Changes are generally inevitable in all stages of design and construction of building projects and are commonly associated with some consequences such as time overrun, cost overrun, conflicts and reworks. All these risks contribute to project failure if change implementation is inconsistently managed. In construction, project failure has become a common concern of all parties hence, assessing the impact of capability of con-tractors to manage project changes in order to improve project performance is critical. Therefore, this re-search assesses the relationship between the change management capability maturity level (CMCML) of con-tractors and time performance of building projects. Data collected from respondents via questionnaire survey were analyzed using spearman's rank correlation, fuzzy synthetic evaluation and multiple regression. The re-search findings reveal that the project time overrun is negatively related to change management capability maturity level of contractor as evidenced by the co-efficient of determination R2 = - 0.385 (i. e as CMCML increases, project time overrun decreases). In addition, the result further indicates a strong negative correla-tion between CMCML and project time overrun going by the spearman's rank correlation coefficient value of - 0.621 [7]. The established model is capable of predicting contractors' CMCML thus making it possible to forecast contractor's likelihood of performance in terms of time.


IN HIS REVIEW I of the first of the Synthese special issues on Russell's early philosophy, William Demopoulos raises three objections to my contribution2 to that volume. He complains, first, that I misunderstand Russell's account of mathematical propositions in The Principles of Mathematics (1903); second, that I am mistaken in supposing that between the Principles and Principia Mathematica (1910) Russell switched from a metaphysical to an epistemological account of the apodicticity of mathematical propositions, coming to emphasize their certainty rather than their necessity; and, third, that, contrary to what I said in my paper, Russell's type theory is not context-sensitive. Only the second of Demopoulos's complaints is just, however, and that only partly. It is indeed true that the evidence Demopoulos quotes (Principia, 2nd ed., I: 12-13, 59) refutes my injudicious remark that Russell sought to demonstrate the certainty ofmathematics by deduction from axioms which are certain (Gp. u8), as does Russell's transcendental procedure for arriving at an appropriate axiom set for mathematics. However, it does not refute, as Demopoulos seems to think, my wider claim that Russell was more concerned in Principia and later writings with the certainty of mathematics rather than its generality, a claim which is, I think, well documented in my paper. For one thing, with the introduction of type theory, the concept ofgenerality was not available to Russell in the form in which he had used it in the Principles. For another, it is not unreasonable to suppose that Russell was attempting to establish the certainty of mathematics through a transcendental deduction of its axioms. Demopoulos's other charges, however, seem to me completely without foundation. He charges me with "a rather unusual account of Russell's 'if-thenism'" (Dp. 164), namely, that mathematical propositions are conditionals with antecedents designed to protect the consequent against falsifying assignments of values to its variables. But to describe this as an account ofRussell's "if-thenism" is already to beg the question, for it was precisely my point that Russell was not an if-thenist, at least in


The sacred groves in the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (PBR) of India were studied to understand the concept of traditional ecological and biodiversity conservation systems. A questionnaire survey was conducted in the selected villages of the PBR along with the survey of sacred groves. In 10 selected villages of the PBR 7 sacred groves were managed by Mawasi and 16 sacred groves by Gond tribal communities. Different deities were worshipped in the sacred groves and each grove was named after the deity dwelling in the respective sacred grove. A total of 19 such deities were recorded during the survey worshipped by the local people. In study area, various traditional customs associated with sacred groves were in practice. The sacred groves were rich in plant genetic diversity and were composed of many ethnobotanically useful species, including wild edible fruits, medicinal plants, fodder, fuelwood and timber yielding species. Given the importance of conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem attempts should be made to maintain the sanctity of sacred groves.


PURPOSE
The objective of this pilot study was to determine pain characteristics of pregnant women immediately before and after childbirth by vaginal delivery and to compare them with the pain intensity reported by physicians.

METHODS
We evaluated 20 Brazilian women between September and December 2007 with the WHOQOL-Bref instrument, VAS, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Anxiety Adapted Scale. We interviewed the obstetrician with the VAS about the patient's pain. Data were analyzed with the chi-square test.

RESULTS
Mean age was 22.35 years (SD = 6.24, range 15-39 years). It was necessary to use oxytocin in 15 (75%) patients, which had no correlation with anxiety degree. Higher intensity of pain (p < 0.05) and higher anxiety index (p < 0.05) were more common in women in the first pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS
Higher pain intensity was associated with higher anxiety levels (p < 0.05). Around half of the obstetricians' VAS scores were lower than the VAS scores of women, and probably pain at labor was underestimated and not controlled. Higher indices of anxiety and pain were associated, and were more frequent in women in the first pregnancy.


The paper describes a number of experiments on phonon emission and scattering from a two-dimensional electron gas which have been carried out in Nottingham as part of the NUMBERS project on low-dimensional structures.


Northeast to north-northeast trends of eruptive centers, some of which formed at the termination of faults, and en echelon extension fractures—the largest one of which is 0.1 km wide, up to 1 km long, and at least 50 m deep—exist between lat. 7°N and 9°N in the Ethiopian rift on Systeme Probatoire d9Observation de la Terre (SPOT) imagery. The extension fractures form scars in the rift floor. Border faults of the rift are generally oriented northeast to north-northeast. Two fault systems observed on Land-sat Multi-spectral Scanner (MSS) cross the rift, the Bilate-Weyira fault with a north-northwest strike and the Wonji fault belt with a north-northeast trend. North-northwest-striking faults cutting across the rift are interpreted to be transfer faults that cut the rift into rhomboid-shaped basins. Extension fractures and rows of eruptive centers—collectively referred to as extension structures—are used in the paper to infer the direction of plate motion in the Ethiopian rift. Northwest to north-northwest extension of the rift is deduced by assuming that the direction of opening of extension structures is also the orientation of the minimum principal stress σ3. Fault-slip inversion on faults that cut post-Miocene volcanic rocks confirms this interpretation.


Article presents the author's presentation at International Science Conference devoted to 100th  jubilee "United Tuva in united Russia: history, modernity, futures" (July 3-4, 2014, Kyzyl). It handles information on a history of creation, establishments and development of the agricultural science in the Republic of Tuva.


Aims and method The study explored the impact of National Health
Service changes on the working and personal lives of psychiatrists. A
questionnaire survey was carried out with psychiatrists working in the South
Eastern Division of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Results The response rate was 44.9%. Changes to services have
reduced stress in some areas, but increased stress in others. Over the past
decade early retirement has become less popular, but psychiatrists have been
more likely to self-prescribe and have suicidal thoughts. Clinical implications The increasing involvement of psychiatrists in
leadership may be a way to reduce adverse impacts of future changes on their
working lives.


Pulmonary hypertension (PH), defined as an elevated mean blood pressure in the main pulmonary artery (MPA) at rest, is associated with vascular remodeling of both large and small arteries. PH has several sub‐types that are all linked to high mortality rates. In this study, we use a one‐dimensional (1‐D) fluid dynamics model driven by in vivo measurements of MPA flow to understand how model parameters and network size influence MPA pressure predictions in the presence of PH. We compare model predictions with in vivo MPA pressure measurements from a control and a hypertensive mouse and analyze results in three networks of increasing complexity, extracted from micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) images. We introduce global scaling factors for boundary condition parameters and perform local and global sensitivity analysis to calculate parameter influence on model predictions of MPA pressure and correlation analysis to determine a subset of identifiable parameters. These are inferred using frequentist optimization and Bayesian inference via the Delayed Rejection Adaptive Metropolis (DRAM) algorithm. Frequentist and Bayesian uncertainty is computed for model parameters and MPA pressure predictions. Results show that MPA pressure predictions are most sensitive to distal vascular resistance and that parameter influence changes with increasing network complexity. Our outcomes suggest that PH leads to increased vascular stiffness and decreased peripheral compliance, congruent with clinical observations.


A l~ssbauer effect study of the liquid quenched alloys Fe75P1SC7, FeSOP13C7 and FeS3P11C6 as a function of aging time at 350 oC is reported. Crystallization occurs after a certain aging time which depends on the alloy composition; FeSOP13C7 being the most stable. The crystallization process starts probably with the formation of clusters of iron atoms. The most important crystalline phases in the final decomposed state are identified. During the amorphous to crystalline transition the mean f-factor of the alloy remains constant to within about five percent.


Repetitive or sustained shoulder elevation during occupational tasks has been identified as a significant risk factor for shoulder tendinitis or non–specific shoulder pain. Dysfunction in any of the structure that surrounds shoulder joint can cause shoulder pathology. Impingement is thought to be due to inadequate subacromial space for clearance of the rotator cuff tendons as the arm is elevated. In Construction workers, abnormal motion during arm elevation may lead to impingement syndrome. Aim of the study was to analyze the effects of Scapular motor control training versus Scapular retraining along with mobilization on pain and functional status among construction workers. According to the inclusion criteria, a total of 20 subjects were selected and divided into two groups, Group A subjects received Scapular motor control training and Group B subjects received Scapular retraining, in addition both the group received mobilization over 6 weeks period. The subjects were assessed for Pain and Functional status using Numerical Pain Rating Scale and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score. Scores were evaluated before and after 6 weeks of duration. There was a difference between the groups with post test means 2.4 & 3.5 for NPRS and 46.1 & 55.3 for DASH respectively. A statistically significant improvement was obtained in Group A on Pain and Functional status in construction workers with Shoulder impingement syndrome (p<0.05). The result concluded and suggests that the Scapular Motor Control training when compared to the Scapular retraining was effective on improving Pain and Functional status among constructional workers.


Navigation tools can be used to direct the amount of learner control and student interactivity available in a hypermedia environment. The purpose of this study was to ascertain if varying the amount of learner control and interactivity through the use of different navigation tools (linear, menu, and search engine) would influence the achievement and attitude of learners of different academic abilities. Results indicated a significant difference for high ability students using the search engine navigation tool. A significant difference in positive attitude was found for all ability levels using the menu navigation tool.


The fat-soluble vitamin A has, of necessity, to be transported in the body by carrier proteins since it functions in an aqueous environment. At the same time, control of the distribution of the alcohol form, via specific retinol-binding proteins (RBP), provides additional physiological advantages. The concentration of the amphiphilic molecule is more easily limited in tissue fluids where, if free, it could damage or lyse cell membranes indiscriminately (Dingle & Lucy, 1962) and the presence of a binding site on the carrier protein for specific acceptors in functional cell membranes enables the vitamin to be directed to its targets selectively (Heller, 1975) and in controlled amounts. Bulk transport of the vitamin during its absorption from the intestine to the liver takes place mainly as retinyl esters within the lipid phase of lowdensity lipoproteins (Gangdy, 1960), whereas the physiologically-active retinol circulates attached to a hydrophobic cleft on plasma retinol-binding protein (holoRBP) (21 ooo MW) synthesized and secreted by the liver (Kanai et al. 1968). In plasma, holoRBP forms a I : I complex with thyroxine-binding prealbumin (TBPA) (54 ooo MW); the formation of this larger complex is regarded as important in preventing the rapid loss of the holoRBP by ultrafiltration through the kidney and it also increases the stability of the retinol bound to RBP (Raz et al. 1970). A third binding site on the latter enables it to bind to the membrane acceptors of target cells so that the retinol can be released to cross the membrane and be taken up by cellular retinol-binding protein (CRBP) (14 600 MW) (Bashor et al. 1973; Chytil8z Ong, 1978) for delivery to its site of action within the cell. This complex transport system for retinol is affected (i) by malnutrition, such as protein and zinc deficiencies, (ii) by hormonal changes affecting protein synthesis and metabolism and (iii) by diseases of the intestine, liver and kidney which directly affect either the absorption and metabolism of retinol or the synthesis and metabolism of RBP. The analysis of blood plasma for retinol or RBP or both provides a guideline to the immediate supply of vitamin available but gives no indication as to the extent of reserves within the liver store. Some understanding of the factors influencing or controlling the supply of retinol in plasma is necessary for a sound interpretation of the concentration values for both retinol and RBP which are found in animals undergoing normal growth and development, in order that values outside the expected ranges may be recognized as being abnormal.


ABSTRACT Reported here are correlated responses for reproductive traits to long‐term divergent selection (54 generations) for 8‐week body weight (BW8). Comparisons involved both selected and relaxed lines. Traits measured were age at first egg (AFE), body weight at first egg (WFE), and ratio of body weight and age at first egg (WAFE). Although sexual maturity was delayed in the selected lines, the effect was more pronounced in the low than high selected and relaxed lines. Selection for low BW resulted in decreases in WFE and WAFE. Correlated responses to selection for high BW were increased WFE and WAFE. Minimum AFE, WFE, and WAFE in relation to sexual maturity were line specific and influenced by selection for BW8. WAFE provided a "yardstick" for target body weights that were optimum for successful attainment of sexual maturity and higher reproductive rates. Such may be line specific. There was opposition between relaxed and artificial selection, resulting in a higher reproductive performance and fitness for the former.


Specimens of Schizoneura gondwanensis are here described from 13 new outcrops of the Rio do Rasto Formation (Passa Dois Group, Parana Basin, Upper Permian) in Parana State and northern Santa Catarina State. This species was previously known in Brazil from only two other locaiities of the same formation. The foliage shoots, preserved as impressions in red and gray mudstones, siltstones and fine sandstones, generally occur as fragments, which may, however, exhibit well-preserved details such as possible structures of the mesophyll and epidermis, only very rarely recognized in other Gondwana specimens of Schizoneura. The fossils also corroborate Feistmantel's observations made in 1880, but overlooked by many later authors, regarding the embracing of the leaf clusters at the nodes, commissural lines, veins, etc. Although the leaf clusters at one outcrop are oblong-oval and not oval-lanceolate as at the other outcrops, ali are tentatively considered as belonging to the same species. Several of the leaf clusters of S. gondwanensis present ruptures along the commissural lines, here interpreted as the result of taphonomic processes or, possibly, environmental factors that affected the living plant. Ontogenetic aspects of Schizoneura and comparisons with Cathaysian representatives of this genus are also discussed. S. gondwanensis thus has a much broader geographical range in Brazil than previously thought and, consequently, can now be considered as one more important element of Rosler's Taphoflora E


This paper will aggregate and discuss some of those issues, including Fort Worth's attempt to balance the benefits and burdens of urban drilling. Section I will explain the significant advantages associated with increased production of natural gas. Section II will present a general overview of the Barnett Shale. Section III will detail some of the legal doctrines relative to oil and gas, land use, and water rights. Section IV will cover some of the potential environmental impacts of urban drilling on the community. Section V will review and analyze pertinent sections of Fort Worth's municipal drilling ordinance, along with some commentary regarding the effectiveness of the ordinance. Section VI will explore whether a prohibitive drilling ordinance rises to the level of a regulatory taking. Finally, a brief conclusion will be offered in Section VII weighing the benefits of urban gas production against the potential for environmental harm.
Ultimately, this paper is driven by the need to define the proper balance between the advantages of increased natural gas production and the potential environmental and legal impacts of urban drilling. However, the balance depends on the proper regulation of urban drilling through prudent municipal ordinances. Municipalities must be vigilant in enforcing their police power by enacting effective drilling ordinances, but must also use discretion in order to avoid takings claims and conflicts with state laws, which have historically favored the dominance of the mineral estate.


A phenomenological relationship between oscillations in a sunspot and quasi-periodic pulsations (QPP) in flaring energy releases at an active region (AR) above the sunspot is established. The analysis of the microwave emission recorded by the Nobeyama Radioheliograph at 17 GHz shows a gradual increase in the power of the 3-min oscillation train in the sunspot associated with AR 10756 before flares in this AR. The flaring light curves are found to be bursty with a period of 3 min. Our analysis of the spatial distribution of the 3-min oscillation power implies that the oscillations follow from sunspots along coronal loops towards the flaring site. It is proposed that QPP in the flaring energy releases can be triggered by 3-min slow magnetoacoustic waves leaking from sunspots.


INTRODUCTION
Stress can increase the susceptibility to dental caries by four possible mechanisms. Studies show that adolescents tend to more likely develop negative body image, disturbed eating behaviours and high levels of stress. Students report stress, taking and studying for exams being the greatest source of academic stress due to competition and the large amount of content in less time.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The objectives were to analyze the caries experience in relation to perceived stress during preuniversity examination period, to estimate the prevalence of dental caries and to calculate SiC (significant caries index) among preuniversity students in Marathahalli, Bangalore city, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
This cross-sectional, correlational study involved 210 students (Response rate = 65.37%). The questionnaire consisted of demographic details and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Dental caries status was evaluated using the WHO (1997) caries diagnostic criteria for decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT: Dynamical mean field theory).

RESULTS
Prevalence of dental caries was 50.48%. Mean DMFT was 1.74 and Sic index was 4.56. The correlation between PSS and caries experience was found to be weak (r=0.389) (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION
Academic stress appears to affect oral health, shown by higher caries experience in high perceived stress score individuals.


In this study, we conduct sensitivity experiments with the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 to understand the impact of representing heterogeneous distribution between cloud liquid and ice on the phase partitioning in mixed‐phase clouds through different perturbations on the Wegener‐Bergeron‐Findeisen (WBF) process. In two experiments, perturbation factors that are based on assumptions of pocket structure and the partial homogeneous cloud volume derived from the High‐performance Instrumented Airborne Platform for Environmental Research (HIAPER) Pole‐to‐Pole Observation (HIPPO) campaign are utilized. Alternately, a mass‐weighted assumption is used in the calculation of WBF process to mimic the appearance of unsaturated area in mixed‐phase clouds as the result of heterogeneous distribution. Model experiments are tested in both single column and weather forecast modes and evaluated against data from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program's Mixed‐Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment (M‐PACE) field campaign and long‐term ground‐based multisensor measurements. Model results indicate that perturbations on the WBF process can significantly modify simulated microphysical properties of Arctic mixed‐phase clouds. The improvement of simulated cloud water phase partitioning tends to be linearly proportional to the perturbation magnitude that is applied in the three different sensitivity experiments. Cloud macrophysical properties such as cloud fraction and frequency of occurrence of low‐level mixed‐phase clouds are less sensitive to the perturbation magnitude than cloud microphysical properties. Moreover, this study indicates that heterogeneous distribution between cloud hydrometeors should be treated consistently for all cloud microphysical processes. The model vertical resolution is also important for liquid water maintenance in mixed‐phase clouds.


Previous analyses of descriptively defined psychotic phenomena have concluded that they can occur in benign spiritual experiences as well as pathological states. Attempts to forge a distinction between psychotic experiences in spiritual and pathological contexts on the basis of the form or content of the experience (broadly described) can be disproved by counterexample; distinguishing on the basis of negative or positive consequences of the phenomena for the individual can be seen to beg the question. In the present paper, it is argued that examining the fundamental conceptual organization of psychotic and mystical mental states not only elucidates the observed similarities between them, but can highlight the differences, and the processes by which negatively evaluated pathological features can be seen to emerge. Oriental philosophical systems such as Tibetan and Zen Buddhism, and Tantric Hinduism, provide conceptualizations of mystical states of mind, from which a model can be drawn, while the epistemologies of these systems provide an illuminating metaphysical perspective on both psychotic and mystical experiences. It is concluded that mystical and psychotic experiences can be distinguished not only by emotional and behavioral consequences, but by real differences in the states themselves; certain features, such as loss of subject/object boundaries and loss of the relative dimensional structure of perception, are common to both processes.


Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are proteins that act as the sentinels of mammalian cells by detecting bacteria and viruses motifs such as the phospholipid lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Gram-negative bacterial membrane, among others. Bacteria like Vibrio cholerae, when grow in phosphate-depleted medium are unable to produce LPS and other phospholipids and therefore increase the synthesis of ornithine lipids (OLs) to keep membrane integrity and survival. We found that, although the huge structural differences between OL and LPS, our immune system is still able to detect OL and trigger immune response through TLR4 and the non-canonical Nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing pyrin protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Similar to LPS, OL induced TLR4-dependent tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α secretion and Nuclear Factor (NF)-κB activation and therefore also elicited the priming of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Moreover, incubation of macrophages with OL causes caspase-dependent cleavage of gasdermin D (GSDMD) and consequent K+ efflux-dependent NLRP3 activation and interleukin (IL)-1β secretion. Results abstract (if needed) In bone-marrow derived murine macrophages (BMDM) from wild type mice, OLs induced hallmarks of NF-κB activation such as TNF-α secretion and the expression of pro-IL-1β and NLRP3. OL induced NF-κB activation dependent on TLR4 as demonstrated by the NF-κB activation measured in HEK293 reporting cells expressing uniquely TLR4 and by the decrease of TNF-α secretion in macrophages caused by antibodies blocking TLR4. OLs also induced IL-1β secretion dependent on cellular K+ efflux and NLRP3/caspase-1 inflammasome, as it was blocked by specific inhibitors and absent on Nlrp3−/−, Pycard−/− or Casp1/11−/− macrophages.


A new analytical method for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in red wine has been developed by using a double-extract cleanup and a fluorometric measurement after spectral deconvolution. Wine samples were diluted with a solution containing 1% polyethylene glycol and 5% sodium hydrogencarbonate, filtered, and purified by immunoaffinity and aminopropyl solid-phase column. OTA contents in the purified extract were determined by a spectrofluorometer (excitation wavelength, 330 nm; emission wavelength, 470 nm) after deconvolution of fluorescence spectra. Average recoveries from wine samples spiked with OTA at levels ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 ng/mL were 94.5-105.4% with relative standard deviations (RSD) of <15% (n = 4). The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.2 ng/mL, and the total time of analysis was 30 min. The developed method was tested on 18 red wine samples (naturally contaminated and spiked with OTA at levels ranging from 0.4 to 3.0 ng/mL) and compared with AOAC Official Method 2001.01, based on immunoaffinity column cleanup and HPLC with fluorescence detector. A good correlation (r(2) = 0.9765) was observed between OTA levels obtained with the two methods, highlighting the reliability of the proposed method, the main advantage of which is the simple OTA determination by a benchtop fluorometer with evident reductions of cost and time of analysis.


Urban arterials are characterized by frequent intersections. Queue length and delay are the two primary measures of performance of intersection. These measures play a primary role in determining the arterial performance. This article presents a methodology to determine the number of vehicles in queue at a signalized intersection for under saturated traffic conditions. The results obtained were validated using actual values that are manually extracted. The root-mean-square error is of the range 1.3 vehicles for estimation of number of vehicles in queue. The various aspects that have to be considered in accurate estimation of performance measures are also discussed.


BACKGROUND
Few epidemiological studies have investigated the relative importance of major coronary risk factors in the two sexes within the same study population. In particular, it is not clear whether smoking carries a similar risk of coronary heart disease in men and women.

METHODS AND RESULTS
The associations between smoking, serum lipids, blood pressure, and myocardial infarction were examined in a population-based prospective study of 11,843 men and women aged 35 to 52 years at entry. During 12 years, 495 cases of first myocardial infarction among men and 103 cases among women were identified. Myocardial infarction incidence was 4.6 times higher among men. The incidence was increased sixfold in women and threefold in men who smoked at least 20 cigarettes per day compared with never-smokers, and the rate in female heavy smokers exceeded that of never-smoking men. Multivariate analysis identified current smoking as a stronger risk factor in women (relative risk, 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1 to 5.1) than in men (relative risk, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.6 to 2.3). Among those under 45 years old at entry, the smoking-related sex difference was more pronounced (in women: relative risk, 7.1; 95% CI, 2.6 to 19.1) (in men: relative risk, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.6 to 3.2). Serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure were also highly significant predictors in both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS
Smoking was a stronger risk factor for myocardial infarction in middle-aged women than in men. Relative risks associated with serum lipids and blood pressure were similar despite large sex differences in myocardial infarction incidence rates.


Background: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an extremely aggressive form of locally advanced breast cancer that affects approximately 5% of breast cancer patients. The prognosis of IBC patients is remarkably poor, with a three-year survival rate of approximately 30% compared to 60% for non-IBC breast cancer patients. The etiology of IBC is largely unknown. A few risk factors have been reported such as body mass index (BMI) and educational level. Prior evidence has also implicated genetic components in IBC etiology. For instance, the reported familial cases and racial incidence disparity of IBC patients, as well as the fact IBC patients typically have a younger age onset than non-IBC patients, all indicated the possible involvement of genetic factors. Nevertheless, as yet no genetic epidemiological study has been reported to evaluate IBC genetic predisposition. Methods: To test the hypothesis that genetic variants and mutations may affect IBC susceptibility, we performed whole exome sequencing in a pilot case-control study that contained 70 IBC cases and 119 unrelated cancer-free controls. Sequencing data were de-multiplexed, filtered, assessed for various quality control metrics, mapped to reference genome and annotated. Comprehensive single variant-based, gene-centered, and pathway-based analyses were conducted to identify variants, genes, and pathways that may be involved in IBC predisposition. Results: We obtained > 50x on-target sequencing coverage of the whole exome in > 90% of the patients. In single variant analysis, we identified six variants reaching genome-wide significance. Four variants were encoded by genes that have been implicated in breast cancer development including MALAT1, MAP3K9, POLR3B, and FIP1L1. Two variants were encoded by novel genes that have not been related to breast cancer, including CCDC30 and LINC01565. Two types of analyses based on a gene-centered strategy identified top genes such as SLC39A4, CDHR1, AP5Z1, GNB3, ITGA10, etc. However, possibly due to the limited sample size, none of these genes reached genome-wide significance. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), using the complete list of significant genes identified by each of these analyses all reported "cancer" as the highest possible disorder associated with these genes, demonstrating the biological plausibility of our findings. Moreover, canonical pathways such as IL4 signaling, glycogen degradation, epithelial adherence junction signaling, and CCR3 signaling in eosinophils were among the top pathways that were found involved in IBC predisposition. Conclusion: Overall, we provided novel preliminary evidence that genetic variants are potentially associated with the risk of developing IBC. We are currently conducting validation studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm these findings and identify additional genetic susceptibility loci. Citation Format: Ye Z, Li B, Wang C, Zhong X, Wei Q, Mu Z, Austin L, Jaslow R, Avery T, Palazzo J, Biederman L, Yang H, Cristofanilli M, IBC Inflammatory Breast Cancer International Consortium. Novel genetic susceptibility loci for inflammatory breast cancer identified by whole exome sequencing. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-18-01.


The objective of this study was to establish a range of soybean meal quality to evaluate the correlations between official analytical methods and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). Crushed soybean white flakes (Mark Hershey Farms, Lebanon, PA) exposed to mechanical oil extraction, but not heat processing, were used in this experiment. Ground samples (500 g) were put into cotton bags and autoclaved at 262°F for 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min at 29 PSI. This was done to simulate varying degrees of heat processing. A total of 2 samples per treatment were autoclaved in 3 separate blocks. The duplicate samples were divided and analyzed using NIRS and official analytical analysis (wet chemistry). Crude protein (CP), total lysine (Lys), Lys:CP, available Lys, available Lys:total Lys, protein solubility in potassium hydroxide (KOH), trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA), urease activity index (UAI), individual amino acids (AA), and total AA were analyzed to determine the degree of processing using official analytical methods. The correlation coefficient (R) and coefficient determination (r2) between NIRS and official analytical methods were established for CP, total Lys, available/reactive Lys, Lys:CP and available/reactive Lys:total Lys. Data were analyzed using the SAS (v. 9.4, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) GLIMMIX procedure and the CORR procedure to determine the degree of association of NIRS and official analytical analysis. When measured using official analytical methods, CP, total AA, Ala, Asp, Glu, Gly, Iso, Leu, and Val decreased (linear, P < 0.05), whereas available/reactive Lys:total Lys, Lys:CP, available Lys, KOH, trypsin inhibitor, urease, Lys, and Cys decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05) with increasing exposure time to the autoclave. There was a positive correlation between official analytical and NIRS results for CP, Lys:CP, available Lys:total Lys, total AA, Ala, Cys, Lys, and a negative correlation for Thr. A linear model was best fit (P = 0.011, r2 = 0.489) to predict CP using NIRS. A quadratic model was best fit to use NIRS total Lys (P = 0.011, r2 = 0.969), reactive Lys (P = 0.001, r2 = 0.988), and their ratio (P = 0.001, r2 = 0.981) to predict official analytical results. In conclusion, increasing soybean autoclave exposure time decreased soybean meal quality as measured by crude protein, total Lys, Lys:CP, available Lys, available Lys:total Lys, KOH solubility total AA, and additional AA. In addition, regression models were successful at using NIRS for Lys, reactive Lys, Lys:CP, and reactive Lys:total Lys to predict official analytical results.


Abstract Especially during early developmental stages, competition with weeds can reduce crop growth and have a serious effect on productivity. Here, the effects of interactions between soil water content (SWC), nutrient availability, and competition from weeds on early stage crop growth were investigated, to better understand this problem. Field experiments were conducted in 2013 and 2014 using long-term study plots on loam soil in Hungary. Plots of maize (Zea mays L.) and a weed-maize combination were exposed to five fertilization treatments. SWC was observed along the 0–80 cm depth soil profile and harvested aboveground biomass (HAB) was measured. Significant differences were found between SWC in maize and maize-weed plots. In all treatments, measured SWC was most variable in soil depths of up to 50 cm, and at the 8–10 leaves (BBCH19) growth stage of the crop. The greatest depletion of SWC was detected within PK treatments across the entire soil profile and under both vegetation types, with depletion also considerable under NPK and NP treatments. Biomass growth was significantly influenced by weeds in treated plots between the BBCH 13 and 19 phenological stages, but water availability did not hamper growth rates in non-fertilized conditions. These findings suggest that, at early stages of crop growth, SWC model simulations need to include better characterisation of depth- and structure-dependent soil water uptake by vegetation.


The present study aims at providing a complete picture of the various propagation scenarios that a statistically stationary turbulent premixed flame may possibly undergo. By explicitly splitting the scalar turbulent flux between its gradient and counter-gradient contributions, the scalar governing equation is rewritten as an ordinary differential equation in the phase space. Then, an analysis of the characteristic equations in the vicinity of the reactants and products side is carried out. The domain of existence of the propagation velocity is then determined and positioned over the relevant Bray number range. It is shown in particular that when a counter-gradient transport at the cold leading edge of the flame is dominant, there still exists a possibility of observing a steady regime of propagation. This conclusion is compatible with recent experimental data and observations based on the analysis of direct numerical simulations.


The special issue "Antimicrobial Polymers" includes research and review papers concerning the recent advances on preparation of antimicrobial polymers and their relevance to industrial settings and biomedical field. Antimicrobial polymers have recently emerged as promising candidates to fight microbial contamination onto surfaces thanks to their interesting properties. In this special issue, the main strategies pursued for developing antimicrobial polymers, including polymer impregnation with antimicrobial agents or synthesis of polymers bearing antimicrobial moieties, were discussed. The future application of these polymers either in industrial or healthcare settings could result in an extremely positive impact not only at the economic level but also for the improvement of quality of life.


In this work, we describe the use of a magnetoelectrochemical support for screen-printed electrodes to improve the anodic stripping voltammetry of cadmium due to the generated magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect. To create a significant MHD effect, Fe(iii) was added at mM concentrations to the solution. The reduction of Fe(iii) simultaneously with the cadmium deposition on the electrode surface allowed the production of a high cathodic current, which generated a large Lorentz force capable of exerting a convective effect on the solution in the presence of the magnetic field. This convective effect allowed the increase in the mass transfer in the quiescent solution, enhancing the deposition of cadmium as observed by an increased stripping peak current. The optimized method was applied to the detection of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) in solution. Using the magnetoelectrochemical support, we were able to detect extremely low concentrations of QDs, with a detection limit of 100 amol of QDs (in particle number). The great performance shown by this system was evaluated in biosensing applications. Firstly, detection of biotin was carried out using a competitive bioassay between biotin and QD-labelled biotin, obtaining good analytical results (0.6 × 10-10 M as the limit of detection). Then, the magnetoelectrochemical support was tested in a more complex biosensor for the determination of anti-transglutaminase IgA antibodies, a celiac disease biomarker. This work shows that the improvement in the metal electrodeposition caused by the MHD effect can be used successfully for the development of disposable electrochemical biosensors with great performance using screen-printed electrodes.


The aim of the present study was to assess the very early neurobehavioral development of preterm infants and to examine differences regarding sex. Two-hundred and two preterm infants were assessed by the Neurobehavioral Assessment of the Preterm Infant (NAPI), which was carried out at 32-37 weeks post-conceptional age in the hospital setting. The infants' performance was compared to a norm-referenced sample and a comparison between groups regarding sex was also done. In comparison to the NAPI norm-reference, the preterm infants showed less muscular tonicity on the scarf sign, less vigor and spontaneous movement, higher alertness and orientation, weaker cry, and more sleep state. There was no statistical difference between males and females preterm infants at NAPI performances.


Inviscid vortex models have been demonstrated to capture the essential physics of massively separated flows past aerodynamic surfaces, but they become computationally expensive as coherent vortex structures are formed and the wake is developed. In this work, we present a two-dimensional vortex model in which vortex sheets represent shear layers that separate from sharp edges of the body and point vortices represent the rolled-up cores of these shear layers and the other coherent vortices in the wake. We develop a circulation transfer procedure that enables each vortex sheet to feed its circulation into a point vortex instead of rolling up. This procedure reduces the number of computational elements required to capture the dynamics of vortex formation while eliminating the spurious force that manifests when transferring circulation between vortex elements. By tuning the rate at which the vortex sheets are siphoned into the point vortices, we can adjust the balance between the model's dimensionality and dynamical richness, enabling it to span the entire taxonomy of inviscid vortex models. This hybrid model can capture the development and subsequent shedding of the starting vortices with insignificant wall-clock time and remain sufficiently low-dimensional to simulate long-time-horizon events such as periodic bluff-body shedding. We demonstrate the viability of the method by modelling the impulsive translation of a wing at various fixed angles of attack, pitch-up manoeuvres that linearly increase the angle of attack from $0^{\circ }$ to $90^{\circ }$ , and oscillatory pitching and heaving. We show that the proposed model correctly predicts the dynamics of large-scale vortical structures in the flow by comparing the distributions of vorticity and force responses from results of the proposed model with a model using only vortex sheets and, in some cases, high-fidelity viscous simulation.


OBJECTIVE: To explore trends in primary cesarean delivery rates among parous women with singleton pregnancies in the United States between 1990 and 2003. METHODS: The analysis used data from national birth files based on U.S. birth certificates between 1990 and 2003. The primary cesarean delivery rate was defined as the number of primary cesarean deliveries per 100 deliveries among parous women with singleton pregnancies who have not had a previous cesarean delivery. A stratified analysis was employed to investigate whether trends varied by maternal age, gestational age, race/ethnicity, or region. RESULTS: In the United States, the primary cesarean delivery rate among parous women decreased modestly from 7.1% in 1990 to 6.6% in 1996 but increased progressively to 9.3% in 2003. The increase in cesarean rates from 1996 to 2003 varied substantially by race/ethnicity: Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women exhibited lower and similar rates, whereas rates for non-Hispanic black women were consistently higher and rose by a far greater extent across the years. There were substantial differences in cesarean delivery trends across geographic divisions, with greatest increases observed in the mid-Atlantic, South Central, and South Atlantic areas of the United States. Primary cesarean rates also declined considerably with increasing gestational age. CONCLUSION: Similar to the overall cesarean delivery rate, primary cesarean rates among parous women with singleton pregnancies have increased substantially in the United States since 1996. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III


Abstract A strong positive correlation between development time and body size is commonly assumed. However, the evidence is increasing that the correlation between the two traits can be positive, zero or negative, depending on whether the two traits are under antagonistic or synergistic selection. In the present study, we examined the relation between larval development time and pupal weight of the rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis under laboratory and field conditions. For individuals reared at constant temperatures (22, 25, 28 and 31°C), a longer larval period tended to result in larger pupae, showing a positive correlation between larval development time and pupal weight; whereas for those reared under field conditions, a longer larval period tended to result in smaller pupae at 23.5 and 29.8°C, showing a negative correlation between the two traits. There was no correlation between the two traits at the mean daily temperature of 31°C. At constant temperatures, larval development time shortened significantly as rearing temperature increased, whereas pupae tended to become larger at higher temperatures, although no significant difference was detected among temperatures for pupal weight. Under field conditions, larval development time decreased significantly as the mean daily temperature increased, whereas pupal weight of females increased significantly with the increase in the mean daily temperature, which is an example of the reverse temperature–size rule. Feeding method significantly affected larval development time and pupal weight. For individuals fed on live rice plants, larval development time shortened significantly and pupal weight increased significantly compared with those reared on fresh rice stems.


The training and creation of deep learning model is usually costly, thus the trained model can be regarded as an intellectual property (IP) of the model creator. However, malicious users who obtain high-performance models may illegally copy, redistribute, or abuse the models without permission. To deal with such security threats, a few deep neural networks (DNN) IP protection methods have been proposed in recent years. This paper attempts to provide a review of the existing DNN IP protection works and also an outlook. First, we propose the first taxonomy for DNN IP protection methods in terms of six attributes: scenario, mechanism, capacity, type, function, and target models. Then, we present a survey on existing DNN IP protection works in terms of the above six attributes, especially focusing on the challenges these methods face, whether these methods can provide proactive protection, and their resistances to different levels of attacks. After that, we analyze the potential attacks on DNN IP protection methods from the aspects of model modifications, evasion attacks, and active attacks. Besides, a systematic evaluation method for DNN IP protection methods with respect to basic functional metrics, attack-resistance metrics, and customized metrics for different application scenarios is given. Lastly, challenges and future research opportunities on DNN IP protection are presented.


The Na+ concentration on the blood plasma of lactating mice increased by 22%. The muscle ion and water contents were unchanged in lactation whereas K+ level was increased by 15% in the red cells, the Na+ concentration - by 23% in mammary alveolar tissue, K+ - 2.5 times and water - 1.5 times as high as non-lactating animals. The data obtained suggest that: 1) the mechanism maintaining the cell Na+ concentration is sufficiently effective in lactation, 2) there is an interrelationship between the cell ion-water content and the degree of the rise in specific activity of the tissue during lactation, 3) Na+ enters the milk by a paracellular way in the mouse mammary gland in vivo after suckling.


The plant diversity of the vascular plants in a small densely settled street quater in one of the Wilhelmine quarters of Braunschweig was investigated over 5 years. It covered front yards, patios as well as the spontaneous flora. A high phytodiversity of 349 taxa (mostly in species rank) has been found within an area of 1,34 ha which is sealed or build on by up to 2/3. The spontaneous ones are 208, cultivated ones are 141. The most important micro habitats of the street quater are front yards and tree slices, whereas the species turn over of the tree slices is remarkable. The reasons for this turn over are occasional weed control, import of new substrates as well as good establishing possibilities.


An isogenic set of "prophage-free," DNA repair-proficient and -deficient strains of Bacillus subtilis were characterized phenotypically. The mutant strains were provisionally classified into four categories on the basis of their sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents, their ability to release phage after lysogenization followed by damage to chromosomal DNA, and their impairment in genetic exchange. The properties of double Rec- mutants showed that recF and addA belong to different epistatic groups, whereas recF, recL, and recH fall into the same group. More than one pathway for genetic exchange might be operative in B. subtilis.


The present study of the pressure fluctuations in the interaction region oif a two-dimensionals compression flow established that the frequency of the shock-wave unsteadiness is of the same order as the bursting frequency of the upstream boundary layer and that this frequency is independent of the downstream separated flow. The conditional-sampling technique developed herein is capable of separating phenomena due to shock-wave oscillations from those due to transport phenomena of turbulence. The results show that turbulence as inferred from wall-pressure fluctuations may be significantly amplified approaching the shock.


We present improved visual and near-infrared em- pirical mass-luminosity relations for very low mass stars (M<0.6 M). These relations make use of all stellar masses in this range known with better than 10% accuracy, most of which are new determinations with 0.2 to 5% accuracy from our own programme, presented in a companion paper. As predicted by stellar structure models, the metallicity dis- persion of the field populations induces a large scatter around the mean V band relation, while the infrared relations are much tighter. The agreement of the observed infrared mass-luminosity relations with the theoretical relations of Baraffe et al. (1998) and Siess et al. (2000) is impressive, while we find an in- creasingly significant discrepancy in the V band for decreasing masses. The theoretical mass-luminosity relation which is in- sufficiently steep, and has introduced significant errors in the local stellar mass functions derived from V band luminosity functions.


Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of rare inherited conditions that results in blistering of the skin and mucous membranes. Mutations in the PLEC gene cause epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS). Mutations in type VII collagen, encoded by COL7A1 lead to epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica (EBD). The report presents three autosomal recessive cases, one with epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) with nail and muscular dystrophy showing heterozygous single base pair deletion in exon 31 (chr8:144998220delC; c. 6288del; p. Arg2097AlafsTer55) and a heterozygous two base pair deletion in exon 27 (chr8:145001693_145001694delCT; c. 4054_4055del; p. Ser1352CysfsTer68) of PLEC gene. Two cases of epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica (EBD), with a novel homozygous, nonsense mutations in exon 54 (c. 5047C > T) and exon 104 (c. 7762C > T) of COL7A1 gene. The findings of the case report, provide evidence for additional molecular heterogeneity, in epidermolysis bullosa and also emphasize the significance of PLEC and COL7A1 gene mutations in epidermolysis bullosa.


We studied three groups of 30 patients each, undergoing minor orthopaedic surgery, anaesthetized with alfentanil (30 micrograms/kg bolus followed by an infusion of 0.3 micrograms/kg/min), thiopental 3 mg/kg and 70% N2O via facial mask. Patients in group I were treated, three minutes before induction, with vecuronium 0.02 mg/kg i.v., while those in group II were premedicated with diazepam 0.15 mg/kg i.m. 30-45 minutes before induction. Group III served as control. Muscular rigidity was evaluated clinically with a subjective score based on a scale of 0 (no rigidity) to 3 (severe rigidity). Diazepam did not give significant protection from muscular rigidity. Vecuronium administration did not significantly reduced the number of patients who became rigid, but significantly decreased the incidence of severe rigidity (p less than 0.005), the mean rigidity score (p less than 0.05) and the incidence of rigidity at the induction of anaesthesia (p less than 0.0005). We also observed a progressively increasing incidence of rigidity with increasing age (not significantly) and body weight (p less than 0.05 total rigidity, p less than 0.01 severe rigidity).


The Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) is used to assess a realistic estimate of emissions by savanna fires from NOAA advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) satellite imagery during the Experiment for Regional Sources and Sinks of Oxidants (EXPRESSO) campaign. The daily amounts of gases released by biomass burning depend on burnt biomaterial, the mass of which is estimated from two independent methods: classification of vegetation formations (CV) or net primary productivity (NPP). The area of the burnt zone is derived from satellite imagery. The percent of burnt biomass or combustion factor (α) is determined by an adjustment procedure using two model runs and assumed to be 40%, a value consistent with the biomass wetness. The simulated CO redistribution is compared with aircraft measurements (tracks and profiles). Two events of 4 and 5 days are examined, where flights above forest and savanna zones have been performed. In this study we show that the main mechanisms of the chemical species spatial redistribution originates from mesoscale features. The RAMS results are in rather good agreement with the aircraft measurements (vertical profiles or horizontal legs) over forest and savanna. The difference between the CO simulated fields obtained from CV or NPP is weak (about 20% or 30%), and it is difficult to discriminate the best method because this difference is generally inferior to the gap between model and observations. One may consider this study as a preliminary approach to improve the estimate of released gases by biomass burning with the help of mesoscale modeling and the knowledge of the real sources.


Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria and urinary tract infections in pregnancy can prevent adverse outcome for mother and child. However, antimicrobial resistance can impede effective chemotherapy. From April 1995 to March 1996, urine specimens from 5153 pregnant women in a rural area in northern Tanzania were inoculated on dip slides. Bacterial isolates from 101 positive dip slides were identified and tested for susceptibility to antimicrobial agents by disc diffusion. In total, 107 bacterial isolates were recovered, 71 Gram-negative and 36 Gram-positive. The most frequent isolates were Escherichia coli (n=27) and enterococci (n=15). E. coli isolates showed low rates of resistance to ampicillin (17%), mecillinam (9%), cefalexin (0%), nitrofurantoin (4%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (0%), trimethoprim (13%) and sulfamethoxazole (0%). Other Gram-negative bacteria displayed higher rates of resistance to these drugs. All enterococcal isolates were sensitive to ampicillin and only 2 were resistant to nitrofurantoin. Growth of E. coli from urine culture was correlated with adverse outcome of pregnancy (relative risk 4.13, 95% confidence interval 1.50–11.38). Antimicrobial susceptibility prevails in urinary isolates of E. coli and enterococci from rural areas of northern Tanzania. Susceptibility data from both rural and urban areas should be taken into account when planning antibiotic policies.


Moizer (1997) summarises the evidence on audit firm reputation in financial communities, noting that there is considerable evidence that Big Six firms are differentiated from other firms. These audit firms are the same group of firms we refer to as "professional accountancy firms" in the context of their more general role in providing a range of accountancy services. In this paper, we argue that the "reputation effects" described by Moizer (1997) should be found in approaches to company valuation. As Moizer (1997) argues, audit quality is unobservable, but reputation in the financial community can be inferred from market reaction to auditor change, the degree of IPO under-pricing, and the "Big Six" audit premium. However, Sucher et al (1999) argue that reputations are built on the technical and functional quality of service provided, and to a degree this is observable. For this reason, we investigate directly the degree of sophistication of the valuation practices of professional accountancy firms. We use a field study approach centred upon the largest accountancy firms by fee income with a sample of Big Six firms and non-Big Six. As reputation effects can be associated with office location as well as the firm itself (Chan et al, 1993; Brinn et al, 1994; Moizer, 1997), we compare the valuation practices of London and provincial offices within the Big Six sample. Consistent with the predictions of reputation theory, the field studies reveal that the type of valuation analysis used by the London offices of Big Six firms (now Big Five) is more sophisticated than the practices of the non-Big Six firms in general. This paper is based upon research which has been funded by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. We are grateful to Paul Collier, Clive Emmanuel and Simon Keane, and to Ken Peasnell and two anonymous referees for their helpful comments on earlier versions of this paper. The usual disclaimers regarding authors' responsibility for any errors or omissions apply.


Abstract The notion of n-polynomial equation ring, for an arbitrary but fixed positive integer n, is introduced. A ring A is called an n- polynomial equation ring if γ(A[Xn ]) = γ(A)[ Xn ], for all radicals γ. If this equation holds for all hereditary radicals γ, then A is said to be a hereditary n-polynomial equation ring. Various characterizations of these rings are provided. It is shown that, for any ring A, the zero-ring on the additive group of A is an n- polynomial equation ring and that any Baer radical ring is a hereditary n- polynomial equation ring. New radicals based on these notions are introduced, one of which is a special radical with a polynomially extensible semisimple class.


Background People who identify as LGBTQ+ are at an increased risk of certain serious health conditions including types of cancer and so it is vital that this group of people feel able to access palliative care services. In 2014, Marie Curie commissioned research which highlighted a lack of evidence about LGBTQ+ people's experience of palliative care. A recent study identified that individuals may feel unable to spontaneously disclose their identity to healthcare staff due to prior experience of discrimination. Therefore, it is important that all staff feel confident in talking to patients about sexual orientation. Method Review of patient records to identify how many patients admitted to hospice over the past 6 months have been asked their sexual orientation. Development of a 3-hour interactive LGBTQ+ staff training programme. Review of written feedback from these sessions to analyse how this was received by staff. Results Over the past 6 months, 146 patients were admitted. 52% had been asked their sexual orientation. Small group LGBTQ+ teaching sessions were provided, where interactivity was promoted with activities such as a quiz and word-search. Feedback indicating that this was a valuable learning opportunity for staff. Quotes included, 'more aware of LGBTQ+ terms that patient may use and what they mean', 'increased awareness and has made me more confident to ask', 'session highlighted the importance of continuing to treat patients as individuals'. Discussion Marie Curie has made great strides both locally and nationally to ensure LGBTQ+ patients feel welcome. New training sessions have been provided to ensure that all staff feel confident in being able to openly discuss LGBTQ+ issues and feedback from this has been extremely positive. We plan to re-review the data in 6 months to ensure that more patients are being offered the opportunity to disclose their sexual orientation on admission.


Modulation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels by the receptor coupled GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins) is essential for controlling secretion and muscle contraction. We have expressed cloned Ca2+ channels in dysgenic myotubes to study G-protein modulation through the membrane-delimited pathway. The results obtained by the expression of alpha 1B channels and mutant channels of alpha 1B suggest that the two effects observed in G-protein modulated N-type channels (depression of current and slowing of activation) are through two independent mechanisms. In addition, neither the region linking repeat II and III nor carboxy-terminal region, which were demonstrated in L-type channels to determine some of their specific functions, are directly involved in G-protein modulation. The results obtained by the expression of the alpha 1A channel suggest that this channel is modulated through a novel membrane-delimited pathway that may not involve G-protein activation.


We describe several methods for validating visual soil disturbance classes used during forest soil monitoring after specific management operations. Site-specific vegetative, soil, and hydrologic responses to soil disturbance are needed to identify sensitive and resilient soil properties and processes; therefore, validation of ecosystem responses can provide information for best management practices in selecting appropriate harvest and site preparation techniques that limit long-term degradation and maintain site productivity and hydrologic function. Although research on forest managements affect on soil properties and plant growth responses has been conducted on a few sites, there is a need for additional site-specific validation data of soil visual disturbance attributes across the range of soil and forest conditions.


To study the effects of scintillator light yield nonproportionality, a technique has been developed to calculate photon response. A discrete convolution of measured electron response and the electron energy distribution for a particular scintillator yields the photon response. By establishing the ability to accurately calculate photon response, the experimental implications of scintillator light yield nonproportionality and geometry effects can be studied without the requirement for experimental measurements. This technique also provides a more detailed characterization of photon response than experimental techniques that rely on the use of multiple gamma-ray and X-ray sources. To demonstrate this technique, NaI(Tl), CaF/sub 2/(Eu), and LSO(Ce) photon responses have been calculated. By comparing calculated results to both measured photon responses and previously published photon responses for these scintillators, this technique has been validated.


Experimental comparisons of radio influence (RI) fields from long and short lines were made on a section of a 70-mile 345-kv transmission line. The results of these tests show that for line RI generation the long line RI level can be obtained from short test line data. Tests with a single RI source on the line are also described.


Studies of the effects of power-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on the immune and other body systems produced positive and negative results, and this pattern was usually interpreted to indicate the absence of real effects. However, if the biological effects of EMFs were governed by nonlinear laws, deterministic responses to fields could occur that were both real and inconsistent, thereby leading to both types of results. The hypothesis of real inconsistent effects due to EMFs was tested by exposing mice to 1 G, 60 Hz for 1-105 days and observing the effect on 20 immune parameters, using flow cytometry and functional assays. The data were evaluated by means of a novel statistical procedure that avoided averaging away oppositely directed changes in different animals, which we perceived to be the problem in some of the earlier EMF studies. The reliability of the procedure was shown using appropriate controls. In three independent experiments involving exposure for 21 or more days, the field altered lymphoid phenotype even though the changes in individual immune parameters were inconsistent. When the data were evaluated using traditional linear statistical methods, no significant difference in any immune parameter was found. We were able to mimic the results by sampling from known chaotic systems, suggesting that deterministic chaos could explain the effect of fields on the immune system. We conclude that exposure to power-frequency fields produced changes in the immune system that were both real and inconsistent.


The intermetallic compound Pr1-x-yLaxPbyTe shows a wide spectrum of physical phenomena. Depending on the metallurgical composition as function of x and y, the compound changes its behavior from van Vleck paramagnetism and hyperfine-enhanced nuclear-magnetic order to super- or semiconductivity. In addition, there are remarkable interplay effects between these ground states. In consequence, Pr1-x-yLaxPbyTe may serve as an interesting material for nuclear-spin quantum-computing experiments. In this contribution, we focus on measurements of the magnetic properties performed in high magnetic fields. We present first data of the magnetization of Pr1-yPbyTe taken in pulsed magnetic fields up to 47 T for the compositions y = 0, 50, and 90 %.


This study explored the impact of a teacher study group involving twelve senior faculty over a five month period at University of Padova, Italy. The objective was to improve teaching and promote community building by reflecting, sharing and practicing teaching and learning activities within a small group. Theoretically the study is framed from a model of faculty development and transformative learning theory. Using a qualitative design this study explored what motivated faculty to participate in this group, the benefits of the group experience and the impact group experience on how participants thought about teaching and learning. Findings reveal for this group they had a real passion for teaching and desire to improve their practice. However, despite the power of the learning community change was small, incremental and reflected more in new ideas about teaching and not definitive change. The outcomes of this study have significant implications for faculty development within an Italian higher education setting, such that teacher study groups need to be long term, capitalize on learning through faculty relationships and that the responsibility of change doesn't reside exclusively within the faculty, the larger institutional context plays a significant role as well.


The possibility of existence of ultranarrow atomic and nuclear radiative lines in a 'megaatom' of a Bose—Einstein condensate in a quantum trap is estimated. This phenomenon is caused by the elimination of the inhomogeneous broadening due to suppression of the random motion of atoms in the condensate resulting from the establishment of the higher-order quantum coherence in it.


Introduction: Empagliflozin reduces cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes, possibly through improved cardiac function associated with metabolic changes including lowered glucose and insulin concentrations and elevated free fatty acids (FFA) . We aimed to evaluate the influence of these metabolic changes on cardiac function in type 2 diabetes (T2D) .
 Materials and Method: 17 subjects (13 males) with T2D, aged 58±3 years (mean±sem) , BMI 32.9±0.9 kg/m2, HbA1c 52.4±2.4 mmol/L, TD2 duration of 8.9±1.3 years were treated with empagliflozin (E) and NPH-insulin (I) for 5 weeks in a cross-over design with 3 weeks of washout between treatments. Insulin was titrated to produce similar glycemic control as during empagliflozin. Patients were studied before and at the end of each treatment period. Metabolic changes were evaluated with fasting glucose, FFAs and insulin concentrations, cardiac function with cardiac MRI during rest and chronotropic stress on two separate days without and with acute lowering of FFAs with acipimox. Cardiac endpoints were changes in left ventricular peak filling rate (∆LVPFR) and left ventricular ejection fraction (∆LVEF) .
 Results: Fasting glucose was reduced from 8.7±0.5 mM during washouts to 7.6±0.3 mM on both treatments, while serum insulin was lower (E: 103±14 pM; I: 141±16 pM, p<0.01) and FFAs higher (E: 0.60±0.03 mM; I: 0.50±0.mM, p=0.02) on empagliflozin compared with insulin treatment. Cardiac function did not differ between treatments in rest or during stress (rest: ∆LVPFR E: -2±19;I: -11±20 ml/s, p=1.0; ∆LVEF -1 ±1, -1±1%, p=0.8; stress: ∆LVPFR E:-32±20, I: -14±24 ml/s; ∆LVEF E: 1±2, I: 0±2%) . Acipimox reduced FFAs by ∼35% at all visits but did not reveal any cardiac effects of treatments.
 Conclusion: Neither empagliflozin nor insulin treatment change cardiac function in patients with T2D. Treatment specific metabolic effects play no role for cardiac function under the studied conditions.

 R.Thirumathyam: None. J.Goetze: Consultant; Novo Nordisk A/S. J.J.Holst: Advisory Panel; Novo Nordisk, Board Member; Antag Therapeutics, Bainan Biotech. N.Vejlstrup: None. S.Madsbad: None. P.L.Madsen: None. N.B.Jørgensen: Advisory Panel; Novo Nordisk A/S, Research Support; Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Speaker's Bureau; Novo Nordisk A/S, Stock/Shareholder; Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk A/S.

 Boehringer Ingelheim Gmbh. Investigator initiated study grant.


The growing expectations for ubiquitous sensing have led to the integration of countless embedded sensors, actuators, and RFIDs in our surroundings. Combined with rapid developments in high-speed wireless networks, these resource-constrained devices are paving the road for the Internet-of-Things paradigm, a computing model aiming to bring together millions of heterogeneous and pervasive elements. However, it is commonly accepted that the Privacy consideration remains one of its main challenges, a notion that does not only encompasses malicious individuals but can also be extended to honest-but-curious third-parties. In this paper, we study the design of a privacy-enhanced communication protocol for lightweight IoT devices. Applying the proposed approach to MQTT, a highly popular lightweight publish/subscribe communication protocol prevents no valuable information from being extracted from the messages flowing through the broker. In addition, it also prevents partners re-identification. Starting from a privacy-ideal, but unpractical, exact transposition of the Oblivious Transfer (OT) technology to MQTT, this paper follows an iterative process where each previous model's drawbacks are appropriately mitigated all the while trying to preserve acceptable privacy levels. Our work provides resistance to statistical analysis attacks and dynamically supports new client participation. Additionally the whole proposal is based on the existence of a non-communicating 3rd party during pre-development. This particular contribution reaches a proof-of-concept stage through implementation, and achieves its goals thanks to OT's indistinguishability property as well as hash-based topic obfuscations.


The avian recombinant adenovirus of serotype 1 (CELO) was obtained. The recombinant adenovirus of serotype 1 (CELO) induces expression of human beta-interferon (IB). The expression cassette containing IB gene was placed at the right end of the CELO genome under control of hybrid promoter hEF-1alpha/HTLV. The resulting recombinant adenovirus CELO-IB transduced the avian cell culture LMH. The level of production of the recombinant IB was 0.15 micro/ml. The IB protein yield after affine chromatography purification using Ni-NTA agarose was 50%. The biological activity of the purified IB was high (7.8 x 10(8) MU/microg protein). The purified IB inhibited replication of murine encephalomyocarditis virus (VMEC) in cell culture of human diploid fibroblasts (HDF). Thus, expression system based on avian cell culture is an effective system for producing biologically active protein of human interferon beta.


Abstract A program designed to help elderly pet owners is succeeding in areas unrelated to pet care. The relationships that seniors establish with the coordinating social worker and participating volunteer create opportunities in other areas. The program establishes a social work connection which can be tapped in an emergency and enhances socialization through volunteer visits. Program participation may also reduce the severity of housing problems and provide a chance to discuss end-of-life issues. Implications for policy and practice are discussed, including the importance of acknowledging the central role of a pet in the lives of many elderly people.


Abstract : Unlike most of its NATO allies, Turkey did not emerge from the Cold War with enhanced security. The acquisition of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and ballistic missiles by its neighbors in the Middle East Iran, Iraq and Syria creates a serious security concern for Turkey. This thesis analyzes the numerous threats posed to Turkey by its neighbors' nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and their ballistic missiles. It evaluates Turkey's defense options to counter these threats and examines the credibility of NATO's security guarantees, including the nuclear guarantees the United States provides under NATO auspices. The thesis concludes that Turkey must acquire the capabilities to deny adversaries the benefits of these weapons. These capabilities including passive and active defenses as well as improved counterforce means will enable Ankara to strengthen deterrence and provide an effective defense should deterrence fail. Improving its preparedness for WMD contingencies should be an urgent, new priority for Turkey. The Turkish Armed Forces should have the necessary capabilities to fight, survive and prevail in NBC environments. In addition, NATO's security guarantees, which hinge ultimately on the U.S. nuclear presence and U.S. extended deterrence commitments in Europe, and Turkey's own national defense and deterrence posture, must remain convincing to Turkey as well as to the WMD-armed states that threaten Turkey.


Clinical simulation has become an important educational tool in the training of undergraduate medical students, because it is subject oriented toward learning,taking into account your needs and your individual pace, and in which develop medical skills necessary for professional development as the analytical and clinical thinking, problem solving, decision making , leadership , comunication ,performing a physical examination skills of various medical procedures etc . For these reasons it appropriate to raise the benefits it can offer us the dialogue pedagogical model inter-structuring (Not Luis 1983 ) ,it is based on the construccion of knowledge from an active dialogue between the student ,learning, and teaching ; recognizing the human dimensions : cognitive,affective and praxis (Zubiria , 2006 )


In previous studies; effects of enzymatic treatments on linen fabrics have been mostly investigated in terms of wettability, sorption properties, whiteness-yellowness index, and K/S values after dyeing. However, surface chemistry and topography of enzyme-treated linen fabrics have not been reported enough. The aim of this work was to examine the effect of pectinase treatments on surface structure and chemical properties of greige linen fabrics by using instrumental techniques. After enzymatic treatment, adequate removal of noncellulosic impurities from the fiber surface has been proved by AFM images and O1/C1 ratio of the treated surface. Water drop test measurement and absorbance spectrographs of FTIR analysis have supported the results. It was observed that achievement in bioscouring is familiar to conventional alkaline scouring. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012


A novel analytical strategy that couples enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and electrochemical microfluidic chips to determine the mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEA) in baby foods is presented. The analytical cycles for an ultra-fast analysis of the sample and its sequential fast and simplified calibration were performed in about 200 s plus to ELISA protocol. This route avoided the typical four-parameter logistic curve fit which is a highly time-consuming and laborious procedure. An extremely low concentration level of ZEA (less than 1 ppb) was detected with reliability. This level is 20 times lower than the strictest tolerable limit (20 ppb) for baby foods, making the microfluidic approach the newly anticipated analytical security tool for the future. The reliability of the proposal was demonstrated by accuracy evaluations using a certified reference material and by demonstrating its suitability during the control of the regulatory limits of ZEA in baby foods. In addition, the microfluidic approach allowed sensitivity and the incubation enzymatic reaction to be manipulated in situ.


OBJECTIVES
Care coordination is a core component of pediatric complex care programs (CCPs) supporting children with medical complexity (CMC) and their families. In this study, we aim to describe the purpose and characteristics of clinical care notes used within a pediatric CCP.

METHODS
We conducted observations of provider-family interactions during CCP clinic visits and 5 focus groups with members of the CCP. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed. Field observation notes and focus group transcripts were subjected to qualitative content analyses.

RESULTS
Four major themes help characterize clinical care notes: (1) Diversity of note types and functions: program staff author and use a number of unique note types shared across multiple stakeholders, including clinicians, families, and payers. (2) motivations for care note generation are different and explain how, why, and where they are created. (3) Program staff roles and configuration vary in relation to care note creation and use. (4) Sources of information for creating and updating notes are also diverse. Given the disparate information sources, integrating and maintaining up-to-date information for the child is challenging. To minimize information gaps, program staff devised unique but resource-intensive strategies, such as accompanying families during specialty clinic visits or visiting them inpatient.

CONCLUSIONS
CMC have complex documentation needs demonstrated by a variety of professional roles, care settings, and stakeholders involved in the generation and use of notes. Multiple opportunities exist to redesign and streamline the existing notes to support the cognitive work of clinicians providing care for CMC.


Introduction With increased use and sensitivity of cross sectional imaging more incidental pancreatic cystic lesions are found. Studies have demonstrated a prevalence of 2.5% of cystic pancreatic lesions in asymptomatic patients on MRI and CT scanning. Cystic lesions have a wide variety of radiological appearances and prognostic outcomes. We aimed to review cases found to have incidental pancreatic cysts on CT scanning and ascertain the concordance between CT and EUS and the management of such lesions in a non-pancreatic centre. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing EUS for pancreatic cystic lesions found on incidentally on CT scan between 2010 and 2012. Twenty-five patients were included. Solid lesions with a cystic component were excluded. Results There were 15 female; 10 male. Indications for CT scan included abdominal pain 32%; weight loss 16%; jaundice and suspected stone disease with abnormal USS 16%. In all cases there was no preceding clinical suspicion of pancreatic cysts/disease. Median number of cysts was 1 (1–4); mean size 3 cm (1–11 cm). In 70% of cases the cyst was >3 cm; and <3 cm in 30%. They were located in the HOP 36%; BOP 32%; TOP 16%; NOP 4%; multiple sites 12%. The cyst was aspirated +/- biopsy in 12 (48%) cases, of which in 2 (16%) this changed the CT diagnosis. Final diagnosis was pseudocyst 10 (40%); IPMN 6 (24%); simple cyst 2 (8%); serous cystadenoma 2 (8%); mucinous cystadenoma (MCA) 1 (4%); cystic adenoca 1 (4%); wegeners cyst 1 (4%); renal cyst 1 (4%). In 32% (8 cases), the EUS findings were inconsistent with CT findings, due to IPMN and MCA in the vast majority. Greatest concordance between EUS and CT findings was in the diagnosis of pseudocysts. Conclusion Increasing number of asymptomatic pancreatic cysts found incidentally will undoubtedly cause increased referrals to tertiary pancreatic centres. EUS is a better imaging modality with additional benefit of attaining samples. Performing EUS +/- cyst FNA provided an alternative diagnosis to CT in a significant percentage (32%) of patients and helped streamline referrals for tertiary opinion. EUS should be considered in all patients presenting with incidental pancreatic cysts on cross-sectional imaging. This may be performed at the index hospital (if non-pancreatic centre) and should not be restricted to tertiary HPB centres if operator experience and confidence allows. Disclosure of Interest None Declared.


Background: This study aimed to evaluate paranasal sinusitis disease and determine if there is a relationship between the anatomical variation of sinusitis based on the age and gender of the patient and, if so, to identify the most affected demographic group. Methods and Results: This study included 130 patients (76 men and 54 women with ages ranging from 18 years to 75 years) diagnosed with PNS disease and was conducted in the Radiology Department of King Abdelaziz Specialist Hospital and King Faisal Hospital (Taif city, Saudi Arabia) from January 1 2021 to January 31 2022. The evaluation of sinusitis was conducted using multidetector computed tomography. The clinical symptoms included 70% cases of nasal obstruction, 53% cases of headache, 28.5% cases of nasal discharge, 17.7% cases of facial pain, and 3.1% cases of general malaise. The types of sinusitis included maxillary sinusitis (88.5%), sphenoid sinusitis (28.5%), ethmoid sinusitis (43.8%), and frontal sinusitis (23.5%). The study found no significant anatomical variation of sinuses based on age and gender (P>0.05). Conclusion: An evaluation of paranasal sinusitis disease using an MDCT scan shows that there are no gender or age-related differences in the prevalence of the disease. Moreover, the study demonstrates that there is no significant anatomical variation of sinuses based on age and gender.


A novel active catalyst of Na-Rh/γ-Al2O3 was prepared by impregnation and characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption-desorption. The catalytic performance of Rh/γ-Al2O3 and Na-Rh/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for the selective oxidation of CO in the presence of excess hydrogen was compared, and the effect of pretreatment on the catalytic activity was investigated. The 5% Na-0.5% Rh/γ-Al2O3 catalyst maintains its activity for CO oxidation for more than 100 h in the presence of hydrogen and moisture. The conversion of CO and CO2 selectivity up to 100% and 70%, respectively, were obtained at 100℃ GHSV 2.25×10^4 h^(-1), 1.4% O2, 2% CO, and 70% H2. XPS results indicated that the electronic interaction between Na and Rh causes a transfer of electron density from Na to Rh, which increases the back-donation of electrons from the filled d orbitals of Rh to the CO 2π(superscript *) antibonding molecular orbitals and results in a weakening of the C=O bond. Highly dispersed Rh was found on the surface of the promoted catalysts. N2 adsorption-desorption results revealed that the specific surface area decreases after the addition of Na, but the average pore size becomes larger, which provides more spaces for CO oxidation.


In our nation's immigration system, a noncitizen charged with deportability may be detained pending the outcome of removal proceedings. These individuals are housed in remote facilities closely resembling prisons, with severe restrictions on access to counsel and contact with family members. Given severe backlogs in the adjudication of removal proceedings, such detention may last months or even years.

Many of the noncitizens initially detained by enforcement officials have the opportunity to request a bond hearing before an administrative adjudicator called an Immigration Judge (IJ). Although these IJs preside over relatively formal on-the-record hearings and are understood to exercise "independent judgement," concerns have been raised that they have been subject to control by political superiors in the Executive Branch.

We analyze roughly 630,000 individual custody decisions by IJs from 2001 through June 2019 to explore this question. Our bivariate analyses based on cross-tabulations (without additional controls) show that noncitizens fared worse in bond proceedings during the Trump Administration than they did during the prior two Administrations. Moreover, the difference is not solely attributable to the behavior of Trump appointed IJs. Rather, even appointee cohorts who had been relatively favorable toward noncitizens during prior Eras imposed higher bond amounts and were more likely to deny bond altogether during the Trump Era. These findings suggest that political actors in the Executive Branch may be influencing immigrant bond outcomes not only through their power to appoint, but also through their power to supervise.


What drives the evolution of increased growth and fecundity in plants introduced to a novel range is not well understood. We investigate between‐range differences in performance for Verbascum thapsus, a weedy invader known to grow larger in its introduced than native range. Specifically, we question whether adaptation to herbivory or climate best explains increased performance of introduced populations. We grew 14 native and 22 introduced populations of V. thapsus in two common garden locations: near Prague, Czech Republic (native range) and in Colorado, USA (introduced range). By removing herbivores from half of the plants within each garden we tested the prediction of the evolution of increased competitive ability (EICA) hypothesis: increased performance is driven by an evolutionary shift of resources away from defence against herbivory towards growth and reproduction. We then investigated whether genetically based clines in performance are expressed along climate gradients within both the native and introduced ranges. On average, seeds produce larger rosettes when collected from the introduced vs. native range. While this evolution of increased growth in introduced populations in part matches the prediction of EICA, climate, not herbivory, best explains this between‐range difference. Specifically, seeds collected from the native range produce smaller rosettes as the climate of origin becomes cooler and drier, while there is no cline in performance in rosettes grown from seed collected from the introduced range, which are large regardless of climate of origin. Thus, a climate‐based cline within the native range best explains lower average performance of native compared to introduced populations. Synthesis. The breakdown in a potentially adaptive cline emphasizes the need to more closely investigate the evolutionary processes that shape geographic structuring (or its absence) within the introduced range. In addition, EICA is not universally applicable to all invasion scenarios, and our findings underscore the importance of testing the underlying assumptions alongside the predictions of this hypothesis.


We present a 54-year-old man employed in the field of hard metal manufacturing who complained of progressive dyspnea and weight loss. His chest radiograph showed bilateral fibrosis predominantly distributed in the upper lobes with bilateral pleural effusions, and a strong reduction in lung volume. Lung histopathology showed apical cap-like fibrosis but no giant cell interstitial pneumonia. Electron probe microanalysis detected tungsten deposits in the fibrotic region: we therefore considered this to be a case of hard metal disease. Hard metal disease should be considered as one possibility in the differential diagnosis of upper lobe-dominant pulmonary fibrosis.


Hyperthermia has shown clinical potency as a single agent or as adjuvant to other therapies in cancer treatment. However, thermotolerance induced by thermosensitive genes such as the heat shock proteins can limit the efficacy of hyperthermic treatment. In the present study, we identified HSPB1 (HSP27) is hyperthermically inducible or endogenously highly expressed in both murine and human melanoma cell lines. We used a siRNA strategy to reduce HSPB1 levels and showed increased intolerance to hyperthermia via reduced cell viability and/or proliferation of cells. In the investigation of underlying mechanisms, we found knock down of HSPB1 further increased the proportion of apoptotic cells in hyperthermic treated melanoma cells when compared with either single agent alone, and both agents leaded to cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 or G2/M phases. We concluded that hyperthermia combined with silencing of HSPB1 enhanced cell death and resulted in failure to thrive in melanoma cell lines, implying the potential clinical utility of hyperthermia in combination with HSPB1 inhibition in cancer treatment.


SUMMARY: When concentrated by precipitation with acid and salts, or by highspeed centrifugation, potato virus X tends to become insoluble though still remaining infective and serologically active. This greatly complicates purification and no method was found that could be relied upon to give good yields of virus with constant properties. Insolubility is correlated with the aggregation of virus particles to form long threads that become entangled, but it is probable that combination of the particles with some cell constituents is also concerned. Insoluble preparations dissolve slowly when incubated with pH 7.5 borate buffer, and rapidly in the presence of trypsin or chymotrypsin. Both of these enzymes hydrolyse virus X, chymotrypsin being the more effective, but different strains of the virus vary in their susceptibility. Ribonuclease readily hydrolyses the nucleic acid derived from virus X, but seems to have no enzymic action on the active virus. When mixed with the virus, the enzyme combines with it and reversibly inhibits infectivity. At pH 7 the addition of ribonuclease to soluble virus preparations causes loss of anisotropy of flow, a fall in precipitin titre, and the production of an insoluble complex. Incubation at pH 7.5 with borate buffer slowly dissolves the complex and restores the original properties of the virus; the rate of re-solution is increased by the presence of trypsin. Some preparations of the virus were partially decomposed by incubation with borate buffer, and sometimes the rate of decomposition was increased in the presence of ribonuclease.


Suspended particles are the important components of natural water. In this paper, a method based on polarized light scattering is proposed for profile probing of the particulate components in water. The profile probing is achieved by a polarized light sheet illuminating the suspension and the Stokes vector imaging system at a 120° backscattering angle, receiving the scattered light of the particles in the scattering volume. Each Stokes vector image (SVI) includes hundreds of star-studded particles whose Stokes vectors are used to retrieve the numbers of each particulate component in water. Experiments of typical particles are conducted. The classifications of these particles powered by the convolutional neural network (CNN) are demonstrated. The particulate components in mixed samples are successfully recognized and quantitatively compared. Considering at least 10 SVIs every second, the concentrations of each particulate component in water are effectively evaluated. The concept of profile probing the particulate components in water is proved to be powerful, by which we can measure up to almost 8000 particles per second. These results encourage the development of in-situ tools with this concept for particle profiling in future field surveying.


Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) occurs from both natural and artificial sources. The main natural source is the sun. On the other hand, artificial UVR sources are widely used in industry and also used in hospitals, Iaboratories, etc. because of their germicidal properties. They are even used for cosmetic purposes. UVR can be classified into three regions according to its wavelength : as UVA (320-400nm), UVB (320-280nm) and UVC (280-200nm). The UVC has the greatest health effect on humans among the three. The sun radiates a wide range of spectrum of electromagnetic radiation including the UVR, however the radiation below 290 nm in wavelength does hot reach the surface of the earth for effective absorption by the strato-spheric ozone layer. As a result, UVR from a natural source consists of only UVA and a part of UVB. On the other hand, artificial UVR sources include UVC region and have serious effects on the human body, especially on the skin and eyes.


Abstract Background: Patients with mechanical heart valves (MHV) have an increased risk of thromboembolic complications. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and unfractionated heparin (UFH) are often recommended for bridging anticoagulation; however, it is not clear which strategy is more beneficial. Methods: The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched from January 1960 to March 2019. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies were analyzed. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Stata 11.0 was used for the meta-analysis. Results: A total of 6 publications were included; 1366 events were selected, involving 852 events with LMWH and 514 events with UFH. The thromboembolism risk of the LMWH group was lower than that of the UFH group (risk ratio [RR] = 0.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12–0.95, P = .039). The incidence of major bleeding was lower in the LMWH group than in the UFH group, albeit without statistical significance (RR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.68–1.30, P = .728), as was mortality (RR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.16–1.66, P = .271). Subgroup analysis showed that LMWH cardiac surgery patients had a higher risk of major bleeding compared with UFH cardiac surgery patients (RR = 1.17, 95% CI 0.72–1.90, P = .526); but among non-cardiac surgery patients, the LMWH group had a lower risk of major bleeding than the UFH group (RR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.51–1.22, P = .284), although the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis suggests that LMWH not only reduces the risk of thromboembolism in patients with MHV but also does not increase the risk of major bleeding. LMWH may provide safer and more effective bridging anticoagulation than UFH in patients with MHV. It is still necessary to conduct future randomized studies to verify this conclusion.


Excised pea-root tips were incubated in various conditions, in order to determine the effect upon mitosis. In air the mitotic index rapidly decreased, but in an atmosphere of oxygen-free nitrogen (containing less than 0·001% oxygen) mitotic figures persisted for up to 24 h. Counts of the total number of cells showed that the persistence of mitotic figures represented an arrest of mitosis by anaerobiosis, and not a continuation of cell division as had previously been surmized. The effects of oxygen-lack were simulated by 10-2M-sodium cyanide. Mitotic arrest persisted for only about 4 h if industrial nitrogen (containing about 0·05% oxygen) was used, or if 10-3M-cyanide was employed. The cells thus partially arrested slowly continued the normal course of mitosis, and did not merely revert directly to interphase. Similar results were obtained with different kinds of roots, and with intact seedlings. The results were in accordance with an hypothesis that all stages of cell division depend upon the presence of oxygen, but that the visible stages of mitosis are less dependent than is the stage of entering mitosis.