AMPK is an AMP-activated protein kinase that plays a key role in regulating cellular energy homeostasis. Metabolic stress, such as heat shock and glucose starvation, causes energy deficiency in the cell and leads to elevated levels of intracellular AMP. This results in the phosphorylation and activation of AMPK. LKB1, a tumor suppressor, has been known as an upstream kinase of AMPK. We found that in response to treatment with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-b-4-ribofuranoside (AICAR), a LKB1-null cancer cell line, HeLa, still exhibited AMPK phosphorylation. This indicates the existence of an LKB1-independent AMPK protein kinase. ATM is a protein kinase that is deficient in the disease ataxia telangiectasia (A-T). We measured the activation of AMPK by AICAR in the normal mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) cell line, A29, and the MEF cell line lacking the ATM protein, A38. In A38 cells, the level of AICAR-induced AMPK phosphorylation was dramatically lower than that found in A29 cells. Furthermore, phosphorylation of AMPK in HeLa and A29 cells was inhibited by an ATM specific inhibitor, KU-55933. Our results demonstrate that AICAR treatment could lead to phosphorylation of AMPK in an ATM-dependent and LKB1-independent manner. Similar to the results of AICAR treatment, our work also revealed that the metformin-induced phosphorylation of AMPK in A38 cells is significantly lower than that in A29 cells. We also examined the effect of ATM on AMPK in rat hepatoma cell line H4IIE. Inhibition of ATM by KU-55933 dramatically reduced the phosphorylation of AMPK in response to metformin in this cell line. Thus, ATM may act as a potential AMPK kinase in response to both AICAR and metformin treatment. Metformin is the most commonly prescribed pharmaceutical drug for type 2 diabetes (T2D). In addition, patients with T2D or obesity/insulin resistance who take metformin have reduced rates of cancer occurrence, including breast cancer. However, the mechanism underlying metformin9s effect on cancer prevention and/or treatment is unclear (Nature, New & views, Feb. 2011; Science, News Focus, Jan. 2012). While ATM acts as a sensor of DNA damage by controlling cell cycle progression, it also has glucose regulatory function. Our results put ATM as a novel player in the AMPK signaling pathway in response to metformin. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms by which metformin functions as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-25. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-25


The effect of somatostatin infusion on basal plasma gastrin and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) has been examined in the chronically cannulated fetal sheep and in adult sheep. Somatostatin decreased basal gastrin and PP in the fetal sheep. Similar changes were seen in the adult sheep. A rebound of gastrin and PP above control levels occurred when the somatostatin infusion ceased in the adult, but this rebound was not seen in the fetus, probably from the absence of a fetal acid-gastrin feed back loop. The data is compatible with the hypothesis that in the fetus, the low plasma levels of gastrin and PP in mid-gestation are from the inhibition of their secretion by somatostatin.


There have been two reports recently of adrenocortical insufficiency in infant siblings. Mitchell and Rhaney (1959) reported it in two brothers, the first dying at 53 days and showing hypoplasia of the adrenal glands as the only apparent cause of death. The brother was born three years later, and exhibited a similar clinical picture of vomiting, wasting and dehydration shortly after birth. Biochemical studies were attempted but it became necessary to treat the child with adreno-cortical hormones and with sodium chloride added to his feeds. The child has remained alive to date, and it is assumed that he also suffers from adreno-cortical hypoplasia. Shepard, Landing and Mason (1959) reported adreno-cortical deficiency in two sisters. The first was well until 10 months and then developed a typical clinical picture. She died at 30 months and autopsy showed very small adrenal glands. There was no evidence of tuberculosis. The sister of this case, one of non-identical twins, developed symptoms after her first birthday; the other twin is healthy. After investigation, cortisone therapy was started and has had to be maintained, with much improvement. Neither sister exhibited a craving for salt and therefore the cortical deficiency is selective. This condition need not necessarily manifest itself early in childhood. The first case of Briggs, Goodwin and Wilson (1951), a boy of 12 years, had been fond of salt since infancy and clinically showed well developed Addison's disease. Radiographs showed calcification of mesenteric lymph nodes, but none in the region of the adrenal glands. Treatment with 'eucortone' at first, and later with D.C.A. pellet implants, and with sodium chloride orally, has been effective, and he was well at the time when the article was published. This boy's brother, 17 years of age, developed a more acute illness with epigastric pain, vomiting, loss of weight and increased depth of skin pigmentation. Treatment was given as for an Addisonian crisis, but he died 72 hours after admission to hospital. Necropsy revealed small adrenal glands, and histological examination showed atrophy of the cortex of each. There was no evidence of tuberculosis. The thymus was large. Both parents were healthy and the authors suggested that a genetic factor may be involved as in thyrotoxicosis, diabetes mellitus and the Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome. We report a further family showing adrenal hypoplasia. Both boys in this family died in the neonatal period and received minimal corrective treatment. Therefore, the histological appearances of their endocrine glands are unaffected by therapy.


We introduce general sphere-packing bounds for convolutional codes. These improve upon the Heller (1968) bound for high-rate convolutional codes. For example, based on the Heller bound, McEliece (1998) suggested that for a rate (n - 1)/n convolutional code of free distance 5 with /spl nu/ memory elements in its minimal encoder it holds that n /spl les/ 2/sup (/spl nu/+1)/2/. A simple corollary of our bounds shows that in this case, n < 2/sup /spl nu//2/, an improvement by a factor of /spl radic/2. The bound can be further strengthened. Note that the resulting bounds are also highly useful for codes of limited bit-oriented trellis complexity. Moreover, the results can be used in a constructive way in the sense that they can be used to facilitate efficient computer search for codes.


【If the centric prematurity occurs after orthodontic treatment, it creates centric slide regarded as a possible factor in the cause of temporomandibular disorder and/or postorthodontic relapse. The purpose of this study was to investigate the manner of centric prematurity and centric slide in postorthodantic patients. The 36 orthodontic patients who had been treated with edgewise appliance at least 3 mouths previously were used in this study. After recording centric relation by the leaf gauge technique, the centric prematurity and centric slide were studied using SAM2 articulator and mandibular position indicator. The results were as follows : 1. The highest percentage of centric prematurities were found on the second molars. 2. The buccal incline of the palatal cusp was the most frequent area of centric prematurities in the maxilla, while the lingual incline of the buccal cusp was the most frequent area in the mandible. 3. There were no trends in the direction of centric slide on the mandibular position indicator. 4. There were no significant differences in centric discrepancies between the premolar extraction and nonextraction group.】


This paper investigates the interplay between articulatory movement and voice source activity as a function of emotions in speech production. Our hypothesis is that humans use different modulation methods in which articulatory movements and prosodic modulations are differently weighted across different emotions. This hypothesis was examined by joint analysis of the two domains, using two statistical representations: (1) the sample distribution comparison using two-sigma ellipses of the articulatory speed statistics and prosodic feature (pitch or intensity) statistics, (2) the comparison of correlation coefficients. In the articulatory-prosodic spaces, we find (1) distinctive weighting patterns for angry and happy emotional speech and (2) distinctive correlation patterns depending on articulators and target emotions. These findings support the hypothesis that humans use different modulation methods of emphasizing articulatory motions and/or prosodic activities depending on emotion.


Abstract Objectives To compare colour duplex ultrasonography (CDU) findings with axillary 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT findings and to compare the diagnostic performance of temporal and axillary artery CDU with temporal artery CDU alone. Methods Patients suspected of GCA were retrospectively included. Presence of a halo or occlusion was considered a positive CDU finding. FDG-PET/CT-assessed axillary artery involvement was defined as axillary artery FDG uptake higher than liver uptake. The reference was the clinical diagnosis after 6 months, which was based on symptomatology and additional diagnostic tests, with the exception of CDU. Results Of the 113 included patients, GCA was diagnosed in 41. Twenty-eight out of 41 GCA patients underwent a FDG-PET/CT. FDG-PET-assessed extra-cranial GCA was present in 20/41 patients, of which 13 showed axillary involvement on FDG-PET/CT. An axillary halo was found in eight of these 13 patients. Six out of the 20 patients with FDG-PET-assessed GCA showed no axillary involvement on CDU or FDG-PET/CT. Five of them had single artery involvement on FDG-PET/CT (two aorta; three vertebral artery). One patient had an axillary occlusion on CDU, consistent with FDG-PET/CT results. Overall, sensitivity and specificity of temporal artery CDU was 52% (95% CI: 35, 67) and 93% (95% CI: 84, 97), respectively. Adding axillary artery results improved sensitivity to 71% (95% CI: 55, 84), while specificity did not change. Conclusion Presence of an axillary halo or occlusion on CDU is consistent with axillary artery FDG-PET/CT results, but a negative CDU does not rule out axillary involvement. Adding axillary artery assessment to temporal artery assessment may substantially increase the diagnostic performance of CDU.


Low-dimensional materials exhibit exotic properties and have attracted widespread attention. However, many low-dimensional materials are highly sensitive to air, making it challenging to investigate their intrinsic properties with ex situ measurements. To overcome such challenges, here, we developed a system combined with sample growth, electrode deposition, and in situ electrical transport measurement under ultra-high vacuum condition. The in situ deposition of electrodes enables desired ohmic electrical contacts between the probes and samples, which allows continuous temperature dependent resistance (R-T) measurements. Combined with a scanning tunneling microscope, surface morphology, electronic structure, and electrical transport properties of the same sample can be systematically investigated. We demonstrate the performance of this in situ electrical transport measurement system with three-unit-cell thick FeSe films grown on Nb-doped SrTiO3(001) substrates, where a low-noise R-T curve with a zero-resistance superconducting transition temperature of ∼30 K is observed.


Mobile terminal stations utilizing wireless local area network (WLAN) devices have recently increased. Hence, packet collisions due to interfering signals have become an important issue. WLANs detect collisions when the acknowledgment (ACK) frame is not returned. This considerably reduces the WLAN transmission efficiency. This paper proposes a retransmission control scheme utilizing multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transmission, in which collisions may be detected during signal transmission. We evaluated and analyzed the effectiveness of the proposed scheme through computer simulations and theoretical analysis. The theoretical analysis agree with the computer simulation results, indicating the efficiency and reliability of our proposed scheme.


It is shown that the independence of the continuum hypothesis points to the unique definite status of the set of intermediate cardinality: the intermediate set exists only as a subset of continuum. This latent status is a consequence of duality of the members of the set. Due to the structural inhomogeneity of the intermediate set, its complete description falls into several " sections " (theories) with their special main laws, dimensions, and directions, i.e., the complete description of the one-dimensional intermediate set is multidimensional. Quantum mechanics is one of these theories. The concept of discrete space is always regarded as a unique alternative to continuous space. Nevertheless, there is one more possibility originated from the continuum problem: the set of intermediate cardinality represents the golden mean between the opposing concepts. But although the continuum problem has been solved [1], the status of the set of intermediate cardinality is still unclear. The commonly held view is that, according to the independence of the continuum hypothesis (CH), we can neither prove nor refute existence of the intermediate set and, therefore, CH or its negation must be taken as an additional axiom. However, it may be stated that there exists a unique definite status of the intermediate set which is consistent with the independence of the continuum hypothesis. Since, by definition, the set of intermediate cardinality I should be a subset of continuum R, the independence of CH may be understood as impossibility, in principle, to separate the subset of intermediate cardinality from continuum. In other words, the independence of CH means that for any real number x ∈ R the sentence x ∈ I ⊂ R is undecidable. Reasons of this inseparability, if any, should be investigated. This latent status is the only definite status of the set of intermediate cardi-nality that is consistent with the generally accepted solution of the continuum problem. However, in order to state that the status follows from the independence of CH, it is necessary to know that standard Zermelo-Fraenkel set theory 1


Problem gambling is a social issue in Australia that increasingly involves women. In this paper we present the subjective experiences from interviews with 20 women poker machine players, 10 of whom self-identified as recreational gamblers and 10 who had sought and received help for their gambling. The women explain their gambling histories and their abilities to remain as recreational gamblers or their progression to problem gambling. For the group of gamblers who have received gambling help, their primary motivation to gamble was to fill some emptiness in their lives, whereas recreational gamblers principally gambled for enjoyment. A better understanding of women's gambling experiences, and the range of problems they encounter, will allow practical treatment strategies to be developed and implemented, as well as for women's needs to be accommodated more effectively by gambling policies.


Source separation of wastewater keeps the nutrient-rich fraction from the toilet (blackwater) separated from the remaining main volume (greywater). This separation optimises the recycling of both nutrients and water. A pilot system for decentralised greywater treatment was constructed in 2001 in a courtyard at Klosterenga (KL) in Oslo, Norway, which serves an apartment building of 100 persons. The system consists of a septic tank followed by pre-treatment vertical flow aerobic biofilters and a sub-surface horizontal flow constructed wetland. The scope of this thesis was to investigate the longterm treatment performance of the system. Water samples from the influent (i.e. septic tank effluent) and effluent were analysed with regards to: phosphorus, orthophosphate, nitrogen, nitrate, ammonia, pH, conductivity and indicator bacteria. The average phosphorus effluent was 0,27 mg P/l, which is substantially below the 1 mg P/l guideline. The BOD treatment efficiency was as high as 98 % and resulted in an average effluent of less than 5 mg O/l. Average total nitrogen effluent concentration was 2,2 mg N/l and thus achieves drinking water quality with respect to nitrogen. All parameters fulfilled discharge limits from the time of construction until today. There were no significant change in the effluent from 2001-2013 compared to 2014, except for pH and phosphorus. This is also as expected when the filter material is functioning as intended, and it was calculated that the wetland filter would have a total service time of 45 years with regards to phosphorus removal. The highest registered amount of bacteria in the effluent was 19 E. coli per 100 ml which means that the water fulfils the Norwegian requirements for good bathing water quality (<100 per 100ml), and that the effluent can be re-used for irrigation of edible crops. When the KL system was compared to the average effluent concentrations of other large-scale constructed wetlands systems, it performed better with regards to all of the parameters, and it also had higher treatment efficiencies with regards to BOD and nitrogen. An investigation of the plans and policies regarding wastewater in Oslo revealed that expanding the use of systems as KL can contribute to achieve the current goals, and that the KL system is becoming increasingly relevant. An economic estimate indicates that treating greywater in systems such as KL would be 65% cheaper than using the centralised system of Oslo municipality. For KL and the centralised system the final recipient is in a state where nutrient loading should be reduced, and a substantial (70-95 %) reduction of this loading, per person, can be achieved by source separation and treating the greywater at KL. The system at KL shows how decentralised sanitation solutions can offer cross-sectorial benefits, and thus can contribute to making urban areas more sustainable. The constructed wetland system not only treats wastewater, it contributes to urban greening, increased environmental awareness, reduced pollution, recycling of resources – and it can be easily integrated with existing centralised infrastructure. Overall the system demonstrates that successful greywater treatment by constructed wetlands is possible in urban settings where space is limited, and that a high effluent quality can be achieved, even after more than a decade of operation.


ABSTRACT Beach profile data from two sites in the Magdalen Islands, Quebec, are used to improve the model developed by Hayes and Boothroyd (1969) that explains the sequence of events in beach recovery following storm-wave erosion. As the level of wave activity decreases a small ridge is formed in the swash zone at the landward margin of the low-tide terrace. This ridge migrates in 1 or 2 days into the intertidal zone and provides sediment for the redevelopment of an equilibrium beach-face slope and for the construction of a berm. Simultaneously a second ridge develops in the breaker zone on the low-tide terrace. This larger ridge migrates slowly to eventually weld onto the beach face if the migration is not interrupted by further storm-wave activity.


Methylene blue has been used to help facilitate parathyroid surgery for over 30 years. Its use has been widely considered both safe and cost effective. Twenty‐six cases of a toxic metabolic encephalopathy, however, have been reported with its use. As a result, some surgeons have stopped using this technique altogether. It is now known that methylene blue is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. When combined with drugs that increase central serotonin neurotransmission, serotonin toxicity results. This is the cause of the encephalopathy described in the literature. A case report, review of the literature, and guidelines as to its proper use are presented so as to allow for safe parathyroid surgery. Laryngoscope, 2009


Introduction In the realm of basketball, refining shooting skills and decision-making levels using intelligent agents has garnered significant interest. This study addresses the challenge by introducing an innovative framework that combines multi-modal perception and deep reinforcement learning. The goal is to create basketball robots capable of executing precise shots and informed choices by effectively integrating sensory inputs and learned strategies. Methods The proposed approach consists of three main components: multi-modal perception, deep reinforcement learning, and end-to-end architecture. Multi-modal perception leverages the multi-head attention mechanism (MATT) to merge visual, motion, and distance cues for a holistic perception of the basketball scenario. The deep reinforcement learning framework utilizes the Deep Q-Network (DQN) algorithm, enabling the robots to learn optimal shooting strategies over iterative interactions with the environment. The end-to-end architecture connects these components, allowing seamless integration of perception and decision-making processes. Results The experiments conducted demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Basketball robots equipped with multi-modal perception and deep reinforcement learning exhibit improved shooting accuracy and enhanced decision-making abilities. The multi-head attention mechanism enhances the robots' perception of complex scenes, leading to more accurate shooting decisions. The application of the DQN algorithm results in gradual skill improvement and strategic optimization through interaction with the environment. Discussion The integration of multi-modal perception and deep reinforcement learning within an end-to-end architecture presents a promising avenue for advancing basketball robot training and performance. The ability to fuse diverse sensory inputs and learned strategies empowers robots to make informed decisions and execute accurate shots. The research not only contributes to the field of robotics but also has potential implications for human basketball training and coaching methodologies.


Introduction: Although performing cesarean section in specific condition can save life of mother and neonate, but has considerable complications. Reducing cesarean among primigravida is one of the best strategies to reduce cesarean. Therefore, this study was performed with aim to develop a tailored intervention to promote normal vaginal delivery (NVD) among primigravida women. Methods: This formative research was done to develop an intervention based on assessment tools pattern and social marketing response to reduce cesarean section among primigravida women in Boyer-Ahmad city in 2015. The qualitative data were collected through individual interviews and focused group discussions. The quantitative data were collected by a questionnaire based on the constructs of Theory of Planned Behavior. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 16). The qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis method as manual and the quantitative data by routine descriptive statistics, logistic regression, Chi-Square and Mann-Whitney tests. Results: In qualitative part, the most important barriers for selecting NVD were: maternity being unpleasant, fear, others' recommendations, and negative experiences of referring to maternity and low level of knowledge among women. The main interventions recommended for increasing NVD were: education, counseling, making the process of NVD more pleasant. In the quantitative survey, we found that 25.2 of the women were intended to do cesarean. In quantitative part, 39 women (25.2) had intention to perform cesarean section. The median and interquartile range of attitude was 18±4, subjective norms 16.5±3, and perceived control behavior 16±3. Attitude, subjective norms, place of residence, and the spouse's job were the main predictors in selecting the mode of delivery. Conclusion: To design an effective tailored intervention to promote NVD among primigravida women, their wants and needs should be considered. Education, offering telephone counseling, and implement of brief interventions by physicians and midwives in health centers are the main elements of the tailored intervention.


BACKGROUND
Experimental studies suggested that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may have endocrine-disrupting effects. However, the epidemiological evidence on the associations of PFAS with female reproductive hormones is sparse and limited to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate effects of legacy and emerging PFAS alternatives on female reproductive hormones.

METHODS
A total of 433 reproductive-aged females were recruited from 2014 to 2016. Information on age, age at menarche, gravity, menstrual cycle, BMI, education, and income was obtained from medical records and questionnaires. Serum samples were collected for reproductive hormones, and plasma samples for PFAS measurement by ultraperformance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS). Multiple linear regression and quantile g-computation (q-gcomp) were used to examine the associations of individual PFAS and their mixture with reproductive hormones.

RESULTS
Multiple linear regression analysis showed significant effects of certain PFAS on total testosterone (TT): adjusted estimate (β) for perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.18, 0.97). Moreover, a positive association was detected between PFAS mixture and TT in the q-gcomp model. Higher concentrations of 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acid (6:2 Cl-PFESA) were associated with significantly lower prolactin level (β = -0.07, 95% CI: -0.14, -0.001).

CONCLUSION
Our study found that exposure to PFAS alternatives was associated with altered levels of reproductive hormones in women of childbearing age.


In this study, a series of sensitivity experiments is performed to study the relative influence of latent heating, surface friction, and surface heat fluxes on the development of a family of frontal cyclones that occurred over the western Atlantic Ocean, using the simulation presented in Part I as a control run. It is shown that dry dynamics determines the initiation and track of all the frontal cyclones, and it accounts for about 59% of the deepening of a major frontal cyclone. Vorticity budget calculations reveal that in the absence of latent heating, preexisting upper-level cyclonic vorticity associated with a ring of potential vorticity provides the necessary forcing for the initiation and movement of the frontal cyclones, whereas the low-level thermal advection is responsible for a large portion of their amplifications as well as for their shallow circulations. The impact of surface sensible and latent heat fluxes on the frontal cyclogenesis depends on the cyclones' location with respect to the warm water surface. In the absence of latent heating, the surface fluxes have very weak impact, through modifying the low-level baroclinicity, on the evolution and final intensity of the frontal cyclones. When latent heating is allowed, however, the surface fluxes could result in more rapid cyclogenesis as a result of reduced static stability and increased moisture content in the maritime boundary layer ; the impact is as pronounced as the latent heating. It is found that (dry) frontal cyclogenesis could still occur over a vast continental surface, although it is the slowest moving and deepening system among all the sensitivity tests being conducted. The results reveal that (i) the frontal cyclones in the present case are baroclinically driven in nature, although they are markedly modulated by diabatic heating and surface fluxes; and (ii) the rapid frontal cyclogenesis phenomena tend to occur more frequently over a warm ocean surface due to its associated weak surface friction and its generated weak static stability in the maritime boundary layer.


[1] Historical records of near-surface water temperatures in the Southern Californian Bight often show a preferential cooling in the lee of headlands such as Point Dume, Palos Verdes, and Point Loma. At times, this cooler water is associated with an increase in chlorophyll-a as is evident in satellite images of ocean color from the region. Here we combine hydrographic data from a 1 day cruise aboard the RV Roger Revelle (a precursor to the 0304 California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) cruise) with high-frequency (HF) radar (CODAR) measurements, satellite images, and long-term thermistor records of near-surface temperature to identify a small-scale, isolated upwelling in the lee of Point Loma (32.5°N). Associated with the more saline water downstream of the headland are higher nutrient concentrations, an increase in chlorophyll-a concentration, and a bloom of chain-forming diatoms, indicative of a mature upwelling system. It is suggested that this upwelling is not primarily due to local or remote wind forcing but rather to the divergence of the prevailing southerly flow as it passes the Point Loma headland. Time series of surface vorticity calculated from HF radar measurements of sea surface velocity show that as the flow separates from the headland, relative vorticity increases offshore of the cape. Inshore, the time series of divergence/convergence shows a tendency toward divergence at the surface, indicating a preferential upwelling which appears to raise the thermocline, thus resulting in a flux of cold nutrient-rich water to the surface. In the presence of high nutrients and light, photosynthetic organisms bloom in these upwelled waters as they are advected away from the headland and offshore by the prevailing surface currents.


Background: Older adults with both physical and cognitive impairment are at higher risk for dementia, fall and disability. So, identifying whether physical performance decline is associated with executive dysfunction is important for developing physical therapy early intervention strategies for older adults.
Purpose: (1) To examine the relationship between executive functions and dual-task physical performances among older adults, (2) To confirm executive function as a useful predictor for functional limitation or disability process in older adults.
Methodology: To measure physical performance, first, reference gait speed on 10 m path was measured. Secondly, dual task gait speed was calculated from 20 m rectangular path with obstruction and picking up an object from it while walking at their comfortable pace. Participants had to cross the obstacles simultaneously picking the ball from bucket. The time to finish the task was measured and from that gait speed during dual task was calculated. The TMT-B test was used to evaluate the components of executive function. To complete this test, participant was asked to use a pencil to connect 25 encircled numbers and letters in numerical and alphabetical order, alternating between numbers and letters. Time to finish this test was recorded.
Results: After analyzing data, for dual task gait speed and TMT-B, we got the value of Spearman's correlation coefficient(r) is 0.698 and level of significance (p<0.05). For reference gait speed and TMT-B, we got the value of Spearman's correlation coefficient(r) is 0.600 and level of significance (p<0.05)
Conclusion: This points out that there is statistically significant correlation between executive function and dualtask physical performance among older adults.


Be-Objectives: Health institutions are considered high-risk occupational areas due to the need for human resources, including numerous specialists with distinct characteristics, intensive technology, and complex occupational processes. The purpose of this study is to examine the frequency of exposure to occupational accidents and near-miss events of the nurses and physicians working in hospitals, their reporting status, and factors affecting these characteristics during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This descriptive study evaluating the occupational accidents and near-miss events of healthcare workers in 2020 was carried out between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020. The questionnaire created over Google Forms was shared through social media groups (WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.) of the health-care workers in Turkey. The data collection form consisted of four sections, which assess sociodemographic characteristics, history of employment, characteristics of occupational accidents, and near-miss events of the healthcare workers. Results: A total of 225 healthcare professionals, with a mean age of 35.2±8.5 years, 156 (69.3%) female and 163 (73.8%) doctors, participated in this study and 101 (44.9%) healthcare workers declared that they experienced a work accident and 84 (37.3%) healthcare workers reported near-miss events; however, only 14 (13.9%) healthcare workers reported this accident to their institution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Every occupational accident or near-miss event experienced by healthcare professionals should be reported and analyzed carefully to prevent potential risks. Training health professionals about health risks they may encounter and protective measures against occupational accidents have vital importance.


Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor-1 (HAI-1) is a Kunitz-type transmembrane serine proteinase inhibitor that inhibits trypsin-like serine proteinases, such as hepatocyte growth factor activator, matriptase, hepsin and prostasin. HAI-1 is expressed in polarized epithelial cells, in which HAI-1 is mainly located on the basolateral membrane. In the present study, we analyzed the expression and distribution of HAI-1 in respiratory epithelium. We found that HAI-1 is expressed by the bronchial respiratory epithelium with basal or basolateral localization and also by the alveolar epithelium. Bronchial expression of HAI-1 was also confirmed using cultured human bronchial epithelial cells. The epithelial expression of HAI-1 was augmented in response to tissue injury such as cancer invasion and inflammation. Surprisingly, in the injured pulmonary tissue, HAI-1 showed distinct apical translocation in ciliated epithelial cells of the bronchiole. We suggest that, in addition to its basolateral surface localization, HAI-1 can transiently localize to the apical surface of respiratory ciliated epithelial cells under conditions of severe inflammation, possibly interacting with a specific cellular proteinase on the apical surface.


Abstract: A family of three white‐faced saki monkeys (Pithecia pithecia pithecia) died 48–96 hours after the onset of anorexia, nasal discharge, pyrexia and oral ulceration. One animal also had clonic seizures. Lesions found post‐mortem consisted of oral and esophageal ulcers, hepatic and intestinal necrosis, meningoencephalitis and sporadic neuronal necrosis. Intranuclear inclusion bodies and syncytial cells were present in oral lesions and affected areas of liver. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV‐1) was identified as the etiology of disease by virus isolation, polymerase chain reaction, or in situ hybridization in all three animals. Immunohistochemistry for detection of apoptotic DNA and activated caspase‐3 showed significant levels of apoptosis in oral and liver lesions and occasional apoptotic neurons in the brain. These findings demonstrate the vulnerability of white‐faced saki monkeys to HSV‐1 and provide initial insight into the pathogenesis of fatal HSV‐1‐induced disease, indicating that apoptosis plays a significant role in cell death.


In this work, TiO2 nano-particles were modified by pyridine group and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR and elemental analysis (CHN). This sorbent was applied for pre-concentration of ultra-trace amount of palladium prior to its determination by flame atomic adsorption spectroscopy (FAAS). Through this study, different factors such as sample pH, sample flow rate, eluent parameters (type, concentration and volume), and elunet flow rate were optimized. Also effects of the selectivity of sorbent toward Pd(II) was investigated by palladium determination in presence of various interfering ions. The limit of detection was 3.8 ng mL"1 and recovery was 99.1 % with a relative standard deviation of 2.5%. Finally the method was validated using standard reference material which their paladium concentrations are certified.


Blind spread-spectrum watermarking schemes with correlation based detection algorithms suffer significantly from host signal interference. Improvements are possible when considering the host signal as side-information to the watermark encoder. Costa showed that, in a specific case, host signal interference can be avoided completely. The scalar Costa scheme, which operates on structured codebooks based on scalar quantizers, performs relatively close to the ideal Costa scheme in terms of maximum rate of reliable communication (capacity) over a channel with AWGN attack. The concept of amplitude limited channels in conjunction with repetition of the signal constellation is also known in the communications community by the name modulo channel, which has been studied into great detail. Starting from the modulo channel, which implies a constraint on the amplitude in the receiver, we model the watermarking scenario based on scalar quantizers. The capacity of this model is presented and compared to the theoretical results for SCS watermarking in the case of AWGN attacks. A final analysis of SCS in terms of optimality, based on the results with the modulo channel, shows that even binary SCS is near optimum for one-dimensional (symbol-by-symbol) embedding in terms of capacity for an i.i.d. Gaussian host signal and an appropriate AWGN attack.


levels as follows: (1) Separate gene trees are inferred from each linkage partition, and (2) the species phylogeny is then inferred from the set of gene trees. A method (Maddison, 1997; Page and Charleston, 1997a, 1997b; Slowinski et al., 1997) termed gene tree parsimony by Slowinski et al. (1997) is the appropriate method for implementing the second step. Gene tree parsimony operates by finding the species tree or trees that minimizes the number of hypothesized gene tree/ species tree conflict-producing events required to fit each gene tree to the species tree(s). Central to gene tree parsimony is the concept of fitting trees to other trees (Page, 1994a). Gene tree parsimony implements Doyle's (1992) insightful concept that nucleotides are characters of gene trees, whereas gene trees are characters of species trees. An important caveat relates to the serious question raised by Maddison (1997) of just what a species phylogeny is meant to represent. The search for a species phylogeny assumes that such a diagram has some meaning. This is a difficult issue that we leave to other workers. Below, we briefly discuss the sources of conflict between gene and species trees, identify problems with previous methods for inferring species trees from molecular sequence data, define gene tree parsimony, and then illustrate the application of gene tree parsimony by using the computer program GeneTree (Page, 1998), which is free and available at http://taxonomy.zoology.gla.ac.uk/rod/genetree/genetree.html; it requires Mac OS 7.5 or later running on a PowerMac, or an Intel-based PC running Windows 95/NT 4.0 or later. The issues explored in this article bear directly on the controversial question of whether or not There are two levels of potential error in the inference of species phylogenies from molecular sequence data: (1) A gene tree (herein, we use the term gene for any contiguous block of nucleotides, regardless of whether it codes for a protein or not) for a set of molecular sequences will be incorrectly inferred if there is sufficient random or systematic error (Swofford et al., 1996), and (2) even if a gene tree is correctly inferred, the phenomena of deep coalescence, gene duplication, and horizontal gene transfer can produce a gene tree different from the true species tree (Goodman et al., 1979; Avise et al., 1983; Pamilo and Nei, 1988; Doyle, 1992; Maddison, 1996, 1997). The second level of error would be quite worrisome if all nucleotides of genomes were historically linked (as is generally true with organellar genomes). In this situation, there would only be one gene tree, which might not be the same as the true species tree. But happily, because of intraand interchromosomal recombination, the nuclear genome is composed of many historically linked sets of nucleotides with different histories. We call these linkage partitions (the cgenes of Doyle, 1992, 1997). Sequences sampled from several species and forming a single linkage partition are related by a unique, binary gene tree. Contrary to claims that natural data partitions do not exist (e.g., Kluge and Wolf, 1993; Siddall, 1997), linkage partitions are natural partitions of molecular sequence data and can be considered as independent estimators of the overlying species phylogeny. This strongly suggests that the molecular phylogenetic analysis of species by using 814 SYSTEMATIC BIOLOGY VOL. 48


A novel transform-domain image watermark based on chaotic sequences is proposed in this paper. A complex chaos-based scheme is developed to embed a gray-level image in the wavelet domain of the original color image signal. The chaos system plays an important role in the security and invisibility of the proposed scheme. The parameter and initial state of chaos system directly influence the generation of watermark information as a key. Meanwhile, the watermark information has the property of spread spectrum signal by chaotic sequence. To improve the invisibility of watermarked image Computer simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is imperceptible and is robust to most watermarking attacks, especially to image cropping, JPEG compression and multipliable noise.


Adaptive filtering techniques in subbands have been recently developed for a number of applications including acoustic echo cancellation and wideband active noise control. In such applications, hundreds of taps are required resulting in high computational complexity and low convergence rate when using LMS-based algorithms. For fullband systems, new algorithms which try to overcome these drawbacks have been investigated. A class of these algorithms employing variants of the filtered gradient adaptive (FGA) algorithm has been successfully developed. We apply these techniques to a recently proposed subband adaptive filter structure in order to improve the convergence rate and the computational load. Computer simulations show the benefits obtained with these proposed algorithms.


A systematic survey on perinatal mortality has been carried out in Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for eleven years: a 40 to 100 reduction of the rate is noticed, decreasing from 20.6 p. 1 000 in 1969 to 11.9 p. 1 000 in 1978 with a more distinct reduction of the early neonatal component. Important differences are observed in various geographical places both in the rates and in the evolution during the studied period. Differences associated with socioeconomic factors, maternal age and civil status at birth seem to fade out. During the whole period, perinatal mortality rates are lower in foreigners and more particularly in recent immigrants than in Luxembourg people. The chronological aspect of the evolution suggests that these facts are correlated with the adoption of preventive measures in perinatality. This program seems to be efficient not only by globally reducing perinatal mortality but also by decreasing social inequalities in perinatality.


In the midst of the so-called "crisis" of refugees in Europe, it is imperative to identify the particular challenges faced by refugee women and girls, in order to assess the effectiveness of public policies implemented for this social group. Assuming that there is specific violence suffered by refugee women, this article consists in a case study of refugee reception policies by European Union States between 2015 and 2021. Mobilizing Feminist and Decolonial theoretical approaches to International Relations and Subaltern Studies, it is concluded that direct and indirect violence is being perpetrated against refugees in EU countries. Thus, this work argues that public policies for refugees in the EU do not sufficiently reduce this situation of violence. The regional norms for the reception of refugees from the European Union, however, grant wide discretion to the Member States to implement public policies of this nature, which results in dissonances between the reception standards in each State. The reality of insufficiency and inefficiency of reception policies carried out by EU Member States on issues of gender-based violence, consists of a type of institutional silencing and the reproduction of subalternity.


The N-terminal alpha-helical region of phospholipase A2 is an important part of the enzyme for catalytic activity and lipid binding. Porcine pancreatic phospholipase A2 has Arg-Ser at positions 6 and 7, whereas the bovine enzyme has Asn-Gly. To pursue further the effects of these variable residues on differences in enzymatic properties, we prepared and studied the following semisynthetic analogs of epsilon-amidinated phospholipase A2 (AMPA): porcine [Ala7]AMPA, [Gly7]AMPA, [Asn6]AMPA, [Asn6-Gly7]AMPA and bovine [Ser7]AMPA and [Arg6-Ser7]AMPA. As we had previously found for the Asn6 leads to Arg bovine substitution, an Asn6-Gly7 leads to Arg5-Ser7 bovine substitution similarly improves the catalytic activity, the affinity for neutral lipid-water interfaces and the capacity to penetrate lecithin monolayers, while just changing Gly7 leads to Ser produces almost no effect on these properties. Ser7 leads to Ala and Ser7 leads to Gly substitutions in porcine AMPA did not affect penetration or lipid binding, although they did diminish catalytic activity (which is true of all substitutions made in the porcine enzyme). Arg6 leads to Asn substitution in porcine AMPA decreases penetration of lecithin monolayers, but not as much as it was improved by the Asn6 leads to Arg substitution in bovine AMPA. In contrast to the dramatic increase in affinity for lipid-water interfaces of Asn6 leads to Arg substitution in bovine AMPA, no decrease in affinity was found for Arg6 leads to Asn substitution in porcine AMPA. This difference is most likely due to the fact that the porcine enzyme has positively charged Lys and His in place of the Lys10, Glu17 pair that lie very close to residue 6 in the bovine structure. It can thus be conclude that (with the exception of Gly7 leads to Ser in bovine AMPA) all the substitutions tried at positions 6 and 7 in bovine and porcine AMPAs have definite effects on the catalytic activity.


Nucleosome-depleted regions (NDRs) at gene promoters support initiation of RNA Polymerase II transcription. Interestingly, transcription often initiates in both directions, resulting in an mRNA, and a divergent non-coding (DNC) transcript with an unclear purpose. Here, we characterized the genetic architecture and molecular mechanism of DNC transcription in budding yeast. We identified the Hda1 histone deacetylase complex (Hda1C) as a repressor of DNC in high-throughput reverse genetic screens based on quantitative single-cell fluorescence measurements. Nascent transcription profiling showed a genome-wide role of Hda1C in DNC repression. Live-cell imaging of transcription revealed that Hda1C reduced the frequency of DNC transcription. Hda1C contributed to decreased acetylation of histone H3 in DNC regions, supporting DNC repression by histone deacetylation. Our data support the interpretation that DNC results as a consequence of the NDR-based architecture of eukaryotic promoters, but that it is governed by locus-specific repression to maintain genome fidelity.


The addition of D-glucose to renal proximal tubule cells reduces phosphate transport and in conditions of limited phosphate availability reduces mitochondrial respiration, oxidative phosphorylation and ATP content, a phenomenon called the Crabtree effect. The present study examined the effects of D-glucose on cellular content of inorganic phosphate, phosphomonoesters, and ATP. These studies were performed in suspensions of canine proximal tubules using 31P NMR spectroscopy. When the extracellular medium contained 0.4 mM phosphate, addition of 8.3 mM D-glucose to the perifusion fluid significantly lowered cell content of inorganic phosphate (by 31%), phosphomonoesters (by 23%) and ATP (by 25%). Addition of a similar concentration of mannitol had no significant effect on these measured parameters. Removal of inorganic phosphate from the extracellular medium in the absence of glucose reduced the cellular content of inorganic phosphate by only 9%. These data indicate that a reduction in cellular phosphate occurs during the Crabtree effect. The glucose effect on cellular phosphates appears to be an inhibition of phosphate uptake and an enhancement of phosphate efflux. The data do not support the hypothesis that glucose induces an increase in sugar monophosphates.


Peace is a prerequisite for creating an environment in which all people have the capacity to live safe and productive lives and to engage in meaningful activities and occupations; however, creating caring communities and measuring the impacts of peace is a challenge. To address this concern, nonprofit organizations strive to promote equity and justice by engaging in both direct service and advocacy work. One local nonprofit, the Peace Learning Center, works to promote peace in the Indianapolis community through a variety of innovative educational and advocacy programs, including equity learning, restorative practices, social emotional learning, and family learning. Uniquely, occupational therapists engaging in community-based work provide a lens through which key environmental factors, such as peace, are viewed as vital in consideration of the context surrounding a person and provide a perspective of how peace can affect the tasks and performance in which people are able to engage.  Through a semester-long collaborative partnership, Indiana University occupational therapy doctoral candidates and the Peace Learning Center conceptualized peace and created implementable tools for measuring the impacts of the nonprofit's efforts on peace building in the Indianapolis community. The following outlines the evaluative process that the student group performed and provides replicable tools and recommendations for surveying peace building impacts in K-12 restorative justice programming. By implementing these peace-measuring assessments, the Peace Learning Center will be able to gather both qualitative and quantitative data about perceived safety, violence, and peace from youth and parents in the communities that the organization serves. Recognizing the need for program evaluation, occupational therapy students have provided the Peace Learning Center with vital outcome measures that can lead to program remodeling, content recreation, and improved training, resources and follow up for facilitators, all within the profession's scope of practice in the community-based realm.


Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a serious clinical problem worldwide. Few new drugs are available against MRSA, because it has the ability to acquire resistance to most antibiotics which consequently increases the cost of medication. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of Nardostachytis rhizoma was investigated. The most effective method is to develop antibiotics from the natural products without having any toxic or side effects. Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases. The use of two drugs in combination is a good alternative to slow the process of developing drug resistance and to restore the effectiveness of drugs that are no longer prescribed. Combination therapy is the most commonly recommended empirical treatment for bacterial infections in intensive care units, where monotherapy may not be effective against all potential pathogens, and for preventing the emergence of resistant. Five clinical isolates (MRSA) were obtained from five different patients at Wonkwang University Hospital (Iksan, South Korea). The other two strains were S. aureus ATCC 33591 (methicillin-resistant strain) and S. aureus ATCC 25923 (methicillin-susceptible strain). Antibacterial activity (minimal inhibitory concentrations, MICs) was determined by broth dilution method, disc diffusion method, MTT test and checkerboard dilution test. Antimicrobial activity of n-hexane fraction of N. rhizoma was significant. Against the seven strains, the disc diffusion test was in the range of 14 to 18 mm and had a MICs ranging from 31.25 to 125 ig/ml. FICI values for n-hexane fraction (HFL) of N. rhizome + ampicillin (AM) and HFL + oxacillin (OX) were 0.1875 and 0.078125-0.09375, showing the increase of synergistic effect. When combined together, these antibiotic effects were dramatically increased. These effective combinations could be new promising agents in the management of MRSA and MSSA. Key words : Nardostachytis rhizoma, synergism, antibacterial, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).


We developed a PIFA made of flexible printed circuit, which is available for Bluetooth and IEEE802.11a/b/g applications. We measured the characteristics of the antenna when it is folded along the coaxial cable. It is shown that the characteristics do not vary much when the angle of folding is less than 90deg. The performance is confirmed by a simulation based on the FDTD method. The antenna is expected to be installed in a small space or even a moving part of mobile devices.


Initiation of adenovirus (Ad) DNA replication occurs on viral DNA containing a 55-kilodalton (kDa) protein at the 5' terminus of each viral DNA strand and on plasmid DNAs containing the origin of Ad replication but lacking the 55-kDa terminal protein (TP). Initiation of replication proceeds via the synthesis of a covalent complex between an 80-kDa precursor to the TP (pTP) and the 5'-terminal deoxynucleotide, dCMP. Formation of the covalent pTP-dCMP initiation complex with Ad DNA as the template requires the viral-encoded pTP and DNA polymerase and, in the presence of the Ad DNA binding protein, is dependent upon a 47-kDa host protein, nuclear factor I. Initiation of replication with recombinant plasmid templates requires the aforementioned proteins and an additional host protein, factor pL. Deletion mutants of the Ad DNA replication origin contained within the 6.6-kilobase plasmid pLA1 were used to analyze the nucleotide sequences required for the formation and subsequent elongation of the pTP-dCMP initiation complex. The existence of two domains within the first 50 base pairs of the Ad genome, both of which are required for the efficient use of recombinant DNA molecules as templates in an in vitro DNA replication system, was demonstrated. The first domain, consisting of a 10-base-pair "core" sequence located at nucleotide positions 9-18, has been identified tentatively as a binding site for the pTP [ Rijinders , A. W. M., van Bergen, B. G. M., van der Vliet , P. C. & Sussenbach , J. S. (1983) Nucleic Acids Res. 11, 8777-8789]. The second domain, consisting of a 32-base-pair region spanning nucleotides 17-48, was shown to be essential for the binding of nuclear factor I.


A novel analytical model is proposed to predict the cross-phase modulation (XPM)-induced depolarization in a two-channel transmission system, in which the Stokes' vector of each channel rotates around a space-invariant pivot by a time-varying angle which depends on the total instantaneous optical power in the fiber, on the angle between pump and probe input Stokes' vectors, and on the walk-off between channels. The model leads to a simple formula of the probe degree of polarization (DOP) which is validated both by simulation and experiment. The model helps identify the key physical factors that determine the XPM-induced performance degradation of DOP-based first-order polarization-mode dispersion compensators, and experiments that quantify such degradation are presented.


In these notes we construct a quantization functor, associating an Hilbert space H(V ) to a finite dimensional symplectic vector space V over a finite field Fq. As a result, we obtain a canonical model for the Weil representation of the symplectic group Sp (V ). The main technical result is a proof of a stronger form of the Stone-von Neumann theorem for the Heisenberg group over Fq. Our result answers, for the case of the Heisenberg group, a question of Kazhdan about the possible existence of a canonical Hilbert space attached to a coadjoint orbit of a general unipotent group over Fq.


Over time, ageing can cause a state of disability and dependency. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of cognitive training and domotic control with a computer program (Brain Computer Interface, BCI). In order to do so, estimated neuropsychological performance of the subjects has been evaluated with the Luria-DNA neuropsychological battery before and after training. A quasi-experimental design of repeated measures is defined where five areas are evaluated: visuospatial, spoken language, memory, intellectual processes and an attention test. Said study was carried out at The State Reference Centre for Disability and Dependency (CRE Spanish initials), San Andres del Rabanedo, Leon (Spain). 63 people took part, 31 subjects in the experimental group and 32 in the control group. The results showed an improvement in almost all of the measured variables, revealing a significant increase in the cognitive capacity of the experimental group when compared with the control group. It can be concluded that with appropriate cognitive training, elderly people can delay cognitive impairment and enjoy an active ageing process which can have an effect on their life in terms of improving their independence.


Intensive forest management for wood production has altered ecosystem structures and processes, and led to habitat loss and species extinctions. Subsequently, interest in alternative management methods, such as uneven-aged silviculture, has increased. Uneven-aged silviculture maintains a stratified forest with continuous cover and a stable microclimate by low level and more frequent harvesting. Due to preserved forest structures and retained habitat heterogeneity, uneven-aged silviculture may maintain species associated with old growth forest better than current forest management practices. In a large-scale field experiment, I investigated how different silvicultural approaches affected forest beetles, a group of species severely disfavoured by current forest practise. I compared the species richness, abundance and community structure of beetles in an experimental system comprising of five treatments: clear-cutting, thinning (both representing even-aged silviculture), selective felling (representing uneven-aged silviculture), reference, and old growth forest (both representing unmanaged controls).
Selective felling maintained beetle assemblages similar to the reference stands with the exception of cambium consumers. The assemblage of cambium consumers was instead similar to old-growth forests, which suggest that selective felling may add conservation value. In contrast, even-aged silviculture altered the beetle assemblages. Clear-cuts differed from all other stand types, while thinning had beetle assemblages that approached the assemblages of uneven-aged stands, indicating a partial recovery after clear-cutting. However, thinned stands still differed from reference stands. Harvest trails within a selectively felled forest increased openness, resulting in higher temperatures and lower humidity. Beetle assemblages differed between the trails and the retention strips. Both open habitat species and old-growth specialists were among the species associated to harvest trails, which potentially could explain why species assemblage in selective felling did not differ from reference stands or thinned stands.
My results support the hypothesis that uneven-aged silviculture better maintains beetles assemblages associated with semi-natural mature forest than even-aged silviculture. Selectively felled stands could benefit species that are dependent on mature or old growth forest since some of the needed habitat qualities persist. Uneven-aged silviculture might therefore be a better management tool when the conservation of biodiversity is of concern.


Purpose: To study the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the high vaginal swab samples of fertile and infertile women who were referred to Infertility and Sterility Hospitals, Tehran, Iran as well as investigate their antibiotic resistance pattern. Methods: Three hundred and twenty high vaginal swabs were taken from fertile and infertile women. The samples were cultured and those that were N. gonorrhoeae -positive subjected to the disk diffusion susceptibility test. Results: Prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae in fertile and infertile women were 5.26 and 16.92 %, respectively. All isolates harbored orf1 gene. Patients in the age bracket > 40 years were at high risk. N. gonorrhoeae strains showed high level resistance against ampicillin (87.5 %), ciprofloxacin (75 %), tetracycline (71.87 %) and penicillin (68.75 %). Conclusion: The possible role of resistant N. gonorrhoeae as pathogens causing female infertility constitutes an important finding of the study. The high levels of bacterial resistance against ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, penicillin and spectinomycin, should be taken into account in developing any new guidelines in the management of the infection. Keywords: Neisseria gonorrhoeae , Female infertility Drug Resistance, Ciprofloxacin, Tetracycline, Spectinomycin


In this paper, a miniaturized broadband dielectric spectroscopy system is presented for permittivity detection, chemical sensing, and mixture characterization for 1-8-GHz frequency range. A sensing capacitor exposed to the material under test (MUT) is part of a true time-delay (TTD) cell excited by a microwave signal at the sensing frequency of interest. The phase shift of the microwave signal at the output of the TTD cell compared to its input is a measure of the permittivity of MUTs. For wideband and accurate sensing, TTD cells are cascaded in a reconfigurable fashion to increase the detected phase shift, especially at low frequencies. TTD cells are designed to detect permittivities within the range of 1-30 considering nonideal effects, such as electromagnetic coupling between adjacent TTD cells. Calibration using reference liquids is applied to the fabricated sensor and sensor characteristics are extracted. Permittivity detection of organic chemicals is performed in the range of 1-8 GHz with an error less than 2%. The measured permittivities in the 1-8-GHz range are used to estimate the sub-1-GHz permittivities of MUTs using extrapolation. The sensing system is also used for mixture characterization to find the mixing ratios in binary mixtures with an accuracy of 1%.


When measuring very low differential group delay (DGD), standard techniques are affected by rather high uncertainties. This problem is usually solved by repeating many times the DGD measurements while randomly perturbing the fiber. Such an approach is founded on the basic assumption that polarization scrambling induces the DGD's decorrelation. Nevertheless, it has not been proved yet that the measured DGDs belong to an homogeneous statistical ensemble. We experimentally validate this approach by means of polarization-sensitive reflectometric measurements


This paper deals with the random access procedure in next-generation networks and presents the solution to reduce total service time (TST) which is one of the most important performance metrics in current and future internet of things (IoT) based networks. The proposed solution focuses on the calculation of optimal transmission probability which maximizes the success probability and reduces TST. It uses the information of several idle preambles in every time slot, and based on it, it estimates the number of backlogged IoT devices using Naïve Bayes estimation which is a type of supervised learning in the machine learning domain. The estimation of backlogged devices is necessary since optimal transmission probability depends on it and the eNodeB does not have information about it. The simulations are carried out in MATLAB which verify that the proposed solution gives excellent performance.


An unsymmetrical PNP-pincer-type phosphaalkene ligand, 2-(phospholanylmethyl)-6-(2-phosphaethenyl)pyridine (PPEP), has been prepared from 2,6-bis(2-phosphaethenyl)pyridine (BPEP) by intramolecular C–H addition/cyclization of the 2-phosphaethenyl group with a 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl substituent (CH═PMes*). The reaction proceeds in hexane in the presence of a catalytic amount of [Pt(PCy3)2] (20 mol %) at 80 °C in a sealed tube, giving PPEP in 32% isolated yield, along with byproduction of 2,6-bis(phospholanylmethyl)pyridine (BPMP) and a Pt(II) phosphanido complex (5). The PPEP ligand reacts with [Rh(μ-Cl)(C2H4)2]2 and [RuCl2(PPh3)3] to afford [RhCl(PPEP)] (6) and [RuCl2(PPh3)(PPEP)] (8), respectively. Complex 6 easily undergoes C–H addition/cyclization at the other CH═PMes* group to afford the 2,6-bis(phospholanylmethyl)pyridine complex [RhCl(BPMP)] (7), whereas 8 is stable against C–H addition/cyclization. Treatment of 8 with tBuOK forms [RuCl(PPh3)(PPEP*)] (9), coordinated with an unsymmetrical PNP-pin...


This book examines the links between economic growth, changing employment conditions, and the reduction of poverty in Latin America in the 2000s. Our analysis answers the following broad questions: Has economic growth resulted in gains in standards of living and reductions in poverty via improved labour market conditions in Latin America in the 2000s, and have these improvements halted or been reversed since the international crisis of 2008? How do the rate and character of economic growth, changes in the various employment and earnings indicators, and changes in poverty and inequality indicators relate to each other? Our contribution is an in-depth study of the multi-pronged growth-employment-poverty nexus based on a large number of labour market indicators (twelve employment and earnings indicators and four poverty and inequality indicators) for a large number of Latin American countries (sixteen of them). The book presents a positive and hopeful set of findings for the period 2000 to 2012/13. Economic growth took place and brought about improvements in almost all labour market indicators and consequent reductions in poverty rates. But not all improvements were equal in size or caused by the same things. Some macroeconomic factors were associated with changes in labour market conditions, some of them always in the welfare-improving direction and some others always in the welfare-reducing direction. Most countries in the region suffered a deterioration in at least some labour market indicators as a consequence of the international crisis of 2008, but the negative effects were reversed very quickly in most countries.


A database of three-component acceleration time series recorded at downhole arrays in earthen dam cores was published by the Japan Commission on Large Dams. This study reviews the acceleration time series in nine earthfill and rockfill dams in Japan. The apparent shear wave velocities between downhole sensors in each dam during strong shakes are determined by calculating the wave travel time between the recorded time series. Transient shear strains are calculated from the differences in the displacement time series between sensors through the double integration of filtered acceleration time series. The modulus reduction curves of the in situ core materials are constructed by combining the apparent shear wave velocities and shear strains. The modulus reduction data are then compared with empirical models. Observations show considerable uncertainties and dam-dependent characteristics in the extracted in situ shear modulus. Accordingly, this study proposes a methodology to update the empirical modulus reduction model for dam core materials on the basis of observed data on downhole time series.


The objective of this study consists in promoting seafood consumption by increasing its intake opportunities for children through analysis of seafood using frequency in the elementary school lunch program. For that purpose, randomly sampled out from elementary schools through the county were 155 dietitians and 5th grade 3581 children, on whom a mail survey was conducted to analyse their seafood using frequency, and preference, and lunch menu by seasons. Results of this study are as follows : The seafood using frequency of the respondents represented the highest value in one or two times a week, while obstacles in seafood use presented high values of the respondents showed the highest value in three or four times a week by 34.5% and the places of seafood intake indicated the highest response in the home by 43.5% and then school lunch and dining out. The dietitians responded that children for the most part had not a preference for seafood, whereas the children pointed out average by 46.2%. As for reasons for avoidance of seafood, the dietitians expressed the highest response in it depends cooking methods by 45.8%, while the children because of its peculiar taste and smell by 42.1%. Their required improvement showed the highest response in the taste improvement by 51.8%. The children most preference for seafood that dietitians thought included fried Alaska pollack and shrimp cutlet, while dislikes braised mackerels and seasoned cold jelly fish. Cooking methods frequently used were represented in order of soup, hot soup, and stew, and the children`s preferred cooking method was from fried food. Above results suggested that the intention to increase seafood using frequency is needed to at the time of planning the menus so that more seafood-providing opportunities can be given. The development of cooking methods is urgently needed that can change the taste or the smell of seafood, and concurrently with this conveniences by taken into account in eating such as elimination of bones, etc. as early as the states of purchase or checking of seafood. The reflection of the preferred cooking methods is thought to contribute to the enhancement of satisfaction with the seafood as well as to the reduction of food remnants. The recommendation of intake of low preference but nutritionally good seafood is required to be expanded in nutrition education.


In temperate climates, densities of plant-parasitic nematodes at or shortly before sowing are a useful predictor of their damage potential. Re-examination of data from nematode communities on upland rice in Cote d'Ivoire showed that interpretation of nematode pest potentials and the damage caused by either individual species, or by the community as a whole, is less simple. The numerical proportion of individual nematode species within a plant-parasitic nematode community, comprising Heterodera sacchari, Pratylenchus zeae , Meloidogyne incognita, Helicotylenchus dihystera, Mesocriconema tescorum and Xiphinema spp., changed with duration of the cropping cycle. The relative importance to the crop of the different species changed with time, and with development of the community structure over the course of the season. Analysis suggested that for H.sacchari, the mid-season population densities were most highly correlated with crop damage (yield loss) and therefore its damage potential for that particular season. The pest potential of other known rice pest species, such as M. incognita and P.zeae, was likely indicated earlier in the season, but the population increase of other nematode species in the community, particularly H. sacchari, compounded the interpretation of the data for other species. The use of single linear regression to assess the importance of individual nematode species conflicted with results of analyses using multiple stepwise regression, while use of cluster analysis permitted the identification of species groups at early and late stages in the cropping season.


Interspecific differences in craniodental morphology among Pan paniscus, Pan troglodytes, and Gorilla gorilla are analyzed. These apes differ in both diet and body size, and thus present an excellent example in which to apply an allometric criterion of subtraction in order to determine morphological differences which might be related to divergent dietary specialization. The use of ontogenetic allometry in particular as a criterion of subtraction is discussed. Bivariate and multivariate results indicate that most of the variation in skull form among the species relates to the extension of a common growth trend to different sizes. Comparative analysis of growth trajectories reveals a number of differences, but none that appear to relate to a reorganization of skull proportions which might correspond to a dietary shift towards increased folivory. The dentition clearly exhibits non-allometric shape changes corresponding to the dietary differences, however. The meaning of these differences between cranial and dental patterns is discussed.


The enjoyment of life depends on a minimum level of education including literacy. As one of the socio-economic rights, the right to education must be fully realised in order to empower great majority of people out there who are still facing social injustice. This study focuses on the right to education in Lesotho. The extent to which this country has incorporated socio-economic rights, specifically the right to education, is explored. The mechanisms through which the said right is turned into reality; the challenges such right entails and the approach taken by the government are also looked at. As a signatory to many human rights instruments, Lesotho is charged with an obligation of realising socio-economic rights. One of the many international law obligations facing Lesotho emanates from the provisions of International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).


The ordering of structural units in a cation sublattice and the photorefractive properties of lithium niobate single crystals of different compositions: nominally pure with different [Li]/[Nb] ratios and doped with non-photorefractive cations Mg2+, Gd3+, and Y3+, are studied by their Raman spectra. It is shown that at low concentrations of Mg2+, Gd3+, and Y3+, the magnitude of the photorefractive effect is determined by the ordering of the structural units of the cation sublattice. It is found for the first time that the intensity of a Raman line corresponding to the bridge valence vibrations of oxygen atoms in the NbO6 octahedra is sensitive to the dipole ordering of the cation sublattice.


ABSTRACT: The accounting profession relies heavily on professional integrity to control fraud and abuse; yet we know little about the relationship between integrity and fraud. We propose that integrity influences accountants' attitudes about fraud through rational calculations of risk and reward, where accountants weigh the loss of integrity against potential returns. We adapt and test a model that incorporates outcome bias and framing in an experiment with student participants (n = 86). When confronted with financial statement fraud, the likely outcome of the fraud influences attitudes about integrity, and integrity mediates the effect of the likely outcome of the fraud on attitudes toward the fraud. This finding suggests that attitudes about integrity partially determine attitudes about fraud. However, we argue that accountants' attitudes about integrity are corruptible, meaning the profession cannot rely on self-regulation alone to control fraud and abuse.


A new approach for induction motor speed and flux tracking control is proposed in this paper. The unknown load torque is observed using the extended state observer (ESO), a kind of observer with non-smooth nonlinear feedback. The speed controller is designed compensating the load disturbance by the ESO. The torque and flux controller, which are utilized to achieve torque and flux tracking objective and hold the decoupling characteristic, are designed by direct feedback linearization method. All the work is based upon the fifth-order motor model using stator fluxes as state variables, with an improved stator flux observer. Simulation results illustrate the essential features of the presented method.


Although the vitamin A concentration was somewhat lower in patients with giardiasis than in normal children this difference was not significant; 35% of patients with giardiasis and 22.6% of normal children had vitamin A concentration lower than 20 micrograms/dl. This indicates that there may be malabsorption of vitamin A and that low serum vitamin A levels may be found in patients who were infected with Giardia lamblia. Therefore, apart from antigiardia agent, supplementation of vitamin A should be considered in the treatment of patients with giardiasis with or without clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency. There was no significant difference in pre-treatment and post-treatment serum vitamin A concentrations of patients with giardiasis. The normal children after treatment with oral vitamin A for three weeks showed a significantly higher serum vitamin A concentration (p < 0.01) than patients after antigiardia treatment plus vitamin A given orally for three weeks. It may be concluded that in patients with giardiasis after treatment with antigiardia drugs, impaired absorption of vitamin A did not improve dramatically, or return to normal for at least 3 weeks. There was no significant difference in the beta carotene concentration between patients with giardiasis and normal children.


An anthology combining writing about golf with fictional descriptions of the game. Alongside accounts of the exploits of Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, and Ian Woosnam are pieces by John Updike, P.G. Wodehouse, Julian Barnes, and also Bernard Darwin and Henry Longhurst, whose skills were both sporting and literary.


The covid pandemic with national lockdowns and restrictions profoundly affected people's lives in many ways including the experience of neighbourhood noise. While initial research indicated a rise in noise complaints at the start of restrictions in London during Spring 2020 (Tong, 2021),
 a case study involving a single local authority in Northern Ireland indicates a different experience when the full 2020 year was analysed. Total number of complaints did not see a statistically significant increase when compared to the 5-year average. While there were increases in some categories
 of noise of interest (loud music and parties, noise associated with anti-social behaviour), the comparison with the 5-year average did not show a statistically significant difference. The only category of noise that seen an increase of significance was noise complaints relating to retail.
 This may be explained by increased demand in essential food retail as well as social distancing requirements, limitations to customers inside premises and changes made as the retail sector adapted. A wider study involving local authorities across Northern Ireland, the UK and across countries
 that experienced lockdown measures may reveal a more accurate picture of the impact of neighbourhood noise experienced during the covid pandemic.


Performance study of the existing wastewater treatment plant of the Lifeline Feeds Pvt.Ltd and the treatability study of the wastewater were conducted from Feb 10th to April 21st, wastewater samples were collected for the present study from 6 predetermined stations. These samples were analyzed for water quality parameters.
For the characterization of the incoming wastewater to the existing treatment plant, influent samples were collected from the existing treatment plant. The study revealed that approximately 100KL/day of wastewater is entering into the treatment plant every day and its pH is maintained in the beginning only. Its average composition for BOD, COD, TDS, TSS and Cl was found to be 320.69mg/L,790.48mg/L,1169.72mg/L,807.33mg/L,242.16mg/L respectively, it has been reduced to 31.4mg/L, 145.576mg/L, 421.366mg/L,86.99mg/L, and 194.67mg/L respectively.
The maximum reduction 98.78% was observed in COD followed by BOD, TSS, TDS and then Cl which is 93.48%, 92.27%, 83.73%, 34.38% respectively. Above reduction indicates that removal efficiency ranges between 34.38 % to 98.78 % which is quite high.


Dual Active Bridge converter is selected for the implementation of hybrid integration of isolated low power low voltage SMPS. Its architecture, as well as natural ZVS operation and limited amount of passive devices are convincing criteria for this type of application. Its design analysis shows outstanding ability to minimize passive elements while offering high efficiency levels, in the range of 90%. Details of active and passive device designs are given. The experimental results carried out upon the realization of specific CMOS chips and passive devices demonstrate the interest of such conversion structure for SMPS low power low voltage applications.


BACKGROUND
Increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression has been associated with poor prognosis in multiple myeloma (MM).

AIM
This study examined the relationship between COX-2 expression in bone marrow and prognosis in MM patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Bone marrow biopsy samples of 67 newly diagnosed MM patients were examined immunohistochemically for COX-2 expression. Mean age of the patients was 52.69 years (52.69 ± 9.17) and median follow-up time was 99.5 months (range: 6-170 months).

RESULTS
Of all patients, 30 (44.8%) were COX-2 positive and 37 (55.2%) were COX-2 negative. Median overall survival (OS) was 78 months (range: 54.07-101.92 months) among all patients, 75 months (range: 45.61-104.38 months) in COX-2-positive patients, and 98 months (range: 50.36-145.63 months) in COX-2-negative patients. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 30 months (range: 3-134 months) in all, 29.5 months (range: 3-68 months) in COX-2-positive and 35 months (range: 3-134 months) in COX-2-negative patients. Statistically significant differences in OS and PFS between COX-2-positive and COX-2-negative patients were not observed (p = 0.84 and p = 0.22, respectively). Differences between the COX-2-positive and COX-2-negative patients in gender, hemoglobin, β2-microglobulin (β2M), creatinine, albumin, and disease stage were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS
COX-2 expression neither had a role in prognosis nor significantly affected OS and PFS. We conclude that stem cell transplantation might eliminate the detrimental effects of COX-2 positivity. Larger series of patients are needed to investigate this observation.


Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma is a malignant tumor of myofibroblasts, which has only recently become more clearly defined. It represents a rare entity that progresses in a slow-growing infiltrative pattern inside deep soft tissues. Due to its rarity and the plasticity of the myofibroblast, it can cause significant diagnostic difficulties. Differencing this neoplasm from other spindle cell tumors requires the use of ancillary techniques such as immunohistochemistry and/or electron microscopy. The authors report an unusual case of low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma of the larynx in a 24-year-old woman, with atypical clinicopathologic presentation. The patient underwent direct laryngoscopy with excision of the malignant mass followed by adjuvant radiation therapy. The authors emphasize the uncommon location of this tumor type and discuss management options.


A series of unsymmetrical 1,2-bis(phosphino)ethanes R(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PR'(2) and 1-arsino-2-phosphinoethanes R(2)AsCH(2)CH(2)PR'(2) mainly with bulky substituents R and R' were prepared from the cyclic sulfate by stepwise cleavage of the carbon-oxygen bonds by LiPR(2) and LiPR'(2) or LiAsR(2) and LiPR'(2), respectively. Analogously, racemic mixtures of R(2)PCH(2)CH(Me)PPh(2)(R =iPr, Cy ) as well as the enantiomers (R)-, (R)- and (R)-tBu(2)PCH(2)CH(Me)PPh(2)(R)- were obtained from the corresponding unsymmetrical cyclic sulfates and (S)-. On a similar route, the racemates of the 1,3-bis(phosphino)propanes R(2)PCH(2)CH(2)CH(Me)PPh(2)(R =iPr, tBu ), optically pure (R)- and (S,S)-iPr(2)PCH(Me)CH(2)CH(Me)PPh(2)(S,S)- were prepared. The reaction of [[RhCl([small eta](4)-C(8)H(12))](2)] with chelating ligands L-L, where L-L is R(2)PCH(2)P(men)(2)(R =iPr, Ph; men =(1S,2R,5S)-menthyl), Cy(2)AsCH(2)P(men)(2), or (R)-, (R)-, (R)-, (R)- and (S,S)-, in the presence of AgPF(6), gave the complexes [Rh(eta(4)-C(8)H(12))(L-L)]PF(6) which were used as pre-catalysts in the hydrogenation of the methyl ester of alpha-acetamidocinnamic acid (ACM). Depending on L-L, the solvent, the temperature and the pressure of H(2), optical yields of up to 69% ee were achieved. For two of the rhodium complexes, and, the molecular structures were determined by X-ray crystallography.


The scapho-capitate-syndrome has been defined as combined fractures of the scaphoid and capitate with rotation of the proximal fragment of the capitate through 90 or 180 degrees. Most injuries are due to falls from heights or car accidents. Only 26 cases of the scapho-capitate fracture syndrome have been reported since 1937. In nearly one third of these cases, there was a delay of more than two weeks in diagnosis. We report a case of a young man in whom the complex injury was erroneously diagnosed as an isolated fracture of the scaphoid. The scaphoid fracture was treated by a screw and healed well. Although the patient suffered persistent pain in his wrist, the correct diagnosis was made only two years later. During revision operation we found the head of the capitate still inverted and with marked signs of avascular necrosis and destruction of the lunate cartilage. The avascular fragment was removed and substituted by a graft from the iliac crest. The capitate and lunate were fused.


Prolactin secretion is influenced by at least three important hypothalamic neurotransmitters: TRH, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and dopamine. The purpose of this study was to determine whether, in estradiol-primed postmenopausal women, the PRL response to TRH, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and dopamine differed. Ten postmenopausal women were studied during treatment with estradiol benzoate at a dose of 0.625 mg per day during 15 days. TRH (200 micrograms iv), saline infusion, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (75 micrograms infused iv during 15 min), coadministration of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and TRH, and dopamine (4 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 iv for 3 h) were administered for 5 consecutive days before and during the last 5 days of estradiol benzoate treatment. Before estradiol benzoate administration, the PRL, response to TRH was significantly greater than that of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Estradiol benzoate treatment increased significantly the PRL release induced by TRH (p less than 0.01), but did not modify the response to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. At the end of estradiol benzoate treatment, the maximal increase in PRL after the combined (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide + TRH) test was greater than that obtained with TRH alone and occurred earlier (p less than 0.04). Dopamine suppressed PRL secretion to a similar extent after estradiol benzoate treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


The thermoreflectance dispersion curves of opaque films of Gd, Tb, and Dy, have been measured at 315K and 97K over the range 1.45 to 3.2 eV. The response at 315K has been shown to be largely determined by the optical functions alpha p and beta p which relate the thermoreflectance response to Delta epsilon 1 and Delta epsilon 2. When the temperature is lowered from 315K to 97K, pronounced structure develops in the spectra at 1.7 eV for Tb, 2.2 eV for Dy, and 1.6 and 2.8 eV for Gd; weaker structure is also evident at 2.0 eV for Gd. Measurements of the thermoreflectance as a function of temperature show the existence of anomalies at the ferromagnetic Curie point of Gd, and at the Neel points of Tb and Dy.


It is known that high frequency short duration electromagnetic pulses can be generated by reflection of low frequency radiation off relativistically moving ionization fronts. In addition, a part of the incident electromagnetic energy is converted into a spatially periodic static magnetic field. Here, we investigate this phenomenon in the emission line region (ELR) and accretion disks of active galactic nuclei (AGN) where relativistically moving ionization fronts are created by the ionizing continuum. It is suggested that this process may play an essential role in (1) causing rapid correlated variability in radio radiation and high frequency parts of the nonthermal spectrum; (2) generating high frequency radiation through scattering of relativistic electrons off the spatially periodic magnetic field, a byproduct of the reflection process; (3) the diagnostic of the emission line region; and (4) absorption of the radio radiation. The anomalous absorption of radio radiation in ELR through parametric decay instabilities has been pointed out earlier. Interaction of radio radiation with ionization fronts further strengthens the case for the existence of strong correlation between the nonthermal radio continuum and the ELR phenomena as the multiwavelength observations of AGN are beginning to do.


The Magnetotelluric data acquisition is performed with a certain coordinate system orientation, thus the possibility of the field measurement data would be not proper with the geological strike direction. Therefore, the information of geoelectrical strike is needed to enhance the quality of Magnetotelluric data interpretation where if the data had the similar direction with the geological strike thus it will be properly sufficient with the actual subsurface condition. A magnetotelluric study by utilized polar diagram was conducted to analyze the orientation of geoelectrical strike that are correlated with the geological structures in the Surabaya and Gresik areas. However, polar diagram analysis using phase tensor data has an ambiguity of +90° therefore additional analysis is carried out using tipper data. The results showed the geoelectrical strike direction is N315°E and it is slightly similar with the strike trend of geological structures anomaly. Meanwhile, the geological structures is generally characterized by low to medium value of resistivity contrasts around 30-500 ohm.m consisting of the Surabaya Kendeng Fault, Kendeng Kedung Waru Fault, anticline, and other expected faults.


Purpose To characterize qualitative and quantitative features of the choroid in normal eyes using enface swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Methods Fifty-two eyes of 26 consecutive normal subjects were prospectively recruited to obtain multiple three-dimensional 12x12mm volumetric scans using a long-wavelength high-speed SS-OCT prototype. A motion-correction algorithm merged multiple SS-OCT volumes to improve signal. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) was segmented as the reference and enface images were extracted at varying depths every 4.13μm intervals. Systematic analysis of the choroid at different depths was performed to qualitatively assess the morphology of the choroid and quantify the absolute thicknesses as well as the relative thicknesses of the choroidal vascular layers including the choroidal microvasculature (choriocapillaris, terminal arterioles and venules; CC) and choroidal vessels (CV) with respect to the subfoveal total choroidal thickness (TC). Subjects were divided into two age groups: younger (<40 years) and older (≥40 years). Results Mean age of subjects was 41.92 (24-66) years. Enface images at the level of the RPE, CC, CV, and choroidal-scleral interface were used to assess specific qualitative features. In the younger age group, the mean absolute thicknesses were: TC 379.4μm (SD±75.7μm), CC 81.3μm (SD±21.2μm) and CV 298.1μm (SD±63.7μm). In the older group, the mean absolute thicknesses were: TC 305.0μm (SD±50.9μm), CC 56.4μm (SD±12.1μm) and CV 248.6μm (SD±49.7μm). In the younger group, the relative thicknesses of the individual choroidal layers were: CC 21.5% (SD±4.0%) and CV 78.4% (SD±4.0%). In the older group, the relative thicknesses were: CC 18.9% (SD±4.5%) and CV 81.1% (SD±4.5%). The absolute thicknesses were smaller in the older age group for all choroidal layers (TC p=0.006, CC p=0.0003, CV p=0.03) while the relative thickness was smaller only for the CC (p=0.04). Conclusions Enface SS-OCT at 1050nm enables a precise qualitative and quantitative characterization of the individual choroidal layers in normal eyes. Only the CC is relatively thinner in the older eyes. In-vivo evaluation of the choroid at variable depths may be potentially valuable in understanding the natural history of age-related posterior segment disease.


In this study, we investigate the practice of news translation in order to examine the participation of actants who play a role in the production of a translation and who contribute to defining what translation is or should be. The conceptual framework applied in the study combines the generative semiotic theory and a hybrid methodological approach based on semiotic discourse analyses with textual corpora, think-aloud protocols with news editors and a survey among the readers of the translated texts. This triangulation of data sheds light on the publishing workflow and on the reception of translations, and helps understand how the various ways in which different actants conceptualize translation come together, which one prevails and on what grounds.


Indium doping of Hg1−xCdxTe layers grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy using the interdiffused multilayer process has been investigated using trimethyl indium as the dopant source. The epitaxial growth was performed onto 2° off 〈100〉 CdTeSe substrates at ∼350 °C using dimethyl cadmium (DMCd) and di‐isopropyl telluride as the alkyl sources. Doping in the range 1017–2×1018 cm−3 was achieved. By comparing Hall effect measurements of carrier concentration with secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses of the In concentrations in the layers, it was found that the In was only 30% active in the as‐grown layers but ∼100% active after Hg‐rich isothermal annealing at 250 °C for 48 h. At In concentrations greater than 2×1018 cm−3, the carrier concentration levels off, probably due to the solubility limit of In being reached. The annealed doped layers show slightly higher carrier mobilities than as‐grown layers for the same carrier concentration. An apparent shift of the absorption edge to shorter wavelength wit...


Water-splitting dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells (WS-DSPECs) use visible light to split water using molecular sensitizers and water oxidation catalysts codeposited onto mesoporous TiO2 electrodes. Despite a high quantum yield of charge injection and low requirement for the catalytic turnover rate, the quantum yield of water splitting in WS-DSPECs is typically low (<1%). Here we examine the charge separation and recombination processes in WS-DSPECs photoanodes functionalized with varying amounts of IrO2 nanoparticle catalyst. Charge extraction and transient open-circuit voltage decay measurements provide insight into the relationship between light intensity, conduction band electron density, open-circuit photovoltage, and recombination time scale. We correlate these results with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and present the first complete equivalent circuit model for a WS-DSPEC. The data show quantitatively that recombination of photoinjected electrons with oxidized sensitizer molecules a...


Traditional theories of political participation have emphasized its social and normative components; however, recent evidence suggests that political participation has a strong additive genetic component. Accordingly, it is necessary to reevaluate the traditional empirical findings and begin to integrate the two approaches. To do so, a variety of analyses were conducted that explore the modes of genetic and environmental transmission. I find that the empirical estimates of the relationships between the phenotypic level traits are highly consistent with what has been found in the traditional literature, the vast majority of the variance in political participation that is accounted for by the predictor variables is being accounted for at the genetic level, and not at the environmental level. Thus, the current findings suggest that the empirical results found in prior studies are quite likely very accurate. However, the interpretation of those empirical findings, as well as the subsequent theoretical implications, require serious revision.


The paper builds up traffic flow simulated models at signal intersection and describes analysis, design and implementation of software system by applying Software Engineering Theory. The paper makes use of the Object-Oriented technology which imitate man's thinking to model the rule of vehicle arriving intersection, the rule of lane choice, the rule of vehicle leaving from intersection. The simulation of traffic flow at signal intersection is an up-to-date method to research traffic control. It is expected that this paper will contribute to understand how to describe the complicated traffic phenomenon with computer language.