A guide pair is a core part of the feed system in a machine tool. Its geometric accuracy is attenuated due to wear, thus directly affecting its guiding accuracy and the processing accuracy and quality of a machine tool. In this article, based on the statistical principle, the influences of the surface wear of guideway on its straightness attenuation were explored and an analytical prediction model for the geometric accuracy attenuation of slide guide was established. The reciprocating wear test of slide guide samples was performed with a test bench to explore the attenuation of guideway surface straightness under various machining conditions: isometric feeding, random length distribution feeding (normal distribution, negatively skewed distribution and positively skewed distribution), and feeding-retracting (with unequal reciprocating speeds). The comparison between experimental results and predicted results showed that the prediction model could well predict the precision attenuation of the guideway under stable working conditions. The experimental results also proved that machining workpieces with the same size or machining workpieces with a larger size as possible was beneficial to extend the precision maintaining life of slide guide. The prediction model suggested the quantitative relationship between the precision attenuation of slide guide and the main factors including material properties, surface topography parameters, working conditions, operation parameters, and surface friction properties. With this model, the real-time straightness on the guideway surface can be calculated and the geometric precision maintaining life of slide guide can also be predicted.


Abstract:  Extrinsic allergic alveolitis (also known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis) is caused by repeated inhalation of mainly organic antigens by sensitized subjects. This induces a hypersensitivity response in the distal bronchioles and alveoli and subjects may present clinically with a variety of symptoms. The aims of this review are to describe the current concepts of the immunological response, the diverse clinical presentation of this disease, the relevant investigations and management, and areas for future studies.


PURPOSE
Evaluation of the feasibility as well as the success and complication rates of a change of access direction in patients with PAOD for bilateral intervention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Over the course of one year, 239 patients referred to our department for intervention of the iliac and femorocrural vessels were evaluated for an ipsilateral change of access direction. In 38 patients (16%), the symptoms indicated a bilateral femorocrural intervention. Three patients (8%) had to be excluded due to elevated creatinine level. In the remaining 35 patients, an attempt was made to change the cross-over access to an antegrade access in the same session. The procedure was accomplished by drawing a sidewinder catheter in the ipsilateral CIA, pushing a hydrophilic guide wire into the SFA and repositioning the sheath. Sonographic and clinical controls followed the next day.

RESULTS
In 32 patients (91%), the procedure was successful, and in 3 cases (9%), it failed. One major hematoma (3%), which could be treated conservatively, occurred. In 2 cases (6%) pseudoaneurysms developed and were treated by compression or thrombin injection. 3 minor hematomas (9%) were documented. In one patient (3%) a stroke occurred during the intervention after a brain stem infarction some weeks before, which could not be related to the intervention (total rate of minor complications 9%, major complications 12%).

CONCLUSION
The bilateral intervention of femorocrural vessels in one session by changing the access direction ipsilaterally is feasible and associated with acceptable complication rates. It offers the opportunity to optimize endovascular therapy economically.


Using epi-layers of different doping concentrations, we have investigated aluminium contacts on n-type gallium nitride grown by plasma source molecular beam epitaxy. To achieve repeatable and reliable results it was found that the semiconductor needed to be etched in aqua-regia before the deposition of the contact metallization. Scanning electron micrographs of the semiconductor surface show a deterioration of the semiconductor surface on etching. The specific contact resistivity of the etched samples were, however, superior. Annealing the contacts at produced contacts with the lowest specific contact resistance of . The long-term aging of these contacts was also investigated. The contacts and the sheet resistance were both found to deteriorate over a three-month period.


Treatment with probucol, a widely used lipid-lowering agent, is associated with a significant reduction of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, but with an apparently improved removal of cholesteryl esters from tissues (e.g., from tendon xanthomas). The effects of probucol (500 mg twice daily) on HDL subfraction distribution and cholesteryl ester transfer activity were tested in 12 patients with stable type II hyperlipidemia [low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol greater than 180 mg/dl] after a placebo-controlled cross-over trial. Probucol significantly lowered total cholesterol (-13.8%), LDL cholesterol (-9.1%), and HDL cholesterol (-30%). By rate zonal ultracentrifugation, a marked reduction of HDL2 cholesterol (-68%) was shown, whereas changes in HDL3 were less significant (-21%). These findings were confirmed by polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis, typically showing a reduction or disappearance of HDL2b particles and the prevalence of particles in the HDL3a range. Cholesteryl ester transfer from HDL to lower density lipoproteins was significantly increased (30%) in all patients. These findings suggest that, in addition to the well-documented in vitro changes (prevention of LDL peroxidation and macrophage uptake), probucol characteristically modifies HDL particle distribution in vivo, and is associated with a significant increase of cholesteryl ester transfer activity.


Combination of CVCVA5 adjuvant and commercial avian influenza (AI) vaccine has been previously demonstrated to provide good protection against different AI viruses in chickens. In this study, we further investigated the protective immunity of CVCVA5-adjuvanted oil-emulsion inactivated AI vaccine in chickens, ducks and geese. Compared to the commercial H5 inactivated vaccine, the H5-CVCVA5 vaccine induced significantly higher titers of hemaglutinin inhibitory antibodies in three lines of broiler chickens and ducks, elongated the antibody persistence periods in geese, elevated the levels of cross serum neutralization antibody against different clade and subclade H5 AI viruses in chicken embryos. High levels of mucosal antibody were detected in chickens injected with the H5 or H9-CVCA5 vaccine. Furthermore, cellular immune response was markedly improved in terms of increasing the serum levels of cytokine interferon-γ and interleukine 4, promoting proliferation of splenocytes and upregulating cytotoxicity activity in both H5- and H9-CVCVA5 vaccinated chickens. Together, these results provide evidence that AI vaccines supplemented with CVCVA5 adjuvant is a promising approach for overcoming the limitation of vaccine strain specificity of protection.


We report a novel sensing method for fluorescence-labelled microRNAs (miRNAs) spotted on an all-dielectric photonic structure. Such a photonic structure provides an enhanced excitation and a directional beaming of the emitted fluorescence, resulting in a significant improvement of the overall signal collected. As a result, the Limit of Detection (LoD) is demonstrated to decrease by a factor of about 50. A compact read-out system allows a wide-field imaging-based detection, with little or no optical alignment issues, which makes this approach particularly interesting for further development for example in microarray-type bioassays.


A simulation system that generates dynamic bladder pressures for the use of testing and examining artificial urinary sphincters is designed, implemented, and compared to in-vivo measurements of Valsalva and coughing profiles. Cylinder and piston, which are integrated into the universal testing machine, simulating the bladder are connected with explanted sow urethras. The AMS 800 artificial urinary sphincter closes the urethra with well-defined external pressures. In order to select appropriate profiles for the bladder pressure, 34 Valsalva and coughing profiles of 6 patients were evaluated with respect to amplitude, pressure raise, dwell time, and half width.


This paper attempt, ananalysis of the every right comes with its own duties. Most powerful rights have more duties attached to them. Today, in each country of globe whether it is democratic, capitalist, socialist, give right to strike to the workers. But this right must be the weapon of last resort because if this right is misused, it will create a problem in the production and financial profit of the industry. This would ultimately affect the economy of the country. Today, most of the countries, especially India, are dependent upon foreign investment and under these circumstances it is necessary that countries who seeks foreign investment must keep some safeguard in their respective industrial laws so that there will be no misuse of right of strike. In India, right to protest is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution of India. But right to strike is not a fundamental right but a legal right and with this right statutory restriction is attached in the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947.


The relativistic two-component complete active space self-consistent field theory in Kramers restricted formalism (KRCASSCF) through the framework of the spin-orbit relativistic effective core potential is implemented into the KPACK package. This paper continues the development previously reported [Y. S. Kim and Y. S. Lee, J. Chem. Phys. 119, 12169 (2003)] and extends the theory by means of adding time-reversal symmetry into the relevant expressions so as to complete the course of theoretical development. We retained the usage of elementary spinor excitation operator for defining the spinor rotation operator and derived the gradient and Hessian in simpler forms than previously found. To eliminate redundant computation resulting from repeating sums in the derivatives, a suitable decomposition method is proposed, which also facilitates the implementation. The two-step near second-order approach is employed for convergence. The present implementation is applicable for both closed- and open-shell systems and is used to calculate the atoms of lower p-block. The results for 5p and 6p are in good agreement with the experiments, and those for 7p are comparable to multi-reference configuration interaction results, showing that KRCASSCF is a versatile tool for the relativistic electronic structure calculation of molecules containing moderate-weight through superheavy elements.


A 66-year-old man was admitted for sigmoid colon carcinoma. He developed postoperative acute renal failure (ARF) due to septic shock caused by gram-negative bacteremia, but he was successfully treated by hemopurification combining direct hemoperfusion (DHP) and hemodialysis (HD). It is considered that this combination of methods was useful in the removal of the endotoxin of gram-negative bacteria.


The entrance of digital technique into design field brings about tremendous changes, which are mainly shown in the view style of the mixture of objects and viewers. From this perspective, the formation of virtual images depends on computer calculation without any technique difficulties. The support of digital techniques pushes the development of online design mutual actions where culture holds its ground. Designers should shoulder their social responsibilities for loss of home land language design languages and its design context. We need to face all of the problems in the development process of digital artistic design need and to reflect on ourselves.


Pottery of the Rouletted ware family belongs to India's Early Historic period (c. 500 BC to c. AD 200) and has been found as far east as Bali in Indonesia and as far west as Berenike in Egypt. Although they appear similar to Mediterranean products, scientific tests by the authors show that Rouletted ware Arikamedu Type 10 and Sri Lankan Grey ware had a common geological origin in India. Since Grey ware at least pre-dates the arrival of Roman pottery in India, all these related wares were probably the products of indigenous communities.


The main purpose of this paper to application of a friction stirs welding. In an aluminum alloy rolled sheet, grade 6063 and 7075 by variables parameter feed welding speed after that the specimen are taken tensile strength test and macro structure. In summary, the results showed parameter to make major changes to the weld is incomplete and welding defects when the speed feed not appropriate. But still result in the metal welded. There is strong evidence that higher than the base material. The position of the damage caused by testing the strength of the weld the base aluminum 6063 which is the metal with a lower strength compared to base aluminum 7075. Conditions to provide the maximum strength is 108 MPa for the 1000 rpm speed, a welding speed 100 mm / min


BACKGROUND
 Women of childbearing age are exposed to venous thromboembolic risk mainly for pregnancy and use of oral contraceptives. The impact of risk factors (RF) on venous thromboembolism (VTE) in these circumstances is still unclear.

AIM
 In the context of START registry, we aimed to investigate the weight of a series of RF on the occurrence of pregnancy- or combined oral contraceptive (COC)-associated VTE.

METHODS AND MATERIALS
 We selected all women included in the START for VTE occurred between 18-42 years and compared those with a first or recurrent pregnancy/postpartum- (group A) or COC-VTE (group B) with those who had VTE outside these circumstances (group C). Final analysis included a cohort of 532 women. Follow-up data showed that there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of thrombotic and haemorrhagic complications. As for pregnancy-associated VTE, the overall outcome was good in terms of both maternal and fetal prognosis.

RESULTS
 In a binary model of logistic regression, correcting for potential confounders, VTE family history conferred a significant and independent higher risk of COC-VTE compared with group C. Similarly, comparison between group A and C documented that family history significantly affected the risk of pregnancy-associated VTE. VTE in the group C was significantly associated with older age. Lastly, smoke was a significant risk factor for pregnancy/postpartum VTE when group A and group B were compared.

CONCLUSION
 Present data suggest that in the setting of fertile women, family history of VTE has a greater role in predicting COC- and pregnancy/postpartum- VTE than outside these circumstances.


The benefits and challenges of international fieldwork are well rehearsed. However, understandings of students' affective experiences on fieldwork are less well developed (Boyle et al., 2007). In particular, little examination has been given to how tutors can respond to the affective and emotional geographies (Pile, 2005) that arise on international fieldwork (Glass, 2014) which also affect perceptions of 'place' (Urry, 2005). Simm & Marvell (2015) examine how the learning and teaching strategies employed can prompt both positive and negative responses when participating in international fieldwork which may enhance or hinder students' engagement and performance. Using the innovative strategy of student-led teaching of peers (Marvell et al., 2013), this paper examines how, firstly, the emotional geographies on international fieldwork can be identified and, secondly, how tutors can respond with appropriate learning and teaching strategies in order to enhance the fieldwork experience of students in terms of their personal and scholarly development. Based on field trips to Barcelona, Spain, we analyse a range of media from video and oral interviews, and field diaries to evaluations and reflective essays in order to reveal students' perceptions, views and emotions of participating in international fieldwork. Most revealing are the themes and issues raised by more 'immediate' reflection undertaken in-the-field compared to the more 'refined' and considered reflexivity done after the fieldtrip. Such understandings of the emotional geographies can enable appropriate learning and teaching strategies to be employed. The paper concludes with suggestions on how to enhance student's experiences and engagement during international fieldwork through critical reflectivity as well as making better use of under-utilised aspects such as transit-time between destinations.


In the present work we propose a Deep Feed Forward network architecture which can be trained according to a sequential learning paradigm, where tasks of increasing difficulty are learned sequentially, yet avoiding catastrophic forgetting. The proposed architecture can re-use the features learned on previous tasks in a new task when the old tasks and the new one are related. The architecture needs fewer computational resources (neurons and connections) and less data for learning the new task than a network trained from scratch


To determine whether hyperandrogenism caused by an inborn error of adrenal steroidogenesis could produce insulin resistance, we examined insulin sensitivity in females with 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Minimal modelling was used to analyze the results of tolbutamide-modified, frequently sampled, iv glucose tolerance testing. Insulin sensitivity [Si; (min-1) (microU/mL)-1] was plotted against body mass index (BMI; defined as kilograms per m2). Six patients with nonclassical 21-hydroxylase deficiency (mean age, 27 yr; mean BMI, 23.2) underwent testing. None of these patients was in active puberty, nor was any patient being treated with glucocorticoids at the time of the study. Twelve eumenorrheic nonhyperandrogenic young adult female control subjects (mean age, 27 yr; mean BMI, 22.4) were also tested. The basal 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentration, but not the total serum testosterone level, was significantly different in the two groups (mean +/- SEM, 11,987 +/- 2,761 vs. 4,059 +/- 802 pmol/L; P < 0.05). As a group the patients' Si values were significantly lower than those of the controls (mean +/- SEM, 4.1 +/- 0.6 vs. 9.7 +/- 1.2; P < 0.05). There was no correlation between Si and basal serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, delta 4-androstenedione, or dehydroepiandrosterone. We conclude that chronic hypersecretion of androgen precursors due to an inborn error of metabolism can induce a reduction in insulin sensitivity.


Opinion mining deals with the determination of people's sentiments over the social web as positive, negative or neutral. Microblogs such as twitter serves as a rich source for opinion mining and sentiment analysis as opinions are shared by millions of users. In our paper, we have analyzed the various methods available through which the twitter data can be extracted. We have provided an overall picture of how each method is different from another for extracting tweets. We have chosen Windows 10 as a keyword to compare the opinions as extracted by different sentiment tools.


This paper present a trail to develop and design a conceptualized model, and ontology based framework that can be able to share the knowledge and the extracted information that related to applying the technology of remote monitoring for patients with implanted cardiac electronic devices such as: Pacemaker and ICD. Developing ontology for such technology will develop a better understanding for its operation, enhance the performance and improve the acceptance of using this tool to be part of practice for electrophysiology doctors worldwide.


Objective Diode lasers have multiple indications in everyday dental practice. They allow carrying out incisions, coagulation of soft tissue, and Low-Level Laser Therapy. The goal of this study is to compare histologically the tissue interaction zones and edges of an induced laser incision on rabbits' tongues with three different wavelengths of 810, 940, and 980 nm in continuous mode. Methods Fourteen male rabbits were divided into six groups. Each animal underwent three incisions of 10 mm length on the right ventral face of the tongue, carried out in continuous mode with three diode lasers with different wavelengths of 810, 940, and 980 nm. Rabbits were sacrificed at 0, 1, 2, 6, and 15 hours and 14 days. Five rabbits were sacrificed at 0 hours and 2 hours and one rabbit was sacrificed at 1, 6, and 15 hours and at 14 days. The appearance of neutrophils marked the onset time of the inflammatory reaction. Histological study of the incisions was chosen to evaluate the edges and to measure the depth and width of carbonization and necrotic and inflammatory zones. Healing was evaluated at 14 days. Friedman test was used to assess statistical differences between groups. Results In the experimental adopted conditions, the carbonization zone was marked by degradation of vacuoles and an elongation of nuclei and was observed on the edges of incisions. Carbonization and necrotic and inflammatory zones were measured for rabbits sacrificed at 0, 1, 2, 6, and 15 hours but the onset of inflammation zone marked by the infiltration of neutrophils did not appear before 6 hours. The neutrophils infiltration was higher at 15 hours than at 6 hours. Complete healing was shown at 14 days. According to the time for the regularity of the edges, the interpretation was qualitative without a statistical test. The statistical analysis of the three different diode lasers in this study showed nonsignificant difference between the different groups for the depth (p = 0.121) and width (p = 0.376) of the incisions, the carbonization zone (p = 0.692), and the necrotic zone (p = 0.223). For the inflammation zone at 6 and 15 hours, statistical analysis was not carried out; only one rabbit was enough to evaluate onset of neutrophils infiltration and to compare its density for 6 and 15 hours. Conclusion These results indicate that diode laser used in the continuous mode is predictable for induced incision. The use of three diode lasers with different wavelengths of 810, 940, and 980 nm did not reveal a significant statistical difference according to depth and width of the incision and for carbonization and necrotic zone. The appearance of neutrophils was marked between 4 and 6 hours and was higher at 15 hours.


The avoidance of motorized vehicles is a common challenge for birds in the modern world. Birds appear to rely on antipredator behaviors to avoid vehicles, but modern vehicles (automobiles and aircraft) are faster than natural predators. Thus, birds may be relatively ill-equipped, in terms of sensory capabilities and behaviors, to avoid vehicles. We examined the idea that birds may be unable to accurately assess particularly high speeds of approaching vehicles, which could contribute to miscalculations in avoidance behaviors and ultimately cause collisions. We baited turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) to roads with animal carcasses and measured flight initiation distance and effective time-to-collision in response to a truck driving directly towards vultures from a starting distance of 1.13 km and at one of three speeds: 30, 60, or 90 kph (no vultures were struck). Flight initiation distance of vultures increased by a factor of 1.85 as speed increased from 30 to 90 kph. However, for 90-kph approaches there was no clear trend in flight initiation distance across replicates: birds appeared equally likely to initiate escape behavior at 40 m as at 220 m. Time-to-collision decreased by a factor of 0.62 with approach speeds from 30 to 90 kph. Also, at 90 kph, four vehicle approaches (17%) resulted in near collisions with vultures (time-to-collision ≤1.7 s), compared to none during 60 kph approaches and one during 30 kph approaches (4%). Our findings suggest that antipredator behaviors in turkey vultures, particularly stimulus processing and response, might not be well tuned to vehicles approaching at speeds ≥90 kph. The possible inability of turkey vultures to react appropriately to high-speed vehicles could be common among birds, and might represent an important determinant of bird-vehicle collisions.


This paper attempts to make progress in the philological commentary on the "Cycle of Calpurnia" (Epist. 6.4 and 7; 7.5) in the letters of Pliny the Younger, focusing, on this occasion, on Epist. 6.7.


CGM-derived data are usually analyzed in silos, metric by metric, for diabetes care or therapeutic strategy. Simultaneous analysis of the various dimensions of glycemic control would allow a more comprehensive overview. We analyzed data of people with type 1 diabetes (PWT1D) in the SFDT1 cohort study. A K-means clustering model was developed with HbA1c, coefficient of variation (CV), time in range (TIR), time below 70 mg/dl (TBR), Gold score and Glycemic Risk Index (GRI). We included 618 participants (53% men, age 41±14 years) from 20 centres in France. The optimal model had 3 clusters. The "Euglycemia" cluster (n=280, 45%) was characterized by a high TIR (mean 69.3%); low TBR (4.2%), TAR (time above 180 mg/dl: 26.5%), CV (35.7%), HbA1c (7.0%) and GRI (36.4) values. The "Hyperglycaemia" cluster (n=197, 32%) was characterized by high TAR (56.5%), GRI (71.8) and HbA1c (8.5%) and low TIR (40.3%), TBR (3.2%) and Gold score (2.3). The "Hypoglycemia" cluster (n=141, 23%) was characterized by high TBR (15.8%), CV (46.1%), GRI (69.2) and Gold score (3.0). Participants in the "Hyperglycemia" cluster were younger, socially vulnerable, and had more frequent hypertension than those in the "Euglycemia" cluster. To conclude, we identified three distinct, clinically relevant glycemic control profiles, enabling better characterization of PWT1D and, thus, more personalised management.

 E.Cosson: Board Member; Abbott, Medtronic. G.A.Aguayo: None. L.Sablone: None. M.Huet: None. J.Riveline: Board Member; Abbott Diabetes, Medtronic, Dexcom, Inc., Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Company, Sanofi. G.Fagherazzi: Advisory Panel; Roche Diabetes Care, Consultant; AbbVie Inc., Lilly. Sfdt1 study team: n/a.


Nowadays, there is growing awareness about reduced fat food as well as free fat products. Low fat milk products, particularly low fat cheese represents a good choice for the development of new products with functional properties. Consumers are always looking forward to desirable and healthy products. Therefore, consumer's demand for low-fat/calorie products has significantly raised in an attempt to limit health problems, to lose or stabilize their weight and to work within the frame of a healthier diet. Low fat cheese often suffers from undesirable flavor and texture. So, for these reasons, there are many strategies to overcome these defects with the using of additives such as stabilizers and fat replacers. Another solution is using exo-polysaccharide which produced from lactic acid bacteria (EPS-producing cultures) to improve functional low fat cheese product. Several studies highlighted the positive effect of EPS-producing cultures on the physical and functional properties of reduced fat Cheddar cheese. The objective of this review is to establish low fat cheese, their characteristics and technological it's manufacturing.


During the 1980 and 1990's decades, relational database management systems arose as an alternative to implement and store application business logic due to its robustness. Many of those legacy systems suffer from several problems such as low scalability, database vendor lock-in, and complex maintenance and evolution. With the success of lightweight virtualization techniques and new distributed architectures, mainly the microservices, companies are migrating legacy systems to this architectural style. Although several studies have proposed migration processes and reported migration experience to microservices, to the best of our knowledge, none of them has addressed systems whose business rules are implemented in database artifacts, particularly stored procedures. Therefore, this paper presents a process to identify microservice candidates from application business rules implemented in stored procedures. We applied the process to a real large scale system, for which 357 business rules were mapped and 13 microservices were identified. In addition, the process helped to find out many duplicated pieces of code, thus also improving the system maintainability.


OBJECTIVE
Violence in psychiatric wards is common, and it is on the rise. This study examined the relationship between ward occupancy level and staff-to-patient ratio and incidents of aggressive behavior, both physical and verbal, on an acute inpatient unit in rural New Zealand.

METHODS
Logistic regression was used to analyze data collected from the ward's log of adverse incidents and the ward census over a 12-month period. A physical incident was defined as an unwelcome physical contact or willful damage to property. Incidents of self-harm were excluded. Verbal aggression was any threat of physical or sexual harm.

RESULTS
Among 381 admissions during the study period, 58 incidents were recorded--25 incidents of verbal aggression and 33 incidents of physical violence. Logistic regression demonstrated that the occupancy level was positively associated with the occurrence of any type of violent incident. The average occupancy level when an incident occurred was 77 percent, compared with 69 percent when no incidents occurred. The average occupancy level was significantly higher when verbal incidents occurred (80 percent) than when physical incidents occurred (70 percent). No association was found between violence and staff-to-patient ratio. Incidents were significantly more likely to occur during the afternoon shifts (3 p.m. to 11 p.m.).

CONCLUSIONS
Crowding was found to be significantly associated with aggressive incidents, and in particular with verbal aggression.


Role of mast cells and eosinophils in oral tumours is not yet well define. Good and poor outcomes have been associated with eosinophils and mast cell abundant oral tumours. Major basic protein is one of the principal and specific proteins present in eosinophils. It is implicated in many pathological conditions including allergic reactions, parasitic infections and activation and stimulation of cells to produce cytokines. The protein was thought to be exclusively present in the eosinophil granules. However, a recent study revealed its presence in mast cells as well. In this brief article, the authors confirm the presence of major basic protein in mast cells associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma. This finding may doubts the validity of using anti-major basic protein as eosinophil specific. Furthermore, labelling eosinophils using anti-major basic protein antibodies as a marker would mistake mast cells as eosinophils. More importantly, the finding will better aid in understanding some of the mysterious function of MC in tumours.


Several studies have related the application of micronutrients such as zinc, iron and molybdenum with alleviation of stress symptoms in horticultural plants. However, there are few studies that correlate the microelements with water relations. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of the foliar application of Zn on pak choi (Brassica campestris, L.) plants grown under saline conditions. When plants were grown in a nutrient solution containing 0 or 80 mM NaCl, shoot biomass was greatly decreased, while, in a separate experiment, Zn toxicity was observed when it was applied at concentrations above 50 µM as a foliar spray. In a third experiment, low Zn applications, mainly 25 µM, enhanced parameters such as gas exchange, biomass and glucosinolates synthesis in plants grown under saline conditions (80 mM NaCl). Also, Zn application provoked a rise in membrane integrity and decreased oxidative damage in root cells. In conclusion, Zn application decreased oxidative damage and increased the content of glucosinolates, which could act as important signals to improve water uptake and transport and, as a consequence, alleviate salinity stress in pak choi plants.


Despite scientific consensus regarding the importance of the world's forests, the destruction of ecosystems and globally important biodiversity in some parts of the world increases without a concerted plan of action to stop the loss. [ Jepson et al .][1] describe their recent experiences in protected areas and forest concessions of the Sumatra and Kalimantan regions of Indonesia. Illegal logging networks are seizing control of Indonesia's forests; timber plunder followed by forest clearance is rampant. The authors argue for a multiple approach adapted to local contexts, and briefly discuss some possible options.

 [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/292/5518/859


Abstract Currently, there is no legislation that specifically outlaws the misuse of social media in the South African workplace. Consequently, the absence of a robust social media legislation has culminated into several unlawful and unconstitutional dismissals of employees for social media-related misconduct in the South African workplace. Conversely, this gap has also given rise to rampant abuse of social media platforms by employees in the South African workplace. This status quo has caused various constitutional and other related challenges to be experienced by both employees and employers in South Africa. For instance, the abuse of social media by employees in the workplace during working hours could affect the reputation, productivity, and profitability of their employer's business. Similarly, any employers' draconian rules prohibiting or monitoring the use of social-media in the workplace could infringe upon their employees' rights to freedom of expression, privacy, dignity and freedom of association. Accordingly, the article discusses constitutional challenges that could result from the unlawful dismissal of employees for social media-related misconduct in the South African workplace. In this regard, the article exposes challenges that occur when balancing the employees' constitutional rights and the employers' business reputation and related rights. This is done to isolate constitutional problems that ensue from the abuse of social media by employees in the workplace during office working hours. The article also discusses constitutional and related problems that stem from the unlawful dismissals of employees for social media-related misconduct in the South African workplace. Lastly, recommendations that could be adopted to combat employees' social media-related misconduct and enhance the regulation of social media in the South African workplace are provided.


Abstract This review focuses on the current technique and evidence regarding the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to evaluate lung isolation for thorax surgery in infants and children. Previous reports in infants and children are presented. Figures and high-quality video are used to demonstrate the technique for POCUS in pediatric patients and to highlight differences between pediatric and patients. Lung sliding in B-mode and the seashore sign in M-mode suggest that the lung is ventilated. Pediatric anesthesiologists should be familiar with this technique as it is non-invasive and may also be more accurate when compared with auscultation.


The structure of C‐terminal domain (CaD136, C‐terminal residues 636–771) of chicken gizzard caldesmon has been analyzed by a variety of physico‐chemical methods. We are showing here that CaD136 does not have globular structure, has low secondary structure content, is essentially noncompact, as it follows from high Rg and RS values, and is characterized by the absence of distinct heat absorption peaks, i.e. it belongs to the family of natively unfolded (or intrinsically unstructured) proteins. Surprisingly, effective binding of single calmodulin molecule (Kd = 1.4 ± 0.2 μM) leads only to a very moderate folding of this protein and CaD136 remains substantially unfolded within its tight complex with calmodulin. The biological significance of these observations is discussed. Proteins 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Novel superabsorbent materials, inorganic–organic hybrids, were synthesized by polymerizing acrylic acid or acrylamide with sodium silicate without any other crosslinking agent. The crosslinking bonds of SiOC form through the reaction of carboxyl groups with silanol groups (SiOH) existing in reaction system. Results of FTIR, swelling, and degrading experiments show that the crosslinking degree increased as the mol ratio of silicate increased in a certain range. The hybrids possess the properties of high absorbency and high absorption rate in both distilled water and normal saline solution. Because of the hydrolysis of SiOC bonds in aqueous solution, the hybrid hydrogels can degrade in days, and maybe beneficial to environment protection. This property is quite different from those superabsorbent polymer crosslinked with organic crosslinking agent. By monitoring the temperature of the reaction system, sodium silicate was also found to facilitate the trommsdorff effect in polymerization process. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 936–940, 2004


Abstract DNA methylation, the addition of a methyl (CH3) group to a cytosine residue, is an evolutionarily conserved epigenetic mark involved in a number of different biological functions in eukaryotes, including transcriptional regulation, chromatin structural organization, cellular differentiation and development. In the social amoeba Dictyostelium, previous studies have shown the existence of a DNA methyltransferase (DNMA) belonging to the DNMT2 family, but the extent and function of 5-methylcytosine in the genome are unclear. Here, we present the whole genome DNA methylation profile of Dictyostelium discoideum using deep coverage replicate sequencing of bisulfite-converted gDNA extracted from post-starvation cells. We find an overall very low number of sites with any detectable level of DNA methylation, occurring at significant levels in only 303–3432 cytosines out of the ∼7.5 million total cytosines in the genome depending on the replicate. Furthermore, a knockout of the DNMA enzyme leads to no overall decrease in DNA methylation. Of the identified sites, significant methylation is only detected at 11 sites in all four of the methylomes analyzed. Targeted bisulfite PCR sequencing and computational analysis demonstrate that the methylation profile does not change during development and that these 11 cytosines are most likely false positives generated by protection from bisulfite conversion due to their location in hairpin-forming palindromic DNA sequences. Our data therefore provide evidence that there is no significant DNA methylation in Dictyostelium before fruiting body formation and identify a reproducible experimental artifact from bisulfite sequencing.


BACKGROUND
Xanthines have been used in the treatment of asthma as a bronchodilator, though they may also have anti-inflammatory effects. The current role of xanthines in the long-term treatment of childhood asthma needs to be reassessed.

OBJECTIVES
To determine the efficacy of xanthines (e.g. theophylline) in the maintenance treatment of paediatric asthma.

SEARCH STRATEGY
A search of the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register was undertaken with predefined search terms. Searches are current to May 2005.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials,lasting at least four weeks comparing a xanthine with placebo, regular short-acting beta-agonist (SABA), inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), cromoglycate (SCG), ketotifen (KET) or leukotriene antagonist, in children with diagnosed with chronic asthma between 18 months and 18 years old.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two reviewers independently selected each study for inclusion in the review and extracted data. Primary outcome was percentage of symptom-free days.

MAIN RESULTS
Thirty-four studies (2734 participants) of adequate quality were included. Xanthine versus placebo (17 studies): The proportion of symptom free days was larger with xanthine compared with placebo (7.97% [95% CI 3.41, 12.53]). Rescue medication usage was lower with xanthine, with no significant difference in symptom scores or hospitalisations. FEV1 , and PEF were better with xanthine. Xanthine was associated with non - specific side-effects. Data from behavioural scores were inconclusive. Xanthine versus ICS (four studies) : Exacerbations were less frequent with ICS, but no significant difference on lung function was observed. Individual studies reported significant improvements in symptom measures in favour of steroids, and one study reported a difference in growth rate in favour of xanthine. No difference was observed for study withdrawal or tremor. Xanthine was associated with more frequent headache and nausea. Xanthine versus regular SABA (10 studies): No significant difference in symptoms, rescue medication usage and spirometry. Individual studies reported improvement in PEF with beta-agonist. Beta-agonist treatment led to fewer hospitalisations and headaches. Xanthine was associated with less tremor. Xanthine versus SCG (six studies ): No significant difference in symptoms, exacerbations and rescue medication. Sodium cromoglycate was associated with fewer gastro-intestinal side-effects than xanthine. Xanthine versus KET (one study): No statistical tests of significance between xanthine and ketotifen were reported. Xanthine + ICS versus placebo + same dose ICS (three studies) : Results were conflicting due to clinical/methodological differences, and could not be aggregated.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Xanthines as first-line preventer alleviate symptoms and reduce requirement for rescue medication in children with mild to moderate asthma. When compared with ICS they were less effective in preventing exacerbations. Xanthines had similar efficacy as single preventative agent compared with regular SABA and SCG. Evidence on AEs (adverse effects) was equivocal: there was evidence for increased AEs overall, but no evidence that any specific AE (including effects on behaviour and attention) occurred more frequently than with placebo. There is insufficient evidence from available studies to make firm conclusions about the effectiveness of xanthines as add-on preventative treatment to ICS, and there are no published paediatric studies comparing xanthines with alternatives in this role. Our data suggest that xanthines are only suitable as first-line preventative asthma therapy in children when ICS are not available. They may have a role as add-on therapy in more severe asthma not controlled by ICS, but further studies are needed to examine this, and to define the risk-benefit ratio compared with other agents.


During implant healing, mechanical force is transmitted to osteogenic cells via implant surfaces with various topographies. This study tested a hypothesis that osteoblasts respond to mechanical stimulation differently on titanium with different surface topographies. Rat bone-marrow-derived osteoblastic cells were cultured on titanium disks with machined or acid-etched surfaces. A loading session consisted of a 3-minute application of a 10- or 20-μm-amplitude vibration. Alkaline phosphatase activity and gene expression increased only when the cells were loaded in 3 sessions/day on machined surfaces, regardless of the vibration amplitude, whereas they were increased with 1 loading session/day on the acid-etched surface. The loading did not affect the osteoblast proliferation on either surface, but selectively enhanced the cell spreading on the machined surface. Analysis of the data suggests that osteoblastic differentiation is promoted by mechanical stimulation on titanium, and that the promotion is disproportionate, depending on the titanium surface topography. The frequency of mechanical stimulation, rather than its amplitude, seemed to have a key role.


A sample of 314 dogs from a zone of 80,000 ha in Piedmont, Italy, were examined for the presence of thelaziae under the nictitating membrane. Sixteen animals from eight districts were infected, the foothills being the main location of the parasitosis. All 44 nematodes collected were identified as Thelazia callipaeda.


Despite quarantine procedures, many invasions of polyphagous fruit flies (family Tephritidae) have been observed in various parts of the world. These invasions usually result in decreased numbers of, and niche shifts by, established species, be they indigenous or previous invaders. In this study we compare four species of this family: three successive invaders and one endemic species of La Reunion Island with respect to demographic parameters, experimental co-infestations on the same fruit and behavioural interference. The results suggest an interspecific trade-off between K and r traits. Larval competition has a negative effect on pupal weight and larval survival. In behavioural trials, some adult females are able to drive out other females from a fruit. The asymmetry of larval competition and direct interactions among females seems to be correlated with the temporal rank of establishment on the island, the species arrived more recently showing a high performance in larval competition and in driving out other females from the fruit. In optimal conditions, the r-K gradient could be used as a predictor of potential invaders because K-traits may favour both exploitation and interference competition. However coexistence among species is allowed because of the variability in tolerance to climatic conditions (temperature and humidity) and host-plants range. However, the endemic species has lower fecundity and survival parameters than the other species, and moreover has both the climatic and resource axes of its niche included in those of other competing species. We predict the stable coexistence among the three invasive species while the extinction of the endemic species may occur. (Texte integral)


Plant materials have been used for pest control for centuries but recently, preservation of cereals products in storage has relied upon chemical insecticides to control stored grain pests but having drawbacks of toxicity to non-target organisms, human health hazards, development of pest resistance and environmental pollution. The present study was conducted to control the serious cereal's (wheat) stored grains pest Tribolium castaneum Herbst. Calotropi sprocera Aiton (Ak) and Datura alba (Dhatura) have been reported by many researchers as natural insecticides against stored grain pests. Five concentrations of leaf extracts of C. sprocera and D. alba (20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%) were compared to see their efficiency to control Tribolium castaneum. Different parameters like repellency, growth inhibition, mortality rate, infestation/spoilage of grains, insect population and losses in grain weight were tested after application of treatments. Three months storage of wheat grains showed maximum repellency, mortality at higher concentrations of C. sprocera and D. alba, but there was less infestation/ spoilage, loss in grain weight and insect population at higher concentrations (80%,100%).


This paper focuses on the potential use of sodium silicate based aerogels, instead of small precursor molecules, as a filler in the PET nanofibers (PNFs). For the first time, the aerogel micro-granules (AMG) were added to the electro-spinning solution of PET with successful embedding of them into the PET nanofibers. The evaluation of the samples was carried out by measuring 3M water repellency, sliding angle (SA), water contact angle (WCA), transmission spectroscopy, sound absorption, heat transfer, FTIR, BET, SEM, and AFM. The results indicate a successful synthesis of the AMG with a porosity of 91.8% and a surface area of 815 m2 g−1. By addition of the AMG to the electro-spinning solution of PET, the bead-on-string aerogel-filled nanofibers were produced. This was accompanied by a significant improvement in hydrophobicity, dye-ability, and insulation properties. The most hydrophobic sample was prepared with the addition of 2% AMG. After the fluorocarbon treatment of this sample, the WCA was increased from 130.1 to 147.2°, the 3M water repellency was changed from 1 to 10, and the SA was reduced from 90 to 5°. In comparison with the primary PNF, the addition of AMG to the PNF increased the dyeing rate and dye adsorption at equilibrium from 30% to 70% for Disperse Blue 56. This can be introduced as a low-temperature method for dyeing of PET fibers. Also, a decreasing trend in the heat transfer was observed from 21% (for the pure PNF) to 16.4% and 8.3% for 0.5AMG/PNF and 4AMG/PNF, respectively. The investigation of the acoustic properties showed a direct relationship between the amount of AMG in the pure PNF and the sound absorption coefficient (NAC). The comparison of the porous silica aerogel with a non-porous one has clearly shown a significant effect of the porosity on the different properties of the samples.


Score-based and diffusion models have emerged as effective approaches for both conditional and unconditional generation. Still conditional generation is based on either a specific training of a conditional model or classifier guidance, which requires training a noise-dependent classifier, even when the classifier for uncorrupted data is given. We propose an approach to sample from unconditional score-based generative models enforcing arbitrary logical constraints, without any additional training. Firstly, we show how to manipulate the learned score in order to sample from an un-normalized distribution conditional on a user-defined constraint. Then, we define a flexible and numerically stable neuro-symbolic framework for encoding soft logical constraints. Combining these two ingredients we obtain a general, but approximate, conditional sampling algorithm. We further developed effective heuristics aimed at improving the approximation. Finally, we show the effectiveness of our approach for various types of constraints and data: tabular data, images and time series.


Schöpf syndrome is an unusual genodermatosis categorized within the heterogeneous group of ectodermal dysplasias. Since the first description of this syndrome in 1971, ten further cases have been published. The diagnostic features include eyelid cysts, hypotrichosis, hypodontia, nail dystrophy, and keratosis of palms and soles. When the signs and symptoms noted in all published cases are taken together, considerable clinical variability in the combinations and in the age of onset is observed. The frequent occurrence of benign and malignant tumours of the palms and soles deserves particular attention. Schöpf syndrome is probably not as rare as is commonly believed. A woman with typical clinical features of this syndrome is presented. Schöpf syndrome is assumed to be passed on as an autosomal recessive trait; however the present and two further case reports are not compatible with this mode of inheritance, because family members in several generations are affected. Schöpf syndrome is probably a heterogeneous disorder. Lipid biochemical investigations of stratum corneum by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) show a decrease in the ceramide fraction and an increase in free fatty acids as a percentage of total lipids. The pathophysiological significance of these findings needs further investigation.


Electrovaporization refers to the process of vaporizing tissue using electrical energy. Proposed as a new treatment method for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), this technique allows removal of prostatic tissue with simultaneous coagulation, thereby minimizing blood loss. The recent increase in popularity of electrovaporization in the treatment of BPH warrants a quantitative assessment of the process, including an objective evaluation of its influencing factors. In this study, the effects of power, mechanical loading, and excursion rate on tissue removal by electrovaporization were examined in fresh skeletal muscle. A monopolar electrode was attached to the weighted arm of a linear motion system and rolled across the tissue surface while activated by a radio-frequency generator. The tissue samples were frozen and cut longitudinally to allow visualization and measurement of the vaporized groove using an optical imaging technique. The volume of tissue removed increased significantly when power was increased from 120 to 150 W (46 to 119 mm3, p = 0.006), when the load was increased from 20 to 50 gm (20 to 119 mm3, p = 0.002), and when the excursion rate was decreased from 25 to 15 mm/s (29 to 69 mm3, p < 0.05) and from 15 to 10 mm/s (69 to 137 mm3, p < 0.05). There was no significant gain in volume removed when power was increased to 180 W or when the load was increased to 70 gm, indicating that these factors are constrained with regard to optimal tissue removal. Using a novel method to quantitatively assess tissue removal by electrovaporization, this study has demonstrated that greater tissue removal can be achieved by increasing power, increasing the load, or decreasing the excursion rate, but only within limits.


The cicadas (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) related to tribe Cicadini exhibit some of the most remarkable phenotypes in the family, with many genera possessing striking colour patterns and unusual morphological features. This largely Asian group of 13 tribes has proven challenging for cicada taxonomists, in part because of likely convergent evolution or losses of these phenotypes. We present the first focused molecular phylogeny of this clade, including ~60 described genera. The genetic dataset contains 839 ingroup-informative sites (out of 2575) from mitochondrial cytochromec oxidase subunitI, nuclear elongation factor-1α, and nuclear acetyltransferase. We use Bayesian and maximum likelihood trees to test recent changes in tribe- and subtribe-level classification, and we reconstruct ancestral character states for potentially convergent traits influencing tribe descriptions. We use fossil and molecular clock calibrations to estimate the temporal and geographic context of the radiation. The tribes Gaeanini, Leptopsaltriini, Platypleurini, Psithyristriini, and Tosenini appear polyphyletic and in need of revision, in part because of convergent evolution of opaque wings and multiple convergent gains or losses of abdominal tubercles. Kalabita Moulton, 1923 is transferred from Platypleurini to Leptopsaltriini. Vittagaeana gen. nov. is established for Vittagaeana paviei comb. nov. and Vittagaeana dives comb. nov., formerly in Tosena. Sinosenini syn. nov. is synonymised with Dundubiina. Ayuthiini trib. nov. is established with two new subtribes for Ayuthia Distant, 1919 and Distantalna Boulard, 2009, formerly in Tosenini. For the earliest split in the tree, one common ancestor appears to have been Indian + Asian in geographic distribution and the other Asian. We estimate that the radiation began in the middle Cenozoic Era, possibly as recently as the early Miocene. The recent and steady pattern of diversification suggests that refinement of tribe diagnoses will prove challenging.
http://zoobank.org:urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5A6C16F4-5269-453B-BA5C-B29C3394683A


For high-data-rate wireless communication systems, two major issues are the underutilization of limited available radio spectrum and the effect of channel fading. Using dynamic spectrum access, cognitive radio can improve spectrum utilization. Almost all proposed CR systems are based on multicarrier modulation since multiple users can access the MCM systems by allocating subcarriers. Generally, MCM mainly includes two different schemes, orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing and filtered multitone modulation. Considering mutual interference elimination, synchronization, and transmission efficiency, we conclude that FMT is better than OFDM in MCM-based CR systems. Additionally, cooperative diversity can reduce the fading effect since the space diversity gain can be obtained through the distributed antennas of each user. Hence, in this article, we combine CR with the cooperative diversity technique, and then construct three cooperative diversity cognitive models: the collaborative spectrum sensing model, the cooperative communication cognitive model, and the hybrid model. Additionally, radio resources can be extended from time-frequency dimensions to space-time-frequency dimensions in the proposed models, which effectively improves both spectrum utilization and MCM-CR system performance. Finally, extensive simulations are conducted to show the validity and effectiveness of the proposed models.


The image formation of a spherical bubble, back-lit by a diffuse plane source, is modelled in the context of geometrical optics. The respective contributions of direct, reflected and refracted rays are emphasized as well as the influence of the source size. This analysis is extended to `two-dimensional' bubbles. Two experimental images of a bubble in a Hele-Shaw cell and in a porous micromodel are analysed within the physical model proposed.


The experiment consists of two parts: In part I the magnetic field produced by electric current flowing in a modified Helmholtz coil is balanced against the field of a permanent bar magnet. In part II this same magnet is swung at the center of the coil as a magnetic pendulum. From these observations, made in terms of length, mass, and time only, both the strength of the current and the magnetic moment of the magnet may be computed. Inaccuracy due to an unsteady local "earth's field" is minimized, and a relatively high precision results.


We previously demonstrated that oncostatin M (OSM) promotes hepatic development in concert with glucocorticoid. The livers from mice deficient for gp130, a signaling subunit of the OSM receptor, displayed reduced expression of hepatic differentiation marker and defective glycogenic function. However, these phenotypes were not completely abolished in gp130(-/-) mice, suggesting that there is an alternative pathway regulating hepatic development in vivo. To test this possibility, we cultured gp130(-/-) fetal hepatic cells and investigated a signal that induces hepatic differentiation. When hepatocytes were forced to interact with each other by inoculating cells at high densities, hepatic differentiation was induced even in the absence of gp130. Moreover, cells stimulated with OSM and/or cultured at a high density possess many other metabolic functions. These observations suggest that fetal hepatic cells acquire multiple characteristics of differentiated hepatocytes in response to the signals generated by cell-cell contacts as well as by OSM.


Changes in our society such as the increasing cost of retirement and age redistribution toward a larger elderly population will require humans to remain highly functional until an advanced age. As a consequence, chronic illnesses that are primarily responsible for reducing functionality and life expectancy will require improved prevention and therapeutic strategies. In a global way, cardiovascular disease and cancer represent the most challenging disorders to maintaining the functional integrity of our fellow humans. A new theory has been derived from recent progress in our understanding of atherosclerosis as a key mechanism for cardiovascular disease and of cancer. Instructively, this theory provides a bridge at the stem cell level, linking most chronic disorders.


The interoperability of information systems is a research topic for over thirty years. While some forms of heterogeneity have been settled by the adoption of standards, some domains, such as the Urban Information Modeling (UIM), require specific research. The UIM combines information from the domain of Building Information Modeling (BIM) with Geographic Information System (GIS) within a collaborative platform. Using this platform, a set of heterogeneous actors takes part in the lifecycle of the urban environment through a 3D digital model. This ambition is faced with several gaps such as resolution of semantic heterogeneity in the lifecycle management system, the resolution of structural heterogeneity between 2D geo-referenced modeling and 3D geometric modeling or problem solving scalability for real-time 3D display from a remote server for managing a real environment of several million square meters. In this paper, we present the SIGA3D European Project try to overcome these obstacles into a web collaborative platform combining BIM and GIS data and processes for Urban Facility Management.


The hydrophobic character of the surface of human hair is particularly attributed to the lipid components of the epicuticle and to a layer of covalently bound fatty acids. This outer f-layer mainly consists of 18-methyl eicosanoic acid (18-MEA), which is covalently bound to the underlying protein matrix, forming the epicuticle as composite surface structure. Daily weathering and chemical treatments, specifically oxidative bleaching, decrease the hydrophobicity of the outer hair surface drastically.Multiple daily stress, simulated by an automatic test device including shampooing, blow drying and sun light exposure, changed the lipid composition of hair significantly. A marked loss of 18-MEA was observed. Decreasing contact angles are the direct consequence. A new method to determine the "pseudo-static" contact angle on hair was developed. The results correlate with the corresponding data obtained by dynamic contact angle measurements according to Wilhelmy. Besides that, the resorption time of water droplets by the hair surface provides additional information about the intactness of the outer f-layer.Specific proteolipids, which are lipid-modified keratins, are able to reconstruct the surface layer of damaged hair by creating renewed surface hydrophobicity and extending the water resorption time by the hair surface.


The experience of the USSR in the field of energy systems development modeling reveals certain patterns and principles that influence the structure and use of energy models, principally:

-- The need to use mainly optimization models since, for planning purposes, optimal solutions must be found;

-- The need to coordinate individual models in order to obtain the country's objectives;

-- The existing organizational structure of planning which must be taken into account;

-- The dependence of models on time aspects of planning (annual, 5-year, 15-year);

-- The elaboration of corresponding methods for providing necessary input data.

This has required the development of a special concept for optimizing energy systems development with the use of mathematical models. It is based on consideration of the energy industries of the country as complex with a hierarchical structure of energy systems of various territorial and branch levels. At the same time, the differentiation of aims at different times during the planning period have been taken into account.

This concept is given here in its existing state (it is continuously developed and perfected) for better understanding of the energy models described. In particular, we show the role of the system of models for optimization of the energy supply system as a whole, and that of more detailed branch models (oil, gas, coal, electricity production systems).

For optimal energy strategy evaluation, the most important models are those used on the highest levels of the energy systems hierarchy, i.e. the general (aggregate) energy systems of the country and of economic regions, and branch energy systems. Only these models are described here; models used on lower levels for solving some technical problems are far more diverse and numerous, and it is impossible to consider them all in a single review.


Objective Dental caries is preventable, yet it remains a common childhood disease. As children are dependent on their parents for oral health care, oral health education for parents is essential to ensure they understand the risk factors and consequences of dental caries and their role in its prevention. This study aims to explore parents' oral health education needs to enable the development and provision of a tailored online oral health education module. Methods Online focus group discussions were conducted among Malaysian parents to gather information about the content, layout and presentation of oral health information parents sought for the provision of oral health care for their children. Video recordings were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was performed using an inductive approach. Results In total, 24 parents participated in the discussions and 4 main themes were uncovered. The first theme was perceived information needs related to dental caries, oral health care and the importance of deciduous teeth. The second theme was parents' preferred information resources which were social media, dentists, mobile phone applications and medical personnel. Thirdly, information delivery format and specific characteristics were recommended. The final theme was challenges and barriers faced in maintaining oral health due to parental constraints, child behaviour and external factors. Conclusion Parents' profound feedback and experiential standpoint stipulate the need for the development and delivery of a comprehensible and visually engaging oral health education module by healthcare professionals via social media to enable access to evidence-based information consistently.


INTRODUCTION: Clavicle fractures are common in children and young adults, commonly occurring in persons younger than 25 years. Clavicle becomes the most common site of injury because of its subcutaneous superficial location, thin midshaft, and the forces transmitted across it. The mechanism of injury is usually forceful fall with outstretched hand, which occurs commonly during contact sports. Clavicle fractures comprise about 30 -40% of all shoulder girdle injuries. Midshaft clavicular fractures accounts for 80-85% of them Traditional view that all clavicle fractures heal with good functional outcome no longer holds good. Midclavicular fractures are generally managed conservatively, e.g. with a figure-of-eight-bandage. Imminent perforation of the skin, impending or existing neurovascular compromise and the floating shoulder and gross displacement of fracture fragments were absolute indications for operative treatment. A number of publications described the technique of minimally invasive osteosynthesis using elastic stable intramedullary nails (ESIN). Early functional recovery and a rapid return to daily activities and low complication rate have been reported as advantages.
AIM: The aim of the study is 1. To analyse the functional outcome of mid-shaft clavicle fractures treated with flexible intramedullary nails in our Institution. 2. To study the complications of the surgery 3. To study the duration of bony union following fixation with intra medullary nailing.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study carried out from May 2010 to December 2012 at the Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Rajiv Gandhi Govt. General Hospital, Madras Medical College Chennai. 20 patients admitted with displaced midshaft clavicular fractures during this period were treated with Titanium Elastic Nail and were studied for the functional outcome, complications and fracture union. Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age above 15years, 2. OTA type A and B fractures, 3. Displaced closed clavicle fractures, 4. Fractures with imminent skin perforation, 5. Floating shoulder injuries,
6. Polytrauma with ipsilateral rib fractures. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Age less than 15 years, 2. Compound fractures, 3. OTA type C fractures, 4. Lateral and medial end clavicle fractures, 5. Uncooperative patient for post operative rehabilitation.
RESULTS: The present study consists of 20 cases of displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures who qualified for the study according to our inclusion criteria. They were treated with Titanium Elastic Nail between May 2010 to May 2012. No potential candidate refused to enter the study by preferring nonoperative treatment. All the patients were available for follow-up and they were followed every 4 weeks for a period of 6 months . Results were analyzed both clinically and radiologically. Of the 20 patients 12 patients (60%) fracture occurred due to road traffic accident,4 (20%) patients sustained fracture due to indirect injury, fall on outstretched hand and 4patients (20%) due to fall from height. In all the patients fractures were closed type.
CONCLUSION: The data of this study shows that the treatment of mid-shaft clavicle fractures treated with titanium elastic intramedullary nailing results in excellent functional outcome. This technique provides high bone union rate, good functional outcome, early shoulder pain relief and early functional recovery obtained with minimal complications. This procedure is less invasive and can be performed with small incision when compared to plate fixation. But in communited fractures this can lead to telescoping and fracture heals with shortening. This is procedure is best suitable only for non communited midshaft clavicle fracture. Randomized controlled trials with adequate follow-up are required o determine the optimal surgical method to treat mid clavicular fractures.


Biochemistry![Figure][1]

CREDIT: GALKIN ET AL., NAT. STRUCT. MOL. BIOL. 10.1038/NSMB.1930 (2010)

Actin is one of the most abundant eukaryotic proteins. It polymerizes to form filamentous actin (F-actin), which plays a key role in regulating cell shape, polarity, and force generation. The sequence of eukaryotic actin is highly conserved over evolution. One explanation for this is that the many functions of actin require a large degree of biochemical and structural plasticity and heterogeneity. Such a large variety of states puts pressure on the majority of amino acid residues. To better understand the structural polymorphism of F-actin, Galkin et al. used electron microscopy of unmodified, frozen-hydrated actin filaments. They observed multiple structural states in the same filament (below), which requires that filaments form cooperative units. These states reveal allosteric coupling between certain structural features that contribute to plasticity both within and between actin subunits. A number of disease-causing mutations in the human ACTA1 gene that encodes skeletal muscle actin affect residues in the most dynamic structural elements of the protein. Actin plasticity is probably required to accommodate its multiple interactions and functions. The authors suggest that the allosteric coupling associated with this plasticity has played an important role in preventing sequence divergence.

Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 10.1038/nsmb.1930 (2010).

 [1]: pending:yes


The perception of individuals with low education about dietary assessments is not well explored and studying this may be beneficial to improve data collection. The study builds on previous quantitative studies by providing explanations for the observed lower performance of the 24-h recall method among low-educated individuals. A qualitative study was carried out in Brazil. First, trained interviewers attended a focus group via video conference. Next, individuals with low education, defined as less than 9 years of study, participated in semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Three main themes emerged from the focus groups and were contrasted with the interviews. Summarising, the establishment of adequate communication during the interview is of utmost importance among the low-educated population. Besides, the familiarity of individuals with food and nutrition favours the report of information. Lastly, the use of photographs for food portion quantification helps the dietary assessment although further investigations to improve their use are also needed.


We experimentally study a fiber-based optical ring cavity integrated with a mechanical resonator mirror and an optical amplifier. The device exhibits a variety of intriguing nonlinear effects including synchronization and self-excited oscillation. Passively generated optical pulses are observed when the frequency of the optical ring cavity is tuned very close to the mechanical frequency of the suspended mirror. The optical power at the threshold of this process of mechanical mode locking is found to be related to quantum noise of the optical amplifier.


We study the voltage drop along three-terminal disordered wires in all transport regimes, from the ballistic to the localized regime. This is performed by measuring the voltage drop on one side of a one-dimensional disordered wire in a three-terminal setup as a function of disorder. Two models of disorder in the wire are considered: (i) the one-dimensional Anderson model with diagonal disorder and (ii) finite-width bulk-disordered waveguides. Based on the known β dependence of the voltage drop distribution of the three-terminal chaotic case, β being the Dyson symmetry index (β=1, 2, and 4 for orthogonal, unitary, and symplectic symmetries, respectively), the analysis is extended to a continuous parameter β>0 and uses the corresponding expression as a phenomenological one to reach the disordered phase. We show that our proposal encompasses all the transport regimes with β depending linearly on the disorder strength.


Three aphid-transmitted viruses belonging to the Polerovirus genus, Beet mild yellowing virus (BMYV), Beet chlorosis virus (BChV), and Beet western yellows virus (BWYV), have been described as pathogens of sugar beet. We present the complete biological, serological, and molecular characterization of an American isolate of Beet western yellows virus (BWYV-USA), collected from yellow beet leaves. The biological data suggested that BWYV-USA displayed a host range similar to that of BMYV, but distinct from those of BChV and the lettuce and rape isolates of Turnip yellows virus. The complete genomic RNA sequence of BWYV-USA showed a genetic organization and expression typical of other Polerovirus members. Comparisons of deduced amino acid sequences showed that P0 and the putative replicase complex (P1-P2) of BWYV-USA are more closely related to Cucurbit aphid-borne yellows virus (CABYV) than to BMYV, whereas alignments of P3, P4, and P5 showed the highest homology with BMYV. Intraspecific and interspecific phylogenetic analyses have suggested that the BWYV-USA genome may be the result of recombination events between a CABYV-like ancestor contributing open reading frame (ORF) 0, ORF 1, and ORF 2, and a beet Polerovirus progenitor providing the 3' ORFs, with a similar mechanism of speciation occurring for BMYV in Europe. Results demonstrate that BWYV-USA is a distinct species in the Polerovirus genus, clarifying the nomenclature of this important group of viruses.


This paper constructs a new data set from art auctions that include auctioneer presale price estimates to examine the credulity of art investors. While auction houses typically made no price estimates before 1973, they start providing high- and low- price estimates for all artworks thereafter. Thus, we have a natural experiment to observe changes in price behavior under the influence of auctioneer estimates. We find that the price estimates tend to have an upward bias for expensive paintings and high estimates at the time of purchase are associated with adverse future abnormal returns. These results are consistent with the view that investors are credulous. They do not discount fully the strategic incentives of auctioneers. However, we have some preliminary evidence that investors may have made some adjustment recently for the systematic bias in provided information.


ABSTRACT Joo, S.-M. and Kim, J.-H., 2021. The effect of sea level rise on adjacent land and the resulting land value assessment method. In: Lee, J.L.; Suh, K.-S.; Lee, B.; Shin, S., and Lee, J. (eds.), Crisis and Integrated Management for Coastal and Marine Safety. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 114, pp. 479–483. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. This study aims to infer the possibility of inundation of coastal areas due to sea level rise caused by climate change. In addition, it seeks to present a necessary survey method and value calculation method to be reflected on the land value. To this end, GIS spatial analysis was performed using tidal observation data and flooding maps. The analysis of IPCC sea level rise assuming the worst-case scenario (Scenario 1) and the gradual-case scenario (Scenario 2) of the actual measurement data of the Busan Tide Observatory showed that 3.8%–5.5% of the total land in Haeundae-gu will be at risk of flooding within the next 100 years. Particularly, lands with a relatively high value at present are more vulnerable. If the method of calculating flood-prone areas presented in this study is introduced in the Government's Land Characteristic Evaluation and the standard land value for areas expected to be flooded is accurately assessed, then the economic loss and social confusion caused by future sea level rises can be prevented.


We present comparative studies of optical properties of GaN nanowires (NWs) obtained by two different self-formation techniques: Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy (PAMBE) growth; and plasma etching of GaN layers deposited by Metal-Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE). The effects of the coalescence process on grown NW and plasma-induced defects in etched NWs have been studied by photoluminescence (PL) and Raman scattering. In MBE grown NWs, the coalescence-associated defects are extended toward the NW top for intermediate Ga flux. Using High Resolution Electron Microscopy of reactive plasma etching (RIE) NWs, it was found that NWs obtained with an optimal combination of inductive (ICP) and capacitive (RF) plasma are free of extended structural defects. The PL efficiency is strongly increased in plasma etched NWs. However, plasma-induced point defects have to be taken into account for explaining the changes of the PL spectra. Less plasma-induced degradation is observed for high ICP/RF power ratios.


The primary objective of this paper is to develop a political economy of public funding of education that accounts for the large disparities observed across countries in the share of GNP allocated to public education. In a general equilibrium overlapping generations model in which parents care about their children's lifetime utility the rational and forward looking agents vote for a level of public funding of education. The model mirrors the observed cross-country disparities in the share of GNP allocated to public funding of education. This share increases with per capita income levels as well as with the fertility rate, and it decreases with the degree of inequality in the economy. For higher levels of inequality the model can generate a politico-economic equilibrium where private and public investment on education coexist. In contrast to existing theories the paper does not assume that the factor prices are invariant and I study the importance of the effects of an education policy on the factor prices in the determination of the equilibrium level of this policy.


I think we should quickly concede Stanley Fish's main point in his guest column. Any argument for intrinsic, self-demonstrating merit is mistaken, since merit can only be produced and recognized within an institutional con text. As Fish says, an argument for blind submission on such grounds is simply a disguised attempt to move "from one political agenda to another" (746). But that new agenda is better than his. Fish sees the profession of academic literary criticism as a hierarchy of merit that rewards canny critical entrepreneurs: "in this profession you earn the right to say something because it has not been said by anyone else, or because it is a rever sal of what is usually said, or because while it has been said, its implications have not yet been spelled out" (739). But why, then, does this year's well-placed Stanley Fish essay resemble nothing so much as last year's well-placed Stanley Fish essay? Fish's account here works pretty well with the early phases of his career, when Surprised by Sin and Self-Consuming Artifacts broke new ground and earned him a considerable reputation. However, during the last decade or so, when neither Fish's critical nor his theoretical writings have been notable for their bold va riety, he has nonetheless become the recipient of "the profession's highest rewards," in the sly phrase of his Is There a Text in This Class? (Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1980,371). In the academic marketplace Fish champions, as in the capitalist marketplace it emulates, today's "earn ings" are more frequently the result of last year's accumu lated capital than of yesterday's new production, and any institutional attempt (like PMLA's blind-submissions policy) to limit the brute momentum of such professional capital is fine by me. More important, though, is the disagreeable and (I think) false model of human nature implicit in Fish's discussion of professionalism. For Fish, critical profes sionals are an academic subspecies of homo oeconomicus. Incapable of any sort of collective solidarity, they set out to maximize their status and their salaries within a more or less fixed and immutable professional system. In a display of vulgar economism that would make a Bolshe vik blush, Fish argues that antiprofessional professionals simply fool themselves into thinking they are "motivated by something larger than marketplace conditions—by, for instance, a regard for justice or for the sanctity of human life or for the best that has been thought and said—even as that larger something is itself given shape and being by the very market conditions it supposedly transcends" (746). But only someone convinced that professions are hermetically sealed and all-determining systems (rather than assemblies of potentially conflicting practices) will find it absurd to think that some action within a profes sion might arise from an internal contradiction or an ex ternal force or value. For years, Fish has been denying himself access to the preinterpreted "work itself' as the ground for all proper theorizing. But "the profession itself' seems to have taken over that comforting authoritarian role for him. Conse quently, he is able to transform all critics of a profession into idealistic opponents of professionalism itself: oppo sition to Fish's model of the profession always eventually becomes a deluded quest for transcendence. However, progressive academics trying to turn literary criticism and theory into a socialist, feminist, and anti-imperialist prac tice are trying to transform and humanize the profession, not leap outside it altogether. Since "the profession" from Fish's perspective has al ways resembled a cross between a futures market and a masquing hall, the playful echo of James i in his title is absolutely appropriate. Both see the more egalitarian or der advocated by a group of radical professors as an at tack from below on the metaphysical principle of order itself. In a Scots presbytery, James says, "Jack and Tom and Will and Dick shall meet, and at their pleasures cen sure me and my council and all our proceedings. Then Will shall stand up and say, 'It must be thus'; then Dick shall reply and say 'Nay, marry, but we will have it thus.' . . . My lords the Bishops, ... if once you were out, and they in place, I know what would become of my supremacy. No bishop, no king. ... I shall make them conform themselves, or I will harry them out of the land, or else do worse" (The Good Old Cause, Christopher Hill and Edmund Dell, 2nd ed., New York: Kelley, 1969, 177-78). But of course, when the radical Independent off spring of these Presbyterians brought James's son and his archbishop to the scaffold, they were attacking not order itself but only a particular monarchical and prelatical ar ticulation of it. Similarly, when progressive academics al ter PMLA's submissions policy, or oppose the reactionary Bennett-Cheney regime at the NEH, or encourage their students to compare Robinson Crusoe's racist imperial ism to Ronald Reagan's, or worry about (rather than gloat at) the inadequacy of all these measures, they are attack ing not professionalism itself but only that reified mar ketplace model of it in which Stanley Fish thrives. Jack and Tom (and Joan and Jane) will not be harried out.


This paper systematically reviews the past four years of research on human resource management (HRM) in nonprofit organizations (NPOs) to better understand: (1) recent theoretical and empirical developments and where scholarship in the field is headed (i.e. trends); (2) what topics and findings are especially important to understanding how the thought and practice of nonprofit HRM differs from that in public and for-profit organizations (i.e. insights); and (3) what gaps exist in current knowledge and scholarship and some real-world, practice-driven developments in people management that illuminate promising future research directions (i.e. opportunities).,Sixty-seven peer-reviewed journal articles covering the period 2015–2018 were identified using a university library database search, as well as by-hand searches through every issue of 22 nonprofit and 36 human resources-related journals during the four-year period.,The findings highlight strong continued interest by scholars in a wide range of nonprofit HRM issues, coverage of these issues by a worldwide network of researchers who bring global perspectives and contexts to the study of nonprofit HRM, and rich theoretical and methodological diversity. Yet, compared with the universe of possible human resource topics and several leading-edge developments in organizations and societies that might affect the way people are managed in nonprofits, the paper uncovers gaps in the most recent knowledge base.,The paper creates a compilation of the most recent nonprofit human resource research to be used as a tool for scholars, students, and practitioners for many years to come.


This paper links communications and media usage to social and household economics boundaries. It highlights that in present day society, communications and media are a necessity, but not always affordable, and that they furthermore open up for addictive behaviours which raise additional financial and social risks. A simple and efficient methodology compatible with state-of-the-art social and communications business statistics is developed, which produces the residual communications and media afford ability budget and ultimately the value-at-risk in terms of usage and tariffs. Sensitivity analysis provide sprecious information on communications and media adoption on the basis of affordability. Case data are surveyed from various countries. ICT policy recommendations are made to support widespread and responsible communications access.


Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterized by a rapid decline in lung function due to small airway fibrosis, mucus hypersecretion and emphysema. The major causative factor for COPD is cigarette smoking that drives an inflammatory process that gives rise to leukocyte recruitment, imbalance in protease levels and consequently matrix remodeling resulting in small airway fibrosis and loss of alveolar tissue. Current drug treatment improves symptoms but do not alter the underlying progression of this disease. The failure of anti-inflammatory drugs like glucocorticosteroids to have a major impact in this disease has hastened the need to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Phosphodiesterase (PDE)4 inhibitors are novel anti-inflammatory drugs that have recently been show to document clinical efficacy in this disease, although their utility is hampered by class related side-effects of nausea, emesis and diarrhea. Whilst it is not yet clear whether such drugs will prevent emphysema, this is a distinct possibility provided experimental observations from preclinical studies translate to man. This review will discuss the current standing of PDE4 inhibitors like roflumilast as novel treatments for COPD and the potential for developing nonemetic anti-inflammatory drugs.


Full- [six-dimensional (6-D)] and reduced-dimensional [five-dimensional (5-D)] quantum wave packet calculations have been performed for the title reaction to obtain reaction probabilities deriving from the ground rovibrational states of OH and CO with total angular momentum J = 0. Three potential energy surfaces (PES) are studied, namely, those of Bradley and Schatz (BS), Yu, Muckerman, and Sears (YMS), and Lakin, Troya, Schatz, and Harding (LTSH). 6-D calculations are performed only for the BS PES, while 5-D results are reported for all three PES'. The 6-D results obtained in the present work improve on those previously reported, since a larger vibrational basis and a better representation of the OH and CO bonds has been introduced. In particular, we now employ a generalized Lanczos-Morse discrete variable representation for both the OH and CO vibrations. In a further improvement, the generalized discrete variable representation of the CO vibration is based on different CO intramolecular potentials for the asymptotic and product grids employed in our projection formalism. This new treatment of the vibrational bases allows for a large reduction in computation time with respect to our previous implementation of the wave packet method, for a given level of accuracy. As a result, we have been able to extend the range of collision energies for which we can obtain converged 6-D results to a higher energy (0.8 eV) than was possible before (0.5 eV). The comparison of the new 6-D and previous 5-D results for the BS PES shows good agreement of the general trend in the reaction probabilities over all collision energies considered (0.1-0.8 eV), while our previous 6-D calculation showed reaction probabilities that differed from the 5-D results by up to 10% between 0.5 and 0.8 eV. The 5-D reaction probabilities reveal interesting trends for the different PES'. In particular, at low energies (< 0.2 eV) the LTSH PES gives rise to much larger reactivity than the other PES', while at high energies (> 0.3 eV) its reaction probability decreases with respect to the BS and YMS PES', being more than a factor of 2 smaller at 0.8 eV. A 5-D calculation on a modified version of the LTSH surface shows that the van der Waals interaction in the entrance channel, which is not correctly described in the other PES' is largely responsible for its larger reactivity at low energies. The large difference between the 5-D reaction probabilities for the YMS and LTSH PES' serves to emphasize the importance of the van der Waals interaction for the reactivity at low energies, because most of the stationary point energies on the YMS and LTSH PES are rather similar, being in line with high-level ab initio information.


The antibody domain controlling reactions between platelet membranes and drug-dependent (dd) antibodies from patients with thrombocytopenia induced by cinchona alkaloids was studied using F(ab')2, Fab, and Fc fragments made from purified dd-IgG. By direct binding radioimmunoassay (RIA) measurements, 20,000 to 50,000 antibody molecules bound per platelet equivalent of purified platelet membranes at apparent saturation with three different antibodies. F(ab')2 and Fab fragments bound to platelet membranes drug dependently but Fc fragments did not. The ability of dd-IgG fragments to compete with intact IgG was quantitatively measured by RIA and by complement fixation. F(ab')2 and Fab competed with intact IgG at an 8:1 and greater than 50:1 molar ratio, respectively, in RIA, and at a 1.6-3:1 and 44-75:1 ratio, respectively, by complement fixation assays. Fc did not compete with IgG in either assay. We conclude that the Fab domain supports attachment of dd antibody to the platelet surface.


The focus of this part of the research project lies on the process of developing a Social Responsibility Standard within a network made up of various stakeholders. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is known as the world´s leading institution for the development of standards. Besides setting standards in the fields of e.g. construction, agriculture and information technology, recently the Technical Management Board (TMB) of ISO proposed to further extend its activities by developing an international standard addressing the social responsibility of organizations. In 2004, a new Working Group was established as a multi-stakeholder group comprised of experts, who are nominated by ISO´s members as well as interested international and regional organizations in order to provide for guidance in setting international standards on social responsibility. In May 2006, the survey was conducted during the third conference of the ISO Working Group in Lisbon, Portugal. This particular empirical study has been designed on the one hand to investigate the motivation of organizations and their delegates to engage in social responsibility. On the other hand, the survey had the objective to evaluate the individual participants' current perception and assessment of the network´s efficiency, effectiveness and legitimacy, a so-called 'snap-shot' of this ISO process1. Overall, the empirical study shows that the organizations and their delegates, who have dealt with the topic SR for several years for diverse reasons, expect a tremendous effect by implementing ISO 26000 in their own organizations. Furthermore, the majority of respondents assess the decision-making process positively within the ISO process with respect to the criteria inclusive, fair, capacity building, legitimate and transparent. Difficulties concerning the distribution of stakeholder influences are being addressed. The results of the survey support the efforts to establish policies and procedures in order to encourage a balanced representation of stakeholders in terms of gender, geographic and stakeholder groups.


In this study, we explore the effect of nickel incorporation in Cu/fumed‐SiO2 catalyst for CO2 reduction reaction. Two catalysts, Cu and CuNi supported on fumed silica were synthesized using a novel surface restricted combustion synthesis technique, where the combustion reaction takes place on the surface of the inert fumed‐SiO2 support. An active solution consisting of a known amount of metal nitrate precursors and urea (fuel) was impregnated on fumed silica. The catalyst loading was limited to 1 wt% to ensure localized combustions on the surface of fumed‐SiO2 by restricting the combustion energy density. The synthesized catalysts were tested for CO2 hydrogenation reaction using a tubular packed bed reactor between temperature 50°C and 650°C, where Cu/SiO2 showed high CO2 conversion to carbon monoxide, and the addition of Ni further improved the catalytic performance and showed some tendency for methane formation along with CO. Moreover, both the catalysts were highly stable under the reaction conditions and did not show any sign of deactivation for ~42 hours time on stream (TOS). The catalysts were characterized using X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (SEM/EDX), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and the Brunauer‐Emmet‐Teller (BET) surface area measurement technique to understand their structural properties and to assess the effect of CO2 conversion reaction. In situ DRIFTS was also used to investigate the reaction pathway followed on the surface of the catalysts.


ABSTRACT.
 Fuel deposition rates of migrating birds may indicate the quality of habitat at stopover sites, yet little is known about how diet habits and food availability affect fat and protein metabolism in free-living songbirds at stopover sites. We compared plasma indicators of fat deposition (triglyceride), fat catabolism (B-hydroxybutyrate), and protein catabolism (uric acid) among passerine species that are frugivorous to a variable degree during autumn stopover on Block Island, Rhode Island. We also compared plasma lipid metabolites from 3 of these species that were captured at 2 stopover sites with different fruit abundance. The more frugivorous Hermit Thrushes (Catharus guttatus) had the highest plasma triglyceride, and uric acid was highest in the least frugivorous species sampled on Block Island, but other differences among species were not clearly related to diet. B-hydroxybutyrate was more variable among the species sampled on Block Island. Plasma triglyceride was significantly higher in Hermit Thrushes captured on Block Island, where fruit resources were abundant, than in Hermit Thrushes captured at a mainland site in southern Rhode Island, where less fruit was available. Our results suggest that diet habits may influence fat and protein metabolism in migrating passerines, but careful study design and statistical analyses are necessary to control for or minimize the effects of the many influential factors that affect plasma metabolites so they can be used to assess fuel deposition in free-living birds and to compare the quality of migration stopover sites.


Occurrence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was studied in 10,659 females attending obstetric and gynecology clinics in Jordan. The frequency rate of intraepithelial neoplasia was 1.1% in 7743 Jordanian females and 2916 non-Jordanian residents of younger age during the period from 1982 to 1991 inclusive. The incidence rate in 2649 Jordanian females, selected because they attended only for routine checkup, was 49 per 100,000. There were 121 CIN cases which were graded into Grade I (21%), II (48%) and III (31%) respectively. Histological grading correlated with cytology in 70% of the cases while in the remaining 30%, cytologic underrating by one grade was noted; evidence against any overdiagnosis of CIN in our series. Study of the human papillomavirus (HPV) was outside the scope of this effort. However, circumcision in male partners and marital status were associated with a lower frequency of CIN. Age at marriage and average duration, parity, breast feeding, the contraceptive pill, socioeconomic status and menstrual disorders showed no relationship to the frequency of CIN in our patients. Any differences in the latter between Jordanian and non-Jordanian females are believed due to cultural factors. Conization in 27 cases proved effective at 30 months' follow-up. Occurrence of CIN in Jordanian females appears substantial although much lower than that seen in high incidence zones, while its incidence in the general female population remains to be determined. This study shows for the first time the value of Papanicolaou (Pap) smears in Jordanian females over 20 years of age with special emphasis on those over 35 years of age attending obstetric and gynecology clinics.