Abstract. Aiming at solving the problem of how to obtain the different evidence and deduce the disappeared sections of the Great Wall site, this paper quoted the concept of evidence scale and proposed a virtual restoration framework. In this paper, taking the Nine-eyes watchtower as an example, we modified the evidence-scale from 10 to 3: the existed relic, the direct evidence and the indirect evidence. The framework consisted of three parts, namely, the classification of evidence scale, the evidence checks and the generation of three-dimensional (3D) virtual models. Base on the support of the restoration scheme and 3DMAX technology, the disappeared parts of Nine-eyes watchtower was finally restored to its original appearance. The result of virtual restoration could not only help the tourists to visit the original appearance of cultural heritage, but also experience the culture value and historical vicissitude. Therefore, it was of great scientific significance and cultural value to study how to carry out virtual restoration for the ancient relics.


Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) is a highly prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, often associated with oxidative stress-induced transcriptional changes in dopaminergic neurons. Phenolic antioxidants, oleuropein (OLE) and rutin (RUT) have attracted a great interest due to their potential to counteract oxidative protein aggregation and toxicity. This study aimed at examining the effects of OLE and RUT against 6-OHDA-induced stress response in rat pheochromocytoma cells. When differentiated PC12 cells were exposed to oxidative stress composer 6-OHDA (100 μM, 8 h), a decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was observed along with a significant loss of cell viability and apoptotic nuclear changes. Exposure to 6-OHDA resulted in unfolded protein response (UPR) in differentiated PC12 cells as evidenced by an increased level of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized transmembrane signal transducer IRE1α, adaptive response proteins ATF-4 and proapoptotic transcription factor CHOP. OLE or RUT pretreatment (24 h) at low doses (1-50 μM) protected the differentiated PC12 cells from 6-OHDA-induced cytotoxicity as assessed by increased viability, improved ΔΨm and inhibited apoptosis, whereas relatively high doses of OLE or RUT (>50 μM) inhibited cell growth and proliferation, indicating a typical hormetic effect. In hormetic doses, OLE and RUT up-regulated 6-OHDA-induced increase in IRE1α, ATF-4 and inhibited CHOP, PERK, BIP and PDI. 6-OHDA-activated XBP1 splicing was also inhibited by OLE or RUT. The presented results suggest that neuroprotection against 6-OHDA-induced oxidative toxicity may be attributable to neurohormetic effects of OLE or RUT at low doses through regulating mitochondrial functions, controlling persistent protein misfolding, activating and/or amplificating the adaptive response-related signaling pathways, leading to UPR prosurvival output.


At his death in 1793 the museum of the surgeon and anatomist John Hunter contained over thirteen thousand specimens and objects. Although many were the familiar stuff of natural history, the core of the collection consisted of over seven thousand human or animal body parts or 'anatomical preparations'. They were testament to and the product of Hunter's assiduous work as a dissector of dead bodies; a practice which, though becoming more widespread among medical practitioners, nevertheless possessed discomforting associations of personal and public impropriety. This paper explores the way in which the display of anatomical preparations served to legitimize dissection as a mode of natural historical inquiry, and by extension defused some of the social and moral anxieties surrounding the activities of private anatomy teachers in Georgian London.


It is important to know which individuals in the general population have increased susceptibility to air pollution. The aim of this study was to identify susceptible subgroups by studying airways hyperresponsiveness (AHR), high total immunoglobulin (Ig)E and sex. Diary data on lower and upper respiratory symptoms (LRS and URS, respectively), cough, and morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF) were collected in 327 elderly patients (50–70 yrs) for a period of 3 months. Acute effects of particulate matter with a diameter <10 µm, black smoke, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide on symptoms and PEF were estimated using logistic regression. In total, 48 (14.7%) subjects had AHR+/IgE+, 112 (34.3%) had AHR−/IgE+, 42 (12.8%) had AHR+/IgE− and 125 (38.2%) had AHR−/IgE−. In the AHR+/IgE+ group, each 10 µg·m−3 increase in air pollution was associated with a significant increase in prevalence of URS (odds ratio ranging 1.03–1.19), cough (1.03–1.08) and fall in morning PEF (1.04–1.26). In the AHR+/IgE+ group, males responded predominantly with symptoms and females with a fall in morning PEF. In conclusion, elderly individuals with both airway hyperresponsiveness and high total immunoglobulin E are especially susceptible to air pollution. Identifying susceptible subgroups might enlarge insight into the actual mechanisms by which air pollution evokes specific modes of response.


The use of historical sources is at the core of historical methodology. Historical sources are the appropriate materials for students to use when they do history and study History. In a previous article (TH, 47.3, Sept., 2013, pp.65f) I suggested that students need a great deal of experience in reading and decoding sources of all varieties, in collecting data or information from 'text's. I suggested that students need to master the process of reading, comprehending and understanding the data available in sources before they begin the more complex tasks of interrogating, analysing and evaluating that data as evidence, as the sub-text and context of sources. This requires a 'plan of attack' and will be best achieved by the combination of explicit instruction followed by 'inquiry', or student practice of the process.


Objectives: To determine the number of patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) who have contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the impact of the pandemic on patients' attitudes on seeking help and attending hospitals, as well as the delays in the offer of treatment from the local health care systems. Methods: A 29-question survey was distributed to an international mailing list of patients with subglottic stenosis to assess the patient experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: A total of 543 patients with iSGS participated. Fewer than 1 in 10 patients with iSGS have experienced COVID-19 symptoms, which were predominantly mild to moderate, with only 2 hospitalizations. Most patients with iSGS (80.0%) have not been advised they are high risk for COVID-19, despite 36.5% of patients with iSGS being obese (body mass index of 30+). Delays to surgeries and in-office procedures have impacted 40.1% of patients currently receiving treatment, with 38.8% of patients increasingly struggling to breathe as a result. Anxiety and stress are increasing among patients, with 3 in 4 (75.2%) reporting they are anxious about travelling by public transport, contracting the virus in hospital and infecting loved ones (69.0% and 71.9%, respectively). Of greater concern is that 23.1% with increasing dyspnea state they are staying away from hospital despite their deteriorating health. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the physical and psychological health of patients with iSGS. Surgeons managing cases of laryngotracheal stenosis need to offer appropriate support and communication to these high risk patients. During the pandemic, this should include self-isolation if they are dyspneic or on treatments that may have reduced their immunity. In addition, they should offer safe clinical pathways to airway assessment and treatments, if they become necessary. To minimize unnecessary travel, much of the clinical monitoring can be carried out remotely, using telephone or video-based consultations, in conjunction with local health professionals.


We Evaluated Spinal And Femoral Bone Mass And Density Utilizing Dual‐Energy X‐Ray Absorptiometry (Dexa) In Rats In Which Severe Hyperparathyroidism Was Produced By The Expression Of The Gene For Human Pth‐(1–84) (Hpth). This Gene Was Incorporated Into A Retroviral Vector That Was Transfected Into Fibroblasts Which Were Subsequently Injected Into Their Peritoneal Cavities. Further, We Examined The Effect Of The Administration Of Pamidronate On Bone Mass And Density In The Presence Of Extremely High Concentrations Of Hpth. Three Groups Of Rats Were Studied. Groups 1 And 2 Receive The Hpth‐Secreting Fibroblasts; Group 2 Subsequently Received Pamidronate (2.5 Mg/Kg Iv) 18 And 27 Days After Receiving The Fibroblasts. These Animals Developed Levels Of Hpth > 1.0 μg/Liter And Became Hypercalcemia Within 20 Days. These Animals Became Lethargic And Were Significantly Lower In Weight Than Age‐Matched Controls (Group 3, P < 0.05). After Accounting For The Animal Weight There Was A Further Significant Decrease In Bone Mineral Content And Density (Bmc And Bmd) On Day 29 Attributable To Hpth‐Mediated Bone Loss. Treatment With Pamidronate Resulted In A Higher Bmc Of The Lumbar Spine Than In The Untreated Animals, With Elevated Concentrations Of Hpth. The Bmd Was Significantly Higher At Both The Lumbar Spine And Femur In The Pamidronate‐Treated Animals (P < 0.05). The Cv Of Paired Measurements Of Bmd Was 2.7% At The Spine And 1.5% Of A Femur, Respectively. The Bmc Of The Lumbar Spine And Femur Was Closely Correlated With The Ashed Weight Of The Same Bones (R = 0.92 And 0.85, Respectively).


The negative health effects of the 2003 invasion of Iraq should act as a watershed in the medical profession's approach to violent conflict.


We examine how management ability affects the extent to which capital markets rely on earnings to value equity. Using a measure of ability that captures a management team's capacity of generating revenues with a given level of resources compared to other industry-peers, we find a strong positive association between managerial ability and the value relevance of earnings. Additional tests show that our results are robust to controlling for earnings attributes and investment efficiency. We use propensity score matching and 2-SLS instrumental variable approaches to deal with the issue of endogeneity. For further identification, we examine CEO turnover and find that newly hired CEOs with better managerial abilities than the replaced CEOs increase value relevance of earnings. We identify weak corporate governance and product market power as the two important channels through which superior management practices play important role in the corporate decision-making process that positively influence the value relevance of earnings. Overall, our findings suggest that better managers make accounting information significantly more relevant in the market valuation of equity.


This study examined the extent that inhibition among familiar peers was related to inhibition among unfamiliar peers versus exclusion by familiar peers at 2 years of age. Peer inhibition at 2 years of age was assessed by both mothers and teachers on versions of the Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire and the Preschool Play Behavior Scale (N = 141 children, 53% girls) that were adapted such that each item was posed separately regarding familiar versus unfamiliar peers. A subset of participants (n = 82) were also observed during free-play with familiar childcare classmates at 30 months using the Peer Interaction Observation System – Early Childhood. There was no significant relation between children exhibiting extreme levels of inhibition with familiar versus unfamiliar peers across informants. Substantial numbers of children demonstrated inhibition with familiar but not unfamiliar peers (18%), with unfamiliar but not familiar peers (10%), or with neither familiar nor familiar peers (69%). In contrast, few children exhibited inhibition with both familiar and unfamiliar peers (3%). Observed peer exclusion among familiar childcare peers was systematically positively correlated with the display of inhibition among familiar childcare peers but not unfamiliar peers across informants. These findings suggest that proximal relational learning processes may have more impact than inhibited temperament on inhibition among familiar peers at 2 years of age. However, the concurrent correlational nature of this study does not provide evidence about the direction of effect. Additionally, in the future, it will be important to conduct observations of children's interactions with both familiar and unfamiliar peers. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The work of Max Huhner on postcoital examination marked the beginning of that interest in the problem of human infertility which has continued without interruption during the past twenty-three years. From the earliest recorded times the childless marriage has been a major problem both for the individual and for society; but only since the beginning of the present century has genuine progress been made toward the correction of this maladjustment. All recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of sterility are based on a better understanding of its etiology. These new ideas may be reduced to three fundamental principles. First, in the great majority of cases of human infertility the cause of that defect is not some single abnormality but rather the summation or totality of several factors. Complete diagnostic studies show that the average childless couple presents 4.79 factors, each of which diminishes to some extent their capacity for


With advances in processor and networking technologies, current distributed-memory machines can achieve hundreds of Giga Floating-Point Operations Per Second (GFLOPS) of performance. By using such machines, many application problems having regularly structured computations have been successfully parallelized using the explicit message passing paradigm, However, it is difficult to parallelize vision problems having irregularly structured computations. Parallel solutions to these problems are characterized by uneven distribution of symbolic features among the processors, unbalanced workload, and irregular interprocessor data dependency caused by the input image. It is therefore necessary to develop efficient algorithmic techniques to achieve large speed-ups. In this paper, we propose an algorithmic framework to design efficient and portable parallel algorithms for irregular vision problems on distributed-memory machines. Based on this algorithmic framework, we develop techniques for task scheduling, load balancing, and overlapping communication with computation.


We report the first observation of intermolecular Coulombic decay (ICD) in liquid water following inner-valence ionization. By combining a monochromatized tabletop high-harmonic source with a liquid microjet, we record electron-electron coincidence spectra at two photon energies that identify the ICD electrons, together with the photoelectrons originating from the 2a_{1} inner-valence band of liquid water. Our results confirm the importance of ICD as a source of low-energy electrons in bulk liquid water and provide quantitative results for modeling the velocity distribution of the slow electrons that are thought to dominate radiation damage in aqueous environments.


The intubating bougie is commonly used to railroad an endotracheal tube in anticipated or unanticipated difficult intubation. However, literature regarding bougie-induced airway trauma and complications resulting from its use is scarce. We describe a case of a 47-year-old male who suffered head injury following a road traffic accident. With deterioration of his neurological status, tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation were planned. In view of a possible difficult airway, bougie-guided intubation was attempted. Although the airway was secured at the first attempt with a bougie-guided technique, the patient developed a pneumothorax. Later fibreoptic assessment of the tracheobronchial tree revealed a rent in the posterior wall of left main stem bronchus which was managed conservatively. This case underscores the importance of being cautious while using a bougie to secure the airway and also cautions to limit the number of airway interventions to prevent complications.


Background: Malignancies emerging in the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses are rare and accounts for 5% of all head and neck malignancies and 0.1% of all malignancies in Sweden. The incidence of sinonasal malignancy (SNM), except sinonasal malignant melanoma (SNMM), has been reported to decrease since 1960 in Sweden. Despite similar improvement in the prognosis of other malignancies, treatment of SNM still yields a poor survival outcome. About 1–2% of all malignant melanomas originate from mucosal membranes in the genitourinary, digestive and the respiratory regions, whereas mucosal melanomas are most frequently located in the nasal cavity, followed by sites in paranasal sinuses in the head and neck region. The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) continues to increase in many parts of the world, possibly due mainly to the effects of sun-related behaviour; however, the incidence of mucosal melanomas such as vulvar and ano-rectal melanoma display a more complicated pattern with a stable or decreasing incidence rate. We now know that the incidence of SNMM is increasing in Sweden, as we have documented one of the largest consecutively studied SNMM groups in the world. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The treatment options for these patients have remained the same over the years; mainly radical surgery followed by radiotherapy. Alternatively, recent molecular-targeted therapy has become available for sub-groups of patients with malignant melanomas. Such therapeutic advances stress the importance of investigating the aetiology and molecular characteristics of SNMM, which are not yet well. Aims: Given the rarity of SNM and SNMM, relevant knowledge is limited. Therefore, the overall aim of this thesis was to examine the clinical characteristics and features of SNMM and SNM and to determine the occurrence of molecular alterations. They include KIT, NRAS and BRAF mutation frequencies and mutation frequency of the TERT (Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase) promotor gene in SNMM. Results: In the first project, we identified 3221 patients from the Swedish National Cancer Registry diagnosed with primary malignancies arising from the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, or both, during the period 1960 through 2011. The anatomical site, gender and age, incidence and survival were scrutinized. We found that the incidence of sinonasal malignancies decreased except for SNMM and adenoid cystic cancer during the study period. More than 50% of these malignancies involved the nasal cavity. The five-year relative survival was highest for patients with adenoid cystic cancer followed by adenocarcinoma. Those with SNMM and undifferentiated carcinoma had the poorest prognosis. In the second project we identified 186 SNMM patients during the period 1960 through 2000 in Sweden from the National Swedish Cancer Registry (SCR). We investigated the incidence, gender, age, primary anatomical sites, geographic distribution, treatment and survival. In this population the incidence of SNMM increased during the study period. The incidence for females was higher than for males, and the incidence increased with age for both genders. We found that about 70% of the tumours were clinically described as amelanotic. Surgery was the most common primary treatment. The five-year diseasespecific survival rates were poor for both genders, but females had a better survival than males. The survival rate improved for both genders during the study period, regardless of therapeutic strategy. We conclude that the incidence of SNMM in Sweden increased significantly from 1960 through 2000 but not as rapidly as that of CMM. In the third project, we analysed 56 primary SNMMs, the largest number, as far as we know, for mutations in KIT (exons 11, 13 and 17), NRAS (exons 1 and 2) and BRAF (exon 15) identified by using direct sequencing. Twelve of the 56 (21%) tumours contained mutations in these oncogenes, 2 tumours harboured KIT mutations, another 2 harboured BRAF mutation and 8 had NRAS mutations. We found a higher frequency of mutations in tumours originating from the paranasal sinuses compared to tumours from the nasal cavity (p=0.027). In the fourth project we analysed 49 SNMM tumours for TERT promotor gene mutations, since former investigators found only a few driver mutations for these patients, who were never previously examined for this mutation. Recent studies of CMM have shown a high frequency (>70%) of driver mutations in this gene. TERT promoter mutations occur at a moderate frequency in SNMM. We suggest that SNMM tumours should be included in molecular characterization, since these alterations probably will be therapeutic targets in the near future. LIST OF PUBLICATIONS I. Elliot A, Jangard M, Marklund L, Dickman P, Hakansson N, HammarstedtNordenvall L and Stjarne P. Sinonasal malignancies in Sweden 1960-2010; a nationwide study of the Swedish population. Accepted for publication in Rhinology II. Jangard M, Hansson J, and Ragnarsson-Olding B. Primary sinonasal malignant melanoma: a nationwide study of the Swedish population, 1960-2000. Rhinology, 2013. 51(1): p. 22-30. III. Zebary A*, Jangard*, Omholt K, Ragnarsson-Olding B, and Hansson J. KIT, NRAS and BRAF mutations in sinonasal mucosal melanoma: a study of 56 cases. Br J Cancer. 2013 Aug 6; 109:559-64. IV. Jangard M*, Zebary A*, Ragnarsson-Olding B, and Hansson J. TERT promotor gene mutation in sinonasal mucosal melanoma. Submitted for publication *These authors contributed equally


To identify radiographic and MR features of hip osteoarthritis (OA) related to reduced hip extension during walking. Sixty six subjects, were stratified into those with (n = 36, KL = 2, 3) and without (n = 30, KL = 0, 1) radiographic hip OA. Cartilage and labrum lesions were graded semi‐quantitatively on hip MRI. Alpha angle and lateral center edge (LCE) angle were measured. Sagittal kinematics and kinetics were calculated during walking at speed of 1.35 m/s using 3‐D motion capture. All subjects completed Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), timed up and go, and 6 min walk tests. Variables were compared between the two groups using one‐way ANOVA (adjusting for age). Correlations of radiographic and MR parameters with peak hip extension were calculated. The OA group was older, had greater pain, and limitation of function. They also had lower peak hip extension and higher peak hip flexion; and worse acetabular and femoral cartilage lesions. Peak hip extension and flexion correlated with KL grade, cartilage lesions in the inferior and posterior femur. Reduced hip extension and greater hip flexion during walking are present in high functioning (HOOS > 85%) individuals with mild‐moderate hip OA, and are associated with cartilage lesions. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:527–534, 2015.


As in many countries, policy makers in China see biofuel as a potentially important part of the move to a sustainable, post-oil economy. To contribute to this important energy debate, this study looks at the economics and environmental performance of one potential bio-fuel crop: Jatropha curcas L (JCL). This study shows that given current technology levels and management practices, the production of JCL biodiesel is not economically feasible. However, it also shows that JCL biodiesel has excellent performance from both an environmental and energy production point of view. Moreover, it is clear that, if JCL seed yields can be improved, then biodiesel made from the plant would be economically feasible to produce.


The regulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by mechanical stress is of interest as the ECM is essential in the development of pelvic organ prolapse. In the present study, the effect of overexposure to mechanical stress on the ECM, and the probable underlying mechanisms in cultured human uterosacral ligament fibroblasts (hUSLFs), was explored. Mechanical stress has an effect on oxidation‑antioxidation products in parametrial ligament fibroblasts. Thus, hUSLFs were incubated with different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to elucidate any potential interactions. Excess mechanical stress and H2O2 inhibited cell proliferation, and decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of ECM components, collagen 1, collagen 3 and elastin. Further analysis revealed that the mRNA expression level of matrix metalloproteinase‑2 (MMP‑2) was increased and TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 2 (TIMP‑2) decreased, and in addition the MMP2/TIMP2 mRNA ratio was increased, which may facilitate the degradation of the ECM. Due to the key role of the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‑β1)/mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 (Smad2) signaling pathway in fibrosis, the present study investigated the effect of excess mechanical stress and H2O2 on TGF‑β1/Smad2 signaling. The results indicated that excess mechanical stress and H2O2 treatment suppressed phosphorylated Smad2 expression and decreased the levels of TGF‑β1. Activation of the TGF‑β1 signaling pathway by either mechanical stress or H2O2 was demonstrated to attenuate cell proliferation and ECM components, and also increased the MMP2/TIMP2 mRNA ratio. These findings suggested that mechanical stress and H2O2 overexposure inhibit cell proliferation and remodel the ECM network via regulation of the TGF‑β1 signaling pathway.


This study examines the hedging behaviour of real estate investment in a high inflationary environment. The hypothesis that the real estate investment hedges both expected and unexpected inflation is tested. The returns of investment on residential apartments in several neighbourhoods in the capital of Turkey are used in the analysis. Expected inflation is measured by three proxies. It is found that in a high inflationary environment, real estate investment does not provide hedge against inflation. A reverse causality between returns on real estate and changes in expected inflation is not observed. However, a relationship between real returns and changes in inflationary expectations seem to be different in relatively low and relatively high income neighbourhoods.


Providing a comprehensive review of pressing issues roiling American college campuses today, this book is a valuable resource for students and scholars alike. People often refer to America's colleges and universities as "Ivory Towers," a term that implies that campuses are innocent places of study largely insulated from wider societal concerns. In actuality, our nation's universities are hotbeds of controversy. Some of these sources of heated debate relate directly to access to the college experience, such as the rising cost of tuition and admission policies related to student diversity. Others reflect wider societal schisms, such as divisions over sexual assault (both causes and responses) and "political correctness." Controversies on Campus: Debating the Issues Confronting American Universities in the 21st Century examines the myriad controversies regarding today's college campuses and student bodies, such as tuition costs, campus rape, academic freedom/free speech, gun policies, binge drinking, "hook-up" culture, corporatization of academic research, poverty-level wages of adjunct faculty, and student-athletes in the era of big-money amateur sports. The book objectively examines these issues and others, taking care to not only present up-to-date quantifiable data to help readers understand the controversy but also to provide a fair and impartial summary of perspectives on the issue in question. It is a one-stop resource for learning about a wide range of issues and controversies confronting American colleges and universities and the people—students, professors, and administrators—who comprise those communities.


Re-Os dating of two molybdenite samples from the Squaw Peak porphyry copper-molybdenum prospect in central Arizona returned essentially identical ages of 1,729 ± 7 and 1,738 ± 7 Ma. Therefore the prospect is not a component of the Laramide (Late Cretaceous-early Tertiary) porphyry copper province of southwestern North America as previously presumed. These Paleoproterozoic ages are similar to that of 1,740 ± 15 Ma for the I-type, magnetite-series Cherry batholith, within which the Squaw Peak porphyry stock and associated mineralization are located. Squaw Peak cannot be more than a few million years younger than volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) copper deposits in the nearby Jerome district, which are part of the Yavapai Supergroup, host to the Cherry batholith. These volcanic and intrusive rocks and their associated copper mineralization were formed in a juvenile island-arc setting and are now part of the Yavapai province, which was assembled and accreted to the Archean nucleus of North America by ~1.68 Ga.

The Paleoproterozoic age for Squaw Peak in conjunction with the existence of the slightly older VMS deposits shows that the Laramide province of southwestern North America first developed its copper metallogenic signature >1,700 m.y. ago. The presence of this Paleoproterozoic copper mineralization may be taken as further support for recently proposed metasomatism of the mantle lithosphere during Paleoproterozoic subduction as a precursor to formation of at least part of the Laramide porphyry copper province. Similar spatial associations between inferred metal sources in Proterozoic mantle lithosphere and lowermost crust, relatively minor copper and/or molybdenum mineralization in Proterozoic magmatic arcs, and important post-Paleozoic porphyry copper and/or molybdenum provinces have recently been documented elsewhere, particularly in eastern China, and could prove to be of more general exploration significance.


The Higgs sector of the standard model is field-theoretically a very interesting theory. Because strong and weak coupling domains are continuously connected, only quantitative changes distinguish the various regions. Especially, this is true for the asymptotic spectrum, which can only consist out of gauge-invariant composite, i. e. bound, states. Since in some regions of parameter space even Regge trajectories are expected to exist, there is immediately the possibility that resonances may also be present in the parameter region characteristic of the standard model Higgs sector. This possibility is discussed in some detail, starting from the definition of the theory to spectroscopy, including excited state analysis, to some considerations whether this could have experimental consequences. The strongest limitation for this exploration turns out to be that the gauge coupling without fermions runs much faster, and the gauge sector is therefore potentially affected.


A person's resilience to adversity and trauma is developed early on in his or her childhood. When parents display stress in front or neglect emotions of their children consistently, their children will form neural connections between areas of pain and stress. It is important to educate parents to properly handle children's emotions and also control their own emotions and mindfulness during these interactions. We developed an iOS VR application accompanied by a Google Cardboard and a Mio Alpha fitness watch to record and display the stress level of the parent using his/her heart rate data. The progress of the users can be sent back to researchers for further study and also evaluation. This system allows parents to interact with a VR child to develop empathy, along with training their own emotional intelligence. Users can also view an intense scene of a VR parent displaying negative emotions in the child's perspective. This system will eventually be used as an educational tool in the Resilient Families Program in San Jose. In the future, more complex interactions can be achieved by adding animation assets, and also increased accuracy in stress sensing by replacing the heart rate monitor with a more accurate biometric system.


In recent times, the world has seen a tremendous increase in the number of attacks on IoT devices. A majority of these attacks have been botnet attacks, where an army of compromised IoT devices is used to launch DDoS attacks on targeted systems. In this paper, we study how the choice of a dataset and the extracted features determine the performance of a Machine Learning model, given the task of classifying Linux Binaries (ELFs) as being benign or malicious. Our work focuses on Linux systems since embedded Linux is the more popular choice for building today's IoT devices and systems. We propose using 4 different types of files as the dataset for any ML model. These include system files, IoT application files, IoT botnet files and general malware files. Further, we propose using static, dynamic as well as network features to do the classification task. We show that existing methods leave out one or the other features, or file types and hence, our model outperforms them in terms of accuracy in detecting these files. While enhancing the dataset adds to the robustness of a model, utilizing all 3 types of features decreases the false positive and false negative rates non-trivially. We employ an exhaustive scenario based method for evaluating a ML model and show the importance of including each of the proposed files in a dataset. We also analyze the features and try to explain their importance for a model, using observed trends in different benign and malicious files. We perform feature extraction using the open source Limon sandbox, which prior to this work has been tested only on Ubuntu 14. We installed and configured it for Ubuntu 18, the documentation of which has been shared on Github.


Based on the integration of geomorphologic, geophysical and structural data it was possible to characterize the large-scale distribution of the Quaternary sedimentary environments on the northeastern Para coastal zone. Two geomorphological sectors are observed in the study area: sector 1, between Marajo and Pirabas Bay, presents a narrow, no more than 2 km wide coastal zone, developed over the Pard platform, and seems to be a very stable area. In sector 2, from Pirabas Bay eastward, the coastal zone becomes broader, almost 30 km wide, from inactive coastal cliffs to the shoreline. The evolution of this sector is related to the Braganca-Viseu coastal basin, which is controlled by nor- mal faults that reach the present coastal zone. Therefore, the northeastern Para coastal zone presents a stable coast associated to the Para platform, and a submerging coast related to the Braganfa-Viseu coastal basin.


Advanced persistent threats (APTs) refer to sophisticated attacks to businesses and individuals in which adversaries use multiple attack vectors to achieve their objectives. The main challenge regarding APT analysis and defence is that all research body about APTs is fragmented; only a few scientific papers have discussed APT features. In order to defend against APTs, it is necessary to have a complete understanding of their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). In this paper, we analyse TTPs of three APT groups, namely Hellsing, Desert Falcons and Lotus Blossom, that actively targeted multimedia data storage and multimedia systems. Adopting three attack attribution models (i.e., Lockheed Martin cyber kill-chain, diamond model and course of action matrix) we provide a comprehensive cyber defence triage process (CDTP) against the considered APTs. The CDTP highlights steps undertaken by these APT groups, uncovers factors that have influenced achieving their objectives and suggests possible mitigations against them.


The nuclear egress complex (NEC) allows herpesvirus capsids to escape from the nucleus without breaking the nuclear envelope barrier. It assembles into a lattice on the inner nuclear membrane enveloping newly assembled nucleocapsids, which bud into the perinuclear space. The primary virion envelope subsequently fuses with the outer nuclear membrane, releasing the capsid into the cytosol. Here we interrogated the NEC in the context of intact cells infected with pseudorabies or herpes simplex virus using focused-ion beam milling and electron cryo- tomography. We determined the structure of NEC in different conformations and show that it consists of a flexible hexameric lattice that generates curvature through a combination of ordered and disordered domains. After interrogating the intermediate stages of capsid formation, we show that capsid vertex binding may initiate envelopment but does not directly induce curvature formation. These data and many examples of the intermediate stages of nuclear egress paint a detailed holistic view of a versatile transport system.


The aim of this study was to investigate phenotypic features of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients carrying the complex allele S466X(TGA)-R1070Q. Methods. Data from CF register of Russian Federation, 2014, were used. The Russian CF register includes data of 2,131 patients from 74 regions of Russian Federation. The complex allele S466X(TGA)-R1070Q was found in 17 patients (the study group) and homozygous F508del mutation was found in 170 patients (the control group). The groups did not differ in main clinical, functional and microbiological parameters. Survival was also investigated. Results. Sweat chloride concentration was higher in the study group patients compared to the control group (116.53 mmol/L vs 102.2 mmol/L; р = 0.0341). There were 11.77% of deaths in a combined group of patients with the complex allele vs 3.53% in homozygous F508del mutation group (р = 0.159). Moreover, no significant difference in survival was found between the groups (p = 0.058). FEV1 was higher in the study group (84.69 ± 17.85%pred. vs 64.95 ± 27.16%pred. in the control group: р = 0.0483). Patients did not differ significantly in percentiles of height, weight, and body mass index. Amyloidosis and pneumothorax were seen in the control group, but not in patients with the complex allele S466X(TGA)R1070Q. Polyps were diagnosed in 19 (11.17%) of patients with F508del/F508del genotype and were not found in the study group patients. Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hepatic cirrhosis was similar in both the groups. Osteoporosis was diagnosed in 10% of control patients and in one (5.88%) of the study group patients. Chronic or intermitted Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and chronic infection of Staphylococcus aureus were equally seen in both the groups, but Burkholderia cepacia сomplex and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were found more often in the study group patients compared to controls (23.52% vs 10.58% and 11.76% vs 2.35%, respectively). Conclusion. The results of this study confirmed that the complex allele S466X(TGA)-R1070Q has properties of class I mutation and should be considered as a "severe" mutation.


The European Union (EU) and the Republic of Serbia have recognized the importance of SMEs and are developing accordingly the institutional framework of this sector. In the process of EU accession, Serbia has to fulfil political, economic and legal requirements by implementing systemic reforms of its legal system in order to align it with the EU acquis. Some of these requirements have a direct or indirect impact on SME regulations, to which our chapter has been dedicated within a series of our papers on developing the SME regulatory framework. This paper will try to present the importance of innovating legal development of these companies. Furthermore, modern concepts will be introduced together with very important tools of legal forms of SME organization. The intention is to clearly define specific legal goals of SMEs, expressed through targeted legal forms. The modern regulatory framework relating to SMEs should combine the existing solid theoretical base and innovative models from the practice.


Blends of polyacrylamide—PAM, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)—PNIPAAm, poly(N-tert-butylacrylamide)—PTBAA, poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)—PDMAA and poly(N,N-diethylacrylamide)—PDEAA with poly(ethylene glycol)— PEG were prepared by casting in methanol and water at concentrations of 20 wt%, 40 wt%, 60 wt%, and 80 wt% in PEG. The miscibility of the components was studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry—DSC. All blend systems are characterized by a single glass transition temperature (Tg), close to the Tg of the amorphous component. The Hoffman Weeks method was used to determine equilibrium melting temperature (Tm) data. The determination of the melt point depression of the blends allowed the calculation of Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (χ12) of the two polymers in the melt, by using the Nishi Wang equation. The interaction parameters, calculated for all the blends, are slightly negative and close to zero, suggesting a partial miscibility between the components.


Abstract Theft, burglary, and vehicle theft are among the most frequently committed and least commonly cleared Part I offenses in the United States, but have received disproportionately little attention in the clearance literature. This study contributes to recent efforts to remedy this shortage by presenting offense-specific analyses of burglary, larceny, and vehicle theft clearance rates in a sample of 110 large US cities. Data were gathered from the Uniform Crime Report, the Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics survey, and the American Community Survey. Independent variables comprised social disorganization measures (e.g. residential instability, poverty, etc.) and policing variables, including the use of broken windows policing. Although broken windows policing is related to higher clearance rates in a few prior studies, that effect was not observed in the present work. Racial diversity and police spending per capita (which were negatively associated with clearance rates) were the only variables that were significantly associated with the clearance of all three crimes.


The Irving letters in the Rutgers Library were written in the years 1804 a nd 1805 by Washington to his older brothers, William and Peter, and to his friend, Andrew Hicks. They are more than personal letters, for even on this first trip abroad the twenty-one-year-old Irving contemplated the publication of a journal of travel. This article concerns two long letters about the first part of Irvings' grand tour of Europe when he stay in Bordeaux.


Light oxygen voltage-sensing (LOV) domains are widely found in photoreceptor proteins of plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria. Structural studies of LOV domains suggest that Phe and Gln residues located in close proximity to the chromophore undergo conformational changes upon illumination; however, the molecular mechanism associated with activation of the effector domain remains to be elucidated. Photozipper (PZ) protein is an N-terminally truncated aureochrome-1 comprising a LOV domain and a basic leucine zipper domain. Blue light (BL) induces PZ dimerization and subsequently increases its affinity for target DNA. In this study, we prepared PZ mutants with substitutions of F298 and Q317 and performed quantitative analyses in dark and light states. Substitutions of Q317 significantly reduced the light-induced changes in PZ affinity for the target DNA, especially in case of the high affinities observed in the dark state. Upon illumination, all PZ mutants showed increased affinity for the target sequence, which demonstrated a clear correlation with the dimer fraction of each PZ mutant. These results suggest the existence of a conformational equilibrium and that its shift by a synergistic interaction between the chromophore and protein moiety probably enable BL-regulated switching of aureochrome-1.


Policy makers and market participants alike wish to understand the amount, economic significance, and concentration of derivatives trading activity. This paper suggests that systematic measuring and reporting of margin by market participants, disaggregated by asset class, would provide more meaningful insights into derivatives activity. Where margin is not required, it could nevertheless be imputed and reported. The Dodd-Frank financial reform bill, by contrast, moves away from transparency by granting non-financial firms an end-user exemption from posting initial margin on their trades. This is economically equivalent to a borrowing from the counterparty and effectively permits these firms to issue off-balance-sheet debt.


The recent study was carried on 26 ewes and 21 does in the Animal farm of Veterinary Medicine College in Baghdad University during 2007. Bacterial swabs were taken from the female vagina in different reproductive status. The results revealed that there were significant differences in the multiparturient and postparturient animals comparing with the ewe lamb and pregnant ewes, while in the does there were no significant differences between these stages. The highest bacterial isolation in the sheep was the Enterobacter species 29.6% and Escherichia coli 18.5%. In the goat, the Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus faecalis was 21.8%. The investigation showed that there was a possibility of isolation of 12 different types of bacteria from the reproductive tract and the probability of presence of more than one type of bacteria in the same swabs. In this study the bacteria isolated appears to be affected by the reproductive status in the ewes. This finding not observed in the does which might be more resistant to infection. همل ةیشیاعتلا میثارجلا ا لب ا لسانتلل ةفلتخملا لحارملا للاخ ةیقارعلا زعاملاو مانغلأ


Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen in the World and there is an urgent need for a vaccine to prevent these infections. To determine what type of adjuvant better enhances the immunogenicity of a vaccine, we formulated the CT recombinant major outer membrane protein (rMOMP) with several TLR and NOD agonists including: Pam2CSK4 (TLR2/6), Poly(I:C) (TLR3), Monophosphoryl lipid A (TLR4), Flagellin (TLR5), Imiquimod R837 (TLR7), Imidazoquinoline R848 (TRL7/8), CpG-1826 (TLR9), M-Tri-DAP (NOD1/NOD2) and muramyldipeptide (NOD2). Groups of female BALB/c mice were immunized i.m. with rMOMP and one of those adjuvants and were challenged i.n. with 104 CT MoPn inclusion forming units (IFU). Following the challenge the mice were weighed and, at 10 days post-infection (p.i.), they were euthanized, their lungs weighed and the number of IFU in the lungs determined. Based on the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio in sera collected the day before the challenge, mice immunized with rMOMP-Pam2CSK4 showed a strong Th2 bias. Furthermore, these mice develop a robust cellular immune response with high CT-specific T cell proliferation and levels of IFN-γ. In addition, based on changes in body weight, weight of the lungs and number of IFU recovered from the lungs, mice immunized with rMOMP-Pam2CSK4, were significantly better protected than mice immunized with the other adjuvants. In summary, Pam2CSK should be considered as a good candidate adjuvant for a CT vaccine.


The presentation is centered around the four important forms of magnetic energyin ferromagnetic media: (I) the Zeeman energy of the elementary magnets in the applied magnetic field, (II) the classical electromagnetic interaction between dipoles, (III) the Heisenberg exchange energy, and (IV) the energy of anisotropy which is pseudodipolar or pseudoquadrupolar in structure but is attributable ultimately to rather recondite quantum-mechanical spin-orbit interaction. The primary cause of ferromagnetism is (III), and anisotropy arises from (IV). Domain structure and the concomitant hysteresis phenomena owe their existence to (II). The magnetic theory of the ferrites is in many ways simpler and less ambiguous than that for conducting ferromagnetic media, as there are no complications due to electron migrations. Néel's theory of ferrimagnetism explains the saturation magnetization and other properties of the ferrites.


The World Trade Organization's dispute settlement body provides the teeth of the global trade regime – empowering it with substantial means to adjudicate in disagreements between Member-states over the implementation of WTO law. The WTO's teeth have, however, also helped make the organisation controversial as part of a general critique from civil society groups concerned that global trade governance has become unaccountable to the societies it affects. Could the growing presence of NGOs and other non-state actors in WTO dispute settlement – empirically identified within a growing body of literature – solve this apparent accountability deficit? Drawing upon existing findings and new research, the article argues that non-state actors have significant consequences for the accountability of WTO dispute settlement, but to whom the system is accountable and whether these consequences are good or bad is not pre-determined. Rather, as the burgeoning literature on accountability shows, the term itself is multi-faceted. Only by engaging with specific cases, as is done here in the case of WTO dispute settlement, can research properly draw out the shape of accountability in global governance.


Pollen analysis was carried out on an 80-cm sedimentary section on the shore of Lake Tere-Khol (southeastern Tuva). The section consists of peat overlapping lake loams and covers the last 2800 years. The alternation of dry-wet and cold-warm epochs has been established, and changes in heat and moisture occurred non-simultaneously. The first half of the studied interval, from 2.8 to 1.35 kyr BP was relatively arid and warmer on average. Against this background, temperature fluctuations occurred: relatively cold intervals 2.8– 2.6 and 2.05–1.7 kyr BP and relatively warm 2.6-2.05 and 1.7-1.35 kyr BP. The next time interval 1.35-0.7 kyr BP was relatively humid. Against this background, the temperatures varied from cold 1.35-1.1 kyr BP to relatively warm 1.1–0.7 kyr BP. The last 700 years have been relatively cold with a short warming from 400 to 250 years ago. This period included a relatively dry interval 700–400 years ago and more humid climate in the last 400 years. The established climate variability largely corresponds to other climate reconstructions in the Altai-Sayan region. The general cooling trend corresponds to an astronomically determined trend towards a decrease in solar radiation in temperate latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, and the centennial temperature fluctuations detected against this background correspond well to changes in solar activity reconstructed from 14C production and the concentration of cosmogenic isotopes in Greenland ice. Against the general tendency towards aridization, alternating wet and dry phases correspond well to changes in the activity of the Asian monsoon, established by the oxygen-isotope composition of speleothems in South China. kEY wORDS: Late Holocene, short-term climate changes, Little Ice Age, Medieval Warm Period, pollen analysis, south-eastern Tuva CITATION: Olga K. Borisova, Andrei V. Panin (2019) Multicentennial Climatic Changes In The Tere-Khol Basin, Southern Siberia, During The Late Holocene. Geography, Environment, Sustainability, Vol.12, No 2, p. 148-161 DOI-10.24057/2071-9388-2018-64


Testes from mature rats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea-pigs and dogs were perfused in vitro with added gonadotrophins to study the qualitative and quantitative aspects of oestrogen secretion by these species. After separation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the major oestrogen secreted by the testes of all five species was oestradiol-17 beta; lesser amounts of oestrone were also detected for all species. Secretion rates of oestradiol and testosterone were determined for one testis from each of six animals of each species after purification by HPLC. Oestradiol and testosterone secretion varied (P less than 0.05) among species on both per testis and per gram of testis bases. The rabbit, which was a high secretor of oestradiol, was used in subsequent experiments to study the factors which affect short-term oestradiol secretion by perfused testes. Luteinizing hormone (NIAMDD-LH-S21) at 100 ng/ml significantly stimulated oestradiol secretion by 2.9-fold and increased testosterone secretion by 155-fold. Follicle-stimulating hormone (NIH-FSH-S11) had no significant effect on secretion of either steroid. In a time-course study in which LH stimulation was started after 45 min of control perfusion, the rates of increase in oestradiol and testosterone secretion over time were similar. Increasing amounts of testosterone added directly to the arterial perfusion medium (0-10 micrograms/ml) resulted in an increase in oestradiol secretion in the absence of gonadotrophins. Oestradiol secretion increased in a dose-dependent manner up to 1.0 microgram testosterone/ml; there was no further stimulation of oestradiol secretion at 10 micrograms testosterone/ml. When testes were perfused with saturating concentrations of testosterone (10 micrograms/ml) neither LH nor FSH at 100 ng/ml increased oestradiol secretion above control values. It appears that the major factor affecting oestradiol secretion by in-vitro perfused rabbit testes is the amount of substrate (testosterone) available for aromatization.


Absolute cross sections for the single ionization of Al+ and Cd+ by energy-resolved electrons have been measured from their thresholds to 115 eV and 95 eV respectively. The Al+ cross section was similar in magnitude to those reported by Montague and Harrison (1983) and Belie et al (1987) but differed in detail. Contributions from excitation-autoionization and the states that may give rise to it are discussed. The Cd+ cross section was similar to that of Belie et al except that considerable step-like structure due to indirect ionization processes was resolved for electron energies above 20 eV.


An F-atom with ∼1 eV translational energy was aimed at a line of fluorocarbon adsorbates on Cu(110). Sequential 'knock-on' of F-atom products was observed by STM to propagate along the 1D fluorocarbon line. Hot F-atoms travelling along the line in six successive 'to-and-fro' cycles paralleled the rocking of a macroscopic Newton's cradle.


Great advances in elucidating molecular structures allow the precise determination of the interactions between a protein and a therapeutic agent. Enzyme inhibitors are used as a therapeutic agent with organic molecules, that interact with their targets through the weak linkages of hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions. These reduce the undesirable side effects and allow more non-specific interactions with non-target molecules. Benzimidazole acts as an enzyme inhibitor that may interact with different proteins and enzymes and has inspired chemists to carry out various structural variations of it. This review discusses the development of distinct benzimidazoles with an array of enzyme inhibitors viz., aurora kinase inhibitors, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, mitogen activated protein kinase inhibitors, polo like kinase inhibitors, Tie kinase inhibitors, lymphocyte specific kinase inhibitors etc., also highlighting the molecular interaction with enzyme inhibitors. Various derivatives of benzimidazole, with different inhibitory activities, have been described on the basis of substitution around the central moiety, with an aim to help medicinal chemists to develop structure–activity relationships. The reviews in the literature till now are focused only on the biological activities of benzimidazole viz., antiviral, anticancer and antifungal, but the present review focuses on the latest work, describing the inhibitor aspects and the potential of the benzimidazole ring. This discussion will further help in the development of novel benzimidazole compounds.


The treatment of stabilized landfill leachate (SLL) by conventional biological treatment is often inefficient due to the presence of bio-recalcitrant substances. In this study, the feasibility of coagulation-flocculation coupled with the Fenton reaction in the treatment of SLL was evaluated. The efficiency of the selected treatment methods was evaluated through total organic carbon (TOC) removal from SLL. With ferric chloride as the coagulant, coagulation-flocculation was found to achieve the highest TOC removal of 71% at pH 6. Then, the pretreated SLL was subjected to the Fenton reaction. Nearly 50% of TOC removal was achieved when the reaction was carried out at pH 3, H2O2:Fe2+ ratio of 20:1, H2O2 dosage of 240 mM and 1 h of reaction time. By coupling the coagulation-flocculation with the Fenton reaction, the removal of TOC, COD (chemical oxygen demand) and turbidity of SLL were 85%, 84% and 100%, respectively. The ecotoxicity study performed using zebrafish revealed that 96 h LC50 for raw SLL was 1.40% (v/v). After coagulation-flocculation, the LC50 of the pretreated SLL was increased to 25.44%. However, after the Fenton reaction, the LC50 of the treated SLL was found to decrease to 10.96% due to the presence of H2O2 residue. In this study, H2O2 residue was removed using powdered activated charcoal. This method increased the LC50 of treated effluent to 34.48% and the removal of TOC and COD was further increased to 90%. This finding demonstrated that the combination of the selected treatment methods can be an efficient treatment method for SLL.


Evolution and development are interdependent, particularly with regard to the construction of the nervous system and its position as the machine that produces behavior. On the one hand, the processes directing development and plasticity of the brain provide avenues through which natural selection can sculpt neural cell fate and connectivity, and on the other hand, they are themselves subject to selection pressure. For example, mutations that produce heritable perturbations in neuronal birth and death rates, transcription factor expression, or availability of axon guidance factors within sensory pathways can markedly affect the development of form and thus the function of stimulus decoding circuitry. This evolvability of flexible circuits makes them more adaptable to environmental variation. Although there is general agreement on this point, whether the sensitivity of circuits to environmental influence and the mechanisms underlying development and plasticity of sensory pathways are similar across species from different ecological niches has received almost no attention. Neural circuits are generally more sensitive to environmental influences during an early critical period, but not all niches afford the same access to stimuli in early life. Furthermore, depending on predictability of the habitat and ecological niche, sensory coding circuits might be more susceptible to sensory experience in some species than in others. Despite decades of work on understanding the mechanisms underlying critical period plasticity, the importance of ecological niche in visual pathway development has received little attention. Here, I will explore the relationship between critical period plasticity and ecological niche in mammalian sensory pathways.


One of the most important questions in ecology is the relative importance of local conditions (niche processes) and dispersal ability (neutral processes) in driving metacommunity structure. Although many studies have been conducted in recent years, there is still much debate. We evaluated the processes (niche and neutral) responsible for variation in anuran composition in 28 lentic water bodies in southeastern Brazil. Because anurans depend heavily on environmental conditions, we hypothesized that environmental variables (niche processes) are the most important drivers of community composition. Additionally, as anurans have limited dispersal abilities, and the study region presents harsh conditions (high forest fragmentation, low rainfall and long dry season), we expected a lower, but significant, spatial signature in metacommunity structure, due to neutral dynamics. We used a partial redundancy analysis with variation partitioning to evaluate the relative influence of environmental and spatial variables as drivers of metacommunity structure. Additionally, we used a recently developed spatial autocorrelation analysis to test if neutral dynamics can be attributed to the pure spatial component. This analysis is based on predictions that species abundances are independent but similarly spatially structured, with correlograms similar in shape. Therefore, under neutral dynamics there is no expectation of a correlation between the pairwise distance of spatial correlograms and the pairwise correlation of species abundances predicted by the pure spatial component. We found that the environmental component explained 21.5%, the spatial component 10.2%, and the shared component 6.4% of the metacommunity structure. We found no correlation between correlograms and correlation of abundances predicted by the pure spatial component (Mantel test = −0.109, P = 0.961). In our study, niche-based processes are the dominant process that explained community composition. However, neutral processes are important because spatial variation can be attributed to pure neutral dynamics rather than to missing spatially structured environmental factors.


INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: A multitude of factors contribute to the natural course of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), with grade often considered the gold-standard predictor. Grading is subjective with inter-observer discrepancies. Distal ureteral diameter ratio (UDR) is an objective measure reflective of ureterovesical junction anatomy that independently predicts spontaneous resolution and breakthrough UTIs in children with primary reflux. Using patients from multiple institutions, we created resolution curves based on UDR, controlling for age at diagnosis and laterality. METHODS: Voiding cystourethrograms (VCUGs) diagnosing primary VUR were reviewed. UDR was computed by measuring largest ureteral diameter within the pelvis and dividing by the distance between L1-L3 vertebral bodies. Resolution curves based on UDR were calculated using recursive partitioning methodology for time to event data, controlling for age at diagnosis and laterality. RESULTS: Three hundred and four patients (226 female, 78 male) were analyzed with a mean age at diagnosis of 1.55 ± 1.98 years and followed over time. Mean maximum VUR grade was 2.9 ± 1 and mean UDR was 0.28 ± 0.17. As expected, unilateral reflux (p = .02), VUR grades 1-3 (p<0.001), and lower UDR (p<0.001) were associated with spontaneous resolution on univariate analysis. UDR values were then categorized into risk groups, and the accuracy of spontaneous resolution prediction tested using a training (70% of patients) and test (30%) group. Low risk patients (those with UDR <0.2995) achieved VUR resolution faster and with a continuing rate compared to the high risk group (>0.2995), which had persistent reflux after 3 years (Figure A). When the 0.2995 cutoff was applied randomly to patients placed in the test group, the cutoff significantly discriminated between low and high risk patients (log rank test p = 0.02; Figure B). CONCLUSIONS: Children with primary VUR and a UDR of greater than 0.30 are unlikely to spontaneously resolve over time. UDR provides valuable prognostic information regarding projected clinical course, facilitating individualized patient management. Figure. No caption available. Source of Funding: None


I-V characteristics of GaAlAs/GaAs laser structures were measured over wide ranges of currents and temperatures. Complex-shaped curves have been found and interpreted in terms of the contributions of several transport mechanisms with tunnelling in the pn junction being the dominant effect. Inhomogeneities with an increased impurity concentration are proposed to be responsible for both the tunnelling currents in the reverse direction and the excess tunnelling currents in the forward direction. To explain the voltage dependence of the tunnelling currents at small reverse voltages a correction of the standard model of reverse tunnelling currents is suggested, which considers a more realistic voltage dependence of the electric field in the pn junction.


This paper discusses the transition in a nematic liquid crystal from a strongly distorted orientation of the anisotropic axis to uniform alignment in a situation of some practical interest. If a nematic with positive dielectric or diamagnetic anisotropy is initially at rest between parallel plates with the anisotropic axis uniformly aligned parallel to the solid surfaces, application of a sufficiently strong electric or magnetic field perpendicular to the plates rotates this axis through almost a right angle, except in the immediate vicinity of the solid boundaries. Relaxation following the removal of the field is not straightforward, since the changing orientation induces fluid motion which in turn influences the orientation. Existing theoretical investigations of this phenomenon either restrict attention to small distortions, or employ rather complex numerical methods to obtain predictions from continuum theory. This paper, however, describes an approximate analysis of the relevant continuum equations leading to a solution in the form of infinite series, which considerably reduces the computational effort required to obtain detailed predictions. The series can either be used directly to describe the initial transient motion, or by a simple inverse interpolation technique they can be used to calculate a self-consistently linearized solution valid throughout the motion. Besides confirming the important rôle of the induced fluid motion, these solutions are also used to examine the extent to which the motion varies with the physical properties of the nematic and with the initial distortion.


We consider a modified gravity framework for inflation by adding to the Einstein-Hilbert action a direct f(φ)T term, where φ is identified as the inflaton and T is the trace of the energy-momentum tensor. The framework goes to Einstein gravity naturally when the inflaton decays out. We investigate inflation dynamics in this f(φ)T gravity (not to be confused with torsion-scalar coupled theories) on a general basis and then apply it to three well-motivated inflationary models. We find that the predictions for the spectral tilt and the tensor-to-scalar ratio are sensitive to this new f(φ)T term. This f(φ)T gravity brings chaotic and natural inflation into better agreement with data and allows a larger tensor-toscalar ratio in the Starobinsky model.


Dynamic Software Product Lines (DSPLs) is an emerging trend that aims at developing dynamically adaptive software products on the basis of Software Product Lines (SPL) techniques. SPL are design time techniques that aim at building families of related products, by making a distinction between a problem space and a solution space. In the former, artifacts correspond to variabilities and features whereas in the latter they correspond to components (or aspects, objects...). DSPLs aim at bringing design time variabilities to runtime. In this article we introduce the Model for Variable Refinement Processes (MVRP), that aims at building DSPLs on the basis of a reconsideration of the semantic of Feature Models and leads to an enhanced definition of adaptation mechanisms and plans.


Gladiolus is one of the most popular cut flowers for its majestic spikes. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of Gibberellic acid (GA3), NBenzyl adenine (BA) and Triacontanol each at 25 ppm, 50 ppm and 100 ppm on the biochemical changes in the corms of Gladiolus (Gladiolus grandiflorus L.) cv. American Beauty following RBD with 10 treatments replicated thrice grown at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, India from October, 2013 to April, 2014. Application of GA3 @ 50 ppm increased nonreducing sugar content of corms (0.665 mg/ g of fresh weight) and corm protein content (6.02 mg/g of fresh weight) whereas, Triacontanol @ 50 ppm improved phenol content of corms (1.07 mg/g of fresh weight) but, Triacontanol @ 100 ppm improved the reducing sugar content (4.089 mg/ g of fresh weight) and enzyme activity of corms (2.73 ∆490nm/min/g fresh weight).


Significant effort has focused on controlling the deposition of perovskite films to enable uniform films, enabling efficiencies to climb dramatically. However, little attention has been paid to the evolution of thin-film stresses during deposition and the consequent effect on film morphology. While a textured surface topology has potential benefits for light scattering, a smooth surface is desirable to enable the pinhole-free deposition of contact layers. We show that the highly textured morphology made by popular antisolvent conversion methods arises because of in-plane compressive stress experienced during the intermediate phase of film formation where the substrate constrains the film from expanding—leading to energy release in the form of wrinkling, resulting in trenches that can be hundreds of nanometers deep with periods of several micrometers. We demonstrate that the extent of wrinkling is correlated with the rate of film conversion and that ultrasmooth films are obtained by slowing the rate of fil...


BACKGROUND: The anti-inflammatory activities of glucocorticoids are attributed to the repression of inflammatory gene expression. Dogma states that this occurs via direct repression (transrepression) by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) of transcription factors, such as NF-κB. However, evidence also suggests that gene induction (transactivation) by GR is important for repression. AIMS: To assess the roles of transrepression and transactivation in the repression of inflammatory gene expression by dexamethasone (Dex). METHODS AND RESULTS: The effect of Dex on 39 IL-1β-induced genes was examined in human pulmonary A549 cells by real-time PCR. Dex showed a range of activity in terms of the extent (E max ) and potency (EC 50 ) of repression on these genes. These parameters correlated, such that the most highly repressed genes were also the most potently repressed. While all 39 genes were NF-κB-dependent, this did not correlate with repression by Dex. Finally, inhibition of protein translation by cycloheximide (CHX) reduced IL-1β-induced expression of 19 genes (secondary response genes). Of the remaining 21 genes, CHX significantly prevented the Dex-dependent repression of 11 (∼50%), suggesting a role for transactivation. These 11 genes were significantly more sensitive (E max and EC 50 ) to repression by dexamethasone when compared to genes showing repression that was insensitive to CHX (and which may represent a classical transrepression mechanism). CONCLUSIONS: Repression of inflammatory gene expression by dexamethasone involves multiple mechanisms. Transactivation appears to play a significant role showing both high potency and high level of repression on target genes.


Abstract The effect of side stream channel height on flow stability in 30° coextrusion geometries was investigated. The studies were conducted on a Dow LD150R low density polyethylene melt using a single extruder to feed a flow cell in which the delivered melt stream was split before, and rejoined after, a divider plate in a slit die. Wave type interfacial instability occurred at critical stream thickness ratios. Reducing the side stream channel height broadened the layer ratio operating range before the onset of interfacial instability, therefore improving process stability. Stress fields were quantified and used to validate principal stress differences of numerically modelled flow. Stress field features promoting interfacial instability in each of the die geometries were identified. Interfacial instability resulted when the stress gradient across the interface was asymmetric and accompanied by a non-monotonic decay in the stress along the interface from its inception.


Electrostatic interactions dominate the diffusion of proteins in a nanochannel, which was measured and modeled for pH values above and below the isoelectric points of three lectin proteins. Maximal diffusion coefficients were obtained when the proteins were neutral at their pI. This pH-controlled transport led to a separation of biomolecules across the nanochannel. A pI shift was observed, due to reversible adsorption of proteins on the walls, which affects the pH in the nanochannel.


There has been tremendous progress in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for music, in particular for musical composition and access to large databases for commercialisation through the Internet. We are interested in further advancing this field, focusing on composition. In contrast to current black-box AI methods, we are championing an interpretable compositional outlook on generative music systems. In particular, we are importing methods from the Distributional Compositional Categorical (DisCoCat) modelling framework for Natural Language Processing (NLP), motivated by musical grammars. Quantum computing is a nascent technology, which is very likely to impact the music industry in time to come. Thus, we are pioneering a Quantum Natural Language Processing (QNLP) approach to develop a new generation of intelligent musical systems. This work follows from previous experimental implementations of DisCoCat linguistic models on quantum hardware. In this chapter, we present Quanthoven, the first proof-of-concept ever built, which (a) demonstrates that it is possible to program a quantum computer to learn to classify music that conveys different meanings and (b) illustrates how such a capability might be leveraged to develop a system to compose meaningful pieces of music. After a discussion about our current understanding of music as a communication medium and its relationship to natural language, the chapter focuses on the techniques developed to (a) encode musical compositions as quantum circuits, and (b) design a quantum classifier. The chapter ends with demonstrations of compositions created with the system.


An idea about how to tackle and solve the difficult problem of determining economic order quantities in capacity-constrained multilevel production is presented. The idea is based on frequencies during a variable time interval as variables instead of explicit order quantities. The presented heuristic model handles assumed constant demand for several items and calculates fixed-order quantities assumed to be possible to repeat in a cyclic pattern. In the model, every item is supposed to be manufactured at least once per year, or during another maximum period, to stop order quantities that are too large and therefore hinder inventories that are exceedingly large and/or obsolete. During a time interval, it was decided how many times each item should be produced. The paper starts with a common frequency for all items, i.e. the highest frequency possible for all items during this maximum time interval considering the capacity restrictions of the different machines. Thereafter, the frequency for items with high set-up costs compared with the inventory holding costs is reduced if it decreases the total cost of set-ups and inventory holding. Only frequencies in multiples of two are used to make a cycle policy easier to establish, to prevent remnant stocks and to make the used cost approximation fit more accurately.


Monoamines (catecholamines, serotonin, and metabolites) and ammonia were studied within two areas of the rat brain--the frontal cortex (FC) and the striatum (SA)--after exposure to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) at 6 ATA up to the first seizure. An increase of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and metabolites (HVA, DOPAC) measured by the HPLC/EC method were found in SA with a parallel increase of ammonia at variance with the FC where no monoamine changes, but a slight increase of ammonia, were found. Blood ammonia did not change with HBO. So, 20 min after one HBO seizure, there are regional differences in the brain, which are consistent with the previous findings of an SA start of electrocortical abnormalities at the onset of a seizure. Elevated DA, and possibly NE, levels may contribute to the accumulation of ammonia in the brain. During prolonged HBO exposure, this rise of ammonia could be one of the mechanisms involved in the relapse of seizures. It might also be implicated in initiation of the first seizure. By their situations and contents, SA glial cells could play an important role in brain HBO susceptibility.


Corticosteroids levels in 24-hour urine were studied in 25 premenopausal and 35 postmenopausal women during a Metopiron test. It was found that after menopause corticosteroid levels and thus also pituitary ACTH reserve and the liberation of pituitary ACTH diminish in relation to premenopausal levels. On the basis of 11-DOCS excretion levels it was concluded that postmenopausal corticosteroid excretion can be influenced much more profoundly by estrogens than is the case before menopause and that the reactivity of the pituitary adrenal cortex cannot be greatly changed by small doses of estrogens.(AUTHORS MODIFIED)


Prenatal alcohol exposure causes many detrimental alcohol-induced defects in children, collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). This study aimed to evaluate a rat model of FASD, in which alcohol was administered at progressively increasing doses during late pregnancy, using preclinical magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (MRI) and MR spectroscopy (MRS). Wistar rats were orally administered 2.5 mL/day of ethanol (25% concentration) on gestational day 15, and postnatal fetuses were used as FASD models. Four groups were used: a control group (non-treatment group) and three groups of FASD model rats that received one, two, or four doses of ethanol, respectively, during the embryonic period. Body weight was measured every other week until eight weeks of age. MRI and MRS were performed at 4 and 8 weeks of age. The volume of each brain region was measured using acquired T2-weighted images. At 4 weeks of age, body weight and cortex volume were significantly lower in the three FASD model groups (2.5 × 1: 304 ± 6 mm3, p < 0.05; 2.5 × 2: 302 ± 8 mm3, p < 0.01; 2.5 × 4: 305 ± 6 mm3, p < 0.05) than they were in the non-treatment group (non-treatment: 313 ± 6 mm3). The FASD model group that received four doses of alcohol (2.5 × 4: 0.72 ± 0.09, p < 0.05) had lower Taurine/Cr values than the non-treatment group did (non-treatment: 0.91 ± 0.15), an effect that continued at 8 weeks of age (non-treatment: 0.63 ± 0.09; 2.5 × 4: 0.52 ± 0.09, p < 0.05). This study is the first to assess brain metabolites and volume over time using MRI and MRS. Decreases in brain volume and taurine levels were observed at 4 and 8 weeks of age, suggesting that the effects of alcohol persisted beyond adulthood.


The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay was used to assess the level of DNA damage in various exposed and unexposed Culex quinquefasciatus larvae to acetone and chloroform extracts of Curcuma longa and Melia azedarach at different concentrations (6.25, 12.5 and 25 ppm). This is the first report of an analysis of genomic alterations in plant extracts-treated mosquito larvae using RAPD-PCR fingerprinting. In comparison to the control larvae, larvae treated with the plant extracts caused greater changes in the RAPD patterns. DNA strand breakage was more in the larvae of C. quinquefasciatus.


Abstract A recent shift in tourism studies has focused on the emotional, affective, embodied, and performative dimensions of heritage landscape experience. However, such research often struggles to transform theoretical and conceptual discussions into practical and applicable terms that can be effectively implemented by site managers. The concept of presence is therefore proposed to identify emotional and affective dimensions of heritage landscapes through an embodied, observational, and collaborative approach. Inspired by landscape phenomenology, I share how my own embodied encounter in the Viking Age site of Birka in Sweden prompted further observations and reflections on the existing site experience to confirm that certain areas of the landscape have been largely unexplored for their affective and emotional potential. Practical strategies to utilize these new dimensions emerge from focus groups and interviews with site managers, re-enactors, and tour guides. I conclude that a more collaborative study of presence grounded in embodied and observational encounters provides a useful stepping stone to transform theoretical and conceptual discussions of emotion and affect into more practical heritage management strategies.


We propose a protocol that allows the participants of a permissionless decentralized system to agree on a set of identities in the presence of a computationally-bounded Byzantine adversary. Our protocol guarantees that the fraction of identities belonging to the adversary in the set of identities is at most equal to the total computational hash power of the adversary. We signi€cantly improve on the existing state-of-the-art in the following four ways. First, our algorithm runs in expected O(1) rounds, in contrast to previous results which require O ( logn log logn ) rounds, where n is the number of initial nodes in the system. Second, we require each node to solve just one computational puzzle, whereas previous algorithms require O ( logn log logn ) puzzles per node. Œird, our algorithm sends only O(n) bits per node in expectation, whereas previous algorithms sendO ( n log2 n log logn ) bits in expectation. Finally, in contrast to past results, our algorithm handles dynamic joining and leaving of nodes.


In the forward to this book, Professor H. Bickel emphasizes the utility of sonoencephalography for a variety of specialists. I endorse this precept and the use of the term sonoencephalography and initials SEG rather than the oft-confusing echoencephalogram (EEG or echo-EG). However, since the clinical material presented concerns infants and children, internists might be less interested than other specialists. There is considerable information contained in this small volume, but one must study the graphs, illustrations, and tables carefully in order to supplement the text. This is not an overall review of ultrasonic diagnostic work in pediatric neurology even though there is an extensive bibliography. It does present a usable, practical approach to A-scan SEG. The very considerable experience of Mostafawy, including the correlation of SEG with other diagnostic tools and with varied disease entities, is interesting. The evidence associating the SEG with strictly anatomic data could be expanded and


Membership inference (MI) attacks exploit the fact that machine learning algorithms sometimes leak information about their training data through the learned model. In this work, we study membership inference in the white-box setting in order to exploit the internals of a model, which have not been effectively utilized by previous work. Leveraging new insights about how overfitting occurs in deep neural networks, we show how a model's idiosyncratic use of features can provide evidence for membership to white-box attackers---even when the model's black-box behavior appears to generalize well---and demonstrate that this attack outperforms prior black-box methods. Taking the position that an effective attack should have the ability to provide confident positive inferences, we find that previous attacks do not often provide a meaningful basis for confidently inferring membership, whereas our attack can be effectively calibrated for high precision. Finally, we examine popular defenses against MI attacks, finding that (1) smaller generalization error is not sufficient to prevent attacks on real models, and (2) while small-$\epsilon$-differential privacy reduces the attack's effectiveness, this often comes at a significant cost to the model's accuracy; and for larger $\epsilon$ that are sometimes used in practice (e.g., $\epsilon=16$), the attack can achieve nearly the same accuracy as on the unprotected model.


Gaia will only achieve its unprecedented measurement accuracy requirements with detailed
 calibration and correction for radiation damage. We present our Silvaco 3D engineering
 software model of the Gaia CCD pixel and two of its applications for Gaia: (1) physically
 interpreting supplementary buried channel (SBC) capacity measurements (pocket-pumping and
 first pixel response) in terms of e2v manufacturing doping alignment tolerances; and (2)
 deriving electron densities within a charge packet as a function of the number of
 constituent electrons and 3D position within the charge packet as input to microscopic
 models being developed to simulate radiation damage.


Dielectrophoresis has been shown to have significant potential for the characterization of cells and could become an efficient tool for rapid identification and assessment of microorganisms. The present work is focused on the trapping and characterization of Cryptosporidium pathogen using a microfluidic chip fabricated through a simple, effective bonding of surface coated ITO glass and PDMS. Lithographically patterned ITO glass plates were coated with an alkoxysilane solution DMOAP (N, N – dimethyl -N- octadecyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilyl chloride) prior to bonding with PDMS microchannels. The silane coating was found to enhance the bonding between ITO and PDMS and reduce cell adhesion on the electrodes. Cryptosporidium oocysts, which are 2-4 microns in size and nearly spherical in shape represent the preliminary stage of cell development. The dielectrophoretic transport of cells is dependent on electrical properties such as permittivity and conductivity of the cells. Computational simulations were performed in order to study the effects of channel height, buffer conductivity and applied voltage on the flow and cell transport inside the DEP chip and facilitate effective cell trapping. Videomicroscopic experiments were performed using the fabricated device and the real part of Clausius-Mossotti factor of the cells was estimated from values of critical voltages of particle trapping (corresponding to various field frequencies) at the electrodes. The dielectric properties of the cell compartments (cytoplasm and membrane) were calculated based on a single shell model of the Cryptosporidium oocyst cell.


Due to the nonlinear effect and the thermal effect, a single optical fiber has limitations in the output power. A beam combination of laser arrays based on adaptive optics can both improve the output power and ensure higher beam quality. This article puts forward one novel fiber positioner structure based on the flexible hinges amplification mechanism, which is the adaptive fiber optics collimator (AFOC), to correct tip-tilt aberration. The theoretical model was established, and the amplification ratios between the output displacement and device's structure parameters were calculated. The first 6 orders of the mode shape of the vibration of amplification mechanism was obtained by using a modal analysis. Analysis results revealed an excellent performance for the flexible hinges amplification mechanism. The novel fiber positioner has good prospects for applications in laser beam combination systems for ideal tip-tilt control.


Much has been written about corruption and bribery involving major corporations in the United States such as Lockheed. However, most of this lite rature ignores the link between Watergate and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The role of accounting and accountants in disguising the use of corporate funds for illicit purposes has als o not been addressed even though many of the enquiries into Watergate and related activities exp ressed concern that none of the cases of financial misstatement had been discovered or, at l east reported, by auditors. In other words, the accountability system envisaged in the financial re porting and audit requirements of the Securities Exchange Act and professional pronouncements had failed. Nonetheless, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act has done little to ad dress the accounting and audit failures that gave rise to its enactment. The paper uses post-Watergate investigations and hearings leading to the enactment of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in 1977 to demonstrate the power of interested parties to influence for their own benefit, the outcome of legislation and other forms of regulation. In general, the findings support the observation expressed in the Letter of Transmittal of the Final Report of the Se nate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities (1974a, p.1227) that while "ran k has its privileges because rank has its responsibilities", privilege is often used "as a do dge of responsibility". The paper draws largely on historical documents, in particular, rep orts of the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, transcripts of he aring of various House of Representatives and Senate Committees and Sub-Committees dealing with issues arising from Watergate and Watergate-related activities.


ABSTRACT The problem of an embedded partially insulated crack in a graded coating bonded to a homogeneous substrate under thermal and mechanical loading is considered. The heat conduction and the plane elasticity equations are converted into singular integral equations which are solved to yield the temperature and the displacement fields in the medium as well as the crack tip stress intensity factors. A crack-closure algorithm is applied to avoid interpenetration. The main objective of the paper is to study the effect of the coating nonhomogeneity parameters, partial insulation of the crack surfaces and crack-closure on the crack tip stress intensity factors for the purpose of gaining better understanding of the thermo-mechanical behavior of graded coatings.


The mind-body problem is one of the most difficult challenges of modern science. An interesting attempt at providing a reductionist model of reality was made in the 18th century by Ruder Josip Bošković. The attractiveness of this model lies in the fact that it does not readily fit into any of the above categorizations. Although frequently associated with the third a fact that laid it open to violent criticism, causing the philosopher serious trouble it stands apart as an independent theory. For, according to Bošković, reality is neither material nor spiritual. Nor is it a union of both of these orders.


Cassava is an economically important crop in sub-Saharan Africa; however, its yield potential is constrained by cassava mosaic disease (CMD) infection. Classical genetics and biotechnology are being harnessed to overcome the disease and secure yields for farmers. The CMD2 resistance locus flanked by three simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers and one sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker were mapped in West African genotypes and shown to impart qualitative resistant to all species of CMGs. However, gene(s) associated with the CMD2 locus and their mode of actions remains unknown. In an effort to discover gene(s) located in CMD2 locus region, TME3 BAC collections were screened for the presence of CMD2 flanking markers. CMD susceptible and resistant cassava genotypes were found to contain 100% of the markers flanking CMD2 locus. SNPs and nucleotide deletions were identified within the marker sequences but there was no evidence of trait and marker association. All the SSR markers flanking CMD2, and the more recently characterized CMD3 loci were to be located on chromosome 12. Through BAC pools library hybridization with marker probes, 130 BACs were identified, but only 23 BACs contained at least CMD2 specific two markers. Whole BAC sequencing identified five clones that mapped to the marker regions. BAC29 assembled into a 100 kb contig and encoded tandem repeats of three full length R genes (3.5 kb) and two partial repeats. These R genes were conserved and highly expressed in CMD susceptible and CMD resistant cassava genotypes. Promoter sequences derived from R genes showed similar transient expression of GUS as 35S promoter. On cassava genome V6.1 BAC29 sequences were mapped to chromosome 16, eliminating their potential role in CMD resistant.

 Key words: Bacteria artificial chromosome, CMD2, cassava, cassava mosaic disease.


Thiazolidinediones, including rosiglitazone and troglitazone, are insulin‐sensitizing drugs and high‐affinity ligands for the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Apart from their antidiabetic activity, these molecules possess antitumor properties. We investigated their potential apoptotic effects on RT4 (derived from a well‐differentiated Grade I papillary tumor) and T24 (derived from an undifferentiated Grade III carcinoma) bladder cancer cells. Rosiglitazone induced G2/M or G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest in RT4 and T24 cells, respectively. Only troglitazone triggered apoptosis via extrinsic and intrinsic pathways in both cell lines. Interestingly, rosiglitazone amplified TRAIL‐induced apoptosis in TRAIL‐sensitive RT4 cells or let TRAIL‐resistant T24 cells to respond to TRAIL. Thiazolidinediones acted through PPARγ activation‐independent mechanisms. The underlying mechanisms involved for the first time in cancer cells the upregulation of soluble and/or membrane‐bound TRAIL. This was associated with increased cell surface death receptor 5 expression and c‐FLIP and survivin downregulation, mediated in part through proteasome‐dependent degradation in troglitazone‐promoted cell death. Therefore, the combination of rosiglitazone and TRAIL could be clinically relevant as chemopreventive or therapeutic agents for the treatment of TRAIL‐resistant high‐grade urothelial cancers.


Prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) correlates closely with the density of tumor infiltrating T lymphocytes (TIL) in the primary tumor, suggesting that the adaptive cellular immune system can influence the natural history of this disease. However, it is unclear if TIL in CRC comprise a non-specific inflammatory response, or if T cells in TIL are specifically reactive with antigens expressed on CRC tumor cells. To date the study of TIL interaction with autologous CRC cells has been hampered by the small numbers of tumor cells and TIL that can be obtained from CRC surgical samples. We have developed reliable methods for expanding primary human CRC tumor cells as xenografts in immune-deficient mice. Moreover, we have adapted next generation DNA sequencing of T cell receptor β chain CDR3 regions to define the clonal composition of CRC TIL with exquisite precision and depth. In combination with standard procedures for expanding T cells in vitro , we are using these techniques to dissect TIL-CRC tumor cell interactions at the cellular and molecular level. The CD4+/CD8+ surface phenotype and TCRβ CDR3 sequence repertoire of TIL from 7 CRC tumor samples (a primary colon tumor from one patient, an ovarian metastasis from a second patient, and 4 non-contiguous hepatic metastases from a third patient), and from T cells in blood or normal adjacent tissue was evaluated by flow cytometry and next-generation sequencing, respectively. Flow cytometry revealed that CD4+ T cells comprised the majority of TIL expanded from the tumors from all 3 patients. Comparison of the TCRβ CDR3 sequence repertoires in the tumor and normal tissues demonstrated that the TIL were clonally distinct from the T cells present in blood or normal adjacent tissue. Moreover, extensive overlap in the repertoire of TIL isolated from the 4 hepatic metastases in patient 3 was observed, suggesting the presence in all 4 metastases of a population of T cells with similar antigenic specificity. We designed TCRβ CDR3 sequence-specific PCR primers to determine whether specific TCRβ sequences identified by next-generation sequencing were primarily found in the CD4+ or CD8+ subsets of TIL. The most common CDR3 sequences observed in TIL from the primary colon tumor of patient 1 were primarily found in the CD4+ subset, while the most common CDR3 sequences in the ovarian metastasis from patient 2 and the hepatic metastases from patient 3 were primarily found in the CD8+ subset. The reactivity of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells expanded from CRC tumor, tumor-associated ascites fluid, normal adjacent tissue, and blood against autologous CRC tumor cells (freshly harvested from xenografts) and autologous dermal fibroblasts was assessed for in a series of 5 patients, including patients 1-3. T cells expanded from the 4 tissue compartments were evaluated by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) ELISPOT for reactivity with xenograft-derived autologous tumor cells or autologous dermal fibroblasts. No significant IFN-γ reactivity was seen when T cells from any compartment were cultured with autologous dermal fibroblasts. In all 5 patients, IFN-γ reactivity with autologous human epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) sorted tumor cells was observed. This reactivity was more prominent in purified CD4+ T cells than in CD8+ T cells. No significant difference in the reactivity of T cells from various compartments against autologous tumor cells was observed, but T cells expanded from tumor associated ascites fluid showed overall lower levels of reactivity against all target cells. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CRC TIL comprise a clonally distinct population of T cells containing both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that are specifically reactive with autologous CRC tumor cells. However, T cells reactive with autologous tumor cells can also be isolated from other compartments such as normal adjacent tissue and peripheral blood. Citation Format: Jeffrey Chou, Christie-Lynn L. Mortales, Sheila Ojeaburu, Raymond SW Yeung, Edus H. Warren. Autologous T cell responses against patient-derived colorectal cancer xenografts. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology: Multidisciplinary Science Driving Basic and Clinical Advances; Dec 2-5, 2012; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B49.


Uveitis is a destructive ocular inflammation and is caused by either infectious agents or non-infectious immune reactions. The aetiology is still unknown in about 50% of the patients. The distinction between an infectious and non-infectious aetiology is crucial for treatment and prognosis. The main infectious agents in the West include Toxoplasma gondii , Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Varicella zoster virus (VZV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Rubella virus, pathogens which are also the most frequent causes of congenital and childhood infections. Several case reports have mentioned uveitis following Parvovirus, Mumps or Measles infection.1–3 Despite the MMR-vaccination programme, Mumps and Measles outbreaks continue to occur.4 We hypothesised that other common viral childhood infections might also be able to incite uveitis and selected Parvovirus B19, Mumps virus and Measles virus as the most likely …