Due to environmental challenges and need for action with regard to CO2 emission, reducing the weight of vehicles has become one of the most important goals of car manufacturers in Europe. Materials like fibre-reinforced plastics and aluminium are the core of the research for lightweight design. However, efficiently joining these materials together is still a challenge. When thermoplastic composites are used, direct joining (i.e. without adhesives or fasteners) with the metal substrate can be obtained using welding technologies which melt the thermoplastic at the interface. In this study, ultrasonic plastic welding was investigated as a candidate technology for joining aluminium and carbon fibre-reinforced thermoplastics. The goal was to understand the main mechanisms involved in the welding process and how they affect the performance of the joint. Initially, the technique proved to be successful, but moderate strengths were obtained. Therefore, several surface pre-treatments of the aluminium were analysed to improve performance in terms of lap shear strength; mechanical, chemical and physical treatments were carried out. With laser structuring, strengths comparable to adhesive bonded joints were obtained, but in a much shorter process time. Other treatments led to considerable improvements as well. The encouraging results achieved represent an important step in the development of ultrasonic plastic welding for multi-material joining in the automotive industry.


Space Security involves the use of space (in particular communication, navigation, earth observation, and electronic intelligence satellites) for military and security purposes on earth and also the maintenance of space (in particular the earth orbits) as safe and secure areas for conducting peaceful activities. The two aspects can be summarized as "space for security on earth" and the safeguarding of space for peaceful endeavors. The Handbook will provide a sophisticated, cutting-edge resource on the space security policy portfolio and the associated assets, assisting fellow members of the global space community and other interested policy-making and academic audiences in keeping abreast of the current and future directions of this vital dimension of international space policy. The debate on coordinated space security measures, including relevant 'Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures,' remains at a relatively early stage of development. The book offers a comprehensive description of the various components of space security and how these challenges are being addressed today. It will also provide a number of recommendations concerning how best to advance this space policy area, given the often competing objectives of the world's major space-faring nations. The critical role to be played by the United States and Europe as an intermediary and "middle diplomat" in promoting sustainable norms of behavior for space will likewise be highlighted. In providing a global and coherent analytical approach to space security today, theHandbook focuses on four areas that together define the entire space security area: policies, technologies, applications, and programs. This structure will assure the overall view of the subject from its political to its technical aspects. Internationally recognized experts in each of the above fields contribute, with their analytical synthesis assured by the section editors.


The quality of the software is a very important aspect in the development of software application. In order to make sure there is the software of good quality, testing is a critical activity of software development. Thus, software testing is the activity which focuses on the computation of an attribute or the ability of either a system or program that decides if user requirements are met. There is a proper strategy for the design of software for which testing has to be adopted. The techniques of test case selection attempt at reduction of the test cases that need to be executed at the same time satisfying the needs of testing that has been denoted by the test criteria. In the time of software testing, and the resource will be the primary constraints at the time of testing since this has been a highly neglected phase in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The optimizing of a test suite is very critical for the reduction of the testing phase and also the selection of the test cases that eliminate unwanted or redundant data. All work in literature will make use of techniques of single objective optimization that does not have to be efficient as the code coverage will play an important role at the time of selection of test case. As the test case choice is Non-Deterministic, the work also proposes a novel and multi-objective algorithm like the Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA II) and the Stochastic Diffusion Search (SDS) algorithm that makes use of the cost of execution and code coverage as its objective function. The results prove a faster level of convergence of the algorithm with better coverage of code in comparison to the NSGA II.


Introduction HSV type specific antibodies (IgG1 and IgG2) are produced and persist after HSV-1 and –2 infections. Therefore, IgG2 HSV serologic tests are used as an indicator for genital herpes history (e.g. in pregnant women), to counsel partners of genital herpes patients, and as a proxy marker of high-risk sexual behaviour. We tested this paradigm by retrospectively measuring IgG1 or IgG2 HSV antibodies in sequential serum samples from visitors with symptomatic PCR proven recurring genital herpes episodes. Methods We selected individuals with two episodes of PCR proven HSV-1 or HSV-2 genital herpes, which were at least 3 months apart. Serum samples collected during the second (recurring) episode were tested with a HSV type specific ELISA and Immunoblot (both Focus HerpeSelect®) for anti-gG1 or anti-gG2 antibodies. The immunoblot was used as a reference test. Results From May 2006 to December 2010 we selected 18 and 35 individuals with recurrent HSV-1 or HSV-2 genital herpes, respectively. In the HSV-1 cohort, serum sample testing showed that 13 out of 18 (72%) samples were tested positive in both tests, 2 out of 18 (11%) samples were positive in the gG1 ELISA but negative in the immunoblot, and 3 out of 18 (17%) samples were negative/equivocal in both tests. In the HSV-2 cohort, serum sample testing showed that 29 out of 35 (83%) samples were positive in both tests, 1 out of 35 (3%) was positive in the gG2 ELISA but negative in the immunoblot, and 5 out of 35 (14%) samples were negative in both tests. Discussion Our data show that HSV IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies are false negative in respectively 28% and 17% of recurrent genital infections. This should be taken in consideration when these tests are used in a clinical setting or as proxy for risk behaviour in epidemiologic studies.


In a debate on the desired occupational health service in The Netherlands all parties involved seemed to be rather unsatisfied with current practice. Therefore a study was set out on the quality of the service to 51 client organizations as seen by the parties involved. In the first phase the viewpoint of the occupational health teams was studied; the second phase among clients was planned later. As it was not feasible to use proper measures of effectiveness, i.e. of outcome in terms of health, the interview was used as method directed at the evaluations of the teams themselves. It focused on the adequacy of the activities of the teams in view of the health problems and risks in the client organization and on the necessary interaction with the clients in order to reach effective service. Although a self-evaluation-method like this has its limitations, results are relevant for the debate on the quality of OHS in The Netherlands. Many occupational health teams want more capacity for preventive activities and to devote more time to these activities to enhance the quality of their service and be more effective. It is argued that for the same purpose the teams themselves should strive for good relations with their clients.


Objective: Health care improvements and technical advances in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) caused an increase in survival rates of neonates. Nosocomial infections (NI) also increased at the same time. In this study, we aimed to define the rate of NI, agents of NI, and the rate of mortality due to NI in our NICU. Material-method: This study comprises neonates diagnosed as sepsis after 48 hours of hospitalization or within 10 days after discharge from our NICU during 2008. National Surveillance System for Infections was used to diagnose NI. Results: Among 769 hospitalized neonates, 32 (4.2%) of them were determined as having NI during 2008 in our NICU. Of these 32 neonates with NI, the ratio of female/male was 16/16, mean birth weight was 2457±857 g (8003800); mean gestational age, 35.6±4.5 weeks (23-42); mean duration of hospitalization, 29±17.8 days (7-74); mean postnatal age, 9.5±8 days (0-60); ratio of vaginal delivery, 50% (n=16); ratio of prematurity, 50%; and ratio of very low birth weight neonates 21.9% (n=7). The isolated pathogens were Klebsiella spp. (49.9%), Candida spp. (18.8%), E. Coli (12.5%), Rotavirus (6.3%), and others (12.5%). The antibiotic susceptibilities of microorganisms were as follows: teicoplanin, vancomycin and gentamicin (100%) for Enterecoc; teicoplanin and vancomycin (100%) for Staphilococcus; carbapenem (100%), piperacillin-tazobactam (60%), quinolones (95%), amikacin (65%) for gram-negative microorganisms; and fluconazole (100%) for Candida. The mortality rate was 18.8 % (n=6). Of these 6 died neonates, 3 neonates died secondary to major congenital abnormalities incompatible with life and the other 3 neonates died due to the isolated pathogen of Klebsiella spp. Conclusion: Neonates, especially preterms are at high risk for the development of NI. Targeted follow-up of hospital programs and implementation of preventive strategies are essential against NI. Especially, prevention of gram negative NIs with high mortality risk will also decrease the rate of morbidity in NICUs. It is concluded that initial empirical antibiotic therapy for nosocomial sepsis should be vancomycin+meropenem especially for Klebsiella spp. with menengitis and teicoplanin+meropenem for Klebsiella spp. without menengitis, and monotherapy should be applied after culture results were obtained as negative, in our NICU. Prophylaxis against fungal infections should also be considered especially in high risk neonates, such as very low birth weight infants treated with prolonged broad spectrum antibiotics.


Background: The purpose of this study was to identify characteristic patterns of syndesmotic screw (SS) failure, and any effects on clinical outcome. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using a consecutive series of patients treated with open reduction and internal fixation with trans-syndesmotic screws for unstable ankle fractures with syndesmotic injury between 2015 and 2017. Patient demographics, fracture characteristics and classification, rates and patterns of trans-syndesmotic screw breakage, and backout were analyzed. Functional outcome was assessed using passive range of motion (ROM) and Maryland Foot Score (MFS). Results: A total of 113 patients (67%) had intact screws and 56 patients (33%) demonstrated either screw breakage or backout. Patients with SS failure were younger (P = .002) and predominantly male (P = .045). Fracture classification and energy level of injury were not associated with screw failure. Nine screws (11%) demonstrated backout (2 also broke) and 56 other screws broke. There was no association between the number of screws or cortices of purchase and screw failure. There was a trend toward a higher proportion of screw removal (20%) in this failed SS group compared with the intact SS group (12%) (P = .25), but with similar ankle ROM and MFS (P > .07). Conclusion: Syndesmotic screw breakage was common in younger, male patients. Despite similarities in ankle range of motion and clinical outcome scores to patients with intact screws, there was a trend towards more frequent screw removal. This information can be used to counsel patients pre- and postoperatively regarding the potential for screw failure and subsequent implant removal. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective case-control study.


Much research related to the use of natural fibers in polymeric matrix composites has been developed. The presence of OH groups in the chemical components of the natural fibers generates an important hydrophylic tendency that produces adhesion lacks with hydrophobic polymeric matrices. In this work natural fiber bundles mechanically extracted from both stem and bunch of cultivation banana wastes have been modified by both alkalization and silanization treatments. To evaluate the changes introduced by treatments on the chemical structure of fibers, Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometry has been employed. The evaluation of advancing dynamic contact angles along with the determination of total surface free energy by using the Owens–Wendt method indicate that the treatments allow reduction of their hydrophilic tendency by alterations on the physicochemical characteristics of the fibers. This behavior is confirmed by the reduction of moisture uptake, analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis. Small differences on noncellulosic components of stem and bunch fiber bundles have been found. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1489–1495, 2004


PLACENTA percreta is a rare but potentially catastrophic obstetric condition, with a high incidence of fetal death and maternal mortality and morbidity. First reported in 1900, only 37 cases had been documented by 1970. Placenta percreta with bladder invasion is even more uncommon, with only four cases previously described.1-4 We present a case of placenta previa percreta with bladder invasion resulting in massive hemorrhage and prolonged shock. Report of a Case A 31-year-old woman, gravida 4, para 3, registered for prenatal care at ten weeks of pregnancy. She had undergone three previous cesarean sections without difficulty. She weighed 125 kg and was mildly hypertensive. At 12 weeks of pregnancy, she bled about 100 ml of bright red blood during one day; otherwise, her prenatal course was uneventful. At term, routine repeated cesarean section was begun under spinal anesthesia. The anterior aspect of the uterus was covered by huge varicosities


Granular zero-valent iron (ZVI) has been widely used to construct permeable reactive barriers (PRB) for the in situ remediation of groundwater contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbons. In the anaerobic condition of most groundwater flow systems, iron undergoes corrosion by water and results in hydrogen gas generation. Several studies have shown that some of the hydrogen gas generated at the iron/water interface can diffuse into the iron lattice. Hydrogen gas also can be an electron donor for dechlorination of chlorinated compounds. In this study, the possibility of hydrogen gas bound in the lattice of ZVI playing a role in dehalogenation and improving the degradation efficiency of ZVI was evaluated. Two different granular irons were tested: one obtained from Quebec Metal Powders Ltd (QMP) and the other from Connelly-GPM. Ltd. For each type of iron, two samples were mixed with water and sealed in testing cells. Since the rate of hydrogen entry varies directly with the square root of the hydrogen pressure, one sample was maintained for several weeks under near-vacuum conditions to minimize the amount of hydrogen entering the iron lattice. The other sample was maintained for the same period at a hydrogen pressure of over 400 kPa to maximize the amount of hydrogen entering the iron lattice. The degradation abilities of the reacted ironsand the original iron materials were tested by running several sets of batch tests. The results of this study show little to no improvement of inorganic TCE degradation reactions due to the presence of lattice-stored hydrogen in iron material. This is probably due to the high energiesrequired to release hydrogen trapped in the iron lattice. However, there are certain chemical compounds that can promote hydrogen release from the iron lattice, and there may be bacteria that can utilize lattice-bound hydrogen to carry out dechlorination reactions.


The results of both previous articles on the comparison of practical tests for surface disinfection are summarized. They are the DGHM test of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology, the AFNOR test NF-T 72-190 of the French Association for Standardization, the quantitative carrier test (QCT) of Van Klingeren, the Leuven test and the quantitative surface disinfection test (QSDT). The comparison of the techniques followed in these tests seems to indicate that the differences in the operating technique are likely to influence the test results. There is, however, a close correlation among the results of all but the AFNOR test, although there remains a statistically significant difference in the reduction factors: the Leuven test and the QCT are the more severe tests, whereas the AFNOR and DGHM tests are the less severe ones. The QSDT gives divergent results, which could be attributed to the influence on the resuscitation of the surviving bacteria.


The magnetic dipole and the electric quadrupole interaction constants a and b have been measured for the neutron-deficient dysprosium isotopes 153Dy (6 h), 155Dy (10 h) and 157Dy (8.1 h) using the atomic-beam magnetic resonance method. The results are 157Dy |a| = 121.605 (4) MHz |b| = 564.65 (7) MHz b/a< 0 155Dy |a| = 136.5 (5) MHz |b| = 421 (5) MHz b/a<0 153Dy |a| = 123.5 (8) MHz |b| = 65 (40) MHz b/a>0 For the evaluation of the corresponding nuclear moments of these isotopes a theoretical analysis of the hyperfine structure has been performed using an effective hyperfine structure Hamiltonian within the 4f10 configuration. The values of ⟨r-3⟩ needed for the calculation have been obtained using relativistic self-consistent-field wavefunctions. The analysis yields the following nuclear moments: 157Dy: μI = -0.30 (3) n.m. Q = +1.22 (13) barn 155Dy: μI = -0.34 (3) n.m. Q = +0.91 (10) barn 153Dy: μI = -0.71 (9) n.m. Q = -0.14 (8) barn The quadrupole moments are corrected for the Sternheimer effect. A comparison with recent moment calculations using the unified nuclear model is made.


Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005

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Background: Menopausal symptoms are a serious health problem in postmenopausal women. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is prescribed to ameliorate menopausal symptoms, but has been associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Natural estrogens (phytoestrogens) present in a variety of plants are thought to be safer than synthetic estrogen for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Black cohosh extract (BCE), the largest selling dietary supplement in the U.S. used to treat menopausal symptoms, is claimed to be effective but its mechanism of action is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine if BCE administered to symptomatic postmenopausal women would 1) alleviate menopausal symptoms and 2) act in an estrogenic fashion to stimulate the breast as measured by changes in nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) and serum levels of estradiol (E2) and the estrogen regulated protein (pS2). Methods and Materials: 19 Postmenopausal women were enrolled in the study. Patients took a capsule containing 40 mg of BCE twice daily for 12 weeks, followed by a 12 week washout period. The Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) was used to grade menopausal symptoms before BCE intervention and at 4, 12, 24 weeks. NAF and blood specimen collections were performed at 0, 4, 12, 24 weeks. E2 and pS2 levels in NAF and serum were measured using commercially available radioimmunoassays. Results were calculated after controlling for total NAF protein. Results and Conclusion: KMI scores significantly declined (p<0.001) at both 4 and 12 wks after starting BCE, and partially rebounded by 24 wks. Median baseline values for NAF E2 and pS2 in NAF were 261pg/ml and 1.55μg/g, which did not significantly change after BCE. The results of this investigation suggest that BCE is effective in relieving menopausal symptoms, and does not cause estrogen stimulation in the breasts of postmenopausal women at the dose ingested, suggesting that BCE may be a safe alternative to HRT for women with menopausal symptoms.


The incorporation of functional ingredients in a given food system and the processing and handling of such foods are associated with nutritional challenges for their healthy delivery. The extreme sensitivity of some components cause significant loss of product quality, stability, nutritional value and bioavailability, and the overall acceptability of the food product. Consequently, encapsulation has been successfully used to improve stability and bioavailability of functional ingredients. Encapsulation is one example of technology that has the potential to meet the challenge of successfully incorporating and delivering functional ingredients into a range of food types. The book will cover topics about 1) Characterization of novel polymers and their use in encapsulation processes. 2) Stability of nutraceutical compounds encapsulated with novel polymers. 3) Application of encapsulated compounds with novel polymers in functional food systems. This book provides a detailed overview of technologies for preparing and characterisation of encapsulates for food active ingredients using modified polymers. The use of modified polymers as coating materials it is a field that still needs study. The book is aimed to inform students and researchers in the areas of food science and food technology, and professionals in the food industry.


A 74-year-old man underwent hydrocelectomy following repeated fluid aspiration, six times during the previous year. Tunica vaginalis was opened after removing about 70 ml of yellow clear fluid and many miliary sized soft papillary tumors were seen inside of the vaginal sac. These tumors were attached to the sac so closely that they were easily rubbed off with a towel. The pathological specimen showed a papillary structure combined with solid sheets of cells. The cells were cuboidal and polygonal with sparse mitotic figures and the nuclei were round or oval with prominent nucleoli. Malignancy was strongly suspected and orchiectomy was performed a month later. Pathologic examination of the operated material showed that the tumor cells invaded into the tunica albuginea, and the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma was finally made. The patient has remained well with neither recurrence nor metastasis for fifteen months.


The aim of this work is to introduce GaAs as a mechanical material to those working primarily with silicon in micromechanics, and to give an update of the micromechanical properties of GaAs. Mechanical properties, some promising response mechanisms for micromechanical sensors, and recent micromechanical applications are reviewed for GaAs, and its best developed alloying system, the AlxGa1-xAs ternary.


Abstract We characterized manganese dendrites on three different substrate rocks (rhyolite, clayey siltstone, and limestone) using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Manganese dendrites are mainly composed of nanometer scale Mn-(hydr)oxides, Fe-(oxy)hydroxide, sulfate, and clay minerals including hollandite, todorokite, birnessite, goethite, amorphous Fe-hydroxide, smectite, illite, and gypsum. Each sample has a different main manganese phase. Two dendrite samples have more than one manganese phase. Todorokite crystals on a limestone sample from Altmühl Valley, Germany, showed trilling intergrowths. Chain-width disorder and chain termination occur in todorokite. The sum of the numbers of octahedral wall layers and octahedral chains were equal at both sides beyond the termination. The chain termination rule was explained by the geometry of octahedral chains and the octahedral wall layer. The trilling intergrowths of todorokite might be formed by transforming the structure from birnessite to todorokite, or by multiple, epitaxial todorokite nucleations on octahedral wall layer of todorokite or birnessite. Based on chain-width disorder in the todorokite, we suggest that the todorokite might have been transformed from birnessite.


Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and low-dose aspirin may result in gastrointestinal complications including ulceration, bleeding, and stricture. Chronic fibrosis and chronic ulcerations form bowel stricture which is the most severe stage of NSAIDs induced enteropathy. Capsule endoscopy and balloon enteroscopy may provide detailed information of small bowel mucosal lesions such as longitudinal ulceration suggesting Crohn's disease. However, more distal or proximal evaluation above stricture is impossible due to severe stricture. Nowadays, balloon dilatation through the enterosope is available and can dilate stricture site by expanding force. This technique allows enteroscope to pass of stricture site and provides accurate evaluation of more proximal or distal small bowel above the stricture. We report our experience of small bowel evaluation after balloon dilatation.

 Nine patients with small bowel stricture and history of NSAIDs between 2012 February and 2019 October were analysed. All patients with small bowel stricture had symptoms including abdominal pain, abdominal fullness, or vomiting and enteroscope could not pass the stricture site. Balloon dilatations were performed with through the scope balloon from 8 mm to 15 mm diameter in these patients. After adequate dilation, enteroscope passage could pass the stricture site. Detailed mucosal evaluation of more proximal or distal small bowel above the stricture was performed.

 Successful and adequate balloon dilation of small bowel stricture was achieved in 9 of 9 patients. Additional deep and longitudinal ulceration suggesting Crohn's disease was found after successful passage of enteroscope in 3 of 9 patients. In 6 of 9 patients, additional chronic shallow ulcerative lesions without deep and longitudinal ulceration was found after eneteroscope passage. Deep enteroscopy after balloon dilatation provided important diagnostic clue and treatment strategy in 3 of 9 patients.

 Deep small bowel evaluation above the stricture after balloon dilatation may provide additional and detailed information for differential diagnosis of small bowel stricture.


: Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) power cells for power ampli fi ers (PAs) were implemented and measured using a standard 0.35-µm CMOS process. An experimental analysis on the effect of substrate resistance on junction breakdown voltage is carried out to optimize the power-cell layout for CMOS PA applications. An optimized power-cell layout for improving junction breakdown voltage is proposed and veri fi ed through experiments in this work.


The synthesis and isolation of symmetrical anhydrides of N alpha-9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) amino acids using water soluble carbodiimide is described. These compounds were used in a solid phase peptide synthesis of methionine-enkephalin on a p-benzyloxybenzyl ester polystyrene 1% divinylbenzene resin support. Homogeneous free pentapeptide was obtained in 42% overall yield. The Fmoc amino acid symmetrical anhydrides were stable during prolonged storage (2 years of 0 degrees) and offer advantages over present "Fmoc solid phase" methods which use anhydrides formed in situ.


Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) have been long established as a consortium of bacteria with high economic value. Among the sub-species of LAB, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactococcus lactis are the two most studied and widely commercialised. This includes their applications such as being used as starter culture in fermentation industries, vaccine development and metabolite production. In addition, these LABs have been genetically engineered because of their small genomes, easy genetic accessibility and the availability of genetic tools. However, there is still a lack of available shuttle vectors with strong promoter and broad host range for these two species of LAB. In addition, other promoters except for the nisin promoter are also
less efficient. A new promoter inducible by stress may offer several advantages such as ease of gene expression, low cost and broad host range compatibility. In this
study, bacteria containing plasmid was screened and identified as Enterococcus faecium HB6. The plasmid was characterised and named as pAR6. Three putative open reading frames (ORF) coding for the epsilon antitoxin, small heat shock protein and replication were identified. The small heat shock protein promoter (Phsp) was
characterised and cloned into lactococcal promoter screening vector, pNZ8008. The quantitative expression analysis of Phsp under various stress conditions showed that the maximum gusA (β-glucuronidase) activity was achieved under a stress combination of heat at 37°C, media with salt concentration of 3% (w/v) and alkalinity of pH9. A new Lactobacillus-Lactococcus shuttle vector pAR1801 was
constructed by ligating the cassettes between a previously isolated Lactobacillus plasmid, pR18 containing the mob, sso, dso, repA and terminator sequence with Lactococcus pNZ8048-Phsp vector, containing the chloramphenicol resistant gene,enterococcal Phsp replaced lactococcal Pnis, multiple cloning site and terminator site.The shuttle vector was transformed into Lb. plantarum Pa21 and L. lactis NZ9000 hosts and was stably maintained until 50 generations. Results from relative qPCR determined that the copy number of the plasmid vector pAR1801 in Lb. plantarum
Pa21 and L. lactis NZ9000 hosts were 34 and 31 copies per cell respectively. The functionality of pAR1801 to carry and express foreign genes was tested using the gusA gene. The pAR1801-GUS recombinant plasmid was transformed into both hosts, and was able to replicate and express the gusA gene as was shown by the ability of the cells to hydrolyse the X-Gluc (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl glucuronide). In conclusion, a hsp promoter was cloned and a functional stress inducible Lactobacillus and Lactococcus shuttle vector was constructed.


The former investigations on the fatigue strength of the rolled threads were surveyed by the author. One of the causes of the difference among the results of these investigations seems to be the thread rolling conditions. If the effect of the thread rolling conditions on the fatigue strength of the rolled threads is clarified, the rolling condition for the rolled threads of fatigue strength extremely higher than that of the cut threads may be obtained. The rolling conditions were analysed for the thread rolling processes used today. From this analysis it has been found that the rolling condition is expressed by the number of revolutions of the blank from the start to the end of rolling and the type of the rolling pressure curve. The rolling pressure curves are classified into 3 types ; namely the decreasing pressure type, the constant pressure type and the increasing pressure type. This analysis was confirmed by the experiments on the oil pressure type thread rolling machine with special attachment.


The interest about distributed network architectures is arising. It allows to obtain more scalable network and in this context, also the interest of research around the IEEE 802.16 distributed mesh mode is growing. The mesh distributed mode supported by IEEE 802.16 protocol, with the capability to establish direct links between SSs (Subscriber Station) and with the wide coverage area and the promised bits rate, allows to create interesting scenarios. The protocol defines guidelines to realize request/grant process, but it presents some lacks, one of these is the absence of a distributed Call Admission Control (CAC) algorithm. This process is essential to guarantee QoS constraints to admitted connections. In this paper, we present GCAD-CAC (Greedy Choice with Bandwidth Availability aware Defragmentation): a new call admission control algorithm to guarantee the respect of data flows delay constraints defined by three different traffic classes. To reach good results, the algorithm tries to accept all the new requests, but when a higher priority request is received, a lower priority admitted request is preempted. The preemption can leave in data subframe some little gaps not sufficient to new connection admission; these gaps can be collected by GCAD algorithm by activating a bandwidth availability based defragmentation process. The algorithm quality is proved by a comparison with other two algorithms found in the literature.


Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL

Introduction: The prognosis for patients with metastatic bladder cancer is poor with a 5-year survival rate of only 6%. Early prediction of the metastatic risk in primary tumours can lead to improvements in prognosis and therapy. Currently, there are no parameters available that enable an individual risk assessment for patients with metastatic bladder cancer. Therefore, identification of new reliable prognostic markers for early prediction of tumour spread is required. The aim of this project is to determine whether changes in DNA methylation correlate with the metastasis risk and to identify a specific DNA methylation pattern that provides a reliable tool for prognosis assessment. Materials & methods: Genomic DNA was isolated from 23 invasive bladder tumour tissues with and without lymph node metastases. For enrichment of methylated fragments genomic DNA was incubated with 5-Methylcytosin antibody. Input and IP were labelled with Cy3 and Cy5. Labelled DNA was hybridizes onto CpG island microarrays. Cluster analysis enabled selection of differentially methylated candidate genes. The actual methylation state was confirmed by cleavage of genomic DNA with methylation dependent restriction enzyme (McrBc) followed by quantitative PCR. Results: In total, 201 promoter CpG islands show highly significant differences in DNA methylation between metastasised and non-metastasised primary bladder tumours (p<0,01). In metastasised tumours 74 CpG islands are hypermethylated and 127 CpG islands are hypomethylated. Data base research for identification of candidate genes resulted in 61 hypermethylated and 58 hypomethylated genes that can clearly assigned to the identified promoter associated CpG islands. Validation of methylation level of candidate gene RASSF1 resulted in higher methylation in metastatic tumours (mean methylation: 38%) than in non-metastatic tumours (mean methylation: 26%). RASSF1 methylation shows strong correlation to T stage (r=0,65). Methylation of candidate gene KISS1R shows significant differences between patient groups (p=0,001). Mean methylation in metastatic tumours is 48% and in non-metastatic tumours 22%. Conclusion: Primary bladder tumours show significant differences in their DNA methylation pattern in correlation to their metastatic potential. KISS1R methylation is strongly associated with the metastatic risk of primary tumours. Further analysis will demonstrate the correlation between changes in DNA methyaltion and expression of corresponding genes. The impact of DNA methylation on tumour behaviour shall be determined in functional analysis.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5014. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5014


This study evaluates Momentum Bicycle Clubs (MBC) through the empowerment-based positive youth development framework (EMPYD). Data were collected through eight cross-sectional focus groups of MBC youth participants (ages 10-17). Sessions included three topics: the MBC program, the mentors, and the bicycle, all of which elucidated elements of an EMPYD program for analysis. The data were analyzed utilizing an interpretative phenomenological approach. The results of the focus groups revealed how MBC empowers its youth participants. MBC displayed characteristics of the EMPYD model by providing youth with opportunities to develop mastery and moral identity in addition to the 5Cs of positive youth development. Interactions with a diverse set of mentors and peers allowed program participants to gain mastery of physical, social, and emotional skills. These connections also provided avenues for the development of empathy, caring, and character. MBC empowered its participants by fostering a sense of community that was dependable and consistent. However, the data did not reveal how or if MBC empowers youth to participate in active and engaged citizenship. MBC represents a programmatic model that utilizes many aspects of the EMPYD framework. MBC provide youth with the opportunity to develop mastery over the bicycle and to develop their moral reasoning through relationships with a group of adult mentors. With some adjustment, the program can further empower youth by providing intentional programming that focuses on culturally specific community building and by providing program participants with the opportunity to engage in culturally specific citizenship.


In Ayurveda, Kushtha is a broad term including all types of skin diseases . Kitibha kushtha , one of the Kshudra kushtha (minor skin ailment) has most similarities with the symptoms of Psoriasis which is the most prevailing skin disease in today's era. It affects almost 2% worldwide population. The high chances of recurrence and its reluctant nature makes it a matter of concern for modern medicine as they have a limited line of treatment. But in the case of Ayurveda, Shamana (pacifying treatment) and Shodhana chikitsa (detoxification treatment) along with Nidan parivarjan (abstinence from disease causing factors) play an important role in overcoming this disease. In this case study of Kitibha kushtha we have effectively managed the disease by the means of Virechan (purgation) and Shamana chikitsa .


From experience, it has been well known that the performance of IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networks significantly drops in dense settings, largely driven by poor capacity of the medium access control (MAC) layer. The current 802.11 MAC mechanism utilizes a contention window (CW) for random access, and the CW size is dictated to take discrete values from a bounded finite set. In this paper, with focus on a saturated network scenario, we closely investigate the impacts of the aforementioned constraint and show that the limitations on the CW size are the main MAC bottleneck in dense conditions. Then, in order to tackle this bottleneck, we propose a new backoff scheme that does not attempt to tune the CW but makes a small modification in the backoff freezing process to determine the optimal configuration. We prove that our backoff scheme can achieve the maximum network throughput even under densely populated networks (i.e., many contenders), while a maximal compliance with the mentioned constraints is maintained. Then, we turn our attention to minimizing the channel access delay, and propose a variant of our backoff algorithm to accomplish this aim. We further present a new result on the theoretical relation between the optimal configurations for which the throughput is maximized and the delay is minimized. Finally, we note that our modified backoff mechanism does not penalize legacy users and is, therefore, practical for implementation in existing networks, which removes co-existence concerns.


(1) Background This paper presents a study based on Stevan Hobfoll's conservation of resources theory and deals specifically with resources and coping as predictors of the quality of life of persons threatened by social exclusion. They have no access to public psychosocial resources, the acquisition and accumulation of which are closely linked to the perceived quality of life. (2) Method A cross-sectional self-reported questionnaire study. A sample of 1,074 individuals from various groups at risk of exclusion was surveyed using the Conservation of Resources-Evaluation Questionnaire, the Strategic Approach to Coping Scale, and the WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire. The research was done among people supported by Polish non-governmental organizations operating nationwide. Structural equation modeling was used to test mediational hypotheses in the analysis. (3) Results The significant variables that determined the relationship between resource gains and losses and the quality of life included active–passive and prosocial–antisocial coping strategies. The results were generally robust, but the level of education moderated the relationship between active antisocial coping and quality of life. (4) Conclusions The obtained dependencies are consistent with Hobfoll's approach, confirming its usefulness. Prosocial coping mediates the effect of resource gain on the increase in quality of life and the effect of resource loss on the decline in quality of life, strengthening the former and weakening the latter.


In vertebrates, sensory neurons interconnect a variety of peripheral tissues and central targets, conveying sensory information from different types of sensory receptors to appropriate second‐order neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). To explore the possibility that the different rhombomere environments where sensory neurons enter into the hindbrain affect the pathfinding capability of growth cones, we studied the development of the VIIIth ganglion afferent both in vivo and in vitro. We focused on the vestibular nerve because it is the only cranial nerve projecting to the cerebellum, allowing for ready identification from its pattern of projection. Embryonic rat brain was cut along the dorsal midline and, with the VIIIth and Vth ganglia still attached, flat mounted and visualized with antibodies specific for sensory ganglia. Axons reached the cerebellar primordium at embryonic day (E) 13, then splayed out towards the edges of the rhombic lip of rostral hindbrain. In vitro, the VIIIth ganglion showed development similar to that in vivo and innervated the cerebellum, an appropriate target, indicating that mechanisms for axon guidance and target recognition are preserved in vitro. When the VIIIth ganglion was transplanted to the position of the Vth ganglion, axons from the transplanted ganglion entered the cerebellar primordium with a trajectory characteristic of the VIIIth nerve. These results indicate that the central projection pattern of the VIIIth nerve is not affected by the environment of nerve entry into the brainstem, suggesting that axons of sensory cranial ganglion intrinsically possess the capacity to find their target correctly. J. Comp. Neurol. 417:491–500, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


In the last few years, fluorescence polarization (FP) has been applied to the development of robust, homogeneous, high throughput assays in molecular recognition research, such as ligand-protein interactions. Recently, this technology has been applied to the development of homogeneous tyrosine kinase assays, since there are high-affinity anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies available. Unlike tyrosine kinases, application of FP to assay development for serine/threonine kinases has been impeded because of lack of high-affinity anti-phosphoserine/threonine antibodies. In the present study, we report the discovery of a high-affinity, monoclonal anti-phosphoserine antibody, 2B9, with a Kd of 250 ± 34 pM for a phosphoserine-containing peptide tracer, fluorescein-RFARKGS(PO4)LRQKNV. Our data suggest that 2B9 is selective for fluorescein-RFARKGS(PO4)LRQKNV. The antibody and tracer have been used for the development of a competitive FP assay for protein kinase C (PKC) in 384-well plates. Phosphatidylserine, which enhances the kinase activity of PKC in a Ca2+-dependent manner and has a structure similar to that of phosphoserine, did not interfere with binding of the peptide tracer to the antibody in the FP assay. The data indicate that the FP assay is more sensitive and robust than the scintillation proximity assay for PKC. The FP assay developed here can be used for rapid screening of hundreds of thousands of compounds for discovery of therapeutic leads for PKC-related diseases.


Since their discovery in 1993, the semaphorin family has expanded to include over twenty different types of the proteins with known guidance and developmental roles ranging from heart morphogenesis and vertebrate growth to immuno-regulation. These functions of semaphorins as adaptors of peripheral immune responses in vertebrates have led us to ask whether these molecules may be important for developing T cells in the mouse thymus. We previously showed by RT-PCR that Sema4A mRNA is expressed in the thymus of 4 wk-old C57BL/6 mice. Our immuno-histochemistry studies showed that Sema4A protein is expressed in the thymus of these mice and appears localized to the medullary region. Our current findings show that by quantitative real time PCR analysis, CD4-CD8- (DN) cells as well as CD4+ and CD8+ (SP ) cells express Sema4A mRNA at 2-2.5 fold higher levels compared to CD4+CD8+ (DP) cells in the thymus of C57BL/6 mice. Taken together, our results show that levels of Sema4A mRNA fluctuate during the staged development of thymocytes. In particular, the expression pattern on DN and SP but not DP cells suggests that Sema4A may be used as an adaptor molecule in the expansion of DP cells during positive selection and naïve SP cells once again express Sema4A mRNA prior to their exit from the thymus upon which this molecule serves its known accessory role in antigen-mediated peripheral activation and maturation.


In politics literature, the concept of political development is the closest concept to social capital. Thus in the social capital approach, politics is seen from bottom to top. Trust and solidarity discussion, are the long-standing debate in political development studies. Cohesion, and solidarity in the trust relationship network, play an important role to determine the identity and legitimacy of a political system. In a society where people have relations based on trust and solidarity, the possibility of public occurrence participation in decision-making, Genesis, and consolidation of democracy is as the most important characteristic of the greater political development. As social capital can influence political development, political development develops the country regarding potential human relationships based on power relations. This potential interaction between communities overpower will be expanded by political development. With the interaction of mentioned potentials organizations are created, which they can create better social capital. In this research, the author deals with the relationship between social capital and political development. Findings of the research prove that social capital is a necessary condition, but not sufficient for political development. Political progress certainly assumes more social capital, but social capital does not necessarily follow the rise of political development. Also, in studying the relationship between social capital and political development, and the variables of social capital from Fukuyama point of view, and the political development of political science theorists in the Ahmadinejad state, Iran witnessed a sharp decline in social capital and political development in Ahmadinejad's government.


The transposition patterns of the Ds-GUS transposon T-DNA in 23 independent single-copy lines have been characterized and the map positions of 10 of them on three of the five Arabidopsis chromosomes are reported. Using overexpressed Activator (Ac) elements as a transposase source, it was found that the primary determinant of transposition frequency is the insertion site of the Ac-T-DNA. Neither the structure of the transposon T-DNA nor, in most cases, its insertion site have a significant effect on transposition frequency. Both the frequency and timing of transposition are influenced by the parent through which the transposon and transposase T-DNAs are transmitted. Overall, nearly 75% of plants in which excision has occurred bear a reinserted element and very short-range transpositions predominate, underlining the advantage of using mapped transposons for insertional mutagenesis.


Bayt al-Mal wa al-Tamwil (BMT) is a microfinance institution that is operated with profit sharing or sharia principle by developing micro and small businesses, in order to elevate degrees and dignity and defend the interests of the poor. BMT (Baitul Maal Wat Tamwil) also receives deposits from zakat, waqf, infaq and sadaqah funds and optimizes its distribution in accordance with its regulations and mandates. The concept of money or cash waqf even though only with 10,000 nominal customer however, endowments have enormous potential to be explored and developed with an emphasis on how the potential of money waqf can be an alternative solution in order to empower the ummah economy through BMT Mandiri Sejahtera Karangcangkring East Java. This BMT Mandiri Sejahtera Karangcangkring in East Java outlines the types of products classified into three, namely savings, financing and services. There are three deposits: Simaster, Hajj and Umrah savings, and qurban savings. There are five financing, namely murabahah, rahn, mudarabah, musharakah, and ijarah. While service products such as exchange of ringgit money, remittances from within / abroad, PLN online payments, Token, Telkom, FIF, BAF, Adira Finance, Oto Finace, WOM Finance, STNK/mutation installment installments. Although there are weaknesses, the result of research shows that the threat that is feared will hamper the endowment of money products on Mandiri Sejahtera BMT but this is not a burden, the most important is that this product does not violate the rules of sharia and is permissible in Islam because the application of money waqf products in Mandiri Sejahtera BMT is appropriate, namely the value the principal remains and the remaining proceeds from the money endowments will be distributed for virtue.


and Implications The effects of dietary energy sources in corn on the growth responses and carcass composition of high lean pigs fed from 55 to 110 kg body weight were evaluated. Low fiber composite corns were created by replacing the fiber in normal corn with isocaloric amounts of either corn starch or corn oil. Feeding the low fiber, composite corns reduced the amount of feed required per unit of body weight compared with that of pigs fed the high fiber, normal corns. However, the daily body weight and muscle gains and efficiency of metabolizable energy (ME) utilization for body weight and muscle gain were similar among pigs fed the low and high fiber corns. Body composition (backfat, loin muscle area, and muscle mass) at 110 kg body weight also were similar among corn treatments. When given the choice between the normal and composite corns, pigs consumed more of the low fiber composite corn with added fat but not with added starch. The feed required per unit of gain also was reduced in pigs allowed free choice access to normal and composite corns compared with pigs self-fed the normal corns. Pig growth and body composition were not altered by free choice selection of normal and composite corns.


The promotion of interdisciplinarity has been gaining prominence all around the world to better prepare students for the real-life challenges of an increasingly demanding society. This study aims to investigate how to promote interdisciplinarity in primary school in the framework of science education. With a qualitative methodology and an interpretative approach, participants are primary school teachers who participated in a collaborative continuing professional development program. Findings of our research show that teachers gained the skills to design and implement interdisciplinary tasks adequate to primary school syllabus. Keywords: interdisciplinarity, science education, professional development, hands-on, primary school. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15823/p.2018.132.8


Objective: The present study aims to validate the efficacy of age assessment by the Brothwell tooth wear chart, uniquely using skulls of recorded known age at death. Materials and Methods: Fifty Chinese skulls, of known age recorded at death, ranging from 16 to 62 years, were used. All the skulls were anonymized laid out, numbered 1–50, and using randomized tables. A 70-mm, ×3 magnification glass with light (Rolson, Ruscombe, Twyford, Berkshire, United Kingdom) was used to evaluate tooth wear patterns, and the age assessed using newly devised "age calculator" based on the Brothwell Chart. Results: The recorded age at death versus the estimated age derived from the Brothwell chart was statistically compared the weighted kappa score = 0.877, suggestive of a "very good" strength of agreement. Conclusion: The Brothwell chart, based on tooth wear, can be used as a consistent method of age assessment, allowing for easier and more rapid data collection with no loss of overall accuracy.


Temporal synchrony between odor and taste plays an important role in flavor perception. When we investigate temporal synchrony between odor and taste, it is necessary to pay attention not only to physical simultaneity of the presentation of olfactory and gustatory stimuli, but also to the perceptual simultaneity between the two stimuli. In this study, we examined short‐latency brain activity underlying synchrony perception for olfactory–gustatory combinations. While five female participants performed a simultaneity judgment (SJ) task using soy sauce odor and salt solution, single‐channel event‐related potentials (ERPs) were recorded at the position of Cz. In each trial, the participant was asked whether olfactory and gustatory stimuli were perceived simultaneously or successively. Based on the judgment responses acquired from participants (i.e., simultaneous or successive), ERP data were classified into two datasets. The means of ERPs from each participant were calculated for each type of judgment response, considering the onset of olfactory or gustatory stimuli (OERPs or GERPs, respectively) as the starting point. The latencies of the P1 component of GERPs were very similar between simultaneous and successive judgment responses, whereas the P1 amplitudes differed significantly. These results indicated that neural activity affecting SJ for an olfactory–gustatory combination is generated during a period of about 130 ms from the onset of gustatory stimulus. Thus, olfactory and gustatory information processing related to flavor perception (more specially, synchrony perception between odor and taste) might be initiated at a relatively early stage of the central pathway.


The patient with severe aortic valve disease and significant symptoms is a clear-cut candidate for valve replacement surgery. Management of asymptomatic patients with aortic valve disease is less clear-cut. Because asymptomatic patients for the most part have a benign prognosis, careful individual evaluation for risk of progressive disease must be weighed against the risks of surgery.


Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze whether early maternal separation would result in long-term, persistent alterations in stress response in adulthood, altering mineralocorticoid receptor immunoreactivity (MR-ir) in the dorsal hippocampal areas [CA1, CA2, CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG)], paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and medial and central nucleus of the amygdala, key structures involved in stress response regulation. We also analyzed whether chronic treatment with the antidepressant tianeptine reverses these possible changes. Material and methods: Male Wistar rats were subjected to daily maternal separation for 4.5 h during 3 weeks or left undisturbed. As adults, they were exposed to chronic stress during 24 days or left undisturbed, and they were also daily treated with tianeptine (10 mg/kg i.p.) or isotonic solution. Results: In the CA2 and DG areas of the dorsal hippocampus, there was an increase in MR-ir in non-maternally separated and chronic stressed groups. Tianeptine raised MR-ir in the CA3. In the DG, control and maternally separated + chronic stress groups treated with tianeptine showed more MR-ir than their respective vehicle groups. In the paraventricular nucleus, tianeptine decreased MR-ir in non-separated groups, but not in maternally separated rats. Conclusions: Our results support findings that early-life events induce long-term changes in stress response regulation, persistent into adulthood, which are manifested during challenges in later life, and that treatment with tianeptine, which tends to attenuate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation, depends on the individual experience of each rat.


The mutual optical intensity (MOI) model is extended to include the propagation of partially coherent radiation through non-ideal mirrors. The propagation of the MOI from the incident to the exit plane of the mirror is realised by local ray tracing. The effects of figure errors can be expressed as phase shifts obtained by either the phase projection approach or the direct path length method. Using the MOI model, the effects of figure errors are studied for diffraction-limited cases using elliptical cylinder mirrors. Figure errors with low spatial frequencies can vary the intensity distribution, redistribute the local coherence function and distort the wavefront, but have no effect on the global degree of coherence. The MOI model is benchmarked against HYBRID and the multi-electron Synchrotron Radiation Workshop (SRW) code. The results show that the MOI model gives accurate results under different coherence conditions of the beam. Other than intensity profiles, the MOI model can also provide the wavefront and the local coherence function at any location along the beamline. The capability of tuning the trade-off between accuracy and efficiency makes the MOI model an ideal tool for beamline design and optimization.


Recent epidemiological surveillance projects began collecting data from the Internet to identify inflectional diseases propagation. These systems collect data from pre-selected data sources somehow related to the subject. However, other sources, like web social networks, may present early evidences of an infection event. With the increasing popularity of social networks, where people post personal data interactively, we may hint the outbreak of an epidemic event from these data. This paper presents the architecture of a system capable of collecting epidemiological data from social network services. A preliminary prototype collects data from Twitter into a local database, where it can be analyzed and made available to other applications. Initial evaluation results show that relevant epidemiological data can be found in this source.


Books are like musical artworks. As Adorno stated in his Philosophy of New Music, not all musical works "are possible at all times". The shape of a composition depends on the "tendency of the [musical] material" which changes over time. Similarly, books – not always, but sometimes – emerge from research environments and zeitgeist.Music and Protest in 1968 is such a book. It has become possible only now. What enabled it into existence are three paradigm shifts that have taken place most recently. First, recent historical events, from the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 to Occupy Wall Street, the formation of flash mobs, the Arab Spring and the frequent protests during the G8 summits demonstrate that, like perhaps never before in human history, socio-political change has been effected largely through non-violent means. By the sheer quantity of its members and the use of symbolic, not physical 'weapons' – protest marches, discourse, posters, noise – protest movements enable peaceful revolutions and influence public opinion or government policy. Furthermore, what distinguishes them and their activities from other forms of social unrest and demands for socio-political change are their concerted actions without central


From 26 to 28 of April 2016, an allergy awareness campaign was organized by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and the European Federation of Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients Associations in the European Parliament in Brussels, with support of the European Parliament's Interest group on Allergy and Asthma and was co‐hosted by the Members of the European Parliament David Borrelli, Sirpa Pietikainen and Nessa Childers. Skin prick tests (SPTs) were performed to gain attention for the increasing prevalence of allergic airway diseases in Europe. Since more than 30% of the total European population suffers from airway allergies and asthma, reaching a higher level of awareness and elaboration of an active prevention plan is mandatory. Of the 406 individuals undergoing SPT in the European Parliament, 211 participants (52%) reported to have suffered from an allergy in the past, with allergic symptoms being present in the nose and eyes (40% and 36%, respectively), the skin (27%), lower airways (14%) and the gut (8%). Of the 381 SPT with reliable results, cutaneous hypersensitivity was found in 201 (53%) participants. Of those with positive SPT (n = 201), 70 participants (35%) were monosensitized while 131 participants (65%) were polysensitized. The positive skin reactions were found mostly for grass pollen (n = 108), followed by Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (n = 105), Dermatophagoides farina (n = 96) and birch pollen (n = 85). Of note, 54 individuals (14% of the total tested population) without reported allergy or allergic symptoms showed a positive SPT without clinical relevance. This report summarizes the main idea and goals of the symposium: chronic airway diseases are a major and growing health problem in Europe. Therefore, a joint preventive action plan needs to be developed for a better health status of European citizens.


High-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) are important components of gluten, which determine the grain quality of wheat. In this study, we investigated the effects of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application on the synthesis and accumulation of grain protein and gluten quality in wheat lines with different HMW-GSs absent. The results showed that the absence of the HMW-GS in the wheat variety Ningmai 9 significantly decreased the contents of gluten, glutenin macropolymer (GMP), protein compositions, HMW-GS and HMW-GS/LMW-GS. The reduction in glutenins was compensated to some extent by an increase of gliadins. The absence of x-type HMW-GSs (1, 7 and 2 subunits) had a greater effect on gluten and GMP properties than y-type HMW-GSs (8 and 12 subunits). The content of protein compositions, gluten and GMP increased with an increase of N level; however, the increment in wheat lines with the absence of HMW-GS, especially in Ax1a, Bx7a and Dx2a, was lower than that in the wild type under various N levels. The expression level of genes encoding HMW-GSs, and activities of nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS), differed significantly among the investigated wheat lines. The reduction in gene expression and activities in Ax1a and Dx2a may account for the reductions in gluten, GMP, protein compositions, HMW-GS and HMW-GS/LMW-GS.


The prices of or spread on credit default swaps (CDS) theoretically represent the pure credit risk of a firm. Callen, Livnat and Segal (2007) note that although the CDS premium is related to credit ratings issued by the rating agencies, rather wide variation in CDS spreads are observed for firms having a given rating. Following the recent subprime debacle, rating agencies have come under much scrutiny due to their role in the mispricing of credit risk and questions regarding the validity of the ratings that they issue are being questioned. This paper investigates the relationship between CDS spreads and credit ratings to help explain how market participants perceive and price credit risk. Using daily data obtained from Bloomberg on 391 five-year CDS contracts over the period 2003 to 2008, we model the credit default spreads as well as the variation between CDS spreads and credit ratings. Empirical results indicate that after controlling for market returns, market volatility and interest rates, CDS spreads increase with the subordination of the debt instrument, the put-implied volatility or deteriorating credit quality of the reference entity. We construct a credit quality variable derived from the quintiles of daily CDS spreads. Empirical results reveal statistically significant differences between credit ratings and our spread based credit quality variable. Observed discrepancies can be partly explained by stock market returns, levels of the VIX index, short-term and long-term interest rates as well as credit quality. However, empirical results indicate that a substantial share of the difference between credit ratings and CDS spreads cannot be attributed to either market or reference entity related variables.


It is well known among the researchers involved in the field of turbines for Oscillating Water Column systems (OWC) that the main problem for Wells turbines is the stall, which appears when the main flow incidence angle exceeds certain value and leads to a sharp drop in the efficiency. It also causes problems during the starting, driving the turbine to not reach the designing rotation speed.
 Delaying the stall apparition is the key to improve the performance of the Wells turbine. is necessary to delay the flow separation at the trailing edge because it is the reason which leads to the sharp efficiency drop at the stall point.
 One of the solutions proposed by researchers in this field is using a variable blade profile instead of the traditional ones, built using constant chord and profile from hub to tip. This work tries to dig deeper in this line by analysing a blade with variable chord and shape among the blade span.
 The work has been developed numerically by using commercial software ANSYS FLUENT®. A CFD code was created in order to obtain the performance curve of the turbine proposed to be compared with those assumed as reference, which were taken from the bibliography and also used to validate the numerical model.
 The results have shown that an improvement has been achieved. It confirms that using a variable blade profile is a suitable solution to delay the stall apparition.


Despite being considered a classical example of protective Batesian mimicry hoverflies (Syrphidae) are known to be preyed upon by various passerines. The aim of the present study was to examine in detail food brought by reed warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus to their nests to better understand the importance of hoverflies in the diet of small passerines. Using neck collars, 273 food samples containing 8,545 food items delivered to reed warbler and parasitic common cuckoo Cuculus canorus nestlings in warbler nests were recorded. The study was conducted during three breeding seasons in South Moravia, Czech Republic. An unusually high diversity of hoverflies was found — 27 species, including Mesembrius peregrinus (critically endangered species in the Czech Republic) and Mallota cimbiciformis (endangered species) — a new taxon to the Czech Republic. This indicates that nestling diet analyses may provide not only information on avian foraging behaviour but also important faunistic data. Thus, without the detailed identification to species level of material from foraging behaviour studies valuable scientific information may be lost. Overall dominance of Syrphidae was 3.7%, the most common species being Episyrphus balteatus (55.7%, n = 318). However, this number seriously underestimates the importance of hoverflies in the diet of reed warblers as hoverflies are one of the largest prey taken by warblers. Both larvae and pupae were rare, imagines strongly dominating (92.7%). Both specific wasp mimics (e.g., Chrysotoxum verrali) and bee mimics (e.g., Eristalis spp.) were not avoided by foraging reed warblers. The presence of a parasitic cuckoo chick did not affect host foraging behaviour with respect to overall dominance of hoverflies in the diet (warbler 3.3%, cuckoo 3.8%).


An important concern is the risk to international competitiveness of unilateral climate policy. We explore this risk by looking at past differences in energy prices between countries. Specifically we explore how firm level employment is affected by energy price disparities using a global firm level panel database (ORBIS). We find that estimates are highly sensitive to specific model assumptions. However, in our most general conventional regression model we do not find any evidence of a negative impact of energy prices on firm level employment. However, we also develop a new kind of estimator the Worst case scenario estimator (WOCASCE) that systematically tries to find the most dramatic impact of energy price gaps on firm level employment from a wide range of possible model specificaitons. This leads to moderately negative energy price elasticities ranging from -0.17 for the Chemical sector to -0.09 for the Iron&Steel sector; i.e. a 10% increase of energy prices in Chemicals relative to competitors would lead to a 1.7% reduction of employment in the worst case.


The reactions of imidates including cyclic imidates, oxazolines and dihydrooxazine with phenoxyacetyl chloride, were investigated. The results indicate that diacylamide or acylamide was generated from N-phenoxyacetylated imidates, while cyclic imidate oxazolines underwent a ring-opening reaction to yield different amides depending on the reaction conditions. Even under non-nucleophilic conditions, no beta-lactam-fused oxazoline derivative was obtained.


The advancement of internet-based computer technology has not only a positive impact on its users but also a negative impact, one of which is the creation of new forms of crime such as terrorism. Based on this background, this research was conducted with the aim of revealing how the regulation of criminal acts of terrorism committed through cyberspace (cyber terrorism) in positive law in Indonesia and how criminal law policies in Indonesia in the future in regulating criminal acts of terrorism committed through cyberspace (cyber terrorism). This research was designed using normative legal research methods. The results of this study reveal that in Indonesia, the criminal act of cyber terrorism is not regulated in the Criminal Code (KUHP) or the Laws and Regulations that regulate the field of terrorism. In a situation like this, the perpetrator of the crime of cyber terrorism can be declared free from punishment because there is no element against the law regulated in the Act attached to the act. Therefore, in order to be convicted of a crime, the crime of cyber terrorism must be formulated clearly. In addition, in establishing a criminal law policy regarding cyber terrorism, cyber terrorism must be considered so that it can be made a criminal act and sanctions can be imposed on the perpetrator


Vegetable and fruit samples were collected from their major area of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), together with locally bred fish and meat and locally manufactured products as cheese and macaroni. These samples were analysed for Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn using Flame Photometer and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The results showed that the level of Na & K in local foodstuff do not vary greatly from the reported values. But Mg shows much higher concentration than the reported value. On the contrary, levels of Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn are lower than the re- ported values. The daily intake of essential elements was calculated taking into account the concentration of these elements in the edible part and the daily consump- tion data which were derived from two sources: (a) the food balance sheet of KSA given by Food and Agriculture Organization FAO and (b) from questionnaire distributed to 200 families in Jeddah. The results show that the daily intake of these essential elements according to FAO satisfy the dai- ly requirements except Ca & Zn. But according to the questionnaire the daily intake of these elements are less than the required daily intake except for Mg.


Are there trans-religious, trans-cultural constants in psychological aspects of religion across different religions and cultures? An excessively culturalistic approach may overlook this possibility, putting an emphasis on the uniqueness of the religious phenomenon studied as emerging from a complex of multiple contextual factors. This article reviews empirical studies in psychology of religion in the 1990s that mainly include participants from different Christian denominations, but also from other religions: Muslims, Jews and Hindus. It appeared, at first, that several cross-cultural/religious differences can be documented (especially between Catholics and Protestants), but the interpretation of these differences is not simple, as other factors may interfere. Secondly it turned out that an impressive series of psychological constants also exist across different denominations, religions, and cultures. These constants include personality correlates, gender and gender orientation, positive and negative values, cognitive and affective aspects, identity formation, social attitudes and consequences.


The application of anti-corrosion coated, high-strength steels in the automotive industry has increased in recent years. In combination with various zinc-based surface coatings, liquid metal embrittlement cracking can be observed in some of these materials. A high-quality, crack-free spot-welded joint is essential to realize the lightweight potential of the materials. In this work, the LME susceptibility of different coatings, which will be determined by the crack length and the occurrence rate, will be investigated using a welding under external load setup. The uncoated specimens did not show any LME. EG, GI and GA showed significantly less LME than ZM coatings. The latter coatings showed much larger crack lengths than the EG, GI and GA coatings. Furthermore, two mechanisms regarding the LME occurrence rate were observed: the occurrence of LME in zinc–magnesium coatings was theorized to be driven by the material properties of the coatings, whereas the occurrence of LME at EG, GI and GA samples was forced mainly by the application of the external tensile load. In the experimental setup of this work, the materials were exposed to unusually high mechanical loads (up to 80% of their yield strength) to evoke LME cracks.


Farm-to-school is a new, innovative strategy with multiple planning-related objectives. The article evaluates the significance of farm-to-school in relation to improving the health and nutrition of school-age children, particularly low-income youth; strengthening the capacity of local farmers, particularly those engaged in sustainable practices; adding to the toolkit of strategies designed to contain and ultimately reduce sprawl-inducing developments by helping preserve farmland; and helping establish a community food systems approach no longer entirely dependent on the global food system that has come to dominate food growing, processing, distribution, and consumption patterns around the world.


The success of most advanced facial expression recognition works relies heavily on large-scale annotated datasets. However, it poses great challenges in acquiring clean and consistent annotations for facial expression datasets. On the other hand, self-supervised contrastive learning has gained great popularity due to its simple yet effective instance discrimination training strategy, which can potentially circumvent the annotation issue. Nevertheless, there remain inherent disadvantages of instance-level discrimination, which are even more challenging when faced with complicated facial representations. In this paper, we revisit the use of self-supervised contrastive learning and explore three core strategies to enforce expression-specific representations and to minimize the interference from other facial attributes, such as identity and face styling. Experimental results show that our proposed method outperforms the current state-of-the-art self-supervised learning methods, in terms of both categorical and dimensional facial expression recognition tasks.


Abstract The main focus of this study is to understand how the banking system works in the perception of financial institutions (BANKS) regarding lending to new ventures or businesses. Considering the forms and methods of granting credits available by Angolan banks, taking into account that the stage of business introduction, ends up being the most difficult and risky, after the business needs the future time to make its operations sold, thus increasing the risk for both financial institutions, when for those who assume the risk of financing, investors. The study sand delimits in researching alternatives or availability of credit in some of the banks. One of the objectives is to explore the market and the behavior of financing institutions since private investors need to use the economic and financial system to provide means or conditions that facilitate the collection and application of savings. Qualitative and descriptive research models will be used. The research will be applied to some of the banks with greater financial soundness in Angola, which have their headquarters or headquarters in their territory, to answer the research objectives.


The present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing addiction and relapse use of addictive agents, and treating or preventing addictive or compulsive behaviour and relapse practice of an addictive behaviour or compulsion, by administering a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR³) agonist, alone or in combination with another therapeutic agent, such as, for example, an opioid receptor antagonist or an antidepressant. The present invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions for treating or preventing addiction or relapse that include a PPAR³ agonist and one or more other therapeutic agents, as well as unit dosage forms of such pharmaceutical compositions, which contain a dosage effective in treating or preventing addiction or relapse. The methods and compositions of the invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of addiction to any agent, including alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines, as well as compulsive and addictive behaviours, including pathological gambling and pathological overeating.


Soil liquefaction is a significant hazard in earthquake prone regions. Horizontal micropiles (also called soil nails) have become widely accepted as a means of reinforcing slopes against sliding failures both from static gravity-induced forces and from earthquakes. The use of inclined micropiles as reinforcement to prevent soil liquefaction in level ground has been investigated experimentally. Deposits of loose (Dsub-r = 0.2 to 0.4), dry sand were prepared inside a large (2.0 m deep by 1.8 m long by 0.8 m wide) laminated box and subjected to shaking of different intensities on a one-dimensional shake table. For low intensity shaking (up to 0.12 g) the cyclic shear strains were modest (up to 0.11 percent) and there was a modest settlement (0.31 percent). For higher intensity shaking, (0.16 g) there was a significant transformation in response with much greater cyclic shear strain (0.65 percent) and settlement (3.1 percent). Other deposits were reinforced by use of Titan 26-14 self-drilling micropiles installed at 30 degrees inclination. Reinforcement by one inclined micropile was found to have little effect on response to shaking but installation of two diagonally opposed, inclined micropiles was found to reduce cyclic shear strain by half and settlement to one fifth that of similar unreinforced deposits.


Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a nonspecific inflammatory disease that includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). The pathogenesis of IBD is not fully understood but is most reported associated with immune dysregulation, dysbacteriosis, genetic susceptibility, and environmental risk factors. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for the human body, and it not only regulates bone metabolism but also the immune system, the intestinal microbiota and barrier. Vitamin D insufficiency is common in IBD patients, and the abnormal low levels of vitamin D are highly correlated with disease activity, treatment response, and risk of relapse of IBD. Accumulating evidence supports the protective role of vitamin D in IBD through regulating the adaptive and innate immunity, maintaining the intestinal barrier and balancing the gut microbiota. This report aims to provide a broad overview of the role vitamin D in the immune system, especially in the pathogenesis and treatment of IBD, and its possible role in predicting relapse.


This paper presents results of a study of some of the characteristics of a PDR-1 digital strong-motion accelerograph. Results are presented for laboratory tests of the background noise level of the instrument, and these results are compared with previously reported observations for optical instruments. Noise levels for the digital instrument are found to be one or two orders of magnitude lower than for an analog optimal instrument. The paper discusses determination of displacement from acceleration data, and results of laboratory tests are presented. An instrument anomaly in the FBA-13 transducer is identified, a simple data correction algorithm proposed, and examples given. The paper also presents detailed results of a comparison of earthquake records obtained from side-by-side digital and optical analog instruments during an aftershock of the 1983 Coalinga earthquake.


We use SI units throughout this text. Simple ways to convert between SI and other popular units, such as Gaussian, may be found in Refs. [105–108]. The Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) of NIST maintains the values of many physical constants [92]. The most current values can be obtained from the CODATA web site [820]. Some commonly used constants are listed below: quantity symbol value units speed of light in vacuum


Anecdotal accounts suggest that one reason for the perceived resistance to translated literature in English-language markets is that commissioning editors are averse to considering texts that they cannot read. In an attempt to overcome this barrier, English translations are increasingly commissioned by publishers of source texts and agents of source authors and used to stimulate interest in a book (not just in English-language markets), a phenomenon this article terms 'source-commissioned translations'. This article considers how this phenomenon indicates a shift in the borders between literatures, how it disrupts accepted commercial practices, and the consequences of this for the industry and the role of English in the global book trade. In particular, it considers consequences for the quality of translations, questions regarding copyright, and the uncertain position for the translator when, at the time of translating, a contract is not in place between the translator and the publisher of the translation.


While species-specifi city of male genitalia is a well-documented pattern among insects which can be explained by sexual selection, there are a number of species that appear to lack species-specifi c male genitalia despite the presence of stimulation of female genitalia by male genitalia and remating by females which are the conditions for the sexual selection by cryptic female choice. Such contradiction to the general pattern is found in the species belonging to the grasshopper genus Schistocerca whose male genitalia are known to be very similar across species and not useful taxonomically. In this study shapes and sizes of two functionally diff erent genital structures of four Schistocera species were examined using geometric morphometic analyses. Both shape and size fail as a species-specifi c character when examined individually because there were extensive overlaps of both variables among species. However, when both variables were examined simultaneously, distinct species-specifi c clusters were recovered in each genital structure, as well as two structures combined. Th is fi nding suggests that the male genitalia of Schistocerca should be considered species-specifi c because the combination of shape and size of both genital structures is unique for each species even if the individual feature might be similar between species. Th e idea of speciesspecifi city in insect systematics when applied to male genitalia, therefore, needs to be re-examined and should be applied to the shape and size and the composite nature of the structure.


The need of an enzymatic cleaner for soft contact lens care with an improved ocular safety and stability profile led us to evaluate the use of nanoparticles (NPs) of poly(D,L-lactide-coglycolide) (PLGA) and methyl trypsin (MT). NPs were prepared by double emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. A factorial design was performed to select the lactic acid proportion in the copolymer and conditions of the second sonication. The increment in proportion of lactic acid provided higher particle size results. When the time of second sonication was decreased, the entrapment efficiency (EE) increased. PLGA 50:50 NPs were chosen for further development since PLGA 50:50H NPs settled fast with different particle size in the sediment and PLGA 75:25 NPs led to form aggregates. The addition of glycerol to the NPs provided the highest EE of MT (>90%) while the addition of Tetronic 1304 promoted the fast release of enzyme initially and decreased the zeta potential (zeta) up to neutral values after gamma irradiation. NPs are expected to be effective as a lens care cleaner after 3 days or even longer with a very low quantity of enzyme released. Formulations showed an acceptable irritation ocular tolerance after in vitro HET-CAM test and in vivo Draize test.


The fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and salmonellae as well as other potentially pathogenic bacteria resulting from fecal and other sources of contamination on red meat carcasses is a major concern. The development and validation of various decontamination procedures for red meat carcasses is not a new research area. However, recent morbidity and mortality attributable to the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef has heightened the awareness of and rekindled a sense of urgency for this research. Over the last few years various intervention processes have been developed and are being used to decontaminate red meat carcasses. Some of these processes include carcass rinses with antimicrobial compounds, steam, vacuum, and hot water. An overview of the results of several recent investigations demonstrating the effectiveness of these decontamination methods is presented.


A series of earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 5.8 to 7.0 occurred in Lombok in the period of July to August 2018. Two events occurred consecutively, the 𝑀 𝑤 6.9 on August 5, 2018 (11:46:38 UTC), and the 𝑀 𝑤 7.0 on August 9, 2018 (14:56:28 UTC). Those phenomena are rare because earthquakes usually require a relatively long time to accumulate their energies before being released. Because of those events, so an explanation is needed to explain what happened at the source. In this context, this study aims to determine the relations between the events based on the asperity zone and the slip distributions. Modeling was performed using teleseismic data and seismic inversion of body waves at low frequencies. The result shows that the asperity zone of 𝑀 𝑤 6.9 is at 0 km in a strike-direction and -18 km wide in a dip-direction with a maximum slip of 1.3 m, whereas, for the 𝑀 𝑤 7.0 event, the asperity zone is at -36 km in the direction of the strike and -7 km in the direction of the dip. Both events have the asperity in the up-dip section with an upward slip distribution towards the up-dip. The slip distribution of the first event and the second one has a relationship because the 𝑀 𝑤 6.9 earthquake slip leads to the 𝑀 𝑤 7.0 earthquake fault plane. The relation is suspected to be due to the weakening of rock conditions and an enlargement that is limited by space and time during the earthquake. As a result, those two earthquakes are closely related to stress distribution, forming a new asperity zone.


Over recent years there has been a continual de-institutionalisation process involving wide spread closure of long stay hospitals with an accompanying creation of multidisciplinary community teams. The focus of care for people with learning disabilities has shifted towards a more person-centred approach.

Transferring the responsibility of the provision of care for people with learning disability to local authorities has resulted in a decline in the number of residents of long stay hospitals and an increased focus on the services provided in the community. This transference has been thought to be beneficial for the patient leading to reduction in factors associated with institutionalisation, such as: loss of contact with the outside world, enforced idleness of mind and body and a loss of friends and possessions (Barr and Fay 1999).

Although the government has believed such transitions are the correct way to proceed (DOH, LAC(92)15), one must examine whether such a transfer could also place and disadvantages on the patient. This will be considered in greater detail.

The literature highlights a degree of confusion with regards to the co-ordination of services for people with learning disabilities (Gravestock and Bouras 1995, Bouras et al. 1995). Goh and Holland (1994) have suggested that unless service commissioners agree a framework for conceptualising need, there exists the possibility that services will become fragmented. This line of thought is maintained by Hassiotis et al., (2000) where the need for a separate or modified national framework, in order to provide equitable resources for all (including those with associated mental health problems) learning disability patients, is emphasised.

Fortunately, it appears that such a framework will be forthcoming, towards the end of the year, with the creation of the 'Learning Disability Strategy' as stated in the governmental circular MISC(99)56. The strategy is based upon the findings of a report entitled 'Facing the Facts' which was published in November 1999. In addition to this health and local authorities, with partner agencies, have been requested to complete a Joint Investment Plan (JIP) for adults with learning disabilities to cover the years 2001/2002 to 2003/2004 (DOH 2000).

These JIP's may be the first step in discovering why, and to what extent, the vast regional differences in the provision and cost of services in local authorities are present. This variation has been highlighted in the 'Facing the Facts' report of 1999 and by authors such as Hassiotis et al., (2000). Evidence on the cost of service provision and on relocating patients to alternative forms of accommodation will be examined further on in the report.


It is sometimes necessary to increase the load capacity of bridges to cope with increased traffic loads. This can be achieved using external prestressing which increases the load capacity of the bridge speedily with little traffic obstruction and without significant added weight. However, this method will be used widely only if its effect on the ultimate moment of resistance of the strengthened beams is understood. Furthermore, for design purposes, a simple method to determine the ultimate moment of the strengthened beams is required. In this paper six factors were studied to investigate their effect on the prestressed beams strengthened using type G Parafil rope. These factors are the value of the external prestressing force, number of deviators, effective depth of the external prestressing force, maximum load prior to strengthening, concrete strength and span/depth ratio. An analytical investigation has also been carried out to develop a simple general equation for the ultimate strength of the beams. Th...


Smart window is promising to save building energy and reduce carbon emissions. The fast development leads to a high demand for multifunctionality not limited to energy saving, while the material design and fabrication are challenging. Herein, a scalable method is developed for tri‐mode light regulations: thermo‐, mechano‐, and hydro‐/solvato‐chromisms. The film is constructed of a bio‐inspired hierarchical‐structured surface and a functional elastomer base. Through combined experiments and simulations, the triple‐stimuli‐chromic mechanisms of strain‐induced surface structure deformations, wettability‐controlled reflective index matches, and thermal‐responsive nanostructural resonances, respectively are revealed. Besides a good energy‐saving performance, the robust method shows several advantages: 1) independent energy‐saving and privacy functionalities, 2) an additional hydro‐/solvato‐chromic mode to control privacy in extreme circumstances, and 3) designable patterns and colors to meet high aesthetic demand. The work may inspire the future development of multifunctional smart windows and spatio‐temporal light control methods.


Demographic density, particularly in the low-income settlements in urban India, is posing some unprecedented challenges to governance for containing the COVID-19 contagion Through a case-based discussion of density, it is argued that the idea of containment through distancing is rather paradoxical On the one hand it pushes for more proximation or clustering of the poor in congested urban spaces, while on the other it deepens a sense of estrangement in an already fragmented social milieu


We show that the common theory of all modules over a tubular algebra (over a recursive algebraically closed field) is decidable. This result supports a long standing conjecture of Mike Prest which says that a finite‐dimensional algebra (over a suitably recursive field) is tame if and only if its common theory of modules is decidable (Prest, Model theory and modules (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1988)). Moreover, as a corollary, we are able to confirm this conjecture for the class of concealed canonical algebras over algebraically closed fields. Tubular algebras are the first examples of non‐domestic algebras which have been shown to have decidable theory of modules. We also correct results in Harland and Prest (Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. (3) 110 (2015) 695–720), in particular, Corollary 8.8 of that paper.


Objective: To compare the pregnancy rates with two different methods of priming for in vitro maturation cycles (IVM). Cycles using letrozole together with hCG were compared to cycles using FSH together with hCG in 75 cycles in patients being treated for infertility by IVM. Study design: Retrospective cohort non-inferiority trial Results: Using letrozole for priming was found to not be inferior to using FSH for priming cycles. The live birth rate per transfer was 31.6% in letrozole primed cycles compared to 20.8% in FSH primed cycles (not significant). However, FSH priming produced more oocytes that were mature on the day of retrieval (p = 0.004) and also resulted in more high quality embryos than did letrozole priming (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Letrozole may be used for priming in IVM cycles in which the clinician views the characteristics of letrozole as more desirable than FSH.


alpha-Tocopherol transfer protein (alpha-TTP) supplements nascent very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) preferentially with alpha-tocopherol by selecting the alpha-isomers against other stereoisomers of tocopherol. It is exclusively expressed in liver. We investigated whether the expression of the hepatic alpha-TTP can be induced by dietary tocopherols. Vitamin E-depleted rats were fed with a diet containing alpha- and delta-tocopherol (ratio 1:3). The expression of alpha-TTP mRNA was measured in liver tissue. The ratio of tocopherol stereoisomers was determined in plasma, plasma lipoproteins and tissues to measure the metabolic action of alpha-TTP. Refeeding a diet containing either alpha- or delta-tocopherol, or both, caused a steady increase of the expression of alpha-TTP mRNA. In parallel the alpha/delta-tocopherol ratio increased in plasma, VLDL, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein as well as in liver tissue, when the diet was fed containing both isomers. The alpha-tocopherol/delta-tocopherol ratio of heart, kidney, lung, lamellar bodies of lung and in lung lavage showed no or a comparatively low increase. The data show that both tocopherol isomers were able to induce alpha-TTP mRNA in rat liver and, thus, the ability of liver to select for the alpha-isomer. On the other hand, tocopherol depletion did not change the expression of hepatic alpha-TTP mRNA in the rat.


Climate change is one of the greatest threats to the persistence of coral reefs. Sustained and ongoing increases in ocean temperatures and acidification are altering the structure and function of reefs globally. Here, we summarise recent advances in our understanding of the effects of climate change on scleractinian corals and reef fish. Although there is considerable among-species variability in responses to increasing temperature and seawater chemistry, changing temperature regimes are likely to have the greatest influence on the structure of coral and fish assemblages, at least over short–medium timeframes. Recent evidence of increases in coral bleaching thresholds, local genetic adaptation and inheritance of heat tolerance suggest that coral populations may have some capacity to respond to warming, although the extent to which these changes can keep pace with changing environmental conditions is unknown. For coral reef fishes, current evidence indicates increasing seawater temperature will be a major determinant of future assemblages, through both habitat degradation and direct effects on physiology and behaviour. The effects of climate change are, however, being compounded by a range of anthropogenic disturbances, which may undermine the capacity of coral reef organisms to acclimate and/or adapt to specific changes in environmental conditions.


A home-made double-clad Tm3+ -doped silica fiber laser with over 150-W output power is reported. Pumped with a diode bar at 793nm, the fiber laser is operated at 2.04μm with a slope efficiency of 56.3%. A quantum efficiency of > 140% is achieved owing to the efficient cross-relaxation process in heavily Tm3+-doped fibers. By using different fiber-cooling techniques, the slope efficiency shows a deviation over 10%. The influence of output coupling on the laser characteristics is also investigated.