Hyperglycemia is an established risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, hyperglycemia with preserved pancreatic β cell function induces hyperinsulinemia to correct the glucose profile and may even result in reactive hypoglycemia (RH), which induces an inflammatory response. In this study, the incidence of RH and its effect on arteriosclerosis were examined in CAD patients with a lengthy oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).We performed a prospective cross-sectional study on 116 nondiabetic CAD patients [70 ± 9 years, 70% male, HbA1c < 6.5%] using coronary angiography and a 4-hour OGTT. Blood samples were collected prior to and 4 hours after the glucose load to evaluate arteriosclerosis markers. Hypoglycemia following the glucose tolerance test was defined as blood glucose levels < 70 mg/dL. We comparatively examined markers of inflammation and arteriosclerosis between the RH group and the non-RH group.A glucose metabolism disorder was observed in 69% of the patients. Hypoglycemia was observed in 24% (28 individuals) of the patients. All showed a RH pattern with no symptoms. The RH group exhibited significantly elevated insulin levels at 1 hour. Furthermore, a significant increase in the white blood cell (WBC) count during OGTT was observed in the RH group compared with the non-RH group [delta WBC; RH: 4.84 (-4.17-20.75) versus non-RH: -2.17 (-9.23-9.09) %; P = 0.04].Asymptomatic RH and an augmentation of inflammation were observed at an incidence of 24% in CAD patients.


ABSTRACT  Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors (TCIs) used for the treatment of atopic eczema modify the immune regulatory function of the skin and may have the potential to enhance immunosuppressive ultraviolet (UV) effects. Current recommendations on UV protection in eczema patients treated with PCIs are inconsistent and have given rise to uncertainty and anxiety in patients. Therefore, the European Dermatology Forum (EDF) developed a position statement which reviews critically the available data with regard to the problem, especially analysing and commenting the limitations of rodent models for the human situation. There is no conclusive evidence from rodent trials to indicate that long‐term application of TCIs is photococarcinogenic. There is a need for further studies to investigate the validity of mouse models as well as long‐term cohort studies in patients using TCIs. Available data suggest that long‐term application of TCIs is safe, that there is no evidence of increased skin cancer risk and that it is ethical to treat patients with TCIs when indicated.


Determination of the pit limits is a vital task in the designing process of a mine. While overestimation increases stripping ratio, underestimation can result in loss of economic ore. The available methods of pit limit optimization are mostly based on the programming approaches (linear and/ or dynamic) and graph theory. In the large scale mines with probably varying wall slopes especially in 3D states performance of these approaches may be unsatisfactory. In this paper, a new 3D pit optimization algorithm has been developed and applied in an economic classifi ed block model. In the fi rst step economic block model of the Esfordi phosphate mine (Iran) was prepared. In the second step, the block model was divided into positive and negative regions with the help of a well trained feed-forward back-propagation neural network. For this, 3D blocks coordinates were considered as the neural network inputs whereas the blocks net economic values were set to be the model output. Finally, the optimum pit limit was determined on the classifi ed block model considering constraints of wall slopes and impurities. This process was set to run in the MATLAB software. The results obtained have been compared to that from the modifi ed Lerchs-Grossman's algorithm. The results are the same but in the presence of some kinds of ore impurity constraints the proposed algorithm generates a pit with more profi t.


Purpose: In this study, we investigated the relationship between the results of thoracic curve correction using minimally invasive surgeries in 35 patients and open surgical correction in 47 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: The correlations between the Cobb's angle of the primary and postoperative curves, angle of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, correction percentage, derotation values, estimated blood loss, duration of surgery, and period of hospitalization after surgery were assessed by calculating the mean and standard deviation. Calculation and comparison were performed using Pearson correlation. Results: The Cobb's angle correction ranged from 53.4° ± 11.8° to 6.7° ± 5.2° (p < 0.001) in the open surgical correction group and from 51.2° ± 11.4° to 11.7° ± 5.8° (p < 0.001) in the minimally invasive surgery group before and after surgery, respectively. The percentage of curvature correction was 88.2% ± 8.0% and 77.7% ± 10.7% (p < 0.001) in the open surgical correction and minimally invasive surgery groups, respectively. The estimated blood loss was higher in the open surgical correction group than in the minimally invasive surgery group (208.7 ± 113.4 vs 564.3 ± 242.7 mL). Axial rotation was changed from 29.1°± 7.5 to 17.1°± 6.8 (p < 0.001) in the open surgical correction group and from 28.9°± 7.8 to 19.4°± 6.4 (p < 0.001) in the minimally invasive surgery group. The duration of surgery was shorter in the open surgical correction group than in the minimally invasive surgery group (266.6 ± 64.3 vs 346.2 ± 70.5 min). A positive correlation between time of operation and Cobb's angle correction (in °) in open surgical correction (r = 0.37) and minimally invasive surgery (r = 0.43) was found. Conclusion: The open surgical correction procedures were more effective than minimally invasive surgery in correcting the spinal curve. The increase in the duration of open surgical correction increases the estimated blood loss, but it also more significantly improves the correction of Cobb's angle. Level of evidence: III.


Immersive, interactive applications grouped under the concept of Immersipresence require on-line processing and mixing of multimedia data streams and structures. One critical issue seldom addressed is the integration of different solutions to technical challenges, developed independently in separate fields, into working systems, that operate under hard performance constraints. In order to realize the Immersipresence vision, a consistent, generic approach to system integration is needed, that is adapted to the constraints of research development. This paper introduces SAI, a new software architecture model for designing, analyzing and implementing applications performing distributed, asynchronous parallel processing of generic data streams. SAI provides a universal framework for the distributed implementation of algorithms and their easy integration into complex systems that exhibit desirable software engineering qualities such as efficiency, scalability, extensibility, reusability and interoperability. The SAI architectural style and its properties are described. The use of SAI and of its supporting open source middleware (MFSM) is illustrated with integrated, distributed interactive systems.


In Harrison, the claimant argued that he was not liable for any sum standing to his debit under the agreement because of MBNA's non-compliance with the Consumer Credit Act 1974 including, inter alia, a failure to send the claimant a copy of the 'terms and conditions'. This case is important because, other than the decision being based on non-compliance with various statutory provisions, the manner in which the creditors sought payment also formed the basis of the decision.


The last glacial inception was characterised by rapid changes in temperature, atmospheric pCO2, and changes in the water mass geometry of the major ocean basins. Although several climatic feedback mechanisms have been proposed to explain the glacial/interglacial cycles witnessed in the Quaternary, the exact mechanistic responses of these processes are still under constrained. In this study we use proxies including planktonic foraminifera compositional assemblages and oxygen stable isotopes to reconstruct past changes in sea surface productivity, stratification, and carbonate dissolution. We use core SIS-249 (2,091 mbsl, western South Atlantic 30°S 47°W), spanning 30–110 thousand years ago (ka), and currently bathed by modern Northern Component Water. We test existing hypotheses suggesting that the orbital obliquity cycle modulates the biological pump in the study area. Spectral analysis run on our synthesised productivity proxies recognises a ~43 kyr-cycle, related to the obliquity cycle. We propose that the enhanced productivity is produced by two mechanisms: i) the glacial upwelling of subsurface nutrient-rich waters and, ii) the continental (wind-driven dust and riverine outflows) fertilisation of the photic zone, with the latter process being obliquity-paced. We also suggest that not only the increased organic matter export but also a change in its bioavailability (from refractory to labile) led to calcium carbonate dissolution, as the degradation of the more soluble organic matter decreased the pH of the glacial bottom water, partially dissolving the calcium carbonate. Although our correlation analyses show a strong benthic-pelagic coupling through the relation between the enhanced biological pump and carbonate dissolution (ρ<0.05, r=0.80), we cannot reject the potential of corrosive Southern Component Water bathing the site during the glacial. Finally, we highlight that these processes are not mutually exclusive and that both can be modulated by the obliquity cycle.


In the classic type of Frégoli syndrome, the affected person believes that another person's mind can inhibit the body of another person. We present an unusual presentation of Frégoli syndrome in which a patient believed that copies of his own mind inhabited the bodies of others. Given that the misidentification syndrome called subjective doubles involves the delusional belief that one's own physical double exists, by analogy this patient suffered from "subjective" Frégoli syndrome.


Changes in the activity and conformation of Chinese hamster dihydrofolate reductase (ch-DHFR) were studied in reverse micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and dodecylammonium butyrate (DAB) at various water contents and denaturant concentrations. The ch-DHFR entrapped in CTAB and DAB reverse micelles shows very low activity at a lower ratio of water to surfactant (omega(0)). The activity was enhanced in the presence of low concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride. Emission fluorescence spectra of ch-DHFR in aqueous medium and in reverse micelles in the presence of low concentrations of denaturants were compared. Only a slight change in emission intensity of ch-DHFR accompanies enzyme activation in the presence of low concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride in CTAB and DAB reverse micelles. There was no detectable change in the average diameters of CTAB and DAB reverse micelles in the presence of low concentrations of denaturants measured by laser light scattering, indicating that the enzyme activation in the presence of denaturant is not due to a size change in the reverse micelles. Our results suggest that the reduced activity of ch-DHFR in reverse micelles at low omega(0) is due to the restrictions in enzyme conformation caused by an environment with low water content. The reduction in enzyme activity was restored by the presence of low concentrations of denaturant or increased water content, indicating that conformation flexibility is important for full expression of enzyme activity.


The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of callus induction and culture conditions on secondary metabolic diversity of the callus cell lines of traditional Chinese medicinal plant Glycyrrhiza sp. (Glycyrrhiza) by combined chemical analysis and HPLC fingerprint. These callus induction conditions included two Glycyrrhiza species, two types of explants, light and dark conditions, and two combinations of hormones. The evaluation was firstly based on the contents of total flavonoids in the callus by chemical analysis and one way ANOVA. The content of total flavonoids in callus was significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by Glycyrrhiza species, light condition, and the combination of hormones. The callus was further evaluated using diversity factor based on the comparison of HPLC fingerprints of these callus cell lines. Diversity factor varies significantly for calli induced under different conditions, with the highest being at 0.45 under light condition and combination of hormones. These results provide important knowledge for the selection of suitable callus cell lines for the production of pharmacologically important secondary metabolites or bioactive fractions by in vitro culture of Glycyrrhiza sp.


Sclerosing Mesenteritis (SM) refers to an entire spectrum of digestive inflammatory disorders. Diagnosis is based on imaging showing an increase of fat attenuation displacing bowel loops and is in most cases non-symptomatic. Several conditions (abdominal trauma/surgery, neoplasia, infectious and inflammatory diseases) are responsible for SM (1). Among neoplasia, Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare clonal histiocytosis characterized by long bone involvement, peri-nephric fat infiltration and cardio-vascular involvement associated with compatible histology (2). Biopsy is mandatory to confirm tissue infiltration by histiocytes and detect somatic mutation. Almost 80% of ECDpatients harbor mutation in mitogen activated protein(MAP) kinase pathway especiallyBRAFV600Egene mutation in about 60% of cases(3). No series of patients presenting both pathologies has been reported. Furthermore, no correlation withBRAFmutation status has been described in patient harboring SM and ECD.To describe the clinical, radiological and mutational status of patients harboring SM and ECD.We reviewed the database of patients with histiocytic disorders in Besancon University Hospital. Patient required one abdominal computed tomography showing sclerosing mesenteritis and clinical/histological features of ECD to fulfill the inclusion criteria. All biopsy samples were investigated for mutation ofMAPkinase pathway gene.Four patients suffered from SM and ECD. The median age at the diagnosis of ECD was 68 years old (61-72). All patients described abdominal pain and the mean duration between first symptoms and diagnosis of ECD was 12 months (4-19). The mean CRP level at diagnosis was 40.75 mg/L (5-117). Two patients were found to have myeloid neoplasms (chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (#2) and essential thrombocythemia (#4)) concurrent with ECD diagnosis.Regarding abdominal computed tomography, all patients had a mesenteric mass associated with hyper-attenuated mesenteric fat and a "fat halo sign". One patient (#2) had ascites and one had splenomegaly (#4) but no patient had enlarged lymph nodes. CT also demonstrated peri-nephric fat infiltration ("hairy kidney") (4/4), vascular sheathing of aortic branches (3/4), adrenal hypertrophy (1/4) or ureter dilation (1/4). The mean SUVmaxof the mesentery was 7.5 (4.1-10.9) at diagnosis on (18F)- fluorodeoxyglucose-PET. Three patients underwent mesentery fat biopsy and all samples exhibited ECD histology. Regarding mutational status, 75% (3/4) patients hadBRAFV600Emutation.After initiation of therapies for ECD (targeted therapies for ¾ patients), all patients had improvement of digestive symptoms and decreased of SUVmaxon evaluation18FDG-PET during the follow up.ECD should be investigated in patient with symptomatic SM especially if it is associated with peri-nephric fat infiltration. This condition is rare and might be driven by BRAF gene.TABLE 2.Full term pregnancyMultiple gestationPreconception CZP exposureLabor complicationsMaternal infectionsNeonatal infections (< 6 m after birth)Congenital malformationsBreast-feedingNeonates, n/N15/152/155/150/151/150/150/156/15[1]Danford CJ, Lin SC, Wolf JL. Sclerosing Mesenteritis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2019 Jun;114(6):867–73.[2]Diamond EL, Dagna L, Hyman DM, Cavalli G, Janku F, Estrada-Veras J, et al. Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and clinical management of Erdheim-Chester disease. Blood. 2014 Jul 24;124(4):483–92.[3]Haroche J, Cohen-Aubart F, Rollins BJ, Donadieu J, Charlotte F, Idbaih A, et al. Histiocytoses: emerging neoplasia behind inflammation. Lancet Oncol. 2017 Feb;18(2):e113–25.None declared


The aim of this investigation was to contribute to the problem of overdosing vitamin E. A total of 80 laying hens, divided into 5 groups, were fed diets supplemented with 0, 100, 1000, 10,000 and 20,000 mg/kg vitamin E over a period of 20 weeks within two brooding tests. Laying performance and hatching parameters were registered. All vitamin E doses did not significantly influence health and performances of hens. Vitamin E content of eggs increased from 1 to 4, 21, 46 and 51 mg per egg with vitamin E supplementation. High doses decreased oxidative stability of abdominal fat, vitamin A concentration of liver and egg yolk colour. In both tests vitamin E supplements of 10,000 and 20,000 mg/kg feed resulted in a decrease of living hatched chicken, which demonstrated an adverse effect. Further studies seem to be necessary to explain the effect.


We report that the persistenceof the bound states in disordered photonic lattices leads to aninterplay between the bound states in the continuum (BICs) and disorder-induced Anderson localizedstates. We reveal a novel effect resulting from such an interplay: anearly complete quantum survival for the entangled biphotonrespecting the antisymmetric exchange symmetry.


We investigate a linear estimation problem under model uncertainties using a competitive algorithm framework under mean square error (MSE) criteria. Here, the performance of a linear estimator is defined relative to the performance of the linear minimum MSE estimator tuned to the underlying unknown system model. We then find the linear estimator that minimizes this relative performance measure, i.e., the regret, for the worst possible system model. Two definitions of regret are given: first as a difference of MSEs and second as a ratio of MSEs. We demonstrate that finding the linear estimators that minimize these regret definitions can be cast as a semidefinite programming (SDP) problem and provide numerical examples.


OBJECTIVES
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication of cardiac surgery. Statins may prevent post-surgical AKI, yet methodological concerns about existing studies raise questions about the magnitude of a protective effect. We sought to determine the effect of initiating a statin prior to elective cardiac surgery on post-surgical AKI in a regional Danish surgical cohort.

METHODS
We identified adults who underwent cardiac surgery during 2006-11 using the Western Denmark Heart Registry. Presurgical medication use, pre- and post-surgical serum creatinine (sCr) measures, and other patient characteristics were obtained from Danish population-based registries. Post-surgical AKI was assessed using sCr measures within 5 days of surgery. The adjusted risk ratio (RR) of AKI and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated for patients who initiated a statin within 100 days prior to surgery compared with patients without prior statin use; long-term statin users were excluded to reduce healthy-user bias. Subanalyses were stratified by surgery type: coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and non-CABG surgeries.

RESULTS
We identified 1929 CABG and 1775 non-CABG patients. AKI occurred in 25% of CABG and 28% of non-CABG surgeries, and in 29% of the non-users and 21% of the statin initiators. Half of CABG patients and 9% of non-CABG patients initiated a statin prior to surgery. The adjusted RRs for the effect of statin initiation on AKI were as follows: all surgeries combined, RR = 0.86 (95% CI: 0.74, 0.98); CABG, RR = 0.88 (0.74, 1.05); non-CABG RR = 0.87 (0.68, 1.11).

CONCLUSIONS
Presurgical statin initiation is associated with a reduction in AKI risk after cardiac surgery.


Objectives The increase of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is generally found in hepatic, cardiac, muscular disease and hemolytic disorders of the red blood cell (RBC). The elevation of its activity is suspected in pathological conditions of these organs. However, instances without any of those conditions rarely exist. Methods The experimental samples were obtained from a normal person's hemolysed RBC, a hepatitis patient and a macroaspartatemic female's serum. They were studied with exclusion chromatography, electrophoresis of AST and changes of AST activity due to Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) and various conditions on storage. Results 1) The patterns of AST activity by exclusion chromatography are similiar to the hemolysed RBC and the hepatitis's serum but differs by the isolated AST elevation. 2) The AST activity with addition of PEG and different anti-immunoglobulin subtypes to different serums are slightly decreased in hepatitis but markedly decreased with PEG and anti-IgG in macroaspartatemia. 3) The patterns of AST activity in electrophoresis are single band -cytosomal AST (cAST)-from hemolysed RBC and two bands-mitochondrial AST (mAST) and cAST-from hepatitis, the major being cAST and the minor mAST. Even though there are two bands, the major one is atypical and the minor corresponds to mAST in macroaspartatemia. 4) The changes of AST activity on storage according to time and temperature show to be stable over 4weeks at room temperature and cooled condition, and 9weeks under frozen state in macroaspartatase. Conclusion Concluding from the above findings, macroaspartatemia is an enzyme-immunoglobulin complex composed of cAST with IgG. MacroAST might be stabler than usual AST at physical conditions.


It is an important task in biodiversity conservation to assess species endangerment status and determine protection priorities. Although IUCN Redlist Criteria are improving through periodical revision, people are still developing different criteria because information about population census, habitat status and life history of a given species are often lacking. We reviewed the progress of assessing species endangerment status, both internationally and domestically, and propose that future designations combine distribution area, life history, ecological function, anthropogenic interference and special use data to more accurately assess endangerment status. As an example, we assessed the status of terrestrial vertebrates in China using this method. Our results showed that five species were listed in the category of extinct, 30 species were extinct, 343 species were endangered, 459 species were threatened, 439 species were concerned, and 1,032 species


Understanding of the damping of fast magnetization precession in ferromagnetic materials is important for technological applications, in particular for the development of fast magnetic memories. We use first-principles electronic structures together with the model of ``breathing Fermi surface'' to calculate the magnetic damping rates for ferromagnetic Fe, Co, and Ni. The numerical results are found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental data at low temperatures; in particular, we find an order of magnitude difference between Fe and the other two studied materials.


Structural integrity modelling and simulation studies were performed on the Helike Corridor House (HCH), a monumental building excavated at the Early Helladic (EH) site of Ancient Helike on the NW Peloponnese, Greece. The aims of the research were to explore building materials and plan alterations of an earlier phase into an EH II-III period Corridor House. Static load analysis followed by buckling (failure) analysis was simulated using ANSYS. Results demonstrate that buckling would develop in the narrow corridor area, being the critical spot in the structure due to its configuration of long tall sidewalls. It is shown that when stairs are introduced, the structure becomes less susceptible to buckling. We conclude that the doubling of the outer walls was a high structural and functional technical innovation which required specialized knowledge on planning and construction highlighting the critical role architecture played in response to upcoming social transformations.


This paper describes an implementation of Chernikova's algorithm for finding an irredundant set of vertices for a given polyhedron defined by a set of linear inequalities and equations. This algorithm can also be used for the dual problem : given a set of extremal rays and vertices, find the associated irredundant set of facet supporting hyperplanes. The method is an extension of initial Chernikova's algorithm (non negative domain) and is mainly based on the polyhedral cone duality principle. A new en hancement for extremal ray detection is presented together with its effects on a class of polyedra.


In this study, thirteen commercial freshwater fish species cultured in China, and one hybrid F1 (Megalobrama amblycephala ♀ × Erythroculter ilishaeformis ♂), were barcoded for a 860 bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. The results showed that a neighbor-joining (NJ) tree was constructed based on COI sequence clustered species in accordance with their taxonomic classification. Hybrid F1 could not be differentiated from M.amblycephalaj in the neighbor-joining (NJ) tree. There was a significant negative correlation between interspecific hybrid compatibility and genetic distance (R = 0.96). Hybrid compatibility can be predicted by the interspecific genetic distance. The IJA appears exclusively as a peer-reviewed on-line open-access journal at http://www.siamb.org.il. To read papers free of charge, please register online at registration form. Sale of IJA papers is strictly forbidden. Sale of IJA papers is strictly forbidden.


abstract:  Trypanosoma anguiformis n. sp. and Trypanosoma polygranularis n. sp. are described from the African olive sunbird, Cyanomitra olivacea, and Latham's forest francolin, Francolinus lathami, respectively, based on the morphology of their hematozoic trypomastigotes and partial sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Both new species belong to the group of small non-striated avian trypanosomes (<30 µm in length on average) with the kinetoplast situated close to the posterior end of the body. Trypanosoma anguiformis can be readily distinguished from other small avian trypanosomes due to its markedly attenuated (snake-shaped) form of the hematozoic trypomastigotes and the dumbbell-shaped nucleus of the parasite. Trypanosoma polygranularis is readily distinguishable due to the markedly off-center (anteriorly) located nucleus, numerous azurophilic granules that are arranged in a line following the undulating membrane, and the large kinetoplast (with an area up to 1.7 µm2 [1.1 µm2 on average]). Illustrations of hematozoic trypomastigotes of the new species are given, and DNA lineages associated with these parasites are reported. The current situation in species taxonomy of avian trypanosomes is discussed. We call for the redescription of valid species of avian trypanosomes from their type vertebrate hosts and type localities by using morphological and polymerase chain reaction-based techniques as an initial essential step towards revising the species composition of avian trypanosomes and reconstructing the taxonomy of these organisms.


The usefulness of the methods was compared: complement fixation test (CFT), neutralization test (NT) and ELISA IgG and IgM against enteroviruses for the evaluation of specific immune reaction in sera and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of patients with confirmed enterovirus infections. The criteria were established for the assessment of ELISA results in rapid diagnosis of enterovirus neuroinfections. The criteria accepted by the producer lowered the sensitivity of the method and the possibility of recognition of local synthesis of antibodies in the CNS. The use of serum negative in CFT and negative CSF as reference for the determination made possible using of that kit for rapid diagnosis of neuroinfections. The modified ELISA IgG test makes possible determination of antibodies in CSF and serum, and accepting the generally recognized criteria for local production of antibodies in the CNS the ELISA test makes possible rapid diagnosis of neuroinfections which is not possible by other methods.


STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005 requires that all people with a disability are entitled to a needs assessment and, by implication, provision of identified care needs. This process started with children aged 0-6 in 2007 and will roll out to all people with disabilities by 2011. Oral health is part of that needs assessment but it may be that dentists are not in a position to provide that care, by virtue of a lack of education, training or facilities. The majority of dental care delivered would seem, from information gathered as part of this study, to be of an emergency nature. This study aimed to identify the shortfalls in service provision, and their potential causes, to inform what it is hoped will be a positive directive on special care dentistry (SCD) in the proposed National Oral Health Strategy.

PURPOSE OF STUDY
To assess the provision of dental services for special care patients (SCPs) by dental practitioners in Ireland. To review the educational background of primary dental care providers in SCD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
A postal and online questionnaire was sent to every third dentist on the Dental Register in Ireland. An analysis of data was performed using Statistical Programme for Social Sciences (SPSS).

RESULTS
There were 782 questionnaires distributed. Of the 274 (35% response rate) dentists returning questionnaires, 236 were deemed suitable for inclusion; those dentists working in general practice or the Health Service Executive (HSE) only were included. Treatment provided by dental practitioners included emergency services (775), extractions (72%) and restorative intervention (72%). Oral hygiene instruction for the carers of SCPs was provided by 52% of respondents. Of those surveyed, 25% claimed an awareness of the Disability Act 2005. Qualitative analysis of a definition of SCD and the perceived barriers to care were recorded. Additional fees for the treatment of SCPs were deemed necessary by 78% of respondents. An experience of training in SCD was recorded by 41%, and 65% of dentists expressed a willingness to partake in some/further training.

CONCLUSIONS
While the treatment of SCPs was reported by the majority of respondents (66%), the most common service provided was the management of dental emergencies. The need for a greater emphasis on preventive care was highlighted. Knowledge of the Disability Act 2005 was limited and responsible agencies need to increase awareness of the requirements for professional groups, like dentists, under the Act.


A simple monochrome charge-coupled device (CCD) camera was designed using a standard solid-state image sensor. For applications which do not need very high resolution a special signal-processing circuit is proposed that utilizes only the low-frequency components of the CCD-sensor's output signal. This allows the use of sensors with reduced picture quality on ones with minor defects. A camera that uses this special combining network and an additional lowpass filter was designed and tested. Sensors with defects, which can not be used in standard applications, were tested. The tests demonstrated, that the influence of minor defects is low enough to fulfil the requirements of many consumer applications. >


The hematopoietic system is maintained by the hematopoetic stem and progenitor cells (HSCs/HPCs), a group of rare cells that reside in a hypoxic bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. Leptin (Lep) is well-known for its neuroendocrine and immunological functions, and its receptor (Lepr) has been studied extensively in the BM niche cells. Yet, its biological implications in HSC/HPC biology remained largely unknown. In this study, we hypothesized that Lepr-expressing HSCs/HPCs are functionally and transcriptomically distinct from their negative counterparts. To test our hypothesis, we utilized both in vitro and in vivo approaches. We first employed Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis to confirm expression of Lepr on HSCs/HPCs in adult mouse BM. We then isolated equal numbers of Lepr+Lineage-Sca1+cKit+ (LSK cells - a heterogenous population of long-term, short-term HSCs and multipotent HPCs) and Lepr-LSK cells from C57BL/6 (CD45.2+) mouse BM to perform colony-forming unit (CFU) assay and competitive transplantation assay, which also included using competitor cells from BoyJ (CD45.1+) unseparated BM and lethally-irradiated F1 (CD45.1+CD45.2+) as hosts. To determine whether Lepr can further hierarchize HSCs into two distinct populations, we repeated the competitive transplants using freshly isolated C57BL/6 Lepr+HSCs or Lepr-HSCs cells instead. At the end of primary transplants, whole BM were analyzed for donor chimerisms in the peripheral blood (PB) and BM as well as transplanted in a non-competitive fashion into lethally-irradiated secondary recipients. To gain mechanistic insights, we assessed homing potential as homing plays a role in increased engraftment. We also performed bulk RNA-seq using freshly sorted BM Lepr+HSCs or Lepr-HSCs to elucidate potential molecular pathways that are responsible for the differences in their functional capacity. By phenotypic studies, our FACS analyses showed that Lepr+ cells represented a smaller population within the hematopoietic compartment in the BM. However, HSCs contained a higher percentage of Lepr+ cells than other HPC populations. By functional assessments, Lepr+LSK cells were more highly enriched for colony-forming progenitor cells in CFU assay as compared to Lepr-LSK cells. Interestingly, Lepr+LSK cells exhibited more robust engraftment capability in primary transplants and substantial self-renewal capacity in secondary transplants throughout different time points in both PB and BM. In addition, Lepr+HSCs showed significantly higher donor chimerisms in PB month 1, 2, 4 and BM month 4 with similar lineage output compared to Lepr-HSCs. Higher engraftment could be due to increased homing of HSCs to the BM; however, Lepr+HSCs and Lepr-HSCs showed similar homing capacity as well as levels of surface CXCR4 expression. Molecularly, Fast Preranked Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (FGSEA) showed that Lepr+HSCs were enriched for Type-I Interferon and Interferon-gamma response pathways with Normalized Enrichment Scores of 2 or higher. Lepr+HSC transcriptomic study also revealed that these cells as compared to Lepr-HSCs expressed significantly higher levels of genes involved in megakaryopoiesis and proinflammatory immune responses including the NF-κB subunits (Rel and Relb). Interestingly, both IFN-γ and NF-κB signalings have been demonstrated to be critical for the emergence of HSCs from the hemogentic endothelium during embryonic development. In summary, although Lepr+LSK cells occupied a minor fraction compared to their negative counterparts in the BM, they possessed higher colony-forming capacity and were more highly enriched for long-term functional HSCs. In line with this, Lepr+HSCs engrafted significantly higher and self-renewed more extensively than Lepr-HSCs, suggesting that Lepr not only can be used as a marker for functional HSCs but also further differentiate HSCs into two functionally distinguishable populations. Intriguingly, Lepr+HSCs were characterized with a proinflammatory transcriptomic profile that was previously suggested to be critical for the development of HSCs in the embryo. All together, our work demonstrated that Lepr+HSCs represent a subset of highly engrafting adult BM HSCs with an embryonic-like transcriptomic signature. This can have potential therapeutic implications in the field of hematopoietic transplantation as Lepr is highly conserved between mice and human.

 No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Invas ons of nonnat ve plants nto forests of the Southern Un ted States cont nue to go unchecked and unmon tored. Invas ve nonnat ve plants nfest under and bes de forest canop es and dom nate small forest open ngs, ncreas ngly erod ng forest product v ty, h nder ng forest use and management act v t es, and degrad ng d vers ty and w ldl fe hab tat. Often called nonnat ve, exot c, non nd genous, al en, or nox ous weeds, they occur as trees, shrubs, v nes, grasses, ferns, and forbs. Th s book prov des nformat on on accurate dent ficat on and effect ve control of the 33 nonnat ve plants and groups that are currently nvad ng the forests of the 13 Southern States, show ng both grow ng and dormant season tra ts. It l sts other nonnat ve plants of grow ng concern, control strateg es, and select ve herb c de appl cat on procedures. Recommendat ons for prevent ng and manag ng nvas ons on a spec fic s te nclude ma nta n ng forest v gor w th m n mal d sturbance, constant surve llance and treatment of new unwanted arr vals, and finally rehab l tat on follow ng erad cat on.


Introduction: Neutrophil elastase (NE) activity in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is associated with early bronchiectasis in children with cystic fibrosis (CF); however, the pathophysiology of bronchiectasis remains unclear. Aims and objectives: We hypothesize that other proteins in BALF are involved in CF bronchiectasis. We assessed the relationships between BALF proteins from CF children and airway count, a surrogate of bronchiectasis on chest CT (DeBoer E.M. et al. Chest; In press). Methods: CF children with a chest CT scan within 2 months of BALF collection were included in this study. Banked BALF was analyzed for 1129 proteins using SOMAmer TM , (Slow Off-rate Modified Aptamers) proteomic technology (Gold L. et al. PLoS one 2010; 5:e15004). Airway count was obtained using automated software. Spirometry data was recorded. A Spearman9s rank correlation coefficient estimated the correlation between spirometry, protein quantity, and mean airway count. The proteins were ranked by magnitude of the correlation coefficient. Results: 22 subjects (15 male) had a quality CT for analysis; age: 4 -20 years, FEV1: 32 -139% predicted, and airway count: 0.3 –52 airways per CT slice. 82 proteins, including NE (r = 0.47, p = 0.03), were significantly correlated with airway count (p Conclusions: The unique SOMAmer TM protemic platform identifies several novel proteins that are associated with bronchiectasis that could serve as clinically useful biomarkers in children with CF.


The paper discusses the results of interpreting well tracer studies. It is shown that from the law of mass conservation it follows that when filtering a volume of an indicator, part of the injected tracer flows into the matrix. With the flow of fluid containing the indicator from the low-filtration resistance channel (LFR) into the surrounding matrix, the linear dimensions of the flow area depend on the permeability and porosity properties of the high-permeability channel and the matrix. While another part of the tracer moves toward the production well, its mass is lost due to diffusion processes. From the solution of the diffusion equation, it follows that the initial concentration of the tracer decreases in the course of filtration along the LFR channel. To interpret the results of the tracer studies, different cases of the LFR channels' location in the volume of the productive formation are considered. The varied parameter w allows characterizing the presence of several peaks in the concentration of the indicator and calculation the filtration parameters of the LFR channels. Depending on the known technological indices, several methods for determining pore volumes in the LFR channels have been proposed. To reduce the water cut in producing wells and to apply the technology of changing or aligning the injectivity profiles, calculations of the pore channels' radii in the mass of highly permeable seams are presented. It is shown that the volume of the chemical reagent pumped into the injection well to isolate the LFR channel is affected by the linear dimensions of the drainage area for the aqueous solution of indicator. Examples of the calculation for the permeability and porosity parameters of the LFR, the volume of pore channels necessary to isolate water inflow, and the radii of pore filtration channels, which influence the selection of the size of chemical reagent molecules, are given.


INTRODUCTION
In spite of the frequent prophylactic use of lithium salts in affective disorders, few papers have been published about clinical outcome predictors in long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVE
To identify clinical predictors of long-term outcome in a sample of bipolar outpatients on lithium treatment.

METHODS
An intervention study was conducted in a case series of all patients treated, at least for two years, at two Affective Disorders ambulatory Units. It was examined the association between two dependent outcome variables (presence vs absence of relapses and number of relapses/person/year) and the rest of clinical variables.

RESULTS
139 outpatients diagnosed of bipolar disorder were included in the sample. In each case, therapeutic lithium dosages were administered. Delay time to start treatment since the disorder has begun was the only variable useful to predict weakly outcome. The time spent without treatment and the association with other mood stabilizers or neuroleptics correlates with bad outcome.

CONCLUSION
Whichever clinical characteristics of the sample may be, patients should be treated as soon as possible with lithium to get better outcome.


The daily procedures in both official and non-official organizations include the printing and archiving of thousands of paper-based documents, either as issued, incoming, or as attachment documents; as well as the verification of the authenticity of the issuance of such documents at the receiving party, this leads to the production of further papers that are referred to as "issuance validation", This procedure costs more time, effort, and money. Furthermore, the process of archiving and storing these documents electronically requires considerable effort and time in terms of manually entering the information or saving them as images, as well as the possibility of data entry mistakes. This paper proposes employing authenticated PDF417 barcodes in paper-based document publication procedures by adding an encrypted barcode (signature) to the issued document and making it simpler to authenticate the information. During the document verification process, neither internet access nor real-time interaction with the document issuer are required. Furthermore, the proposed system offers a way to digitally archive documents using a barcode scanner or smartphones, which enables accuracy and speed in entering the information of documents received or issued by the institution.


Background Etanercept levels are associated with clinical response in rheumatoid arthritis, however, in a small group of 53 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) this association was not found (de Vries MK et al. ARD 2009). Objectives To investigate the relationship between etanercept levels and clinical response in a large cohort of AS patients. Methods Prospective observational cohort study of 170 consecutive AS patients treated with etanercept, monitored during 24 weeks of follow-up. Etanercept trough levels were determined retrospectively using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) designed by Sanquin Research, Amsterdam. Response to etanercept treatment was defined as a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) response (50% improvement or an absolute improvement of 2 points on a BASDAI, scale 0-10) and disease activity was measured using AS Disease Activity Score, including CRP (ASDAS). Results Of 170 patients, 122 (71.8%) were male and 130 (82.8%) were HLA-B27 positive. At baseline median BASDAI was 6.0 (IQR 4.8-7.1) and mean ASDAS was 3.5 (SD 1.0). After 24 weeks 98 (57.6%) patients were BASDAI responder (last observation carried forward), mean ASDAS (SD) for responders was 1.6 (0.9) vs. 2.4 (0.9) for non-responders (p<0.001). Of 170 patients 19 dropped out: 16 (84.2%) due to treatment failure or adverse events and 3 (15.8%) due to other reasons. At 24 weeks of treatment etanercept levels were significantly higher in patients with inactive to moderate disease activity (ASDAS <2.1, median (IQR) 3.7 (2.5-5.5)) compared to patients with high to very high disease activity (ASDAS ≥2.1, (median (IQR) 2.3 (1.2-3.7)) (p=0.01). For BASDAI response no significant association with etanercept levels was found. When patients were categorized into quartiles according to the height of etanercept levels at 24 weeks, the lowest quartile (etanercept level < 1.8 mg/L) comprised 35.1% of all patients with ASDAS ≥2.1. The highest quartile (etanercept level > 5.0 mg/L) comprised 33.8% of all patients with ASDAS <2.1. Image/graph Conclusions Lower etanercept levels in AS are associated with high disease activity at 24 weeks of treatment. Disclosure of Interest E. Kneepkens: None Declared, C. Krieckaert: None Declared, M. Nurmohamed Grant/research support from: Abbott, Roche, Pfizer, Consultant for: Abbott, Roche, Pfizer, MSD, UCB, SOBI and BMS, Speakers bureau: Abbott, Roche, Pfizer, I. van der Horst-Bruinsma: None Declared, G. Wolbink Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Amgen


The paper examines a classical system in one degree of freedom: a particle (monomer) interacting with a periodic lattice of independent, separated oscillators. The monomer can interact with oscillators via a short-range attractive potential force. The periodic lattice of oscillators may absorb the energy of the monomer launched at some initial velocity, but it does so in a very peculiar manner. The monomer velocity gradually decreases, approaching near some nonzero limit value. The limiting monomer velocities can assume discrete values only. This behavior of the monomer is accounted for by the existing resistance force that completely vanishes at certain monomer velocities.


The possible effects of magnesium on the vitamin D-dependent renal and intestinal calbindin-D were investigated. In a low magnesium model 70 Wistar rats were allocated to either a normomagnesemic diet (Mg 3.2 g/kg) or a Mg-deficient diet (Mg 0.18 g/kg) for 10 or 24 days. The rats had intraperitoneal injections of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 0.2 microgram, MgSO4 100 mumol or placebo daily for the last 4 days. In a high magnesium model 60 Wistar rats were allocated to three groups on a normomagnesemic diet supplied with intraperitoneal MgSO4 20 mumol, 100 mumol or placebo daily. Half of the animals in each group were further supplied with intraperitoneal 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 0.2 micrograms daily. The concentrations of intestinal calbindin-D9k increased on the low Mg diet from 1.6 (1.1-2.0) to 2.7 (2.0-2.9) micrograms/mg protein (p < 0.02), but were unchanged in the high Mg groups. Vitamin D treatment raised the levels of calbindin-D9k in the normomagnesemic group (p < 0.01), but not significantly in the low Mg group. Administration of MgSO4 to the low Mg rats normalized the elevated levels of intestinal calbindin-D9k (p < 0.05). The concentrations of renal calbindin-D28k were not changed by the low Mg diet, but were lower in the high Mg group [0.8 (0.6-1.1) micrograms/mg protein] than in the control group [1.5 (1.1-1.8) micrograms/mg protein; p < 0.05]. Animals in the low, high and normal magnesium group showed no differences in plasma concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Cowden syndrome is a familial cancer predisposition syndrome associated with an increased risk for breast, thyroid, and endometrial cancers and benign manifestations. With early detection and appropriate therapeutic treatment, many of its associated tumors and cancers are treatable. By better understanding mutations such as Cowden syndrome, additional targeted therapies can be developed and delivered.


Detailed studies of sawtooth activity in Ohmic plasmas in JET have revealed significant discrepancies both with previously reported observations of the phenomenon and with conventional models of the internal disruption. 'Compound' sawteeth, which display an intermediate collapse during the ramp phase, are observed in the majority of discharges. These usually exhibit no precursor activity, in contrast to observations in smaller tokamaks, but are often accompanied by successor oscillations. Furthermore, the collapse time of such sawteeth is much shorter than expected. These results suggest that the conventional model of the sawtooth is inade- quate to explain sawtooth activity in large tokamaks.


Centaurea achtarovii Urum. is a Bulgarian endemic, distributed only in Pirin Mountain. It is protected by the Biodiversity Act and included in the Red Data Book of Bulgaria as "endangered". Assessment of size and density was carried out of both known populations of the species, around Orelyak summit and Kazanite locality. It was conducted in 2 sampling plots of 1000 square meters in each population and revealed their good condition. Population of Orelyak was larger and with higher density than that of Kazanite: 75 ha, 0.58 individuals per m2 (an average of 0.56 rosettes and 0.02 in flowering stage), and 35 ha, 0.23 individuals per m2 (an average of 0.16 rosettes and 0.07 in flowering stage), respectively. Elucidation of the reproductive biology of C. achtarovii was important in order to find the most appropriate conservation strategy for the species. Flower buds and open flowers in different stages of development were treated by the classical paraffin methods. The structures in male and female generative spheres were stable, the processes leading to formation of embryos and seeds were balanced, and no apomixes was noticed. Pollen viability assessed by acetocarmine test was over 50%, and seed viability estimated by tetrazolium test was 17.5%. In vitro seed germination was poor and culture growth was slow. The low viability of seeds, and the small amount of pollen, although with relatively high fertility, determined a low reproductive capacity of the species. In situ strategies reducing competitive species like Juniperis sibirica were recommended.


Background: Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) was initially caused by the bite of Aedes Aegypti mosquito that circulate into the human body, dengue virus infection forming antigen-antibody complexes that activate the complement system so that the increased membrane permeability that causes latelet aggregation, plasma leakage and activate coagulation via endothelial damage vessels blood. Sticking to the antigen-antibody complexes in platelet membrane stimulate spending ADP (Adenosin diphospat) which causes cells platelets from sticking together and then destroyed by the reticuloendothelial resulting thrombocytopenia (blood clotting factors) thus causing the risk of bleeding. Objective: Provide an overview of nursing care in patients DHF by preventing the risk of bleeding by standard nursing. Methods: The author uses descriptive method in this case study research, by collecting data at 28 March 2016. Sources of assessment data obtained from observation, interviews autoanamnesa and alloanamnesa such patients, families, nursing notes and study the literature. Results: After nursing actions during 3x24 hours include nursing care such as a monitor signs of bleeding, monitor laboratory values, vital sign monitor, monitor fluid status, instruct the patient to rest, instruct the patient consume red guava juice to prevent the risk of bleeding, collaboration with the doctor in medicine. The result obtained are the patients condition began to improve, not bleeding, the patient's vital signs normal, increased platelet value. Coclusion: The issue of nursing at the risk of bleeding associated with blood clotting factors (thrombocytopenia) can be resolved in part, it would require further treatment and cooperation with other health professionals. Patients and families are needed in the succes of nursing care. On the non pharmacological therapy by providing red guava juice to DHF patients can be influenced to increase the platelet count of the patient.


Hong Kong is a unique cosmopolitan business hub driven by pragmatism with a Chinese flair, in which, for many Chinese enterprises, corporate law and governance were introduced as alien concepts. As in many other countries, Hong Kong is obligated by international markets to embrace these requirements. Yet many business operators lack even the understanding of basic company law, partly because the obligations are incompatible with the values and corporate cultures nurtured in Hong Kong. The paper reports five surveys conducted over a period of eleven years that highlight these inferences.


Moran's search for Molloy is analysed here by articulating two different psychoanalytic models of interpretation. First the Molloy-Moran relationship is analysed from the post-kleinian perspective of the mother and the role of her thinking. Molloy is read as a destabilising figure of the un-thought which plunges Moran into a gulf that defies thinking and imagining. The second model is Lacanian and shows that the failure of the function of the Name of the Father leaves a void in the chain of signification. This can be seen through Moran's failure to understand the "question of Molloy".


Among the broad varieties of power supply in Afghanistan such as city power produced from water dams, fuel generators, and imported electricity from neighboring countries, solar energy production is growing at a noticeable pace. Its preference is because of cost and sustainability perimeters. Given the climate of the country air conditioning inside buildings is required throughout the year, which is an important requirement for the comfort of its residents. Because it requires a great amount of energy, therefore, most companies are working on different principles to provide new products of solar air conditioning systems. The solar air conditioning system provides heating and cooling by utilizing solar energy. Recently, climate change and air pollution proved to be a major challenge for humans, and the current rate of resource consumption will result in a total depletion of natural energy resources in the earth. In this paper, we are assessing the feasibility study of solar-powered air conditioner technology in Afghanistan. Considering the weather of the country, there exists enormous potential for solar energy production. Afghanistan receives 4 – 6.5 kWh/m2 /day solar insolation on average with 300 sunny days a year. In conclusion, the air conditioning complication which can be addressed by solar energy production is sustainable, cost-effective, and environment-friendly manner in Afghanistan.


This paper presents an experimental study on the use of visual servoing for robotic tracking and manipulation of targets moving on a plane. In this work, the image is acquired from the camera mounted on the end-effector of a 6 DOF industrial robot, so that the camera moves on a plane parallel to that of object motion. Using a PID visual controller to minimize the relative displacement between object and end-effector, it can be seen that performances in system response are affected by the absolute velocity of target in space. In order to improve these performances, a non-linear structure for the PID controller has been implemented. The idea is to modify the PID structure according to the estimated velocity of the target. Experiments show that the modified PID controller increase tracking performances for both slow or still targets and fast moving targets. Keywords—Visual servoing, PID Control, Target Tracking.


Lithium nitrate is recognized as a chemical compound capable of inhibiting the alkali-silica aggregate reaction. The extent to which the reaction is inhibited or limited is affected by the amount of the applied lithium compound and by the kind of reactive aggregate that has been used. In the case of the polymineral aggregate this process is particularly complex, as the alkali-silicate reaction may be accompanied by other alkali-aggregate reactions, i.a. the alkali-carbonate reaction. The paper presents the results of the investigation on the effect of lithium nitrate on the course of the alkali - reactive gravel aggregate reaction. The investigation was conducted in accordance with ASTM 1260 standard. The investigation results showed that lithium nitrate, when applied in appropriate amount, inhibits the process of mortar samples expansion. The appearance of spalls in the samples modified with a lithium compound indicates the occurrence of two reaction types: alkali- silica and alkali-carbonate.


The three most probable processes for pumping of the upper lasing level of the 441.6 nm Cd II line under hollow-cathode discharge conditions, namely Penning ionization, `direct' and `stepwise' electron excitation, have been analysed. Atomic ionization and excitation cross sections and the electron distribution function in the energy interval up to 300 eV have been calculated. Radial dependencies of pumping rates of laser transition for a cylindrical cathode cavity and an integral pumping rate have been determined versus the cadmium vapour and helium pressures. It has been shown that the contributions of Penning ionization and direct and stepwise excitations to the pumping rate are strongly dependent on the pressures of discharge components. Contributions of these processes are found to reach up to about 70, 30 and less than 1%, respectively, under optimal conditions for the laser discharge. The comparison of calculated radial pumping rate distributions with experimental data confirmed that the Penning ionization plays the dominant role.


Let be a sequence of random variables satisfying the Rosenthal-type maximal inequality. Complete convergence is studied for linear statistics that are weighted sums of identically distributed random variables under a suitable moment condition. As an application, the Marcinkiewicz-Zygmund-type strong law of large numbers is obtained. Our result generalizes the corresponding one of Zhou et al. (2011) and improves the corresponding one of Wang et al. (2011, 2012).


The objective of this study was to determine how fetal effects are altered when nicotine (N) and caffeine (CA) are administered concurrently at dosages that individually produce minimal effects to the fetus. Female ICR mice were bred overnight and were assigned to four groups: CA (125 mg/kg), N (12mg/kg), CA plus N (125 mg/kg plus 12 mg/kg, respectively) treated, and control (distilled water) groups. Dams were intubated with these dosages three times daily during gestational days (GD) 6-18 and were euthanized on GD 18. Live fetuses were sexed, weighed, and examined for external malformations. One-half of the fetuses were fixed in 10% formalin and examined for internal malformations using Wilson's method. The remaining half was fixed in 95% ethanol (ETOH), stained, and cleared (Inouye's method) for skeletal examinations. Ossification was assessed by staging and measuring craniofacial bones, and counting ossification centra in sternbrae and in cervical and sacrococcygeal vertebrae. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Student-Newman-Keuls post-hoc tests set at p < .05 significance level. The litter was used as the unit of measure and the ANOVA main effects were CA, N, and an interaction term (CA+N). In comparison to controls, CA treatment resulted in reduced bone measurements or reduced ossification scores in 5 of the 19 parameters examined, whereas for N only five parameters were significant. The main effects for interaction of CA+N were significant for seven parameters measured. Although it is difficult to assign the specific type of drug interaction that occurred because results were not completely consistent for all parameters measured, it may be concluded that in most parameters measured both CA and CA+N were different from controls, but CA was not different from CA+N. Under the experimental conditions of this study, we found that of the two drugs, caffeine had a significantly greater effect on fetal growth and ossification than nicotine.


Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells derived from the neural crest. These specialized exocrine cells produce melanin, which is packaged and dispersed to neighboring keratinocytes in organelles called melanosomes. Within the melanocyte, tyrosine is converted to dopa, and then dopaquinone via the bifunctional enzyme tyrosinase. Dopaquinone is oxidized further to form the pigment melanin. Each epidermal melanocyte secretes melanosomes to approximately 36 adjacent keratinocytes, forming an epidermal melanin unit. Genetically programmed constitutive skin color is determined by the amount of cutaneous melanin pigmentation. The common mole or acquired melanocytic nevus (AMN) is a collection of nevomelanocytes grouped into nests located in the epidermis (junctional nevus), dermis (dermal nevus), or both (compound nevus). It is hypothesized that nevomelanocytes are derived from either epidermal melanoblasts or dermal Schwann cells. AMN first appear at approximately 1 year of age, peaking in number during the second or third decades of life, and disappearing by the seventh to ninth decades. AMN may appear suddenly or become more prominent in response to sun exposure, cortisone and corticotropin, blistering diseases, chemotherapy, immunosuppression, and other factors that are not well-defined. Reports of AMN increasing in size and darkening in color during puberty and pregnancy have been reported but not quantitated systematically.melanocytes, keratinocytes, acquired melanocytic nevi.


Leaching outdoor tests (LOT) are commonly used to assess the leaching of substances from construction materials. In this context, the amount of stormwater in contact with the surface material is of special interest for analyzing the runoff loads of substances from building façades. A numerical model was developed in MATLAB on the basis of previous analytical models to calculate the collected stormwater runoff volumes from the vertical test panels (VTP) during LOT. In the model, wind-driven rain (WDR) is considered to be the main mechanism for determining the amount of water impinging on the VTP, so it is a crucial factor in the modeling for the façade runoff. The new model makes it possible to simulate the runoff volumes from VTP that are covered with a wide variety of plaster and mortar. Using the new model, it was possible to relate the VTP runoff volumes obtained during an 18-month sampling period for LOTs performed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics in Valley, Germany. When comparing the simulation results with the field test accumulated runoffs, the model exhibited a difference of no more than 3.5% for each of the analyzed materials. The simulation results are satisfying, and the paper demonstrates the feasibility of the modelling approach for the runoff assessment of VTP covered with a variety of plaster and mortar.


A new orbit is calculated for Comet C/1861 G1 (Thatcher), associated with the Lyrid meteor shower, to replace Oppolzer's orbit of 1864. The new orbit is based upon 649 observations, 326 in right ascension and 323 in declination, made between 11 April 1861 and 7 Sept. 1861. The final orbit uses residuals calculated with the Welsch weighting function. The comet's period of 416.87 ± 0.56 yr agrees with Oppolzer's period of 415 yr athough other elements such as the inclination differ. Although the post-perihelion residuals are relatively random, 52.1% probability of randomness, pre-perihelion residuals lack randomness indicating possible deviations from Keplerian motion caused by ejection of meteoritic material. Comet Thatcher is unrelated to the Great comet of 1861.


Recent reports in the business press allege that managers take actions to avoid negative earnings surprises. We hypothesize that certain firm characteristics are associated with greater incentives to avoid negative surprises. Results show that there is pervasive pessimistic bias in management forecasts, management successfully induces analysts to lower their earnings expectations to an achievable level. We also find that firms with higher institutional ownership, higher value-relevance of earnings, high-growth prospects and a long string of meeting or beating expectations are more likely to meet or exceed expectations at the earnings announcement.


Plagiarism remains at the top in terms of interest to the scientific community. In its many vicious forms, patchwork plagiarism is characterized by numerous unresolved issues and often passes "below the radar" of editors and reviewers. The problem of detecting the complexity of misconduct has been partially resolved by plagiarism detection software. However, interpretation of relevant reports is not always obvious or easy. This article deals with plagiarism in general and patchwork plagiarism in particular, as well as related problems that editors must deal with to maintain the integrity of scientific journals.


An initial investigation was held into the feasibility of producing bone replacement implants from a bioactive glass-ceramic using the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process. The work presented considers both a direct and an indirect approach, where the material is sintered with a polymer binder and subsequently post-processed. An existing material with potentially suitable biological and mechanical properties was selected from the range of apatite-mullite glass-ceramics in the SiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 -CaO-CaF 2 -P 2 O 5 series. The viability of using this material with the SLS process was then tested, and the process route and resulting material properties characterised. It is concluded that both direct and indirect SLS processes have potential in the manufacture of personalised bone replacement applications.


Rosamond Rhodes makes a persuasive case for the view that medical ethics does not derive from common morality.1 Rhodes identifies the challenge that immediately arises and its corollary: Whence the origin of medical ethics? And, should we understand medical ethics as autonomous? From the perspective of professional ethics in medicine, the first question can now be restated: Whence the origin of the ethical concept of medicine as a profession, the basis of the ethical obligations of physicians in patient care, research, medical education, and in advocacy and healthcare policy?

The history of Western philosophy offers us two pathways to address this question. The first is the quest for certainty,2 a quest fulfilled by using methods designed to discover concepts that are independent of human thought and judgement and thus intellectually and morally authoritative for everyone. Such concepts are timeless and therefore transcultural, transreligious and transnational. Examples include Plato's Forms,3 PF Stawson's (1919–2006) 'our conceptual structure',4 Edmund Pellegrino's (1920–2003) 'fact of illness' and the 'act of profession' in response to the vulnerability that illness creates,5 and common morality.6 Thought experiments, using what Rhodes characterises as 'the hypethetico-deductive method',1 aim to discover timeless concepts.

Discovering timeless concepts must address their ontological and epistemological status. Plato's ontology of Forms,2 for example, is not clear, as …


1. Joseph A. Zenel, MD, Editor-in-Chief

The 35th year for Pediatrics in Review ( PIR ) starts with this issue. This past year was one of transition. Dr Larry Nazarian retired as editor-in-chief, the Rochester, New York, office closed, and the journal's operations moved to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) headquarters in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Somewhere in the midst of this transition I became editor-in-chief and by summer was fully acquainted with the day-to-day operations and the people who make this an exceptional, educational journal.

Also this summer, the efforts of many pediatricians at my other job came to fruition. I direct a new residency program, and by July the program achieved a full resident complement. Finally, the faculty could see the difference between beginning first-year, second-year, and third-year residents. Besides understanding the needs of the residents for each training year, the faculty expressed an awareness of the effect they had in helping a pediatrician evolve and a sense of worth in achieving that goal. For me, this beginning third year was the tipping point toward the residency's success, which got me thinking.

In the past, I helped start a new general pediatrics private practice. Two events occurred almost simultaneously. By the third year of practice, not only could my …


Protein biosynthesis occurs on large macromolecular ribo-nucleoprotein complexes, the ribosomes, in a process termed translation.
In prokaryotes transcription and translation are tightly coupled cellular processes; ribosomes initiate translation on mRNAs while they are still being transcribed.
Translation initiation is the rate-limiting and most highly regulated step of the three phases of protein biosynthesis (initiation, elongation and termination). Protein synthesis
begins with an initial binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit of the initiation factors: IF3, IF1 and IF2 (according to the presumed order in which they bind). The initiator fMet-tRNAfMet and mRNA bind stochastically to the ribosomal subunit without initially interacting with each other, yielding a "30S pre-initiation complex", which can either
dissociate into its individual components or undergo a conformational change consisting of at least two first order rearrangements that promotes codon-anticodon interaction and formation of the more stable "30S initiation complex" [...]. The transition from pre-initiation to the bona fide 30S IC is kinetically controlled by the initiation factors [...] and entails a conformational transition of the ribosomal subunit and a shift of the mRNA from the "standy-by" to the P-decoding site position. The 30S initiation complex can then be fixed by its association with the 50S ribosomal subunit to form a "70S initiation complex". Joining of the 50S subunit with the 30S initiation complex causes a number of events: the activation of GTP hydrolysis by IF2 and a conformational change of this initiation factor; the dissociation of the initiation factors IF1 and IF3 and the stabilization of fMet-tRNAfMet in the P site [...]. The newly formed 70S initiation complex with fMettRNAfMet in the peptidyltransferase center of the 50S ribosomal subunit is now ready to enter the elongation phase of translation


It is shown that the polarity-coincidence correlator (PCC), a two-input detection device, is nonparametric in its false-alarm rate with respect to a wide class of signal and noise distributions. Operating in fixed distributions, the probability of detection is a nondecreasing function of input SNR. Although the PCC performs less well than an ordinary correlator or a Neyman-Pearson detector for Gaussian inputs, it can be markedly superior to both.


X‐linked lissencephaly with absent corpus callosum and ambiguous genitalia is a newly recognized syndrome responsible for a severe neurological disorder of neonatal onset in boys. Based on the observations of 3 new cases, we confirm the phenotype in affected boys, describe additional MRI findings, report the neuropathological data, and show that carrier females may exhibit neurological and magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities. In affected boys, consistent clinical features of X‐linked lissencephaly with absent corpus callosum and ambiguous genitalia are intractable epilepsy of neonatal onset, severe hypotonia, poor responsiveness, genital abnormalities, and early death. On magnetic resonance imaging, a gyration defect consisting of anterior pachygyria and posterior agyria with a moderately thickened brain cortex, dysplastic basal ganglia and complete agenesis of the corpus callosum are consistently found. Neuropathological examination of the brain shows a trilayered cortex containing exclusively pyramidal neurons, a neuronal migration defect, a disorganization of the basal ganglia, and gliotic and spongy white matter. Finally, females related to affected boys may have mental retardation and epilepsy, and they often display agenesis of the corpus callosum. These findings expand the phenotype of X‐linked lissencephaly with absent corpus callosum and ambiguous genitalia, may help in the detection of carrier females in affected families, and give arguments for a semidominant X‐linked mode of inheritance.


The origins of this exchange stem from an important paper by N. F. R. Crafts, Steven Leybourne, and Terence Mills, which argues that underlying trends in British industrial output for the period 1700 to 1913 are stochastic rather than linearly deterministic. Using parsimonious methods, we propose an alternative view that the output series have alternating stochastic properties. Specifically we distinguish the period 1780 to 1851 as an Industrial Revolution epoch during which shocks had long-term effects. Out model simplifies to help understand the complexities of the Industrial Revolution, and we agree with Clive Granger and Zhuanxin Ding, that "While it is correct to search over a specific set of parsimonious models … the model so achieved is, at best, an approximation to the truth".


The performance of flat plate solar collector is affected by the value of its slope angle with respect to horizontal plane, where the variation of slope angle changes the amount of incident solar radiation. So, using the solar tracking system for solar collector will get the maximum solar radiation, the application of the solar tracking system cost has high operation and maintenance. It is usually suitable to set the solar collector at a best fixed slope angle throughout the year with less reduction in solar radiation received on the collector surface. In this work, a best slope angles were calculated for solar collectors based on the monthly mean daily solar radiations on a horizontal surface over some Iraqi cities (Mosul, Rutba, and Basra). The total of rays flux incident upon a solar collector is mainly affected by the installation angle. The solar collector can be oriented at three different angle settings. The first angle setting is to adjust the collector monthly off to give highest incident solar radiation, while the second angle setting suggests the seasonally changes (Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn) .The final adjustment for solar collector can be achieved using the mean value for the four seasons to get yearly averaged throughout the year.


Both intensity and aftershock distributions have shown that the seismogenic structure of the 2014 MW6.1(MS6.5)Ludian,Yunnan,earthquake was quite complex.Especially,aftershocks distribute in a reverse L-shape on conjugated faults(i.e.,the NNW-SSE fault and the ENEWSW fault),making it difficult to determine the causative fault and rupture process.For better understanding the seismogenic structure of the Ludian earthquake,we invert local seismic(strongmotion and broadband data)as well as teleseismic data to investigate the rupture kinematics.Three cases of fault ruptures were tested.(1)Ruptures occur only on the NNW-SSE fault.(2)Ruptures occur only on the ENE-WSW fault.(3)Ruptures can propagate freely on the conjugated faults.A linear technique was used in these inversions.We have two steps in this work.First,local seismic data were inverted for rupture process to identify the rupture faults.Second,withthe determined rupture faults,the rupture model was renewed by jointly inverting local seismic and teleseismic waves.Local seismic data inversions show that data fitting of the NNW-SSE fault is better than that of the ENE-WSW fault,suggesting the NNW-SSE fault is the major rupture fault of the Ludian earthquake.Meanwhile,the best data fitting was found in inversion of conjugated faults,in which data fitting per seismic moment of the ENE-WSW fault was even slightly better than that of the NNW-SSE fault,indicating that both conjugated faults may have ruptured during the earthquake.From the joint inversion of local and teleseismic data,rupture initiated on the ENEWSW fault in the first two seconds,and after 2s,the NNW-SSE fault began to rupture.The source duration is about 17 s,but most seismic moments were released in the first 10 safter the rupture initiation.On the conjugated faults,ruptures propagated toward up-dip directions and mainly occurred in very shallow depth,which may account for the terrible earthquake damages.However,rupture extent of the NNW-SSE fault is much larger than that of the ENE-WSW fault.As a result,rupture area on the NNW-SSE fault is comparable with aftershocks along that direction,but on the ENE-WSW fault,the dimension of rupture area is much smaller than that of aftershock distribution.The above inversion results show that the Ludian earthquake is a complex conjugated ruptured earthquake.Ruptures firstly initiated on the ENE-WSW fault,and then triggered the NNW-SSE fault.Consecutive ruptures on conjugated faults constitute the complex rupture process of the earthquake.The left-lateral strike-slips in the south of the NNW-SSE fault could unlock the west part of the ENE-WSW fault,leading to aftershocks in that area where no significant ruptures were observed.


Background: The self-efficacy of individuals is influenced by experiences in the community, in the workplace, and in broader civil society, all of which exert a collective influence on attitudes and behaviors. The low-income population is more likely to engage in the use of culture bound addictive substances which include tobacco, gutkha, betel nut/areca nut, alcohol and caffeine. The objective of the study was to identify the type of culture-bound substances used by low-income workers and also to determine the prevalence of substance use among low-income workers, in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in Karachi, Pakistan. Trained interviewers used a semi-structured questionnaire to interview 707 workers to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, and addiction history. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 18. Results: Majority (26.4%) of the participants were aged between 26 and 30 years. More than one-third (35.1%) were educated up to secondary level only. Half of the sample (50.8) had 6 to 10 house hold members whereas only one member was employed among 34.8% of the respondents. 39.5% participants reported a household income between Rs11000 and Rs 20000 per month. Half of the sample (50.4%) reported some sort of substance use in their daily routine. A significant number (39.5%) of workers were found to be addicted to tobacco, gutkha or betel nut alone, while another 10.5% were using these substances in combination. Conclusions: Addiction to culture bound substances is prevalent among 50% of the low income workers of Karachi, Pakistan. The common culture bound addiction substances the workers were found to be using were tobacco, ghutka and betel nut. The findings of the present study cannot be generalized due to the limited sample. Still, the study provides evidence of this unhealthy behavior among workers that not only affects their productivity but plays a vicious role in poverty and poor health cycle. Future research should direct attention toward workers' health and working conditions to formulate effective public health interventions to reduce the risky behavior among low income workers. Moreover, there is a need to develop health education programs to create awareness and empowerment among low-income workers to prevent substance use.


2-Monoacylglycerols are gaining increasing interest as signaling lipids, beyond endocannabinoids, for example, as ligands for the receptor GPR119 and as mediators of insulin secretion. In the vascular system, they are formed by the action of lipoprotein lipase (LPL); however, their further disposition is unclear. Assuming similar affinity for uptake and incorporation into tissues of 2-oleoylglycerol and 2-oleylglyceryl ether, we have synthesized a (3)H-labeled 2-ether analog of triolein (labeled in alkyl group) and compared its disposition with (14)C-labeled triolein (labeled in glycerol) 20 min after intravenous coadministration in a ratio of 1:1 to mice. We found that peripheral tissues and the liver in particular are able to take up 2-monoacylglycerols as seen from (3)H uptake. In muscle and adipose tissue, 2-monoacylglycerols are probably further hydrolyzed as seen by an increased (3)H/(14)C ratio, whereas in the liver and the heart, data suggest that they are also subjected to re-esterification to triacylglycerol, as seen by an unchanged (3)H/(14)C ratio in the lipid fraction of the tissues. Our findings suggest that LPL-generated 2-monoacylglycerol is likely to be stable in the vascular system and thus have a potential to circulate or at least exert effects in tissues where it may be locally produced.


The discovery of a parathyroid adenoma in the middle mediastinum is exceptional and fewer than 10 cases have been reported. On the basis of a new case, the authors propose several pathogenic hypotheses: this adenoma develops and/or migrates from the fourth branchial pouch. Preoperative imaging is very useful for guiding the operation via sternotomy. The absence of any CT signs in the present case caused us to explore the retro-aortico-caval region. Sternotomies performed for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism are unsuccessful in one third of patients. In more than 30% of cases, the cause for this failure is related to the persistence of a cervical adenoma: when the pathological gland is actually located in the mediastinum, the possibility of middle mediastinal ectopia should be considered when investigation of the classical sites in the neck and mediastinum remains negative.


This article aims at contributing to a more profound understanding of the relationship between the developmental state and private entrepreneurial activity, in particular the internationalization of business ventures. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Singapore, this article attempts to identify the role of the Singapore developmental state in orchestrating the strategies of domestic firms establishing themselves in foreign markets. From the 1960s, the Singapore government has neglected small domestic firms — its legacy of the colonial past — for diverse economic and political reasons. Initially offsetting the influence of Western culture through the establishment of foreign companies, the government changed its tune, harnessing 'Asian' values and institutional norms to facilitate ventures into China. Altering between different legacies created ambivalence and shifting coalitions with foreign economies. Striking divergence from government directives has been found in the ways in which Singaporean firms go about when venturing across borders and, in particular, when drawing on the city state's legacies to give their ventures legitimacy and meaning. This divergence raises questions about the role of the Singapore state as the paragon of institutional legacy for its domestic businesses.


The Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory is developing a proof-of-concept Vortexing Combustor (VC) with 2--4 MMBtu/hr firing capacity to bum both coal-water fuel and ultrafine coal for boiler applications. Thermodynamic analysis was made to trade off design features of the combustor. Results indicated that for best thermal efficiency, consistent with the low temperature combustion requirements, a sub-adiabatic VC arrangement should be selected. In order to minimize the risk of uncertainties, a three-step approach was chosen by which two small size models (0.15 and 0.6 MMBtu/hr) will be designed, built, and tested. The full-scale, proof-of-concept model will then be designed based on the results of tests using the small-scale models. Extensive testing of the full-scale model will be conducted to prove the concept. All combustors will be designed based on the use of one type of coal-water fuel. Ultrafine coal will be tested and regarded as a variance. The design and construction of the 0.15 MMBtu/hr model has been completed and it is being assembled for exploratory testing of the VC concept. Several major pieces of equipment, purchased with NCEL funds as a part of the cost sharing effort have arrived. The overall project has been progressing well and is on schedule.more » Hot testing of the 0.15 MMBtu/hr model will take place in the March--June time frame.« less


Heavy wheeled and tracked vehicle training has been conducted on portions of the landscape of Fort Knox, Kentucky for approximately 60 years. Fort Knox is located on the Kentucky Karst Plain and sinkholes are dominant features of this area. Sinkholes and karst terrain present an atypical problem in combination with this unique land use, potentially impacting downstream and local terrestrial environment. A study of the training area sinkhole complex was conducted as a first step toward mitigating the impact of military activities and reduces potential problems of sedimentation and water quality degradation. A total of 20 sinkholes within Training Areas 9 and 10 at the Fort Knox Military Reservation were randomly selected to represent the study area. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between stand structural characteristics, understory light availability and understory vegetation in sinkhole riparian buffers and concentrated flow paths and with the amount of sediment entering sinkholes in the study area. Vegetation data were collected during the growing months of May and June in 2009. All regressions analyses for vegetative structures have r2 values between 0.000 to 0.308 indicating weak to no correlation among the variables. Light availability and percent herbaceous cover showed moderate and weak relationship in buffers (r = 0.547, p = 0.003) and flow paths (r = 0.164, p = 0.245). Sediment gained in splay areas showed no significant relationship to vegetation structure (r = 0.039 to -0.335). The relationship between sediment gained and mean percent herbaceous cover was not significant in flow paths (r = -0.172, p = 0.2341) or buffers (r = 0.130, p = 0.292). While the results of this study suggest the amount of the sediment depositing in the sinkholes was unrelated to observe variation in sinkhole vegetation, the relationship between overstory vegetation and understory vegetation within sinkholes was more noticeable. On site observations strongly suggest that concentrated flow paths were the primary conduits for sedimentation into splay areas. Therefore, management considerations pertaining to training areas should minimize flow paths leading to sinkholes. Best management practices for Fort Knox training areas should integrate these research findings, in addition to current knowledge of riparian buffers and training areas' management requirements.


Improvements in cancer therapy frequently stem from the development of new small-molecule inhibitors, paralleled by the identification of biomarkers that can predict the treatment response. Recent evidence supports the idea that cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) may represent a potential drug target for breast and prostate cancer, although no CDK8 inhibitors have entered the clinics. As the available inhibitors have been recently reviewed, we focus on the biological functions of CDK8 and provide an overview of the complexity of CDK8-dependent signaling throughout evolution and CDK8-dependent effects that may open novel treatment avenues.


SUMMARY We report the fabrication and characterization of two different families of CMOS gas flow micro sensors. The sensors were produced with a commercial CMOS process followed by maskless post-processing. Within each family two design parameters were systematically varied. The sensors were characterized in flow channels with heights between 0.1 mm and 1.6 mm. Output characteristics of the devices such as their sensitivity, offset, temperature, and linear range were determined as a function of the design parameters and flow channel size. Conclusions for the optimization of thermal CMOS flow sensors are formulated.


Clinicians were aware that children with Life-limiting and Life-threatening conditions (LLC) were living longer, sometimes into adulthood but that good data on these young adults were not readily available. This study aimed to describe patterns of diagnoses in children and young adults with LLC using routinely collected data. The researchers were a multidisciplinary team comprising experts from medical, statistical and population geography backgrounds. After explaining the context for the research, this paper discusses the advantages and limitations of using routine data sources and how the multidisciplinary team has guided the specification of the work. Thereafter, this paper details elements relevant to the research including the data sources used, the identification of the population of interest and any necessary data cleaning followed by statements about the statistical measures used. The measures presented in the results were prevalence per 10,000 population by age, sex, diagnostic group, ethnicity and deprivation using a secondary analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics and populations at risk. The research team all contributed to the interpretation of the results and the writing of the manuscript. During this phase the team considered which would be an appropriate journal and this was informed by discussing the target audience. It was also useful to reflect on what the main messages of the research would be and this was achieved by discussing findings with stakeholders.


Release factors RF1 and RF2 promote hydrolysis of peptidyl-tRNA during translation termination. The GTPase RF3 promotes recycling of RF1 and RF2. Using single molecule FRET together with ensemble kinetics, we show that ribosome termination complexes that carry two factors, RF1–RF3 or RF2–RF3, are dynamic and fluctuate between non-rotated and rotated states, while each factor alone has its distinct signature on the ribosome dynamics and conformation. Dissociation of RF1 depends on peptide release and the presence of RF3, whereas RF2 can dissociate spontaneously. RF3 binds in the GTP-bound state and can rapidly dissociate without GTP hydrolysis from termination complex carrying RF1. GTP cleavage helps RF3 release from ribosomes stalled in the rotated state in the absence of RF1. Our data suggest how the stochastic assembly of the ribosome–RF1–RF3–GTP complex, peptide release, and ribosome fluctuations promote termination of protein synthesis and recycling of the release factors.


Abstract Tidal variations in dissolved nutrients and particulate matter at the mouth of semiclosed Keunso Bay were investigated over four seasons. The role of the bay, whether it acted as a sink or a source, was element-specific and seasonally dependent. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen was imported in spring, summer, and winter due to active denitrification throughout the year and was exported offshore in autumn. For dissolved inorganic phosphorus, the bay served as a sink in spring and winter and as a source in summer and autumn, possibly in association with the redox potential of surface sediments. Similarly, dissolved silicate was imported in spring when a spring bloom occurred, but the bay was a silicate source in summer and autumn. Suspended particulate matter flux also varied seasonally, with tendencies of summer export and winter import, possibly controlled by meteorological conditions and tidal cycle. Particulate organic carbon was exported offshore in summer but imported in winter.


The existence of RNA has been confirmed in human mature sperm, including mRNA and some members of the microRNA family. Different expressions of sperm mRNA have been found to be correlated with sperm motility and male reproduction. Some sperm specific mRNA and microNA play important roles in the regulation of sperm-oocyte fusion and early embryogenesis. Many published results indicate the variety of sperm RNA in composition and quantity as well as its indispensability for embryogenesis. Further researches on the function of sperm RNA will promote the progress in such fields as male infertility, human assisted reproduction technology and nuclear transfer.


The article contains the technology of the preparation of the level surfacehardening, mechanical characteristics and structure of rolled used for cold die forging, eliminating the costly operations annealing furnaces and mechanical turning of surface defects.


The effects of hycanthone and praziquantel on the activities of monoamine oxidases and cholinesterases were studied in the 600-g supernatant from homogenates of Schistosoma mansoni and mouse liver or brain. Hycanthone was shown to be a very potent inhibitor of monoamine oxidases from worms and mouse liver. Hycanthone also inhibited the specific and nonspecific cholinesterases of S. mansoni, but cholinesterase from mouse brain was not affected significantly by this drug. Praziquantel showed no effect on monoamine oxidase from mouse liver or the parasite; however, it was slightly inhibitory to S. mansoni cholinesterases at very high concentrations. Mouse brain cholinesterase required an even higher concentration of praziquantel to observe inhibition. The inhibition of monoamine oxidase in S. mansoni by hycanthone adds a new mode of action to our knowledge of this compound, and suggests another possibility for the development of future anthelminthics.


Background: Linen and Cotton were already in use. Silk was the next suture of choice in non-absorbable suture range. It became very popular because of its excellent handling properties. It was extensively used in all surgical procedures including Cardiovascular Surgery. Halstead was its main proponent. Thorough clinical examination of the patients was made and recorded. Particular attention was given to note the anaemia, nutritional status, jaundice, respiratory tract infections. Apart from the examination of the system involved, routine examination of CVS, RS & CNS were carried out. Subjects and Methods: History taking was followed as a routine in all cases admitted to the wards.Plain X-ray abdomen, Contrast X-rays like barium meal, Upper GI endoscopy and Abdominal ultrasound and CT scan were done in necessary cases.However in emergency cases, only the investigations necessary for supporting the diagnosis were employed. Results: In this study mid line incision was done in 39 patients, 65% of patients, Right Para Median incision in 18 patients 30 %, left Para median in 3 patients, 5%. In this study in mass closure group a mean time taken (min) 15.73 was required for the closure of the incision with standard deviation of 1.82.In the layered closure group mean time taken (min) was 25.03 with a standard deviation of 1.83. Conclusion: The age of the patients ranged from 15-65 years. Out of 60 patients 16 were in the age group of <30 years, 13 were 30-39 years, 11 were 40-49 years and 20 were >50 years.


We have recently identified a novel gene, termed klotho, that is involved in the suppression of several aging phenotypes. The gene encodes a membrane protein that shares sequence similarity with the beta-glucosidases of bacteria and plants. In this study, we isolated rat klotho cDNA and examined its tissue distribution in rats. The deduced amino acid sequence of rat Klotho protein was 1014 amino acids in length and 94 and 85% homologous to those of mouse and human Klotho proteins, respectively. Northern blot analysis using the rat klotho cDNA probe identified a single transcript of 5.2 kb in size expressed predominantly in the kidney, while RT-PCR detected low levels of expression also in the brain, lung, intestine, and ovaries. During development, klotho expression in the kidney was markedly augmented after birth. Chromosomal localization of rat klotho was mapped to 12q12. Northern blot analysis showed that expression of klotho was markedly decreased by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vivo, suggesting that expression of klotho is affected by acute inflammatory stress. The present study leads to a better understanding of the physiologic and pathophysiologic roles of Klotho.


An optical-model potential for the d+6Li system is calculated using high-quality wavefunctions of the nucleus 6Li found previously. The problem of the low-energy extrapolation of the latest experimental data on the d-6Li reaction cross sections which are important for future high-temperature thermonuclear reactors is examined. This approach yields higher values compared with the standard extrapolated values for the low-energy reaction cross sections in the d-6Li system. The calculated cross sections are tabulated.


Cells may be able to promote adaptive evolution in a gene-specific and temporally-controlled manner. Genes encoded on the lagging strand have a higher mutation rate and evolve faster than genes on the leading strand. This effect is likely driven by head-on replication-transcription conflicts, which occur when lagging strand genes are transcribed during DNA replication. We previously suggested that the ability to selectively increase mutagenesis in a subset of genes may provide an adaptive advantage for cells. However, it is also possible that this effect could be neutral or even highly deleterious. Distinguishing between these models is important because, if the adaptive model is correct, it would indicate that 1) head-on conflicts, which are generally deleterious, can also provide a benefit to cells, and 2) cells possess the remarkable ability to fine-tune adaptive evolution. Furthermore, investigating these models may address the long-standing debate regarding whether accelerated evolution through conflicts can be adaptive. To distinguish between the adaptive and neutral models, we conducted single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses on wild strains of bacteria, from divergent phyla. To test the adaptive hypothesis, we analyzed convergent mutation patterns. As a simple test of the neutral hypothesis, we performed in silico modeling. Our results show that convergent mutations are enriched in lagging strand genes and that these mutations are unlikely to have arisen by chance. Additionally, we observe that convergent mutation frequency has a stronger positive correlation with gene-length in lagging strand genes. This effect strongly suggests that head-on conflicts between the DNA replication and transcription machineries are a key mechanism driving the formation of convergent mutations. Together, our data indicate that head-on replication-transcription conflicts can promote adaptive evolution in a variety of bacterial species, and potentially other organisms.