Recent studies have been conducted to indicate the ineffective usage of licensed bands due to the static spectrum allocation. In order to improve the spectrum utilization, the cognitive radio (CR) is therefore suggested to dynamically exploit the opportunistic primary frequency spectrums. How to provide efficient spectrum handoff has been considered a crucial issue in the CR networks. Existing spectrum handoff algorithms assume that all the channels within the network can be correctly sensed by the CR users in order to perform appropriate spectrum hand-off process. However, this assumption is considered impracticable in realistic circumstances primarily due to the excessive time required for the CR user to sense the entire spectrum space. In this paper, the partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) is exploited to estimate the network information by partially sensing the frequency spectrums. A POMDP-based spectrum handoff (POSH) scheme is proposed to determine the optimal target channel for spectrum handoff according to the partially observable channel state information. By adopting the policy resulted from the POSH algorithm for target channel selection, minimal waiting time at each occurrence of spectrum handoff can be achieved. Numerical results illustrate that the proposed POSH scheme can effectively minimize the required waiting time for spectrum handoff in the CR networks.


Electric current conduction properties of screen printed superconducting BiSrCaCuO films on alumina substrates were investigated. The film contains the low Tc 2212 phase. The temperature dependence of Hc2 and of critical current were determined from the magnetic field dependence of resistance-temperature curves and from current-voltage characteristics. The film cross section dependence of critical current density and change in the shape of current-voltage curves due to the cross section reduction of the film were observed. Quantum interference inherent in the film was demonstrated.


The father/son team follows Blues Journey (BCCB 6/03) with a jazz encore, a splashier, if somewhat more uneven, effort. Fifteen poems spotlight a variety of jazz forms, from New Orleans funerals to be-bop, from stride piano to blues. W. D. Myers goes far to corral the various styles and translate them to the printed page in boldly counterpointed alternating lines (the left hand of the stride piano), scriptfont asides that weave through the bluesy "Oh, Miss Kitty," and musical direction that changes the pace halfway through the "Good-Bye to Old Bob Johnson." At their best, poems startle with flashes of playful imagery: "Heard a sad song/ Swung it into joy/ Heard a bad tune/ Spanked it like a naughty boy." Others, though, are more predictable: "Sweet and gentle, so surprising/ Music fills us, hear it rising/ Like a charming angel choir/ Reaching, preaching souls on fire." C. Myers creates a gallery of instrumentalists and divas whose slightly elongated, sinuous forms are sometimes contemplative, sometimes snaking in fluid motion, often ignited in primary colors, occasionally flanked by deep, moody shadows. Although only black performers are visually represented here, Myers' introduction does address the fusion (collision?) of influences from African and European traditions that gave birth to this American musical idiom. Additionally, the appended glossary of jazz terms is likely to contribute to fuller enjoyment of the poems, and a timeline of jazz greats (which does not explicitly coordinate with subjects of the poems) provides additional information. EB


We report a general strategy for the spontaneous segregation of electron-rich and electron-poor pi-conjugated moieties using mutually phobic aliphatic fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon interactions.


The present research examines the long-hypothesized association between variability of self-esteem and emotional reactivity within the context of peer interactions. Self-esteem variability is defined as short-term fluctuations in self-esteem and operationalized as the standard deviation of multiple assessments. Emotional reactivity is defined as the association between the perception of an event and the emotional response to it. 102 male adolescents (ages 13 to 15) participated in the research. Multiple data on self-perceived social competence were collected using Time Sampling. These repeated data were averaged into a measure of level of perceived social competence and the standard deviation used as a measure of variability of perceived social competence. Using the Experience Sampling Method, repeated data were collected in situ on the perceptions of the quality of participants' peer interactions (1144 distinct peer events) and on the emotional reactions following them as measured by scales of sadness, anxiety, anger and positive affect. Individual difference data (e.g., popularity) were collected during group testing. Hierarchical Linear Modeling was used for analyses. The predictive power of (1) level and (2) variability of perceived social competence, (3) emotional distress (measured with depression and anxiety scales), (4) popularity (measured by peer rated friendship nominations and liking ratings), (5) scores on Stability of Self scale and (6) the interaction between level and variability of perceived social competence were tested concurrently. Consistent with hypotheses, variability was associated with increased emotional reactivity to events, that is, it was a significant moderator of the association between perceptions of interaction quality and feelings of sadness, anxiety and positive affect. For example, participants with higher variability reported more sadness when interaction was perceived as negative than did their peers with less variable perceived social competence; no differences between participants were noted when the interaction was perceived as positive. Emotional distress was a significant predictor of the negative association between interaction quality and feelings of anger. Popularity acted as a 'buffer' to temper the association between interaction quality and sadness. Consistent with hypotheses, variability of perceived social competence was a significant predictor of higher levels of sadness, anxiety and anger. Unexpectedly, average level of perceived social competence was a significant predictor of higher levels of sadness, anxiety and anger. Results are discussed in terms of the nature and measurement of self-esteem variability, its role as a vulnerability factor for the experience of negative affect, and popularity's role as a protective factor.


The growing antimicrobial resistance crisis necessitates the discovery and development of novel classes of antibiotics if a 'postantibiotic era' is to be avoided. Ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptides, or RiPPs, are becoming increasingly recognised as a potential source of antimicrobial drugs. This is due to a combination of their potent antimicrobial activity and their high stability relative to unmodified linear peptides. However, as peptide drugs, their clinical development is often perturbed by issues such as low solubility and poor bioavailability. Chemical synthesis has the potential to overcome some of these challenges. Furthermore, the structural complexity of RiPPs makes them interesting synthetic targets in their own right, with the total synthesis of some structural classes having only been recently realised. This review focusses on the use of RiPPs as antimicrobial agents and will highlight various strategies that have been employed to chemically synthesise three major classes of RiPPs: lasso peptides, cyclotides, and lanthipeptides.


This study analyses the interactions and impacts between multiple factors i.e., urban greening, building layout, and meteorological conditions that characterise the urban microclimate and thermal comfort in the urban environment. The focus was on two neighbourhoods of Lecce city (southern Italy) characterised through field campaigns and modelling simulations on a typical hot summer day. Field campaigns were performed to collect greening, building geometry, and microclimate data, which were employed in numerical simulations of several greening scenarios using the Computational Fluid Dynamics-based and microclimate model ENVI-met. Results show that, on a typical summer day, trees may lead to an average daily decrease of air temperature by up to 1.00 °C and an improvement of thermal comfort in terms of Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) by up to 5.53 °C and Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) by up to 0.53. This decrease is more evident when the urban greening (in terms of green surfaces and trees) is increased by 1266 m2 in the first neighbourhood and 1988 m2 in the second one, with respect to the current scenario, proving that shading effect mainly contributes to improving the urban microclimate during daytime. On the contrary, the trapping effect of heat, stored by the surfaces during the day and released during the evening, induces an increase of the spatially averaged MRT by up to 2 °C during the evenings and a slight deterioration of thermal comfort, but only locally where the concentration of high LAD trees is higher. This study contributes to a better understanding of the ecosystem services provided by greening with regard to microclimate and thermal comfort within an urban environment for several hours of the day. It adds knowledge about the role of green areas in a Mediterranean city, an important hot spot of climate change, and thus it can be a guide for important urban regeneration plans.


Thirty immigrant Haitian mothers in Southeast Florida were interviewed regarding their beliefs and practices about preventive health care (illness prevention and health maintenance measures) for infants and preschool children (up to age 5). All mothers used preventive health care measures from both the Western biomedical and traditional Haitian ethnomedical (folk) systems. Ninety-seven percent used magico-religious measures; 47% administered home remedies; 47% gave children over-the-counter drugs; and 35% utilized a variety of measures to ensure cold air did not enter neonates and cause illness or pain. The Haitian mothers considered the preventive health care measures effective because the children remained healthy and will likely use them again. They sought consultation from a variety of individuals who formed their health management groups and child caretaker networks. Infants and toddlers were considered at higher risk than newborns for illness due to "evil harm" inflicted by other people and/or voodoo spirits. Implications for transcultural nursing practice include developing community outreach programs, implementing nursing interventions that combine biomedical and ethnomedical preventive health care measures, and functioning as part of the health management group. The authors wish to thank Maude Vincent, R.N., for her assistance in data gathering and analysis.


Background and purpose: Salvia abrotanoides is considered a medicinal plant and has a broad distribution in Iran. In Iran's traditional medicine, it is also used to treat leishmaniasis, malaria, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and as a disinfectant. This research aimed to determine the anti-Candida component from S. abratonoides and anti-Trichomonas natural compounds from the stems of this plant. Experimental approach: The plant shoots were collected, dried, and after removing the leaves, grounded. Dried plant material was extracted in a maceration tank, concentrated by a Rotavap, degreased, and fractionated by normal column chromatography. Based on anti-fungal screening against Candida species, Fr. 4, with more anti-fungal activity, was selected for phytochemical analysis, by different chromatographic methods on the silica gel column and Sephadex LH-20. Isolated compounds were elucidated by NMR analysis, mass spectrum, and ultraviolet spectroscopy. Anti-fungal effects were investigated using the fungal suspension, incubation, and parasite-counting methods on purified compounds. Antibacterial effects were assessed using the Broth dilution test and reported according to the MIC parameter. Findings/Results: Two diterpenoid compounds named carnosol (compound 1), 11-hydroxy-12-methoxy-20-norabiata-8, 11, 13-trien (compound 2), and a flavonoid: 6,7-dimethoxy-5, 4′-dihydroxyflavone (compound 3) were isolated and identified. Compound 1 had selective anti-fungal effects against C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. parapsilosis, but weak toxicity against Trichomonas vaginalis with IC50 of 675.8μg/mL, less than metronidazole with an IC50 of 13.2 μg/mL. Conclusion and implications: Carnosol as the main component was assayed against Candida, Aspergillus, Rhizopus, and Trichomanas species. The results confirmed its effect on Candida compared to standard drugs.


Diel migrations between habitats containing different levels of food abundance is a common phenomenon among marine organisms, both vertebrate and invertebrate. We hypothesize that in many cases this behavior constitutes a response to diel changes in the relationship between potential feeding rates and predation risks in the different habitats. For planktivores that locate their prey by sight (such as juvenile sockeye salmon) and that in turn are subject to predators that use sight to locate them, the diel time profiles of potential feeding rate and predation risk in near-surface waters may be determined largely by the relative densities of prey at the two trophic levels. A simple model of aquatic predation leads us to hypothesize the existence of brief "antipredation windows" for feeding at dawn and dusk. If this hypothesis is valid, then the optimal behavior for pelagic planktivores is to migrate into surface waters to feed during these two daily windows and to migrate to deeper, less illuminated waters during daylight hours. (Our model does not predict any specific nocturnal migration pattern.) Our arguments can also be used to predict optimal migration patterns for contact-feeding zooplankton subject to visual predation. The resulting predictions agree qualitatively with many observed patterns of diel vertical migration.


AIM
To determine the effects of high osmolarity contrast media (HOCM) and iso-osmolar contrast media (CM) application, with or without pressure, on hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) system.

METHODS
Sixty rats were divided into six equal groups as follows: Group 1: (0.9% NaCl, control), Group 2: (diatrizoate meglumine Na, ionic HOCM, Urographin), Group 3: (iodixanol, iso-osmolar non-ionic CM, Visipaque); each of which was applied without pressure, whereas the animals of the remaining three groups (1p, 2p, 3p) were subjected to the same CM with pressure. We performed a duodenal puncture and introduced a catheter into the ampulla. After the catheterization, 0.2 mL CM or 0.9% NaCl was injected with or without pressure. Blood samples were taken for biochemical evaluations. The histopathological examinations of liver, common bile duct, and pancreas were performed.

RESULTS
There were no significant differences between the six groups for blood amylase, alanine aminotransferases, aspartate aminotransferases, bilirubin levels (P > 0.05). Alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transaminase levels were higher (P < 0.05) in the Urographin groups (2, 2p) than the Visipaque groups (3, 3p), or control groups (1, 1p). Hepatocyte necrosis, portal area inflammation, and Kupffer's cell hyperplasia were higher (P < 0.05) in the study groups than the control group. However, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between HOCM (2, 2p) and iso-osmolar CM (3, 3p) groups. Bile duct proliferation and regeneration in the Urographin groups (2, 2p) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the Visipaque groups (3, 3p) or the control groups (1, 1p). Although CM caused minor damage to the pancreas, there were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) between the groups. Application of the CM with pressure did not cause additional damage to the HPB system.

CONCLUSION
Iso-osmolar, non-ionic CM could be more reliable than the ionic HOCM, whereas the application of pressure during the CM application had no effect on the HPB system.


Gly216 in the active site of the broadly specific MA190 mutant of alpha-lytic protease has been found to be remarkably tolerant of amino acid substitutions. Side-chains as large as Trp can be accommodated within the substrate-binding pocket without abolishing catalysis, and have major effects upon the substrate specificity of the enzyme. Kinetic characterization of eleven enzymatically active mutants against a panel of eight substrates clearly revealed the functional consequences of the substitutions at position 216. To understand better the structural basis for their altered specificity, the GA216 + MA190 and GL216 + MA190 mutants have been crystallized both with and without a representative series of peptide boronic acid transition-state analog inhibitors. An empirical description and non-parametric statistical analysis of structural variation among these enzyme: inhibitor complexes is presented. The roles of active site plasticity and dynamics in alpha-lytic protease function and substrate preference are also addressed. The results strongly suggest that substrate specificity determination in alpha-lytic protease is a distributed property of the active site and substrate molecule.


The intelligent transportation system (ITS) is envisioned by linking existing and emerging technologies of computers, wireless radio communications systems and sophisticated sensors to be used in vehicles and roads. IEEE 802.15.4 is a new standard designed for low rate wireless personal area networks (LR_WPANs) with a focus on enabling wireless sensor networks for vehicular, residential, commercial and industrial applications. This standard is characterized for its simplicity, low data rate, low power consumption and low cost in networks. The release of IEEE 802.15.4 is anticipated to make a significant contribution to the application of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to ITS. In this article we first give a brief description of IEEE 802.15.4 standard and the characteristic of 802.15.4 for WSNs, then present a few application scenarios in vehicles and roads to show the potential applicability to which the new standard can be used to enable WSNs in ITS


Diffusion barrier properties of TiN films to silicon and the Cu9Al4 compound have been studied using Auger electron spectroscopy. The experimental results indicate that the TiN layer of 800 A is effective as a diffusion barrier at 670°C. It is found that the reaction of Al in the compound with Ti in the barrier results in the failure of the system due to intermixing of elements at 700°C. The failure temperature of 700°C, which is higher than that of aluminum or copper metallization, is due to the stability of the Cu9Al4 compound itself.


The northern Gulf of Mexico has been an important source for crude oil and natural gas extraction since the 1930s. Thousands of fixed platforms and associated equipment have been installed on the Gulf of Mexico continental shelf, leading to a pervasive 'ocean sprawl.' After decommissioning, 100s of these structures have been converted to artificial reefs under the federal 'Rigs-to-Reefs' program, in addition to artificial reefs specifically designed to enhance fisheries and/or benefit the recreational diving industry. Apart from a few natural banks, which reach to approximately 55 ft below the surface, artificial reefs provide the only shallow-water hard substrate for benthic organisms in the deeper waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. This vast expansion in available habitat has almost exclusively occurred over a relatively short span of time (∼50 years). The ecological interactions of artificial and natural reefs in the northern Gulf of Mexico are complex. Artificial reefs in general, and oil and gas structures in particular, have often been invoked as stepping stones for non-native and invasive species (e.g., Tubastrea cup corals, lionfish). The pilings are covered with fouling communities which remain largely unstudied. While the risks of these fouling organisms for invading natural reefs are being broadly discussed, other impacts on the ecological and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico, such as the potential to facilitate jellyfish blooms or increase the incidence of ciguatera fish poisoning, have received less attention. Artificial reefs also provide ecosystem services, particularly as habitat for economically important fish species like red snapper. Here we revisit the potential role of artificial reefs as 'stepping stones' for species invasions and for fisheries enhancement. Beyond concerns about ecological effects, some of these topics also raise public health concerns. We point out gaps in current knowledge and propose future research directions.


In the scope of consumption law, the definition of consumer has been one of the most difficult and troublesome to delimit. Several legislative definitions of consumers have been adopted in Compared law. Besides in Colombian law the legal definition of consumer has been delimited by the doctrine of the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce and by the case law of the Supreme Court of Justice. This article is the product of a research that intends to take a tour in the scope of Compared and Colombian law with the purpose of establishing the advancements, the common points and the difference in the definition or notion of consumer in these fields of law. For this purpose have been used the legal definitions and the doctrine comments existing in Compared law in regards to this topic, making special emphasis in the European Community Law and in the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Community, in which the protection to consumers has had ample development. The main result is that the definition of consumer in most cases is legally delimited and is set forth as the entity or person acquiring goods or services as final users, for utilizing it or them as personal, family or household use (non professional)


The aim of this study is to investigate the potential and capability of Al-CNT, Si-CNT, and SiC-NT to detect and adsorb Hydroxychloroquine (C18H26ClN3O) molecular. For this purpose, we considered different configurations for adsorbing Hydroxychloroquine drug on the surface of Al-CNT, Si-CNT, and SiC-NT nanocluster. All considered configurations are optimized using DFT theory at the 6-31G** basis set and M062x level of theory, and then from optimized structures, for each nanoparticle, we selected four stable models for the adsorption of Hydroxychloroquine from (O, N, N, and Cl) sites on the surface the selected nanoparticles. The calculated results indicate that the distance between nanocluster and drug from N site is lower than from all other locations sites for all investigated nanoparticles, and adsorption of Hydroxychloroquine from N site is more favorable especially for the Al-CNT nanotube. The adsorption energy, hardness, softness, and fermi energy results reveal that the interaction of Hydroxychloroquine with Al-CNT is stronger than Si-CNT, and SiC-NT. The results clarify that SiC-NT and Si-CNT are not suitable for Hydroxychloroquine drug adsorption because of the low values of Eads, but Al-CNT is an encouraging adsorbent for this drug as Eads of Hydroxychloroquine/Al-CNT complexes are (-45.07, -15.78, -45.15, -93.53) kcal/mol in the gas phase, and (-43.02, -14.43, -43.86, -88.97) kcal/mol for aqueous solution. The energy gap of the Hydroxychloroquine/Al-CNT system is in the range of 2.32 to 3.84 eV. which is in the range of Al-CNT (2.68). Besides, the HOMO-LUMO orbitals and electrostatic potential (ESP) plots results show that the maximum positive charge is located around the nanocluster surface and the most negative charge is located around the adsorption position and Hydroxychloroquine drug surface. As well, the appropriate and spontaneous interaction between Hydroxychloroquine drug and all nanoparticles was confirmed by investigating the quantum chemical molecular descriptors and solvation Gibbs free energies of all atoms. Al-CNT can be used as an amperometric sensor to detect the Hydroxychloroquine drug molecule. Thus, we propose that the Al-CNT can be a promising candidate as a drug delivery vehicle for Hydroxychloroquine drug molecules.


Mobile Robots are increasingly working in close interaction with human beings in environments as diverse as homes, hospitals, public spaces, public transportation systems and disaster areas. The situation is similar when it comes to Autonomous Vehicles, which are equipped with robot-like capabilities (sensing, decision and control). Such robots must balance constraints such as safety, efficiency and autonomy, while addressing the novel problems of acceptability and human-robot interaction. Given the high stakes involved, developing these technologies is clearly a major challenge for both the industry and the human society.
The objective of this course is to introduce the key concepts required to program mobile robots and autonomous vehicles. The course presents both formal and algorithmic tools, and it also provides realistic examples and programming exercises in Python. It covers topics such as Sensor-based mapping and localization, Fusing noisy and multi-modal data to improve robustness, and Integrating human knowledge to be used for scene interpretation and decision-making.


We examine the effect of corporate diversification on the equity-issue process in a sample of 641 equity issues from 1983 to 1994. We find that issues by diversified firms are viewed less negatively by the market than are issues by focused firms. This finding supports the hypothesis that diversification helps alleviate asymmetric information problems. Our results appear inconsistent with the hypothesis that reduced transparency exacerbates asymmetric information problems for diversified firms. The results also appear inconsistent with the hypothesis that the market anticipates that the funds raised from equity issues by diversified firms will be invested in particularly poor projects. Copyright 2001 by University of Chicago Press.


M. Shahe Emran and Joseph E. Stiglitz [Emran, M. S., and J. E. Stiglitz. 2005. "On Selective Indirect Tax Reform in Developing Countries." Journal of Public Economics 89: 599–623] demonstrate that a revenue-neutral indirect tax reform, in which value-added tax (VAT) is increased to compensate for any revenue loss from tariff cuts, reduces welfare because of the strong substitutability in consumption between formal and informal commodities. This paper reconsiders this result, showing that indirect tax reform, if designed in a consumption-neutral fashion, improves welfare, even under strong substitutability, and discusses the revenue and distributional implications of the proposed reform.


Objective Despite being the subject of many studies over the past two decades, mechanisms underlying psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are still poorly understood. We tried to address this issue by utilizing brain functional connectivity analysis to identify brain regions with abnormal activities in patients with PNES. In a case-control study, we performed graph based network analysis, a robust technique that determines the organization of brain connectivity and characterizes topological properties of the brain networks. Methods Twelve individuals with PNES and twenty-one healthy control subjects were examined. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) was acquired. All subjects were asked to keep their eyes open during the scanning process. The rsfMRI analysis consisted of pre-processing, extracting the functional connectivity matrix (FCM) based on the AAL atlas, threshold for binary FCM, constructing a graph network from FCM and extracting graph features, and finally statistical analysis. For all cortical and subcortical regions of the AAL atlas, we calculated measures of 'degree,' which is one of the features of the graph theory. Results: Our results revealed that, as compared to the healthy control subjects, patients with PNES had a significantly lower degree in some brain regions including their left and right insula (INS), right Putamen (PUT), left and right Supramarginal gyrus (SMG), right Middle occipital gyrus (MOG), and left and right Rolandic operculum (ROL). In contrast, degree was significantly greater in two regions [i.e., right Caudate (CAU) and left Inferior frontal gyrus orbital part (ORBinf)] in patients with PNES compared to that in controls. Conclusion Our findings suggest that functional connectivity of several major brain regions are different in patients with PNES compared with that in healthy individuals. While there is hypoactivity in regions important in perception, motor control, self- awareness, and cognitive functioning (e.g., insula) and also movement regulation (e.g., putamen), there is hyperactivity in areas involved in feedback processing (i.e., using information from past experiences to influence future actions and decisions) (e.g., caudate) in patients with PNES. The observation that individuals with PNES suffer from a wide range of abnormal activities in functional connectivity of their brain networks is consistent with the fact that PNES occur in a heterogeneous patient population; no single mechanism or contributing factor could explain PNES in all patients.


The asymmetric nature of single-molecule (SM) dipole emission patterns limits the accuracy of position determination in localization-based super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. The degree of mislocalization depends highly on the rotational mobility of SMs; only for SMs rotating within a cone half angle α > 60° can mislocalization errors be bounded to ≤10 nm. Simulations demonstrate how low or high rotational mobility can cause resolution degradation or distortion in super-resolution reconstructions.


Aiming at the architectural project cost in the current architecture field,it analyzes how to control project cost from the aspects of design,inviting bid and biding,construction,final estimate,and brings forward some suggestions to control project cost proper in order to get good investment benefits and social benefits.


Abstract The 55Fe activity from nuclear weapons debris have been investigated in lichen, moss, reindeer and man. Lichen and moss were collected from 1956 until 1966 at different places in the world. After the nuclear weapons tests of 1956–58, the activity of 55Fe in lichen was about 10 nCi/kg dry weight. The activity increased rapidly after the high yield events in 1961 and 1962 and reached a maximum value of about 100 nCi/kg dry weight. Reindeer meat samples were collected from 1961 until 1967 at Funasdalen in northern Sweden. There seems to be a seasonal variation of the 55Fe activity in reindeer meat similar to that of 137Cs. The maximum values reached in April 1965, 1966 and 1967 were about 400 nCi/kg dry weight. The biological halftime of iron in reindeer was estimated to be about 150 days. The body burden of 55Fe was estimated by analyzing blood samples from Lapps and non-Lapps. No significant seasonal variation of the 55Fe activity was found. The biological halftime of iron was also estimated. The average annual absorbed dose to the red blood cells during 1965–67 was estimated to be 5 mrad for female Lapps and 2.5 mrad for male Lapps. Because of the high iron concentration in the iron storage proteins, ferritin and haemosiderin, their annual absorbed dose in female and male Lapps was about 800 mrad and 400 mrad respectively. The absorbed dose to be received by the year 2000 from 55Fe released in the major periods of nuclear weapon testing 1954–60 and 1954–62 was estimated.


A unit has been designed which monitors newborn infants at risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in a home environment. The unit monitors respiration, electrocardiogram (ECG) and haemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2) in combination, in order to detect any potentially life threatening event at an early stage. Provision is made for the generation of both audible and silent alarms and for the storage of signals and other information before, during and after an alarm episode for diagnostic purposes. An intelligent fuzzy logic algorithm is used to process the signals monitored and to implement several propositions concerning their status in order to determine the probability of an apnoea event and initiate the appropriate action. This has substantially reduced the number of false alarms and of undetected dangerous situations compared with previous units, which greatly improves the reliability and usefulness of such a monitor.


The dental clinic air microbiome incorporates microbes from the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract (URT). This study aimed to establish a reliable methodology for air sampling in a dental clinic setting and quantify the abundance of culturable mesophilic aerobic bacteria present in these samples using regression modeling. Staphylococcus hominis, a potentially pathogenic bacterium typically found in the human oropharynx and URT, was consistently isolated. S. hominis was the most abundant species of aerobic bacteria (22%–24%) and comprised 60%–80% of all Staphylococcus spp. The study also assessed the susceptibility of S. hominis to 222 nm‐far‐UVC light in laboratory experiments, which showed an exponential surface inactivation constant of k = 0.475 cm2/mJ. This constant is a critical parameter for future on‐site use of far‐UVC light as a technique for reducing pathogenic bacterial load in dental clinics.


Health state of workers in hazardous conditions of copper melting enterprise depends on wide spectrum of somatic occupationally conditioned diseases. Economic damage from workers' health disorders due only to cardiovascular diseases can be considerable. To reduce this damage, hygienic measures are necessary to improve work conditions, to preserve occupational fitness of the workers, other measures to diminish controllable factors of vascular risk and to prevent occupationally conditioned cardiovascular diseases.


PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of having minor children on parents' life satisfaction. Given the demands on working parents in terms of their time and financial resources, the authors suspect a complex interaction between employment and parenthood and explore the effect of parenthood on life satisfaction of mothers and fathers, working parents and those with children of various ages.Design/methodology/approachData from three rounds of the European Social Survey (R3 2006/07, R5 2010/11 and R8 2016/17) are used to account for Ireland's changing economic landscape. Three ordered probit models are estimated examining parents, and mothers and fathers separately.FindingsThe findings indicate that any life satisfaction benefits derived from having children appear to be eroded for working parents. There is a negative association between life satisfaction for working mothers with child(ren) aged between 5 and 12 years. Furthermore, when both parents are working, mothers' life satisfaction is also significantly reduced.Practical implicationsFamily policies and supports can shape the effects of parenthood on individual wellbeing and decisions regarding parenthood. Such policies need to be purposeful for working parents of school going children and consistent with economic strategy and labour market goals.Originality/valueMuch of the existing economic research on individual wellbeing and parenthood are focused on the fertility decision rather than examining the factors affecting the life satisfaction of different cohorts of parents thus leading to more targeted and informed policies. Contemporary weighting methodology is employed.


This paper describes some reflections on the teaching of SSM over a significant period of time. It provides insight on areas of where students have difficulty with the implementation of SSM in an experiential learning context. A generic conceptual model is also provided as this has proved helpful for students in constructing their conceptual models.


Introduction: T his study aimed at investigating the effect of skin to skin contact (SSC) on maternal state anxiety (MSA) in cesarean section unit in Akbarabadi Hospital in Tehran. Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 60 Iranian mothers with at least one record of cesarean section delivery were assigned to two intervention (SSC) and control groups. In the morning shift and two hours after the operation, as a routine postoperative care, pain-killers were given to all mothers. Then the mothers' pain scores were measured using visual analog scale (VAS). If VAS was≤3, MSA was measured by using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Scale (Spiel Berger). Thirty minutes of SSC intervention was done for mothers in the intervention group. Six hours later, in case VAS was ≤ 3, MSA was re-measured by using the Spiel Berger Scale for all mothers. Results: Six hours after implementing the intervention, there were no meaningful statistical differences between the MSA mean scores of the two groups, but severity of MSA in intervention group was less than that of the control group (P=0.037). Six hours after the intervention, there was a significant decrease in the MSA mean score in SSC group (P=0.002). Conclusion: As regards the important role of constant anxiety in developing postpartum depression, and as the results of this study indicate, SSC is recommended in postpartum and especially cesarean section wards.


The Gamma Ray Energy Tracking Array (GRETA) is a 4-{\pi} detector system, currently under development, capable of determining energy, timing and tracking of multiple gamma-ray interactions inside germanium crystals as demonstrated in the Gamma Ray Energy Tracking In-Beam Array (GRETINA). Charge sensitive amplifiers instrument the crystals and their outputs are converted using analog to digital converters for real-time digital processing. In this paper, we will present the design of the detector system and data acquisition. We will describe the real time components of the digital signal-processing path used to find the energy and timing of the gamma rays at low and high rates. We will describe the performance of the data acquisition system hardware and firmware and compare with the requirements.


Summary Using empirical tests on 52 industrial sectors, this paper shows that industrial agglomeration has increased significantly in Europe since 1972. However, important differences can be observed between the sectors. These differences suggest that discrepancies between EU countries - which are emphasised as the Union becomes more integrated - cannot primarily be explained by econo mies of scale but could be explained by classic Heckscher-Ohlin theory. If so, the European Union is increasingly vulnerable to external asymmetric shocks: while integration progresses, the EU decreasingly fulfills the criteria of an optimal currency area.


In the present essay analyzes the roles of the national bourgeoisies in the Latin American societies and individual the behavior of the Venezuelan bourgeoisie and the foreign capital in last the four decades. In this analysis the weak contribution carried out by these sectors in the national development stands out; the evolution and the transformations experienced in each one of the implanted economic models in the country, as well as the main alliances and contradictions established with the rest of the sectors of the society.


Acute intermittent postoperative block of mechanical prostheses is a rare and life-threatening complication; its incidence and treatment are not well defined. Between January 1975 and June 1991, 2839 mechanical prostheses were implanted using the same technique: mattress suture for mitral valve replacement and simple suture for aortic valve replacement. Prosthetic block occurred in eight patients: four following mitral valve replacement and four after aortic valve replacement. The blocked prosthesis was always a tilting disc valve (five Sorin, two Björk—Shiley and one Medtronic). The event occurred over a time interval of 6–48h (mean(s.d.) 17.3 (15.6)h). All patients having mitral valve replacement needed emergency prosthetic replacement. In aortic valve replacement, reoperation was necessary in two patients; the disc block disappeared in the others. All patients are alive with a follow-up ranging between 3 and 168 (mean 32.5) months. No structural failure was found in explanted prostheses leading to a diagnosis of extrinsic block. The overall incidence of this complication was 0.28% (eight of 2839); 0.24% (four of 1645) for mitral valve replacement and 0.33% (four of 1194) for aortic valve replacement respectively (n.s.). It was exclusively related to tilting disc valves (0.44%; eight of 1830) versus ball and bileaflets valve (0 of 1009). In mitral valve replacement reoperation on patients is mandatory; in aortic valve replacement patients the left ventricular pressure itself can overcome the prosthetic block. Attention should be paid to valve excision and suture technique as tilting disc prostheses are more vulnerable to extrinsic block. Furthermore, their use is contraindicated in redo operations and mitral valve replacement with total or partial preservation of mitral apparatus.


We compared physiological ageing parameters in 2 scallops, the temperate
Aequipecten opercularis and the Antarctic Adamussium colbecki. These 2 species are phylogenetically
closely related and display a similar lifestyle but have distinctly different maximum lifespans
(MLSP). A. opercularis does not live longer than 8 to 10 yr, whereas A. colbecki lives over 18 yr. The
development of several physiological ageing parameters over time, chosen according to the 'free radical
theory of ageing', was compared in the 2 species to identify differences in the ageing process. In
the shorter-lived A. opercularis, activities of the mitochondrial enzymes citrate synthase and
cytochrome c oxidase and of the antioxidant enzyme catalase showed a more pronounced decrease
with increasing age than in the longer-lived A. colbecki. In line with this finding, lipofuscin accumulation
increased more distinctly in A. opercularis than in A. colbecki, while tissue protein content
decreased in A. opercularis but increased in A. colbecki. Its better preservation of mitochondrial and
antioxidant enzyme activities and the avoidance of waste accumulation may enable A. colbecki to
live longer than A. opercularis. Mitochondrial function investigated in A. opercularis showed only
minor changes with age, and mitochondrial H2O2 generation rates were low at all ages. We relate our
findings to the 'free radical–rate of living' theory, to the 'uncoupling to survive' hypothesis, and to the
particular lifestyle of these scallops.


Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans are opportunistic pathogens whose interactions involve the secreted products ethanol and phenazines. Here we describe the focal role of ethanol in mixed-species co-cultures by dual RNA-seq analyses. P. aeruginosa and C. albicans transcriptomes were assessed after growth in mono-culture or co-culture with either ethanol-producing C. albicans or a C. albicans mutant lacking the primary ethanol dehydrogenase, Adh1. Analyses using KEGG-pathways and the previously published eADAGE method revealed several P. aeruginosa responses to C. albicans-produced ethanol including the induction of a non-canonical low phosphate response mediated by PhoB. C. albicans wild-type, but not C. albicans adh1Δ/Δ, induces P. aeruginosa production of 5-methyl-phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (5-MPCA), which forms a red derivative within fungal cells. We first demonstrate that PhoB is required for this interaction and that PhoB hyperactivity, via deletion of pstB, leads to increased production of 5-MPCA even when phosphate concentrations are high, but only in the presence of ethanol. Second, we show that ethanol is only sufficient to promote 5-MPCA production at permissive phosphate concentrations. The intersection of ethanol and phosphate in co-culture is mirrored in C. albicans; the adh1Δ/Δ mutant had increased expression of genes regulated by Pho4, the C. albicans transcription factor that responds to low phosphate which we confirmed by showing the adh1Δ/Δ strain had elevated Pho4-dependent phosphatase activity. The dual-dependence on ethanol and phosphate concentrations for anti-fungal production highlights how environmental factors modulate microbial interactions and dictate antagonisms such as those between P. aeruginosa and C. albicans. Author Summary Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans are opportunistic pathogens that are frequently isolated from co-infections. Using a Dual-Seq approach in combination with genetics approaches, we found that ethanol produced by C. albicans stimulates the PhoB regulon in P. aeruginosa asynchronously with activation of the Pho4 regulon in C. albicans. In doing so, we demonstrate that eADAGE-based analysis can improve the understanding of the P. aeruginosa response to ethanol-producing C. albicans as measured by transcriptomics: we identify a subset of PhoB-regulated genes as differentially expressed in response to ethanol. We validate our result by showing that PhoB is necessary for multiple roles in co-culture including the competition for phosphate and the production of 5-methyl-phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, and that the P. aeruginosa response to C. albicans-produced ethanol depends on phosphate availability. The conditional stimulation of virulence production in response to sub-inhibitory concentrations of ethanol only under phosphate limitation highlights the importance of considering nutrient concentrations in the analysis of co-culture interactions.


The suppressing effects of inert nanoparticles on methane–air explosion, in an obstructed chamber with internal dimensions of 150 mm × 150 mm × 500 mm, were experimentally investigated. To this end, the flame behaviors in the presence of obstacles as well as overpressure transients during the explosions with and without nanoparticles were compared. Additionally, the effects of density, diameter, and material of nanoparticles on the suppressing behaviors were analyzed as well. The results showed that the methane–air deflagrating flame remains generally light blue if the nanoparticles are added. In particular, the flame obstacle interaction may enhance the suppression effect of the nanoparticles, and the flame acceleration rate and the peak overpressure decrease significantly. Increasing explosion suppression is seen up to about 100 g m−3 particle density, but further increase in particle density, up to 150 g m−3, yields no further increase in the explosion suppression ability. And as the particle size decreases, the suppressing effect is more evident. The experiments also showed that Al(OH)3, Mg(OH)2, and SiO2 all can be used to suppress the flame propagation and overpressure. However, the metal hydroxides suppress the methane explosions even more efficiently than SiO2 particles; Al(OH)3 particles have a slightly better inhibiting effect than Mg(OH)2. Mechanisms for the observed phenomena were discussed.


DNA vaccines are based on the transfer of genetic material, encoding an antigen, to the cells of the vaccine recipient. Despite high expectations of DNA vaccines as a result of promising preclinical data their clinical utility remains unproven. However, much data is gathered in preclinical and clinical studies about the safety of DNA vaccines. Here we review current knowledge about the safety of DNA vaccines. Safety concerns of DNA vaccines relate to genetic, immunologic, toxic, and environmental effects. In this review we provide an overview of findings related to the safety of DNA vaccines, obtained so far. We conclude that the potential risks of DNA vaccines are minimal. However, their safety issues may differ case-by-case, and they should be treated accordingly.


We present a new single-pulse pipeline for the PALFA survey to efficiently identify single radio pulses from pulsars, rotating radio transients (RRATs), and fast radio bursts (FRBs). We conducted a sensitivity analysis of this new pipeline in which many single pulses were injected into PALFA data and run through the pipeline. We find that for single pulse widths <5 ms, the sensitivity of our new pipeline is at most a factor of ∼2 less sensitive than theoretically predicted. For pulse widths >10 ms, as the DM decreases, the degradation in sensitivity gets worse and can increase up to a factor of ∼4.5. Using this pipeline, we have discovered seven pulsars and two RRATs, and identified three candidate RRATs and one candidate FRB. The confirmed pulsars and RRATs have DMs ranging from 133 to 386 pc cm−3 and flux densities ranging from 20 to 160 mJy. The pulsar periods range from 0.4 to 2.1 s. We report on candidate FRB 141113, which is likely astrophysical and extragalactic, having DM ≃ 400 pc cm−3, which is over the Galactic maximum along this line of sight by ∼100–200 pc cm−3. We consider implications for the FRB population and show via simulations that if FRB 141113 is real and extragalactic, the slope α of the distribution of integral source counts as a function of flux density (N(>S) ∝ S−α) is 1.4 ± 0.5 (95% confidence range). However, this conclusion is dependent on assumptions that require verification.


Polarization-dependent loss (PDL) is regarded as a major distortion in dual-polarization coherent systems. Due to its statistical characteristics, a time-consuming Monte Carlo simulation is usually used to evaluate its penalty. In order to accelerate the simulation speed, a more rapid method, the reversed channel method, is proposed and verified. Compared with the Monte Carlo simulation, for example 105 iterations, simulation time is reduced from 200 h to 15 min, i.e. 800 times less, whereas the accuracy is not degraded. The reversed channel method also indicates that not only the accumulative PDL and amplified spontaneous emission levels but also their distribution profiles along the transmission line affect the system performance.


A simple, non-equilibrium model is used to evaluate the likely DC performance of carbon nanotube field-effect transistors. It is shown that, by appropriate work function engineering of the source, drain and gate contacts to the device, the following desirable properties should be realizable: a sub-threshold slope close to the thermionic limit; a conductance close to the interfacial limit; an ON/OFF ratio of around 103; ON current and transconductance close to the low-quantum-capacitance limit.


The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the concerns and coping abilities of women following a hysterectomy during their first four weeks after hospital discharge. Findings from this study could assist nurses in determining what kind of information and support are needed to prepare women for their recovery after hospital discharge. -- The conceptual framework for this study was based on the theory that women coping with a stressful illness experience, such as having a hysterectomy, is a process that is interpreted differently based on women's perceptions of this event (Cohen & Lazarus, 1979; Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). This would help to explain differences in women's concerns and coping abilities related to having a hysterectomy. -- An exploratory descriptive method was employed for this study. The sample consisted of 60 premenopausal women who had an elective benign hysterectomy. Women with complete or partial ovarian tissue remaining were included. Data were collected from women using a two part structured interview guide constructed by the researcher. Section A included data about biological/demographic information, resources for surgery, hospital experience, expectations, and resources available after surgery. Section B identified women's concerns and severity of concerns and coping actions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. -- The results indicated women did have concerns about themselves during their first four weeks at home after hospital discharge. Most women were able to cope with their concerns, particularly in light of resources available to them. The most frequent concerns identified by women were related to bodily integrity and comfort, and emotions and feelings. -- Despite the fact women coped fairly well with their concerns during the recovery process, deficiencies were identified. Teaching or information prior to discharge was not sufficient. Lack of information about the recovery process, lack of information about specific concerns, and lack of knowledge related to anatomy and physiology were the three major areas of deficiency identified. -- These women returned home early after discharge without benefit of health care support services. Women relied largely on information provided prior to discharge to manage their recovery. Family and friends were also available to help the majority of women after discharge from hospital. However, a number of women also required additional professional services from doctors, nurses, or hospitals. These findings have implications for discharge planning and suggest that women need more information and support services than were provided to them after discharge from hospital. Therefore, nurses need to reassess the kind of information and support services that are provided to women and base discharge planning on patients' concerns.


Current anchor-free object detectors label all the features that spatially fall inside a predefined central region of a ground-truth box as positive. This approach causes label noise during training, since some of these positively labeled features may be on the background or an occluder object, or they are simply not discriminative features. In this paper, we propose a new labeling strategy aimed to reduce the label noise in anchor-free detectors. We sum-pool predictions stemming from individual features into a single prediction. This allows the model to reduce the contributions of non-discriminatory features during training. We develop a new one-stage, anchor-free object detector, PPDet, to employ this labeling strategy during training and a similar prediction pooling method during inference. On the COCO dataset, PPDet achieves the best performance among anchor-free top-down detectors and performs on-par with the other state-of-the-art methods. It also outperforms all major one-stage and two-stage methods in small object detection (${AP}_{S}$ $31.4$). Code is available at this https URL


This paper highlights technical and practical challenges that the authors have faced to create a digital twin (DT) of a piece of manufacturing system, that is production process (i.e., assembly process) to serve system responsiveness (i.e., agility) in an offshore wind turbine manufacturing. It discusses the elements and architectural parameters in development of an agile manufacturing system, where DT of shopfloor and its practical setup is seen as a design element enabling agility in an industrial system. Currently, there is no detailed framework to describe how industries can practically benefit a DT of their production process in a way that their manufacturing systems becomes responsive to perturbations, and ultimately agile. More importantly, there is no detailed study to show potential challenges and their implications during deployment of such a DT. In absence of such a study, this paper proposes a configuration and practical architecture, customized for Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy's (SGRE's) offshore wind turbine (OWT) manufacturing system, that denotes the logic behind such framework for reuse of DT in any typical manufacturing system along with its practical implications, helping other industries to predict potential challenges and estimate realistically the required budget for such implementation. The proposed model-based structure is built up based on the benchmark commonalities and differences of the known developed DT models in manufacturing and production context, incorporating the existing physical and virtual spaces in SGRE's OWT manufacturing system, complemented by supplementary systems and software applications from existing technologies in market. The paper concludes with thoughts on a pilot project in production line of an OWT's generator unit that is under development to verify such a design.


The influence of prolonged low-frequency, low-intensity electric stimulation of the gastrocnemius muscle or of the biceps femoris muscle on blood pressure and heart rate was investigated in unanaesthetized, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In both groups, elevations of blood pressure and heart rate were elicited during the 60 min of muscle stimulation. After cessation of the stimulation, a depressor response developed within 60 min. Thirty to sixty minutes post-stimulation the fall in blood pressure was 19 +/- 3 and 17 +/- 4 mmHg, respectively (mean +/- SE) compared with controls. In both groups, the depressor response lasted for over 5 h. In addition, the gastrocnemius-stimulated animals also developed a post-stimulatory bradycardia. In one group of SHR the sciatic nerve was anaesthetized with bupivacaine. The arousal response during stimulation was similar to that in the other groups, but after termination of stimulation blood pressure returned to the control level without any further drop. To investigate further the neurotransmitters involved, one group of gastrocnemius-stimulated SHR was given naloxone by infusion during the stimulation. A modest post-stimulatory blood pressure fall also occurred in this group, but it lasted only 90 min. Another SHR group was pre-treated with parachlorophenylalanine, a serotonin synthesis blocker, which completely abolished the post-stimulatory depressor response. These results indicate that prolonged muscle stimulation gives rise to a post-stimulatory long-lasting drop in blood pressure and that this response is mediated by somatic nerve afferents. Involvement of the endorphin and serotonin systems is also suggested.


This research focuses on cross-cultural communication in the workplace between United Arab Emirates Nationals (Emiratis) and western expatriate employees. Communication Accommodation Theory and Social Identity Theory were the major theoretical frameworks used, to examine how Emirati employees perceived expatriate employees in terms of either "ingroups" or "outgroups". 192 Emiratis (158 males and 34 females) from a variety of organizations in Dubai completed questionnaires in which they described an interaction they recently had with a western expatriate co-worker. The results indicated that miscommunications and negative perceptions invoked Emiratis' perceptions of social distance from their western co-workers; that is, negatively perceived co-workers were categorized in negative outgroup stereotypes. However, many Emiratis reported positive communication with their expatriate co-workers. These respondents perceived their interactants at a more individualistic level, as opposed to categorizing them as a member of a stereotypical cultural outgroup. Given the rapid globalization of the workforce in the Middle-East, this study contributes towards a better understanding of cross-cultural communication between Arabs and westerners in a workplace context. Individuals from different nationalities, religions and values need to adopt a more inclusive approach to communicating with each other, to enable a shared a common identity and purpose when working shared towards organizational goals.


Non-viral gene therapy requires innovative strategies to achieve higher transfection efficacy. A few years ago, our group proposed bioinspired lipids whose interaction with DNA was not based on ionic interactions, but on hydrogen bonds. We thus developed lipids bearing a thiourea head which allowed an interaction with DNA phosphates through hydrogen bonds. After a proof of concept with a lipid bearing three thiourea functions, a molecular and cellular screening was performed by varying all parts of the lipids: the hydrophobic anchor, the spacer, the linker, and the thiourea head. Two lipothiourea-based structures were identified as highly efficient in vitro transfecting agents. The lipothioureas were shown to reduce non specific interactions with cell membranes and deliver their DNA content intracellularly more efficiently, as compared to cationic lipoplexes. These lipids could deliver siRNA efficiently and allowed specific cell targeting in vitro. In vivo, thiourea lipoplexes presented a longer retention time in the blood and less accumulation in the lungs after an intravenous injection in mice. They also induced luciferase gene expression in muscle and tumor after local administration in mice. Therefore, these novel lipoplexes represent an excellent alternative to cationic lipoplexes as transfecting agents. In this review we will focus on the structure activity studies that permitted the identification of the two most efficient thiourea lipids.


The anticorrosion potential of a chemisorbed film formed from 3-imidazol-1-ylpropan-1-amine (IMPA) against the degradation of X70 steel in 1 M HCl has been investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. IMPA has been found to reduce the corrosion of X70 in the aqueous medium at pH 0 to a great extent; an inhibition efficiency (IE%) up to 90% has been achieved for 500 ppm IMPA concentration at room temperature. Corrosion inhibition by IMPA is concentration-dependent and becomes more stable by virtue of adsorption of IMPA film on the X70 substrate. This adsorption phenomenon has been probed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and infra-red (IR) spectroscopy. The formation of this film on the X70 surface fosters improved impedance against the flow of ionic currents of corrosive ions and molecules. IMPA acted as a mixed-type film-forming inhibitor as demonstrated from the results of potentiodynamic scans. The mechanism of X70 corrosion inhibition has been proposed using quantum structure/activity relations to explain the extent of influence of the molecular structure of IMPA on the corrosion inhibition of the IMPA film.


Introduction: Ether a go‐go (Eag) potassium channels display oncogenic properties. Their expression in healthy tissues is limited almost exclusively to the brain; however, it is highly expressed in several types of cancer. In addition, the inhibition of its activity or expression remarkably diminishes cellular proliferation and tumor progression. Our group found the expression of Eag in cells having alterations in p53 and Rb including C‐33 and HeLa from cervical cancer. On the other hand, we have observed that Eag gene expression is regulated by factors that inhibit Rb or p53, such as, E6 and E7 oncogenes of the human papilloma virus and estradiol. Therefore, we have considered p53 and Rb like possible pathways for Eag regulation. To our knowledge, there are no reports on Eag regulation by tumor suppressor proteins. Thus in this work we evaluated the effect of p53 and Rb overexpression on the expression of Eag in C‐33, HeLa (cervix) and A549 (lung cancer) cells. We also analyzed the expression of Eag in tumor samples from patients with retinoblastoma (a malignant tumor characterized by the loss of the gene Rb and alterations in the p53 pathway). Methods: C‐33, HeLa and A549 cells were obtained from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and the RNA9s of patients with retinoblastoma from the Hospital of Pediatrics of the Medical Centre XXI century. In order to evaluate the expression of Eag, retrotranscription was performed and the analysis of gene expression was carried out by real time PCR, the results were analyzed by the method of ΔΔ‐CT. In order to evaluate the effect of p53 and Rb overexpression on Eag, HeLa and C‐33 cells were grown in DMEM and A549 cells on F12‐K medium, supplemented with 10% of bovine fetal serum; later they were transfected with 1 µg of plasmid containing p53 and/or Rb. The RNA was obtained 72 hours later and then subjected to retrotranscription. Eag gene expression was then analyzed by real time PCR. Results: We found that p53 and Rb transfection in C‐33 cells does not affect the expression of Eag. However, Eag expression in HeLa cells was clearly down‐regulated when transfected with p53 and/or Rb. Transfection of p53 in A549 cells diminished the expression of Eag, in contrast to Rb transfection which increased expression. Interestingly, we observed a very high expression of Eag in samples of retinoblastoma in comparison with the Eag expression in HeLa cells and in normal retina. Conclusions: Our results suggest that tumor suppressor proteins p53 and Rb regulate the expression of Eag. In addition, our results also suggest Eag as a retinoblastoma potential therapeutic target for this type of tumors. This project was partially supported by ICyT DF. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):B57.


Abstract. Ducks is one of the alternative foodstuffs that can be consumed to support of the community nutritious needs. At present community health awareness is increasing. People need foodstuffs derive from animal, especially poultry with low fat concentration such as total cholesterol. This study was designed to determine the   concentrations of cholesterol and body weight at the Peking duck (Anas plathyrinchos) after giving Lannea coromandelica leaf extract. Experimental design used was Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisted of 3 experimental groups, each consisted of 5 rats. 1) P1 = ducks as a control, 2) P2 = ducks given water extract of Lannea coromandelica 12 mL / day / kg body weight, 3) P3 = ducks given ethanol extract of Lannea coromandelica 5 mL / day / kg body weight. Data were Analyzed using analysis of variance test at 5% significance level, and a further test using SAS 9.1.3 Duncan. The results showed that total cholesterol blood concentrations at the peking ducks given water extracts of Lannea coromandelica laeves was lower (P <0.05) when compared with peking ducks given ethanol extract of Lannea coromandelica leaves, but the same as the control. Body weight peking ducks given water extract of Lannea coromandelica leaves and the ethanol extract of Lannea coromandelica leaves the same with controls.  It was concluded that giving of water extract Lannea coromandelica decreased concentrations of total blood cholesterol, and normal body weight at the Peking ducks. Keywords: Lannea coromandelica extract, body weight, ducks, total blood cholesterol


Similar to many other linear accelerators, the High Intensity Neutron Source requires an RFQ for initial acceleration and formation of the bunched beam structure. The RFQ design includes two main tasks: a) the beam dynamics design resulting in a vane tip modulation table for machining and b) the resonator electromagnetic design resulting in the final dimensions of the resonator. The focus of this paper is on the second task. We report complete and detailed RF modeling on the HINS RFQ resonator using simulating codes CST Microwave Studio (MWS) and Ansoft High Frequency Structure Simulator (HFSS). All details of the resonator such as input and output radial matchers, the end cut-backs etc have been precisely determined. Finally in the first time a full size RFQ model with modulated vane tips and all tuners installed has been built, and a complete simulation of RFQ tuning has been performed. Comparison of the simulation results with experimental measurements demonstrated excellent agreement.


Nonlinear principal component analysis is a novel technique for multivariate data analysis, similar to the well-known method of principal component analysis. NLPCA, like PCA, is used to identify and remove correlations among problem variables as an aid to dimensionality reduction, visualization, and exploratory data analysis. While PCA identifies only linear correlations between variables, NLPCA uncovers both linear and nonlinear correlations, without restriction on the character of the nonlinearities present in the data. NLPCA operates by training a feedforward neural network to perform the identity mapping, where the network inputs are reproduced at the output layer. The network contains an internal "bottleneck" layer (containing fewer nodes than input or output layers), which forces the network to develop a compact representation of the input data, and two additional hidden layers. The NLPCA method is demonstrated using time-dependent, simulated batch reaction data. Results show that NLPCA successfully reduces dimensionality and produces a feature space map resembling the actual distribution of the underlying system parameters.


Free speech is a familiar concept. It is an established ideal of liberalism and democratic politics, and the subject of political debate and conflict across diverse historical and cultural contexts. Free speech has not primarily been considered, however, as a set of lived, valued, and contested practices, mediated by various linguistic, ethical, and material forms. While anthropology has not traditionally occupied itself with free speech, it has extensive tools for bringing free speech into view beyond its quality as an abstract ideal or legal category. This entry borrows theoretical perspectives, as well as ethnographic examples produced by anthropologists, to shed light on free speech within a broader comparative frame. It begins by focusing on free speech as a dynamic value or virtue, asking: what is it about 'free' or 'direct' speech that people value when they value it? Secondly, the entry casts critical light on the idea of an individual as the universal 'free speaker', demonstrating how collective or disaggregated subjects can also practice free speech. Thirdly, it explores the material settings, contexts, or technologies through which free speech is curtailed or realised. Finally, the entry considers the idea of 'voice' as signalling modes of embodiment, and auditory phenomena such as noise, sound, and silence, which are not spoken language but can inform and expand our understanding of free speech.


The optimization of an uncooled directly modulated laser operated at 10 Gbit/s for metropolitan area networks utilizing negative dispersion fibers is presented. The laser optimization is performed in order to accomplish two goals: maximizing the back-to-back sensitivity and the dispersion tolerance of negative dispersion single-mode fiber. Extensive numerical simulations reveal that a significant improvement of system performance can be achieved by optimizing simultaneously four laser intrinsic parameters, namely linewidth enhancement factor, photon lifetime, gain parameter, and gain compression factor. The optimal laser parameters have been obtained at a temperature of 25/spl deg/C. The optimized laser shows a weak dependence of back-to-back sensitivity and dispersion tolerance on variations of laser intrinsic parameters as well as on laser temperature up to 85/spl deg/C. Nevertheless, the gain compression factor is the most stringent intrinsic parameter, because it controls the right balance between the transient and adiabatic chirps. The results show also that the impact of laser parasitics on system performance is only slightly altered with the temperature increase up to 85/spl deg/C. Back-to-back sensitivities of about -27.8 dBm and -29.1 dBm and 1 dB dispersion tolerances of about 1550 ps/nm and 1580 ps/nm have been achieved at 25/spl deg/C and 85/spl deg/C, respectively. The dispersion tolerance doubles the value of 750 ps/nm reported in a practical experiment.


In this paper, an advanced analytical model for an electric vehicle (EV) powertrain has been developed to illustrate the vehicular dynamics by combining electrical and mechanical models in the analysis. This study is based on a Nissan Leaf EV. In the electrical system, the powertrain has various components including a battery pack, a battery management system, a dc/dc converter, a dc/ac inverter, a permanent magnet synchronous motor, and a control system. In the mechanical system, it consists of power transmissions, axial shaft, and vehicle wheels. Furthermore, the driving performance of the Nissan Leaf is studied through the real-world driving tests and simulation tests in MATLAB/Simulink. In the analytical model, the vehicular dynamics is evaluated against changes in the vehicle velocity and acceleration, state of charge of the battery, and the motor power. Finally, a number of EVs involved in the power dispatch is studied. The greenhouse gas emissions of the EV are analyzed according to various energy power and driving features, and compared with the conventional internal combustion engine vehicle. In this case, Nissan Leaf is a pure EV. For a given drive cycle, Nissan Leaf can reduce CO2 emissions by 70%, depending on the way electricity is generated and duty cycles.


Authentic soybean β-amylase preparation, purified to homogeneity as judged by SDS-PAGE by using an affinity purification step, was composed of four pI-differing isoforms. By chromatofocusing, these isoforms were separated into three fractions, designated as fractions 1-3 in the order of elution. Fraction 1 contained two isoforms having the same molecular mass (55,989 Da), as measured by mass spectrometric analysis, with different pIs, 5.32 (Isoform I) and 5.22 (Isoform II). Fraction 2 showed a single isoform having a molecular mass of 55,994 Da and having a pI of 5.09. This component, named Isoform III, existed rather in excess in a mixture of the authentic enzyme isoforms. The remainder (fraction 3) also contained a single component (Isoform IV) which has a molecular mass of 56,310 Da with a pI of 4.97. Chemical analyses indicated that the N-termini and the C-terminal tripeptides of four pI-separated isoforms mentioned are similar to one another, and are blocked and are NH2-Val-Asp-Gly-COOH, respectively. Moreover, enzymic properties involving specific activity and the value of kcat/Km for the above three fractions are almost the same, and also agreed completely with those of an unfractionated authentic β-amylase preparation.


The Supreme Court is currently considering in King v. Burwell whether residents of all States can receive premium tax credits under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Plaintiffs-Petitioners brought this litigation as a challenge to the validity of a Treasury Department rule allowing all ACA health insurance Exchanges or marketplaces, including federally facilitated Exchanges (FFEs), to support and grant the credits. They invite the Court to focus solely on four words in two subsections of Section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code that they interpret as limiting tax credits to individuals who can use a State-operated Exchange to enroll in qualified health plans. If the Court follows existing precedent, however, it will look at the text of the statute as a whole, rather than at this single clause in isolation. If it does, the Court will see that reading "established by the State" as the limitation that Petitioners urge upon it makes it necessary for the Court to engage in endless rationalizations, evasions, and circumventions in reading the rest of the statute. Indeed, if the Court accepts their reading, at least fifty provisions of the ACA would be made anomalous, if not absurd. This article examines those anomalies.


Due to the dearth of information on the response of poultry managed in alternative production systems to seasonal fluctuations, a total of 240 day old chicks from Arbor acre and Marshall strains were used for both dry and wet seasons trials. Birds were brooded for 3 weeks and thereafter acclimatized in outdoor runs for a week before the commencement of the experiment. Sixty birds each of both strains which were sub-divided into three replicates of 20 birds each were used for both dry and wet seasons. At the end of the experiments, two birds per replicate were selected and slaughtered for carcass yield and meat quality comparison. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance in a Completely Randomized Design. Higher total feed intake (4,107.94 g/bird) and poorer Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR ) (3.80) were recorded in birds reared in the wet season while mortality was significantly (p<0.05) higher (17.87%) in the dry season. Also, strain significantly (p<0.05) influenced the final weight, weight gain and FCR. Interaction between season and strain significantly (p<0.05) influenced all performance parameters except feed intake. Similarly, live, plucked and dressed weights, dressing percentage and breast were significantly (p<0.05) higher (1928.00 g, 1782.50 g, 1413.50 g, 73.32% and 21.02 %, respectively) in Arbor acre broiler chickens. Also, ether extract content of the pectoralis major was significantly (p<0.05) higher (14.44%) in birds reared in the dry season but on the contrary, High Density Lipoprotein content was higher (60.78 mg/dl) in the wet season. Hence, outdoor rearing of Arbor acre broilers in wet season had better feed conversion and carcass yield with pectoralis major meat rich in high density lipoprotein content than obtainable in the dry season.


The functional role of arginine residues in glycogen phosphorylase b was probed by enzymatic modification by using peptidylarginine deiminase, which converts arginine residues to citrulline. A peptide with sequence LysArgLysGlnIleSerValArgGlyLeu, corresponding to the phosphorylation site of serine-14 in phosphorylase, was a substrate for the deiminase. Although both arginine residues could be converted to citrulline, modification of arginine-16 occurred more rapidly than modification of arginine-10. Previous studies have implicated a role for arginine, notably arginine-16, in determining phosphorylase kinase activity with the peptide. Deimination altered the phosphorylation of the peptide. Monodeimination of the peptide at arginine-16 slowed down the phosphorylation reaction, but did not diminish the total amount of phosphorylation that could be obtained. Deimination of both arginines produced a peptide that could not be phosphorylated. Modification of phosphorylase b resulted in activation or inactivation of enzyme activity depending on the extent of reaction with peptidylarginine deiminase. A low level of deiminase causes inactivation initially, but after prolonged incubation activation occurs. With high level of deiminase only activation can be observed. Because changes in activity are seen only at subsaturating AMP concentrations (50-100 microM), inactivation and activation are likely due to changes in affinity of the enzyme for AMP. The protein modified with the high level of deiminase has multiple sites of deimination. Arginine 16 was established as a major site of modification. Only protein modified with the high level of deiminase showed modification of arginine-16 and effects on the phosphorylation of phosphorylation b. As with the modified peptide substrate, the reaction was slower with modified phosphorylase in comparison with native phosphorylase b. The results show the importance of the guanidino group of arginine-16 of the protein substrate in modulating the phosphorylase kinase reaction.


INTRODUCTION Mitochondrial F1-Fo adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthases are macromolecular turbines that couple proton translocation across a membrane to ATP synthesis. Protons are translocated through the Fo subcomplex in the lipid bilayer by a rotor composed of a defined number of c subunits, each with a proton-binding site, to generate ring rotation. A central stalk is firmly anchored to the c ring and conveys rotary motion to the catalytic F1 subcomplex in the mitochondrial matrix, where ATP is produced by rotary catalysis. A peripheral stalk connects the two subcomplexes to prevent idle rotation of F1 with Fo. RATIONALE Although ATP synthase complexes have been investigated for more than 50 years, several key questions remain. An enduring question is how the stoichiometrically mismatched c ring in Fo (composed of 8 to 17 c subunits) and the three-fold symmetric F1 head are efficiently coupled. Another open question is the exact pathway taken by protons through the membrane, which has been the least well characterized part of the mechanism. RESULTS We used single-particle cryo–electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to characterize the structure and dynamics of a complete and active dimeric mitochondrial ATP synthase from the chlorophyll-less unicellular alga Polytomella sp. Together with data obtained by genome sequencing and mass spectrometry, our 2.7- to 2.8-A resolution map allowed us to build a full atomic model of the 1.6-MDa complex. The model includes the newly identified subunit ASA10, which interlinks the two ATP synthase monomers on the lumenal side of the membrane. Separation of 13 independent rotary states provides a detailed molecular description of the movements that accompany c-ring rotation. We find that the F1 head rotates together with the central stalk and c ring through approximately 30°, or one c subunit, at the beginning of each 120° step. Flexible coupling of the F1 head to the Fo motor is mediated primarily by a hinge at the interdomain link of the oligomycin sensitivity–conferring protein (OSCP) subunit that joins the F1 head to the peripheral stalk. The extended two-helix bundle of the central stalk γ subunit interacts with the catch-loop region of one β subunit of the F1 head. The resulting mechanism of flexible coupling is likely to be conserved in other F1-Fo ATP synthases. Our results provide much-needed context to a wealth of published data indicating that OSCP is a hub of metabolic control in the cell. Our high-resolution map of the proton-translocating Fo complex has revealed a strong density, very likely a metal ion, ligated by two histidine residues. Recent cryo-EM studies of yeast and spinach chloroplast ATP synthase contain unannotated densities at the same position. Mutational experiments in Escherichia coli have shown that an equivalent residue is essential to proton translocation. By three-dimensional classification, we separated two different rotational positions of the c ring and showed that the coordination environment of the metal ion changes with c-ring position. This evidence points toward a role for the metal ion in synchronizing c-ring protonation with its rotation. CONCLUSION In ATP synthases, the F1 catalytic head can accompany the rotor through a rotation of ~30° at the beginning of each ~120° step. This movement allows flexible coupling of F1 and Fo. The interdomain hinge of OSCP facilitates flexible coupling and makes this subunit an apposite point for the regulation of ATP synthesis.


The view that fluctuations of economic activity can be attributed to real (or technology) shocks has received widespread attention in recent years. According to the real business cycle theory, output movements are not induced by monetary policy. This proposition is supported by several empirical investigations using two different types of tests: Firstly, macroeconomic time series can be characterized as following a random walk; secondly, in the analysis of vector autoregressions, the money supply does not cause output. In this paper, both tests are applied for data of the West German economy. The hypothesis that macroeconomic time series behave like a random walk cannot be rejected with great power. Most of the 17 series under investigation show a unit coefficient if regressions for a variable are run on its own past value. Nevertheless, some of the statistical results, in particular the presence of autocorrelation, give rise to doubts about the correctness of the models. Above all, it is well known that such tests cannot conclusively discriminate between a value of 1.00 and, say, 0.96 for the coefficient, although the differences are substantial for the decomposition of a series into permanent and transitory components . In the tests for Granger-causality, the importance of several candidates for explaining output is investigated. It turns out that in the bivariate case, real domestic expenditures are caused by the real money supply, real interest rates and the terms of trade, respectively. If systems with three variables are considered, the influence of the money supply dominates; neither interest rates nor terms of trade improve forecasts of domestic expenditures based on the knowledge of the money supply. These latter results, while contradicting propositions of real business cycle theory, are in accordance with several other studies on the West German economy which show a strong impact of monetary policy on economic activity. In the final section, we therefore mention some doubts about the appropriateness of relying exclusively on real factors when explaining output fluctuations. Money seems to be non-neutral in the short run, and, furthermore, we have some evidence that money is not neutral even in the long run. ON REAL AND MONETARY EXPLANATIONS OF BUSINESS CYCLES IN WEST GERMANY


To investigate the possibility that a pulmonary vasomotor reflex contributes to the pulmonary hemodynamic response to elevated cerebral spinal fluid pressure (PCSF), we studied 10 chloralose-anesthetized dogs in which the left lower lobe (LLL) perfusion was isolated to eliminate the influence of passive factors and of circulating vasoactive agents. Left lower lobe neural integrity was tested by electrically stimulating the stellate ganglion. This resulted in a 35.5% increase in lobar vascular resistance and a 29.1% increase in systemic vascular resistance. Elevating the PCSF to 137 Torr caused the systemic vascular resistance to increase 33.0%, but resulted in no change in LLL vascular resistance. In the intact right lung, this PCSF elevation resulted in increases in pulmonary artery and left atrial pressures, but no change in right lung vascular resistance. Because the neurally intact LLL did not respond to PCSF elevation and the responses of the right lung could be accounted for by passive mechanisms, we conclude that no pulmonary vascular reflex was elicited by PCSF elevation in this preparation.


To study the effect of the brine discharged from desalination plant on the distribution of salinity in Jiaozhou Bay,a numerical model for the salinity diffusion in the Jiaozhou Bay is set up based on the POM model.With the inputting conditions of existing desalination volume and the near future volume planning in 2010,the distributions and changes of the salinity in the bay are simulated.The results show that in February,May,August and October in 2010,the averaged salinity of the bay is 30.989 5,30.804 0,30.022 1,and 30.230 6,respectively,which have an increasing about 0.027 6,0.027 42,0.02121,and 0.020 48 than in 2008.The salinity of the local areas close to the brine discharged locations will change obviously,such as in the area near Huangdao plant,the seawater area with the salinity above 31.55 in 2010 is 0.24 km2 larger than 2008 in February high tide,and the seawater area with the salinity above 32.00 turns up,It is 0.08 km2;The seawater area with the salinity above 31.55 in 2010 increases 0.24 km2 than 2008 in February ebb tide,and the area with the salinity above 32.00 increase about 0.16 km2.The highest salinity values reached 40.23,36.66,37.94,37.87 in February,May,August and October respectively.Coupling with the preliminary laboratory results,we can see that in February the highest salinity is higher than 38.62,which is the no-detected toxic concentration of the brine on the phytoplankton community in the Bay.This shows that in 2010,the brine discharged from the desalination plants will have a little effect on the distribution of average salinity in the whole bay,but it will lead to a marked increasing in salinity near to the area of the desalination plants,and will have a certain extent effect on the growth of the phytoplankton.


The child population of twenty-first century India has often been the most vulnerable amidst radical, ever-evolving changes in the social landscape. Caring for children has never been more relevant. Drawing on ancient Indian medical traditions and the author's 40 years of experience as a professional psychologist, this text is a complete sourcebook on the practical and methodological aspects of counselling children with psychological problems. All groups of professionals who work with children in developing countries, including psychologists, counsellors, teachers and NGOs, will find this an invaluable guide.


Background Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is useful in monitoring rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is emphasized its high sensitivity for detecting synovitis and good correlation with clinical disease activity indices, such as Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI). While power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) is widely accepted for the precise assessment of synovial vascularity and the response to treatment, whether the usage of anti-rheumatic drug itself has an effect on PD signal in synovitis has been elusive. Objectives This study was undertaken to determine whether the usage of anti-rheumatic drugs correlate with the assessment of PDUS of synovitis in RA. Methods In this retrospective study, total 167 patients with RA were recruited. The patients had a mean age of 58.6 years (range 23-83) and a mean disease duration of 3.7 years (range 0.1-30.3). They were treated as follows: One hundred and five (62.9%) received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Sixty three (37.7%) received low-dose oral prednisolone (PSL), ninety nine (59.3%) received methotrexate (MTX), and thirty six (21.6%) received biologic agents. The clinical assessment parameters including DAS28, SDAI, and modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ) as well as the usage of anti-rheumatic drugs were analyzed in this study. US assessment was performed at the bilateral wrists, MCP, and PIP joints. PDUS was graded semi-quantitatively (0 to 3) in each joint, and the sum of these gradings was estimated as PDUS score. The patient with scoring >1 for PDUS was defined as PDUS positive. The association among PDUS score, the clinical assessment parameters, and the usage of anti-rheumatic drugs was explored by multivariate linear regression analysis. In the group of patients in DAS28 remission, multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed with PDUS positive as dependent variables. Results The rate of the patients having DAS28 remission was 23.3% (39/167) and that of PDUS positive in the group was 48.7% (19/39). SDAI, mHAQ, and NSAID usage were independently associated with increased scoring of PDUS in multivariate linear regression analysis. The usage of the other anti-rheumatic drugs was not associated with PDUS score. Within the group of patients with DAS28 remission, only the usage of NSAIDs was independently associated with an increase of PDUS positive patient. Image/graph Conclusions NSAIDs usage may accelerate the PD signal and result in higher scoring despite continuing remission state. Consideration should be given to the NSAIDs effect in assessing disease activity of RA using MSUS, particularly during remission. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


Clinical practice guidelines are an important instrument to aid physicians during medical diagnosis and treatment. Currently, different guideline developing organizations try to define and integrate evidence information into such guidelines. However, the coding schemas and taxonomies used for the evidence information differ widely, which makes the use cumbersome and demanding. We explored these various schemas and developed a meta schema for the evidence information, which covers the most important components of the existing ones, is comprehensible, and easy to understand for the users. We developed and assessed the usefulness and applicability of our meta schema with guideline developers and physicians.


Usually, solutions to sensor validation fall into two major categories: the data-based approaches and the model-based approaches. Model-based methods include nonparametric and parametric approaches. Belonging to the first category are neural-network-bank based approaches. The non-parametric methods are more robust, but a large number of training data are needed nevertheless. On the other hand, parametric approaches, including dynamic state space models (DSSM), provide better accuracy and tracking performance without the need of training. The price paid here is the need for high fidelity real-time system models. Particle filter (PF) is an alternative name for sequential importance sampling for DSSM. PF has been commonly employed to online processing of dynamic systems described by DSSM. We will also discuss a Markov jump DSSM (MJDSSM) for system modeling and mixture Kalman filter (MKF) solution — a unique and efficient particle filtering detector being developed. We have modeled and calculated the probability of failure due to component damage. Using this model, a Monte Carlo simulation is also performed to evaluate the likelihood of damage accumulation under various operating conditions. Using thermal mechanical fatigue (TMF) of a critical component as an example, it has been shown that that an intelligent acceleration algorithm can drastically reduce life usage with minimum sacrifice in performance. By means of genetic search algorithms, optimal acceleration schedules can be obtained with multiple constraints. The simulation results show that an optimized acceleration schedule can provide a significant life saving in selected engine components. The ultimate goal of engine health monitoring is to maximize the amount of meaningful information to perform diagnostics and prognostics on engine health. To achieve highest level of intelligence in different levels and aspects, in the future work, we propose to implement the concept of data fusion that integrates data from multiple sources to obtain improved accuracy and more specific results.


Information with prolonged SARS-CoV-2 shedding among immunocompetent patients is limited. We describe a twice repositive 169-day prolonged SARS-CoV-2 shedding in an immunocompetent patient and explore potential factors from clinical, immunological and genomic perspectives. We found that continuous viral replication and infectivity could exist in an immunocompetent COVID-19 patient with high neutralizing antibody.


The aim of this work was to carry out the reproductive studies on Brazilian accessions of ipecac, Psychotria ipecacuanha. It presented heterostyly, with brevistylous and longistylous flowers. The pollen development was observed from the sections of the anthers embedded in resin. Anther development was normal as usually observed in dicotyledones, displaying four layers: outer epidermis, endothecium, middle layer and inner tapetum. The pollen was bicellular and filled with starch at the microspore stage. Pollen morphology was studied using SEM, which showed pollen polymorphism within and between the two floral morphs. Five types of pollen with reticulate or perforate exine were identified. The characteristics showed that the sexual process was as important as the vegetative propagation for the reproduction of this species.


Motorboat racing is a sport organised as public gambling in Japan. As well as physical strength and driving technique, skills to adjust equipment are critical for racers to win the race. Most racers participate in small groups to share knowledge and cost of the modification of propellers, which suggests that social capital could constitute another factor in winning the race. Using comprehensive panel data of motorboat racers, this study is the first to analyse determining factors in racers' performance, focusing on social capital as well as physical factors. Estimation results reveal that bridging social capital exerts no effect on performance while bonding social capital has positive impacts on performance. The latter effect is particularly salient for inexperienced racers who most need psychological aid backed by strong ties. The results are consistent with the contingency theory in social capital studies.


Zinc (Zn) is a key micronutrient affecting bio-functions of crops. Impacts of foliar application of three forms of Zn-containing agrichemicals on the physiology of rice seedlings and their uptake of heavy metal(loid)s and micronutrients from fully flooded paddy soils were investigated in a greenhouse study. Rice seedlings 45 days after germination were randomly exposed to an equivalent amount of 100 mg L−1 of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), zinc oxide bulk particles (ZnOBPs), and zinc salts (Zn2+) through foliar exposure. At termination, rice seedlings were divided into roots and shoots and the concerned metal contents in plant tissues were determined with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Our results demonstrated that all Zn agrichemicals displayed a similar effect on plant growth, but ZnONPs led to the greatest root exudate excretion and greatest inhibition in arsenic (As) uptake. Foliar application of ZnONPs resulted in 28% less As in rice shoots while Zn2+ only caused a 15% decrease in As accumulation in the same tissues. ZnOBPs had minimal impact on As concentration in rice shoots. ZnONPs also promoted iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) uptake in rice shoots, both of which are essential micronutrients for humans. The results suggest that foliar application of ZnONPs resulted in more favorable outcomes for plant growth and food safety than other two types of Zn. Overall, our results showed that application of nanoagrichemicals have important food safety and nutrition implications in addition to their agronomical roles and ZnONPs could be potentially used to alleviate As uptake and fortify Zn and other essential micronutrients in rice grains.