Studying both the Congolese and Cameroonian cases, this article shows that beyond some normalisation, microfinance prompts some very distinctive ways of appropriation. The authors wonder about the role of states as "ferrymen" of the word "microfinance". They question the ability and the freedom of organisations and local authorities to put in place microfinance schemes. In a first section, the paper underlines the normative conception going with the term "microfinance". In a second and third sections it discusses the circulation of the term and the manufacture of practices in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. It comes to the conclusion that despite the eventual enforcement of practices and social norms, microfinance has to acclimatize itself to divergent social, political and even religious practices.


An integer programming (IP) model is proposed for integrated resource allocation and operation scheduling for a multiple job-agents system. Each agent handles a specific job-list in a bidirectional flowshop. For the individual agent scheduling problem, a formulation is proposed in continuous time domain and compared with an IP formulation in discrete time domain. Of particular interest is the formulation of the machine utilization function-both in continuous time and discrete time. Fast heuristic methods are proposed with the relaxation of the machine capacity. For the integrated resource allocation and scheduling problem, a linear programming relaxation approach is applied to solve the global resource allocation and a fast heuristic method is applied to solve each scheduling subproblem. The proposed solution is compared experimentally with that from the integer programming solver by CPLEX.


General requirements for establishing a verification regime in the context of moving towards a nuclear weapon-free world have been the subject of numerous studies during the past decade. The studies presented in this book add significantly to the general discussion by addressing the technical means and procedures for establishing transparency in nuclear warheads and materials in the nuclear weapons states. They examine recent initiatives - not only the US-Russian arms control and security dialogue, but also developments in the other nuclear weapon states. The capacities of the US and Russian nuclear weapon complexes to undertake irreversible warhead elimination are considered, as are the effects of increased transparency on international security. The book analyses proposed arrangements for establishing stockpile declarations, for verifying warhead dismantlement and the storage and disposition of fissile materials, and for monitoring the closure or conversion of nuclear facilities. In this light it provides a comprehensive, in-depth appraisal of a possible role for the IAEA. The contributors represent an exceptionally wide range of experience and knowledge on the increasingly important issue of transparency.


Among the political playwrights of the post-war British drama, Trevor Griffiths is known for his commitment to socialist ideals and his continuous search for an ideal social(ist) structure in his works. Coming from a working-class background and having met many notable intellectual socialists prior to his dramatic career, Trevor Griffiths dedicated his playwriting to debate about the present and future of socialism in Britain and elsewhere. Despite Griffiths's loyal attachment to socialism, his works provide a criticism of the left, left-wing parties, lack of unity among the proletariat, and lack of support and cooperation of the leftist parties in his country. The Party (1973) is one of those plays in which he provides a dialectical approach to an ideal understanding of socialism that is based on unity between the workers, the party as an organisation and the intelligentsia. Griffiths's main concern is to lay out some of the reasons for the failure of the left and claim that a true socialist revolution can never be possible unless a commitment is achieved by all involved parties. This paper discusses socialist Trevor Griffiths's play The Party as a criticism of the left in relation to prevalent concerns of Britain in the 1970s. While evaluating the reasons for Griffiths's criticism, the discussion of the play is also related to the Paris student riots as a case-in-point failed socialist revolution attempt due to similar problems Griffiths observes in his country.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the most frequent clinical causes of a prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) result, and to determine whether a new heparin-removal device (the Hepchek, Pall Biomedical, Glen Cove, NY 11542) is capable of efficiently detecting the causes of these values.

DESIGN
A combination of chart review and laboratory testing comparing the criterion standard--the heparin chromogenic substrate assay--with the Hepchek. Laboratory investigations were blinded and controlled.

SETTING
Inpatient, acute-care hospital.

PATIENTS
A total of 1,000 hospital patients with a variety of hemostatic disorders.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
The extent to which the Hepchek accurately identified the etiology of a prolonged APTT result.

RESULTS
The APTT was prolonged in 25.2% of samples. The presence of heparin in the sample was confirmed by chromogenic assay or by using the Hepchek heparin-removal filter. The presence of heparin was confirmed in 12.8% of all samples and in more than 50% of all abnormal samples. The cause of the abnormal APTT was often unappreciated by the clinician. Bayesian analysis of the Hepchek's ability to diagnose heparin correctly as the cause of the abnormal APTT showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 99.9%.

CONCLUSION
Use of the Hepchek in the routine clinical laboratory is an efficient and rapid method of detecting heparin as a cause of isolated prolonged APTT results, and should reduce demands for unwarranted coagulation analyses and inappropriate treatment with blood products.


Abstract Introduction Mucinous appendiceal carcinoma is a rare malignancy that commonly spreads to the peritoneum leading to peritoneal metastases. Complete cytoreduction with perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIC) is the mainstay of treatment, administered as either hyperthermic intra peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) or early post-operative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC). Our goal was to assess the perioperative and long term survival outcomes associated with these two PIC methods. Materials and methods Patients with mucinous appendiceal carcinoma were identified in the US HIPEC Collaborative database from 12 academic institutions. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and survival outcomes were compared among patients who underwent HIPEC vs. EPIC with inverse probability weighting (IPW) used for adjustment. Results Among 921 patients with mucinous appendiceal carcinoma, 9% underwent EPIC while 91% underwent HIPEC. There was no difference in Grade III–V complications between the two groups (18.5% for HIPEC vs. 15.0% for EPIC, p=.43) though patients who underwent HIPEC had higher rates of readmissions (21.2% vs. 8.8%, p<.01). Additionally, PIC method was not an independent predictor for overall survival (OS) or recurrence-free survival (RFS) after adjustment on multivariable analysis. Conclusions Among patients with mucinous appendiceal carcinoma, both EPIC and HIPEC appear to be associated with similar perioperative and long-term outcomes.


This theme is an important problem of today due to the urgent need of solving national tasks of complex improving the population level of living. The content of a number of scientific publications in the field of managing objects of housing and communal services (HCS) and their capital repairs (CR) at regional level indicates the necessity of taking into consideration the specific character of municipal and regional housing stock (HST) structure with the aim of doing adequate evaluation of HST. While making research the analysis of the HST total area in blocks of flats within Penza region was carried out in two directions: the analysis of the housing stock structure distribution among the Penza region districts alongside with areas situational zoning and the analysis of the HST structure distribution among the Penza region districts in accordance with their average life cycle of maintenance. It is advised to use the results of zoning while analyzing the typical features? Trends and changes in character of HST area distribution according to age grouping of blocks of flats (apartment buildings) within the frames of each municipal unit with the aim to work out regional programmes for CR.


This paper proposes a convex approach for designing linear dynamic output feedback controllers for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems. The nonlinear system is described by means of differential-algebraic equations, where the system matrices are allowed to be rational functions of the state and uncertain parameters. Using polynomial Lyapunov functions, we give sufficient conditions in terms of linear matrix inequalities that locally stabilizes the origin of the closed-loop system while providing an estimate of its domain of attraction.


A Cu/ZrW2O8 metal matrix composite was thermally cycled between 298 and 591 K while being subjected to x-ray diffraction in transmission using high-intensity synchrotron radiation. The reversible allotropic phase transformations of ZrW2O8 between its two low-pressure phases and its high-pressure phase were observed within the composite bulk as a function of temperature. This observation gives experimental proof of the existence of the reversible pressure-induced phase transformation, which had been inferred indirectly from dilatometry in a previous investigation and assigned to the large thermal mismatch stresses in the composite. The volume fraction of each ZrW2O8 compound was determined from the measured diffracted intensity, and the thermal expansion behaviour of the composite was then calculated. Good agreement was found with the experimental dilatometric curve reported in a recent investigation.


The growing trend toward information technology increases the amount of data travelling over the network links. The problem of detecting anomalies in data streams has increased with the growth of internet connectivity. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is a new concept of computer networking that can adapt and support these growing trends. However, the centralized nature of the SDN design is challenged by the need for an efficient method for traffic monitoring against traffic anomalies caused by misconfigured devices or ongoing attacks. In this paper, we propose a new model for traffic behavior monitoring that aims to ensure trusted communication links between the network devices. The main objective of this model is to confirm that the behavior of the traffic streams matches the instructions provided by the SDN controller, which can help to increase the trust between the SDN controller and its covered infrastructure components. According to our preliminary implementation, the behavior monitoring unit is able to read all traffic information and perform a validation process that reports any mismatching traffic to the controller.


This book focuses on the diverse impact of forest history in general, and of forest continuity, fragmentation and past management in particular, on the diversity and distribution of species. The implications for the conservation of biodiversity in forests are also addressed. Chapters have been developed from papers presented at a conference held in Leuven in January 2003. The emphasis is on temperate forests in Europe and North America, but the information may also be applicable to other regions or biomes. The book will be of significant interest to researchers working within the areas of forestry, ecology, conservation and environmental history.


AIM
To study effect of operation-synchronizing transfusion of apoptotic spleen cells from donor rats on acute rejection of recipient rats after liver transplantation.

METHODS
Two of Wistar rats were chosen randomly for normal liver pathology control and ten of SD rats chosen randomly for liver function control as blank group (no operation). The rest of Wistar and SD rats were divided into four groups: control group (only liver transplantation), Dex group (donors receiving intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone), SpC group (recipients receiving infusion of spleen cells of donors), Dex-SpC group (recipients receiving infusion of apoptotic spleen cells of donors), with each group except blank group, containing 10 SD rats and 10 Wistar rats, respectively. Wistar rats received liver transplantation from SD rats, in the meantime they received infusion of spleen cells of donors, which were induced by an intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone (3 mg/(d.kg).b.w) for three days before liver transplantation. The serum alanine transaminase (ALT), total bilirubin (T bili), liver pathological changes and survival time were analysed. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 10.0 for Windows. Differences of the parametric data of ALT in means were examined by one-way ANOVA. Differences of ALT between two groups were examined by LSD. Differences of the nonparametric data of T bili in means and scores of pathology classification for acute rejection were examined by Kruskal-Willis H test. The correlations between ALT and T bili were analysed by Bivariate. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to demonstrate survival distribution. The log-rank test was used to compare the survival data.

RESULTS
There were significant differences in ALT of the five groups (F = 23.164 P = 0.000), and ALT in Dex-SpC group was significantly higher than that in blank control, control, Dex, and SpC groups (P = 0.000), and ALT in SpC group was significantly higher than that in blank control (P = 0.000), control (P = 0.004), and Dex groups (P = 0.02). Results of nonparametric analysis of T bili showed that there were differences in T bili of the five groups (chi(2) = 33.265 P = 0.000). T bili in Dex-SpC group was significantly higher than that in blank control, control, Dex, and SpC groups. T bili in SpC group was higher than that in blank control, control, and Dex groups. There were significant differences in scores of pathology classification for acute rejection in each of the groups (chi(2) = 25.933,P = 0.000). The pathologically more serious acute rejection was found in Dex-SPC group than in other groups. No sign of acute rejection was observed in the blank control group. Slight acute rejection was observed in the control group. Slight-moderate acute rejection was observed in the Dex group. Moderate-acute rejection was observed in the SpC group. Severe-acute rejection was observed in the Dex-SpC group. The survival time in Dex-SpC group was shorter than in other groups (statistic = 11.13, P = 0.011). ALT and T bili were positively correlated (r = 0.747, P = 0.000, two-tailed).

CONCLUSION
In order to reduce quantity of blood loss from rats after liver transplantation, only one of ALT or T bili is needed for liver function measurement of rats. Simultaneous injection of apoptotic spleen cells from donors induced by dexamethasone to liver transplantation rats aggravates acute rejection. One important mechanism of aggravation of acute rejection may be that apoptotic cells are not removed in time and that dead cells including apoptotic cells release inflammatory factors.


A total-coloring is called equitable if‖Ti︱-︱Tj‖≤1,the ︱Ti︱ is called chromatic number of the icolor.The minimum number of colors required for an equitable proper total-coloring,a simple graph G is denoted byχet(G).In this paper,we have given the equitable total chromatic number of Fm ∨ Wn.


The article presents the current state of the domestic children's neuro-oncological system; also it highlights the main development trends over the past decade. The authors summarize, analyze and compare data on the prevalence of malignant neoplasms of the central nervous system in children in the Republic of Tatarstan with the data of large-scale multicenter studies. The article presents the age-sex, histological and molecular structure of the central nervous system tumors through the prism of the new World Health Organization classification dd 2016, which determines the trends in the development of future systems for recording, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of children with brain and spinal tumors.


Background The incidence of distal femur fracture in the elderly has been increasing recently, and commonly occurs with osteoporosis. Retrograde intramedullary nailing has been considered a good surgical option for distal femur fracture. The purpose of the present study was to present our surgical results with retrograde intramedullary nailing for distal femur fractures with osteoporosis. Methods Thirteen patients diagnosed with extra-articular distal femur fracture and osteoporosis and managed with retrograde intramedullary nailing were retrospectively reviewed. Cement augmentation was used in four patients, shape memory alloy was used in eight patients and both were used in one patient. All patients were followed up for more than 2 years. Radiologic alignments were scored and Tegner and the Lysholm activity score was used for a functional assessment. Results The average time to clinical union was 13 weeks (range, 10 to 15 weeks). In 12 of our cases, the total alignment scores were excellent. At the last follow-up, the mean range of motion was 116° (range, 110° to 125°). The average functional score at postoperative 1 year was 2.6 (range, 1 to 5). Conclusions Retrograde intramedullary nailing is a good surgical option for distal femur fracture with osteoporosis. Cement augmentation and shape memory alloy can also be used for added mechanical stability. This surgical technique is very useful for distal femur fracture with osteoporosis as it promotes fracture healing and early rehabilitation.


Up to this time all the methods to measure the corrosion rate of reinforcing steels embedded in hardened concrete have been of the destructive type, which requires much time and materials and makes the full scale study of the phenomenon difficult. The authors have applied the polarization resistance method to bars embedded in hardened mortar and immersed in Ca(OH)2-saturated solution, and have found an acceptable agreement between the gravimetric and the electrochemical weight loss data.


Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) has emerged as one of the powerful imaging tools for the study of live cells in a non-invasive manner. In particular, multimodal approaches combining QPI and fluorescence microscopic techniques have been recently developed for superior spatiotemporal resolution as well as high molecular specificity. In this review, we briefly summarize recent advances in three-dimensional QPI combined with fluorescence techniques for the correlative study of cell pathophysiology. Through this review, biologists and clinicians can be provided with insights on this rapidly growing field of research and may find broader applications to investigate unrevealed nature in cell physiology and related diseases.


A recombinant vector for overproduction of the E. coli single stranded DNA binding protein (E. coli SSBP) has been constructed. An E. coli strain carrying this plasmid produces up to 150 mg pure SSBP per litre of bacterial culture in a laboratory shake flask. Electron microscopy of the single stranded DNA complexed with SSBP shows characteristic "beaded string"-like appearance. Strong clustering of protein molecules on ssDNA is indicative of a highly cooperative binding.


The author suggested in the paper a procedural set of tools which in his opinion exactly enabled his revealing the features specific for shaping an occupation-specific competence in Russian youth while those fitting to a newly social actuality, and evaluating it. For this purpose, the author applied the / an asset of the activism paradigm stated in sociology, the theory of a new social actuality, the concept of inventive society and provisions of the theory of social integration of young people and a cognitive development paradigm of learning as well. The author specified the basic criteria for evaluating the occupation-specific competence in young people in the frame of interpretation of occupation-specific competence suggested and the academic ideas mentioned, those associated with understanding of a professional as an agent of social action. The paper also inferred that implementing innovation strategies based on creativity seems to be choiceless in contemporary dynamically changed environment for those who want to succeed in their occupation.


The 2015 AAHA Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines were developed to provide practitioners and staff with concise, evidence-based information to ensure that the basic behavioral needs of feline and canine patients are understood and met in every practice. Some facility in veterinary behavioral and veterinary behavioral medicine is essential in modern veterinary practice. More cats and dogs are affected by behavioral problems than any other condition. Behavioral problems result in patient suffering and relinquishment and adversely affect staff morale. These guidelines use a fully inclusive team approach to integrate basic behavioral management into everyday patient care using standardized behavioral assessments; create a low-fear and low-stress environment for patients, staff and owners; and create a cooperative relationship with owners and patients so that the best care can be delivered. The guidelines' practical, systematic approach allows veterinary staff to understand normal behavior and recognize and intervene in common behavioral problems early in development. The guidelines emphasize that behavioral management is a core competency of any modern practice.


Influenza A viruses are dynamically epidemic and genetically diverse. Due to the antigenic drift and shift of the virus, seasonal vaccines are required to be reformulated annually to match with current circulating strains. However, the mismatch between vaccinal strains and circulating strains occurs frequently, resulting in the low efficacy of seasonal vaccines. Therefore, several "universal" vaccine candidates based on the structure and function of the hemagglutinin (HA) protein have been developed to meet the requirement of a broad protection against homo-/heterosubtypic challenges. Here, we review recent novel constructs and discuss several important findings regarding the broad protective efficacy of HA-based universal vaccines.


Introduction
 Periprocedural management of patients on direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) undergoing major surgical procedures is mainly based on pharmacokinetic considerations, clinical experience as described in the Dresden Registry (Beyer-Westendorf et al. Eur Heart J. 2014;35: 1888-186.) and the PAUSE study (Douketis JD et al. JAMA Intern Med. 2019;2019;179:1469-78), and on expert opinion. The objective of this study was to describe the background characteristics, periprocedural management, and outcomes of patients taking edoxaban who underwent major surgery in routine clinical practice.
 Methods
 Patients evaluated were participants in the EMIT AF/ VTE study (Colonna P et al. Clin Cardiol. 2020 Jul;43:769-80) which analyzed data on the risks of bleeding and thromboembolic events in 1,479 patients taking edoxaban who underwent unselected diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in routine clinical practice. Patients undergoing major surgery were compared with those who underwent non-major surgery. Physicians directed management of edoxaban, especially for dosing interruption, in accordance with locally approved labelling and guidelines such as those of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA).
 Patients were evaluated from five days before until 29 days after the procedure. The primary outcome was the incidence of major bleeding as defined by the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis; secondary outcomes included the incidence of clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNM), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), acute thromboembolic events (ATE) as well as the perioperative interruption times and use of bridging agents.

 Results
 Of the 1,478 patients, 128 (8.7%) underwent major-surgery as defined in the Dresden registry and PAUSE study. Background characteristics are summarized in Table 1 and medical history in Table 2. Surgeries by medical specialties are listed in Table 3. Major surgery vs non-major surgery patients had more often atrial fibrillation and dyslipidemia and exhibited higher CHA 2DS 2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores. Peri-procedurally, heparin was used significantly more often in patients with major surgery vs non-major surgery (42/128 (32%) vs 142/1351 (10.5%), p<0.001).
 Outcomes are summarized in Table 4. There were no significant differences in severe adverse outcomes between the two groups.
 Pre-procedural and post procedural interruption of edoxaban was longer in the major surgery group. See Table 5.
 Discussion
 The edoxaban interruption pattern was statistically different between major and non-major surgery patients. The rates of peri-procedural bleeding and acute thromboembolic events were low when patients were managed according to a clinical experience-driven management protocol. This is in line with the results in prior publications evaluating other direct oral anticoagulants. These results are important to optimize clinical management of patients undergoing elective procedures and will help to support guidelines for the peri-procedural management of edoxaban.
 Figure 1 Figure 1.

 von Heymann: Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer AG: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; CSL Behring: Honoraria, Research Funding; NovoNordisk Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Mitsubishi Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; Biotest GmbH: Honoraria, Research Funding; Grunenthal GmbH: Honoraria, Research Funding; HICC GbR: Honoraria, Research Funding; German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine: Honoraria, Other: Other Mandated to write several guidelines and part of writing groups of guidelines, Research Funding; European Society of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologists: Other: Other Mandated to write several guidelines and part of writing groups of guidelines; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe: Honoraria, Research Funding; European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC): Other: Mandated to write several guidelines and part of writing groups of guidelines. Unverdorben: Daiichi Sankyo: Current Employment. Colonna: Boehringer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Honoraria, Research Funding; European Society of Cardiology: Other: Mandated to write ESC-Guidelines on AF; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding. Ortiz: Bayer: Consultancy; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Boehringer: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy. Saxena: Recor Medical Inc: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; The Medicines Company: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Ablative Solutions Inc: Consultancy, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Vascular Dynamics Inc: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Esperion Inc: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Vifor Pharma: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Vanassche: Bayer: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Boehringer Ingelheim,: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer/BMS: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Weitz: Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Wilkins: Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria. Chen: Daiichi Sankyo: Current Employment.


Multiple-description coding is a joint source- and channel coding technique suitable for real-time multimedia transmission over erasure channels. This work improves the previous methods of multiple-description vector quantization using lattice structured codebooks by introducing translated lattices in the single-description codebooks. The quantizer can easily adapt to the current channel conditions, using the locally optimized combined-description codebooks, assuming that channel statistics are available at the encoder. Compared to previous methods, the central distortion is greatly reduced for noisy channels, without a significant effect on complexity.


PURPOSES: The operational characteristics of roundabouts are generally influenced by location as well as traffic volume. The goal of this study is to develop urban and rural roundabout accident models and to discuss safety improvement guidelines based on the model. METHODS : To analyze accidents, count data models are utilized in this study. This study used accident data from 2010 to 2013 for 56 roundabouts collected from the Traffic Accident Analysis System (TASS) of Road Traffic Authority. Poisson and negative binomial regression models were developed for this study using NLOGIT 4.0. RESULTS : The main results are as follows. First, the hypotheses that there are distributional differences in the number of accidents and injuries/fatalities among rural and urban roundabouts were accepted. Second, Poisson and negative binomial regression accident models, which were all statistically significant, were developed. Seven independent variables, which were statistically significant, were adopted. Third, the common variable of models was evaluated to be traffic volume. CONCLUSIONS : This study developed two negative binomial roundabout accident models and suggested some accident reduction strategies. The results are expected to give some implications to the safety improvement of roundabout.


Internationally approved guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Malassezia-related skin diseases are lacking. Therefore, a panel of experts consisting of dermatologists and a microbiologist under the auspices of the Danish Society of Dermatology undertook a data review and compiled guidelines for the diagnostic procedures and management of pityriasis versicolor, seborrhoeic dermatitis and Malassezia folliculitis. Main recommendations in most cases of pityriasis versicolor and seborrhoeic dermatitis include topical treatment which has been shown to be sufficient. As first choice, treatment should be based on topical antifungal medication. A short course of topical corticosteroid or topical calcineurin inhibitors has an anti-inflammatory effect in seborrhoeic dermatitis. Systemic antifungal therapy may be indicated for widespread lesions or lesions refractory to topical treatment. Maintenance therapy is often necessary to prevent relapses. In the treatment of Malassezia folliculitis systemic antifungal treatment is probably more effective than topical treatment but a combination may be favourable.


Packaging mainly functions by protecting and preserving its contents. In the case of food packaging, the package protects the contained food product from (i) physical/mechanical damage; (ii) physico-chemical changes due to the effect of light, oxygen, moisture and odors; and (iii) biological changes due to the presence of microorganisms and pests; all the above parameters result in the reduction in product quality and safety. Due to the negative impact of synthetic packaging materials on the environment, research organizations as well as the food industry are currently exploring the possibility of using biodegradable and renewable materials deriving from natural sources. Such biopolymers include: proteins (whey proteins, wheat, corn and soy proteins, gelatin), lipid derivatives (waxes, acetylated triglycerides) and carbohydrates (starch, cellulose and its derivatives, carrageenan, pectin, chitosan, alginates) used in food packaging applications. Alginates are natural hydrophilic polysaccharide biopolymers mainly extracted from marine brown algae. In the form of films or coatings, they exhibit: good film-forming properties, low permeability to O2 and vapors, flexibility, water solubility and gloss while being tasteless and odorless. When combined with additives such as organic acids, essential oils, plant extracts, bacteriocins and nanomaterials, they contribute to the retention of moisture, reduction in shrinkage, retardation of oxidation, inhibition of color and texture degradation, reduction in microbial load, enhancement of sensory acceptability and minimization of cooking losses. Alginates were initially used as a coating for perishable fresh fruits and vegetables to control respiration rate, but can be applied to a wide range of foods, such as meat, poultry, seafood and cheese products, resulting in the extension of product shelf life. When used as part of the principle of active, intelligent and green packaging technologies, alginates can work synergistically to yield a multi-function food packaging system comprising the ultimate goal of food packaging technology.


This paper describes certain statistical procedures that can be used with confidence in the analysis of software product/process assessment data. Problems have occurred with this activity in the past, mainly because the nature of underlying data distributions has not been given adequate consideration. Recently, however, software engineering researchers have started to realise that more appropriate procedures, including non-parametric and robust techniques, should be used in order to obtain valid results and conclusions. Although this paper deals mainly with the relationship between software complexity and development effort, many of the comments and recommendations made are also relevant to the analysis of other software assessment data sets.


OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the literature to determine the effects of intensive versus normal glycaemic control during peri-operative period on prognosis of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODS
The literature was systematically reviewed based on searching criteria established by Cochrane Collaboration. PubMed database searching was conducted for literature and the language was limited to English. Each paper was reviewed by 2 independent reviewers and data extracted for statistical analysis. Data from identified studies were collected for Meta-analysis (RevMan 5.0).

RESULTS
Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs), involving a total of 2329 patients, were identified in the literature. The results showed that intensive glycaemic control could reduce the incidence of infection [odds ratio (OR) = 0.42, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.25 to 0.73, P = 0.002], mortality (OR = 0.54, 95%CI 0.34 to 0.87, P = 0.01), the duration of mechanical ventilation [weighted mean difference (WMD) = -2.68, 95%CI -4.99 to -0.37, P = 0.02], and length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU, WMD = -15.49, 95%CI -16.14 to -14.83, P < 0.000 01), and also could slightly reduce the incidence of post-surgical atrial fibrillation (OR = 0.77, 95%CI 0.60 to 1.00, P = 0.05). However, intensive glycaemic control could not reduce the use of epicardial pacing (OR = 0.32, 95%CI 0.09 to 1.05, P = 0.06).

CONCLUSION
Intensive blood glucose control during peri-operative period could improve the prognosis of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.


Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is an imaging technique that is becoming increasingly imaging as an alternative to transoesophageal echocardiography to guide percutaneous interventional procedures. The probe can be inserted under local anaesthesia and is principally used during closure of atrial septal abnormalities. The main advantages of ICE over transoesophageal echocardiography include the elimination of the need for general anaesthesia, clearer imaging, shorter procedure times and reduced radiation doses to the patient. Within this article we review some of the current applications of ICE and how to image from within the heart.


Wind power forecasts have been used operatively for over 20 years. Despite this fact, there are still several possibilities to improve the forecasts, both from the weather prediction side and from the usage of the forecasts. The new International Energy Agency (IEA) Task on Wind Power Forecasting tries to organise international collaboration, among national weather centres with an interest and/or large projects on wind forecast improvements (NOAA, DWD, UK MetOffice ...) and operational forecaster and forecast users.


Solitary-wave solutions to surface equations or two-equation models of film flows are investigated within the framework of dynamical system theory. The limiting behaviour of one-humped solitary waves (homoclinic orbits) at large Reynolds numbers is considered. Their predicted speed is in good agreement with numerical findings. The theory also explains the absence of solitary-wave solutions to the Benney equation in the same limit.


The article presents results of the analysis of the economic sustainability of Ukrainian machinebuilding enterprises in the context of new economic systems theory. The theory provides for priori division of the economic systems of all levels into four types based on their limitations in space and time – in this way object, environment, process and project systems are allocated. The author hypothesizes that the level of economic sustainability of the enterprise depends on the mutual balance of its internal subsystems of four types, and therefore may be determined on the basis of this balance measurement. For this purpose the special methods to determine the level of balance of the enterprise as an economic system have been developed. It is based on the index measurement of each type of subsystems by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method, analytical calculation of the index of their perimetric interaction intensity and on their basis – determination the system balance index of tetrad structure of the enterprise. The results of econometric modeling based on these methods according to the 16 Ukrainian machine-building enterprises for the period of 2004-2015 confirmed the hypothesis and led to the conclusion about the systemic nature of structural imbalances. The obtained results will be the basis for developing recommendations for management aimed at maintaining the parity of subsystems of four types and in turn it will provide the economic sustainability of the enterprise.


Introduction: Granzymes are serine proteases mainly produced by CD8 and NK cells, and are involved in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory disorders. Granzyme B (GzmB) is released towards target cells, but can also be released nonspecifically and is capable of cleaving extracellular matrix (ECM) components contributing to ECM degradation and remodeling in chronic inflammation. Recent studies have also shown participation of GzmB in allergic inflammation, but there are no descriptions of the its expression in fatal asthmatics. Methods: We studied large and small airways and lung parenchyma of 12 patients that died of fatal asthma (FA) and 8 controls (CTR). Using image analysis we measured the number of GzmB positive cells in the inner layer (IL), smooth muscle (SM) and outer layer (OL) of both large (LA) and small airways (SA) and in peribronchiolar (PS) and distal (DS) alveolar septa. Values [median (IQR)] were expressed as GmzB+ cells/BM length (cells/mm) in OL and IL, GmzB+ cells/SM area (cells/mm 2 ) in SM, and as GmzB+ cells/septal length (cells/μm) in PS and DS. Results: In LA we found a higher number of GmzB+ cells in IL [FA=12.9 (5.1), CTR=5.8 (3.1), p=0.02)] and OL ([FA=27.2 (9.3), CTR=7.5 (2.4), p=0.001)] in FA, but no differences were observed in SM. In SA, the number of GmzB+ cells was also higher in IL [FA=8.3 (4.4), CTR=2.8 (1.8), (p=0.03)] and OL [FA=15.9 (5.3), CTR=5.2 (4.1), (p=0.002)] in FA, but no differences were observed in SM. In the parenchyma, there was a higher number of GmzB+ cells in PS of FA comparing to CTR (p=0.02), but no differences were observed in DS. Conclusion: The results show that GzmB expression is increased in FA and may contribute to the previously described process of airway remodeling in these patients.


Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) lymphadenitis is the most common complication of BCG vaccination. Two forms of BCG lymphadenitis can be recognised in its natural course—simple or non-suppurative lymphadenitis, which usually regresses spontaneously over a period of few weeks, and suppurative BCG lymphadenitis distinguished by the development of fluctuations in the swelling, with erythema and oedema of overlying skin. Healing in suppurative glands occurs through spontaneous perforation and sinus formation, followed by closure of the sinus by cicatrisation. Non-suppurative BCG lymphadenitis is best managed with expectant follow ups only, because medical treatment with erythromycin or antituberculous drugs do not hasten the regression or prevent development of suppuration. Suppurative BCG lymphadenitis may be treated by needle aspiration to hasten resolution and prevent spontaneous perforation and sinus formation. Surgical excision is rarely needed and is meant for cases of failed needle aspiration or for draining BCG nodes.


2.5D printing is a technology which creates surface relief by superimposing successive layers of inks. The question of the characterization of heights obtained with this technique brings us to consider new metrics and mathematical ways to represent the influence of diverse printing parameters on the obtained relief, possibly used to compensate the defaults of the system. Our method takes over the classical Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) approach and adapts it to a vertical modulation instead of considering the (x, y) plane, introducing then a Height Modulation Transfer Function (HMTF). Characterization charts are composed of lines patterns printed at different heights, frequencies and droplet levels. Prints are scanned with a chromatic confocal sensor and resulting topographies are analyzed to extract the HMTF. By analogy with traditional MTF methods, results – consisting of the measurement of the deviation between the digital input and the analog output – allow to evaluate the quality of our printer and to compensate it by setting up a retro-action loop. The method, here presented in the case of the 2.5D printing prototype, can be extended to regular 3D printing techniques.


Conspicuous conservation is a newly emerged phenomenon of status driven environmentalism, where individuals undertake publicly visible conservation activities for the purpose of gaining social esteem. This paper studies the role of conspicuous conservation as an additional means of regulating environmental issues in an extended Uzawa-Lucas model with leisure choice, environmental externality and social status. Particular attention is paid to the long-term impact of conspicuous conservation on environmental quality, production culture, and the overall welfare along the balanced growth path (BGP) in a decentralized economy. Conspicuous conservation is found to aid pollution taxation and always increase environmental quality by providing additional incentives for pollution abatement. It however also increases the dirtiness of the aggregate technology, and encourages the use of the polluting factor. The overall welfare impact is positive when pollution control is absent or weak, but eventually turns negative as pollution taxation becomes increasingly stringent. The numerical example further suggests that strong status comparison is generally undesirable except at zero or extremely low pollution control.


African leafy vegetables (ALVs) play a significant role in food security of smallholder farmers in rural and urban/peri-urban areas. In the human diet, they serve as vital sources of protein, fiber, minerals and vitamins as well as health promoting secondary plant compounds. In addition, ALVs create employment opportunities for women and youth in the society, hence providing a viable option to alleviating food insecurity. Consumption of ALVs in African countries, including Kenya has increased recently. However, while farmers still rely on the traditional methods of handling of these vegetables along the value chain, the magnitude of postharvest losses of ALVs in Kenya can reach up to 50%, being attributed to inadequate conditions during transport, storage and marketing. Inadequate postharvest handling and facilities for storage and transport, inappropriate processing methods, insufficient hygiene conditions in the markets and poor infrastructure aggravate these problems, causing massive losses along "the field to consumer" chain. Despite all these impressive qualities and importance of ALVs to the society, studies are still limited especially on postharvest handling and preservation techniques. Thus, the paper reviews various studies on common postharvest handling and postharvest treatment of traditional ALVs grown and consumed in Kenya. This paper can therefore provide a basis for future studies on appropriate postharvest treatments of ALVs with emphasis on contributing to food security concerns.


Abstract—The limitation of the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of an airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system is not a serious problem to obtain high azimuth resolution and wide swath imaging compared with a spaceborne SAR system. Hence, continuous high azimuth resolution imagery over a wide area can be obtained using an antenna having a wide beamwidth. Since a small antenna with a large beamwidth has very low gain, which results in difficulty in detection; the azimuth beam pattern optimization of a large active phased array antenna is needed for airborne SAR system optimization. To improve the airborne SAR system performance, such as the noiseequivalent sigma zero (NEσ0), the azimuth resolution, the radiometric accuracy (RA), and the azimuth ambiguity ratio (AAR), we present an optimal azimuth beam pattern mask template and suggest an azimuth beam pattern satisfying the mask template using the particle swarm optimization (PSO). The mode having the proposed beam pattern guarantees continuous and high resolution images, simultaneously.


Corrosive environments have long presented problems in application, installation, and maintenance of electrical equipment. The causes of corrosion and the means taken to date to combat corrosive environments are briefly reviewed. The application of new technology in the glass-reinforced polyester plastics field is described as a solution to the problem of long-term protection of electrical equipment installed in aggressive environments. This new technology involves the use of chemical thickening of special polyester resins suitably formulated to provide high levels of structural strength and corrosion resistance both indoors and outdoors. Data are presented on the environmental resistance of the chemically thickened glass-reinforced polyester systems, and these are interpreted in terms of the diffusion of the environment into and out of the plastic. Examples are given of the application of chemically thickened glass-reinforced plastics in heavy duty industrial plugs and receptacles, industrial type light reflectors, and enclosures for electrical equipment. The degree of protection afforded by the chemically thickened glass-reinforced plastic is important in electrical installations in the petroleum, petrochemical, food, drug, fertilizer, and other process industries.


This book is a unique collection of Jewish magical texts from Late Antiquity. These consist of spells for protection against a wide variety of supernatural entities, demons, ghouls, and ghosts that were thought to be the cause of humanity's misfortunes. Texts in this collection include spells for the protection of the unborn and new-born baby and for warding off afflictions of the region of the head and belly, evil spirits in general, and human enemies. The magic bowls from which the incantations in this book have been transcribed are a form of amulet which was peculiar to the Mesopotamian regions of modern day Iran and Iraq of the fourth to seventh centuries A.D. These magical texts were individually commissioned by people whose names are usually mentioned within the texts. After having been written by sorcerer -scribes on the inside of earthenware bowls these were buried upside down under the floor of the client's house. These texts are an early testament to Jewish magical textual traditions, elements of which can be traced throughout history to modern-day practices. Levene's book makes available new and exciting material from an area of which little has been published so far.


The purpose of this study was to clarify the degree of influence of anesthetic agents commonly used during anesthesia on the heart conduction systems of geriatric dogs, with or without the presence of electrocardiographic changes in the pre-anesthetic electrocardiogram and also to determine the possible causes of ST-segment and T-wave changes during anesthesia, by monitoring ventilation and oxygenation. 36 geriatric dogs were evaluated. In addition to electrocardiographic evaluation, the pre-anesthetic study included serum levels of urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin and electrolytes. The pre-anesthetic medication consisted of acepromazine (0.05mg kg-1) in association with meperidine (3.0mg kg-1) by IM injection. Anesthesia was induced with propofol (3.0 to 5.0mg kg-1) by IV injection and maintained with isoflurane in 100% oxygen. During the anesthesia, the animals were monitored by continued computerized electrocardiogram. Systemic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, end-tidal carbon dioxide, partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood, arterial oxygen saturation, partial pressure of arterial oxygen and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin were closely monitored. During maintenance anesthesia, normal sinus rhythm was more common (78%). ST-segment and T-wave changes during the anesthetic procedure were quite common and were related to hypoventilation. The use of isoflurane did not result in arrhythmia, being therefore a good choice for this type of animal; Electrocardiographic findings of ST-segment and T-wave changes during the maintenance anesthesia were evident in animals with hypercapnia, a disorder that should be promptly corrected with assisted or controlled ventilation to prevent complicated arrhythmias.


INTRODUCTION
The aim of the study was a preliminary report of the use of large diameter alumina femoral heads in total hip arthroplasty.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
In the years 2005-2008 50 THRs were implanted in 48 patients with the use of 36 mm alumina femoral heads. 5 women and 43 men in the age from 35 to 75 years (average 61 years) were operated on. Primary osteoarthritis was the cause of 41 arthroplasties, and AVN of femoral head of 9 surgeries. 18 alumina/alumina and 32 polyethylene/alumina THRs were implanted. The prospective study consisted of clinical examination with Harris Hip Score and X-ray evaluation. AP and lateral view X-rays were evaluated. The incidence of radiolucent lines around acetabular cups were noted with DeLee and Charnley zones and around stems with Gruen's zones.

RESULTS
The follow up is from 24 to 58 months (average 40 months). There was an increase in Harris Hip Score from average 37 points (from 25 to 49 points) before operation to average 94 points (from 90 to 100 points) after the surgery. The incidence of postoperative dislocation have not been noted. Long-term postoperative X-ray examination have showed proper geometry of endoprostheses without radiolucent lines. Neither visible wear of bearing surfaces nor breakage of alumina components have been noted.

CONCLUSIONS
1) The use of 36 mm femoral heads in total hip arthroplasty decrease the risk of postoperative dislocation. 2) Innovative biomaterials: alumina ceramics and cross-linked polyethylene give chance for decrease the incidence of osteolysis.


Asymptotic output tracking in a class of causal nonminimum-phase uncertain nonlinear systems is addressed via higher order sliding modes. Local asymptotic stability of the output tracking-error dynamics is provided. An output reference profile and an external disturbance forcing the internal dynamics are defined by an unknown linear exosystem. Its characteristic polynomial (which is used in the output-tracking control algorithm) is identified online by using a higher order sliding mode parameter observer. The input-output dynamics is compensated by higher order sliding mode (HOSM) control. A numerical example illustrates the performance of the developed HOSM control algorithm.


In this study, a gradient-based dynamic system is constructed in order to solve a certain class of optimization problems. For this purpose, the hyperbolic penalty function is used. Firstly, the constrained optimization problem is replaced with an equivalent unconstrained optimization problem via the hyperbolic penalty function. Thereafter, the nonlinear dynamic model is defined by using the derivative of the unconstrained optimization problem with respect to decision variables. To solve the resulting differential system, a steepest descent search technique is used. Finally, some numerical examples are presented for illustrating the performance of the nonlinear hyperbolic penalty dynamic system.


In this days, starting any business firm, making the business' market sustainable and having a
unique product in competitive market is not easy; for this, different ways of doing activities are
considered as an undertaking in various setting; every movement has an alternate trademark and
needs a particular prerequisite which prompts a unique outcome. The main aim of doing any
business is to make profit. This research project is comparing the key factors that affects the
success of a bricks factory when you perform them. Here two bricks factories are compared
based on some factors, Tanjaro Bricks Factory as the unsuccessful factory and Aso Bricks
Factory as the most successful one in business industry in the region and Iraq, this success is due
to having good plans, strategies and economies of scale. These two bricks factory are located in
Kurdistan region in Iraq and they are making bricks from clay. Plan, strategy and economies of
scale are factors that influence any business firm to be successful and help the industry to be
more profitable. Business plan and strategy are setting a clear goal and work accordingly by
using one of the business plan and strategy models. And economies of scale are relatively
corresponding cost saving achieved when a firm increases their level of production. Managing
any industry needs techniques that make it special and more successful than the others. Here the
main difference between the successful and unsuccessful firm is that the successful one which is
Aso factory, they had a good plan and strategy from the beginning they had the most recent
technological equipment in the industry that could lead the business firm to perform economies
of scale and be the most competitive firm in Iraq that no other firms could compete them with
quality and price. as a result of having the best business plans and strategy with economies of
scale leads any firm to success and profitability, and vise versa.


The aim of this study is to qualitatively evaluate the cracking control effects of expansive concrete used in reinforced concrete building. The result of experiments in laboratory shows that autogenous shrinkage and drying shrinkage are suppressed by using expansive additive. The tensile stress-strength ratio is lower in expansive concrete than normal concrete under fully restrained condition. Compression stress could be effectively generated in early age in the walls in buildings by the use of expansive additive, and tensile stress due to drying shrinkage at later age eventually decreased. Additionally, visual observation at long-term ages shows that the cracking area of expansive concrete was approximately 35% of normal concrete, which confirms that the use of expansive additive reduces concrete cracking in reinforced concrete buildings.


In this study, researchers are evaluating the accessibility of online marketing, the most preferable online shops among consumers and the income earned each month generated through it. This research is using a qualitative method on respondents from the batik entrepreneurs' in Laweyan, Surakarta, Central Java. The primary and secondary data are collected at every research stage. Those data are further analyzed using interactive model data analysis. As a result, it was concluded that batik entrepreneurs in Laweyan are actively engaged with social media, but only a few of them are capable to utilize it for their marketing activities. The main reason is due to the limited human resource capable to run an online shop effectively, therefore most of them prefer to sell their goods in a traditional offline store basis. It is very unfortunate, because we also discovered that among batik entrepreneurs who already applied online marketing, their income has increased significantly. From this research, we suggest batik entrepreneurs in Laweyan, Surakarta, Central Java to actively use online shop as an option to market and distribute their product. They could spare some time, at least once a week, to update their business social media, ecommerce page, or business website. By doing this, batik entrepreneurs could increase their income and wider their business.


Since 1989, the Sudan has been ruled by an Islamist government. The central hypothesis of the present paper maintains that Islamist rule may, in spite of its explicitly anti-secular agenda, paradoxically assist in the emergence of a more secular society. Secularization is here understood as a process where a new "desacralized" notion of religion challenges and ultimately undermines the legitimacy of certain practices and patterns of action that were previously perceived as religiously justified. The case of Islamist ideas on the position of women in Muslim society serves as an example to demonstrate how this process works and what "desacralization" can entail. The paper introduces the views of Hasan al-Turabi on "authentic Islam" and the role of women, and subsequently discusses some of the antagonistic effects the government's Islamization agenda has had on women of different social backgrounds. The concluding section interprets the Islamist project of "women's liberation" as the product of a middle and upper class ideology which could as well be expressed in non-Islamic terms.


The incineration furnace at National Veterinary Institute (SVA) in Uppsala, Sweden, generates a large amount of waste heat. Some of this heat is partially recovered and is used for heating one of the main buildings during the furnace operation. However, around 2,000 MWh is wasted annually due to unavailability of any storage system. This work studies in detail four different solutions to utilize the available waste heat to provide heating to neighbouring buildings. The study initiates with the quantitative analysis of the available waste heat and the heating demands of the nearby buildings. The first solution considered in this work is to use water storage tanks to provide heating to the SVA main building when the incineration process is not operational. The second considered solution is to maximize the direct use of waste heat in the SVA buildings during the incinerator operating period. As a third alternative, the first two solutions, i.e. direct use of waste heat and use of storage tank, respectively, have been studied simultaneously in various combinations. The fourth solution explores the possibility of using borehole thermal energy storage for seasonal storage of heat during summer months. The results of this study underscore the complexity of storing and using waste heat. The results suggest that the direct use of heat (i.e. the second option) results in the largest savings-to-investment ratio and the shortest payback period. The borehole thermal energy storage and the ground-source heat pump system (i.e. the fourth option) turns out to be the most profitable solution after 25 years. However, this solution requires significant investments; hence payback period is much longer compared to other design options. For shorter analysis period, e.g. 15 years, the third option, i.e. the combination of direct waste heat and storage tank, shows the highest economic profitability. It provides highest monetary savings when discounted to net present values and has the second shortest payback period. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of heat management between different buildings and underlines the importance of demands and availability analysis to determine the optimal solution. (Less)


This study evaluated the impact of level and solubility of dietary fiber on sow and litter performance when fed during the pre-farrowing period. Sows (n = 82) were assigned by BW to a 2×2 factorial arrangement plus a control treatment (regular lactation diet; 11.30% TDF) with the following factors: 1) High soluble dietary fiber (SDF; 6.0%) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF; 31.10%); low soluble dietary fiber levels (SDF; 4.2%) and insoluble dietary fiber levels (IDF 28.30%) and 2) supplementation level of a fiber top-dress added to the lactation feed (0.45 vs 0.90 kg). The top-dress supplements were formulated to meet target fiber levels using sugar beet pulp and wheat middlings. Sows were transferred into the farrowing house at approximately 113 (±1d) d of gestation and experimental treatments were implemented from placement until parturition. Fiber solubility and top-dress level had no effects on sow BW during the pre-farrowing period and lactation (P > 0.05). Lactation length was unaffected by treatments (P = 0.57). Piglet birth weight (P = 0.35), stillborn pigs (P = 0.76), and number of pigs born below 0.90 kg (P=0.89) did not differ between treatments. Wean weight of piglets was not different between treatments (P = 0.84) but, insoluble fiber increased (P = 0.04) the number of small weaned pigs (less than 3.6 kg BW) irrespective of supplementation level (2.23 vs 1.10, and 0.37, for insoluble fiber, control, and soluble fiber, respectively). Results suggests that short-term supplementation of fiber immediately prior to farrowing and fiber solubility was not an effective strategy to improve sow performance during lactation.


We have developed a non-collective Thomson scattering diagnostic for measurements of electron density and temperature on the Large Plasma Device. A triple grating spectrometer with a tunable notch filter is used to discriminate the faint scattering signal from the stray light. In this paper, we describe the diagnostic and its calibration via Raman scattering and present the first measurements performed with the fully commissioned system. Depending on the discharge conditions, the measured densities and temperatures range from 4.0 × 1012 to 2.8 × 1013 cm-3 and from 1.2 to 6.8 eV, respectively. The variation of the measurement error with plasma parameters and discharges averaged is also discussed.


We assessed alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated inotropism in comparison with beta-adrenoceptor-mediated inotropism in whole left ventricle. We used an isolated perfused isovolumic rabbit heart preparation, which enables one to assess contractility and time course of contraction as well as energetic efficiency. Left ventricular pressure (LVP) and volume were measured with an intraventricular fluid-filled balloon. Myocardial oxygen consumption was assessed from the oxygen tension of coronary effluent. Both isoproterenol (n = 7) and phenylephrine (n = 7) increased LV developed pressure (LVDP). Isoproterenol shortened the time to peak pressure (Tmax) from 171 +/- 6 to 142 +/- 7 ms (p less than 0.01) and the time constant of LV pressure decay (TBF) from 44.8 +/- 2.7 to 32.8 +/- 1.9 ms (p less than 0.01). In contrast, phenylephrine slightly but significantly prolonged Tmax from 178 +/- 4 to 184 +/- 4 (p less than 0.05) and did not alter TBF. Both isoproterenol and phenylephrine increased O2 consumption, whereas only phenylephrine increased the force-time integral from 14.0 +/- 1.5 to 17.2 +/- 2.1 g.s (p less than 0.01). These results confirmed in the whole heart preparation that alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor-mediated inotropisms had qualitatively different effects on the time course of contraction and energetic efficiency.


Two LHC Beam Dumping Systems (LBDS) remove the counter-rotating beams safely from the collider during setting up of the accelerator, at the end of a physics run and in case of emergencies. Dump requests can come from 3 different sources: the machine protection system in emergency cases, the machine timing system for scheduled dumps or the LBDS itself in case of internal failures. These dump requests are synchronized with the 3 μs beam abort gap in a fail-safe redundant Trigger Synchronization Unit (TSU) based on a Digital Phase Locked Loop (DPLL), locked onto the LHC beam revolution frequency with a maximum phase error of 40 ns. The synchronized trigger pulses coming out of the TSU are then distributed to the high voltage generators of the beam dump kickers through a redundant fault-tolerant trigger distribution system. This paper describes the operational experience gained with the TSU since its commissioning with beam in 2009, and highlights the improvements, which have been implemented for a safer operation. This includes an increase of the diagnosis and monitoring functionalities and a more automated validation of the hardware and embedded firmware before deploying or executing a post-operational analysis of the TSU performance, after each dump action. In the light of this first experience the outcome of the external review performed in 2010 is presented. The lessons learnt on the project life cycle for the design of mission critical electronic modules are discussed.


Background: Lymphedema is a medical condition that is an externalization of a lymphatic insufficiency. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of intensive lymphedema treatment on the body mass and fat mass Indexes. Method and Results: A clinical trial was performed using bio impedance to evaluate changes in the body mass and fat mass Indexes of 30 consecutive patients submitted to intensive lymphedema treatment of the legs (8 hours/day for one week) in the Clinica Godoy between 2013 and 2015. The paired t-test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis with an alpha error of 5% being considered acceptable. Significant changes in the mean body mass (p-value = 0.0001) index was identified by comparing evaluations before and after treatment however there was no significant improvement in the fat mass index. In these cases, morbid obesity was associated with age over 40 years (Fisher's exact test: p-value 0.01). Conclusion: A significant reduction of edema during the intensive treatment of stage III lymphedema can reflect in a significant reduction in the body mass index.


Lime requirements of 90 top- and subsoil samples of the Hutton, Avalon and Clovelly forms were determined using the following buffer methods: the Woodruff (1948) method; the 1961 SMP method (Shoemaker, McLean & Pratt, 1961); two modifications of the 1961 SMP method viz., the Highveld Region SMP method (HVR SMP methodi?½Haumann & Volschenk, 1979) and the 1966 SMP method (McLean, Dumford & Coronel, 1966); the Adams & Evans (1962) method and the 1978 SMP method (McLean, Eckert, Reddy & Trierweiler, 1978) which is a newly developed double buffer method. The lime requirements obtained by these methods were compared with the limerequirement indicated by CaC03 incubation. All the methods were highly significantly correlated with the incubation method. The 1966 SMP method gave the highest correlation (r= 0 ,9219 ) closely followed by the HVR SMP method (r =0,9189) and the Woodruff method gave the lowest correlation (r=0 ,7690). Regression equations and graphs revealed that the 1978 SMP method gave the most accurate direct approximation of incubation lime requirement of all the methods. The conclusion, however, was that the 1966 and HVR SMP methods being twice as rapid as the 1978 SMP method, would be preferable for routine laboratory analysis after adjustment with the appropriate regression equation.


After introducing tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as promising treatments for radioactive iodine refractory advanced thyroid cancer patients, we more often meet patients with TKI-related hormone and electrolyte imbalances in clinics. Hypocalcemia associated with TKI is associated with an imbalance in calcium-vitamin D metabolism. TKI-related hypothyroidism is related to the metabolic rate of thyroid hormones. The two side effects usually occur in the early stages of TKI treatment, and if the imbalance is corrected appropriately, the effects are minor, but in severe cases, the TKI should be discontinued. The authors reported a case of severe hypocalcemia and thyroid dysfunction after TKI treatment. A 56-year-old man suffered from symptomatic hypocalcemia during TKI treatment, which was resolved after he stopped taking the TKI medication. Although calcium and vitamin D replacement have increased, hypocalcemia was recurred and TKI treatments have been permanently stopped due to serious weight loss in grade 3. After the interruption, his calcium levels normalized.


Despite its inherently ephemeral character, paper played significant roles in Buddhist rituals and private practices in premodern Japan. Through a focused examination of a thirteenth-century letter by the monk Jōgyō (1186–1231) that was stamped with Amida Buddha figures after his death and sealed within an Amida statue, this project draws out the sacral importance of paper and hand-writing alongside reuse and recycling in Japanese Buddhist material culture. Examining the crux of these transformational moments tells us how mourners navigated loss, reveals the productive tension between preservation and destruction, and exposes the paradoxical importance of intentional invisibility in artistic culture. By reframing and layering Jōgyō's letter with the repeating rows of stamped Buddhas, this memorial practice creates a palimpsest. Paper, in its materiality, was therefore a key site of memory and commemoration. The tangibility and tactility of paper mattered. And by fragmenting, rearranging, and reusing letters left behind, brushwork became embodied writing, marked and filtered through the simple recurring figures. In these ways, purposefully visual palimp-sests offer an intimate view of the mourning process and of prayers for salvation. Jōgyō's


This paper estimates the rate of success of new dairy products in the UK. They are an important strategy applied by manufacturers and retailers when competing. Moreover, in the current context of decreasing demand for dairy products, the strategy is seen as a way to recapture lost market. We focus on products introduced in 2011 using Mintel's GNPD and their sales were followed up to 2015 using Kantar Worldpanel data. A categorical variable was constructed based on the results and modelled using a multinomial logit. Our findings indicate all categories of claims named health, safety, environmental, demographic or convenient can be associated to the level of success of dairy products. However its significance is category specific.


MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate mRNA expression, are crucial in diverse developmental and physiological programs and their misregulation can lead to disease. Chemically modified oligonucleotides have been developed to modulate miRNA activity for therapeutic intervention in disease settings, but their mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. Here we show that the miRNA inhibitors (anti-miRs) physically associate with Argonaute proteins in the context of the cognate target miRNA in vitro and in vivo. The association is mediated by the seed region of the miRNA and is sensitive to the placement of chemical modifications. Furthermore, the targeted miRNAs are stable and continue to be associated with Argonaute. Our results suggest that anti-miRs specifically associate with Argonaute-bound miRNAs, preventing association with target mRNAs, which leads to subsequent stabilization and thus increased expression of the targeted mRNAs.


We report a 43-year-old man who presented for evaluation of ascites, varices, and hepatosplenomegaly. Initial labs were notable for normal platelets, mild liver synthetic dysfunction, and disproportionately elevated alkaline phosphatase. He was presumed to have underlying cirrhosis, and diuresis was attempted without success. A transjugular liver biopsy showed marked sinusoidal dilation without cirrhosis. Diagnostic paracentesis revealed fluid studies suggestive of cardiac ascites. Further cardiac evaluation confirmed constrictive pericarditis. The case highlights the importance of considering a broad differential in the evaluation of ascites.


The purpose of this paper is to develop the fractional order explicit finite difference scheme for time fractional drug concentration equation and obtain its numerical solution. Also, we prove that the scheme is conditionally stable and convergent. As an application of this scheme, numerical solutions of fractional order drug concentration equation in the Central Nervous System (CNS) is obtained and these are simulated graphically using Python.


Drying kinetics of the product are the most important data required for the design and simulation of air dryers. This essential information can be obtained through simple lab-scale experiments. Nevertheless, due to the uncertainty of the process, specially when dealing with biological materials, all the necessary data at different operating conditions are not usually available. On the other hand, drying kinetic models are either too simple to expect reasonably good predictions, or too complicated to be applied easily.

The key assumptions of a previously developed lumped-parameter model for air drying kinetics were revised to examine their application to biological materials. A short cut method has been developed to simulate kinetic curves from a minimum number of experimental data. A simple parameter study was carried out to detect the most important variables that affect the mass transfer Biot number in order to predict kinetics data safely. Experimental (hot air) drying curves for bananas, grapes and mushrooms were obtained in a lab scale dryer, at different air temperatures (50 to 70C) and air velocities (1 to 3 m/s). A comparison between experimental and predicted data was done for different operating conditions.


Abstract A satellite imagery-based Northern Hemisphere snow cover data archive was mapped for the period 1966–84: The maps were digitized in order to create the first hemispheric, spatially data-continuous climatologies of snow cover. Annual and monthly climatologies were created and compared to several standard or frequently referenced climatologies. Results of this analysis indicate that the satellite-based climatology provides a much more detailed climatology for the higher latitude and highland regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The satellite imagery-based maps, when compared to the historical snow cover climatologies, indicated more extensive high-latitude snow cover concurrent with a northward shift in the southern extent of the climatological snow cover, this results in a narrower snow-transition zone.


The ethnographic artifacts deposited by Father Friderik Baraga in 1837 in the Carniolian Provincial Museum of Ljubljana is of substantial importance for the local and temporal attribution of regional styles of the Native arts in the Great Lakes region of North America. Since Baraga's contacts with Ottawa and Chippewa Indians between 1831 and 1836 are well documented, and since additional information can be derived from various lists of the objects prepared at the time of their accession, the collection can help to shed light on other, less well documented materials. A general discussion of the problems inherent in the interpretation of historically collected ethnographic specimens and their importance for historical ethnography is illustrated by comparative perspectives on selected artifacts from the Baraga collection.


The endogenous opioid system is comprised of a wide array of receptors and ligands that are present throughout the central and peripheral nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract, and the immune system. This explains the multitude of physiological functions it is responsible for including analgesia, mood regulation, and modulation of the stress response. It also plays a pivotal role in modulating the brain's reward center with behavioral and social implications on mood disorders and addiction. Exogenous opioid therapy hijacks the endogenous system and alters its functions contributing to an imbalance that is responsible for the pathogenesis of several disease states.


With the hope of understanding how interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 modulated quality of anti-viral CD8+ T cells, we evaluated the expression of receptors for these cytokines following a range of viral infections (e.g. pox viruses and influenza virus). Results clearly indicated that unlike other IL-4/IL-13 receptor subunits, IL-4 receptor α (IL-4Rα) was significantly down-regulated on anti-viral CD8+ T cells in a cognate antigen dependent manner. The infection of gene knockout mice and wild-type (WT) mice with vaccinia virus (VV) or VV expressing IL-4 confirmed that IL-4, IL-13 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) were required to increase IL-4Rα expression on CD8+ T cells, but not interferon (IFN)-γ. STAT6 dependent elevation of IL-4Rα expression on CD8+ T cells was a feature of poor quality anti-viral CD8+ T cell immunity as measured by the production of IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in response to VV antigen stimulation in vitro. We propose that down-regulation of IL-4Rα, but not the other IL-4/IL-13 receptor subunits, is a mechanism by which CD8+ T cells reduce responsiveness to IL-4 and IL-13. This can improve the quality of anti-viral CD8+ T cell immunity. Our findings have important implications in understanding anti-viral CD8+ T cell immunity and designing effective vaccines against chronic viral infections.


To the Editor:— InThe Journal, May 13, page 117, Elder and Harrison suggest the "possibility... of procaine in preventing tissue necrosis... in other solutions that are accidentally extravasated during intravenous medications, e. g., arsenical compounds...." In Queries and Minor Notes inThe Journal, Jan. 28, 1939, "M.D., Connecticut" asked how to relieve the patient who suffered from neoarsphenamine leaking into the tissues during an intravenous injection. I began using concentrated solutions of neoarsphenamine over twenty-five years ago and called attention to their use in the December 1913 issue of the California State Journal of Medicine . On more than one occasion I too, "owing to the patient's restlessness" or to mine (!) or to movements associated with release of tourniquets and the like have noted leaks into the tissues. Occasionally the patient remains silent. As a rule patients at once complain of pain. With the slightest leak, even if the patient


Ovine parturition is initiated by increases in fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity which, in turn, increase placental estrogen biosynthesis and ultimately increase uterine contractility. In addition to their action in the uterus, estrogens in fetal plasma augment fetal corticotropin (ACTH) secretion. In late gestation, estrone sulfate is more abundant in fetal plasma than unconjugated estrone and it is possible that there is interconversion of sulfoconjugated and unconjugated steroids within the fetal brain. We studied hypothalamus and brainstem tissue from fetal, neonatal, and adult sheep to test the hypothesis that the ovine brain contains estrogen sulfotransferase. Although no significant ontogenic pattern was revealed, the presence of estrogen sulfotransferase within the hypothalamus and brainstem was detectable. Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of estrogen sulfotransferase in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, the nucleus of the tractus solatarius, and the rostral ventral lateral medulla. We conclude that ovine fetal hypothalamus and brainstem contain estrogen sulfotransferase in brain regions important for HPA axis control.


The Indian Ocean mega tsunami that occurred on 26 December 2004 resulted in the death of over 200,000 people worldwide, including 52 deaths in Penang Island, Malaysia. This rare but devastating tsunami highlights the vulnerability to future tsunamis for Malaysian coastal communities living in affected areas. To assess the potential impact of future tsunami, numerical tsunami models are used to project the maximum inundation distances and maximum runup heights along the affected coastal areas. In this paper, the in-house one-dimensional tsunami runup model codenamed TUNA-RP is enhanced and used to investigate the relations between the steepness of beach slope and tsunami impact, specifically inundation distance and runup height. The simulation results of TUNA-RP show that the inundation distances and runup heights decrease exponentially as the steepness of beach slope increases. Inundation distance and runup height at seven high-risk coastal areas in Penang Island, such as Teluk Bahang, Batu Feringghi and Tanjung Bungah, are presented in this paper to highlight risks and vulnerability. At certain locations along Penang beaches, a worst-case scenario may result in a tsunami with runup heights of 10 m which is highly dangerous, that might potentially take the lives of hundreds or thousands. Recognizing this vulnerability to tsunami risks for Penang, further research is essential for developing tsunami resilience in the face of this tsunami hazard.


The origin of magnetic interactions in verdazyl-based radical stackings is examined using ab initio wave function and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Starting from the reported crystal structure of the 1,1'-bis(verdazyl)ferrocene diradical compound, the singlet-triplet energy difference has been evaluated on the basis of multireference difference dedicated configurations interaction calculations and suggested the innocent role of the ferrocene spacer. Using the underlying pi-dimer verdazyl structures, the J variations and potential energy surfaces of parallel and antiparallel face-to-face arrangements have been studied with respect to the verdazyl-verdazyl separation to evaluate the Coulomb repulsion U and bandwidth W. While coupled-cluster CCSD(T) calculations are suggestive of a weak bond formation in both dimer arrangements (approximately 40 kJ mol(-1)), the DFT approach fails to reproduce the bonding character. The intrinsically delocalized character of the magnetic orbitals favors an S = 0 ground state, but importantly, the S = 1 spin state is also bound. A typical 0.4 A increase (i.e., 10%) of the verdazyl-verdazyl equilibrium distance accompanying a 16 kJ mol(-1) adiabatic energy difference is calculated between the S = 0 and S = 1 states. In this distance separation regime, we finally suggest that either a relative 1.2 A slippage or a approximately 42 degrees relative orientation of the verdazyl rings is likely to give rise to a high-spin S = 1 ground state. These features are symptomatic of a bistable system, and an interpretation of the exchange interaction in verdazyl pi-dimer structures in terms of spin transition is proposed.


ABSTRACT The local needs and circumstances in curriculum revision often necessitate improvements in the quality of education. However, problems associated with the revision of curricula in developing countries have been observed from a range of perspectives in previous studies. This study investigates the revision process of the intended mathematics curriculum in Mozambique through document analysis of related materials and interviews with people involved in the 2015 curriculum revision. The investigation revealed three points. First, the results of nationwide surveys on academic ability conducted by the Ministry of Education and Human Development (MEHD) as well as interviews of parents and teacher questionnaires significantly affected the curriculum-revision process. Second, aligned with the political regulations, opinions from various social and economic groups worked as one of the main factors behind this process. Finally, the National Institute for Educational Development (INDE) has exhibited a strong initiative throughout the process. The research analysis would form a proposition of a methodology to analyse the curriculum revision process. The findings would be relevant to other African countries in undertaking appropriate curricular revisions.


Background: The aim of this study was to test the necessity of using expensive and unaccesible pharmacological-chemical agents in the proliferation of bone tissue cultures and in the induction of mineralized matrix formation to increase the osteogenic effect. Methods: For this purpose, human primary cell cultures were prepared and then divided into two groups. Whereas the cells in group I were fed with an osteoblast stimulator medium containing Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) and β-glycerophosphate, the cells in group II were fed with DMEM containing dexamethasone and 2-phospho-L-ascorbic acid trisodium salt. Both groups were evaluated in terms of viability, toxicity, and proliferation and then compared in terms of cell surface morphology through inverted light and environmental scanning electron microscopy. In addition to immunoflow cytometric analyses, the effects of alkaline phosphatase activities were evaluated using the spectrophotometric method to examine the osteoblastic activities. Costs were calculated in the currency of the European Union (Euros). The Tukey Honestly Significant Difference test was used to reach the statistical evaluation of the data after the analysis of variance. Results: It was reported that the level of the alkaline phosphates was higher in group I compared to group II. It was observed that the surface morphology quality, the number of living cells, and proliferation were higher in group II and that the results were deemed statistically significant. Conclusion: It was found that the 2-phospho-L-ascorbic acid trisodium salt and dexamethasone mixture was as effective as the expensive commercial kits on the osteogenic effect on human primary bone tissue.


For applications of high-intensity beams in heavy ion inertial confinement fusion and high energy density physics, solenoidal focusing lattice and transverse wobblers can be used to achieve uniform illumination of the target and for suppressing deleterious instabilities. A generalized selfconsistent Kapchinskij-Vladimirskij solution of the nonlinear Vlasov-Maxwell equations is derived for high-intensity beams in a solenoidal focusing lattice with transverse wobblers. The cross-section of the beam is an ellipse with dynamical centroid, titling angle, and transverse dimensions that are determined from 5 envelope-like equations.


The current FDA method to recover parasites from fruits and vegetables is derived from procedures used to isolate parasitic protozoa from water. A 1kg portion of fruit or vegetable is divided into 200 g subportions. The subportions are sequentially processed in a sonic cleaning bath with 1.5 liters of detergent solution (1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, 0.1% Tween 80) and sonicated for 10 minutes. As each subsample is removed, it is thoroughly drained. After this sonic treatment, the wash water is collected in a polypropylene beaker, transferred to 50 ml polypropylene centrifuge tubes and centrifuged for 15 min at 1500 x g. The sediment is consolidated into one tube along with two rinsings of each tube. The final sediment is fixed in 4% formaldehyde for 10 minutes before examination for parasites. Indirect fluorescent antibody is applied to stain the parasites (Giardia spp. and/or Cryptosporidium spp.) by using commercial kits when available. If a large quantity of extraneous matter is contained in the sediment it may be reduced by layering on Sheather's fluid and centrifuging at 1500 x g for 15 minutes. The supernatant is collected and washed twice in distilled water. This procedure is adequate for protozoa and nonoperculate helminth eggs; operculate helminth eggs may be cleaned by extraction with ethyl acetate. When cabbage and lettuce were seeded at 1 organism/g, the rate of recovery for Cryptosporidium parvum with the FDA method was 1%. When cabbage was seeded at 1 egg/g and 10 eggs/g, the average rate of recovery of decorticated eggs of Ascaris sp. or untreated Trichuris sp. was 10%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study was to explain the relationship between ways of coping and health-related hardiness in university students at G city. Method: The participants were a convenience sample of 250 students. The data were collected by a questionnaire given to the students between June 1 to June 10, 2006. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression were used to analyze the data. Results: The most frequently used method of coping was pursuit of social support. The mean score for level of health-related hardiness was . There were significant differences in ways of coping according to satisfaction with college life (F=4.036, p=.008). There were significant differences in health-related hardiness according to smoking or not (F=6.237, p=.002). There were positive correlation between problem focused coping and hardiness (r=.357, p=.000), between social support and hardiness (r=.345, p=.000), between hope seeking thought and hardiness (r=.247, p=.000). In regression analysis, ways of coping was significantly influenced by hardiness(16.6%). Conclusion: The results suggest that programs for strengthening hardiness can be considered as significant nursing interventions for helping university students cope with stress.


Language is closely related to culture. Language expresses and embodies cultural reality, in the meantime, culture exerts enormous influences on language. Therefore, language learning is often culture learning. The author, based on the negligence of culture teaching in English language classes, illustrates the influences of cultural knowledge on reading, translating and intercultural communicating, and proposes suggestions on culture teaching in English language teaching (ELT).


The stability analysis for CWR is difficult in the theory itself because both geometric and material nonlinearity should be considered. Also the analysis results are varied according to the loading history. In contrast to the complexity in the theory, the analysis results for CWR on the railway bridges are quite simple and can be predicted because of a small buckling effect and its negligible nonlinearity. In this study, refined nonlinear analysis methods for the stability analysis of CWR on the railway bridges were developed which consider only material nonlinearity beeause the effects of geometric nonlinearity are nominal. In this study, the analysis results can be found within limited number of iterations with idealized linear force-displacement relationship. From the analysis result comparisons, it was found that the stability analysis for CWR on the railway bridges can be performed effectively by this method.


Potter and Lombardi (1990) showed that words that are semantically similar to nouns of auditorily or visually presented sentences intrude into sentence recall if presented in an unrelated word list (given either before or after the sentence). The authors interpreted this finding in terms of the conceptual regeneration hypothesis. This hypothesis states that sentence recall is based on conceptual information whereas the role of phonological information is negligible. However, this general interpretation is questionable. In order to demonstrate the involvement of phonological information in sentence recall, we used Potter and Lombardi's intrusion paradigm. Participants were either presented with auditory or visual material. With respect to visual presentations we used two conditions: a rapid presentation rate (rapid serial visual presentation, RSVP) and a slow presentation rate. Under all conditions the word list was presented before the sentence. The intrusion effect was only found for RSVP but not for the slow conditions. This finding provides evidence for the assumption that phonological information generally plays an important role in short-term sentence recall.


The analytical methods described in the previous paper were applied to the specific problem of leaf respiration in a series of experiments extending over two years. Four separate experiments of the same type were carried out in 1932, and a further one in the following season. Experience gained in the first year led to a slight modification of the experimental procedure and to the development of gasometric methods, by means of which it was possible to measure the respiratory quotient of starving leaves. Consequently, in later experiments, it was possible to compare the results of direct sugar analysis with meaurements of the quotient, each method providing a clue to the nature of the oxidations underlying carbon dioxide production. The standard Pettenkoffer method was used, when measurement of carbon dioxide output only was required, while the total gaseous exchange was determined by means of the Haldane gas analysis apparatus (Haldane, 1912). A full description of the gasometric methods will be given elsewhere. 2 - Experimental Details and Results In each season barley plants of the Plumage Archer variety were grown on the same experimental plot at Islip with full mineral treatment. A more carefully controlled method of culture was impracticable, owing to the need for large numbers of leaves; in different experiments from 300 to 700 leaves were required, all isolated from the growing plants at the same time. Immediately after detachment they were divided up into separate samples of 45 to 50 leaves, and the carbon dioxide production of each sample was followed during starvation under controlled conditions. After various intervals of time, samples were analysed to find the concentration of the various hexose sources. In this way the interrelated processes of sugar exhaustion and carbon dioxide production could be followed.


Phosphorescence lifetime measurement based on a frequency domain approach is used to estimate oxygen tension in large retinal blood vessels. The classical least squares (LS) estimation was initially used to determine oxygen tension indirectly from intermediate variables. A spatial regularized least squares (RLS) method was later proposed to reduce the high variance of oxygen tension estimated by LS method. In this paper, we provide a solution using a modified RLS (MRLS) approach that utilizes prior knowledge about retinal vessels oxygenation based on expected oxygen tension values in retinal arteries and veins. The performance of MRLS method was evaluated in simulated and experimental data by determining the bias, variance, and mean absolute error (MAE) of oxygen tension measurements and comparing these parameters with those derived with the use of LS and RLS methods.


Abstract:  The spectrum of CD30‐positive cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorders (CD30+ CLPD) includes lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), primary cutaneous CD30+ large T‐cell lymphoma (LTCL) and rare borderline patients. Despite their malignant histopathology, CD30+ CLPD exhibit a low‐grade malignant course with an excellent prognosis and a characteristic tendency for spontaneous regression. Apoptosis of tumour cells is considered a principal mechanism of tumour regression. We examined the proliferation and apoptosis rates as well as the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins in various clinical entities, tumour cell lines and evolutional (evolving and regressing) stages of CD30+ CLPD. Skin biopsies of LyP (n = 20) and LTCL (n = 19) and five CD30+ lymphoma cell lines were analysed by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blotting in order to evaluate the proliferation (Ki67), apoptosis (FragEl) and expression of Bax, Bcl‐x, C‐kit and Mcl‐1. A significantly higher apoptotic index (AI) was found in LyP (AI = 12.5%) than in LTCL (AI = 3.1%, P < 0.005). Bax was expressed by the majority of tumour cells in all forms of CD30+ CLPD and CD30+ cell lines. However, no Bax expression was found in tumour cell lines derived from systemic CD30+ lymphomas, which lack spontaneous regression and display an aggressive clinical course. No significant correlation was found between the expression of apoptosis‐related proteins and the tumour type and evolutional stage of CD30+ CLPD. We conclude that the higher AI in LyP may contribute to the regression of LyP lesions and the excellent prognosis of the disease. Pro‐apoptotic protein Bax is expressed at high levels in CD30+ CLPD and may play a crucial role in mediating apoptosis of tumour cells.


Objective: To identify the genetic cause in a large family with febrile seizures (FS) and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and subsequently search for additional mutations in a cohort of 107 families with FS, with or without epilepsy. Methods: The cohort consisted of 1 large family with FS and TLE, 64 smaller French families recruited through a national French campaign, and 43 Italian families. Molecular analyses consisted of whole-exome sequencing and mutational screening. Results: Exome sequencing revealed a p.Glu402fs*3 mutation in the γ2 subunit of the GABAA receptor gene (GABRG2) in the large family with FS and TLE. Three additional nonsense and frameshift GABRG2 mutations (p.Arg136*, p.Val462fs*33, and p.Pro59fs*12), 1 missense mutation (p.Met199Val), and 1 exonic deletion were subsequently identified in 5 families of the follow-up cohort. Conclusions: We report GABRG2 mutations in 5.6% (6/108) of families with FS, with or without associated epilepsy. This study provides evidence that GABRG2 mutations are linked to the FS phenotype, rather than epilepsy, and that loss-of-function of GABAA receptor γ2 subunit is the probable underlying pathogenic mechanism.