study included 125 primary open angle glaucoma eyes (89 consecutive subjects) treated with μLOT (n=38), LEC (n=12), or EXP (n=75). The intraocular pressure (IOP), numbers of antiglaucoma medication, and ACF at preoperatively and 2 weeks; 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively were compared among the surgical groups using a mixed-effects regression model. Results The postoperative IOP (p<0.0001) and medication use were significantly (p<0.0001) lower in the LEC and EXP groups than with μLOT for up to 6 months postoperatively. The ACF differed significantly (p=0.0004) among groups; the ACF was significantly higher (p=0.0097, post-hoc Student's t-test) with μLOT (33.6±52.8 pc/msec) than the EXP (15.7±19.9 pc/msec) at 2 weeks and was significantly (p=0.0111, post-hoc t-test) lower with μLOT (7.9±2.0 pc/msec) than LEC (12.0±6.1 pc/msec) at 6 months. Conclusion Considering our observation, although its clinical significance is unclear, not all MIGS are minimally invasive regarding early postsurgical inflammation.


Plants have evolved various adaptive strategies for balancing the benefits and costs of having a high affinity for resources, plasticity of growth allocation and mycorrhizal symbiosis. The relative growth rates of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal plants were modelled for stable and variable nutrient availability. Mycorrhizal plants had higher growth rates at low and non-mycorrhizal plants at high nutrient availability. Variation in nutrient availability reduced the growth rate of mycorrhizal plants due to a high affinity for nutrients. However, mycorrhizal plants may be able to buffer against external fluctuations and therefore experience less environmental variation than nonmycorrhizal plants. Non-mycorrhizal plants may even benefit from variation. The optimal allocation of growth between shoot and roots depends on the availability of energy and nutrients. The optimisation model predicted that the requirement for phenotypic plasticity of shoot/root allocation is greatest in environments with low resource availability. Plants with a high affinity for resources required more plasticity in order to tolerate variation than plants with a low affinity. The model predicted a trade-off between the ability to deplete resources and the ability to tolerate resource fluctuations. Changes in the availability and ratio of resources lead to changes in the structure and composition of vegetation during primary succession. The field study of the forested phases of the land uplift island Hailuoto showed a successional change in the vegetation from the dominance of bryophytes and deciduous dwarf shrubs to dominance by lichens and evergreen dwarf shrubs. The humus layer became thinner and the availability of nutrients declined, while the C/N ratio of soil organic matter increased during succession indicating a decline in the quality of organic matter. The increased soil respiration rate indicates a successional increase in the energetic costs of decomposing organic matter. Nutrients mediate both direct and indirect trophic interactions. Indirect interactions of nutrient cycling are not explicit in continuous time models. A transformation to a discrete time model was shown to make the indirect interactions explicit as transition probabilities and allowed their dynamic contribution to be evaluated with an elasticity analysis. The importance of indirect interactions was greater in tundra than temperate forest and increased with the rate of nutrient cycling.


Objective: To investigate whether caloric vestibular stimulation, a non-invasive form of neuro-modulation, alters the level of awareness in people residing in a minimally conscious state. Design: Single-case (n = 2), prospective, controlled (ABAB) efficacy study. Setting: Tertiary, neuro-rehabilitation inpatient ward within a university hospital. Participants: Two individuals in a minimally conscious state. Intervention: Left ear caloric vestibular stimulation was performed in two four/five-week blocks interleaved with two four/five-week blocks of sham stimulation. Session duration and frequency gradually increased within each block from once per day for 10 minutes (Week 1) to once per day for 20 minutes (Week 2) to 20 minutes twice per day in the remaining weeks. Measures: Wessex Head Injury Matrix, JFK Coma Recovery Scale – Revised. Results: Both participants' Wessex Head Injury Matrix scores indicated a transition from involuntary (i.e. mechanical vocalization) to voluntary (i.e. gesture making, selective responses to family members) behaviour that was time-locked to the onset of active stimulation. In one participant, this improvement persisted for at least four weeks after active stimulation, while in the other it diminished two weeks after stimulation. Allied, although less dramatic, changes were seen on the arousal and auditory subscales of the JFK Coma Recovery Scale – Revised. Conclusion: The data provide the first evidence that vestibular stimulation may help improve outcome in a low awareness state, although further studies are needed to replicate effect and determine longer-term benefit.


The relative donor powers of oxime and O-methyloxime groups have been assessed from the stability of their coordination complexes with copper(II). The order of donor strengths observed is oximato >> oxime > O-methyloxime.


A conceptual clustering method is proposed for discovering high level concepts of numerical attribute values from databases. The method considers both frequency and value distributions of data. Thus it is able to discover relevant concepts from numerical attributes. The discovered knowledge can be used for representing data semantically and for providing approximate answers when exact ones are not available. Our knowledge discovery approach is to partition the data set of one or more attributes into clusters that minimize the relaxation error. E cient clustering algorithms are developed which can be recursively called to generate a concept hierarchy. Applications of such clustering method to structured data and feature-based image are given. The e ectiveness of our clustering method is demonstrated by applying it to a large transportation database for approximate query answering.


This dissertation addresses the political economy of the Common Fisheries Policy and investigates how traditional concepts can hinder the success of the European fisheries management.
The first paper focuses on the institutional set-up of the decision-making process. This process is modeled as a dynamic non-cooperative game in discrete time. It is shown that due to the uncertainty in the annual TAC setting the optimal feedback strategy for the impatient decision-makers is to set inefficiently high TACs in Markov-perfect Nash equilibrium. According to this theoretical analysis, the institutional set-up of the decision-making process itself promotes inefficient TACs. A binding commitment between the two groups of decision-makers to a long-term management plan could lead to a more sustainable fisheries management.
The second paper is concerned with an empirical analysis of the distribution of bargaining power between different interests groups in the TAC decision-making of the European Union. The process is modeled as a cooperative game between two players with different interests regarding TACs. The estimation results show that the player representing interests of the fishing industry has the stronger bargaining position compared to the player representing conservation interests. The analysis also shows that scientific recommendations have a greater influence in the bargaining when the underlying data is of good quality. The conclusion is that effective TAC management requires both, a sound scientific assessment and a stronger inclusion of scientific advice.
The third paper investigates the regional trade-offs of different management options of a multi-species management in the Baltic Sea. An ecological-economic model of the Baltic Sea is developed simulating the stock dynamics of interacting population in order to investigate a set of different strategic management options. The profits for each country participating in the Baltic fishery differ between the management options. We show that the inflexibility of TAC distribution according to the principle of relative stability can lead to regional inequality in future profits. A reallocation of profits is required to achieve a concordant agreement on strategic multi-species management goals.
The fourth paper examines the efficiency of different segments of the Baltic trawler fleet in order to evaluate whether quota trade between vessels of different countries could improve the situation. The distance function approach is used to derive an equation to estimate the efficiencies of different fleet segments. Data for different vessel length categories for different countries is used. The estimation reveals significant asymmetries in the efficiencies between countries. Allowing for quota trade in the Baltic fleet could improve the overall efficiency. Such a transnational quota trading system would enable the fleet to coordinate its fishing activities far more flexible than under the fixed allocation of TACs according to the principle of relative stability.


The primary contribution of this work is to examine the energy efficiency of pulse coupled oscillation for time synchronization in a realistic wireless network environment and to explore the impact of mobility on convergence rate. Energy coupled oscillation is susceptible to interference; this approach uses reception and decoding of short packet bursts to eliminate this problem. The energy efficiency of a commonly used timestamp broadcast algorithm is compared and contrasted with pulse-coupled oscillation. The emergent pulse coupled oscillation technique shows greater energy efficiency as well as robustness with mobility. The algorithm specifically includes the likelihood that some proportion of the sensors may include GPS receivers in order to obtain and propagate a master clock time.


The lifetime of the A 2Sigmau+ state of N3 has been determined from line broadening in the rotationally resolved laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectrum of the A 2Sigmau+-X 2Pig transition. N3 radicals, produced by fluorine atom abstraction from HN3, were probed with an intracavity doubled ring laser operating near 272 nm. Careful examination of the LIF spectrum indicates a significant Lorentzian component to the line shape due to a rapid predissociation in the A 2Sigmau+ state. The predissociation lifetime is found to be 132+/-21 ps for the 000 vibrational level and 64+/-10 ps for the 010 level. The short lifetime is consistent with the low intensity of the LIF signal especially for the 010-010 hot band.


In this paper we propose a decentralized privacy-preserving system which is able to share sensible data in a way, that only predefined subsets of authorized entities can recover the data after getting an additional alarm message. The protocol uses two main communication channels: a P2P network where the encrypted information is stored, and a smaller private P2P network, which consists of the authorized parties called friend-to-friend network. We describe the communication protocol fulfilling the desired security requirements. The proposed protocol achieves unconditional security. The main cryptographic building blocks of the protocol are symmetric encryption schemes and secret sharing schemes.


The NASA dual-frequency, dual-polarization, Doppler radar (D3R) [1] was conceived and developed to support ground validation (GV) operations of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission [2]. The D3R operates in the same frequencies bands, Ku- and Ka-band, as GPM's dual-frequency precipitation radar enabling direct comparisons of microphysical observations of precipitation. The D3R radar is shown in Figure 1. To support the GPM GV mission, D3R substantively participated in four field campaigns in North America with diverse geographic features covering both winter and summer conditions.


Uterine rupture is a life threatening condition for both the mother and her fetus. It may be seen in the second trimester usually after induction for pregnancy termination in a scarred uterus. Spontaneous rupture in the second trimester before labor is a very rare condition. Here, we report a case of uterine rupture at 23-week pregnancy due to elevated uterine pressure with a history of laparoscopic myomectomy one year before admission. She was symptomatic for diffuse abdominal pain and the ultrasonographic image was interpreted as amniotic band. Four days later, because of deterioration of the patient and fetal bradycardia urgent laparotomy was performed. Fundal rupture with fibrotic borders suggested that a chronic event was seen. Laparoscopic myomectomy has advantages over laparatomy but the possibility of uterine rupture in following pregnancies should not be underestimated. Therefore, repair of the myometrium should be carefully assessed.


We report on the investigation of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) for carbon dioxide (CO2) sensor applications. g-C3N4 is prepared by the thermal polycondensation of thiourea and sprayed onto a substrate with interdigitated electrodes. The resulting sensor device exhibited a high sensitivity to CO2 molecules of ~200 ppm, a high responsivity of ~730 ms at 40 °C and a full recovery time of 36 s. Furthermore, a set of various characterization measurements demonstrated the excellent stability of both the g-C3N4 nanosheets and the fabricated gas sensor device. Meanwhile, density functional theory (DFT) calculations for the bulk and monolayer models, based on tri-s-triazine, revealed the optoelectronic properties of g-C3N4 and the interaction energy with CO2, which is evaluated at −0.59 eV. This value indicates the very good affinity of g-C3N4 nanosheets to CO2 molecules. Our findings shed light on the potential for g-C3N4 to be used for the development of high-performing gas sensor devices.


In ants permanent polygyny (the permanent presence of multiple reproducing queens) commonly arises secondarily through the adoption of daughter queens. Polygyny decreases the relatedness among nestmate workers and consequently the genetic benefits from helping close relatives. Hence, studies on nestmate recognition and queen adoption may shed light on how queen numbers are regulated as well as on causes of variation in queen number. In this study acceptance of nestmate and non-nestmate young queens in monogyne (single queen) and polygyne colonies of the antFormica truncorumwas compared. Queen number varies in this species: in some populations colonies have a single queen (monogyne populations), whereas in others all colonies contain several functional queens (polygyne populations). Young queens introduced into the experimental colonies varied with respect to female origin (nestmate versus non-nestmate), dispersal prospects as reflected by wing status (wingless versus winged) and mating status (mated versus virgin). Monogyne and polygyne colonies differed in one fundamental way in their responses to introduced females. Workers of monogyne colonies, but not those of polygyne colonies, discriminated between nestmate and non-nestmate females. In both monogyne and polygyne colonies mated females were destroyed to a higher extent than virgin ones, largely independently of wing status. None the less, mated females may have a reasonable chance of becoming adopted in their natal colony both in monogyne and polygyne colonies. If so, the single-queen status of monogyne colonies may be retained by a high rate of female dispersal in combination with few intra-nidal mating opportunities. Polygyne colonies are characterized by both a low degree of female rejection and low levels of discrimination between nestmates and non-nestmates. Nevertheless, previous genetic and behavioural data on female dispersal suggest that the majority of new queens adopted into polygyne colonies are their own daughters.


Introduction: Among a variety of proteins included in a relatively wide GPCR family, serotonin 5HT receptors (5HT6Rs) are highly attractive as important biological targets with enormous clinical importance. Among this subclass, 5HT6R is the most recently discovered group. Available biological data clearly indicate that 5HT6R antagonists can be used as effective regulators in a variety of contexts, including memory formation, age-related cognitive impairments and memory deficits associated with conditions such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, this receptor has already attracted a considerable attention within the scientific community, due to its versatile therapeutic potential. Areas covered: The current paper is an update to the comprehensive review article published previously in Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents (see issue 20(7), 2010). Here, the main focus is on small-molecule compounds – 5HT6 antagonists – which have been described in recent patent literature, since the end of 2009. To obtain a clear understanding of the situation and dynamic within the field of 5HT6 ligands, having an obvious pharmaceutical potential in terms of related patents, a comprehensive search through several key patent collections have been provided. The authors describe the reported chemical classes and scaffolds in sufficient detail to provide a valuable insight in the 5HT6R chemistry and pharmacology. The review consists of two core parts with separate sections arranged in accordance with the main structural features of 5HT6R ligands. Expert opinion: Recent progress in the understanding of the 5HT6 receptor function and structure includes a suggested constitutive activity for the receptor, development of a number of multimodal small molecule ligands and re-classification of many selective antagonists as pseudo-selective agents. Heterocycles with sulfonyl group and without any basic center provide sufficient supramolecular interactions and show high antagonistic activity against 5HT6R.


For the first time, the reaction of allomaltol containing hydrazides with 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) was studied. It was shown that under the considered conditions, 3-hydroxy-4-pyranone derivatives were transformed into 3-acetyltetronic acids bearing a pyrrolidin-2-one moiety. We have found that the key intermediates of the investigated process are substituted 6-oxa-1-azaspiro[4.5]dec-7-ene-2,9-diones. The structures of one final product and one intermediate were confirmed by X-ray analysis. The disclosed reaction was tested using a wide range of substituted allomaltols with various carboxamide units. It was demonstrated that in the case of hetaryl containing hydrazides and hydroxamic acids, the direction of the process is completely changed and cyclization into substituted pyrano[3,2-b]pyrans occurs.


Analogue to Digital Conversion (ADC) forms an essential part of EEG systems allowing signals to be represented in the digital domain and processed by a computer. For wearable, battery powered applications, such as those envisioned in augmented cognition, power consumption is a key design parameter. This paper investigates the ADC specifications that are used for typical augmented cognition applications and links these to a review of ADC topologies and performance. It is found that the ADC power consumption is an exponential function of the resolution of the ADC, but that the resolution required is often over estimated. Also, care is required when considering oversampling converters to ensure that the power consumption of decimation is accounted for.


This study describes a stochastic approach to the problem of packing two-dimensional figures in a rectangular area efficiently. The techniques employed are similar to those used in genetic algorithms or in simulated annealing algorithms, algorithmic methods which are grouped under the general classification of stochastic optimization. A parallel processing system, an Intel i860 hypercube, is used to speed up execution. Execution time is quite lengthy due to the costly process of evaluating the lengths of layouts. Load balancing is quite efficient and near-perfect load balancing is achieved. Four different data sets were tested, the simplest consisting of 129 figures, each of seven possible shapes and of differing sizes. The goal of a minimum of 80% efficiency or utilization based on bin length was achieved in all runs performed.<<ETX>>


The advent of a fourth industrial revolution, built on advances in digital technology, has coincided with studies using various unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) being performed worldwide. However, the accuracy of different sensors and their suitability for particular research studies are factors that need to be carefully evaluated. In this study, we evaluated UAV photogrammetry using smart technology. To assess the performance of digital photogrammetry, the accuracy of common procedures for generating orthomosaic images and digital surface models (DSMs) using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) techniques was measured. Two different type of non-surveying camera(Smartphone camera, fisheye camera) were attached to UAV platform. For fisheye camera, lens distortion was corrected by considering characteristics of lens. Accuracy of orthoimage and DSM generated were comparatively analyzed using aerial and TLS data. Accuracy comparison analysis proceeded as follows. First, we used Ortho mosaic image to compare the check point with a certain area. In addition, vertical errors of camera DSM were compared and analyzed based on TLS. In this study, we propose and evaluate the feasibility of UAV photogrammetry which can acquire 3 - D spatial information at low cost in a construction site.


The structural gene (TMP1) for yeast thymidylate synthetase (thymidylate synthase; EC 18.104.22.168) was isolated from a chimeric plasmid bank by genetic complementation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Retransformation of the dTMP auxotroph GY712 and a temperature-sensitive mutant (cdc21) with purified plasmid (pTL1) yielded Tmp+ transformants at high frequency. In addition, the plasmid was tested for the ability to complement a bacterial thyA mutant that lacks functional thymidylate synthetase. Although it was not possible to select Thy+ transformants directly, it was found that all pTL1 transformants were phenotypically Thy+ after several generations of growth in nonselective conditions. Thus, yeast thymidylate synthetase is biologically active in Escherichia coli. Thymidylate synthetase was assayed in yeast cell lysates by high-pressure liquid chromatography to monitor the conversion of [6-3H]dUMP to [6-3H]dTMP. In protein extracts from the thymidylate auxotroph (tmp1-6) enzymatic conversion of dUMP to dTMP was barely detectable. Lysates of pTL1 transformants of this strain, however, had thymidylate synthetase activity that was comparable to that of the wild-type strain.


Among 528 cases with ruptured aneurysm, 10 cases (1.9%) developed hemorrhagic infarction following vasospasm. There was no obvious relationship between the occurrence and location of aneurysm and the neurological grade on admission. Hemorrhagic infarction occurred from day 9 to 25 (mean day 16) after aneurysmal rupture, and the major neurological symptoms were aggravation of consciousness level, which appeared in 6 cases. On the CT scans of the hemorrhagic infarction following vasospasm, nine cases revealed heterogeneous hemorrhage as assembled of spotty or linear hemorrhages within the ischemic infarction, and 5 cases had massive hemorrhagic infarction in size with mass effect. Although surgical therapy for 2 cases and conservative therapy for 8 cases were performed, the results were unfavorable; ie, 2 cases were good, 5 fair or poor, and 3 died. Especially, 5 cases with massive hemorrhagic infarction obviously resulted in poor prognosis. In our series, induced hypertension therapy for vasospasm was considered as a risk factor. In conclusion, it is necessary to avoid induced hypertension therapy in the remission stage of vasospasm and serial SPECT study might be recommended as a useful prospective method estimating the vasospasm.


The principal animal production system in Egypt is the mixed crop-livestock production system with a semi-intensive/semi-commercial orientation. The development strategies emphasized in this study contribute to the development and implementation of improved technologies. The role and place of the livestock sector and its contribution to the national economy, as well as the development of external trade in milk and dairy products in the past 10 years were studied. The potential for dairy improvement is discussed and it is concluded that rapid population growth along with social and economic changes will further increase the demand for animal products. The traditional mixed farming systems were studied in detail. As part of these studies, on-farm and on-station experiments on animal nutrition and feed utilisation were conducted. Additionally a computerised model of the mixed crop-dairy farming systems was developed to help decision-makers at farm level to obtain an optimal cropping plan and feeding system with maximum income. The farm management information system was developed in the context of a mixed farming system in the northern part of Egypt. An identification and description of the management practices of both crop and dairy sub-systems resulted in a better understanding of the dairy farming systems and established the boundaries of the components that are used as the base for modelling the whole farming system. The constraints of the systems were also identified with special attention for feeds and feeding. Finally, this information was used to design and perform nutritional studies, which along with other information was was used to develop a decision support system for crop-dairy mixed farms. One hundred and fifty five samples of maize silages made on-farm were taken to be nutritionally chracterised through visual inspection as well as on the basis of chemical composition. Good quality silages were obtained, indicating adequate preservation for all silages. The highest qualities corresponded to whole-plant maize (without removing ears), ensiled at an average age of 108 days, after 17 days of fermentation, and, up to a 45 days off-take feeding period (after opening of the silo). Variety and type of chopper used in this study, had no significant effect on silage quality. The final conclusion is that, small farmers easily adopted silage-making as an intervention as indicated by the quality of maize silage produced on-farm. The quality of four feedstuffs: berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum), rice straw, a concentrate mixture and maize silage were investigated in two direct and three indirect metabolism trials with sheep. Under the conditions prevailing in Egypt, the fermentation process of maize silage reached an acceptable range (indicated by the fermentation products) after 16 days of ensiling. Maize silage had neither negative nor positive effects when fed with berseem. Feeding berseem with maize silage increased total DM intake and improved the energy/protein ratio (64%TDN and 12% CP) which would allow a medium level of milk production. Eleven different combinations (scenarios) of the four feedstuffs were designed to assess the nutritional feasibility of 9 milk production levels. The scenarios aimed to satisfy the nutritional constraints and to minimize the feeding costs of the 9 milk production levels. Sensitivity analyses of the effects of changes in milk price, land rental and labor wages on the margin over feeding costs were performed. With regard to the acceptability of maize silage by farmers, the study demonstrated the easy introduction of maize silage, the farmers awareness and the role of extension, the response to other new technologies with maize silage, the farmer's point of view and finally, the constraints of making maize silage in the study area. The financial analysis showed that feed mixtures with maize silage would reduce feed costs compared with mixtures without maize silage. This conclusion not only holds at present price levels for land rental and labor, but also for prices that are till 100% above present levels. Farmers in the project area have quickly recognized the advantage of adding maize silage to the diet of their dairy animals. Their observations focus on higher production levels and lower production costs, which is in line with the step-wise analysis of nutritional and financial aspects by the researchers. Maize silage was well introduced by the extension staff and widely adopted once farmers had recognised its advantages.


We report on a short-wavelength, "blue" spectral shift of the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum in CdSeTe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs) caused by bioconjugation with several monoclonal cancer related antibodies (ABs). Scanning PL spectroscopy was performed on samples dried on solid substrates at various temperatures. The influence of the AB chemical origin on the PL spectral shift was observed. The conjugation QD-AB reaction was confirmed using the agarose gel electrophoresis technique. The spectral shift is strongly increased and the process facilitated when the samples are dried above room temperature. The PL spectroscopic mapping revealed a profile of the PL spectral shift across the dried QD-AB spot. Transmission Electron Microscopy analyses of the samples were performed to reveal the shape and size of individual QDs. A mechanism of the "blue" shift is attributed to changes in the QD electronic energy levels caused by local stress field applied to the bio-conjugated QD.


The effect of osmotic stress on oxidative injury, compatible solutes content and water relations was investigated in two maize cultivars (Zea mays L. cv. Ankora – drought-sensitive and cv. Nova – drought-tolerant). Relative water content in leaves of both cultivars decreased after drought treatment, leaf water loss of sensitive cv. Ankora was higher than that of cv. Nova. The 24 h water stress induced by 0.3M sorbitol (–1.4 MPa) resulted in a damage of cell membranes. Lipid peroxidation rose in all studied organs of cv. Ankora and electrolyte leakage in roots of cv. Ankora was much higher than in cv. Nova. Similarly, proline content increased significantly in all studied organs of cv. Ankora. Content of soluble sugars increased in all studied organs of both cultivars, but the mesocotyl of cv. Nova accumulated the highest amount of sugars. The electrolyte leakage was the highest in the roots of both cultivars. Osmotic stress had deep influence predominantly on the roots of both cultivars. It is apparent that stress impact on the drought-sensitive cv. Ankora was deeper than on the drought-tolerant cv. Nova.


PURPOSE
To describe the objective and subjective match load (ML) of wheelchair basketball (WB) and determine the relationship between session heart-rate (HR) -based ML and rating-of-perceived-exertion (RPE) -based ML methods.

METHODS
HR-based measurements of ML included Edwards ML and Stagno training impulses (TRIMPMOD), while RPE-based ML measurements included respiratory (sRPEres) and muscular (sRPEmus). Data were collected from 10 WB players during a whole competitive season.

RESULTS
Edwards ML and TRIMPMOD averaged across 16 matches were 255.3 ± 66.3 and 167.9 ± 67.1 AU, respectively. In contrast, sRPEres ML and sRPEmus ML were found to be higher (521.9 ± 188.7 and 536.9 ± 185.8 AU, respectively). Moderate correlations (r = .629-.648, P < .001) between Edwards ML and RPE-based ML methods were found. Moreover, similar significant correlations were also shown between the TRIMPMOD and RPE-based ML methods (r = .627-.668, P < .001). That said, only ≥40% of variance in HR-based ML was explained by RPE-based ML, which could be explained by the heterogeneity of physical-impairment type.

CONCLUSION
RPE-based ML methods could be used as an indicator of global internal ML in highly trained WB players.


Ultracold molecules with both electron spin and an electric dipole moment offer new possibilities in quantum science. We use density-functional theory to calculate hyperfine coupling constants for a selection of molecules important in this area, including RbSr, LiYb, RbYb, CaF and SrF. We find substantial hyperfine coupling constants for the fermionic isotopes of the alkaline-earth and Yb atoms. We discuss the hyperfine level patterns and Zeeman splittings expected for these molecules. The results will be important both to experiments aimed at forming ultracold open-shell molecules and to their applications.


Abstract The objective of the paper is to present the development and distribution of microfirms in mid-size Polish towns during the years of transformation of the political system. Research comprised towns with a population numbering from 20 thousand to 100 thousand inhabitants. According to the Central Office of Statistics reporting standards it is recognized that micro enterprises are economic entities employing up to nine people. Research has shown that a dynamic growth of microfirms took place during the transformation period in mid-size Polish towns. Majority of them came into being in towns with high tourism values located near border crossing points, along the main communication routes, on the edge of great urban-industrial agglomerations and towns located within special economic zones. On the other hand, the least number of microfirms were recorded in towns with less than 50 thousand inhabitants, usually peripherally located in a given voivodship.


Correction for 'Penetrating probability and cross section of the Li+-C60 encapsulation process through an ab initio molecular dynamics investigation' by Thi H. Ho et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2018, 20, 7007-7013.


Harvest-aid herbicides are used to anticipate soybean harvest and make the field available for next crop during the growing season. However, this anticipation can interrupt the transport of photoassimilates and reduce seed yield, as well as affect the seed quality. It is also not well known if cultivars with earlier growth cycle are more sensitive to harvest-aid herbicides. This work evaluated how different moments of harvest-aid herbicides application affect soybean yield, seed physiological quality, and oxidative metabolism. Two cultivars were used, one early and another medium growth cycle. The herbicide used was paraquat. Experiments were carried out in the field to evaluate yield attributes, and from the seeds harvested, seed quality attributes were evaluated in controlled environment. Early application of harvest-aid herbicides reduced seed yield and 1000-seed mass in both evaluated cultivars, being more expressive for early growth cycle cultivar. Seeds from plants submitted to early application of harvestaid herbicides had higher enzymatic activity related to oxidative metabolism. The early growth cycle cultivar (maturity group MG 6.2) produced more than the medium growth cycle cultivar (MG 7.7), however, had greater sensitivity to the early application of harvest-aid herbicide.


INTRODUCTION
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune systemic inflammatory disorder characterised by symmetrical polyarthritis which leads to damage of joints if untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment of RA to achieve tight control of the disease will improve outcome and prevent disability.

OBJECTIVE
We aimed to examine the delays in the diagnosis of RA in patients presenting to the Rheumatology Unit, Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).

METHODS
Data on demographics and various delays were collected from the medical records from January 2015 until March 2018. Patient delay is defined as from the time onset of symptom to the first primary care presentation. Primary care delay is defined as from the first primary care presentation to referral to rheumatology. Rheumatology delay is defined as from rheumatology referral to appointment at the rheumatology clinic. Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) delay is defined as from the rheumatology clinic appointment to starting DMARDS. Total delay is from symptom onset to starting DMARDS.

RESULTS
There were 84 new patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, out of which 66 were females (78.6%). The mean age was 54.1±12.0 years. Only 19 patients (22.6%) were treated with DMARDS within 12 weeks of symptom onset. The median time for patient delay was four weeks (Interquartile range (IQR) 2-20 weeks), while the median time primary care delay was 11 weeks (IQR 4-24 weeks). The median time for rheumatology delay was zero weeks (IQR 0- 1 week) and the DMARDS delay was zero week (IQR 0). The median time from symptom onset to DMARDS initiation was 23.5 weeks (IQR 13.25-51 weeks).

CONCLUSION
The delays in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis were mainly from the patient and primary care.


Over exploitation of Ground Water (GW) has resulted in lowering of water table in the Indus Basin. While waterlogging, salinity and seawater intrusion has resulted in rising of water table in Indus Basin. The sparse piezometer network cannot provide sufficient data to map groundwater changes spatially. To estimate groundwater change in this region, data from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite was used. GRACE measures (Total Water Storage) TWS and used to estimate groundwater storage change. Net change in storage of groundwater was estimated from the change in TWS by including the additional components such as Soil Moisture (SM), Surface water storage (Qs) and snowpack equivalent water (SWE). For the estimation of these components Global Land Data Assimilation system (GLDAS) Land Surface Models (LSMs) was used. Both GRACE and GLDAS produce results for the Indus Basin for the period of April 2010 to January 2017. The monitoring well water-level records from the Scarp Monitoring Organization (SMO) and the Punjab Irrigation and Drainage Authority (PIDA) from April 2009 to December 2016 were used. The groundwater results from different combinations of GRACE products GFZ (GeoforschungsZentrum Potsdam) CSR (Center for Space Research at University of Texas, Austin) JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and GLDAS LSMs (CLM, NOAH and VIC) are calibrated (April 2009-2014) and validated (April 2015-April 2016) with in-situ measurements. For yearly scale, their correlation coefficient reaches 0.71 with Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) 0.82. It was estimated that net loss in groundwater storage is at mean rate of 85.01 mm per year and 118,668.16 Km3 in the 7 year of study period (April 2010-Jan 2017). GRACE TWS data were also able to pick up the signals from the large-scale flooding events observed in 2010 and 2014. These flooding events played a significant role in the replenishment of the groundwater system in the Indus Basin. Our study indicates that the GRACE based estimation of groundwater storage changes is skillful enough to provide monthly updates on the trend of the groundwater storage changes for resource managers and policy makers of Indus Basin.


Microfluidics have enabled significant advances in molecular biology1–3, synthetic chemistry4,5, diagnostics6,7, and tissue engineering8. However, there has long been a critical need in the field to manipulate fluids and suspended matter with the precision, modularity, and scalability of electronic circuits9–11. Just as the electronic transistor enabled unprecedented advances in the control of electricity on an electronic chip, a microfluidic analogue to the transistor could enable improvements in the complex, scalable control of reagents, droplets, and single cells on an autonomous microfluidic chip. Prior works on creating a microfluidic analogue to the electronic transistor12–14 could not replicate the transistor's saturation behavior, which is crucial to perform analog amplification15 and is fundamental to modern circuit design16. Here we exploit the fluidic phenomenon of flow-limitation17 to develop a microfluidic element with flow-pressure characteristics completely analogous to the current-voltage characteristics of the electronic transistor. As this microfluidic transistor successfully replicates all of the key operating regimes of the electronic transistor (linear, cut-off and saturation), we are able to directly translate a variety of fundamental electronic circuit designs into the fluidic domain, including the amplifier, regulator, level shifter, logic gate, and latch. Finally, we demonstrate a "smart" particle dispenser that senses single suspended particles, performs liquid signal processing, and accordingly controls the movement of said particles in a purely fluidic system without electronics. By leveraging the vast repertoire of electronic circuit design, microfluidic transistor-based circuits are easy to integrate at scale, eliminate the need for external flow control, and enable uniquely complex liquid signal processing and single-particle manipulation for the next generation of chemical, biological, and clinical platforms.


A better understanding is needed of how conservation practices affect the concentration of soil N resulting from winter application of manure. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of manure applications on the mineralization and concentration of N during the winter. The experiment was established in fields that were previously under conventional and conservation tillage with and without manure application. Dairy composted manure was applied annually in the fall prior to planting of a winter cover crop. The quantification of N released from composted manure and the amount of N uptake by plant tissues of the cover crop during winter months was determined. The concentration of N was higher in the conventional tillage plots at the beginning of the study and quickly diminished throughout the growing season. The conservation tillage plots with manure retained the most N compared to the other treatments. This treatment also had the highest plant biomass compared to the other treatments, indicating much more was retained in the plant tissues. These results show use conservation tillage in conjunction with cover crops when applying manure in winter months could potentially minimize the amount of N lost.


The Galileo spacecraft carries a 1500-nm focal length camera with a 800 × 800 CCD detector that will provide images with a spatial resolution of 10 μrad/pixel. The spacecraft will fly by Io at the time of Jupiter Orbit Insertion (JOI) and, subsequently, while in Jupiter's orbit, will have a total of 10 close passes by Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. These close passes, together with more distant encounters, will be used by the imaging experiment primarily to obtain high-resolution coverage of selected targets, to fill gaps left in the Voyager coverage, to extend global color coverage of each satellite, and to follow changes in the volcanic activity of Io. The roughly 390 Mbit allocated for imaging during the tour will be distributed among several hundred frames compressed by factors that range from 1 to possibly as high as 50. After obtaining high-resolution samples during the initial Io encounter at JOI, roughly 10% of imaging resources are devoted to near-terminator mapping of Io's topography at 2- to 10-km resolution, monitoring color and albedo changes of the Ionian surface, and monitoring plume activity. Observations of Europa range in resolution from several kilometers per pixel to 10 m/pixel. The objectives of Europa are (1) to determine the nature, origin, and age of the tectonic features, (2) to determine the nature, rates, and sequence of resurfacing events, (3) to assess the satellite's cratering history, and (4) to map variations in spectral and photometric properties. Europa was poorly imaged by Voyager, so the plan includes a mix of high- and low-resolution sequences to provide context. The imaging objectives at Ganymede are (1) to characterize any volcanism, (2) to determine the nature and timing of any tectonic activity, (3) to determine the history of formation and degradation of impact craters, and (4) to determine the nature of the surface materials. Because Ganymede was well imaged by Voyager, most of the resources at Ganymede are devoted to high-resolution observations. The Callisto observations will be directed mostly toward (1) filling Voyager gaps, (2) acquiring high-resolution samples of typical cratered terrain and components of the Valhalla and Asgaard basins, (3) acquiring global color, and (4) determining the photometric properties of the surface. A small number of frames will be used to better characterize the small inner satellites of Jupiter, Thebe, Amalthea, Metis, and Adrastea.


Career Maturity Inventory (CMI) Form C is an inventory used to measure high school student's career maturity. Although several studies have measured the reliability and validity of the 24-item CMI Form C that created by Crites and Savickas, there are only a limited number of researches measuring the psychometric properties of the Indonesian version of the CMI Form C. The present study examines the reliability and validity of the Indonesian version of CMI Form C. The study involved sample comprised of 109 high school students, the age ranging from 16 to 18 years old. Utilizing Rasch Model Analysis, of 24 items assessed, only 10 items were fit. The result showed that the item reliability of CMI is r=0.97. This limitation of fit items indicated that there are cultural differences of how Indonesian students perceived the career maturity. Consequently, further study that considering Indonesian culture of CMI need to be conducted before applying it massively in the Indonesia context.


beta-Carotene has been reported to have an immunostimulatory effect. Recent studies suggest that beta-carotene supplementation can increase CD4 counts in HIV-infected patients. Our double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed to test the efficacy of beta-carotene in raising CD4 counts in HIV-infected patients. Twenty-one HIV-seropositive patients were randomized to receive either beta-carotene, 180 mg/day or placebo for 4 weeks, and then crossed over to receive the alternative treatment for the following 4 weeks. beta-Carotene resulted in a statistically significant increase in total WBC count (p = 0.01), % change in CD4 count (p = 0.02), and % change in CD4/CD8 ratios (p = 0.02) compared to placebo. The absolute CD4 count, absolute CD4/CD8 ratio, and total and B-lymphocytes all increased on carotene and fell during placebo, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. No toxicity was observed on either treatment. beta-Carotene appears to have an immunostimulatory effect in HIV-infected patients. Further studies are needed to demonstrate whether beta-carotene has a role as adjunct therapy in treatment of HIV-infected patients.


The volume of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities
is increasing worldwide; the European Union considers CSR to be
one of the ways to achieve the most competitive economy and CSR
awareness is also rising among companies in the Czech Republic,
their customers, and the public. Bearing this in mind,
Fairtrade goods, a subset of CSR and sustainable development,
is an attractive step for vendors to take towards their
customers. In this paper, we try to learn who the buyers of
Fairtrade products are and what their motivation is in order to
help Fairtrade dealers know their target group better, while at
the same time helping expand this target group for
organizations such as Fairtrade Czech Republic. We utilize an
empirical survey and employ both univariate and bivariate
statistical analyses (descriptives, associations, correlations)
for this purpose. While some previous findings were confirmed,
such as (the influence of age and education on Fairtrade
purchasing behavior, moral principles and quality of the
product being stated as the most important motives to buy
Fairtrade products, the significance of the Fairtrade logo and
certificate for the buyers` awareness) one was disproved.
According to the gathered data, the economic situation of a
household does not affect Fairtrade purchasing behavior.


Nuclear reaction rates are quantities of fundamental importance in astrophysics. Substantial efforts have been devoted in the last decades to measuring or calculating them. This paper presents a detailed description of the Brussels nuclear reaction rate library BRUSLIB and of the nuclear network generator NETGEN. BRUSLIB is made of two parts. The first one contains the 1999 NACRE compilation based on experimental data for 86 reactions with (mainly) stable targets up to Si. BRUSLIB provides an electronic link to the published, as well as to a large body of unpublished, NACRE data containing adopted rates, as well as lower and upper limits. The second part of BRUSLIB concerns nuclear reaction rate predictions to complement the experimentally-based rates. An electronic access is provided to tables of rates calculated within a statistical Hauser-Feshbach approximation, which limits the reliability of the rates to reactions producing compound nuclei with a high enough level density. These calculations make use of global and coherent microscopic nuclear models for the quantities entering the rate calculations. The use of such models makes the BRUSLIB rate library unique. A description of the Nuclear Network Generator NETGEN that complements the BRUSLIB package is also presented. NETGEN is a tool to generate nuclear reaction rates for temperature grids specified by the user. The information it provides can be used for a large variety of applications, including Big Bang nucleosynthesis, the energy generation and nucleosynthesis associated with the non-explosive and explosive hydrogen to silicon burning stages, or the synthesis of the heavy nuclides through the s-, α -a ndr-, rp -o rp-processes.


A detailed study of positron lifetimes in heavily gamma-irradiated NaCl single crystals, which undergo a pulsed thermal annealing treatment up to 740 degrees C, is presented. Above 300 degrees C, at which temperature the samples are completely bleached, two exponential terms suffice to fit the lifetime curve. While the shortest lifetime tau 1 does not depend upon the annealing temperature and has a value close to that found in unirradiated samples, the other lifetime tau 2 exhibits a monotonic increase with annealing temperature and two recovery stages at about 340 and 540 degrees C. This pattern parallels the thermal recovery of the ionic conductivity of irradiated NaCl. It is suggested that tau 2 reflects the annihilation of positrons at cation vacancies thermally released from radiation-induced divacancies. The tau 2 evolution with the annealing temperature has been analysed in terms of a trapping model and a value of 1.96+or-0.08 eV for the divacancy formation enthalpy is obtained.


The attitude towards language learning is a critical factor in the ESL context. Attitude is characterized by a large proportion of emotional involvement such as feelings, and self-relationships in the community. The fear of language learning has a negative impact on a learner's future learning encounters and affects future learning possibilities. The objective of this research paper is to focus on the impact of fear or anxiety in language learning, specifically related to speaking, reading and writing. Quantitative and qualitative methodology have been employed. Forty-six students from the Faculty of Science, and the teachers who were assigned to teach English for science students were selected for this study. Data was collected from classroom observation, a questionnaire and interviews. The study reveals that the fear of speech frequently occurred because of the unconducive environment and fear of negative evaluation. Fear of reading and writing are also to be observed due to the lack of technical skills among students and lack of practice. Fear is a vicious cyclic process. So the study recommends that teachers explore and provide suggestions on how to alleviate the fear that is embedded among students related to language skills.


Initial low cost of pesticides and lack of knowledge on the part of agricultural producers has led to an overuse of pesticides, with dangerous consequences. On the other hand, today pesticides have an important role in the increment of agriculture products. Therefore, in recent years, the major aims of agricultural, environmental and even the food industry researchers have been to reduce the usage of chemical materials in agricultural applications. To achieve this, variable rate application in sprayers using different technologies such as machine vision, ultrasonic sensors, spectrometry, laser scanning, as well as pest identification and classification, have been applied in recent studies. This paper reviews these works reported in the 21 century. In addition, the best result is suggested in the conclusion section for future studies.


OBJECTIVE
To examine whether severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) carries a -238 or +489 tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) genotype different from mild-moderate RA.

METHODS
We investigated 163 patients (66 with severe disease) and 67 healthy blood donor controls. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

RESULTS
Patients with severe RA (all active disease despite disease modifying antirheumatic drug combination therapy) disclosed the -238 GG genotype in 100% of cases versus 92.8% of the mild-moderates and 92.5% of controls (OR 11.7, Cl 0.6-216, p = 0.03). The +489 AA genotype was seen less often in patients than in controls (OR 4.2. CI 0.97-18.4, p = 0.045), and the contribution to this trend appeared predominant in the anti-TNF treated subgroup.

CONCLUSION
The -238 AG genotype was absent in severe RA; in contrast, patients with mild-moderate RA disclosed the same frequency as controls. Thus -238 GG homozygosity is associated with severe RA. The +489 AA genotype might instead protect against worse outcome in RA.


Electromagnetic fields are created by radiofrequency waves. However, the RF emitted by a mobile phone's antenna is insufficient to cause significant heating of tissues in the ear or head. The focus of this research is to look further into SAR measurement of how much RF radiation is absorbed by tissues in the human body. A CST Microwave studio, a high-performance 3D EM analysis software, is used for this project to design, analyse, and measure electromagnetic (EM) components and systems, and perform SAR calculation as a post-processing step after the simulation. It is shown in the result that the human body does absorb energy from radiofrequency radiation emitting devices. Heating to the area of the body where a cell phone is held is the only consistently recognized biological effect of radiofrequency radiation absorption in humans, but heating is insufficient to measurably increase the body temperature.


Three experiments were conducted to study sow and pig behavior during the 1st 3 d after birth and pig survival during the 1st 2 wk after farrowing. In Exp. 1, 23 sows were housed in conventional farrowing crates that were divided into five sections: a .5- x 1.5-m front creep section and the remaining area divided into four sections, .75 x 1.05 m each. Air temperature was maintained at 19 degrees C, and a 250-W heat lamp was placed at the right side of the front creep in Treatment 1 (T1), or in the creep at the right side of the sow for Treatment 2 (T2). The percentage of pigs within 8 cm of the sow's trunk was not affected by treatment, but it decreased (P < .001) from 61.8 +/- 3.4% on d 1 to 28.1 +/- 3.5% on d 3. As the percentage of pigs near the sow decreased, the percentage of pigs within the section containing the heat lamp increased (T1, P < .05; T2, P < .10). Experiment 2 involved 15 sows and litters housed as in Exp. 1, except that heat lamps were not provided, and average air temperature was 27.3 +/- .2 degrees C during behavioral observations. Even though the portion of the litter near the sow decreased (P < .001) from d 1 to d 3 (d 1, 57.0 +/- 3.4%; d 2, 42.9 +/- 3.3%; d 3, 31.7 +/- 3.3%), pigs did not concentrate in any specific section as they moved away from the sow. The average number of pigs within the front creep section (Section 1) for the 3-d period was less than (P < .01) the number in any other crate section. Experiment 3 involved 147 sows and tested the effect of solid creep floor covering on pig survival for each of the heat lamp locations used in Exp. 1. Neither heat lamp location nor floor covering affected pig survival. During the 1st 3 d of life, pigs tend to lie near the sow regardless of heat lamp location or air temperature. Heat lamp position and floor covering under the lamp do not affect pig survival.


Competence management and management by competences are new concerns among academics and professionals. In this paper we argue that the most appropriate way to advance in the construction of a new managerial approach is by relating competence to the strategy of the organization. To make that operational we develop an analytical framework. Since competence has slightly different meanings in the North American and European literature, we first proceed to a revision of conceptual approaches. The analytical framework was empirically tested in a field survey conducted among companies in the Brazilian telecommunications industry.


While games have been usually associated with pure fun for the sake of it, social isolation, procrastination and the lack of a greater purpose anchored in reality, lately they have shed partly these attributes through demonstrating their potential association with hard work, harnessing the power of communities and as sources for generating social value. However, although playing games does not, yet, enable individuals to save the world, a growing number of them still offer the opportunity to change the life of a limited group of people. Changing the way people relate to each other and the actions they choose to take when addressing matters such as racism, poverty or environment issues has proven rather difficult. Ways of triggering the transition from awareness to actual involvement for a growing number of individuals involve CSR campaigns and actions of social enterprises that focus on a clear, specific goal, team work, competition, emphasizing each individual's agency, and presenting a selected figure or group of people to create a visual representation of the target. This paper analyzes the means through which social change is generated through the employment of these aspects as elements that stand at the core of games in general, and video games in particular. Further on, it aims at categorizing the unique features belonging to social change dedicated video games based on their determined ability to enable a higher degree of participation both in terms of intensity and in terms of scope, when addressing social causes, and determine the actual nature of their impact. Last, but not least, the paper ends with a discussion regarding the ways in which the experience created by games could be integrated by social actors to generate the impact desired.


Concerted action by political, social and private actors at the local level can be very useful for promoting economic competitiveness, but in order for it to become a reality it would be essential for the local communities to have greater autonomy and resources, as well as equal opportunities. This article begins by investigating the conditions required in order to ensure that the deeper political decentralization needed for local development will promote efficiency and equity, as well as the ways in which transfer systems can become decisive means for increasing equity and generating greater efficiency. Within this theoretical framework, an analysis is then made of the basic transfer systems used in the older and/or more advanced decentralization processes of the region, and some guidelines are proposed not only for making local development viable in the conditions in question but also for progressing in building fuller citizenship. /


Author(s): Lin, H.; Nwugo, C. C.; Duan, Y. | Abstract: Huanglongbing (HLB) is a highly devastating citrus disease and represents a major threat to the citrus industries in US. The etiology of HLB worldwide is associated with three insect-transmissible phloem-limited members of the bacterial group 'Candidatus Liberibacter spp.', prevalently 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus' (Las). All citrus cultivars are susceptible to HLB. To better understand the physiological and molecular processes involved in host responses to Las, proteomic analyses via 2-DE and mass spectrometry as well as ICP spectroscopy analysis were employed to elucidate protein expression profiles in leaves of Las-infected grapefruit and lemon plants at presymptomatic and symptomatic stages of the disease. Las-mediated down-regulation of 56 proteins including those associated with photosynthesis, protein synthesis, and metabolism was correlated with significant reductions in the concentrations of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu, especially in symptomatic plants. Interestingly, Las-mediated up-regulation of 13 proteins including those associated with pathogen response, redox-homeostasis, and starch anabolism was correlated with an increase in K concentration in pre-symptomatic and symptomatic plants. Since starch synthase requires K for activation, this result highlights a coordinated accumulation of granule-bound starch synthase and K in Las-infected plants. Analysis of host responses to HLB provides new information concerning physiological and biochemical processes of citrus to HLB. Those proteins that are up regulated specifically in response to Las infection could be useful biomarkers to develop a host-based diagnostic tool for early detection of HLB-affected citrus plants.


A crucial role in ejaculation is thought to be played by a population of lumbar spino‐thalamic neurons (LSt), which express galanin and other neuropeptides. In rats, these neurons are activated with ejaculation and their lesion selectively abolishes ejaculation but not other mating behaviors. Consistently with their role, in adult rats and humans, LSt neurons are sexually dimorphic, being more numerous in males. Here we examined whether sexual dimorphism arises early in development, using a transgenic mouse line in which the expression of fluorescent protein is driven by the galanin promoter. We focused on postnatal day 4, shortly after a transient perinatal androgen surge in males that could play an organizational role in LSt development. We found a population of brightly fluorescent neurons organized in bilateral columns dorsolateral to the central canal in segments L1–L5, the expected location of the LSt group. Their number was close to that of adult preparations and significantly greater in male than in female siblings (+19%; CI95%: +13% to +27%; p < .01). This was not due to a generalized higher galanin expression in the male since fluorescent L4 DRG neurons, innervating the hindlimbs and lower back, were not significantly dimorphic (−4%; CI95%: −10% to +8%; p = .92). Unexpectedly, we found in cervical segments a population of fluorescent neurons having a location relative to the central canal similar to the LSt. Thus, the LSt group is sexually dimorphic soon after birth. However, it is possible that only a subset of its neurons participate in the control of ejaculation.


With the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains, Acinetobacter baumannii infection is becoming a thorny health problem in hospitals. However, there are no licensed vaccines against A. baumannii. Acinetobacter trimeric autotransporter (Ata) is an important known virulence factor located on the outer membrane of bacteria. Herein, we carried out a series of experiments to test the immunogenicity of a short C-terminal extracellular region of Ata (Ataα, only containing 39 amino acids) in a murine model. The short peptide Ataα was fused with the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), which has been reported to have immunoadjuvant activity. The fusion protein showed no inflammation and organ damages, and have the ability to elicit both Th1 and Th2 immune responses in mice. The bactericidal activities against A. baumannii and prophylactic effects of the fusion protein were further evidenced by a significant reduction in the bacterial load in the organs and blood. In addition, the candidate vaccine could provide broad protection against lethal challenges with a variety of A. baumannii strains. Moreover, when CpG was added on the basis of aluminum adjuvant, the immune response, especially cellular immunity, could be further strengthened. Overall, these results revealed that the Ataα is a promising vaccine target against A. baumannii infection.


Background Cognitive decline is one of the most marked symptoms of Huntington's Disease (HD). Hence, sensitive assessments that can measure subtle signs of declining cognitive function and serve as endpoints in interventional designs are needed. Currently, the most commonly used measure is the cognitive battery from the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS), comprising a version of the Stroop colour-word-test, a verbal fluency test, as well as the Symbol Digit Modalities Test. Aims We wanted to investigate how precisely the tests of the UHDRS cognitive battery measure disease severity and progression in the cognitive domain. In the longitudinal REGISTRY cohort we analysed the performance of these cognitive tests over four consecutive years. Materials and Methods In a dataset of 2703 Subjects from 16 countries several statistical measures were applied. All cognitive tests including two additional interference score variants for the Stroop test were correlated to other disease markers in HD. Mean differences from baseline were computed for three consecutive years and tested for statistical significance. A mixed model was run to estimate the yearly change in per cent for each of the test scores. Results Correlations to other disease markers were low to moderate. All tests failed to show significant decline after 1 year and most also failed to show significant decline after 2 years. Yearly change in per cent as calculated by the mixed model was not significant for Stroop word reading, the two Stroop interference scores and the verbal fluency test. For all other tests, percentages of change were small but significant. Conclusions The UHDRS cognitive battery seems to be insensitive to subtle change in the cognitive domain and may not be suitable as a sole endpoint in interventional studies.


The practical application of statistical power is becoming an increasingly important part of experimental design, data analysis, and reporting. Power is essential to estimating sample size as part of planning studies and obtaining ethical approval for them. Furthermore, power is essential for publishing and interpreting negative results. In this manuscript, we review what power is, how it can be calculated, and reporting recommendations if a null result is found. Power can be thought of as reflecting the signal to noise ratio of an experiment. The conventional wisdom that statistical power is driven by sample size (which increases the signal in the data), while true, is a misleading oversimplification. Relatively little discussion covers the use of experimental designs which control and reduce noise. Even small improvements in experimentaldesign can achieve high power at much lower sample sizes than (for instance) a simple t test. Failure to report experimentaldesign or the proposed statistical test on animal care and use protocols creates a dilemma for IACUCs, because it is unknownwhether sample size has been correctly calculated. Traditional power calculations, which are primarily provided for animal number justifications, are only available for simple, yet low powered, experimental designs, such as paired t tests. Thus, in most controlled experimental studies, the only analyses for which power can be calculated are those that inheriently have low statistical power; these analyses should not be used because they require more animals than necessary. We provide suggestions for more powerful experimental designs (such as randomized block and factorial designs) that increase power, and we describe methods to easily calculate sample size for these designs that are suitable for IACUC number justifications. Finally we also provide recommendations for reporting negative results, so that readers and reviewers can determine whetheran experiment had sufficient power. The use of more sophisticated designs in animal experiments will inevitably improve power, reproducibility, and reduce animal use.