Drought stress is one of the primary environmental stress factors that gravely threaten crop growth, development, and yields. After drought stress, plants can regulate the content and proportion of various hormones to adjust their growth and development, and in some cases to minimize the adverse effects of drought stress. In our previous study, the tobacco cis-abienol synthesis gene (NtCPS2) was found to affect hormone synthesis in tobacco plants. Unfortunately, the role of NtCPS2 genes in the response to abiotic stress has not yet been investigated. Here, we present data supporting the role of NtCPS2 genes in drought stress and the possible underlying molecular mechanisms. NtCPS2 gene expression was induced by polyethylene glycol, high-temperature, and virus treatments. The results of subcellular localization showed that NtCPS2 was localized in the cell membrane. The NtCPS2-knockdown plants exhibited higher levels of gibberellin (GA) content and synthesis pathway genes expression but lower abscisic acid (ABA) content and synthesis pathway genes expression in response to drought stress. In addition, the transgenic tobacco lines showed higher leaf water loss and electrolyte loss, lower soluble protein and reactive oxygen species content (ROS), and lower antioxidant enzyme activity after drought treatment compared to wild type plants (WT). In summary, NtCPS2 positively regulates drought stress tolerance possibly by modulating the ratio of GA to ABA, which was confirmed by evidence of related phenotypic and physiological indicators. This study may provide evidence for the feedback regulation of hormone to abiotic and biotic stresses.


Recently, mobile, battery-powered embedded devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, and cellular devices, have become ubiquitous and increasingly capable. Worldwide, approximately 42 million smartphones and PDAs are shipped in the first half of 2006, and the predictions indicate that their sales will increase more than 57 percent by 2007. Given the proliferation and importance of these devices, users demand more capability from, and execution of increasingly complex applications on, these devices.
A key limitation on the utility of these devices is the battery. Since it is extremely difficult to increase battery supply, the best option for extending battery life is to use software techniques and systems that are power aware. The two most important techniques that reduce energy consumption are computation offloading and dynamic voltage scaling. In our work, we extend these techniques and investigate novel software solutions to enable power-awareness for real devices and real software.
The goal of both offloading and DVS systems is to extend battery life without impacting negatively the user's perception of program performance. Unfortunately, extant approaches to both of these systems fall short in doing so. The primary reason for this is due to inaccuracies both in the measurement of past energy consumption and in the prediction of future program and workload behavior and resource availability. Thus, it is the goal of our work to devise novel techniques and infrastructures to improve the efficacy of these two power-aware optimizations.
In our work, we first develop techniques that measure energy consumption of tasks accurately. Our approach provides task energy estimations with a very low error margin (3.8% to 4.6%) Second, we present a set of prediction tools and strategies that make accurate forecasts of future application and resource behavior. Finally, we show how these techniques can be used to enable more effective offloading (27% to 56% less wasted energy when compared to its competitors, and DVS (31% to 49% savings of that has been previously possible). In all of our work, we consider real devices in use today and popular software systems and workloads.


The Capacitated General Routing Problem on Mixed Graphs (CGRP-m) consists basically of finding a set of routes on a mixed graph, beginning and ending at the same vertex (depot), with minimum total cost, satisfying demands located at links and vertices and with a capacity restriction on the demand satisfied by each route. This problem generalizes many routing problems that have been largely studied in the operational research literature due to their important applications in real-world problems. However, this general problem has been hardly studied and only in order to find heuristic solutions. We present in this paper a polynomial transformation of the CGRP-m into the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem on Directed Graphs, that allows us to solve it both optimally and heuristically with existing algorithms for this last problem..


We consider optimum space-time equalizers with unknown dispersive interference, consisting of a linear equalizer that both spatially and temporally whitens the interference and noise, followed by a decision-feedback equalizer or maximum-likelihood sequence estimator. We first present a unified analysis of the optimum space-time equalizer, and then show that, for typical fading channels with a given signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), near-optimum performance can be achieved with a finite-length equalizer. Expressions are given for the required filter span as a function of the dispersion length, number of cochannel interferers, number of antennas, and SNR, which are useful in the design of practical near-optimum space-time equalizers.


The Qur'an is one source of law and legal propositions. The Qur'an is a source of knowledge. Family coaching as the main pillar of Islamic education which is connected with Allah's command in the Qur'an, as in Q.S. At-Tahri>m [66]: 6, Allah commands those who believe to protect themselves and their families from the fire of hell, whose fuel consists of humans and stones, obediently and obediently carrying out the commands of Allah swt


This thesis studied the principal environmental controlling factors and microbial mechanisms involved in leaf litter decomposition in Mediterranean intermittent streams. Additionally, drought disturbance in both Mediterranean intermittent and Atlantic permanent streams was also evaluated. At the Mediterranean intermittent stream leaf litter decomposition varied mainly related to seasonal variations in temperature, conductivity and current velocity. Drought clearly affected microbial assemblages and functioning in these ecosystems although this did not resulted in changes on breakdown rates. In permanent streams drought disturbance also affected microbial activity and structure, reducing breakdown velocity due to emersion of leaves. Microbial communities from nutrient enriched streams were more resistant to drought disturbance. Results suggest that under more extreme environmental variation and dry conditions expected with the global change, microbial decomposers will be severely affected. However consequences in carbon recycling will depend on to the type of drought-related disturbance, interaction with other stressors and previous communities dwelling in.


Background and aims Acute laryngitis is the most common cause of upper airway obstruction in children, accounting for 90% of stridor case. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical-epidemiological profile of children with croup. Methods The study group consists in 94 children, 37 girls and 57 boys, aged 3 months – 13 years, hospitalised in a Paediatric Clinic during 16 months, diagnosed with acute laringytis. Diagnostic criteria were the presence of inspiratory laryngeal stridor, dysphonia, and barking cough. Results The distribution of patients by age groups showed that 18% were infants, 45% were 1–3 years age old, 24% of patients were 3–7 years age old and 13% of patients were older than 7 years. Depending on the environment, 45% of patients were from urban areas and 55% from rural areas. The incidence of croup was higher in autumn-winter periods, 64% of cases. Anamnesis showed a high risk of croup in patients with previous respiratory infections, 33% of children; also 10% of patients had recurrent laryngitis. Associated symptoms were headache (16% of cases), dysphagia (6% of cases), loss of appetite (21% of cases), nasal obstruction in 50% of patients, runny nose in 31% of patients and ear pain in 16% of patients. Based on Downes score, laryngitis was mild in 32% cases, moderate in 20% cases and severe in 48% cases. Three cases were suspected of epiglottitis and x-ray was performed. Severe cases needed oxygen administration and 51% of them association of antibiotic in treatment. Conclusions Most of patients in the study group had severe manifestation of laryngitis. The peak incidence was in children aged 1–3 years, predominantly in boys.


With the advancement in science and technology, the information and communication technology (ICT) mode has been put to best use in the health-care sectors. Unlike health, communication disorders pose special challenges to service delivery. The Discipline of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology is an integrated health-care profession which is only about half-a-century old in India. The disproportion in the ratio of qualified service providers to service receivers is highly prevalent. In view of this, "Telepractice" (The term telepractice is used in this article to mean tele-rehabilitation for persons with communication disorders since the service comprises of multifaceted objectives such as rehabilitation in the Discipline of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology) as a means of "reaching the unreached" fits well when the service delivery is provided across geographic, time, social, and cultural barriers using ICT mode. Telepractice is generally provided from a remote site using store-and-forward as well as real-time technology using ICT platforms. The platform for telepractice in India is well set, with a considerable number of people being "digitally literate." Yet, there are several concerns such as development of professional skills for telepractice; development and validation of digital resources; empirical studies on face-to-face, virtual, or hybrid service delivery; revision of code of ethics for telepractice; and mechanism to protect client's privacy on e-platforms that need to be addressed if telepractice has to be launched on a large scale in India. Insights gained from the work carried out at the Telecenter for Persons with Communication Disorders highlight on the advantages of telepractice from client/caregiver's perspective besides reflections on the prospects and challenges of telepractice in India.


The effect of methanol on the thermal denaturation of ribonuclease A has been investigated over the -40 to 70 degrees C range. The transition was fully reversible to at least 60% (v/v) methanol at an apparent pH of cryosolvent (pH) of 3.0 and was examined at methanol concentrations as high as 80%. The unfolding transition, as monitored by absorbance change at 286 nm, became progressively broader and occurred at increasingly lower temperatures as the alcohol concentration increased. In 50% methanol, increasing the pH from 2 to 6 shifted the transition to higher temperature. A substantial decrease in cooperativity was noted at the more acidic conditions. On the other hand, increasing concentrations of guanidine hydrochloride in 50% methanol caused the transition to shift to lower temperatures with little effect on the cooperativity. The observed effects on the cooperativity of the unfolding transition suggest that methanol and lower temperatures may increase the concentration of partially folded intermediate states in the unfolding of ribonuclease. Comparison of the transition in 50% methanol as determined by absorbance or fluorescence, which monitor the degree of exposure of buried tyrosines and hence the tertiary structure, to that determined by far-UV circular dichroism, which monitors secondary structure, indicated that the major unfolding transition occurred at a higher temperature in the latter case. Thus, the tertiary structure is lost at a lower temperature than the secondary structure. This observation is consistent with a model of protein folding in which initially formed regions of secondary structure pack together, predominantly by hydrophobic interactions, to give the tertiary structure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Inflammatory pseudotumor is a nonmalignant lesion that mimics malignant lesions and has been reported to occur at various sites throughout the body. Though it has been reported as a reaction to infection, the true etiology of the lesion is unknown. In this report, we present the case of a patient with a liver lesion of unknown origin. Through a series of imaging studies, we were able to observe the locally aggressive nature of this lesion as it rapidly eroded into the lung. Sputum cultures showed growth of E. coli, indicating E. coli infection as a possible etiology of this lesion. Pathology was consistent with inflammatory pseudotumor.


Tabanid (Diptera) species are associated with the mechanical transmission of several pathogens to both domestic and wild animals around the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diversity, abundance, and seasonal dynamic of tabanids in the Cerrado-Pantanal ecotone in Miranda, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Tabanids were collected once a month, from June 2001 to May 2003, for seven consecutive days per collection, using canopy and nzi type traps baited with a chemical attractant (1-octen-3-ol). A total of 6,492 individuals from 39 species and 18 genera was collected, which increases from 25 to 34 the number of tabanid species reported for the studied region. Tabanus occidentalis Linnaeus, 1758 (62.21%) was the most abundant species throughout the collection period, followed by Lepiselaga crassipes (Fabricius, 1805) (7.19%) and Tabanus sorbillans Wiedemann, 1828 (5.68%). The peak of the tabanid population was reached during the rainy season, which is the period of the highest potential risk of mechanical transmission of pathogens by these insects in the studied region.


ABSTRACT The present study seeks to ascertain membrane stability and methaemoglobin content (%MetHb) of human erythrocytes suspended in aqueous leaf extract of N. tabacum. Erythrocyte membrane stability (%EMS) and %MetHb were measured by spectrophotometric method. Erythrocytes incubated in the five experimental concentrations of N. tabacum exhibited higher tendency to haemolyze in phosphate buffered saline solution [PBS] > 0.54 g/100 mL, whereas erythrocytes incubated in aqueous extracts of [N. tabaccum] = 0.4 and 0.8 mg/100 mL showed relatively lower level of haemolysis in [PBS] tabacum] = 2.0 mg/100 mL caused destabilization of erythrocyte membrane by 13.3%. %MetHb of control and erythrocytes treated with aqueous extracts of N. tabacum ranged between 0.58 ± 0.09 and 1.89 ± 0.12%. Specifically, erythrocytes treated with [N. tabacum] = 0.4 mg/100 mL gave %MetHb = 0.59 ± 0.08; p tabacum] = 2.0 mg/100 mL engendered a paradoxical reduction in erythrocyte %MetHb = 0.58 ± 0.09; p > 0.05. The medium negative correlation (r = − 0.62421) between MCF and %MetHb was an indication that N. tabacum destabilizing effect, exemplified by [N. tabacum] = 0.2 mg/100 mL; %MetHb = 0.58 ± 0.09; %EMS = − 13.3, was not an oxidative process, but by mechanical perturbation by constituents of the plant extract on erythrocyte membrane structural components. Erythrocyte %MetHb in the presence of the five experimental [N. tabacum] = 0.4 − 2.0 mg/100 mL did not cause toxic methaemoglobinemia in vitro.


Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) cases are increasing; however, the treatment indication and procedure remain unestablished. The present study evaluated the indication, feasibility and safety of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) with our technique for PNET. A total of 13 patients with insulinoma and nonfunctional PNET <2 cm in diameter who underwent LDP and 13 patients with any size of PNET who underwent open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) between October 2009 and June 2019 were retrospectively reviewed and compared. The median age of patients was 45 (33-61) years, and 14 (54%) patients were male. The median follow-up periods were 70 months for the LDP group and 46 months for the ODP group. The tumor diameter of the patients who underwent LDP for PNET was 18±9 mm compared with 37±25 mm for those who underwent ODP. The operation time, estimated blood loss, and complication were 290.2±115 vs. 337±131 min (P=0.338), 122±172 vs. 649±693 ml (P=0.019) and 31 vs. 54% (P=0.234), respectively. Pancreatic fistula developed in 8% of patients who underwent LDP compared with 31% who underwent ODP (P=0.131). Notably, the postoperative hospitalization period was significantly shorter in the LDP group (11±7 vs. 21±13 days; P=0.022). Tumor grade of 2017 World Health Organization classification (G1/G2/G3/NEC/unknown) was 9/2/0/0/2 for the LDP group compared with 5/5/0/3/0 for the ODP group. Furthermore, lymph node metastasis was detected in only 1 patient who underwent ODP, for whom the maximum tumor diameter was 70 mm and was classified as G2. In addition, 2 patients in the ODP group developed postoperative lung and liver metastases. LDP for PNETs of <2 cm in selected patients can be safely performed; however, the extent of lymph node dissection needs to be clarified.


Of the methods used to build bankruptcy prediction models in the last twenty years, neural networks are among the most challenging. Despite the characteristics of neural networks, most of the research done until now has not taken them into consideration for building financial failure models, nor for selecting the variables to be included in the models. The aim of our research is to establish that to improve the prediction accuracy of the models, variable selection techniques developed specifically for neural networks may well offer a useful alternative to conventional methods


The microgrid is a typical cyber-physical microgrid system (CPMS). The physical unconventional distributed generators (DGs) are intermittent and inverter-interfaced which makes them very different to control. The cyber components, such as the embedded computer and communication network, are equipped with DGs, to process and transmit the necessary information for the controllers. In order to ensure system-wide observability, controllability and stabilization for the microgrid, the cyber and physical component need to be integrated. For the physical component of CPMS, the droop-control method is popular as it can be applied in both modes of operation to improve the grid transient performance. Traditional droop control methods have the drawback of the inherent trade-off between power sharing and voltage and frequency regulation. In this paper, the global information (such as the average voltage and the output active power of the microgrid and so on) are acquired distributedly based on multi-agent system (MAS). Based on the global information from cyber components of CPMS, automatic generation control (AGC) and automatic voltage control (AVC) are proposed to deal with the drawback of traditional droop control. Simulation studies in PSCAD demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control methods.


This work seeks to identify and generate processes for managing communicational crisis of the company named Crossfit 746W. To achieve this objective, the work analizes the factors that could generate crisis in the company, the communication status that it handles and the level of identity that its users have established with it. In its first chapter, the paper describes the company: organizational background, corporative identity and the issues on which the paper focused. The second chapter explains the theoretical context of the communication, its definition, its history, its processes and the importance of corporate communication in this context. Additionally, in the third chapter, it will be analized the Crisis Management, its characteristics, public involved, types, models of management and crisis communicational manuals. Through investigation it was possible to get hard data about the communicational elements in the organization, the level of user identity and issues related to the possible crisis on Crossfit 746W. Finally, with obtained data, the paper makes a proposal for a communication plan focused on a crisis management manual.


Many studies have suggested that arm exercise, particularly in the supine position or with arms elevated, is more stressful than leg exercise. Arm exercise at a given workload is typified by cardiac output and oxygen consumption values slightly higher and heart rate, blood pressure, ventilatory and blood lactic acid responses that are significantly higher than those observed during leg exercise. Part of the increased physiological stress during arm exercise may be due to sluggish kinetics of oxidative metabolism and increased glycolysis leading to lactic acid production and accumulation in blood. This physiological state would lead to a cardiovascular and respiratory pressor effect. The limitations of VO2 adjustment in the arms are not due to cardiac or muscle blood flow limitations as these are quick to adjust and reach higher absolute levels than during leg exercise. Specific arm training increases the VO2 adjustment, and the physiological values in these subjects during arm exercise are similar to those observed during leg exercise.


For some time now, a new approach has been emerging to questions of town planning and the use of public and private space. The focus is no longer on the master plan, the strategy, and the making of long-term arrangements. Instead, the ephemeral, trial and error, and the unplanned are gaining legitimacy. Temporary uses are both indicators of this development and beneficiaries of a new way of seeing. The volume "Temporary Spaces: Concepts for the Use of City Spaces" brings together eleven articles and essays by renowned individual authors who approach the subject from a theoretical perspective. In its main section, the book provides extensive documentation of projects involving temporary use from throughout Europe and the United States.


A self-shielded antenna-in-package (AiP) covering IEEE 802.11a band is proposed in this paper, and the antenna is designed using quarter mode substrate integrated waveguide (QMSIW) subarray technology. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) in a system-in-package integrated with AiP is discussed firstly. Electric field distribution of the proposed AiP is simulated, and it shows that the metallic via-holes array in the QMSIW subarray approximates to the electric wall to isolate the electromagnetic field coupling and then to increase the EMI shielding. The operating principle of the proposed antenna is investigated through an isosceles right triangular waveguide. An antenna prototype is fabricated and measured. The measured results match with the simulated and analyzed results very well. It is demonstrated that the proposed QMSIW subarray with metallic via-holes array gives an attractive and promising way to design the AiP with self-shielded property.


The present study aims to evaluate the effect of internet marketing on export development for agricultural products in food ccompanies. The study method is descriptive-correlation and structural equations. The study population is sale managers, marketing managers, experts of international contracts and international relations experts of exporting for agricultural products in food ccompanies.in Tehran. 179 people participate in the study. They responded questionnaires of internet marketing capabilities, availability of export information, business network relations and export market growth. The reliability and validity of measures are supported using Cronbach's alpha and confirmatory factor analysis. For data analysis, Pearson correlation and structural equations method with LISREL software are used. It was found that the effect of internet marketing capabilities on export market growth, availability of export information and business network relations was positive and significant. The effect of export information availability on export market growth and business network relationship was positive and significant. The effect of business network relationship on growth of export market was positive and significant. Thus, we can say internet marketing capabilities can lead to the increasing availability to export information and development of international business networks and export market development.


Do fixed geographic features such as coastlines and rivers determine town locations, or can historical events trap towns in unfavourable locations for centuries? We examine the effects on town locations of the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, which temporarily ended urbanization in Britain, but not in France. As urbanization recovered, medieval towns were more often found in Roman-era town locations in France than in Britain. The resetting of Britain's urban network gave it better access to natural navigable waterways, which mattered for town growth from 1200-1800. We conclude that history trapped many French towns in suboptimal locations.


The likelihood ratio (LR) is a commonly used measure for determining the strength of forensic match evidence. When a forensic expert determines a high LR for DNA found at a crime scene matching the DNA profile of a suspect they typically report that 'this provides strong support for the prosecution hypothesis that the DNA comes from the suspect'. However, even with a high LR, the evidence might not support the prosecution hypothesis if the defence hypothesis used to determine the LR is not the negation of the prosecution hypothesis (such as when the alternative is 'DNA comes from a person unrelated to the defendant' instead of 'DNA does not come from the suspect'). For DNA mixture profiles, especially low template DNA (LTDNA), the value of a high LR for a 'match' - typically computed from probabilistic genotyping software - can be especially questionable. But this is not just because of the use of non-exhaustive hypotheses in such cases. In contrast to single profile DNA 'matches', where the only residual uncertainty is whether a person other than the suspect has the same matching DNA profile, it is possible for all the genotypes of the suspect's DNA profile to appear at each locus of a DNA mixture, even though none of the contributors has that DNA profile. In fact, in the absence of other evidence, we show it is possible to have a very high LR for the hypothesis 'suspect is included in the mixture' even though the posterior probability that the suspect is included is very low. Yet, in such cases a forensic expert will generally still report a high LR as 'strong support for the suspect being a contributor'. Our observations suggest that, in certain circumstances, the use of the LR may have led lawyers and jurors into grossly overestimating the probative value of a LTDNA mixed profile 'match'


Optical microscopy systems can be used to obtain high-resolution microscopic images of tissue cultures and ex vivo tissue samples. This imaging technique can be translated for in vivo, in situ applications by using optical fibres and miniature optics. Fibred optical endomicroscopy (OEM) can enable optical biopsy in organs inaccessible by any other imaging systems, and hence can provide rapid and accurate diagnosis in a short time. The raw data the system produce is difficult to interpret as it is modulated by a fibre bundle pattern, producing what is called the "honeycomb effect". Moreover, the data is further degraded due to the fibre core cross coupling problem. On the other hand, there is an unmet clinical need for automatic tools that can help the clinicians to detect fluorescently labelled bacteria in distal lung images. The aim of this thesis is to develop advanced image processing algorithms that can address the above mentioned problems. First, we provide a statistical model for the fibre core cross coupling problem and the sparse sampling by imaging fibre bundles (honeycomb artefact), which are formulated here as a restoration problem for the first time in the literature. We then introduce a non-linear interpolation method, based on Gaussian processes regression, in order to recover an interpretable scene from the deconvolved data. Second, we develop two bacteria detection algorithms, each of which provides different characteristics. The first approach considers joint formulation to the sparse coding and anomaly detection problems. The anomalies here are considered as candidate bacteria, which are annotated with the help of a trained clinician. Although this approach provides good detection performance and outperforms existing methods in the literature, the user has to carefully tune some crucial model parameters. Hence, we propose a more adaptive approach, for which a Bayesian framework is adopted. This approach not only outperforms the proposed supervised approach and existing methods in the literature but also provides computation time that competes with optimization-based methods.


Abstract The North Dogger Fault Zone (NDFZ) is situated at the northern margin of the UK Southern North Sea Basin at the northern limit of the mobile Zechstein Supergroup. This fault zone underwent movement during late Triassic and probably early Jurassic times. The NDFZ is comparable with the southern part of the Dowsing Fault Zone (SDFZ), which was initiated during late Scythian times and continued to move until at least mid-Carnian times. The SDFZ is located at the southwestern edge of mobile salt. Both fault zones form part of the basin-bounding fault system, which is proposed to have been initiated as a response to the growth of salt swells in the centre of the Southern North Sea Basin. The fault formation is due to folding of the Triassic strata over the swells and overall shortening of the Triassic cover. The shortening was taken up as extension at the basin margins, corresponding to the edge of the mobile Zechstein salt.


We are summarizing the recommendations for the use of Echocardiography in patients during COVID-19 pandemic. The patient risk for COVID-19 should be assessed according to the Saudi CDC guidelines. Echocardiography should only be performed of considered appropriate and will likely alter the clinical decision. In COVID-19 suspected/confirmed patients, echocardiography study should be performed bedside and in infection control approved area with airborne precaution. Limited focused imaging is recommended to minimize contact time. A dedicated machine for COVID-19 suspected/confirmed cases is recommended. Transesophageal echocardiography is considered an aerosol generating procedure; therefore, an alternative modality should be strongly considered. In COVID-19 suspected/confirmed patients, a transesophageal echocardiogram should be done only under strict airborne precaution. In low risk patient for COVID-19, Transesophageal echocardiography should be done with a minimum of droplet precaution, however; N95 respirator is preferred to surgical mask in this situation.


Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) represent different approaches to mapping the motor cortex. fMRI identifies areas of hemodynamic changes during task performance while TMS provides electrophysiologic data concerning the localization and density of cortical motoneurons. Here we define the spatial correlation between fMRI and TMS maps and compared them with direct electrical cortical stimulation (ECS). We performed fMRI at 1.5 T on 3 normal subjects and 2 patients with mass lesions near the central sulcus using a multislice, asymmetric, spin-echo, echo-planar pulse sequence during the performance of a motor task. We also performed focal TMS with surface EMG recordings from the muscles primarily involved in the fMRI task. We coregistered the stimulation sites in real time with the fMRI maps using a frameless stereotactic system. In both patients we also performed ECS of the cortex during surgery under local anesthesia. fMRI maps were validated by the electro-physiologic data both pre- and intraoperatively. Our results suggest that regions of fMRI activation correspond spatially to areas of highest motoneuron density as demonstrated by electrophysiologic techniques.


The genetic basis of phenotypic differences between species is among the most longstanding questions in evolutionary biology. How new genes form and the processes selection acts to produce differences across species are fundamental to understand how species persist and evolve in an ever-changing environment. Adaptation and genetic innovation arise in the genome by a variety of sources. Functional genomics requires both intrinsic genetic discoveries, as well as empirical testing to observe adaptation between lineages. Here we explore two species of Drosophila on the island of Sao Tome and mainland Africa, D. santomea and D. yakuba. These two species both inhabit the island, but occupy differing species distributions based on elevation, with D. yakuba also having populations on mainland Africa. Intrinsic evidence shows genes between species may have a role in adaptation to higher UV tolerance with DNA repair mechanisms (PARP) and resistance to humeral stress lethal effects (Victoria). We conducted empirical assays between island D. santomea, D. yakuba, and mainland D. yakuba. Flies were shocked with UVB radiation (@ 302 nm) at 1650-1990 mW/cm2 for 30 minutes on a transilluminator apparatus. Custom 5-wall acrylic enclosures were constructed for viewing and containment of flies. All assays were filmed. Island groups did show significant differences between fall-time under UV stress and recovery time post-UV stress test between regions and sex. This study shows evidence that mainland flies are less resistant to UV radiation than their island counterparts. Further work exploring the genetic basis for UV tolerance will be conducted from empirical assays. Understanding the mechanisms and processes that promote adaptation and testing extrinsic traits within the context of the genome is crucially important to understand evolutionary machinery.


The study was conducted in 2006 - 2008 at the Production and Experimental Station of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, located in Balcyny (NE Poland). The objective of this study was to determine the microbial quality of soil after Brassicaceae grown as forecrops for winter wheat. A field experiment was established on grey-brown podsolic soil, and it involved the following forecrops: winter rapeseed, spring rapeseed, white mustard, Chinese mustard, and winter wheat as control. Soil samples for microbiological analyses were collected in the spring, before the sowing of forecrops, and in the autumn, after the harvest of Brassicaceae and ploughing-in crop residues. Bacterial and fungal communities isolated from soil sown with Brassicaceae as forecrops were generally more abundant and diverse. These communities exerted an inhibitory effect on the growth of soil pathogens. Forecrops with the greatest microbiological potential were white mustard and winter rapeseed.


The European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D) is the most common instrument to value health outcomes under the patient's perspective. Several studies have investigated whether observed changes are meaningful to patients, using a variety of approaches to estimate the minimum clinically important difference (MCID). This study provides an overview of the state of art of the estimation of the MCID for the three-level EQ-5D index based on the UK scoring algorithm, critically assessing the available evidence. The interest in estimation of MCID for the EQ-5D has been increasing in recent years. However, some additional standardization in the estimation procedures may be of value, in order to enhance the ability to make comparisons across measures and disease areas. Further methodological research might also contribute to reducing gaps between theory and practice.


It was investigated the influence of antiortostatic hipokinesia (ANOC) with different combinations with photothrombosis of prefrontal cortex of rat brain by quantitative measures of passive avoidance reflex and reparative processes on the creation of dikaryons in cortex. Recieved data let to suppose, that ANOC increase ischemic damages and decrease quantity of dikaryons in cortex.


This study aimed at monitoring, mapping, and assessing the land degradation in the desert area. In this research, the Landsat TM and ETM+ imageries to assess the extent of land degradation for study area during the period from 1991 to 2007. Were used to study supervized, unsupervized classfication and NDVI land cover changes in the desert area in Mongolia. The classified map consists of five classes of water, vegetation, slight desertification, middle desertification and sever desertification. It shows that for determination classfication methods and NDVI, desertification map of the study area are prepared. The result showed accounting for a clear deterioration in vegetative cover, an increase of sever desertification and a decrease in middle desertification and slight desertification respectively of the total study area.


Black Hole Quantum Gravity examples in space observed between different nebula (B 1509 and the Helix). According to Function Follows Form (FFF) Theory, Hawking black hole should be interpreted differently. The new (FFF) black hole says that the BH nucleus is a bunch of rigid string particles compressed by the oscillating vacuum particles. All Fermions should be repelled at a new physics BH repelling horizon which has supposed to have two globular shells of positive or negative charge! As a result, each black hole is assumed to have a globular shell of positron and proton based plasma at the inside and a negative electron based plasma shell outside this positive shell. If we include existence of small interference black holes (or Quantum Knots) then Ball lightning and micro comets ( including Comets and sunspots) are to be explained as micro black holes violating the second law of thermodynamics. The form and microstructure of elementary particles, is supposed to be the origin of functional differences between Higgs- Graviton- Photon and Fermion particles. As a consequence of the quantum gravity difference on fermions and black hole nuclei, the new splitting, accelerating and pairing massless black hole, is able to convert vacuum energy (ZPE) into real energy by entropy decrease. This explains quick Galaxy- and Star formation, down to Sunspots, (Micro) Comets, Lightning bolts, Sprites and Elves, Sprite Fireballs and Ball Lightning according to quantum.


Under a multicentre study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research, 2205 samples of dairy milk were collected from rural and urban areas of 12 states representing different geographical regions of India. These samples were analysed for residues of DDT and different isomers of HCH by gas-liquid chromatography. Analytical quality assurance between various participating laboratories was ensured through analysis of check samples. The residues of DDT and HCH were detected in more than 80% of samples analysed. Concentrations of DDT residues, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH and delta-HCH exceeded their maximum residue limits prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Indian Government in 37, 21, 42, 28 and 4% of the samples, respectively. Median values of DDT and HCH found in dairy milk in India were more than the corresponding values reported from most other countries. The results showed significant variations in the incidence as well as level of these contaminants in dairy milk from different regions of the country.


Cerebrosides obtained from the guinea pig Harderian gland were analyzed. The purified cerebrosides gave a single spot on thin-layer chromatography, the Rf value being similar to that of phrenosine obtained from whale brain. The cerebrosides consisted of 74.7% of glucosylceramide and 25.3% of galactosylceramide. The fatty acid composition of these cerebrosides was 0.7% of non-hydroxy fatty acids and 99.3% of alpha-hydroxy fatty acids. Among these alpha-hydroxy fatty acids, a small amount of methyl branched acids was detected. The substituted position of methyl branching of alpha-hydroxy fatty acids was the 16th carbon atom from the carboxyl end irrespective of the carbon chain length. The long chain bases were composed of sphinganine (78%) and sphingenine (22%). 4-D-Hydroxysphinganine was not found. The most remarkable feature of the long chain bases of cerebrosides in the Harderian gland was the presence of a large amount of methyl branched sphinganine. The cerebrosides obtained from the cerebrum and cerebellum of the same animal were also analyzed. The sugar, fatty acid, and long chain base compositions of these cerebrosides were similar to those of whale brain cerebrosides. Methyl branched sphinganine was not found in guinea pig brain.


A model of substrate inhibition for enzyme catalysis was extended to describe the kinetics of photosynthetic production of ethylene by a recombinant cyanobacterium, which exhibits light-inhibition behavior similar to the substrate-inhibition behavior in enzyme reactions. To check the validity of the model against the experimental data, the model equation, which contains three kinetic parameters, was transformed so that a linear plot of the data could be made. The plot yielded reasonable linearity, and the parameter values could be estimated from the plot. The linear-plot approach was then applied to other inhibition kinetics including substrate inhibition of enzyme reactions and inhibitory growth of bacteria, whose analyses would otherwise require nonlinear least-squares fits or data measured in constrained ranges. Plots for three totally different systems all showed reasonable linearity, which enabled visual validation of the assumed kinetics. Parameter values evaluated from the plots were compared with results of nonlinear least-squares fits. A normalized linear plot for all the results discussed in this work is also presented, where dimensionless rates as a function of dimensionless concentration lie in a straight line. The linear-plot approach is expected to be complementary to nonlinear least-squares fits and other currently used methods in analyses of substrate-inhibition kinetics. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


This research is aimed at training the teachers through lesson study in cooperation with other teachers for discussion on: (1) Integrated Thematic Lesson Plan (LP) based on curriculum 2013 for grade 3 of elementary school, (2) implementation of integrated thematic lessons according to curriculum 2013 for grade 3 of elementary school, and (3) making the Integrated Thematic learning tool in the form of LP according to curriculum 2013 and VCD of learning for grade 3 of elementary school. The data were collected from 12 teachers of grade 3 of the elementary schools in Malang. From the data, then analyzed descriptively by: (a) checking the validity of data, (b) identifying and classifying data and (c) data analysis done by calculating the percentage and determining the results of the discussion. Research in the phase I used the descriptive method, qualitative and the data were analyzed by changing percentage. The results of the phase I are aimed at: (a) developing the Integrated Thematic Lesson Plan (LP) based on curriculum 2013 through lesson study, (b) imroving or revising the LP according to curriculum 2013 through lesson study (c) implementing learning process through LP test according to curriculum 2013 which has been enhanced through lesson study, (d) making the VCD of learning implementation using LP according to curriculum 2013 which has been revised. The research method is in the form of training and developing prototype. Expected outcomes include: (a) learning tools in the form of Integrated Thematic LP based on the lessonstudy-based learning of curriculum 2013 and (b) Thematic Integrated VCD learning based on the lesson-study-based learning of curriculum 2013.


Investigator-initiated studies (IISs) help by generating data on effectiveness and safety of a drug in the real-world setting and attempt to answer questions that clinicians face in their day-to-day practice. These are studies that are initiated and managed by a nonpharmaceutical company researcher/s who could be an individual investigator, an institution or a group of institutions, and a collaborative study group or a cooperative group. They are largely driven by questions that arise beyond the completion of Phase III studies that have not been studied during Phases I–III of drug development. The benefits of doing IISs are often offset by the myriad challenges posed by an IIS. These include finances, regulatory submissions, continuous oversight, training of study personnel, lack of expertise in statistics, data management, and medical writing Nonetheless, doing an IIS is extremely rewarding for the investigator and has the capacity to contribute to evidence and eventually impact policy. The present article presents both a brief literature review of IISs and a personal narrative of experience gained during the conduct several IISs in the last two decades. Challenges and potential solutions are described.


The disposition of urban solid waste is a major problem around the world today due to the large amount of spaces it occupies and the negative effects it has on the environment. These effects include pollution, most especially when it comes in contact with terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. One of the solid wastes that are generated in large quantities is the baby diapers. This, however, is because of its high demand for use. Plastics with which conventional disposable diapers are made can take many years to degrade. An attractive alternative to reduce its contaminating effect involves the use of reusable diapers in which the absorbent is not discarded. Nevertheless, one of the major disadvantages is that it requires a lot of washing after its use. Thus, it is time-consuming as the diapers have to be washed with water and detergents. This paper focuses on an attractive alternative of a new 100% biodegradable absorbent which was produced. This alternative can be disposed without having any significant impact on the environment. Through this way, there is a promotion of the idea of using an ecological diaper with a disposable absorbent (insert) made from natural and biodegradable materials with which it would avoid exposing babies to the chemical components of conventional disposable diapers. In addition, costs are minimized since the diaper is not completely discarded; thus, only the absorbent is removed.


Osteoid osteoma is a benign primary bone tumor that occurs most commonly in children, adolescents, and young adults between the ages of 5 and 30 years. It is quite uncommon in patients before age 5 years (3-8% of all osteoid osteoma cases). A case of osteoid osteoma in a 13-month-old infant, who presented with increased crying at night due to pain and swelling in his right crus, is reported in this study. While it is easier to misdiagnose clinically for the younger age and imaging features are also more likely to be unspecific for differentiating from the malignancy, biopsy was performed with Jamshidi. Because of nidus formation showing osteoid osteoma in the histological examination, further surgical procedure was not necessary. At follow-up 7 months later, MRI showed sclerosis and edema around the lesion. The patient still had had pain. This made us think that excision of the tumor with jamshidi resulted in inadequate treatment due to incomplete removal of the nidus. (JAREM 2011; 1: 28-31)


Attention and memory deficits observed in traumatic brain injury (TBI) are postulated to result from the shearing of white matter connections between the prefrontal cortex, parietal lobe, and cerebellum that are critical in the generation, maintenance, and precise timing of anticipatory neural activity. These fiber tracts are part of a neural network that generates predictions of future states and events, processes that are required for optimal performance on attention and working memory tasks. The authors discuss the role of this anticipatory neural system for understanding the varied symptoms and potential rehabilitation interventions for TBI. Preparatory neural activity normally allows the efficient integration of sensory information with goal-based representations. It is postulated that an impairment in the generation of this activity in traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to performance variability as the brain shifts from a predictive to reactive mode. This dysfunction may constitute a fundamental defect in TBI as well as other attention disorders, causing working memory deficits, distractibility, a loss of goal-oriented behavior, and decreased awareness.


Globally, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed tumour that leads to the death in women. The number of genes that leads to the breast cancer is gradually increasing and a pursuit for the better understanding of the genes and their products that serves as the potential drug targets of breast cancer are demanding. In this regard, the development of potential resources that can employ the key genes and their products that plays a crucial role in the cause of breast cancer, may serve as a potential resource for the identification of novel drug targets and also in the development of novel drugs. Thus Breast Cancer Gene Database (BCGDB) holding 2948 over expressed genes that involve in breast cancer and 487 genes that play significant role in breast cancer were provided. The structural and functional aspects of these genes and their products provided in this database can serve as an ecstasy resource for the breast cancer researchers to pursue their investigations for the development of novel therapeutics for the cure of breast cancer. This database can be accessed online (http://www.bcgdb.in).


With K(2)SiO(4) (1.0 mmol/L) treatment, the effects of Si on the distribution of Na(+), K(+) to chloroplasts and antioxidant system of cucumber leaves under 50 mmol/L NaCl stress were studied. The results showed that there was a selective transport of K(+) into the chloroplasts so that Na(+) content of chloroplasts was lower under Si treatment (Table 1); H(2)O(2) and MDA contents in chloroplasts were significantly decreased (Fig.1), and the activities of SOD, APX, GR and DHAR were increased simultaneity (Fig.2), and AsA, GSH contents were also increased in chloroplasts of salt-stressed cucumber by additional Si treatment (Fig.3). It may be concluded that Si could decrease absorption of Na(+) and increase ability of active oxygen scavenging in chloroplasts, therefore the injury of chloroplast membrane under salinity stress in cucumber was alleviated.


Combined radiotherapy and intensive chemotherapy have led to improved prognosis in children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but the toxic effects of these forms of treatment are additive and seriously limit the benefits of their use. In an effort to limit the adverse acute and late effects of treatment, we conducted a randomized, controlled trial to determine whether irradiation of primary sites of involvement could safely be omitted from the treatment of children with localized non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (Stages I and II) who have a favorable prognosis. In addition, the chemotherapy regimen was less intense and shorter (eight months) than usual. A total of 129 patients were randomly assigned to receive either chemotherapy (vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, prednisone, mercaptopurine, and methotrexate) with irradiation (27 Gy) of the involved field (combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy) or chemotherapy alone. Half the patients have been followed for more than 38 months (range, 13 to 68), and the projected disease-free survival (+/- SE) at four years among patients assigned to chemotherapy alone is 87.9 +/- 8.8 percent, as compared with 87.3 +/- 9.4 percent among patients assigned to combined therapy (P = 0.44). The majority of patients tolerated therapy very well, although the toxic effects of treatment (myelosuppression, mucositis, and infection) were significantly worse among patients who received the combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We conclude that most children with localized non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can be cured by a chemotherapy regimen of reduced intensity and duration. Radiotherapy can be safely omitted from the therapy of such children without substantially jeopardizing their excellent chance of cure.


Congenital hydrocephalus is frequently caused by mutations in the L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) gene. The purpose of the present study was to identify possible causes of fetal hydrocephalus in a Chinese family. The samples from the parents and the hydrocephalic fetus were collected. Whole-exome sequencing and in-depth mutation analysis were performed. The identified variant, c.1267C>T.(p.Q423X), is situated on exon 11 of L1CAM gene (chromosome X:153134975). The fetus was confirmed to be hemizygous for the nonsense mutation and the mother was a heterozygous carrier. The mutation turns a glutamine into a premature stop codon at amino acid position 423. In conclusion, in the present study, a nonsense mutation in the L1CAM gene was identified during the prenatal diagnosis of a congenital hydrocephalic fetus from a Chinese family. The diagnosis highlighted the necessity of genetic screening for prenatal diagnosis.


Abstract Field experiments were used to assess how distance mediates the nontarget effect on crepe myrtle by two chrysomelid beetles that were introduced to the United States in 1992 for biological control of purple loosestrife. Previous laboratory tests in Germany and concurrent tests in Oregon showed that although the control organisms can feed on crepe myrtle, they cannot complete development. Therefore, we predicted that negative effects on crepe myrtle would decrease with distance from the purple loosestrife stand. To test this prediction, cohorts of both plant species were transplanted at increasing distances (0, 5, 15, 30, and 50 m) from the colonization source. We found that leaf damage inflicted by the beetles was negatively correlated with increasing distance. Damage was significantly lower at each distance for crepe myrtle plants than for purple loosestrife plants, with a mean difference of 22% and a 95% confidence interval ranging from 12 to 31%. Extensive defoliation of crepe myrtle was limited to within 30 m of the edge of the loosestrife stand. Plant yield was negatively correlated with damage: the closer plants were to the purple loosestrife stand, the greater the suppression of biomass in both plant species. However, loosestrife biomass decreased significantly more quickly than crepe myrtle biomass, with a mean difference in slopes of 0.035 and a 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.022 to 0.048. Our results suggest that release of the Galerucella beetles in North America poses little risk to crepe myrtle. Beetles can feed but cannot complete their life cycle on crepe myrtle, and damage to crepe myrtle approaches zero approximately 50 m from the beetle colonization source. Nomenclature: Crepe myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica L. LAGIN; purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria L. LYTSA; black-margined loosestrife beetle, Galerucella calmariensis L.; golden loosestrife beetle, Galerucella pusilla Duftschmid.


Semi-supervised semantic segmentation methods are the main solution to alleviate the problem of high annotation consumption in semantic segmentation. However, the class imbalance problem makes the model favor the head classes with sufficient training samples, resulting in poor performance of the tail classes. To address this issue, we propose a Decoupled Semi-Supervise Semantic Segmentation (DeS4) framework based on the teacher-student model. Specifically, we first propose a decoupling training strategy to split the training of the encoder and segmentation decoder, aiming at a balanced decoder. Then, a non-learnable prototype-based segmentation head is proposed to regularize the category representation distribution consistency and perform a better connection between the teacher model and the student model. Furthermore, a Multi-Entropy Sampling (MES) strategy is proposed to collect pixel representation for updating the shared prototype to get a class-unbiased head. We conduct extensive experiments of the proposed DeS4 on two challenging benchmarks (PASCAL VOC 2012 and Cityscapes) and achieve remarkable improvements over the previous state-of-the-art methods.


Responses of 56 (32 women, 24 men) subjects to the Men's Adult Life Experiences Inventory, a 97-item self-report assessment of the frequency and intensity of 11 developmentally related domains (relationships with parent, spouse, children, friends, death, health, job, leisure, sex, self-reflection, and pressure of time) of concerns of middle-aged men and women in India were similar. The men and women differed only in their response to the self-reflection and health domains of the Men's Adult Life Experiences Inventory. This study indicates that there is no midlife crisis in India.


Introduction Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for symptomatic stenosis reduces further stroke risk. Post-CEA haematoma increases the risk of complications including stroke. There are few studies considering protocols aimed at reducing post-CEA haematoma rates. Presented are the outcomes of a protocol developed to reduce this surgical complication. Method The protocol was implemented in 112 consecutive CEA. It involves stepwise additional measures to ensure haemostasis before wound closure. Attention to bleeding points is followed by light compression for 10 min. Protamine is then given if haemostasis has not been achieved. If after 20 min the problem persists Tranexamic acid is given. Following a further 20 min if haemostasis is not yet achieved a platelet transfusion is undertaken. Haematoma rates, return to theatre for post-operative haematoma and other complications were compared with 100 consecutive pre-protocol introduction CEA cases. Results Of 112 CEA patients, 19 received protamine, 8 protamine and tranexamic acid. One case required platelet transfusion. Neck haematoma rate fell from 10 to 3 cases (P = .02, OR: 0.25 [95% CI .07-.94]), of which returned to theatre for haematoma evacuation fell from 6 to 1 case (P = .03, OR: 0.14 [95% CI .02-1.19]). 30 day stroke and death rate reduced from 5% to 1.8% (P = .11, OR: 0.35 [95% CI .07-1.82]). Conclusion The stepwise haemostasis intraoperative protocol can reduce post-CEA haematoma rates.


Two dimensional model experiments on refractions from layers of finite thickness are described. Refractions can be unreliable for velocity and depth determinations when they occur with wavelengths which are large compared to the layer thickness. Discrepancies reported between refraction velocities and borehole velocities can be partially accounted for in this manner. Even simple two- and three-layer models can show such effects as misleading second arrivals, echeloning of travel time curves, masked layers, and selective absorption in the overburden.


The article presents the results of a study of the frequency properties of a multi-stage high-power attenuator with attenuation of 10 dB in the frequency range 0–3 GHz, obtained on a dielectric substrate made of beryllium ceramics. For its construction, microstrip filters with quarter-wave couplings and dissipative losses are used, as well as additional film resistors made in the form of trapezoidal plumes. These loops have a minimum size in the area of a short circuit. The design features of wide-band microwave attenuators of high power are determined, including the conditions for ensuring uniform distribution of the dissipated microwave power and distribution of the resonant frequencies of low-Q resonators. Equivalent circuits were compiled, which allow to determine the initial structure of the attenuator and optimize its frequency characteristics for any power level.


ABSTRACT Lysosomal degradation of protein aggregates and damaged organelles is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis. This process in neurons is challenging due to their highly polarized architecture. While enzymatically active degradative lysosomes are enriched in the cell body, their trafficking and degradation capacity in axons remain elusive. We recently characterized the axonal delivery of degradative lysosomes by applying a set of fluorescent probes that selectively label active forms of lysosomal hydrolases on cortical neurons in microfluidic devices. We revealed that soma-derived degradative lysosomes rapidly influx into distal axons and target to autophagosomes and Parkinson disease-related SNCA/α-synuclein cargos for local degradation. Disrupting axon-targeted delivery of degradative lysosomes induces axonal autophagic stress. We demonstrate that the axon is an active compartment for local degradation, establishing a foundation for future investigations into axonal lysosome trafficking and functionality in neurodegenerative diseases and lysosomal storage disorders associated with axonal pathology and macroautophagy/autophagy stress.


Hospital health services today undergo a fundamental change, namely to become a business entity with several strategic business units that require handling with the right management concept. In order to be able to sell services that are in accordance with market conditions. The purpose of the study is to find out the patient segmentation and the reasons for patients visiting the hospital and the interest of patients returning to the Banyuwangi Hospital. The research design was Cross Sectional. The population is all inpatients. The sample size is 144 respondents using Simple Random sampling technique. Independent variable is Segmentation. The dependent variable is the reason for the patient to visit and the interest in revisiting. Data were collected using a questionnaire, data were analyzed using logistic regression test (α ≤ 0.05). The results showed that the largest segmentation variable, namely the marital status variable did not affect the interest in revisiting (p = 0.849), and the residential variable did not affect the interest in revisiting (p = 0.698). Whereas the reason for visiting the biggest variable, namely the price variable does not affect the interest in revisiting (p = 0.628), the place variable does not affect the interest in revisiting (p = 0.531), and the people variable does not affect re-interest (p = 0.722). Segmentation and patient reasons have no effect on interest in revisiting. The quality of service at the hospital must provide satisfying and attractive services to attract patients to return to visit.


ABSTRACT. Various agents are utilized in the operating room to produce anesthetic effects. These include barbiturates, halogenated inhalation agents, narcotics, non-barbiturate induction agents, and benzodiazepines. These agents have variable effects upon the EEG and EP (evoked potential) waveforms at different anesthetic levels. Metabolic changes such as body temperature and blood pressure can also elicit changes in the EEG and EPs.


The essay provides a review of a small but remarkable book
on the work of two important Native American and Siberian poets,
Meditations after the Bear Feast by Navarre Scott Momaday and Yuri
Vella, published in 2016 by Shanti Arts in Brunswick, Maine. Their
poetic dialogue revolves around the well-known role of the bear as
a sociocultural keystone species in the boreal forest zone of Eurasia
and North America. The essay analyzes the understanding of dialogicity
as shaping the intersubjectivity of the poets emerging from
human relationships with the environment. It tries to unpack the
complex and prophetic bear dream in one of Vella's poems in which
he links indigenous ontologies with urgent sociopolitical problems.


Congenital giant nevi are rare. There is high risk of malignant melanoma in large congenital nevi. Therefore the early operative removal is advised, not only for the prevention of malignant tumors, but also for psychologic and social reasons. The surgical and reconstructive methods include serial excisions, free skin-grafts and local pedicled flaps. The special advantages of free full-thickness grafts in the treatment of giant nevi in the facial region are outline.


This article is about the phenomenon of confession destruction in theoretical models of global culture, its synthesis and conflict. The variety of forms and fundamental character of this concept is analyzed in the context of «modernization syndrome». The essence of this phenomenon is caused by the actualization of destructive contradictions religious dominant.


The present invention relates to novel organometallic compds. for use as a medicine, in particular in photodynamic therapy against various diseases, such as cancer. The compds. comprise a central porphyrin or phthalocyanine backbone to which ligand linkers coordinated to at least one transition metal are attached. Eta-5 or eta-6 arenes further bind to the transition metal. According to a preferred embodiment, the compd. is a tetranuclear Ruthenium (+II) complex. Thus, reaction of [Ru(η6-C6H6)(μ-Cl)Cl]2 with 5,10,15,20-(pyrid-4-yl)porphyrin (TPP) in refluxing MeOH gave 56% title compd., [Ru4(η6-C6H6)4(TPP)Cl8].


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

Background. Triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) represent about 15 % of invasive breast carcinomas. These tumors are identified in clinical practice according to their "triple negative" immunophenotype (estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and HER2 negative). TNBC show aggressive behavior and an unusual sarcoma-like pattern of metastasis. Identification of predictive biomarkers is critical to optimal therapeutic management of these tumors. TNBC are characterized by increased genomic instability. These tumors present complex pattern of numerous low-amplitude genomic gains and losses as well as shorter telomeres.

Aim. Identification of predictive biomarkers of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in TNBC by evaluating telomeric parameters and genomic instability.

Methods. We studied 38 TNBC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy according to the TVA protocol (FEC 100, docetaxel, panitumumab). DNA and RNA were extracted from snap-frozen tumor samples obtained before neoadjuvant therapy. The pathological response to treatment was evaluated according to Chevallier's and Sataloff's classifications and correlated with aCGH profiles (8x60K, Agilent) and telomere characteristics, including telomere length (qPCR) and expression (qRT-PCR) of telomerase (hTERT) and shelterin complex genes (TRF1, TRF2, POT1, TPP1, RAP1 and TIN2).

Results. Telomere shortening and high hTERT expression were found in more aggressive tumors according to TNM classification (P< 0.04), and hTERT expression was also highly correlated with an increased tumor size (P= 0.0058). Short telomeres were strongly associated with incomplete histological response to neoadjuvant therapy according to Chevallier's (P= 0.0004) and Sataloff's classifications, (P= 0.0007). hTERT expression was significantly increased in cases with incomplete response (P< 0.04). Among shelterin complex genes, TRF2 and TPP1 overexpression was found in more aggressive TNBC (according to TNM classification and SBR grading, P< 0.05), but there was no correlation with pathological response. aCGH data indicated that genomic instability in non-responders was mainly represented by genomic gains. In particular, cases with incomplete therapeutic responses showed significantly larger size of gains than cases with complete responses. (P= 0.0089). Short telomeres were also associated with larger gains of genomic material (P= 0.0067). Of note, telomere shortening has been previously described as one of the mechanisms of genomic gains and amplifications.

Conclusions. Telomere shortening and hTERT overexpression were observed in resistant TNBC. Genomic profile of non-responding tumors was characterized by larger genomic gains. Telomere length, hTERT expression and genomic instability profiles may represent predictive biomarkers of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in TNBC.

Citation Format: Mathilde Gay-bellile, Nina Radosevic-Robin, Eleonore Eymard-Pierre, Fabrice Kwiatkowski, Marie-Melanie Dauplat, Maud Privat, Catherine Abrial, Patricia Combes, Gwendoline Soler, Yves-Jean Bignon, Jean-Marc Nabholtz, Philippe Vago, Frederique Penault-Llorca, Andrei Tchirkov. Genomic instability and telomere characteristics as predictive biomarkers of therapeutic response in triple-negative breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 550. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-550


Guo Jun's Dialect Variation and Change: Investigation Research of Town Speech of Lishui is a brilliant work combined sociolinguistics with dialectology. It overlaps research methods of sociolinguistics and dialectology. First, the analysis data was collected by sociolinguistic interview and questionnaires which makes the sample more representative and the language survey more scientific. The commonly used method of interviewees' reading the List of Chinese Dialect Words in dialect investigation improves the efficiency of field work. The analysis method combines the theory of language variation and change with the theory of phonology to explore what have been changed in Town Speech of Lishui and what effects have been made on it by Putonghua, and to reveal the dynamic change process and development rule of the system of Town Speech of Lishui closing up to that of Putonghua.


Abstract In northern Patagonia, South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) are increasing in number after a depletive harvest. There has been an expansion of colonies with an increase in numbers of pups, and changes in social composition and spatial distribution. Using annual counts of 4 different age classes from 1972 to 2007, we found that new colonies change their social composition, transforming from haul-out sites to breeding sites while passing through mixed structures. From this pattern, we hypothesize that at dense breeding sites the shortage of space or the avoidance of intraspecific harassment promotes dispersal by 1st-time breeders to suitable sites nearby. Such mechanisms, along with philopatry and site fidelity, will promote the establishment of new breeding colonies nearer to existing breeding colonies than would be expected by chance. There was significant spatial clustering of new breeding colonies around the 7 focal (established) colonies. This spatial pattern was consistent through time. New breeding colonies were closer to focal colonies than are nonbreeding ones, suggesting a "spill-over" effect, where young individuals choose to breed near established breeders. The colonization mechanism we found suggests that potential areas for population expansion could be closer to areas where growing colonies already exist and highlights the importance of the juvenile age classes and the areas adjacent to colonies in the overall recovery of any population of pinnipeds.


The SOI division prepares the corporate data files used by the IRS, Treasury, and the Joint Committee on Taxation. This report is based on the SOI 2000 corporate file, which includes tax years ending between July 2000 and June 2001. The authors look forward to the SOI 2002 corporate data file when SOI will add a variable to indicate whether SOI finds elimination entries in the supporting consolidation spreadsheets for the Form 1120 Schedule L balance sheet. The SOI 2001 corporate file includes a new variable STCK-OPT for stock option deductions included in Schedule M-1 book-tax differences. The SOI 2003 corporate file will include two additional variables, one to indicate if SOI finds elimination entries supporting Form 1120, page 1, and one to indicate if SOI finds elimination entries supporting Schedule M-1.


Earth's magnetic field data from ground-based magnetometer observatories are important for studies related to geomagnetic storm. The absence of earth's magnetic field data observatories results in a complex mysterious phenomena of the geomagnetic storm and remains as unexplained one. Magnetometer is used to monitor and record the earth's magnetic field data at the geomagnetic observatory. It is also used to measure the three components of the field such as the horizontal component (H), the declination component (D), and the downward component (Z). Fluxgate magnetometer is contributing to the ongoing extensive research work dedicated to explanation of some of the complex phenomena related to the geomagnetic storm and solar terrestrial system. In order to examine the magnetic field sensing of a fluxgate sensor, a large area with uniform magnetic field is required. The advantage of having a large area is that it will allow easy access of the sensor during measurement. A laboratory design and characterization of Helmholtz coils is a better choice when Helmholtz coil with larger areas that are available in the market are very expensive. This paper presents the optimization design of Helmholtz coils to create magnetic fields, which could be used to null the earth's magnetic field, calibrate magnetic sensors, and used for other experiments in which a controllable amount of uniform magnetic field is required. DOI : 10.7176/JIEA/9-4-05 Publication date :June 30 th 2019


A patient with primary follicular mucinosis is described, who developed multiple foci of involvement on the skin of the trunk and limbs. Combined therapy including thyroidin and liver function-normalizing drugs was fairly effective.


Success in accurately forecasting breaks requires that the y are predictable from relevant information available at the forecast origin using an appropriat e model form, which can be selected and estimated before the break. To clarify the roles of these six necessary conditions, we distinguish between the information set for 'normal forces' and the one f or 'break drivers', then outline sources of potential information. Relevant non-linear, dynamic mo dels facing multiple breaks can have more candidate variables than observations, so we discuss autom tic odel selection. As a failure to accurately forecast breaks remains likely, we augment our str ategy by modelling breaks during their progress, and consider robust forecasting devices. JEL classifications : C1, C53.


The most successful method for controlling the adsorption of proteins onto the capillary inner surface in CE is the modification of the capillary surface with coating. The advances of the method for preparation of the coated capillaries are systematically reviewed with 39 references in the present paper.


Purpose
This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings
This paper investigated how digital platforms helped professional service firms to gain a competitive advantage in the market.

Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


Exosomes may contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity through their action as communication mediators. As we have previously demonstrated, in obese adolescents, some circulating miRNAs modified the C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) expression and were associated with changes in metabolic functions. At present no data are available on miRNA transport by exosomes in this condition. To verify and compare the presence and the expression of CNP/NPR-B/NPR-C, and some miRNAs (miR-33a-3p/miR-223-5p/miR-142-5p/miRNA-4454/miRNA-181a-5p/miRNA-199-5p), in circulating exosomes obtained from the same cohort of obese (O, n = 22) and normal-weight adolescents (N, n = 22). For the first time, we observed that exosomes carried CNP and its specific receptors only randomly both in O and N, suggesting that exosomes are not important carriers for the CNP system. On the contrary, exosomal miRNAs resulted ubiquitously and differentially expressed in O and N. O showed a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in the expression of all miRNAs except for miR-4454 and miR-142-5p. We have found significant correlations among miRNAs themselves and with some inflammatory/metabolic factors of obesity. These relationships may help in finding new biomarkers, allowing us to recognize, at an early stage, obese children and adolescents at high risk to develop the disease complications in adult life.


Objective: To assess the impact of hepatitis B carrier status on pregnancy and perinatal outcome.
Study Design: Cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Pakistan Naval Ship Shifa Hospital,Karachi, from Feb 2017 to Jan 2018.
Methodology: A total of 9526 women delivered during study period. 9305 women fulfilling the inclusion criteriawere included in study. Two hundred and twenty one (221) women were excluded because of not fulfilling theinclusion criteria. Out of study group, 9104 women were HBsAg negative while 201 had positive hepatitis Bcarrier status. Antenatal complications (such as gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, pre eclampsia),mode of delivery (vaginal delivery, elective cesarean, emergency cesarean) and perinatal outcomes (pretermdelivery, low birth weight at delivery, live birth rate, APGAR score at 1 and 5 min) were observed amonghepatitis B carrier and noncarrier.
Results: There was no significant difference in point prevalence of major antenatal complications, mode ofdelivery and perinatal outcomes in HBsAg carriers and noncarriers. A slightly higher rate of preterm birth wasobserved in hepatitis B carriers (4.9%) as compared to noncarriers (2.6%).
Conclusion: Hepatitis B carriers have slightly increased risk of preterm delivery.


In the present study number (187) birds were collected, examined and dissected and the results revealed the presence of the following parasites: Parasitic protozoa: The Pterocles olchata and Columba Livia were found infected with Haemoproteus and this protozoa was recorded for the first time in Ptercle olchata.Plasmodium was found in blood of Cotunix coturnix and the Eimeria was found in Cotunix coturnix and pterocles olchata whereas Cryptosporidium and Giardia were found in Ptercles olchata and Mergus serrator. Cestoda: The genus Metadilepis and genus Cotugina were found in Columba livia and Mergus serrator, respectively. Nematode: The genus Ascarida hermaphrodite was found in Columba livia and Mergus serrator whereas genus Acuaria laticepiا was found in Sturnus vulgaris. Lice: Columbicola columbae and Companulotez compare were found in Columba livia whereas (Laemobothrion maximum, Craspedorrhynchus platystomus and Degeeriella leucopleura were found in Aquila chrysaetos. These louse species were new recods in lraq.


The existence of old dispersed stellar groups within the Milky Way disk is still controversial. Are they the debris of ancient star-forming aggregates, or short-lived artifacts of dynamical origin? With detailed elemental abundance measurements from high quality spectroscopic data, we show that at least one such old dispersed stellar group is a true relic of an earlier phase of star formation. The identification of other such relic structures will provide essential information for probing the evolutionary history of the Milky Way disk.


Orientations deviating from an ideal orientation by angles not exceeding a given limit constitute a ball in the metric space of orientations. Such balls arise in crystallographic computations, and in some cases intersections of the balls are of interest. This paper provides an analytical formula for calculation of the volume of the intersection of two balls from their radii and the distance between their centers. The formula is used to determine the volumes of the intersections of balls corresponding to misorientations of coincident lattices.


A flexible access control scheme, which was proposed by Chick et al. in CRYPTO89, has been applied to several essential cryptographic techniques (broadcast encryptions etc.) because of its high expandability. However, their scheme and all of its applications requires a lot of primes whose generation is costly. In this paper, we show how to replace the primes with a particular kind of hash values that makes the protocol dramatically efficient without loss of security or robustness. Moreover, this efficiency and flexibility creates a new possibility for privacy applications especially in dynamic environments.


Purpose. The Lofoten Basin is one of the most energetic zones of the World Ocean characterized by high activity of mesoscale eddies. The study is aimed at analyzing different components of general energy in the basin, namely the mean kinetic and vortex kinetic energy calculated using the integral of the volume of available potential and kinetic energy of the Lofoten Vortex, as well as variability of these characteristics. Methods and Results. GLORYS12V1 reanalysis data for the period 2010–2018 were used. The mean kinetic energy and the eddy kinetic one were analyzed; and as for the Lofoten Vortex, its volume available potential and kinetic energy were studied. The mesoscale activity of eddies in winter is higher than in summer. Evolution of the available potential energy and kinetic energy of the Lofoten Vortex up to the 1000 m horizon was studied. It is shown that the vortex available potential energy exceeds the kinetic one by an order of magnitude, and there is a positive trend with the coefficient 0,23⋅1015 J/year. It was found that in the Lofoten Basin, the intermediate layer from 600 to 900 m made the largest contribution to the potential energy, whereas the 0–400 m layer – to kinetic energy. The conversion rates of the mean kinetic energy into the vortex kinetic one and the mean available potential energy into the vortex available potential one (barotropic and baroclinic instability) were analyzed. It is shown that the first type of transformation dominates in summer, while the second one is characterized by its increase in winter. Conclusions. The vertical profile shows that the kinetic energy of eddies in winter is higher than in summer. The available potential energy of a vortex is by an order of magnitude greater than the kinetic energy. An increase in the available potential energy is confirmed by a significant positive trend and by a decrease in the vortex Burger number. The graphs of the barotropic instability conversion rate demonstrate the multidirectional flows in the vortex zone with the dipole structure observed in a winter period, and the tripole one – in summer. The barotropic instability highest intensity is observed in summer. The baroclinic instability is characterized by intensification of the regime in winter that is associated with weakening of stratification in this period owing to winter convection.


The difference of nutrient composition between organic eggs and conventional eggs has always been a concern of people. In this study, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique combined with multivariate statistical analyses was conducted to identify the metabolite different in egg yolk and egg white in order to reveal the nutritional components information between organic and conventional eggs. The results showed that the nutrient content and composition characteristics were different between organic and conventional eggs, among which the content of glucose, putrescine, amino acids and their derivatives were found higher in the organic eggs yolk, while phospholipids were demonstrated higher in conventional eggs yolk. Organic acid, alcohol, amine, choline and amino acids were higher in conventional eggs white, but glucose and lactate in organic egg were higher. Our study demonstrated that there are more nutritive components and higher nutritional value in organic eggs than conventional eggs, especially for the growth and development of infants and young children, and conventional eggs have more advantages in promoting lipid metabolism, preventing fatty liver, and reducing serum cholesterol. Eggs have important nutritional value to human body, and these two kinds of eggs can be selected according to the actual nutrient needs.


Monocular temporal hemianopia was identified in 24 patients. The field of the fellow eye was normal. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging showed juxta-sellar lesions in 19 patients. Fifteen had pituitary adenomas, two had tuberculum sella meningiomas, one a craniopharyngioma, and one an astrocytoma. One patient had optic neuritis. A relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) was detected in most patients. Field loss was functional in two. Two had congenital optic disc dysversion with hemianopia which did not respect the vertical meridian. Monocular temporal hemianopia is attributed to involvement of the ipsilateral optic nerve close enough to the chiasm to selectively impair conduction in crossing nasal retinal fibres from the ipsilateral eye, but too anterior to affect crossing nasal retinal fibres from the contralateral eye. The combination of an RAPD, with or without optic disc pallor, on the side of monocular temporal field loss implicates compression of the optic nerve at its junction with the chiasm.


BACKGROUND
Good primary care for people with substance use disorders (SUDs) is crucial given the high prevalence of SUDs and overdose deaths.

OBJECTIVE
To explore general practice care for people with a history of SUDs from the perspectives of women involved with the criminal justice system.

METHODS
Qualitative interview study with pre- and postrelease interviews, undertaken in Australian prisons and community settings. We utilized thematic analysis informed by constructivist grounded theory.

RESULTS
We undertook 65 interviews with 39 women. Access to and experience of general practitioner (GP) care was affected by perceived welcomeness, decisions around disclosure, and consultation experiences related to medication prescription. Participants reported that they were not as welcome as other patients, welcome could be conditional on not disclosing SUDs or only requesting unrelated healthcare, and GPs did not always differentiate between past and current drug use. Participants perceived difficulty finding general practices where the potential benefit of disclosing SUDs outweighed the risks of stigmatized reactions and lack of GP skills and interest. Participants did not always recognize that care beyond physical health could occur in general practice. The pejorative implications of labelling patients as "doctor shoppers" were challenged by participants, as they considered it could be necessary to attend multiple GPs to find a welcoming practice.

CONCLUSIONS
People with histories of SUDs do not uniformly experience welcomeness in general practice, perpetuating poor engagement in healthcare and poor outcomes related to SUDs. Programmes targeting prescription drug misuse through general practice should also promote welcomeness for people with SUDs.


Dominant cultural discourses dictate what the ideal wedding should look like, and these discourses often center around the white wedding. White weddings typically include a bride in a white dress, a large reception, and a honeymoon. Given that western culture privileges the white wedding, weddings that deviate from this norm are sometimes delegitimatized. We used Relational Dialectics Theory 2.0 to examine dominant discourses of weddings during Covid-19. Covid-19 necessitated that many couples alter their wedding plans and prompted them to explicitly consider the taken-for-granted assumptions of the white wedding. We conducted a contrapuntal analysis of 87 recently married women's open-ended survey responses about how Covid-19 changed their wedding plans and what the women liked and disliked about these changes. These disruptions in wedding plans afford the opportunity to explore dominant white wedding discourses among brides. The following discourses emerged from our analysis: the centripetal discourse of the white wedding, the centrifugal discourse of the focus on relationships, the centripetal discourses of the perfect day, and the centrifugal discourses of the perfect day.


OBJECTIVE
To study the proliferative effect of low energy laser on human cord blood hematopoietic cells in vitro and the relationship between the effect of low energy laser and colony stimulating factor (CSF).

METHODS
Human umbilical cord blood hematopoietic cells were irradiated with copper vapour laser and cultured in vitro. The number of colony and cells was calculated.

RESULTS
Laser irradiation synergized with CSF in expansion of cord blood hematopoietic cell. The GM-CFUc number from the group treated with irradiation plus CSF increased significantly as compared with that from other groups including laser irradiation or CSF treatment alone or control (P < 0.01). Reincubation of cord blood cells in the soft agar medium revealed that secondary colonies were formed and the absolute number of colony was obviously increased as compared with that before liquid culture. The number of colony in irradiation group was more than these of non-irradiation group.

CONCLUSION
Low energy laser irradiation for cord blood stem cells is effective in vitro expansion of cord blood stem cells.


The performance of a link using the indoor power line network as a medium for communication strongly depends on the noise characteristics. Besides the background noise and the narrow band noise mainly due to broadcast transmitters, impulsive noise adversely affects the quality of service. This paper focuses on impulsive noise measurements, their statistical properties being the basis of a noise model for optimizing a transmission scheme.


1-O-Acyl-3-O-(6'-O-acyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-sn-glycerol, which was isolated from a nitrogen-fixing fresh water cyanobacterium, Anabaena flos-aquae f. flos-aquae, was synthesized by utilizing lipase-catalyzed acylation. The antitumor-promoting activities of these galactolipids were evaluated using a short-term in vitro assay of Epstein-Barr virus activation in Raji cells induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl- phorbol 13-acetate (TPA). The glyceroglycolipids which have a palmitoleoyl residue at the 1-O-position exhibited more potent activities than the others in this assay.


We describe a case with numerous melanocytic nevi in otherwise normal skin. A 5-year-old girl presented with more than 100 small pigment lesions on her left arm, shoulder and upper back without underlying light brown macule. The pigment lesions were first found on her left forearm at 3 months old and gradually increased along with her growth. Skin biopsy from a pigmented lesion shows a pathological change in compound-type melanocytic nevus without any atypical changes. Speckled lentiginous nevus is known to have multiple melanocytic lesions on the underlying brown macule from birth. Partial unilateral lentiginosis is characterized by unilateral lentigines with histopathological changes in lentigo but not melanocytic proliferation in the dermis. Agminated melanocytic nevi tend to be clustered together in a circumscribed area, whereas in the present case melanocytic nevi were segmentally arranged but not agminated. We consider that this is an unusual type of mosaicism of melanocytic disorders.


Basic financial knowledge goes a long way when contemplating the structuring of potential investments, as well as reviewing due diligence documentation prior to an investment being made. Being a public company opens up another avenue of finance, this time on the debt side. The principal types of bank are commercial (lending), investment (securities underwriting and trading) and bundled (both). Enterprises can usually borrow more cheaply by issuing a bond than by getting a loan from a bank, because a bondholder can simply sell the bond to get its money back whereas it is trickier for a bank to sell a loan (loans aren't designed to be bought and sold in quite the same way). An enterprise's staff is now required to play a more prominent role in business decisions rendered by an enterprise, as well as help shape their strategy and assist the enterprise to meet its corporate objectives


【Objective】The ultrasonic-assisted extraction process of polysaccharide from banana leaves was optimized to provide theoretical references for further development of banana leaves. 【Method】Banana leaves without monosaccharide after degrease were used as research materials. On the basis of single factor experiments, a three-factor and three-level Box-Behnken central composite design was utilized for mathematical modeling of polysaccharide yield. Influencing factors included extraction temperature, extraction time and ultrasonic power. With polysaccharide extraction rate as response value, response surface analysis was made to optimize extraction conditions. 【Result】 Polysaccharide content in banana leaves on the coding independent variables were extraction temperature, extraction time and ultrasonic power and the quadratic multinomial regression equation was Y=1.42+0.064A+0.065B+0.00775C-0.057A2-0.057B2+0.003525C2+0.022AB-0.0075AC+0.006BC. The optimum conditions for the extraction of polysaccharide from banana leaves were as follows: extraction temperature of 66.35 ℃, extraction time of 28.73 min and ultrasonic power of 150 W. The polysaccharide yield of the experiment was 1.40% under the conditions of extraction temperature of 66 ℃, extraction time of 29 min and ultrasonic power of 150 W. 【Conclusion】Ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polysaccharide from banana leaves could decrease extraction temperature and greatly reduce the extraction time. So the extraction method was efficient.


The maintenance of functional chloroplasts in photosynthetic eukaryotes requires real-time coordination of the nuclear and plastid genomes. Tetrapyrroles play a significant role in plastid-to-nucleus retrograde signaling in plants to ensure that nuclear gene expression is attuned to the needs of the chloroplast. Well-known sites of synthesis of chlorophyll for photosynthesis, plant chloroplasts also export heme and heme-derived linear tetrapyrroles (bilins), two critical metabolites respectively required for essential cellular activities and for light sensing by phytochromes. Here we establish that Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, one of many chlorophyte species that lack phytochromes, can synthesize bilins in both plastid and cytosol compartments. Genetic analyses show that both pathways contribute to iron acquisition from extracellular heme, whereas the plastid-localized pathway is essential for light-dependent greening and phototrophic growth. Our discovery of a bilin-dependent nuclear gene network implicates a widespread use of bilins as retrograde signals in oxygenic photosynthetic species. Our studies also suggest that bilins trigger critical metabolic pathways to detoxify molecular oxygen produced by photosynthesis, thereby permitting survival and phototrophic growth during the light period.


Procedures are described to mechanize partially harvesting, cleaning, and pretreat-ment of guayule achenes. Achenes are harvested with a vacuum insect net and cleaned by a series of screening, threshing, and forced air separations, then treated to overcome seed coat impermeability in a semiautomatic system that presoaks, treats with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite, and rinses. Achenes may be sown immediately or dried for storage. Procedures outlined involve commercially available equipment with a minimum of custom construction and are adaptable to small or large operations.


Motivated by the lack of efficient detection techniques for metal-free trinitrotoluene (TNT) containing landmines, 1H-14N cross-relaxation experiments on TNT have been performed using field-cycling spectroscopy in an electronically switchable volume coil. Using 1H NMR detection (indirect method), the 14N quadrupole spectra in several small (about 0.5 g) TNT samples of different producers are determined. The experiment is considered as a step toward a double resonance TNT landmine detection scheme using surface coils.


Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) is characterized by predisposition to developing multiple polyps in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the colon and rectum. JPS is an autosomal dominant disorder associated with mutations in 2 genes: BMPR1A (bone morphogenetic protein receptor, type 1A) and SMAD4 (mothers against decapentaplegic, drosophilia, homolog of, 4). The authors present a case of JPS in a 9-year-old boy caused by new detected BMPR1A gene mutation. A total of 118 polyps were removed during 3 sessions of endoscopic polypectomy. Total proctocolectomy was performed after first colonoscopy because of unsuccessful endoscopic treatment. Examination of removed colon confirmed multiple juvenile and hyperplastic polyc without malignant transformation.


Introduction: Syringomas are benign tumours that develop predominantly in the periorbital areas of women. As periorbital syringoma is adjacent to the appendages, Erbium YAG (Er:YAG) laser treatment should be an ideal tool for its precise ablation, although its use has not previously been reported. We retrospectively analysed our new ovoid-shape Er:YAG laser ablation method for the treatment of syringoma. Materials and methods: We developed an extirpation method in which multiple, 2- to 4-mm, egg-shaped ablation fields were created. This method was used to treat 49 patients, 35 of whom had predominantly accumulated syringomas, and 14 had disseminated syringomas. Treatment was repeated every 2 months. Results: Our approach was successful in both disseminated- and accumulated-type syringoma as well as plaque-type syringoma, which is considered to be the most difficult to treat. After an average of 3.77 treatments, more than 75% of the syringoma in the treated area had disappeared in 43 of 49 patients. Conclusion: Our ovoid-shape ablation method gives good cosmetic results even in the most difficult type of syringoma.


This paper describes a microculture rapid assay using radiolabeling and mouse macrophages to determine the viability and the drug susceptibility or resistance of Mycobacterium leprae. Comparison of M. leprae resident macrophage cultures maintained in 96-well flat-bottomed plates showed results for viability and susceptibility or resistance to dapsone that were similar to results for concurrent cultures in Leighton tubes with greater numbers of bacilli and macrophages.