Calcium- and strontium-substituted rare earth cobaltate powders with the perovskite structure (ABO3) are synthesized by coprecipitation, ceramic, complexation, and microemulsion processes. On these metal oxide particles, a carbon nanotube composite material was prepared by a catalytic hydrocarbon dissociation reaction. The material was tested for a possible application as an oxygen electrode in zinc/air batteries. Through a systematic characterization of the produced materials, the common strategy of screening processes for new materials can be replaced by the tailoring of an optimized functional material. To study the influence of the synthesis route and substitution at the A site on the crystallographic structure, the materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscopy (EM). Phase formation, reactivity, and stability were monitored by high-temperature X-ray diffraction and thermoanalytical (TA) experiments. The electrochemical activities of the samples for oxygen evolution wa...


Abstract Time to bone healing after intraosseous (IO) insertion in children has not been clearly established. This report documents the case of a 23-month-old male infant with previous IO placement of the tibia, presenting 3 weeks later to our emergency department with radiographic evidence of previous IO insertion. This report reviews relevant literature on complications of IO insertion, contraindications to IO insertion, and evidentiary support for such recommendations. Time to bone healing after IO insertion and recommendations regarding time to safe cannulation of previously cannulated areas are based on animal models. This case demonstrates 1 instance in which radiographic evidence of bone healing at 3 weeks after IO insertion is not complete, in contradiction to previously reported data. Although the clinical significance of this finding is unknown, further work is needed to define safe timing for IO reinsertion in children.


This work investigates possible improvements in the accuracy of semiempirical quantum chemistry (SQC) methods for the prediction of standard enthalpy of formation (Δ_f H^o) through the use of artificial neural network (ANN) with molecular descriptors. A total number of 142 organic compounds with enough structural diversity has been considered in the training set. Standard enthalpy of formation for the selected compounds at the semiempirical PM3 and PM6 quantum chemistry methods is collected from literature, and is calculated by using semiempirical PM7 method in this work. The multiple stepwise regression is first employed to screen effective molecular descriptors, which are highly correlated with the error terms of the standard enthalpy of formation compared with experimental values. The obtained 7 effective molecular descriptors are then used as input set to establish three 7-11-1 neural network-based correction models to improve the accuracy of SQC methods. By using the developed correction models, the mean absolute errors (MAE) for Δ_f H^oof PM3, PM6, and PM7 methods are reduced from 22.36, 18.60, 17.27to 9.86, 9.83, 8.95, respectively in kJ/mol. Meanwhile, the results of the test set show that the neural network does not have the problem of over-fitting. Detailed analysis of the 7 effective molecular descriptors indicates that the major source to the correction models is from the electron withdrawing effect. The developed ANN models for the three selected SQC methods provide an efficient method for the quick and accurate prediction of thermodynamic properties.


Background Recent studies indicate that cell mechanics are associated with malignancy through its impact on cell migration and adhesion. Gliomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumors. Low-grade gliomas (LGGs) include diffuse LGGs (WHO grade II) and intermediate-grade gliomas (WHO grade III). Few studies have focused on membrane tension in LGGs. Herein, we assessed the prognostic value of plasma membrane tension-related genes (MTRGs) in LGGs. Methods We selected plasma MTRGs identified in previous studies for analysis. Based on LGG RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data in The Cancer Genome Atlas, a prognostic signature containing four genes was constructed via log-rank testing, LASSO regression and stepwise multivariate Cox regression and was validated with other datasets. Additionally, functional annotation, pathway enrichment and immune and molecular characteristics of the prognostic model defined subgroups were analyzed. Thereafter, a predictive nomogram that integrated baseline characteristics was constructed to determine the 3, 5, and 10-year overall survival (OS) of patients with LGG. Differentially expressed genes were confirmed via quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results Our MTRG prognostic signature was based on ARFIP2, PICK1, SH3GL2, and SRGAP3 expression levels. The high-risk group was more positively associated with apoptosis and cell adhesion pathways and exhibited a low IDH1 mutation rate, high TP53 mutation rate and a low 1p19q co-deletion rate. The high-risk group also exhibited incremental infiltration of immune cells, more forceful immune activities and high expression of immune checkpoints as well as benefited less from immune therapy compared with the low-risk group. Our prognostic model had better forecasting ability than other scoring systems. We found that the nomogram was a better tool for predicting outcomes for patients with LGG. Finally, qRT-PCR confirmed that SH3GL2 and SRGAP3 expression levels in glioma tissues were significantly lower than those in normal brain tissues. The results of IHC analysis confirmed that SH3GL2 protein expression was higher in patients with longer survival. Conclusion Our plasma membrane tension-related gene prognostic signature is a prospective tool that can differentiate between prognosis, gene mutation landscape, immune microenvironment, immune infiltration and immunotherapeutic efficacy in LGG.


Introduction: Oral Health status in children has been shown to be related with oral health patterns learned through the childhood. The children acquire health behaviors from their mothers.
Objective: This study aims to assess the oral health related knowledge and practice among mothers in a rural municipality of Eastern Nepal and explore the factors associated with these outcomes.
Methods: A randomly selected 268 women either pregnant or having children of less than 6 years of age were interviewed in April- June, 2019 to assess their knowledge and practice regarding oral health. Data was entered using Epidata 3.1. Response on knowledge and practice were presented as frequency and proportion and compared with different maternal variables using inferential statistics.
Results: Mean age of the participating women was 25.9 years (SD 5.3). Three participants were pregnant (primigravida). Majority (96.7%) of respondents reported brushing their teeth at least once a day. Only 9.3% reported using fluoridated toothpaste for their children. Similarly, majority (69.4%) of participants had knowledge about wiping baby's gums after breastfeeding or after letting child bottle feed. Literacy was found to significantly influence the participants' brushing frequency, brushing technique, practice of brushing or wiping their child's teeth and gums.
Conclusions: Oral health related knowledge among mothers and their practice were found to be unsatisfactory across several domains. Further, these outcomes were found to be influenced by several maternal characteristics. Assessing knowledge-practice gap on oral health resulting from maternal characteristics can provide a basis for providing training to women on necessary parenting skills.


The delivery accuracy of radiation therapy for pulmonary and abdominal tumors suffers from tumor motion due to respiration. Respiratory gating should be applied to avoid the use of a large target volume margin that results in a substantial dose to the surrounding normal tissue. Precise respiratory gating requires the exact spatial position of the tumor to be determined in real time during treatment. Usually, fiducial markers are implanted inside or next to the tumor to provide both accurate patient setup and real-time tumor tracking. However, current tumor tracking systems require either substantial x-ray exposure to the patient or large fiducial markers that limit the value of their application for pulmonary tumors. We propose a real-time tumor tracking system using implanted positron emission markers (PeTrack). Each marker will be labeled with low activity positron emitting isotopes, such as 124I, 74As, or 84Rb. These isotopes have half-lives comparable to the duration of radiation therapy (from a few days to a few weeks). The size of the proposed PeTrack marker will be 0.5-0.8 mm, which is approximately one-half the size of markers currently employed in other techniques. By detecting annihilation gammas using position-sensitive detectors, multiple positron emission markers can be tracked in real time. A multimarker localization algorithm was developed using an Expectation-Maximization clustering technique. A Monte Carlo simulation model was developed for the PeTrack system. Patient dose, detector sensitivity, and scatter fraction were evaluated. Depending on the isotope, the lifetime dose from a 3.7 MBq PeTrack marker was determined to be 0.7-5.0 Gy at 10 mm from the marker. At the center of the field of view (FOV), the sensitivity of the PeTrack system was 240-320 counts/s per 1 MBq marker activity within a 30 cm thick patient. The sensitivity was reduced by 45% when the marker was near the edge of the FOV. The scatter fraction ranged from 12% (124I, 74As) to 16% (84Rb). In addition, four markers (labeled with 124I) inside a 30 cm diameter water phantom were simulated to evaluate the feasibility of the multimarker localization algorithm. Localization was considered successful if a marker was localized to within 2 mm from its true location. The success rate of marker localization was found to depend on the number of annihilation events used and the error in the initial estimate of the marker position. By detecting 250 positron annihilation events from 4 markers (average of 62 events per marker), the marker success rates for initial errors of +/-5, +/-10, and +/-15 mm were 99.9%, 99.6%, and 92.4%, respectively. Moreover, the average localization error was 0.55 (+/-0.27) mm, which was independent of initial error. The computing time for localizing four markers was less than 20 ms (Pentium 4, 2.8 GHz processor, 512 MB memory). In conclusion, preliminary results demonstrate that the PeTrack technique can potentially provide real-time tumor tracking with low doses associated with the marker's activity. Furthermore, the small size of PeTrack markers is expected to facilitate implantation and reduce patient risk.


A new state-space structure for the realization of arbitrary filter transfer-functions is presented. This structure should prove useful where integrators are the basic building blocks such as in transconductance-C, MOSFET-C, or active-RC filters. The structure is derived from a singly-terminated LC ladder and has the properties that it is always scaled for optimum dynamic range and its integrator outputs are orthogonal. For this reason, the resulting realizations are called "orthonormal ladder filters". Since dynamic range scaling is inherent to the proposed structure, it is felt that this design technique may be most useful in programmable or adaptive filters. Finally, the sensitivity and dynamic range properties of an orthonormal ladder filter are shown to be comparable in performance to the equivalent properties obtained from a cascade of biquads.


Elevated plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels in obesity may play a pathogenic role in the development of insulin resistance. However, molecular mechanisms linking FFA to insulin resistance remain poorly understood. Oxidative stress acts as a link between FFA and hepatic insulin resistance. NADPH oxidase 3 (NOX3)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) may mediate the effect of TNF-α on hepatocytes, in particular the drop in cellular glycogen content. In the present study, we define the critical role of NOX3-derived ROS in insulin resistance in db/db mice and HepG2 cells treated with palmitate. The db/db mice displayed increased serum FFA levels, excess generation of ROS, and up-regulation of NOX3 expression, accompanied by increased lipid accumulation and impaired glycogen content in the liver. Similar results were obtained from palmitate-treated HepG2 cells. The exposure of palmitate elevated ROS production and NOX3 expression and, in turn, increased gluconeogenesis and reduced glycogen content in HepG2 cells. We found that palmitate induced hepatic insulin resistance through JNK and p38MAPK pathways, which are rescued by siRNA-mediated NOX3 reduction. In conclusion, our data demonstrate a critical role of NOX3-derived ROS in palmitate-induced insulin resistance in hepatocytes, indicating that NOX3 is the predominant source of palmitate-induced ROS generation and that NOX3-derived ROS may drive palmitate-induced hepatic insulin resistance through JNK and p38MAPK pathways.


Purpose: HART is a useful tool in radiation therapy research utilizing 3D conformai radiation therapy (3DCRT) and intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) techniques in the treatment of cancer. Various applications of the software were also presented and published earlier in different journals (Med Phys 36(6), p.2547 (2009); J Appl Clin Med Phys 11 (1), 2010). The main objective of this work was to review the applications of the program, and to present its current status. Method and Materials: Matlab based codes were primarily designed to read RTOG data formats exported from the Pinnacle3treatment planning system (TPS; Philips Healthcare, Best, Netherlands), and to write into a simpler HART format. This format is the basis to execute various applications in the software, such as the conventional and spatialdose‐volume (or surface) histogram (CSDH) analyses, universal plan indices (UPI) evaluation, biological modeling based outcome analyses (BMOA), radiobiological dose response modeling (DRM), and physical parameterization (PP) modules to estimate the differential attenuation coefficients and center of mass of a region of interest. The program executes efficiently due to the simple computational mechanism, graphical simulations, and flexible interactive modes. The CSDH computational module was the most applicable feature for the global users of HART in the past three years. The fundamental results in various applications were validated with the Pinnacle3 data. Results: Currently, HART offers CSDH computational modules, UPI evaluations, BMOA features, DRM simulations, and PP modules respectively for the IMRT and 3DCRT plans. The program is also available online. Conclusion: Several applications have been upgraded into a simpler, user‐friendly, and automated software package (HART). The open‐source mechanism would be useful to the radiation oncology community. We expect to develop HART for various applications in radiotherapy research, and its expansion to other TPSs in the future. This work was partially supported by NIH/NIDCD grant.


ELUS by Eleusinian Enterprises is discussed as an example of a mixed language Forth implementation which includes its own GUI toolkit, the Interactive Screen Designer. The linked Meta WINDOW graphics library (Metagraphics Software Corporation), makes the design and implementation of graphics application user interfaces possible, intuitive, and efficient. The discussed utilities of the Interactive Screen Designer include the design of standard window and control screen objects, paint facilities for creating customdesigned application windows, and a Linker utility which allows any predefined screen region to be linked to executable code. A music application, ELUS:TD, and an ELUS music utility, SEIMATRIX, are demonstrated as examples of virtual device panels and control interfaces created with the Interactive Screen Designer.


Monitoring constrained, low power and lossy networks is essential to many operations including troubleshooting, forensics, performance management. The main challenge for the monitoring plane in these networks is to efficiently cope with both frequently changing topologies and constrained resources. We present a novel algorithm and the supporting framework that improves a poller-pollee based architecture. We empower the poller-pollee placement decision process and operation by exploiting available routing data to monitor nodes status. In addition, monitoring data is efficiently embedded in any messages flowing through the network, drastically reducing monitoring overhead. Our approach is validated through both simulation, implementation and deployment on a 6LoWPAN-enabled network. Results demonstrate that our approach is less aggressive and less resource consuming than its competitors.


hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms Purpose: E3 ubiquitin ligase ZNRF3 is linked to the pathogenesis of diseases and tumorigenesis. The present study aims to explore the expression of ZNRF3 and its association with prognostic survival of human colorectal carcinoma. Methods: A follow-up survey of 168 patients with colorectal carcinoma was performed, and specimens of colorectal tissues were collected for immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analyses. Furthermore, overexpression of ZNRF3 using transient transfection with the recom-binant pEGFP-ZNRF3 plasmid and detection of apoptosis and proliferation were performed in HCT-116 cells. Results: The results showed a diverse feature of ZNRF3 staining, such as strong, moderate, weak, or negative, in colorectal carcinoma tissues. Interestingly, univariate Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that cases with strong or moderate expression of ZNRF3 showed an optimistic disease-free survival and overall survival compared with negative expression of ZNRF3, and multivariate Cox model demonstrated ZNRF3 as an independent prediction index for overall survival and disease-free survival. In vitro, the overexpression of ZNRF3 was related to the negative regulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway and referred to an induction of apoptosis and suppression of proliferation in ZNRF3-transfected HCT-116 cells. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the higher expression of ZNRF3 acts as a novel marker of indicating the optimistic prognosis of colorectal carcinoma by suppressing cancer cell growth and facilitating apoptosis.


Abstract. Movement is one of the most important characteristics of glaciers which can cause serious natural disasters. For this reason, monitoring this massive blocks is a crucial task. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) can operate all day in any weather conditions and the images acquired by SAR contain intensity and phase information, which are irreplaceable advantages in monitoring the surface movement of glaciers. Moreover, a variety of techniques like DInSAR and offset tracking, based on the information of SAR images, could be applied to measure the movement. Sangwang lake, a glacial lake in the Himalayas, has great potentially danger of outburst. Shie glacier is situated at the upstream of the Sangwang lake. Hence, it is significant to monitor Shie glacier surface movement to assess the risk of outburst. In this paper, 6 high resolution COSMO-SkyMed images spanning from August to December, 2016 are applied with offset tracking technique to estimate the surface movement of Shie glacier. The maximum velocity of Shie glacier surface movement is 51 cm/d, which was observed at the end of glacier tongue, and the velocity is correlated with the change of elevation. Moreover, the glacier surface movement in summer is faster than in winter and the velocity decreases as the local temperature decreases. Based on the above conclusions, the glacier may break off at the end of tongue in the near future. The movement results extracted in this paper also illustrate the advantages of high resolution SAR images in monitoring the surface movement of small glaciers.


A new method is proposed for the measurement of the characteristics of short optical signals. This method is based on spectral expansion combined with temporal scanning by a streak camera, and on a special mathematical algorithm for reconstruction of the initial signal. The capabilities of the method are illustrated with examples obtained by computer simulation. An estimate is obtained of the dependence of the results of such reconstruction on the noise present in the measured data. It is shown that the temporal resolution of the method can be one or two orders of magnitude higher than the intrinsic resolution of electron-optical apparatus.


Complement receptor 1-related gene/protein y (Crry) in rodents is a potent membrane complement regulator that inhibits complement C3 activation by both classical and alternative pathways. Complement inhibition with Crry as the recombinant protein Crry-Ig has been demonstrated to prevent MRL/MpJ-Tnfrsf6(lpr) (MRL/lpr) mice from developing proteinuria and renal failure. Crry-Ig-treated mice also showed less glomerulosclerosis compared with control MRL/lpr mice. To clarify how complement inhibition with Crry might affect renal scarring in lupus nephritis, gene transcript profiling was performed comparing Crry-Ig-treated MRL/lpr mice to control-treated MRL/lpr mice as well as to the MRL/+ strain control. Altered gene expression was confirmed by quantitative PCR, and protein quantity with either immunoblotting or immunofluorescence microscopy. Collagens I, III, IV, and VI were overexpressed in control MRL/lpr mice, whereas complement inhibition with Crry reduced the overexpression of these extracellular matrix components toward normal. Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, connective tissue growth factor, and TGF-beta1 were upregulated in MRL/lpr mice compared with MRL/+ mice and were normalized by Crry-Ig treatment, suggesting that the product of these genes may contribute to the progressive glomerulosclerosis in MRL/lpr mice in a complement-dependent fashion. Thus, complement inhibition with Crry has a prominent effect on matrix-related genes and proteins, which translates into improvement in functional renal disease.


Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the associations among genetic variations in the P2X7 receptor gene, decreased bone mineral density (BMD), and the risk of osteoporosis in patients aged older than 50 years with ankle fractures. Methods: Patients were genotyped for 15 nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the P2X7 gene. The sample was divided into two groups according to the bone densitometry results: an intervention group with osteopenia (T scores between –1.0 and –2.5) or osteoporosis (T scores ≤ –2.5) and a control group with values within the normal range (T scores ≥ –1). A total of 121 patients were evaluated: 65 in the intervention group and 56 in the control group. Results: The results suggested that SNPs 1, 4, 11, 13, 14, and 15 were loss-of-function (LOF) variants. SNP 12 was also associated with LOF in our population, but its RNA expression has not been analyzed to date. Conclusions: In conclusion, we demonstrate that functional polymorphisms in P2X7 are associated with BMD and with an increased risk of ankle fractures. The limitations of our study are its focus on nonsynonymous polymorphisms, which do not cover all genetic variations in P2X7, and its small sample size compared with the international literature. A strength of this study is that it is the first to evaluate P2X7 in the Brazilian population.


In the last decade, alginate-based microgels have gained relevant interest as three-dimensional analogues of extracellular matrix, being able to support cell growth and functions. In this study, core-shell microgels were fabricated by self-polymerization of dopamine (DA) molecules under mild oxidation and in situ precipitation of polydopamine (PDA) onto alginate microbeads, processed by electro fluid dynamic atomization. Morphological (optical, SEM) and chemical analyses (ATR-FTIR, XPS) confirmed the presence of PDA macromolecules, distributed onto the microgel surface. Nanoindentation tests also indicated that the PDA coating can influence the biomechanical properties of the microgel surfaces—i.e., σmaxALG = 0.45 mN vs. σmaxALG@PDA = 0.30 mN—thus improving the interface with hMSCs as confirmed by in vitro tests; in particular, protein adsorption and viability tests show a significant increase in adhesion and cell proliferation, strictly related to the presence of PDA. Hence, we concluded that PDA coating contributes to the formation of a friendly interface able to efficiently support cells' activities. In this perspective, core-shell microgels may be suggested as a novel symmetric 3D model to study in vitro cell interactions.


The Scar/WAVE complex is the principal catalyst of pseudopod and lamellipod formation. Here we show that Scar/WAVE's proline-rich domain is polyphosphorylated after the complex is activated. Treatments that stop activation block phosphorylation in both Dictyostelium and mammalian cells. This implies that phosphorylation modulates pseudopods after they have been formed, rather than controlling whether a protrusion is initiated. Unexpectedly, activation-dependent phosphorylation is not promoted by chemotactic signalling, or by signal-dependent kinases such as ERKs, but is greatly stimulated by cell:substrate adhesion. Scar/WAVE that has been mutated to be either unphosphorylatable or phosphomimetic is activated normally, and rescues the phenotype of scar− cells, demonstrating that phosphorylation is dispensible for activation and actin regulation. However, pseudopods and patches of Scar/WAVE complex recruitment last substantially longer in unphosphorylatable mutants, altering cell polarisation and the efficiency of migration. We conclude that pseudopod engagement with substratum is more important than extracellular signals at regulating Scar/WAVE's activity, and that phosphorylation acts as a timer, restricting pseudopod lifetime by promoting Scar/WAVE turnover.


: Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are becoming more frequent as a consequence of climate change. These discrete events are causing widespread stress and mortality in marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. The heat tolerance of different coral species is often complex and depends on a combination of environmental and biological factors, making accurate predictions of the impact of MHWs on individual species challenging. Heating rate has been shown to influence coral bleaching in Acropora species, but it remains unknown how heating rate influ-ences bleaching in other corals with contrasting morphology and bleaching sensitivities. In this study, we explored the sensitivity of Pocillopora damicornis and Plesiastrea versipora , representing branching and encrusting growth forms, respectively, to heating rate. We experimentally simulated MHWs with slow (0.5°C d −1 ) and fast (1°C d −1 ) heating rates and measured physiological responses to quantify changes in coral health, including photochemical efficiency, holobiont metabolism, tissue biomass, chl a , and symbiont density. Our results confirm that heating rate is a good predictor of coral bleaching sensitivity for these species, with faster heating rates causing more severe bleaching and declines in coral health. However, bleaching sensitivity differed between P. damicornis and P. versipora , with P. damicornis more affected by the faster heating rate. The use of heating rate, in addition to other metrics such as duration and intensity of heat, will enhance our capacity to predict the local impact of MHW events and their overarching ecological consequences for coral ecosystems.


The purpose of the present problem is to study the unsteady effect on laminar free convective flow of an electrically conducting fluid through porous medium along a moving porous hot vertical plate in the presence of heat source with mass transfer. The governing equations of motions are solved by a regular perturbation technique. The velocity of fluid, skin friction, temperature and concentration are discussed with the help of tables and graphs. The velocity of fluid increases with the increase in Gr (Grashof number) and K (Porosity parameter), but it decreases with the increase in M (Hartman number) and t (Time).


A new theory is proposed to define the elastic response of axisymmetric, but otherwise arbitrarily anisotropic and heterogeneous, bodies of revolution. The theory is based upon the application of Reissner's variational principle and an assumed stress field to given subregions of the body and approaches the theory of elasticity in the limit of vanishing subregion thickness. The new theory is particularly appropriate in the treatment of involute bodies, and it includes the effects of pore pressure, free expansion strains, body forces, and temperaturedependent properties.


Robotics is a rapidly growing field, and the innovative idea to scale down the size of robots to the nanometer level has paved a new way of treating human health. Nanorobots have become the focus of many researchers aiming to explore their many potential applications in medicine. This paper focuses on manufacturing techniques involved in the fabrication of nanorobots and their associated challenges in terms of design architecture, sensors, actuators, powering, navigation, data transmission, followed by challenges in applications. In addition, an overview of various nanorobotic systems addresses different architectures of a nanorobot. Moreover, multiple medical applications, such as oncology, drug delivery, and surgery, are reviewed and summarized.


The authors studied a group of thirteen schizophrenic patients with functional brain imaging, using single-photon-emission-computed tomography (S.P.E.C.T.). The radiotracer was the H.M.P.A.O. labelled with 99 m Technetium. All were being given neuroleptic drug. Forty-one lesions demonstrated decreased perfusion. These functional abnormalities are mainly located in the left hemisphere and this asymmetry is more pronounced in positive-symptom schizophrenics. However, at rest, these correlations are limited and finally we demonstrated a wide spectrum of metabolic dysfunctions in the same subtype of schizophrenia.


Background In epidemiological studies, several diseases share common risk factors or co-exist in their spatial prevalence. Disease mapping allows the health practitioners and epidemiologists to hypothesize the disease aetiology and gain better understanding of the geographical prevalence of the disease risks. Objective This paper investigates the differences in small scale geographical variations and the underlying risk factors of child's health outcomes (anemia, stunting and wasting) in Sub-Saharan Africa using spatial epidemiology. Method The study first carried out an independent univariate analysis on each malnutrition indicator to identify underlying risk factors. A multivariate conditional autoregressive prior was explored to jointly model the spatial correlation between the undernutrition indicators and the small area-geographical disparities at sub-national levels in two sub-Saharan African countries. Results The approach was implemented on data from National cross-sectional household- based demographic and health surveys conducted in 17,307 under-five children in Burkina Faso and Mozambique in 2010–012. Out of these children, 31.8% are found to be stunted, 15.5% wasted and 30.9% had anemia among Burkina Faso children, while 42.5% of Mozambican children were stunted, 5.9% wasted and 30.9% suffered from iron-deficiency anemia. The multivariate analysis revealed that the spatial prevalence existed across regions in Burkina Faso with geographical variations in stunting estimated as: 0.7549, CI (0.4693, 1.264); wasting 0.9197; (95%CI: 0.535, 1.591)and anemia: 0.734; (0.4606, 1.214). In additin, the spatial correlation between stunting and wasting was negatively correlated: -0.998; 95% CI (-1.000, -0.984), and a perfect negative correlation;(-1) between stunting and anemia, and positive for wasting and anemia: 0.997; (0.978, 1.000). The spatial occurrence across provinces in Mozambique indicated that there was strong positive correlation between stunting and wasting; 0.986; (0.899, 1.000) and a significant negative correlation between stunting and anemia: -0.720, (-0.934, -0.308) and wasting and anemia: -0.640; (-0.903 -0.174) with individual geographical variability in child stunting: 1427, (913.6, 2268); wasting:1751, (1117, 2803) and anemia: 556, (279.5, 978.9). These extra random effect parameters computed in our multivariate approach would outperform a univariate analysis in similar studies. Our model further detected high prevalent of malnutrition and anemia in the northern Burkina Faso, but high anemia prevalent found in central Mozambique, and high stunting and wasting identified Southern Mozambique. In addition, the risk factors of malnutrition and iron deficiency anemia included household poverty, morbidity, short birth interval (less 18 months), breast feeding, antenatal attendance and maternal literacy. Conclusion The statistical relevance of the identified risk factors in this study is useful to target specific individual interventions and the maps of the geographical inequalities in sub-national region can be used for designing nutrition interventions and allocation of scarce health resources.


Although many studies explore the effect of library instruction on information literacy test scores, there are far fewer studies exploring the relationship between high school Grade Point Average (GPA) and scores on information literacy pre- and post-tests of first year college students. This research study compares the scores of three cohorts of Franklin Pierce University students--honors students, Center Scholars (students with a cumulative high school GPA of below 2.5) and Average GPA students --on an information literacy pre-test administered in the first two weeks of the fall, and a similar post-test administered after students have attended a library instruction session. The results of this study show a relationship between high school GPA and pre-test scores and reveal an even stronger relationship between high school GPA and scores on the post-test, with honors students attaining the highest scores and Center Scholars the lowest. This article proposes explanations for these results as well as recommendations for addressing the test score disparities between these three cohorts.


The Antarctic Peninsula has recently seen a rapid breakup of its peripheral ice shelves, attributed to atmospheric and oceanic warming in the region. Previous work has illustrated that the final breakup mechanisms are often controlled by the structural glaciology of the ice shelf, and thus understanding the structure of the remaining 'stable' ice shelves is of fundamental importance to assess their future response to continued environmental changes. The accompanying map presents the structural glaciology of Bach, George VI and Stange Ice Shelves in the southwest Antarctic Peninsula, from ca. 2010, with a description of each feature presented here.


Waste Control Specialists, LLC, Inc. (WCS) owns 15,000 acres of property contiguous with the Texas/New Mexico border west of Andrews, Texas. Here, the first Low Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) disposal facility in the U.S. has been designed and constructed in over 30 years. It is the only facility licensed to receive all three classes of LLRW that are suitable for near-surface disposal. The WCS facility has unique and challenging features that make it a state-of-the-art facility able to safely dispose of LLRW. The Liner system consists of multiple layers of protective features and redundant detection components. The waste matrix consists of concrete-in-concrete systems that contain the waste and provide stability for landfill. The landfill is relatively deep for a near-surface repository that allows for no surface projection at closure. Cover system consists of three separate but effective structures — performance cover, erosion protection cover, and evapotranspiration cover. During operations, the facility is designed to capture all storm water that falls on the footprint and divert water to holding ponds (non-contaminated storm water) or to large storage tanks (contact storm water) The Facility has several support systems that allow for safe and effective operations and disposal activities including but not limited to: five 500,000 gallon contact water storage tanks, a waste water treatment plant, security and fire systems, decontamination buildings, waste staging and sampling buildings, counting laboratory, gate house and administration buildings. Construction activities included pre-grading site to control storm water during construction and to provide an initial surface for landfill excavation, excavation of landfill units in excess of 100 feet deep through a cemented caliche layer, installation of access ramps to access bottom of disposal units and simultaneous construction of support facilities and buildings. A total of two landfill disposal units, seven support buildings and supporting infrastructure were constructed within 12-months.Copyright © 2012 by ASME


Information development in Latin America has evolved, despite the costly economic, social and political adjustments carried out in most countries in the last two decades. New open market policies and technological developments has helped the region to increase their links with the rest of the world. Libraries can now use faster and more reliable telephone services and can acquire computer and network technology with less import barriers. Information demand is assumed to be greater in quality and quantity, due to greater information awareness. An overview of the information globalization progress in Latin America is given in this paper, focusing on Mexico, which is one of the major economies in the region with a leading role in information development.


Despite its dwindling occurrence, gastric cancer remains a leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Molecular determinants of prognosis that impact survival are being sought out as a means to facilitate rational clinical decision‐making and enhance patient management. In this study, we evaluated three molecules implicated in gastric carcinogenesis and demonstrated that the differential expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and the viral oncogene homolog Src proteins could explain the differences in survival observed in patients older and younger than 50 years of age.


As our knowledge of deep structure of major central North American basins has increased, it has become clear that they have experienced long and complicated tectonic histories. A knowledge of these histories is especially important to efforts to formulate exploration strategies for deeper horizons and frontier areas. Regional geophysical and geologic studies of these basins indicate that Precambrian features have often exerted considerable control on basinal development (e.g., Anadarko basin, Rome trough, Rough Creek graben, Pedregosa basin). A particularly important tectonic event was the Eocambrian continental breakup which extensively rifted the southern margin of North America. Although this rifting event is manifested in various ways, its extent can be estimated by m pping the deep-seated crustal anomalies which probably formed at this time. Although age relations are uncertain in most cases, deep-seated anomalies are associated with the Arkoma basin, Anadarko basin, Illinois basin, Mississippi embayment, and Permian basin. There are many similarities in the development of these basins, but they all can be shown to have unique tectonic histories. End_of_Article - Last_Page 495------------


Plume-modified orogeny involves the interaction between a mantle plume and subducting oceanic lithosphere at accretionary margins. We propose that a plume can also be involved in collisional orogeny and accounts for the late Paleozoic geological relations in Central Asia. Continental collision between the Tarim and Central Tianshan–Yili blocks at the end Carboniferous resulted in an orogeny lacking continental-type (ultra)high-pressure [(U)HP] rocks and significant syncollision surface erosion and uplift, features normally characteristic of continent-continent interactions. Their absence from the Tianshan region corresponded with the arrival of a mantle plume beneath the northern Tarim. Elemental and isotopic data reveal an increasing influence of the mantle plume on magmatic petrogenesis from ca. 300 to 280 Ma, immediately after collision at 310–300 Ma. The rising mantle plume interrupted the normal succession of collisional orogenic events, destroying the deeply subducted continental crust and hence preventing slab break-off–induced continental rebound. Plume-modified continental collision thus limited continental (U)HP rock exhumation and associated surface uplift.


Calibration/Validation (Cal/Val) of satellite altimeters is fundamental for monitoring onboard sensor performance and ensuring long-term data quality. As altimeter technology has been evolving rapidly from profile to wide swath and interferometric altimetry, different requirements regarding Cal/Val have emerged. Most current Cal/Val technology has been developed for conventional profile altimeters, whereby satellite observations are compared against measurements at one point along orbit lines. However, the application of this type of Cal/Val technique to swath interferometric altimeters with two-dimensional measurements is difficult. Here, we propose a new strategy for the evaluation of interferometric altimeters based on comparison of wave-induced sea surface elevation (WSSE) spectra from one- and two-dimensional measurements. This method assumes that the WSSE variance of an equilibrium wave field is uniform and can be measured equivalently in the space or time domains. The method was first tested with simulated data and then used to evaluate the performance of an airborne interferometric radar altimeter system (AIRAS) using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) buoy measurements. The differences between the WSSE variances from the AIRAS and two GNSS buoys were below 8 cm2, corresponding to a standard deviation of 2.8 cm, which could serve as a reference for the WSSE error over the scale range of waves. The correlation coefficient between the AIRAS and GNSS buoys was approximately 0.90, indicating that the error was small relative to the WSSE signals. In addition, the sea surface height (SSH) difference measured by the AIRAS was compared with that derived from the GNSS buoys at two sites. The results indicated that the error of the SSH difference was 3 cm. This approach represents a possible technique for the Cal/Val of future spaceborne/airborne interferometric altimeters; however, additional experiments and applications are needed to verify the feasibility of this method.


The effects of ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and balofloxacin on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels generated by human neutrophils was examined in vitro; ROS generated in a cell-free, xanthine–xanthine oxidase system was also assessed. The species investigated were superoxide radical anion (O2 −), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical (OH·). Both ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin markedly decreased the levels of O2 −, H2O2 and OH· generated by human neutrophils. On the other hand, these drugs did not affect any of the ROS examined in the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. Balofloxacin showed no significant effect on ROS generated by either system. The present study indicates that ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin may exert an anti-inflammatory action by reducing the potent ROS species excessively generated by neutrophils at the sites of inflammation.


Each connected component of the Gershgorin circles of a matrix contains exactly as many eigenvalues as circles are involved. Thus, the Minkowski (set) product of all circles contains the determinant if all circles are disjoint. In [S.M. Rump. Bounds for the determinant by Gershgorin circles. Linear Algebra and its Applications, 563:215--219, 2019.], it was proved that statement to be true for real matrices whose circles need not to be disjoint. Moreover, it was asked whether the statement remains true for complex matrices. This note answers that in the affirmative. As a by-product, a parameterization of the outer loop of a Cartesian oval without case distinction is derived.


Kim Jiseong was known as father of Kim Kyusik. His original name was Kim Yongwon. He was a loyal painter of Dohwaseo (royal painting bureau) who participated in the drawing of the portrait of King Cheoljong. He accompanied to the diplomatic party to Japan in 1876. He was fascinated by the photography. After returning to Korea, he became one of the close aid to King Gojong. He assigned as Wuhu (naval officer) to the naval fortress at Dongrae in 1880 where Japanese settlement was established. Kim Kyusik, his third child, was born there in 1881. He associated with Japanese officers in Dongrae Waegwan for learning and acquiring modern knowledge. He established glass factory in Dongrae. In 1881, he was despatched as one of twelve special delegates of King Gojong to Japan. He learned glass making, silver mining, and chemical analysis. He stayed in Osaka and Kyoto for two years. He returned to Korea in 1883 and opened the first photo studio in Seoul. He was despatched as King Gojong's secret envoy to Russia in November 1884. He accompanied with one officer and two interpreters. When he arrived at Vladivostok, he had secret conference with Russian military commissioner. He conveyed King Gojong's requests to Russian emperor including Russia's custody, conclusion of mutual treaty, land trade, and despatch naval vessels to Korean coast. He returned to Seoul in May 1885. At the moment, Korean-Russo secret agreement was divulged and he was stuck in the political turmoil. He was banished to Yeochon, Gyongsang Bukdo. He was released in 1891, but suffered from tuberculosis and died at his hometown Hongchon in 1892. Kim Kyusik's mother died in 1885 when his father was in banishment. Kim Kyusik ended up in an orphanage in 1886 which was established by missionary Horace Underwood. He inherited his father's legacy including contacting with modern world, studying abroad, learning pragmatic knowledge, and diplomatic mission.


The study purpose was to determine the impact of demographic, social, environmental, and health indicators on utilization of community-based services among black and white female elders. Existing data from a regional Area Agency on Aging was used and the sample (N = 1816) included low income and rural females. Races differed in use and services most frequently used were case management, outreach, congregate meal, and home delivered meals. Multiple linear and logistic regression indicated that age, payment source, income adequacy, residence, health conditions, sensory impairment, and function were associated with the number and types of services used, but these differed by race. Study findings have implications for health care providers, educators, policy makers, and planners.


The north-central Connecticut of this paper is an area of about 640 square miles extending from the Connecticut-Massachusetts State line south to Middletown. It is underlain by unconsolidated deposits of Pleistocene and Recent age, which mantle an erosional surface formed on consolidated rocks of pre-Triassic and Triassic age.The unconsolidated deposits include ground moraine and glaciofluvial, glaciolacustrine, and eolian deposits. The ground moraine (till) occurs throughout most of the area but yields only small quantities of water. The glaciofluvial deposits comprise sand, silt, and some gravel of ice-contact and outwash-plain origin and range in thickness from less than a foot to more than 150 feet. These deposits store large amounts of water and yield 250 to 600 gpm (gallons per minute) to industrial and irrigation wells.The glaciolacustrine deposits consist of varved clay and silt with a capping of sand of fluvial origin. The clay and silt are essentially impermeable. They confine water in underlying outwash deposits, and also hold up perched water in overlying fluvial sand. The sand yields as much as 100 gpm to a properly constructed well.The consolidated rocks are sandstone and shale, interbedded layers of basalt, and crystalline rocks. On the average, these rocks yield 10 to 15 gpm to wells, but the sandstone and shale yield larger quantities, as much as 550 gpm, to a few wells. The ground water in north-central Connecticut is of the calcium bicarbonate type, has a low mineral content, and is suitable for most purposes. The sandstone and shale generally yield moderately hard to very hard water.


Using Indonesian National Socioeconomic Surveys, this article outlines the trends in spousal differences in age and educational attainment from a sample of matched husband–wife data in the early 1980s and 2010. The spousal age gap has declined from 6.4 to 4.7 in the three decades. A trend in assortative mating is maintained as 50% of married couples have equal education levels in both 1982 and 2010. The proportion of women marrying someone of higher education is declining, and conversely, the proportion of women "marrying down" is rising. Higher level of wife's education and increasing age at first marriage are found to be negatively associated with spousal age gap. Along with development, social change, and the recent accomplishment toward gender parity across all education levels in the country, changing patterns in such gaps are bound to transform gender relations and the power dynamics within Indonesian families.


Twenty male rats weighing about 100g were treated subcutaneously with 25 mg alpha-tocopherol acetate. The rats were given 0.4 mg/100 g endotoxin intraperitoneally 24 hrs after the pretreatment, and were sacrificed 18 hrs after the endotoxin injection. The lipid peroxide level as evaluated by the TBA-value remained at the no-treatment level. In a similar group of rats not pretreated but given the same dose of endotoxin intraperitoneally, the TBA-value rose significantly. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean plasma ALAT and OCT activities or in the mean liver or plasma Zn concentrations between the endotoxin treated groups. The plasma OCT and ALAT activities were significantly correlated with the liver TBA-values in both endotoxin-treated groups but the plasma Zn and OCT, or plasma Zn and ALAT were significantly correlated only in the group pretreated with vitamin E. In a control group of 20 animals not treated with either endotoxin or vitamin E the plasma Zn and vitamin E concentrations were statistically significantly (P less than 0.05) correlated. It is suggested that the endotoxin effect on the liver is probably mediated by prostaglandin-like substances.


The OXA-1 beta-lactamase is one of the few class D enzymes that has an aspartate residue at position 66, a position that is proximal to the active-site residue Ser(67). In class A beta-lactamases, such as TEM-1 and SHV-1, residues adjacent to the active-site serine residue play a crucial role in inhibitor resistance and substrate selectivity. To probe the role of Asp(66) in substrate affinity and catalysis, we performed site-saturation mutagenesis at this position. Ampicillin MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values for the full set of Asp(66) mutants expressed in Escherichia coli DH10B ranged from < or =8 microg/ml for cysteine, proline and the basic amino acids to > or =256 microg/ml for asparagine, leucine and the wild-type aspartate. Replacement of aspartic acid by asparagine at position 66 also led to a moderate enhancement of extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance. OXA-1 shares with other class D enzymes a carboxylated residue, Lys(70), that acts as a general base in the catalytic mechanism. The addition of 25 mM bicarbonate to Luria-Bertani-broth agar resulted in a > or =16-fold increase in MICs for most OXA-1 variants with amino acid replacements at position 66 when expressed in E. coli. Because Asp(66) forms hydrogen bonds with several other residues in the OXA-1 active site, we propose that this residue plays a role in stabilizing the CO2 bound to Lys(70) and thereby profoundly affects substrate turnover.


Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted interest as adsorbents in water-based adsorption heat pumps owing to their potential for increased water loading capacities and structural and functional tunability versus traditionally used materials such as zeolites and silica. Although pyrazolate-based MOFs exhibit exceptional hydrolytic stability, the water adsorption characteristics of this class of frameworks have remained unexplored in this context. In this report, we describe the modular synthesis of novel dipyrazole ligands containing naphthalenediimide cores functionalized with –H (H2NDI–H), –NHEt (H2NDI–NHEt), or –SEt (H2NDI–SEt) groups. Reaction of these ligands with Zn(NO3)2 afforded an isostructural series of MOFs, Zn(NDI–X), featuring infinite chains of tetrahedral Zn2+ ions bridged by pyrazolate groups and ∼16 A-wide channels with functionalized naphthalenediimide linkers lining the channel surface. The Type V water adsorption isotherms measured for these materials show water uptake in the 40–50% relative humidity range, suggesting hydrophobic channel interiors. Postsynthetic oxidation of Zn(NDI–SEt) with dimethyldioxirane was used to generate ethyl sulfoxide and ethyl sulfone groups, thereby rendering the channels more hydrophilic, as evidenced by shifts in water uptake to the 30–40% relative humidity range. Such tunability in water adsorption characteristics may find utility in the design of new adsorbents for adsorption-based heat transfer processes. An original MATLAB script, MOF-FIT, which allows for visual modeling of breathing and other structural deformations in MOFs is also presented.


Calcineurin B-like protein-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) play essential roles in plant abiotic stress response. In order to better understand salt tolerance, we cloned and analyzed the NtCIPK9 gene from the halophyte Nitraria tangutorum. Phylogenetic analysis shows that NtCIPK9 belongs to a sister clade with the Arabidopsis AtCIPK9 gene and is thought to localize to the plasma membrane. NtCIPK9 shows the highest expression level in the Nitraria tangutorum root under normal growth conditions, whereas after NaCl treatment, the highest expression was found in the blade. NtCIPK9-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants have a higher seed germination rate, longer root length, and displayed higher salt tolerance than wild type seedlings under salt stress conditions. Furthermore, NtCIPK9 overexpression might enhance the expression of genes related to K+ transportation after NaCl treatment. Thus, we conclude that NtCIPK9 increases transgenic plant salt tolerance and reduces damage associated with salt stress by promoting the expression of genes controlling ion homeostasis. Our results suggest that NtCIPK9 could serve as an ideal candidate gene to genetically engineer salt-tolerant plants.


The variety selection and intercropping system are closely related to canopy architecture which determines the capability of maize crops to intercept and absorb the intensity of solar radiation. The research to increase radiation use efficiency (RUE) of maize based on varietal selection and intercropping with mungbean related to canopy characteristics. The experiment was conducted during the rainy season, from September 2016 to January 2017, in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi. A factorial randomized block experiment with three replicates was designed the fasilitate the combination of two factor. The first factor was three maize varieties, i.e. Bisi 18, Lamuru, and local variety and the second factors dealt with intercropping systems, i.e. intercropping of maize varity with one, two, three, and four lines of mungbean, and maize monoculture. The results showed that there were interactions between varieties and intercropping to RUE of maize. The RUE of all maize varieties intercropped with mungbean was higher compared to the maize monoculture. The RUE of Bisi 18 intercropped with mungbean was higher than Lamuru and local varieties with the values of 9.53%, 8.80%, and 6.43% respectively. Bisi 18 that has vertical leaf character were more efficient in utilizing solar radiation when intercropped with denser mungbean populations .


Translocation of full-length or fragments of receptors to the nucleus has been reported for several tyrosine kinase receptors. In this paper, we show that a fraction of full-length cell surface platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor &bgr; (PDGFR&bgr;) accumulates in the nucleus at the chromatin and the nuclear matrix after ligand stimulation. Nuclear translocation of PDGFR&bgr; was dependent on PDGF-BB–induced receptor dimerization, clathrin-mediated endocytosis, &bgr;-importin, and intact Golgi, occurring in both normal and cancer cells. In the nucleus, PDGFR&bgr; formed ligand-inducible complexes with the tyrosine kinase Fer and its substrate, TATA element–modifying factor 1 (TMF-1). PDGF-BB stimulation decreased TMF-1 binding to the transcriptional regulator Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg-1) and released Brg-1 from the SWI–SNF chromatin remodeling complex. Moreover, knockdown of TMF-1 by small interfering RNA decreased nuclear translocation of PDGFR&bgr; and caused significant up-regulation of the Brg-1/p53-regulated cell cycle inhibitor CDKN1A (encoding p21) without affecting PDGFR&bgr;-inducible immediate-early genes. In conclusion, nuclear interactions of PDGFR&bgr; control proliferation by chromatin remodeling and regulation of p21 levels.


Near infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes play a crucial role in biological system imaging. A novel NIR fluorescent probe, IR787, was designed in the present study. Compared with indocyanine green (ICG), IR787 showed lower background fluorescent interference and higher fluorescence enhancement. Fluorescence intensities were detected by a Cary Eclipse fluorescence spectrophotometer. The interference of intracellular ions (Cu2+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Zn2+) on the measurement was negligible, which indicated a good photostability of IR787. MTT assay demonstrated that cell viability of human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line A549 was not significantly affected by the use of the IR787 probe compared with the ICG probe. This result suggested that the IR787 probe was safe for in vitro cell imaging. In vitro NIR optical imaging experiments further revealed cellular uptake and strong intracellular NIR fluorescence of the IR787 probe in A549 cells. The excitation wavelength was 787 nm for IR787. Compared with the previously reported NIR fluorescent probe ICG, the IR787 NIR fluorescent probe had improved prospects for intracellular imaging. IR787 may play a pivotal role in the understanding cell biology, pharmacology and disease diagnosis.


BACKGROUND
Iodine deficiency during pregnancy and infancy is the world's most common preventable cause of mental retardation. Previous studies have shown a high incidence of goiter and low groundwater iodine concentrations in northern Israel.

OBJECTIVE
We examined the relationship between low groundwater iodine and iodine deficiency in pregnant women and schoolchildren.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS
We measured the urinary iodine excretion of school-children in the West Bank and Gaza and rural and urban pregnant women in Western Galilee (an area known to have low groundwater iodine concentrations). We also measured iodine concentrations in groundwater in various locations in the West Bank and Gaza.

RESULTS
Lower urinary iodine excretion was found among pregnant Arab women living in rural Western Galilee (101+/-7 microg iodine/g creatinine). 20% of them excreted <50 microg I/g creatinine. This is relatively less than found among pregnant Jewish women living in cities in the same area (154+/-13 microg I/g creatinine). Low iodine concentrations (<5 microg/l) were found in groundwater in the Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem highlands, as compared to normal concentrations in the lowland districts of the West Bank and Gaza. In a cohort of 728 schoolchildren aged 8-10, 10% (range 8-13%) of children from areas of low groundwater iodine had low levels of urinary iodine excretion, as compared to only <5% of those from districts with groundwater iodine concentrations >10 microg/l.

CONCLUSIONS
Lower concentrations of groundwater iodine are related to low urinary iodine excretion in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.


This discussion highlights the complex issues relating to the implementation of information communication technologies (ICTs) for education from early resistance to current achievements. Issues pertaining to the developing world are discussed. The author is of the opinion that there are sufficient success stories to serve as both resources and motivation for this context. But a radical approach will put valuable resources and morale at risk. An incremental approach in an enabling environment may contribute more to enhancing education through the use of ICTs in the long run.


We apply first-principles methods to investigate the electronic properties of semiconductor carbon nanotubes deposited on hydrogen-terminated diamond surfaces. We found that the band gap of the diamond–nanotube system can be continuously varied (from 0 to 0.8 eV) through the application of an external electric field. The metal–semiconductor transition occurs for values of field between 0.03 and 0.035 V/A, which could make viable the production of stable field-effect devices at nanometric scale. We also found that at zero value of electric field the nanotube electrical behavior can be modified by changing the diamond surface termination, which may be useful for producing ohmic metal–semiconductor contacts. On the other hand, at zero values of field, tubes deposited on nitrogen-doped diamond are metallic regardless of the surface termination. Thus, nitrogen doping could be useful in situations in which the atomistic details of the diamond surface are difficult to control.


The integration of multifunctional intelligent substation devices (ISDs), in complex substation or power plant automation systems, requires the development of methods and tools for their testing that will ensure the correct operation of protection, control, monitoring, recording and metering functions, under normal and abnormal system conditions. The new IEC 61850 standard for communication networks and systems in substations allows the development of high-speed peer-to-peer communications based distributed applications, based on multicast of status changes or sampled analogue values. This paper details the requirements for the testing of complex substation automation systems. The testing methods need to correspond to the functional hierarchy of the substation automation system. Functional element testing, integration and system testing are discussed. Systems with Substation Bus only, and with both Process Bus and Substation Bus, are considered. A method for the testing of both types of system is proposed, based on a specific order of system components testing. Solutions for the testing of the individual components of the IEC 61850 based system, as well as for the testing of distributed applications, are described at the end of the paper.


We consider the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) for the estimation of a scalar parameter in the presence of nuisance parameters. Whereas this true CRB is hard to evaluate in general, we present a simple analytical expression for its high SNR asymptote, i.e., the asymptotic CRB (ACRB). We show that this ACRB is related to the CRB for the joint estimation of the scalar parameter and the nuisance parameters. Previously, a modified CRB (MCRB) for the estimation of a scalar parameter in the presence of nuisance parameters has been derived. This MCRB is also simple to evaluate and is related to the CRB for the estimation of the scalar parameter assuming that the value of the nuisance parameters is a priori known. We show that the MCRB can be quite loose at high SNR, when the scalar parameter is coupled with the nuisance parameters. In the case of synchronization parameter estimation, we find that the ACRB equals the MCRB, whether or not (some of) the nuisance parameters are a priori known.


This article attempts to 'rethink' place brands after examining in detail how people form them in their minds. The article starts with a very brief account of the place branding literature to provide the necessary background and goes on to identify what we see as a shortcoming in current understanding of the place brand: the dominant idea that brands are formed as sums of mental associations. The article attempts to take current understanding of place brands further by going beyond associations and adding a missing element: the interactions between those associations. We propose a rethinking of place brands based on two pillars: first we incorporate more geographical understanding into place branding and, second, we outline a process that allows place elements and placebased associations to combine and form the place brand. The place brand formation process starts when people use place-making elements (materiality, practices, institutions and representations) to form mental associations with the place. These associations are not static but evolve and change over time as they interact with each other on several dimensions. These interactions constitute the way in which the place brand is formed. The argumentation leads to a novel conceptualization of the role of place branding in the above processes. The practical applicability and implications of the proposed rethinking of place brands suggested here are explored in detail through the examination of the branding process followed recently in Bogotá, Colombia, where our approach to place branding has found practical application.


Subglacial processes, and their temporal and spatial variations, play a significant
role in controlling the behaviour of ice masses. The processes leading to the
formation and emplacement of inter-stratified sequences of subglacial tills are,
however, particularly poorly understood. Such sequences are relatively widespread,
having been found in, for example, the UK, Canada and Germany. Those of the
Weybourne area of north Norfolk, UK, are especially interesting in that the majority
of the sediment pile is composed of repeated, inter-laminated subglacial till units with
very few non-till units present. Many contrasting mechanisms for this highly
contorted sequence have been suggested throughout a long history of investigation at
the site and even the direction of ice advance that produced the deformation has
proved difficult to resolve. In order to address this, the current study combines
lithological, structural and palynological techniques to investigate the exposure at
Weybourne Town Pit. A re-interpretation of the sequence is presented in which the
tills are seen to have been derived initially as subglacial tills from advances of the
Middle Pleistocene British Ice Sheet flowing southwards along the east coast of
England. A stage of brittle deformation linked to oscillation of the ice margin is
identified as occurring after the primary deposition phase. This secondary
deformation phase was responsible for localised thrust-stacking of the till blocks and
resulted in the inter-stratified sequence seen today.


Background: Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) is typified by multiple sclerosis (MS)-like lesions on imaging, without clinical MS symptoms. The prevalence of pediatric RIS is largely unknown. Objective: The objective of the study is to provide an estimated RIS prevalence in a population-based cohort of children. Methods: We used data from the Generation R study to identify the childhood RIS prevalence. Results: In 5238 participants, only one RIS case was identified (prevalence: 0.02%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.00–0.11). During a 62-month follow-up, imaging examinations showed accrual of new focal demyelinating lesions; however, no clinical MS symptoms occurred. Conclusions: This study shows that the occurrence of RIS in children from the general population is rare.


Background: Hyperinflammation is frequently associated with the chronic pain of autoimmune disease and the acute death of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) via a severe cytokine cascade. CIGB-258 (Jusvinza®), an altered peptide ligand with 3 kDa from heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), inhibits the systemic inflammation and cytokine storm, but the precise mechanism is still unknown. Objective: The protective effect of CIGB-258 against inflammatory stress of N-ε-carboxymethyllysine (CML) was tested to provide mechanistic insight. Methods: CIGB-258 was treated to high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and injected into zebrafish and its embryo to test a putative anti-inflammatory activity under presence of CML. Results: Treatment of CML (final 200 μM) caused remarkable glycation of HDL with severe aggregation of HDL particles to produce dysfunctional HDL, which is associated with a decrease in apolipoprotein A-I stability and lowered paraoxonase activity. Degradation of HDL3 by ferrous ions was attenuated by a co-treatment with CIGB-258 with a red-shift of the Trp fluorescence in HDL. A microinjection of CML (500 ng) into zebrafish embryos resulted in the highest embryo death rate, only 18% of survivability with developmental defects. However, co-injection of CIGB-258 (final 1 ng) caused the remarkable elevation of survivability around 58%, as well as normal developmental speed. An intraperitoneal injection of CML (final 250 μg) into adult zebrafish resulted acute paralysis, sudden death, and laying down on the bottom of the cage with no swimming ability via neurotoxicity and inflammation. However, a co-injection of CIGB-258 (1 μg) resulted in faster recovery of the swimming ability and higher survivability than CML alone injection. The CML alone group showed 49% survivability, while the CIGB-258 group showed 97% survivability (p < 0.001) with a remarkable decrease in hepatic inflammation up to 50%. A comparison of efficacy with CIGB-258, Infliximab (Remsima®), and Tocilizumab (Actemra®) showed that the CIGB-258 group exhibited faster recovery and swimming ability with higher survivability than those of the Infliximab group. The CIGB-258 group and Tocilizumab group showed the highest survivability, the lowest plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride level, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells, such as neutrophils in hepatic tissue. Conclusion: CIGB-258 ameliorated the acute neurotoxicity, paralysis, hyperinflammation, and death induced by CML, resulting in higher survivability in zebrafish and its embryos by enhancing the HDL structure and functionality.


Aim: to consider association of polymorphous alleles of class II HLA genes with Graves' disease (GD) in Tuvinian population. Methods. HLAgenotyping was accomplished in 40 GD patients and 164 volunteers randomly selected in Tuvinian population (native Siberian population, Mongoloids). GD was diagnosed accordind to the clinical and laboratory criteria. HLAgenotyping for 14 DRB1 alleles, 8 DQA1 alleles and 13 DQB1 alleles was performed by polymerase chain reaction sequencespecific primers (DNATechnology, Russia). Statistical analysis was performed using the Excoffer, Schneider and Kuffer package. RR have been calculated using Woolf method. Results. We found the HLAmarkers of predisposition to GD in Tuvinians: HLA DQA1*0501( RR = 1.76; p


Phacomatosis pigmentovascularis is a rare group of syndromes characterized by the co-existence of a vascular nevus and a pigmentary nevus with or without extracutaneous systemic involvement. The existing classifications of phacomatosis pigmentovascularis are based on phenotypic characteristics. We report four new cases of phacomatosis pigmentovascularis, three with phacomatosis cesioflammea demonstrating phenotypic variability, and one with phacomatosis cesiomarmorata. Extracutaneous manifestations were observed in three patients (75%) that included central nervous system involvement in three, bilateral congenital glaucoma in two, and cardiovascular system involvement in one. The molecular basis of phacomatosis pigmentovascularis is yet to be elucidated. Whether the various subtypes of phacomatosis pigmentovascularis are separate molecular entities or phenotypic variants of the same disease needs to be settled.


controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the detection rate of major heart anomalies implementing routine use of colour Doppler in fetal heart scanning. We also aimed to identify the main ultrasound finding responsible for the spotting of the heart defect. Methods: From May 2006 to July 2009 colour Doppler was routinely used in all fetal heart examinations in the second and third trimester at Stavanger University Hospital (a secondary level unit). A routine second trimester scan was performed in 6781 women. First, an extended gray scale fetal heart scanning was performed as recommended in ISUOG's guidelines. Thereafter, colour Doppler was added and three cross-sectional planes through the fetal thorax were assessed; the four-chamber, five-chamber and the three-vessel trachea view. Results: Thirty-nine fetuses examined during the study period had major heart defects, and 26 (67%) of these were prenatally detected. Of these 19/39 (49%) were detected at the routine second trimester scan, three (8%) before the routine scan, four (10%) were detected incidentally later in pregnancy. Thirteen (33%) major heart anomalies were not diagnosed before delivery. The detecting signs were unequal size of the ventricles in four cases, no blood flow across the mitral valve in three, common AV-valve in three, AV-insufficiency in four, overriding vessel in two, parallel vessels in three, one great vessel in ''three vessel view'' in four, retrograde blood flow in ''three vessel view'' in two, and abnormal position of the heart in one case. Conclusions: The detection rate in this study is acceptable. Several of the main ultrasound findings are related to blood flow, thus we think the use of colour Doppler is helpful and might be recommended for routine use.


Abstract Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is defined as the most commonly seen anxiety disorder accompanying the bipolar disorder, and this concomitance causes the difficulties in the therapy. Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is efficient in both manic and depressive episodes of the bipolar disorder, it is considered as a therapeutic option in cases of OCD with depression comorbidity. In this article, we aimed to present a case in which depressive episode of bipolar disorder and OCD comorbidity were present; both depressive and OCD symptoms were resolved using ECT. Symptoms of both diseases recurred after the discontinuation of ECT, and well-being sustained with maintenance ECT.


Abstract A survey of mushrooms was conducted in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China, in the rainy season (May to October) of 2012, 2013, and 2014, during which 16 specimens of Termitomyces were collected. Preliminary macro- and micro-characteristics, together with ITS sequence data, showed that four of the specimens belonged to a new species (Termitomyces fragilis), while the other 12 belonged to T. aurantiacus, T. eurrhizus, T. globules, T. microcarpus, and T. bulborhizus. In this paper, T. fragilis is introduced as a species new to science based on morphological characterization and phylogenetic analyses. Macro- and micro- morphological descriptions, color photographs and line drawings of the new species, and a phylogenetic tree to show the placement of the new species are provided. T. fragilis is then compared with other closely related taxa in the genus Termitomyces.


The pharynx is composed of complex soft structures such as muscles and lymphoid tissues. These soft tissues cause the pharynx to collapse during sleep, eventually causing narrowing and obstructive apneas. Recently, sleep obstructive apneas have received increasing attention because many serious consequences can occur. Systemic diseases such as hypertension, coronary artery diseases, and cognitive dysfunction can occur. Despite its low adherence rate, continuous positive airway pressure is considered the most recommended management strategy for adults. In children, adenotonsillectomy is the primary intervention. Many other surgical interventions have been utilized. This chapter will cover the most essential types of pharyngeal surgery used to manage obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.


Summary Sephadex chromatography of commercial HSA results in a low polymer fraction (at least up to pentamer) comprising 12% to 28% of total protein and a nearly homogeneous monomer fraction comprising the remainder. Both fractions and starting material are cleared from the serum of guinea pigs at identical rates, induce unresponsiveness with equal effectiveness, and are immunogenic when incorporated in adjuvant. Heat-aggregated HSA is relatively ineffective as a tolerogen. Heat-aggregated HGG is initially cleared from the serum more rapidly than native HGG. However, it elicits a state of split tolerance in adult guinea pigs with greatly depressed delayed hypersensitivity and hemolytic antibody but with undiminished 7 S γ 1 titers. Further evidence is presented documenting a diminution of all immunologic parameters including immune clearance and 7 S γ 1 antibody titers in animals suppressed with HSA in saline. These findings are inconsistent with the interpretation that unresponsiveness represents immune deviation.


CONTEXT
Homeless persons face numerous barriers to receiving health care and have high rates of illness and disability. Factors associated with health care utilization by homeless persons have not been explored from a national perspective.

OBJECTIVE
To describe factors associated with use of and perceived barriers to receipt of health care among homeless persons.

DESIGN AND SETTING
Secondary data analysis of the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients.

SUBJECTS
A total of 2974 currently homeless persons interviewed through homeless assistance programs throughout the United States in October and November 1996.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Self-reported use of ambulatory care services, emergency departments, and inpatient hospital services; inability to receive necessary care; and inability to comply with prescription medication in the prior year.

RESULTS
Overall, 62.8% of subjects had 1 or more ambulatory care visits during the preceding year, 32.2% visited an emergency department, and 23.3% had been hospitalized. However, 24.6% reported having been unable to receive necessary medical care. Of the 1201 respondents who reported having been prescribed medication, 32.1% reported being unable to comply. After adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, medical illness, mental health problems, substance abuse, and other covariates, having health insurance was associated with greater use of ambulatory care (odds ratio [OR], 2.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-5.42), inpatient hospitalization (OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.16-5.81), and lower reporting of barriers to needed care (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.15-0.90) and prescription medication compliance (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.14-0.85). Insurance was not associated with emergency department visits (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.47-1.75).

CONCLUSIONS
In this nationally representative survey, homeless persons reported high levels of barriers to needed care and used acute hospital-based care at high rates. Insurance was associated with a greater use of ambulatory care and fewer reported barriers. Provision of insurance may improve the substantial morbidity experienced by homeless persons and decrease their reliance on acute hospital-based care.


Studies on green synthesis of nanoparticles moves forward a lot on these days. The present work involves the green method of synthesizing iron oxide nanoparticle from Phyllanthus niruri leaf extract. Furthermore, the green synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles were characterized and its antimicrobial activity was investigated. A characteristic comparison with chemical method of synthesis is also done, for iron nanoparticles. The characterization of nanoparticle includes the IR, UV-Vis, surface morphology and size determination using TEM, SEM, and XRD. The analytical studies revealed that the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles from these two different methods have almost identical size and morphology. The synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles showed significant antimicrobial activity against the microbes, E. coli and P. aeroginosa. The studies concluded that the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles using plant extracts is more beneficial as it is an economical, energy efficient, low cost and environment-friendly process than the bio hazardous chemical synthesis. The present investigation may be a definite contribution to green chemistry in general and nano synthesis in particular.


Summary Larvae of the small tortoiseshell butterfly, Aglais urticae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), were infected orally with a nuclear polyhedrosis virus. Sections of larvae which had been killed and fixed at intervals after infection were examined by light and electron microscopy. Typical virus development was observed in the fat body cells. However, in the nuclei of infected columnar cells of the mid-gut no incorporation of the virus particles into the polyhedral inclusion body was observed although both virus particles and crystalline polyhedron protein were present. Subsequently virus particles were found in the cytoplasm of these cells between the nucleus and the basal membrane. It is proposed that this unusual virus development is significant in the pathway of infection of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus.


Early Cretaceous subaqueous sediment gravity flow deposits in the active margin of the Neuquen Basin. During the Late Jura- ssic and the Early Cretaceous the Neuquen Basin was a restricted gulf-like trough partially isolated from the proto-Pacific Ocean by the geographic barrier of the Andean magmatic arc. Following an early Tithonian major (2 nd order) transgressive event, black shales and marls deposited almost continuously in the deepest part of the "Neuquen Sea" for about 15 My (Middle Tithonian-early Valanginian). The western sea-floor geometry of the Tithonian-early Valanginian sea is virtually unk- nown because its shelf to shallow-marine deposits were heavily removed during the growth and tectonic uplift of the Andean arc during the Late Cretaceous and Cainozoic. However, sediment gravity-flow deposits were recognized in two stra- tigraphic locations (Rahueco and Huncal) along the westernmost outcrops of the fold and thrust belt of the Neuquen Basin. The upper Berriasian-lower Valanginian Rahueco system comprises a 90 m-thick succession developed upon a thick packa- ge of anoxic shales and marls, and limited on top by the intra-Valanginian unconformity. It mainly consists of massive mudrocks with interbedded thin and fine-grained turbiditic sandstones. Seven coarser-grained upward coarsening units inter- preted as turbiditic lobes are intercalated within the fine-grained deposits of Rahueco. Palaeocurrents measured from sole marks show a main transport direction to the east and north. The lower Berriassian Huncal system comprises a 15 to 25 m interval composed of sandy turbidites located within a thick black shale and marl succession. The whole interval is involved in a slump fold system accompanied by low- to moderate-angle shear zones, and showing a persistent orientation of synde- positional deformation structures to the east. The turbiditic succession of Rahueco and the slump fold system of Huncal offer the first depositional arguments to reconstruct the western, tectonically active, margin of the Neuquen Basin for Berriasian and early Valanginian times. Unlike the cratonic/passive margins of the basin, characterised by a gently dipping sea-floor profile, its active arc-related flank had a well developed talus slope and enough sediment supply to promote deep marine turbidite deposition.


Craft design has gone through different contexts, and the craftsmanship in the new age is different from that in the industrial age. By analyzing the evolution and new scenario of craft design, the paper summarizes the trend of new craft design. The evolution of craft design shows the following trends: 1) the output diversified to satisfy the new needs due to technological advancement, including the material object, experience, service, and digital content. 2) the responsibility shifts from product design to activity design. 3) the boundaries are blurred; more and more industries, disciplines and people are participating in craft design. This paper believes that the new craft design has two directions: one points to the craftsmanship itself (tangible-intermediate-intangible structure); the other points to the various relationships with other disciplines, environment, and society.


The purpose of the study was to conduct a retrospective analysis of the epizootiologic and epidemiological situation of anthrax in the Republic of Crimea and to improve surveillance of this infection using geographic information systems (GIS technologies). Material and methods: In the process of considering specific features of manifestations of infection in different areas of the Crimean Peninsula and outbreaks of anthrax in animals and humans in 1922-2019, we analyzed and summarized data of reporting forms of the Interregional Department of Rospotrebnadzor in the Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol. ESRI's ArcGIS 10 software was used as a GIS-platform. When zoning the administrative units of Crimea by the level of endemicity, we estimated epizootic indices for anthrax. Results: We observed a relatively safe epizootiologic and epidemiological situation of anthrax in the Republic of Crimea. In 1922-2019, 211 potentially hazardous stationary sites located in nine districts and one city council and 13 anthrax burial sites in four districts were registered in Crimea. Most sites (182 or 86.3 %) appeared in 1932-1961, the peak anthrax activity occurred in 1942-1951, and the latest outbreaks of infection among animals and humans were registered in 1995. Taking into account the ability of anthrax spores to persist in soil for years, the administrative units of the Crimean Peninsula were zoned using GIS-technologies based on the established epizootic indices. As a result, the territory of the Republic of Crimea was divided into areas with different levels of risk of exposure to anthrax. We also studied the relationship between the endemic areas and local climatic and geographical conditions and found that the majority of stationary sites (167) were within the dry-steppe, typical steppe, and northern steppe zones of the Peninsula with dominating soddy calcareous, meadow chernozem, and chernozem types of soil.


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

Purpose:

Current imaging methods cannot provide needed visualization of pancreatic tumors due to coarse resolution (>2mm), 2D presentation of data, requirements of ionizing radiation, or deflective light scattering and sensitivity at depth. Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) detects small sound vibrations, optoacoustics, resulting from selective absorption of light at multiple wavelengths, enabling 3D volumetric spectrally enriched (color) imaging from deep living tissues in real time and at high spatial resolution. In this study, we examined the use of MSOT imaging technology in the identification of orthotopic pancreatic tumors using a near-infrared fluorescent-labeled EGF probe.

Methods:

Pancreatic cell lines, S2VP10, MiaPaCa2, and Panc-1, were evaluated for EGFR expression using western blot. EGF probe was constructed through bio-conjugation of functionalized EGF ligand with CF750-ester NIR dye. Specificity and activity of the EGF probe were evaluated using flow-cytometry and immunocytochemistry. SCID mice (5 mice/group) were orthotopically implanted with S2VP10 (1.5 x 105) or MiaPaCa2 (2.0 x 106) pancreatic tumor cells. Once tumors were implanted, mice were imaged using bioluminescence imaging to identify possible injection leakage. After tumors reached 3mm, 200µL of 100 nM EGF probe or dye alone were systemically injected into mice. Mice were imaged at 6-hour intervals for 24 hours using Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT). EGF-probe accumulation was verified ex vivo using fluorescent imaging and histology.

Results:

S2VP10, Panc-1, and MiaPaCa2 cells expressed EGFR at 1.2X, 1.0X, and 0.6X relative abundance, respectively. The positive control exhibited the highest EGFR expression at 1.8X, while EGFR negative NIH:3T3 cells demonstrated a value of <0.2X. Flow-cytometry showed cellular uptake of EGF probe in S2VP10 and MiaPaCa2 cell lines, while NIH3T3 (negative control) cell line exhibited minimum uptake. Blocking of S2VP10, MiaPaCa2, and SKOV3ip1 (positive control) cell lines with EGFR blocking antibody inhibited cellular binding of EGF probe. In vivo, peak accumulation of EGF probe within the tumor site was at 6 hours as observed using MSOT. EGF signal was observed within the pancreas tumor in slices from 38mm 42mm. Ex vivo evaluation of EGF probe accumulation also verified MSOT images demonstrating within the pancreas tumor, but not the liver or kidney.

Conclusions:

This is the first study which demonstrates the feasibility of detecting orthotopic pancreatic cancer at depths of greater than 7mm in vivo using MSOT. This benefit the field of cancer research as disease progression can be monitored at various time points during tumor growth without unnecessary euthanizing and ex vivo imaging.

Citation Format: Justin Huang, Charles W. Kimbrough, Shanice V. Hudson, Wenyuan Yin, Jamie Rush, Brian P. Ceresa, Hermann B. Frieboes, Lacey R. Mcnally. Identification of orthotopic pancreatic adenocarcinoma using multispectral optoacoustic tomography. [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 2049. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2049


The effect of phase quantization errors on the sidelobe level in a phased-array beamformer is considered. The theory of random and periodic phase errors is reviewed. Periodic phase errors occur for an unfocused array with uniform element distance and give rise to discrete sidelobes. The main result of the paper is an analysis of the periodic phase error in the case that the beamformer is focused. An estimate for the worst-case discrete sidelobe level as a function of focal depth is derived. The theory is illustrated and verified by simulations.<<ETX>>


The apical region of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) typically contains melanosomes. Their apical distribution is dependent on RAB27A and the unconventional myosin, MYO7A. Evidence from studies using in vitro binding assays, melanocyte transfection, and immunolocalization have indicated that the exophilin, MYRIP, links RAB27A on melanosomes to MYO7A, analogous to the manner that melanophilin links RAB27A on melanocyte melanosomes to MYO5A. To test the functionality of this hypothesis in RPE cells, we have examined the relationship among MYRIP, RAB27A and MYO7A with studies of RPE cells in primary culture (including live-cell imaging), analyses of mutant mouse retinas, and RPE cell fractionation experiments. Our results indicate that the retinal distribution of MYRIP is limited to the RPE, mainly the apical region. In RPE cells, RAB27A, MYRIP, and MYO7A were all associated with melanosomes, undergoing both slow and rapid movements. Analyses of mutant mice provide genetic evidence that MYRIP is linked to melanosomes via RAB27A, but show that recruitment of MYRIP to apical RPE is independent of melanosomes and RAB27A. RAB27A and MYRIP also associated with motile small vesicles of unknown origin. The present results provide evidence from live RPE cells that the RAB27A-MYRIP-MYO7A complex functions in melanosome motility. They also demonstrate that RAB27A provides an essential link to the melanosome.


Order bases are a fundamental tool for linear algebra with polynomial coefficients. In particular, block Wiedemann methods are nowadays able to tackle large sparse matrix problems because they benefit from fast order basis algorithms. However, such fast algorithms suffer from two practical drawbacks: they are not designed for early termination and often require more knowledge on the input than necessary. In this paper, we propose an online algorithm for order basis which allows for both early termination and minimal input requirement while keeping quasi-optimal complexity in the order. Using this algorithm inside block Wiedemann methods leads to an improvement of their practical performance by a constant factor.


In two behavioral experiments, we explored effects of long-term musical training on the implicit processing of temporal structures (rhythm, non-rhythm and meter), manipulating deviance detection under different conditions. We used a task that did not require an explicit processing of the temporal aspect of stimuli, as this was irrelevant for the task. In Experiment 1, we investigated whether long-term musical training results in a superior processing of auditory rhythm, and thus boosts the detection of auditory deviants inserted within rhythmic compared to non-rhythmic auditory series. In Experiment 2, we focused on the influence of the metrical positions of a rhythmic series, and we compared musicians and non-musicians' responses to deviant sounds inserted on strong versus weak metrical positions. We hypothesized that musicians would show enhanced rhythmic processing as compared to non-musicians. Furthermore, we hypothesized that musicians' expectancy level would differ more across metrical positions compared to non-musicians. In both experiments, musicians were faster and more sensitive than non-musicians. Although both groups were overall faster and showed a higher sensitivity for the detection of deviants in rhythmic compared to non-rhythmic series (Experiment 1), only musicians were faster in the detection of deviants on strong positions compared to weak ones (Experiment 2). While rhythm modulates deviance processing also in non-musicians, specific effects of long-term musical training arise when a refined comparison of hierarchical metrical positions is considered. This suggests that long-term musical training enhances sensitivity to the metrical structure and improves temporal prediction mechanisms, even during implicit processing of meter.


The linkages between children's and adults' language abilities and psycho-social functioning are of increasing interest to psychiatry. Children and adolescents with specific language impairment (SLI) have a higher risk of developing a variety of psychiatric disorders. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the level of language used in peer communication at school – whether signed or spoken – is associated with psychosocial well-being in adolescents with hearing impairments. 53 students completed a battery of linguistic tests as well as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), which was also completed by their parents. The group of 34 children in mainstream education was compared to the group of 19 children in a segregated school for the deaf. The findings indicated that children's language abilities were impaired in comparison to published norms, which was particularly pronounced in segregated schools. Parents perceived their children to be in greater distress than published standards. In mainstream education, those with a higher level of spoken language had very few peer relationship problems, but considerably more in segregated schools. For those proficient in signed language, the converse was almost as significant. We conclude that peer relationship difficulties are related to language competence levels in the way children communicate at school. [1][2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]


This cross-sectional study is aimed at assessing the effects of opium use disorder (OUD) on attention, working memory, and information-processing speed. Thirty outpatients with OUD and 20 healthy controls (HCs) were assessed using a neuropsychological battery consisted of Auditory Verbal Learning Test-Revised (AVLT-R), Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R), Digit Forward and Backward Tests (DFT and DBT), and WAIS-R Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). The most affected cognitive functions in patients with OUD were detected by DBT and DSST. However, we found no significant difference between patients according to the route of administration. Within patients with OUD, DBT score was associated with opium use quantity (OUQ) (r = −0.385), and DBT (r = 0.483) and DSST (r = 0.542) scores were correlated with duration of use. Our findings indicated that working memory and information-processing speed are the most affected domains of cognitive functioning. DBT and DSST could be used as brief assessments in clinical settings to screen for cognitive deficits in patients with OUD.


Automatic extraction of product attribute-value pairs from unstructured text like product descriptions is an important problem for e-commerce companies. The attribute schema typically varies from one category of products (which will be referred as vertical) to another. This leads to extreme annotation efforts for training of supervised deep sequence labeling models such as LSTM-CRF, and consequently not enough labeled data for some vertical-attribute pairs. In this work, we propose a technique for alleviating this problem by using annotated data from related verticals in a multi-task learning framework. Our approach relies on availability of similar attributes (labels) in another related vertical. Our model jointly learns the similarity between attributes of the two verticals along with the model parameters for the sequence tagging model. The main advantage of our approach is that it does not need any prior annotation of attribute similarity. Our system has been tested with datasets of size more than 10000 from a large e-commerce company in India. We perform detailed experiments to show that our method indeed increases the macro-F1 scores for attribute value extraction in general, and for labels with low training data in particular. We also report top labels from other verticals that contribute towards learning of particular labels.