The paper describes the process of gas-dynamic modernization of a 16-stage axial compressor of an industrial gas turbine unit. Tests of the baseline variant of the compressor revealed a significant shortfall of efficiency, pressure ratio, and stability margins. In addition, the ongoing work on the modernization of the entire engine sets the task to the authors of not just achieving design parameters but significantly exceeding them (air mass flow rate by 6%, pressure ratio by 2%, adiabatic efficiency by 1% relative to the design values).
 To achieve these goals, a numerical model of the compressor was developed and validated. The characteristics obtained with its help were carefully analyzed. It was found that the front stage group has low efficiency, and the rear stage group is significantly oversized in terms of mass flow rate.
 Modernization works were significantly hampered by the presence of many stages and many independent variables. For this reason, the problem was solved in several stages. A separate modernization of the first and rear groups of stages was performed. Moreover, methods of mathematical optimization were used when developing the rear block of 10 stages. Then the working processes of the compressor parts were matched.
 As a result of the research, a variant was found to modernize the existing 16-stage axial compressor, providing an increase in the air mass flow rate by 18%, adiabatic efficiency by 3.5%, and margins of gas-dynamic stability up to 16%.


For flexible electronics, the substrates play key roles in ensuring their performance. However, most substrates suffer from weak bonding with the conductive ink and need additional aids. Here, inspired by the Ag-S bond theory, a novel cellulose nanopaper substrate is presented to improve the bond strength with the Ag nanoparticle ink through a facile printing method. The substrate is fabricated using thiol-modified nanofibrillated cellulose and exhibits excellent optical properties (∼85%@550 nm), ultra-small surface roughness (3.47 nm), and high thermal dimensional stability (up to at least 90 °C). Most importantly, it can attract Ag nanoparticles initiatively and bind them firmly, which enable the conductive ink to be printed without using the ink binder and form a strong substrate-ink bonding and maintain a stable conductivity of 2 × 10-4 Ω cm even after extensive peeling and bending. This work may lead to exploring new opportunities to fabricate high-performance flexible electronics using the newly developed nanopaper substrate.


A fiber-optic vibration sensor based on polarization and phase-step interferometry is reported. Left- and right-circularly polarized light coming back from the reference and signal arms of a modified Michelson fiber interferometer is processed with an array of five linear analyzers separated angular steps of /spl pi//4 (rad) from each other. Thus, five interference patterns are acquired simultaneously and the dynamical phase retrieval problem is reduced to five-step interferometry in the time-domain. A vibration sensor as described above was built by the authors and its performance was investigated.


Abstract The extent to which the many Albanian-speaking children and adolescents in Switzerland apply a bilingual mode differs considerably. As part of a larger project, a quantitative exploratory study seeks to understand whether the frequency of code-switching is determined by demographic, individual, and peer-group-related factors. The fact that no striking relationships between these factors can be observed will be discussed with a view to the specificity of Albanian migration. Furthermore, these results raise questions with regard to the determinants of bilingual practice and the characteristics of "prototypical code-switch-speakers."


Changed lifestyle in modern society shows itself in new consumption behaviors. A rapid shift into the society of economic affluence and competition enhanced the quality of life patterns, and serious environmental problems resulting from the destruction of nature served as a momentum for the emergence of wellbeing culture and the preparation of a framework for its growth. Modern people pursue mentally and physically healthy life, and create environment-friendly activities as well as social regulations for environmental protection. Companies also try to release healthy products, thinking in depth about environment and health. In the cosmetics market as well, natural-ingredient cosmetics, which use the nature and health-centered naturalism concept, have appeared other than synthetic material-centered cosmetics. Hence, this thesis tried to analyze the current situation and spatial expression techniques of brand shops for domestic and foreign naturalism cosmetics brands through examining cases, and to suggest the possibilities of new spaces for future naturalism cosmetics brand shops. Consequently, as for expression techniques that were shown in naturalism brand shops, it was found that there were many cases where natural elements were used directly rather than metaphorically, symbolically or complexly. In addition, it was found that experience spaces, other than selling spaces, for library cafe, powder room, make-up, and esthetics were created, and thus roles as resting space and cultural space were expanding beyond the role of a simple brand shop. Therefore, it is expected from this study that naturalism cosmetics brand shops will develop into spaces of culture and healing through combining more diverse expression elements and a variety of spaces.


The action of ANF is, at least in part, mediated by the activation of particulate guanylate cyclase. Increases in plasma ANF levels induce a marked increase in the plasma levels and urinary excretion of cyclic GMP. In contrast to agents that stimulate particulate guanylate cyclase, activators of soluble guanylate cyclase, such as the bioactive molsidomine metabolite, SIN 1, induce only a modest, not significant, increase in plasma cyclic GMP levels. Thus, increases in plasma cyclic GMP levels appear to be specific for the activation of particulate guanylate cyclase. Cyclic GMP is stable in whole blood in the presence of EDTA and can easily be measured in plasma and urine. It may therefore be a valuable alternative for ANF measurement in the clinical routine. In contrast to urinary ANF excretion, the urinary excretion of cyclic GMP sensitively reflects increases in plasma ANF levels. Measurement of cyclic GMP excretion may therefore be an alternative for plasma ANF and plasma cyclic GMP measurement especially in situations where blood drawing is difficult, e.g. in newborns. Measurement of basal cyclic GMP followed by determination of increases in cyclic GMP levels after injection of a small ANF bolus dose tests the cellular sensitivity to ANF. This may give further insight in the mechanism of the regulation of ANF effects. Therefore, cyclic GMP in many cases appears to be a sensitive marker for the action of ANF in man.


Investigated a brief 5-item version of the Competency Screening Test (a sentence completion test of mental competence to stand trial) for its relationship to the complete 22-item test, and for its power to predict the mental competency findings of a comprehensive Clinical Psychiatric Evaluation conducted by a forensic psychiatrist. Ss were 21 female patients serially examined in a forensic psychiatric service for mental competence to stand trial. Tests were individually administered. The brief version of Competency Screening Test was highly correlated, with the full test Rho = .92. It classified 17 (of 21) patients in direct agreement with the results of the Clinical Psychiatric Evaluation. It showed a theoretical, but small relationship with verbal intelligence for this group. The 5-item form seems applicable for preliminary competency screening evaluation.


In South Africa and elsewhere, the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 and the lockdown regulations forced both academics and students to adapt to a new reality of fully online modules and assessments. This catapulted relations in higher education into the spotlight. The concern of this paper is how e-tutors in an Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) university in South Africa have enacted care in online interaction with the students during this period. Available research focuses on online interaction; however, there is a paucity when it comes to care cultivated by e-tutors on students to increase online interactions during the covid-19 pandemic. Through the lens of Relational Care, this paper seeks to reconceptualise care during e-tutor-student interaction in one of the English modules at a mega South African ODeL university. Data were collected through a survey completed by e-tutors (n = 8) and lecturers (n = 4) of one of the English modules at this university. Through content analysis, patterns and categories emanating from the data were extracted. Findings indicated that e-tutors and lecturers had minimal understanding of how to enact care in this environment during the covid-19 pandemic. Future research should focus on how to manage student online interaction in an OdeL environment during crises.


The reaction of cytochrome c peroxidase (CCP) with H 2 O 2 results in compound I formation, where the two oxidizing equivalents of H 2 O 2 are stored as an oxyferryl heme and a Trp191 radical. Ferrocytochrome c normally reduces compound I back to the resting enzyme, but in the absence of exogenous donors, CCP can reduce up to 20 equivalents of H 2 O 2 . Compound I of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) does not form a protein radical, and is unlikely to store oxidizing equivalents on its polypeptide. The conformational states in denaturants of recombinant CCP [CCP(MI)], HRP and their CN-ligated forms were investigated to probe the structural basis of peroxidase polypeptide vs heme reactivity. Despite similar structures, the kinetic stabilities and conformational states of CCP(MI) and HRP were found to be significantly different. The role of Trp residues as endogenous electron donors in yeast CCP, CCP(MI), and two active site mutants (W51F and W191F) was examined by protein steady-state fluorescence. Compound I and more highly oxidized forms were formed by adding 2, 6, and 20 equivalents of H 2 O 2 to the proteins in the absence of exogenous donors. Loss of protein fluorescence following protein denaturation in 8 M urea at pH 1.5 was correlated with Trp oxidation. The fluorescence data confirmed Trp191 radical formation in compound I, suggested that Trp5l becomes redox active when >2 equivalents of H 2 O 2 are reduced, and that V3, 4, 2.5 and 2 Trps were lost in CCP, CCP(MI), W51F and W191F, respectively, following addition of 20 equivalents of H 2 O 2 . Activity loss in the H 2 O 2 -oxidized proteins paralleled Trp loss, and correlated with their H 2 O 2 titers. SDS-PAGE revealed 40-75% crosslinking in H 2 O 2 -oxidized W51F, 0-35% in CCP and CCP(MI), and 30-35% in W191F. On-line HPLC-ESI-MS analysis of proteolytic, digests of crosslinked W191F revealed that peptides T 6 (residues 30-48) and T 26 (residues 227-243) formed T 6 --T 6 and T 6 --T 26 crosslinks, suggesting that oxidation of exposed Tyr residues in T 6 (Tyr36, 39, 42) is necessary for crosslinking. H 2 O 2 oxidation of CCP(MI) in the presence of the spin trap, MNP, revealed that spin adducts were formed on peptides T 6 , T 21 (residues 150-155; Tyr153) and T 26 (Tyr229, 236). Tyr236 was identified as the major site of spin adduct formation in CCP(MI) by MS sequencing.


Abstract. This paper presents an algorithm developed to solve a problem during the development of a system to estimate de 3D model of buildings roofs and its incorporation into a BIM. The chosen schema for the BIM is gbXML and one of its condition is that the vertexes that describe the model surfaces must be counterclockwise ordered. Due to the variability in the orientation of the analysed surfaces, the algorithm must be able to work with any surface regardless its orientation. Also, this paper includes the testing of the algorithm. This test is based on the application of the developed algorithm among three different real-world scenarios.


Image matching is the major step in the radargrammetric process to measure elevation parallax. To extract parallax from stereo synthetic aperture radar images the subpixel image matching method based on Fourier phase correlation was implemented with an algorithm using the hierarchical multiresolution approach and applied to Fine Quad mode Radarsat-2 data. The experimental results with simulated images show that a decrease in intersection angle leads to an increase in matching accuracy of up to 0.06 of a pixel. To validate the matching results a digital surface model was extracted from the real stereo pair and compared with accurate lidar data. The statistics show that there are good improvements (in the order of 10%–20%) in the accuracy over results extracted using a traditional image matching technique based on the normalized cross-correlation. The analysis of the mutual dependence of matching accuracy and stereo pair configurations shows that the application of subpixel matching allows us to make the ra...


Considered as one of the most biodiverse biomes, the Amazon has a featured role in the discovery of new species of plants, animals and microorganisms, which may be important for the functionality of different ecosystems. However, studies on the impacts resulted from changes in the Amazon land use on microbial communities and their functions are still limited. In this context, the soil fungal diversity can act as an important indicator of environmental stress caused by land use of the Amazon. This study describes changes in soil fungal communities caused by different systems of land use (primary forest, secondary forest, agroforestry, agriculture and pasture). Communities were observed in each of the areas using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 18S rRNA gene combined with the non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Unique bands indicated the dominance of particular fungal groups in each of the specific treatments, mainly in areas converted to pasture, which differed greatly from samples of other systems of land use (SLU). The analysis of partial sequence of the 18S rRNA gene of fungi in soils under primary forest, agriculture and pasture showed differences (p = 0.001), evidencing the fungal community response to such changes. Most abundant phyla were the Zygomycota in the soil under primary forest and agricultural land, and Basidiomycota in the soil under pasture. The results show that the Amazon soil is an ecosystem susceptible to environmental changes in regarding the fungi community inhabiting this niche.


Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) are used to examine the influence of employment characteristics and other age-appropriate investments on young adults' participation in both violent and property crime. The findings suggest that quality of employment has a stronger influence on individuals' involvement in both economic and noneconomic criminal behavior than do income, job stability, educational achievement, and a variety of background factors. The implications of these findings for theoretical development and public policy are discussed.


Many chemicals induce cell-specific cytotoxicity. Chemicals like doxorubicin induce oxidative stress leading to cardiotoxicity causing abnormalities in ECG and increase in the biomarkers indicating toxicity. Green tea extract (GTE), Camellia sinensis (Theaceae), is reported to exert antioxidant activity mainly by means of its polyphenolic constituent, catechins. Our study was aimed to find out the effect of GTE (25, 50, 100 mg/kg/day p.o. for 30 days) on doxorubicin-induced (3 mg/kg/week, i.p. for 5 weeks) electrocardiographic and biochemical changes in rat heart. It is observed that GTE administered rats were less susceptible to doxorubicin-induced electrocardiographic changes and changes in biochemical markers like lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) in serum, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH), membrane bound enzymes like Na+K+ATPase, Ca2+ATPase, Mg2+ATPase and decreased lipid peroxidation (LP) in heart tissue, indicating the protection afforded by GTE administration. Key words: Antioxidant, catechins, doxorubicin, electrocardiogram, green tea


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

In many cancers, drugs that target a single kinase often lack efficacy due to the presence of alternate oncogenic signaling pathways that may compensate for the inhibition of the targeted kinase. Although completely non-selective kinase inhibitors are highly toxic, selective and simultaneous inhibition of a number of kinases can lead to greater responses. Here we describe the development of a multiplexed cellular kinase assay platform in which compounds are simultaneously profiled against more than 12 kinase targets in a single sample. Using this high-throughput platform, target activity and selectivity in cells can be optimized concurrently, enabling the selection of specific multi-targeted compounds. Using this platform, 300 kinase inhibitors were fully characterized for cellular activity and potency across a large panel of tyrosine kinases. These inhibitors were then tested across a panel of diverse cancer cell lines in a phenotypic screen for their ability to affect viability, cell cycle, and apoptosis under different growth conditions. The resulting comprehensive data set of existing in vitro data, cellular kinase data, and phenotypic screening results provided novel insights into the relationship between inhibitor selectivity, cell cycle effects, and the correlation to anti-cancer activity.

Citation Format: Tom S. Wehrman, Erika A. O'Donnell, M. Jared Lumpe, Benjamin E. Osetek, Peter O. Krutzik. A novel cell-based kinase assay panel paired with high content phenotypic profiling to correlate kinase inhibitor specificity and cellular activity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5385. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5385


Perovskite solar devices are nowadays the fastest advancing photovoltaic technology. Their large-scale application is however restrained by instability and toxicity issues. Alloying is a promising way to stabilize perovskites, optimizing at the same time their absorption and charge-transport properties. We perform an extensive computational study of the thermodynamic stability and electronic properties of oxynitride, oxyfluoride and nitrofluoride perovskites. We consider quaternary stoichiometries of the type ABX2Y, where A and B are any elements of the periodic table and X and Y are nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine. As a starting point we explore the composition space using a simple five-atom perovskite unit cell. We then filter the candidate compositions according to their distance to the convex hull of thermodynamic stability. For the most stable systems, we then investigate other prototype structures, including more complex perovskite phases that allow for octahedral distortions, and a few non-perovskite geometries. Furthermore, for some paradigmatic cases, we study the effect of disorder by exhaustive enumeration of all possible disordered stoichiometric phases with up to 20 atoms in the unit cell. Our calculations are in very good agreement with data for experimentally known mixed anionic compounds, and predict a series of novel stable (perovskite and non-perovskite) oxynitride and oxyfluoride phases, including some with unexpected chemical composition, and one single nitrofluoride compound. Finally, we calculate and discuss the electronic properties of these compounds and their potential for application as photovoltaic absorbers.


Most Vietnamese women breast feed their children, but when Vietnamese women migrate to Western countries, most bottle-feed their children or wean their children very early. Breast feeding among Vietnamese immigrants in Sydney, Australia, is being encouraged with the help of a 25-minute, culture specific educational videotape. This videotape provides information on the benefits of breast feeding, offers advice on infant-feeding practices and uses an entertaining style to convey its messages. To develop the videotape, 87 Vietnamese women living in Sydney participated in a survey on infant-feeding practices. It was clear that the videotape should be produced in Vietnamese. It took 3 months to write the script, obtain a grant, and select actors. The videotape tells the story of a young Vietnamese mother-to-be who talks with her doctors and friends and decides to breast feed her baby. the filming lasted 4 weeks, and editing took an additional 2 weeks. After preliminary screenings among pregnant Vietnamese women an health workers, English sub titles were added. The videotape is available from the University of Western Sydney, Nepean, and has been distributed to hospitals. It was produced at a relatively low cost and presents its health information in a culture-and language-specific format which is also enjoyable for the viewers.


We report on the progress we made in studying the infrared behavior of the ghost and gluon dressing functions in Landau gauge. Related to this we also investigate a running coupling given in terms of those functions and compare our results to those coming from the Dyson-Schwinger approach. We present first numerical results for the SU(3) ghost-ghost-gluon vertex renormalization constant. In addition the spectrum of low-lying eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the Faddeev-Popov operator is determined. The saturation of the ghost propagator in terms of those eigenvalues and eigenmodes is discussed at lower momenta.


The progress on the Rutgers CAM (Content Addressable Memory) Project is described. The overall design of the system is completed at the architectural level and described. The machine is composed of two kinds of cells: (1) the CAM cells which include both memory and processor, and support local processing within each cell; and (2) the tree cells, which have smaller instruction set, and provide global processing over the CAM cells. A parameterized design of the basic CAM cell is completed. Progress was made on the final specification of the CPS. The machine architecture was driven by the design of algorithms whose requirements are reflected in the resulted instruction set(s). A few of these algorithms are described.


The DLP12 lysis cassette (essD, ybcT, rzpD/rzoD) is required in certain Escherichia coli strains for normal curli expression and biofilm development. Tightly controlled regulation of the lysis cassette is of particular importance, since its overexpression causes host cell lysis. In silico analysis revealed a putative intrinsic transcriptional terminator 100 bp upstream of essD and within 2000 bp of ybcQ (Q(DLP12)), a putative lambda (λ) Q-like antiterminator. We hypothesized that Q(DLP12) may be required for effective expression of the lysis cassette. In this work we report on the role of Q(DLP12) as a positive regulator of DLP12 lysis cassette expression. Mutants lacking Q(DLP12) exhibited a biofilm-defective phenotype analogous to that of the lysis cassette knockouts. This defect occurred through the downregulation of curli transcription, which is also consistent with that seen in the lysis cassette mutants and was restored by complementation by ectopic expression of Q(DLP12). In addition, Q(DLP12) overexpression caused cell lysis, as demonstrated by leakage of β-galactosidase activity from cells. This was accompanied by upregulation of the DLP12 lysis cassette as demonstrated by increased essD transcription, which was documented with gfp-reporter assays, RT-PCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). We provide evidence that this Q-mediated effect resulted from direct interaction of Q(DLP12) with the lysis cassette promoter (essDp), as demonstrated by electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA). We propose that Q(DLP12) encodes a functional transcriptional regulator, which promotes expression of the DLP12 lysis cassette. This work provides evidence of a regulator from a defective prophage affecting host cell physiology.


Objective To determine the effects of respiration on the size of lung cysts by comparing inspiratory and expiratory high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans. Materials and Methods The authors evaluated the size of cystic lesions, as seen on paired inspiratory and expiratory HRCT scans, in 54 patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (n = 3), pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis (n = 4), confluent centrilobular emphysema (n = 9), paraseptal emphysema and bullae (n = 16), cystic bronchiectasis (n = 13), and honeycombing (n = 9). Using paired inspiratory and expiratory HRCT scans obtained at the corresponding anatomic level, a total of 270 cystic lesions were selected simultaneously on the basis of five lesions per lung disease. Changes in lung cyst size observed during respiration were assessed by two radiologists. In a limited number of cases (n = 11), pathologic specimens were obtained by open lung biopsy or lobectomy. Results All cystic lesions in patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphangiomyomatosis, cystic bronchiectasis, honeycombing, and confluent centrilobular emphysema became smaller on expiration, but in two cases of paraseptal emphysema and bullae there was no change. Conclusion In cases in which expiratory CT scans indicate that cysts have become smaller, cystic lesions may communicate with the airways. To determine whether, for cysts and cystic lesions, this connection does in fact exist, paired inspiratory and expiratory HRCT scans are necessary.


In this study, learners worked with a simulation of harmonic oscillation. Two supportive measures were introduced: model progression and assignments. In model progression, the model underlying the simulation is not offered in its full complexity from the start, but variables are gradually introduced. Assignments are small exercises that help the learner to define goals during discovery learning. Subjects were 63 first year students in physics at a university level. Three experimuiltal conditions were created: in one, learners received a computer simclation together with model progression and assignments; in the second, only model progression was added; and in the third (control) condition, neither model progression nor assignments were available. For measuring learning results, three types of tests were used: a definitional test, measuring students' factual knowledge of the domain; an intuitive test, measuring students' insight; and a test measuring students' propositional knowledge. The definitional and intuitive test were used as preand post-test, and the propositional test was only used as a post-test. All student actions were logged and several aspects of cognitive load were measured with an electronic questionnaire. Results showed a small gain in definitional knowledge for all three conditions. The gain in intuitive knowledge was considerable, and differed across the experimental groups in favor of the conditions with assignments and/or model progression compared to the control condition. The cognitive load measure indicated that operating the environment did not interfere with the learning process. (Contains 50 references.) (Author/AEF) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * from the original document. *********************************************************************** ondevzoekcentrum 2oegepaste


Mr. President, guests, and members of the Society:

I am delighted to present my friend and colleague, Peter Burns, as this year's recipient of the Mineralogical Society of America Award.

Peter did his undergraduate work at the University of New Brunswick, with an undergraduate thesis on the borate minerals from Sussex County, New Brunswick. Stemming from this work, he found and described a new borate mineral, trembathite, which he named after Lowell Treembath, his professor in Mineralogy. He did his M.Sc. with Mike Fleet at the University of Western Ontario, working on the ordering of gallium in synthetic gallium albite, using crystal-structure refinement and MAS NMR spectroscopy.

Peter started his Ph.D. at the University of Manitoba in 1990, nominally under my supervision, but actually he didn't need any. His Ph.D. work involved ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations to quantitatively understand the stereochemical implications of the Jahn-Teller effect in copper minerals, together with extensive work on …


Background The internal and external validity of randomised controlled trials require detailed analyses of modes of patient recruitment, description of the settings and locations of the study and the individual center effects as described in the CONSORT statement (1,2). However, most of the trials published in major rheumatology journals lack this information. Objectives We surveyed the reporting of the eligibility criteria for participants, the settings and locations where the data were collected according to CONSORT and the center effects on outcomes in randomised clinical trials in major rheumatology journals. Methods A hand search was made for randomised controlled trials published in 2011 and 2012 in Ann Rheum Dis, Arthritis Rheum, Rheumatology, J Rheumatol, and Clin Exp Rheumatol. The items were separately tabulated for eligibility criteria for participants such as referral or self selection, the settings and locations of the study such as country, city; the immediate environment the study was performed in such as community, office practice, hospital clinic, inpatient unit, primary, secondary and tertiary health care and other factors related to the setting exemplified by climate, physical factors, economics, geography, social and cultural milieu (race and education), and problems with transportation. The individual center effects on outcomes in the main text were also explored. Two observers separately evaluated the papers and the disagreements were resolved by consensus. Results We evaluated 102 studies including four with childhood diseases. The following data were available for referral patterns: physician referrals (n=5), self selection (n=6) or both (n=2); locations: country (n=54), continent (n=12), and local city (n=31); settings: community (n=2), hospital clinic (n=27), inpatient unit (n=2); secondary (n=1) or tertiary health care centers (n=13); socio-economics (n=6), educational levels (n= 5), and race (n=42). No data were given for the remaining items. Multicenter differences were only reported in 1 of 24 papers in Ann Rheum Dis, 8 of 28 in Arthritis Rheum, 1 of 6 in Rheumatology, 2 of 11 in J Rheumatol, and 1of 3 in Clin Exp Rheumatol. Conclusions A few randomised controlled trials give enough information on eligibility criteria for participants and the settings and locations as well as the center effects. These cast doubt on the robustness of the results. More data are needed to apply these outcomes to other patient populations. References Schulz et al. CONSORT 2010 Statement: updated guidelines for reporting paralel group randomised trials. BMJ 2010;340:c332. Moher et al. CONSORT 2010 Explanation and Elaboration: updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials. BMJ 2010;340:c869 Disclosure of Interest None Declared


As part of an international measurement intercomparison of instruments used to measure atmospheric 222Rn, four participating laboratories made nearly simultaneous measurements of 222Rn activity concentration in commonly sampled, ambient air over approximately a 2 week period, and three of these four laboratories participated in the measurement comparison of 14 introduced samples with known, but undisclosed ("blind") 222Rn activity concentration. The exercise was conducted in Bermuda in October 1991. The 222Rn activity concentrations in ambient Bermudian air over the course of the intercomparison ranged from a few hundredths of a Bq · m−3 to about 2 Bq · m−3, while the standardized sample additions covered a range from approximately 2.5 Bq · m−3 to 35 Bq · m−3. The overall uncertainty in the latter concentrations was in the general range of 10 %, approximating a 3 standard deviation uncertainty interval. The results of the intercomparison indicated that two of the laboratories were within very good agreement with the standard additions, and almost within expected statistical variations. These same two laboratories, however, at lower ambient concentrations, exhibited a systematic difference with an averaged offset of roughly 0.3 Bq · m−3. The third laboratory participating in the measurement of standardized sample additions was systematically low by about 65 % to 70 %, with respect to the standard addition which was also confirmed in their ambient air concentration measurements. The fourth laboratory, participating in only the ambient measurement part of the intercomparison, was also systematically low by at least 40 % with respect to the first two laboratories.


The expansion in the fields of optical engineering and optoelectronics has made it essential to introduce optical engineering concepts into undergraduate courses and curricula. Because of limits on the number of course requirements for the B.S. degree, it is not clear how these topics should be introduced without replacing some of the traditional requirements. This paper demonstrates how optical engineering concepts can be easily presented as an integral part of electrical engineering subjects, with a minimal amount of replacement, while enhancing the depth and understanding of both fields. Courses such as linear signals and systems, electricity and magnetism, and electronics which traditionally represent the core requirements of the undergraduate electrical engineering curriculum contain subjects that have direct correlations with optical engineering concepts. The major changes that are needed are the creation of textbooks that contain concepts and examples in areas of both optical and electrical engineering and some relearning and familiarization on the part of instructors. This approach allows for a fresh look at courses being offered in electrical engineering, while providing the necessary background in optical engineering for students.


A 21-GHz band satellite broadcasting system is being studied as a means of delivering 8K (Super Hi-Vision), 3DTV, and other advanced forms of broadcasting. We assumed the use of two 300-MHz class wideband channels in the 21.4 to 22.0-GHz band and devised an array-fed imaging reflector antenna (array-fed IRA) to supply enough power for a transponder with such a wide band. The array-fed IRA is an effective means of exploiting limited resources because of its ability to control radiation patterns; the 21-GHz band suffers from severe fading due to rain. To confirm the feasibility of the array-fed IRA system, we designed an engineering model of an array-fed IRA for a 21-GHz band broadcasting satellite. The engineering model has a feed array that consists of 32 horn antennas. To improve the accuracy of the antenna's arrangement, we combined the 32 horn antennas into one unit. To evaluate the characteristics of this unit type feed array, we fabricated and tested a 32-element horn antenna array.


This study investigated the gender-related differences in hemodynamic effects of small to moderate doses of intragastrically (i.g.) administered ethanol in conscious rats. Changes evoked by ethanol (0.25, 0.5 or 1 g/kg) in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were followed for 90 min in age-matched male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Baseline values of MAP (121+/-2 vs. 124+/-2 mm Hg) were similar whereas CI (55+/-2 vs. 43+/-2 ml/min/100 g) and TPR (2.2+/-0.1 vs. 3.0+/-0.1 mm Hg/ml/min/100 g) were significantly (P<0.05) higher and lower, respectively, in female compared with male rats. In male rats, the middle dose (0.5 g/kg) of ethanol caused a slight increase in MAP due to significant (P<0.05) increases in CO whereas the other two doses (0.25 and 1 g/kg) had no effect on MAP. In female rats, MAP was not affected by ethanol (0.25 and 0.5 g/kg) and showed a significant reduction by the higher dose (1 g/kg) that was associated with decreases in CO and SV while TPR did not change. The hypotensive effect of ethanol (1 g/kg) in female rats started after 50 min, was maximal (13+/-1.7 mm Hg) at 70 min and remained so for the remaining 20 min of the study. Blood ethanol concentrations were similar in male and female rats. These findings suggest that the hemodynamic responses to i.g. ethanol are gender-related and that ethanol-evoked hypotension in female rats appears to involve a reduction in cardiac output.


Requirement's elicitations are the main stage in software development because the next stages or phases depends on it. Agile approach reduces cost and time into software development. The main problem in agile approach is the communications between stakeholders and developers. In this paper we will answer question: How to select right stakeholders to enhance communications between stakeholders and developers through proposed model to select stakeholders in agile approach to achieve strong communication led to enhance software development in agile approach.


Learners in South Africa lag behind in literacy and numeracy skills relative to their peers in other countries. This is ascribed to a lack of quality education in the preschool and Foundation Phases of schooling, and conditions related to poverty. The Basic Concepts Mediated Learning Programme (BCMLP) aims to promote the conceptual development of young children through training teachers to be mediators in a metacognitive educational programme. The BCMLP was implemented in the Foundation Phase (Grade R to Grade 3) in two schools in impoverished areas of the Northern Cape over three years (2008-2010). Baseline testing found that children at both schools experienced significant delays in their conceptual and scholastic development. After being trained as mediators, teachers implemented this approach with groups, eventually integrating it into the curriculum. There was variable continuity of implementation at the two schools, with one school only implementing the programme for the first year. The conceptual development and scholastic functioning of learners were monitored pre-intervention to post-intervention. Results found that implementation of the programme was consistent with considerable improvements in conceptual and scholastic functioning. Further, improvements were more pronounced, where the programme was implemented continually for three years. The researcher concluded that the programme made a positive impact on participating learners' knowledge and understanding of basic conceptual systems and scholastic functioning. Keywords: basic concepts; concept teaching; conceptual development; mediated learning; metacognitive programme


The distribution according to specimens and susceptibility to antimicrobial agents of 481 Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strains isolated from patients treated in intensive care units were studied. They occurred most frequently in tracheal specimens and pus. Using disk diffusion test the strains proved to be multiple resistant to ampicillin (86.3%), azlocillin (86.7%), mezlocillin (84.0%), cefamandole (99.7%), cefoxitin (94.1%), cefuroxime (90.6%), cefoperazone (84.9%), cefotaxime (82.0%), ceftriaxone (81.0%), tobramycin (71.2%), gentamicin (86.2%), chloramphenicol (90.5%) and tetracycline (89.8%). Based on the lowest incidence of resistant strains imipenem (0%), netilmicin (2.6%), amikacin (4.9%), ampicillin+sulbactam (8.9%), amoxicillin+clavulanic acid (29.4%), pefloxacin (26.2%), ciprofloxacin (30.1%), ofloxacin (34.3%), cotrimoxazole (41.6%), carbenicillin (41.2%) or ceftazidime (55.4%) may be the drug of choice in nosocomial A. calcoaceticus infections.


Telomerase activity is found in almost all carcinoma cells but not in most somatic cells, suggesting that telomerase is an excellent target for cancer therapy. We designed hammerhead ribozymes against human telomerase RNA and studied their possible use as a tool for cancer therapy. Three ribozymes targeting the 3' end of the GUC sequence at 33-35 (the template region), 168-170, and 313-315 from the 5' end of telomerase RNA were designed. In a cell-free system, these three hammerhead ribozymes efficiently cleaved the RNA substrate. When these ribozyme RNAs were introduced into Ishikawa cells, which are endometrial carcinoma cells, only a ribozyme targeting the RNA template region could diminish the telomerase activity. Next we subcloned the ribozyme sequence into an expression vector and introduced this into AN3CA cells, which are endometrial carcinoma cells. The clones that were obtained showed reduced telomerase activity and telomerase RNA with expression of the ribozyme. These data suggest that the ribozyme against the RNA template region is a good tool to repress telomerase activity in cancer cells.


A fundamental question in developmental biology is how organ size is controlled. We have previously shown that the area growth rate in the Drosophila eye primordium declines inversely proportionally to the increase in its area. How the observed reduction in the growth rate is achieved is unknown. Here, we explore the dilution of the cytokine Unpaired (Upd) as a possible candidate mechanism. In the developing eye, upd expression is transient, ceasing at the time when the morphogenetic furrow first emerges. We confirm experimentally that the diffusion and stability of the JAK/STAT ligand Upd are sufficient to control eye disc growth via a dilution mechanism. We further show that sequestration of Upd by ectopic expression of an inactive form of the receptor Domeless (Dome) results in a substantially lower growth rate, but the area growth rate still declines inversely proportionally to the area increase. This growth rate-to-area relationship is no longer observed when Upd dilution is prevented by the continuous, ectopic expression of Upd. We conclude that a mechanism based on the dilution of the growth modulator Upd can explain how growth termination is controlled in the eye disc. Summary: Quantitative measurements and computational modelling suggest that dilution of the cytokine Unpaired is a plausible mechanism to explain growth control in the Drosophila eye disc.


It was shown by Diaconescu, Donagi and Pantev that Hitchin systems of type ADE are isomorphic to certain Calabi-Yau integrable systems. In this paper, we prove an analogous result in the setting of meromorphic Hitchin systems of type A which are known to be Poisson integrable systems. We consider a symplectization of the meromorphic Hitchin integrable system, which is a semi-polarized integrable system in the sense of Kontsevich and Soibelman. On the Hitchin side, we show that the moduli space of unordered diagonally framed Higgs bundles forms an integrable system in this sense and recovers the meromorphic Hitchin system as the fiberwise compact quotient. Then we construct a new family of quasi-projective Calabi-Yau threefolds and show that its relative intermediate Jacobian fibration, as semi-polarized integrable systems, is isomorphic to the moduli space of unordered diagonally framed Higgs bundles.


Serological tests for syphilis (STS) were performed on sera from 15,876 members of the general adult population, 3,039 pregnant women and 1,029 children, in order to assess the prevalence and value of reactive STS in Jamaicans; 2.7% of sera from the general adult population, 4.7% from pregnant women and 2.2% from children were reactive in the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test. Reactive Fluorescent Treponemal Absorption (FTA-ABS) tests occurred in significantly higher frequency in pregnant women (4%) than in the general population (2.2%; p less than 0.001). The prevalence of reactive STS in children did not differ significantly from that of the general adult population. The predictive value of a reactive VDRL test in pregnant women (85%) was higher than that of the general population (79%). These results suggest that adequate screening with the inexpensive VDRL test would enable the early detection and treatment of syphilis, and could prevent increasing incidence of congenital syphilis in Jamaica.


Using random Gaussian vectors and an information-uncertainty relation, we give a proof that the coherent information is an achievable rate for entanglement transmission through a noisy quantum channel. The codes are random subspaces selected according to the Haar measure, but distorted as a function of the sender's input density operator. Using large deviations techniques, we show that classical data transmitted in either of two Fourier-conjugate bases for the coding subspace can be decoded with low probability of error. A recently discovered information-uncertainty relation then implies that the quantum mutual information for entanglement encoded into the subspace and transmitted through the channel will be high. The monogamy of quantum correlations finally implies that the environment of the channel cannot be significantly coupled to the entanglement which, concluding, ensures the existence of a decoding by the receiver.


For solutions of (inviscid, forceless, one dimensional) Burgers equation with random initial condition, it is heuristically shown that a stationary Feller-Markov property (with respect to the space variable) at some time is conserved at later times, and an evolution equation is derived for the infini-tesimal generator. Previously known explicit solutions such as Frachebourg-Martin's (white noise initial velocity) and Carraro-Duchon's Lévy process intrinsic-statistical solutions (including Brownian initial velocity) are recovered as special cases.


The cost of conducting multi-site clinical trials has significantly increased over time, with site monitoring, data management, and amendments being key drivers. Clinical trial data management approaches typically rely on a central database, and require manual efforts to encode and maintain data capture and reporting requirements. To reduce the administrative burden, time, and effort of ensuring data integrity and privacy in multi-site trials, we propose a novel data management framework based on permissioned blockchain technology. We demonstrate how our framework, which uses smart contracts and private channels, enables confidential data communication, protocol enforcement, and and an automated audit trail. We compare this framework with the traditional data management approach and evaluate its effectiveness in satisfying the major requirements of multi-site clinical trials. We show that our framework ensures enforcement of IRB-related regulatory requirements across multiple sites and stakeholders.


The purpose of the study was to evaluate the radiofrequency ablation impact on the morpho-functional state of the heart in patients with atrial fibrillation and chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction based on 2-year follow-up. Materials and methods. The study included 194 patients with an average age of 59.3±8.5 years with atrial fibrillation and concomitant heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction of I-III functional class of New York Heart Association. Patients were divided into 2 groups: 136 patients who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation and 58 patients in the control group who did not undergo intervention and continued antiarrhythmic pharmacotherapy. Patients were comparable in terms of basic clinical and demographic indicators. In order to assess the morpho-functional state of the heart, transthoracic echocardiography was performed at the stage of inclusion in the study and 2 years after. Results and discussion. According to the results of the analysis in the radiofrequency catheter ablation group 2 years after the intervention revealed: a statistically significant decrease in the mean end-systolic diameter of the left ventricle (3.3±0.48 cm versus 3.2±0.41cm, p <0.001); decreased size of the left atrium (4.3±0.71 cm versus 4.2±0.30 cm, p <0.001); left ventricular ejection fraction increased significantly (61.9±7.14% versus 63.9±5.65%, p <0.001); the E/e' ratio decreased statistically significantly (11.9±1.65 versus 9.4±1.48; p <0.001) and the left ventricular myocardial mass index (118.3±25.04 g/m2 versus 116.4±18.04 g/m2; p=0.045). In the pharmacotherapy group there were: a statistically significant increase in the average end-systolic size of the left ventricle (3.61±0.45 cm versus 3.63±0.41, p=0.007); statistically significant increased left atrium (4.3±0.61 cm versus 4.4±0.36; p <0.001) and the right atrium (4.1±0.52 cm versus 4.2±0.26; p <0.001); decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (58.1±6.12% versus 56.6±6.11; p <0.001); increased values of the ratio E/e' (12.1±1.63 versus 12.7±1.27; p=0.002) and decreased level of the left ventricular myocardial mass index (120.5±24.05 g/m2 versus 118.3±20.13 g/m2; p=0.044). Conclusion. Radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction to control sinus rhythm is associated with improved morpho-functional state of the heart at the 2-year follow-up compared with antiarrhythmic pharmacotherapy strategy: the left ventricular ejection fraction increases, the left ventricular diastolic function improves according to the E/e' value, the size of the left atrium decreases


There are many measures of dissimilarity that, depending on the application, do not always have optimal behavior. In this paper, we present a qualitative analysis of the similarity measures most used in the literature and the Earth Mover's Distance (EMD). The EMD is a metric based on the theory of optimal transport with interesting geometrical properties for the comparison of distributions. However, the use of this measure is limited in comparison with other similarity measures. The main reason was, until recently, the computational complexity. We show the superiority of the EMD through three different experiments. First, analyzing the response of the measures in the simplest of cases; one-dimension synthetic distributions. Second, with two image retrieval systems; using colour and texture features. Finally, using a dimensional reduction technique for a visual representation of the textures. We show that today the EMD is a measure that better reflects the similarity between two distributions.


Scapho-lunate dissociation is one of the most frequent reasons of carpal instability. Diagnosis is mostly based on a careful physical examination where stability of the SL joint is specifically checked through different clinical maneuvers, followed by static and dynamic radiographic examination of the wrist in a variety of positions and loading conditions aiming at demonstrating the presence of a gap between the two dissociated bones. When in doubt, arthroscopy is used. In the treatment five factors are to be considered: integrity of the dorsal SL ligament, its healing potential, status of other scaphoid stabilizers, reducibility of malaligment and cartilage status. The staging classification of SLD is also presented. On this basis the possible treatment techniques both recent and past are described, including various methods of soft tissue repair and reconstruction procedures and bony stabilization.


In the last lecture we said that Data Link protocols offer five functions: the two required functions are framing and error detection. Media access is required for broadcast links, while multiplexing and error recovery are optional and can be found in some Data Links but not in others. We also studied framing techniques that were used to convert a stream of bits into a stream of frames. In this lecture we will study error detection which is accomplished by attaching redundant information like checksums to frames. Notice that error detection can only occur after framing has occurred because checksums are attached to frames — thus error detection is layered above framing in the sublayer model. We will start by reviewing why we need error detection. We then study the simplest error detection schemes called parity bits and remark on a general property of error detecting codes called its Hamming Distance. Just as the Shannon Limit predicts the maximum bit rate of a medium in terms of its fundamental properties, the Hamming Distance predicts the maximum error detection and correction capabilities of an error detection scheme. Finally, we study CRCs, the most important and widely used error detection scheme used in networks today. The main function of error detection is to make the probability of a receiving Data Link passing up an incorrect frame to the client layer very, very small. This is known as the undetected error probability; a possible goal for a system is one undetected error every 20 years. Recall that this is necessary because most transport protocols and user application programs ignore the end-to-end principle when it comes to the integrity of Data. End-to-end checksums are often not performed for performance reasons; hence it is good engineering practice to require that the probability of undetected errors on Data Links be low. Another reason, somewhat less important, is that intermediate routers may make decisions based on bogus data and misdirect packets. Perhaps in the future, if all workstations have hardware to do end-to-end checksums, the first reason will go away; however, the second reason will remain. There are two important types of errors that occur on transmission lines. Errors can occur because of intersymbol interference (because energy from a previous bit caused this bit to be wrongly interpreted) and noise (that changes a 0 level into a 1 level). One kind of noise that is always present is …


ABSTRACT Introduction: Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polymer of choice in drug delivery systems. This USFDA-approved polymer is popular due to its tunable properties and well-established safety profile: prime requisites considered during the selection of any excipient in formulation development. Areas covered: The unique properties and applications of PEG have been discussed at length in the existing literature. However, a proper guidance on selection of PEG grade to cater to one's purpose is lacking. This article provides preliminary guidelines to formulators on selection of appropriate PEG grade, typically based on its physico-chemical properties and role-based functional application in pharmaceuticals. It should be noted that the aim article is not to deep dive in each application area. Expert opinion: Guidance on PEG application and grade of choice is lacking in the available literature. The authors have discussed and provided guidance to formulators on the appropriate PEG grade selection for particular application based on the available in vitro and in vivo literature data. In this review a State-of-the-art use of PEG in therapeutic applications, its clinical status and commercial use is also summarized. Nevertheless, toxicities related to different PEG grades and related impurities are discussed in this review.


The fungal vacuole is an organelle, which adopts pleiotropic morphologies and functions. In aging and starving hyphae it is the compartment of degradation and recycling of cellular constituents. Here we identified TSP3, one of three tetraspanins present in the filamentous ascomycete fungus Neurospora crassa, as a vacuolar membrane protein. The protein is detected only in aging and starving cultures and under other conditions, which induce autophagy, such as vegetative incompatibility or the presence of the macrolide antibiotic rapamycin. Mutant analysis revealed that TSP3 is dispensable for growth and development of the fungus under laboratory conditions. Together these findings indicate that tsp3 shares characteristics with idi (induced during incompatibility) genes and might promote vacuolar functions related to autophagy.


Neonates with suspected or proven sepsis are treated with ampicillin and until recently with 5 mg gentamicin/kg every 24 h. New guidelines recommend the same gentamicin dose, but with longer intervals depending on gestational age. Two neonates receiving gentamicin every 48 h improved initially, but both deteriorated again before the second dose. In both infants ampicillin-resistant but gentamicin-sensitive Escherichia coli was found. In one of the infants a resistant/less sensitive E. coli strain was also found in the cerebrospinal fluid. The rationale for the new dosing guidelines is discussed.


Many engineering designs focus on the production of durable, ergonomic, and economical new materials. In today's world where natural resources are rapidly decreasing, recycling waste materials is of great importance. As a result of the bending test, the sample's return to its original dimensions shows the plastic feature of the material. It was observed that the tensile strength can be increased if the speed of the injection machine is well adjusted in the production of tensile strength testing samples. There was an increase in the screw tensile strength of the samples and the joint hardness strength. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the reference samples were completely crumbled around 480 °C, and it was observed that only quartz remained from the input materials. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the peak point in the reference sample was at the heat flow rate of 29 m/W, while it was 18 to 19 m/W in the doped groups. Melting temperature was observed in the range of 125 to 135 °C in all groups. The mechanical properties of the quartz-substituted samples increased compared to the reference sample. It was observed that the quartz and wood powder contained in the mixture worked in harmony.


Scholars have studied the various pressures that companies face related to socially responsible behavior when stakeholders know the particular social issues under consideration. Many have examined social responsibility in the context of environmental responsibility and the general approaches companies take regarding environmental management. The issue of currently unregulated, but potentially hazardous, chemicals in consumer products is not well understood by the general public, but a number of proactive consumer product companies have voluntarily adopted strategies to minimize use of such chemicals. These companies are exceeding regulatory requirements by restricting from their products chemicals that could harm human or environmental health, despite the fact that these actions are costly. They do not usually advertise the details of their strategies to end consumers. This article uses interviews with senior environmental directors of 20 multinational consumer product companies to investigate why these companies engage in voluntary chemicals management. The authors conclude that the most significant reasons are to achieve a competitive advantage and stay ahead of regulations, manage relationships and maintain legitimacy with stakeholders, and put managerial values into practice. Many of the characteristics related to the case of chemicals management are extendable to other areas of stakeholder management in which risks to stakeholders are either unknown or poorly understood.


In severe accidents (SAs) of nuclear power plants, release of gas containing fission products (FPs) from the reactor vessel is thought to be a major issue. As to reduce the leakage of FPs into the environment, gas containing FPs are generally discharged though the wet well, and decontaminated by the transfer effect of FPs from the gas-phase to the liquid phase. This effect is called pool scrubbing. In SA analysis codes such as MELCOR, it is predicted in the model that FP particle motion inside a single bubble, created by the bubbly flow inside the wet well as a major factor in decontamination. However, there are almost no experimental data to investigate the decontamination behavior. Therefore, in our experiment, we used an advanced M/Z interferometer in order to visualize the particle decontamination behavior by adopting Maki prism and installing a high-speed camera. However, since the interferometer experiments are not specialized in non-stable phenomena and, there were several problems to be solved. The first problem was the phase extraction method in the FFT measurement. Since the FFT information of interference is complicated, the existing extract the phase information by hand from the overall amplitude. However, since the high-speed camera visualization provide a large amount of information, this is not a realistic solution in our experiment. Therefore, in order to obtain the threshold between phase information from the overall amplitude quantitatively, we applied the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) as to cluster the data. From the measurement results, we succeed in obtaining a threshold from the fitting results of GMM. The next problem was to obtain a fine image of the bubble interface in order to obtain the decontamination behavior in the bubble interface. However, the interference image contains a stripe on the background which makes it difficult to obtain the interface information. Therefore, in our experiment, we added a LED backlight coaxial to the laser of interferometer in order to obtain the backlight image on the bubble. The interference and backlight image are divided by wave length with a dichroic mirror. We have done a synchronous visualization of interference and backlight image. A fine mask to extract the interface of bubble is obtained from the calibration and comparison of two images. Using the visualization of continuous image of particle decontamination behavior from a single bubble, the decontamination behavior of particle from a single bubble was clearly obtained. Although the existing model predict the decontamination behavior as stable, the non-stationary decontamination of particle from the bubble has been measured.


We present a new algorithm for deterministic sorting on the Bulk-Synchronous Parallel (BSP) model of computation. We sort n keys using a partitioning scheme that achieves the requirements of eeciency (one-optimality) and insensitivity against initial data distribution. Although we employ sampling to realize eeciency, we give a precise worst-case estimation of the maximum imbalance which might occur. The algorithm is one-optimal for a wide range of the BSP parameters in the sense that its speedup on p processors is asymptotically (1 ? o(1)) p.


Abstract In the E – ϵ turbulence model an eddy-exchange coefficient is evaluated from the turbulent kinetic energy E and viscous dissipation ϵ. In this study we will apply the E – ϵ model to the stable and neutral atmospheric boundary layer. A discussion is given on the equation for ϵ, which terms should be included and how we have evaluated the constants. Constant cooling rate results for the stable atmospheric boundary layer are compared with a second-order closure study. For the neutral atmospheric boundary layer a comparison is made with observations, large-eddy simulations and a second-order closure study. It is shown that a small stability effect can change the neutral atmospheric boundary layer quite drastically, and therefore, it will be difficult to observe a neutral boundary layer in the atmosphere.


Since the temporomandibular joints are components of the stoamtognathic system that dentist is most familiar with, problems relating to this joints must be recognized, understood and treated by dentists. A comprehensive evaluation of this joint problems must include the radiographic examination. Transcranio lateral is the most commonly used of all conventional TMJ radiographic projection from the lateral aspect that shown the condyle, fossa and eminence as well as the condylar fossa relationship in selected functional movements, but which is not free from superimposed of the adjacent structures. A modified positioning device has been developed over this past years, to overcome these superimposition problems. The use of 'Condy ray" and "Accurad 200" apparatus that have some advantages over the standard transcraniolateral radiographic projection will be discussed in this paper.


reducing the antigenicity of a protein molecule, except that of a chosen region, so that the modified molecule, when used as an immunogen, would be expected to elicit an antibody response that is primarily directed at the chosen region. The chosen region could be a site that is critical to the structure or biological activity of the molecule, for example, a binding site for specific ligand, a catalytic site, a region that undergoes structural change for effective function, a neutralizing antibody epitope, etc. The method consists of (1) identifying the antibody epitopes that include the chosen region or part of it and (2) by judicious replacement of the amino acid residues, reducing the antigenicity of all the antibody epitopes of the molecule, except for those which include the chosen region. The method is useful in the design of vaccines, or of immunogens for the production of antibodies for various biochemical and medical applications. The method can also be used to design a molecule whose antigenicity is generally suppressed while preserving a critical region, e.g., when "humanizing" a nonhuman antibody by A reducing the antigenicity of the framework regions while preserving the structure and properties of the antigen-binding region.


Newcastle disease (ND) is an economically important contagious disease of wild and domestic birds worldwide. The disease causes severe economic losses in terms of production due to high mortality and morbidity in nonvaccinated chickens. Despite extensive vaccination approaches, Newcastle disease (ND) remains a permanent threat to the poultry industry worldwide. In the current study, we used natural chicken IFN-α as an innate immune modulator to counteract ND in chickens. We report that chIFN-α is effective in protecting the chickens against ND and also prevents shedding of the virus, which can then prevent further spread of the disease. We propose that in addition to vaccination, chIFN-α therapy could be an effective option for controlling ND in areas of endemicity. ABSTRACT Despite extensive vaccination approaches, Newcastle disease (ND) remains a permanent threat to the poultry industry worldwide. Besides vaccination, there is a burgeoning demand for new antivirals for use in interventions to control ND. One strategy is to strengthen the host innate immunity via host-derived innate immune proteins. Type I interferons define one of the first lines of innate immune defense against viral infections. Chicken interferon alpha (chIFN-α) is one of the potent cytokines that trigger antiviral responses. In the current study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of natural chIFN-α administered via oral and intramuscular (i.m.) routes against ND in broiler chickens. Our results showed that the level of protection against ND in response to chIFN-α therapy was dependent on the route and dose of IFN administration. A better therapeutic effect was observed in chickens treated with chIFN-α via the oral route than in those treated via the i.m. route. Regardless of the administration route, double-dose chIFN-α (2,000-U) treatments provided better protection than single-dose (1,000-U) treatments. However, complete protection against ND was achieved in birds treated with repeated doses of chIFN-α via the oral route. Histopathology of trachea, proventriculus, spleen, and liver showed a significant improvement in ND-induced degenerative changes in double-dose IFN-treatment groups compared to single-dose groups. Results of the hemagglutination test demonstrated a decrease in ND virus (NDV) titer in IFN-treated groups. Also, double doses of chIFN-α via oral route resulted in early recovery in weight gain. We propose that chIFN-α therapy via oral route could be an important therapeutic tool to control NDV infection in chicken. IMPORTANCE Newcastle disease (ND) is an economically important contagious disease of wild and domestic birds worldwide. The disease causes severe economic losses in terms of production due to high mortality and morbidity in nonvaccinated chickens. Despite extensive vaccination approaches, Newcastle disease (ND) remains a permanent threat to the poultry industry worldwide. In the current study, we used natural chicken IFN-α as an innate immune modulator to counteract ND in chickens. We report that chIFN-α is effective in protecting the chickens against ND and also prevents shedding of the virus, which can then prevent further spread of the disease. We propose that in addition to vaccination, chIFN-α therapy could be an effective option for controlling ND in areas of endemicity.


The purpose of this study is to characterize the hydrocarbon generation potential of the organic-rich facies from Vale das Fontes Formation and the base of Lemede Formation (Pliensbachian) in the Lusitanian Basin reference section of Peniche (Portugal). More than 30 rock samples of marly nature, covering a stratigraphic interval of 47m in outcrop, were analyzed using organopetrographic observation and organic geochemistry, namely Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and selected ratios of molecular organic compounds by CG-qMS techniques, H32S/(R+S) and H30/M30. Vitrinite Reflectance and Spore Coloration Index were analyzed in five representative samples spread evenly in the entire studied interval. The organic-rich facies of the Vale das Fontes Formation show an elevated hydrocarbon generation potential in most of the samples analyzed, due to the generally high TOC values and dominance of the type II kerogen, being the part of Lemede Formation analyzed the least hydrocarbon-prone interval of all the members and formations sampled. The thermal maturation indexes fall all in the immature range, observation that is in agreement with previous studies using other methodologies.


The distinction between core and periphery in language and grammar is a controversial issue for linguists. The essays in this compendium examine the relevance of this distinction for grammatical theory from different theoretical perspectives. They also consider empirical phenomena at the margins of grammar that pose particular challenges for the core-periphery distinction.


The area of the Kuroshio current or the North Pacific current is known as the quite excellent fishing ground of the Albacore. Albacore in this ground migrates southward during Autumn and early Spring, and is mainly caught by long-line. From Spring to Summer it migrates northward and is caught by rod and line with live bait. As to the former catch the author already reported it's size-composition1). In the present, the author reports the analysis of the size-composition of the latter. The principal informations obtained by this work are as follows. (1) Though the range of the size is confined within the limit between 50 to 100cm during the seasons of 1951 and 1954, there are the remarkable annual fluctuations. (2) The number of length-groups are not fixed by the seasons. 3 or 5 length-groups appear in each season from 1951 to 1954. (3) The modal length of each length-group shows remarkable annual fluctuation. (Table 1) (4) The relative abundance of each length-group is very unstable as shown in Table 2. In most cases, the most dominant length-group occupies the overwhelming proportion. Such a size-composition of the northward migrating Albacore differs from that of southward migrating one as follows. (1) Such advanced age groups* as seen in the sout ?? ward migrating fishes do not appear in these which migrate northward. (2) Size-composition of the northward migrating ones shows the remarkable annual fluctuation, therefore it is able to say that it is much more unstable than that of the southward migrating. (3) The dispersion of the length frequency of the northward migrating ones is much more small than that of the southward migrating ones. Then differences between the two groups seen to be based on ecological differences of them other than the difference of fishing method. In spite of these differences, the author hypothesized that there will be some relations between these two groups on a basis that the body-length of the most dominant size-groups are less than 100cm in both migrating groups. * Age is not determined, larger than 90cm.1)


This study describes and analyses educational selfhelp
in North Lancashire in the second quarter of the
nineteenth century. It relates different kinds of adult
education to local culture and to the socio-economic
structure of local communities. It seeks to explain the
popularity of educational self-help in this period and
distinguishes between formal and informal kinds of adult
education.
The area consists of the hundreds of Blackburn,
Amounderness and Lonsdale. Furness is excluded from this
study because it was a remote rural area. It is argued
that adult education was concentrated in towns : particular
attention has therefore been given to Lancaster, Preston,
Burnley, Blackburn, Darwen and Accrington.
A wide range of printed primary sources has been used.
The most important were newspapers, periodicals, parliamentary
papers, directories, and Victorian biographies.
Few relevant manuscripts have survived. Extensive use has
been made of secondary sources.
This study is divided into ten chapters. The first is
a brief Introduction. The second examines the socioeconomic
structure of North Lancashire. Chapter Three is
an analysis of educational self-help and includes a description
of mutual improvement societies. The next two
chapters deal with mechanics' institutes. Chapter Six
examines literary and philosophical societies, scientific societies, and phrenological societies. Chapter Seven
discusses the educational significance of public houses and
newspaper reading rooms. The role of the churches in the
provision of adult education is analysed in the next
chapter. Chapter Nine describes the decline of adult
education and educational self-help after 1850 and is
followed by a short Conclusion.


A series of 50 cases of total joint arthroplasty at the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb demonstrate surgical procedure and cement technique. Most patients showed a full range of motion within four weeks of suture removal and continue to demonstrate good long-term results. Less motion is anticipated in patients with contractures or systemic disease. Five patients showed clinical or radiographic evidence of loosening. Revision procedures document the retrieval potential of a failed implant. The author's ten-year experience with this system indicates that the concept is viable. Future modifications are discussed.


Abstract Background: MPTP and paraquat are two compounds that have been used to model Parkinson's disease in mice. Previous studies in two non-traditional strains of mice have shown that a single dose of MPTP can induce changes in body temperature, while the effects of paraquat have not been examined. Examination of body temperature is important since small fluctuations in an animal's core temperature can significantly affect drug metabolism, and if significant enough can even culminate in an animal's death. Objective: To determine how external heating can alter the survival of C57BL/6J mice following MPTP administration. Methods: In this study, we examine the effects of MPTP (4×20 mg/kg, 2 hours apart) and paraquat (2×10 mg/kg/week for 3 weeks) on core temperature of C57BL/6J mice. Correlations of purine and catecholamine levels were also done in mice treated with MPTP. Results: We find that MPTP induces a significant hypothermia in C57BL/6J mice that reduces their core temperature below the limit of fatal hypothermia. Unlike MPTP, paraquat did not induce a significant hypothermia. Placement of animals on heating pads significantly abrogates the loss of core temperature. In both heated and non-heated conditions, mice treated with MPTP showed a significant depletion of ATP within 2 hours of administration in both striatum and SN that started to recover 2 hours after MPTP administration was complete. Striatal DA and DOPAC are significantly reduced starting 4–6 hours after MPTP. Conclusions: The fatal hypothermic effects of MPTP can be abrogated through use of external heating.


ABSTRACT We showed previously that a human rhinovirus 14 (HRV14) 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) on a poliovirus genome was able to replicate with nearly wild-type kinetics (J. B. Rohll, D. H. Moon, D. J. Evans, and J. W. Almond, J. Virol 69:7835–7844, 1995). This enabled the HRV14 single 3′ UTR stem-loop structure to be studied in combination with a sensitive reporter system, poliovirus FLC/REP, in which the capsid coding region is replaced by an in-frame chloramphemicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. Using such a construct, we identified a mutant (designated mut4), in which the structure and stability of the stem were predicted to be maintained, that replicated very poorly as determined by its level of CAT activity. The effect of this mutant 3′ UTR on replication has been further investigated by transferring it onto the full-length cDNAs of both poliovirus type 3 (PV3) and HRV14. Virus was recovered with a parental plaque phenotype at a low frequency, indicating the acquisition of compensating changes, which sequence analysis revealed were, in both poliovirus- and rhinovirus-derived viruses, located in the active-site cleft of 3D polymerase and involved the substitution of Asn18 for Tyr. These results provide further evidence of a specific interaction between the 3′ UTR of picornaviruses and the viral polymerase and also indicate similar interactions of the 3′ UTR of rhinovirus with both poliovirus and rhinovirus polymerases.


Summary form only given. Stories in narrative or visual forms are more than just a collection of words or images. They can convey lots of information through powerful indirect messages, information that is sometimes unseen by technology. Stories can also form instantaneous collaborations between the story, its teller, and the audience. This collaboration is invisible but could be compelling. The article is going to be highly interactive through low-tech devices and, if the audience behaves, it might also include some collective improvisation exercises


Background: Globally increasing obesity is closely linked to bone homeostasis. Maintaining the balance between differentiate of adipocytes and osteoblasts from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is important for bone homeostasis. While mechanical loading has been shown to improve bone remodeling by promoting osteoblast differentiation, little is known about its effects on obesity-associated bone loss. Methods: Using obese mice induced by high-fat diet and ovariectomy (OVX), the effects of mechanical loading in a form of knee loading (1 N, 5 Hz, 6 min/day) was applied with for 4 weeks. The mice were sorted into five groups: standard diet control (SC), high-fat diet control (HF), HF and loading (HFL), HF and ovariectomy (HO), and HO and loading (HOL). Femurs were harvested for histomorphometry analysis. Bone marrow-derived cells were isolated to examine the banlance between differentiation of adipocytes and osteoblasts. Immunohistochemical analyses and Western blotting analyses were performed to evaluate markers for adipocytes, osteoblasts, and Wnt signaling.Results: High-fat diet presented higher body weight, body fat, and body mass index (BMI), as well as bone loss than standard diet, and the detrimental changes in OVX mice were even higher. The daily application of knee loading significantly decreased BMI, the numbers and perimeter of adipocytes, and the differentiation of adipocytes. The expression of C/EBPα and PPARγ were suppressed by knee loading. The loaded group also presented a significant increase in bone mineral density and contents, and the circumference of trabecular bone. Regarding osteoblasts, knee loading enhanced the number of osteoblasts on bone surface, differentiation of osteoblasts, and the level of Runx2 and ALP. Furthermore, Wnt signaling involved in the effect of knee loading on attenuating obesity-induced bone loss. Conclusions: This study supported evidence that knee loading offers a new therapeutic option to prevent obesity-related bone loss by altering the balance between adipocytes and osteoblasts in the bone marrow, and the effect is associated with Wnt signaling.


Since 2000, the European Union (EU), a leader in global climate politics, has been looking for alternative avenues to enforce climate relations with other countries. Employing a multi-level governance lens, this article focuses on the EU–India bilateral relations on energy and climate. The analysis finds strong opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation on low carbon development, a potential that has not yet been realized. The stimulating and accelerating impact that multi-level reinforcement could have in the energy and climate relations between the EU and India has not been exploited by either side yet. The various forms of cooperation that include the national government and the states in India offer more room for linkages which might move the Indian/European climate cooperation ahead further. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment


Older adults, with and without measured hearing loss, often report difficulties in following rapid speech and difficulties in understanding speech in noisy environments. It is likely that these difficulties arise from: (a) deteriorating peripheral hearing and/or (b) structural changes to the central auditory system (CAS) and/or (c) changes to normal cognitive function. This review will focus on the structural changes to the CAS and the likely central auditory processing (CAP) abnormality arising from these changes. Older, compared with young normal hearing adults, show physiological and behavioural differences on measures of sound localisation, and in the detection of small and/or rapid changes to the temporal properties of various auditory stimuli. This article will review these differences together with prevalence and risk factors for CAP abnormality in older adults. The impact of this condition on the older adult as well as potential approaches to rehabilitation and (re)training will also be reviewed.


Single bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL) is the brief flash of light emitted from a single, stable, acoustically forced bubble. In experiments, the maximum pressure amplitude with which a bubble may be forced is limited by considerations of spherical stability. The traditional linear stability analysis predicts a threshold for SBSL at a much lower pressure amplitude than experimental observations. This work shows that if one constructs an accurate model of the radial dynamics, the traditional linear stability analysis predicts a boundary that is in excellent agreement with experimental data.


Background: H. pylori gastritis can be related to people with obesity and metabolic syndrome. The mechanism underlying the relationship between them is suspected to be caused by adipocytokine called resistin. Objective: to analyze the difference level of resistin between positive and negative H. pylori gastritis patients and their relationship with nutritional status. Method: This cross sectional study was done in the Gastroenterology department of General Hospital Adam Malik, Medan, from May to October 2019. Patients with gastritis diagnosed by endoscopy underwent rapid urease test (RUT), resistin, albumin, hemoglobin tests, also body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Results: Sixty gastritis patients found by endoscopic examination, 29 (48.33%) was H. pylori positive and 31 (51.67%) was negative. No significant differences were found between BMI, WC, and albumin against H. pylori gastritis with p values 0.099, 0.055, and 0.528, respectively. Hemoglobin was found significant with a p 0.009. The mean resistin in the positive H. pylori group was 7.62 ng/ml while the negative was 3.23 ng/ml, and statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was a strong positive correlation between resistin levels with BMI and WC (BMI p 0.01, r 0.577; WC p 0.001, r 0.592). Conclusion: Resistin levels in gastritis with H. pylori positive are higher than H. pylori negative, body mass index and waist circumference have a strong relationship with resistin levels in patients with positive H. pylori gastritis, hemoglobin is lower in H. pylori positive than negative gastritis.


Background: To assess the effect of intrauterine administration of seminal plasma for patients with recurrent implantation failure before frozen-thawed embryo transfer. Methods: Trial design: This is a parallel group, randomized (1:1 allocation ratio) controlled trial.Participants: All patients will be recruited from Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital. Inclusion criteria: 1. Women after IVF/ICSI treatment in Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital. 2.Infertile women with a history of recurrent implantation failure. 3.Infertile couples (both male and female) aged between 20 and 39 years;4. Couples who have at least 1 good quality embryos for transfer. 5. Males had negative in infectious disease test. 6. The males have semen. 7. Women who intend to undergo FET after IVF or ICSI or pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A). 8. Competent and able to give informed consent. Intervention and comparator: Treatment group receiving intrauterine administration of seminal plasma before frozen-thawed embryo transfer. Main outcomes: Clinical pregnancy after frozen-thawed embryo transfer. Randomisation: Patients will be randomly allocated to either treatment or control group at 1:1 ratio. Random numbers will be generated by using software SPSS 25.0 performed by an independent statistician from Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital. Blinding (masking): Only the data analyst will be blinded to group assignment. Numbers to be randomised (sample size): To account for a 10% dropout rate, we will recruit 174 patients (87 in each group). Trial status: The date of approval is 31rd May 2021, version 2.0. Recruitment started on 1rd June and is expected to end in July 2022. Discussion: Intrauterine administration of seminal plasma before frozen-thawed embryo transfer of patients with recurrent implantation failure may improve clinical pregnancy rate, it has great Page 2 of 14 significance for assisted reproduction. Trial registration: The study protocol has been approved by the ethics committees at Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital. The trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100046803. Registered on 28 May 2021.


In this article, I analyze a village election in Thailand to show how anthropological insights into kinship systems can provide important avenues into understanding the gender dynamics of electoral politics. Because few women hold public office in Thailand, Thai politics has been considered a male domain. Exploring four social dramas in which conflicts made the hidden role of women visible, I argue that the public domain of electoral politics in rural Thailand is embedded within village practices of matrilocality and matrilineal kinship. [politics, elections, public sphere, women, matrilocality, matrilineages, Thailand]


Benzo[a]pyrene-(7R,8S)-diol (9S,10R)-epoxide [(+)-anti-BPDE] is believed to be the activated form of the widely spread environmental pollutant benzo[a]pyrene. Glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GST)-catalyzed conjugation of (+)-anti-BPDE with GSH is an important mechanism in its cellular detoxification. Here, we report that the GSH conjugate of (+)-anti-BPDE [(-)-anti-BPD-SG] is a potent inhibitor (K(i) 15 microM) of class Mu human GST isoenzyme, which, among human liver GSTs, is a highly efficient detoxifier of (+)-anti-BPDE. Thus, the inhibition of GST activity by (-)-anti-BPD-SG may hinder GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-BPDE, unless the conjugate is metabolized and/or eliminated. The results of the present study show that gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) can metabolize (-)-anti-BPD-SG at a rate of about 0.29 nmol/min/mg protein. Our studies also show that (-)-anti-BPD-SG is transported across the human canalicular liver plasma membrane (cLPM) in an ATP-dependent manner at a rate of about 0.33 nmol/min/mg protein. The ATP-dependent transport of (-)-anti-[(3)H]BPD-SG across human cLPM follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics (K(m) 84 microM; V(max) 0.33 nmol/min/mg). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that both gamma-GT-mediated metabolism and ATP-dependent canalicular transport may be important steps in overall detoxification of (+)-anti-BPDE in the human liver.


Unlike hard disks, flash devices use out-of-place updates operations and require a garbage collection (GC) process to reclaim invalid pages to create free blocks. This GC process is a major cause of performance degradation when running concurrently with other I/O operations as internal bandwidth is consumed to reclaim these invalid pages. The invocation of the GC process is generally governed by a low watermark on free blocks and other internal device metrics that different workloads meet at different intervals. This results in an I/O performance that is highly dependent on workload characteristics. In this paper, we examine the GC process and propose a semipreemptible GC (PGC) scheme that allows GC processing to be preempted while pending I/O requests in the queue are serviced. Moreover, we further enhance flash performance by pipelining internal GC operations and merge them with pending I/O requests whenever possible. Our experimental evaluation of this semi-PGC scheme with realistic workloads demonstrates both improved performance and reduced performance variability. Write-dominant workloads show up to a 66.56% improvement in average response time with a 83.30% reduced variance in response time compared to the non-PGC scheme. In addition, we explore opportunities of a new NAND flash device that supports suspend/resume commands for read, write, and erase operations for fully PGC (F-PGC). Our experiments with an F-PGC enabled flash device show that request response time can be improved by up to 14.57% compared to semi-PGC.


ABSTRACT Although several studies have examined why overall price levels are higher in richer countries, little is known about whether there is a similar relationship at the urban and city level across countries. This paper compares the price levels of cities in Sub-Saharan Africa with those of other regions by analyzing price information collected for the purpose of calculating official purchasing power parities. The approach of the paper is to readjust the calculated price levels from national to urban levels, using known price-level ratios between those areas. The results indicate that African cities are relatively more expensive, despite having lower income levels. The price levels of goods and services consumed by households are 25 to 28 percent higher in Sub-Saharan Africa than in other low- and middle-income countries, relative to their income levels. Such high costs of living could constrain livelihood of low-income urban residents, as well as the development of Africa's urban economies.


BACKGROUND
In major depressive disorder (MDD), it is unclear to what extent structural brain changes are associated with depressive episodes or represent part of the mechanism by which the risk for illness is mediated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether structural abnormalities are related to risk for the development of MDD.

METHODS
We compared healthy controls with a positive family history for MDD (HC-FHP), healthy controls with no family history of any psychiatric disease (HC-FHN) and patients with MDD. Groups were age- and sex-matched. We analyzed data from high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging using voxel-based morphometry. We performed small volume corrections for our regions of interest (hippocampus, dorsolateral [DLPFC] and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex [DMPFC], anterior cingulate cortex [ACC] and basal ganglia) using a family-wise error correction (p < 0.05) to control for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS
There were 30 participants in the HC-FHP group, 64 in the HC-FHN group and 33 patients with MDD. The HC-FHP group had smaller right hippocampal and DLPFC grey matter volumes compared with the HC-FHN group, and even smaller right hippocampal volumes compared with patients with MDD. In addition, the HC-FHP group exhibited smaller white matter volumes in the DLPFC and left putamen but also greater volumes in 2 areas of the DMPFC compared with the HC-FHN group. Patients with MDD exhibited smaller volumes in the ACC, DMPFC, DLPFC and the basal ganglia compared with healthy controls.

LIMITATIONS
The retrospective identification of family history might result in a bias toward unidentified participants in the control group at risk for MDD, diminishing the effect size.

CONCLUSION
Volume reductions in the hippocampus and DLPFC might be associated with a greater risk for MDD. The HC-FHP group had smaller hippocampal volumes compared with patients with MDD, which is suggestive for neuroplastic effects of treatment. The HC-FHP group had not yet experienced a depressive episode and therefore might have been resilient and might have had some protective strategies. Whether resilience is associated with the larger white matter volumes in the DMPFC (e.g., owing to compensatory, neuroplastic remodelling mechanisms) needs to be confirmed in future studies.


Ironically, as historians and social thinkers inspired or influenced by Marxism question one another about the relevance or validity of even the most basic of Marxist categories and postulates, those most hostile to Marxism remain much more certain as to what it is and must be. The old orthodoxies are crumbling faster than the non-Marxists can keep up with, and repeatedly their barbs are directed toward notions that have been significantly modified or abandoned by the formerly faithful. In place of the old fundamentalism, an open-ended dialogue on the basic sociological and theoretical questions—the relationship of state to society, the nature of class and consciousness, and the processes of underdevelopment—has become the dominant mode of discussion among Marxist intellectuals, among them most actively, historians. The contributions of Marxist historians to the history of the European working class or of theorists to an understanding of the state or the concept of class are well known. Strange as it may seem to those outside the field, this dethroning of orthodoxy has as yet had little effect on Russian and Soviet studies. Western scholars of the USSR have been at pains to separate themselves from the Soviet Marxist categories that dominate native writing and, given the liberal or conservative pref-


We review the ways in which twin studies have been used to investigate the genetic architecture of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins. We focus on the age dependency of genetic effects and the importance of pleiotropy for the lipid system. Finally, consequences are discussed of age dependency and pleiotropy for the design and power of twin studies aimed at detecting the actual quantitative trait loci (QTLs) involved. It is concluded that twin studies have played an important role and will remain highly valuable for the elucidation of the genetic architecture of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins. Twins can efficiently be used to identify the location and function of QTLs. Taking account of pleiotropy and age-dependent gene expression in study design and data analysis will improve the power and efficiency to find these QTLs for components of the lipid system.


Fungal, bacterial and viral diseases are economic foliar diseases that cause yield losses, between 40 and 100%, in commonly grown dry bean cultivars in the world. Development of disease resistance genotypes is a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors. This study focused on determining the natural infection of disease-causing pathogens of angular leaf spot, powdery mildew, bacterial blight and bean common mosaic virus in different agro-ecologies in relation to grain yield. Diversity of 211 bean genotypes were tested at two different disease hot spots areas under incomplete block design, with two replications for two cropping seasons in Tanzania. Diseases severity was significantly different (p<0.001) for genotypes and their interactions with the environment and season. Higher disease severity was observed at Lyamungo site than Selian site. Effects of genotypes by environment were observed with maximum yield of 2170 kg/ha to low yield of 398 kg/ha with the grand mean of 1151.54 kg/ha. High annual rainfall and relative humidity contributed to disease development among the tested environment. Five genotypes (FEB 189, A774, NUA 16, KG 71-4 and DOR 766) expressed trait of resistance to above diseases and are advised to be incorporated in breeding programs for enhancing dry bean productivity.

 Key words: Diseases, losses, productivity, G*E interaction.


The adsorption behavior of two globular proteins, lipase from Rhizomucor miehei and beta-lactoglobulin, at inert oil/water and air/water interfaces was studied by the pendant drop technique. The kinetics and adsorption isotherms were interpreted for both proteins in different environments. It was found that the adopted mathematical models well describe the adsorption behavior of the proteins at the studied interfaces. One of the main findings is that unique interfacial properties were observed for lipase as compared to the reference beta-lactoglobulin. A folded drop with a "skinlike" film was formed for the two proteins after aging followed by compression. This behavior is normally associated with protein unfolding and covalent cross-linking at the interface. Despite this, the lipase activity was not suppressed. By highlighting the unique interfacial properties of lipases, we believe that the presented work contributes to a better understanding of lipase interfacial activation and the mechanisms regulating lipolysis. The results indicate that the understanding of the physical properties of lipases can lead to novel approaches to regulate their activity.