Types of melter feed materials affect glass production rates. This study focuses on the effects of alumina sources on melting behavior of high-alumina high-level-waste melter feeds containing different alumina sources, namely, gibbsite, boehmite, and corundum. The heat flow from the glass melt to the cold cap, a floating layer of the reacting feed, is partially hindered by a foam layer at the bottom of the cold cap. Volume expansion tests and thermoanalytical methods revealed that a slow-melting feed with corundum foamed extensively, whereas a fast-melting feed with boehmite had a low reaction heat and produced less stable foam. The foam thickness, a critical factor for the rate of melting, estimated using the relationship between the heat conductivity and foam porosity was in reasonable agreement with experimental observation.


To ensure the safe and stable operation of wind farms, it is necessary to monitor the various operation parameters real-time. This paper introduces the Embedded Web Server technology; using DSP+ARM double CPU structure, designs and realizing the wind farm remote monitoring system based on the Embedded Web Server. This system also realizes the dynamic interaction and multiple user authentications for the establishment and improvement of the Boa server. The client can remotely monitor the wind farm's electric parameters and environmental parameters in real-time through the browser. This system fully meets the requirements by field and the remote testing.


This paper describes signal-processing techniques for the recognition of speech phonemes by machine. An attempt has been made to employ, wherever useful, basic processing functions of the human auditory system. These basic functions include neural interconnections and the mechanical transfer functions of the receptor organs. The neural interconnections bave been simulated by the use of neural logic. The purpose of this paper is to describe the logic networks that have been developed for the abstraction of speech features.


We present VolCE, a tool for computing and estimating the size of the solution space of SMT(LA) constraints. VolCE supports the SMT-LIB format. It integrates SMT solving with volume computation/estimation and integer solution counting for convex polytopes. Several effective techniques are adopted, which enable the tool to deal with high-dimensional problem instances efficiently.


The development of optical fiber temperature sensor in recent years, promoting the development of temperature measurement on line. For example, temperature monitoring in the high-voltage power system equipment to monitor the operational status of their security operation and it plays a decisive role in life too. The system uses semiconductor absorption optical fiber temperature sensor to measure temperature, the range of the temperature measurement at 20°C to 175°C.


SiO2-Supported Fe-NbN catalysts were prepared by temperature programmed reaction (TPR) method from Fe-Nb/SiO2 oxide precursor under a N2-H2 gas stream. As raising the intermediate temperature-maintaining (ITM) step temperature during the TPR, Fe species in the Fe-Nb/SiO2 catalyst was reduced to zero-valent, confirmed by Fe K-edge XAFS analysis. Although the Fe-Fe coordination number increased by elevating ITM temperature, the size of Fe cluster was still small. The Nb-N coordination number became larger, as higher the ITM temperature. The reduced Fe species effectively assisted the nitridation process of Nb.


In this paper, a time-domain model of wavelength shifting in a semiconductor layer with a constant stimulated gain level and moving Bragg grating of permittivity is used to investigate Doppler conversion of an infrared (f/sub 0/=200 THz) ultrashort (0.4-ps width) optical pulse. Simulations of the electromagnetic-field evolution show that the high drift velocity of carriers in InGaAsP can produce at least 1-THz conversion span. The optical power of the converted pulse can be as much as 20% of the power in the initial pulse. The backscattered pulses and pulses transmitted through the semiconductor layer depend dramatically on the permittivity modulation depth and length of the layer. It has been demonstrated that the length of the semiconductor layer can be optimized to produce strong converted pulses of short duration.


Identifying security patches via code commits to allow early warnings and timely fixes for Open Source Software (OSS) has received increasing attention. However, the existing detection methods can only identify the presence of a patch (i.e., a binary classification) but fail to pinpoint the vulnerability type. In this work, we take the first step to categorize the security patches into fine-grained vulnerability types. Specifically, we use the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) as the label and perform fine-grained classification using categories at the third level of the CWE tree. We first formulate the task as a Hierarchical Multi-label Classification (HMC) problem, i.e., inferring a path (a sequence of CWE nodes) from the root of the CWE tree to the node at the target depth. We then propose an approach named TreeVul with a hierarchical and chained architecture, which manages to utilize the structure information of the CWE tree as prior knowledge of the classification task. We further propose a tree structure aware and beam search based inference algorithm for retrieving the optimal path with the highest merged probability. We collect a large security patch dataset from NVD, consisting of 6,541 commits from 1,560 GitHub OSS repositories. Experimental results show that Tree-vulsignificantly outperforms the best performing baselines, with improvements of 5.9%, 25.0%, and 7.7% in terms of weighted F1-score, macro F1-score, and MCC, respectively. We further conduct a user study and a case study to verify the practical value of TreeVul in enriching the binary patch detection results and improving the data quality of NVD, respectively.


Dissolved arsenic concentrations in the Ganges, Brahmaputra Rivers and confluence of these two rivers show important seasonal variations and maximum arsenic concentrations are observed during the monsoon season (July–October). These seasonal variations of dissolved arsenic concentrations were closely related to intense river-water discharge during the monsoon season with high arsenic-rich suspended particulate matter (SPM) loads. These arsenic-rich SPM mainly are primarily originated from erosion of agricultural land in upstream region irrigated with arsenic contaminated shallow groundwater and to some extent weathering of bed rocks. Considerable amount of iron and manganese enriched SPM adsorbs arsenic and increased water temperature in the summer accelerates microbially-mediated reduction of arsenic (V) to more soluble arsenic (III). Additionally, dissolution of solid arsenic-bearing mineral phases also attributes to high arsenic concentrations in water and causes seasonal variations. It is realized that the SPM of these two major rivers primarily controls the arsenic inputs into the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta system. The cycling of arsenic in this delta is related to the monsoon seasonal dynamics, land use patterns and biogeochemical processes. Keywords: Arsenic; Ganges; Brahmaputra; Seasonal variation; Bangladesh. © 2012 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v4i1.7820 J. Sci. Res. 4 (1), 65-75 (2012)


It is shown that the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse C+ of an r-circulant matrix C is always the conjugate transpose of an r-circulant matrix. In addition, necessary and sufficient conditions are given for C+ to be an s-circulant matrix. Finally, a method for calculating C+ is given.


A critical task of well-logging interpretation is to differentiate oil-gas-water layers. Other approaches based on data exploration and low recognition rate are difficult to generalize oil-gas-water layers identification because of the high moisture content in the later period of development. In this research we utilize evolutionary neural networks to build the interpreting model of oil-gas-water layers and extracting well-logging parameters. By using an evolutionary neural network method to recognize reservoir stratum, it can efficiently distinguish oil-gas-water layers.


Malaria has been treated for over 350 years with quinine and quinine-derived drugs. However, in several areas of the world, some strains of the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum have developed resistance against these drugs. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of artemisinin-combination treatments (ACT) as the first-line treatment for multidrug-resistant falciparum malaria. The WHO estimates that current supplies of artemisinin are sufficient for only 30 million ACT, and is foreseeing the need for 130–220 million ACT in 2005 (WHO, 2004). Current research on the production of synthetic artemisinin-like compounds by the Roll Back Malaria project, pharmaceutical companies and academia resulted in a promising synthetic artemisinin-like compound (OZ277) which is currently undergoing phase I clinical trials. In about 5 years this drug is expected to be approved and made available to the public, however, meeting current global demands for ACT depends on the immediate availability of affordable artemisinin-derived drugs. This will involve expansion of the area under cultivation of Artemisia annua and improved methods of cultivation and processing of raw material, associated with more efficient methods for extraction and purification of artemisinin from plant material. This review addresses the agricultural, environmental and genetic aspects that may be useful in the successful large-scale cultivation of A. annua and for producing the antimalarial artemisinin in areas where it is urgently needed today. It also includes geographic aspects (latitude and altitude), which will help make decisions about crop establishment in tropical countries, and includes a list of Good Agricultural and Collection Practices for A. annua.


In software testing, different testings are found. Software Testing using mutants is called as mutation testing. The impact of software testing on software maintenance is problematic and is of great weightage. So the need for identification of mutants different operator is necessary and this process is called u-java testing. Various techniques are proposed, that are quite efficient in providing   and finding mutants in different viewer .The approaches mainly followed for clone detection are comparison based on text and token based approach. These techniques take a huge amount of time and the process of comparison is very tedious and expensive. Moreover tree based techniques are very complex. The present study addresses a proposed approach which can be applied as byte code  to reduce the complexity encountered with the previous techniques .Test sets are designed in order to run mutants and  analyse uses byte code to calculate killed mutants. The reason of using byte code is that it is platform independent and represents the unified structure of the code. So the proposed approach also detected semantic mutants up to some extent. This approach can be used independently and it can be combined with other approaches to detect mutants


Data with missing covariate values but fully observed binary outcomes are an important subset of the missing data challenge. Common approaches are complete case analysis (CCA) and multiple imputation (MI). While CCA relies on missing completely at random (MCAR), MI usually relies on a missing at random (MAR) assumption to produce unbiased results. For MI involving logistic regression models, it is also important to consider several missing not at random (MNAR) conditions under which CCA is asymptotically unbiased and, as we show, MI is also valid in some cases. We use a data application and simulation study to compare the performance of several machine learning and parametric MI methods under a fully conditional specification framework (MI‐FCS). Our simulation includes five scenarios involving MCAR, MAR, and MNAR under predictable and nonpredictable conditions, where "predictable" indicates missingness is not associated with the outcome. We build on previous results in the literature to show MI and CCA can both produce unbiased results under more conditions than some analysts may realize. When both approaches were valid, we found that MI‐FCS was at least as good as CCA in terms of estimated bias and coverage, and was superior when missingness involved a categorical covariate. We also demonstrate how MNAR sensitivity analysis can build confidence that unbiased results were obtained, including under MNAR‐predictable, when CCA and MI are both valid. Since the missingness mechanism cannot be identified from observed data, investigators should compare results from MI and CCA when both are plausibly valid, followed by MNAR sensitivity analysis.


The concepts of `wavevector star channel' and `wavevector star channel group' are newly defined, which allow the effective study of phase transitions considering directly the translational symmetry breaking in crystals. A method is suggested by which the wavevector star channels can be found using the image of the representation of the translational group. According to this method, the wavevector star channels are found for the 80 Lifschitz stars in the reciprocal lattice. The wavevector star channel group is defined as the set of symmetry elements of the parent phase which leave the star channel invariant, and the wavevector star channel groups with one, two, three and four arms are calculated. It is shown that the complicated symmetry changes in the pyroelectric crystal Pb1-xCaxTiO3 (PCT) can be described using the new five-component reducible order parameter transformed according to the representation of the wavevector star channel group, rather than the nine-component one based on the theory of the full irreducible representation of the space group.


The authors present a case of intranasal schwannoma with extension into the intracranial compartment. Computed tomographic findings are presented, and a combined intranasal and subfrontal operative approach is described. The pathology, origin, and clinical characteristics of intranasal schwannomas are reviewed.


1 The present study examined the role of muscarinic receptors in the modulation of noradrenaline (NA) release in the guinea-pig isolated distal colon. The spontaneous endogenous NA overflow assayed by HPLC-ED was taken as an index of NA release from enteric noradrenergic nerve terminals. 2 Physostigmine (10 microM) significantly enhanced spontaneous endogenous NA overflow. Hyoscine (muscarinic antagonist), (R)-(-)-trihexyphenidyl and telenzepine (M1-selective antagonists), and 11[[2-[(diethylamino)methyl]-1-piperydil]acetyl]-5,11 -dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,4]benzodiazepine-6-one (AF-DX 116, M2-selective antagonist) inhibited NA overflow in a concentration dependent manner, with the following EC50 values: 131.74 (18.19-953.96), 101.62 (58.83-175.60), 150 (60-330), 30 (5-170) nM, respectively. 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP, M1- and M3-selective antagonist) had no significant effect up to 100 microM. 3 The muscarinic agonist oxotremorine inhibited NA overflow in a concentration dependent manner, with an EC50 value of 0.67 (0.30-1.51) microM. The response to oxotremorine was inhibited by muscarinic antagonists with the following order of potency: hyoscine = (R)-(-)-trihexyphenidyl = telenzepine > 4-DAMP >> AF-DX 116. 4 In the presence of 3 microM tetrodotoxin (TTX), the effect of oxotremorine and 4-DAMP was unchanged, while hyoscine, (R)-(-)-trihexyphenidyl, telenzepine and AF-DX 116, instead of inhibiting, significantly enhanced NA overflow. 5 The present results indicate that, in the guinea-pig colon, endogenous acetylcholine sustains spontaneous NA release by activating muscarinic receptors possibly located on interneurones. In addition, inhibitory muscarinic receptors may exist on adrenergic terminals.


The authors consider the problem of enhancement and edge detection on noisy, real-world images. The restoration and edge detection framework is based on an autoregressive (AR) random-field model. An edge is detected if the first and second directional derivatives and a local estimate of the variance at each point satisfy certain criteria. When noise is present, a good estimate of the original from the noisy images improves the signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in better estimates of the directional derivatives. To avoid excessive computation, the problem of estimation of the original image and the model parameters is presented as a combination of a reduced-update Kalman filter and an adaptive-least-squares parameter estimation algorithm. The restoration process is completed with a min-max replacement scheme to enhance edge strength. An orientation-sensitive detector resulting from the use of an AR model may not detect edges of significantly different orientations. This is partially overcome by running four edge detectors on the four interior pixels of a 4*4 window; this corresponds to rotating the window in successive multiples of 90 degrees . Comparisons with R.M. Haralick's (1984) facet model edge detector, R. Nevatia and K.R. Babu's (1980) line finder, and J. Canny's (1986) edge detector are given. >


Environmental issues constitute continuous concern for governments, societies, and business organizations. Green supply chains emerged as a new approach that extends environmental responsibility of organizations throughout their entire supply chains. Despite the importance of green supply chains in alleviating environmental issues and providing economic benefits to organizations, little is known about green supply chains, especially in the context of Malaysia. This paper is an attempt to highlight steps to be taken by business organizations through green supply chain to make sustainable development a reality. Specifically the paper is interested to investigate the adoption of green supply chain initiatives. The survey data was obtained from ISO 14001 certified manufacturing firms in Malaysia. The survey was conducted using structured mail questionnaire directed to the environmental management representative (EMR) in each firm. The results show that expected business benefits have the greatest influence on green supply chain initiatives followed by regulations and customer pressures, and finally social responsibility. Green supply chain initiatives can play significant role in achieving the "triple bottom line" of social, environmental, and economic benefits and, therefore, contributing to sustainable development of the society.


Sri Lanka has a long history and culture of storytelling but the use of stories for transferring tacit knowledge is absent. This paper is the first to examine the application of orgnisational stories as a method of tacit-knowledge transfer management tool in the library domain. The study had two objectives; 1) To explore the potential of storytelling to transfer tacit knowledge from the Librarian to the junior executives. 2) To examine whether captured stories serve the pursuit of knowledge by the junior executives. Two research questions were formulated to achieve these objectives. The first research question (RQ1) How can the tacit knowledge of a retiring senior executive be captured through stories? was framed and addressed to achieve objective one and the second research question (RQ2) Can the captured "stories of work" benefit knowledge workers in their pursuit of tacit knowledge? was framed and addressed to achieve objective two. The study was based on primary data collected from the Librarian and executive staff of the Library by means of two Interview Schedules and the entire study was underpinned by an extensive review of research literature related to organizational storytelling. Qualitative as well as quantitative methods were used to analysis and interpretation data. The findings of the study proved in response to RQ1 that organizational stories can be captured using a six-step process and a story capturing model which could be used by the other researcher emerged from the research. Nevertheless, findings also established that the comprehensiveness of the tacit knowledge that could be captured through stories would depend on the degree of confidentiality of the contents of the stories. Therefore all stories could not be recorded as they are told. Responding to RQ2 the findings proved that, captured "stories of work" can be used for the benefit of knowledge workers in their pursuit of tacit knowledge. Based on these findings it was recommended that, the library should take initiatives to exploit the already prevailing habit of organizational storytelling in the library as a method of transferring tacit knowledge in a deliberated manner and for this several activities were recommended. The findings were based only on a single case, in a single organization carried out during a six-month period, within the boundaries of a specific organizational and social culture. Therefore additional case studies would be necessary to test the validity and reliability of the story capturing model. This research is the first of its kind carried out in the library domain of Sri Lanka. Therefore it provides significant insights on which future researchers can build their studies.


This survey of methods for assessing ocular hemodynamics in glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration is not complete, but it does cover those likely to be encountered in the literature. A fundamental problem in getting to grips with the ocular blood flow literature is the difficulty in comparing the results of similar studies employing different assessment techniques. As evident from the discussion above, each technique evaluates a portion of the ocular circulation in a distinct way. Some of the methods overlap with regard to the tissues that can be used for examination, while others are directed at entirely different parts of the ocular vasculature. Despite these difficulties, hemodynamic studies of glaucoma and AMD are likely to grow in importance. On the basis of accumulating epidemiological and clinical evidence, it is becoming apparent that intraocular pressure is not the sole etiological factor in glaucoma, and retinal pigment epithelium senescence is not the sole etiological factor in AMD. Circumstantial evidence of vascular involvement in glaucoma and AMD has now been bolstered by experimental evidence. If the current pace of refinement of newly established technologies for evaluating ocular blood flow is maintained, they will soon be ready for deployment in the clinic. The only problem is the availability of expensive instruments and trained personnel. The ultimate beneficiaries of work in this area will not be researchers, but patients.


Recording and publication of financial reports to the public is something that must be done by companies going public. Timely publication can maintain the relevance and reliability of information in financial reports, so that it can be useful in making decisions. Companies in Indonesia still have problems publishing financial reports in a timely manner, delays in publication occur due to audit report lag, which is the time for public accountants to carry out the audit process from closing books to publication of financial reports. The population of this study are mining companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2020-2021. Data analysis in this research is descriptive statistical test, classic assumption test, multiple regression analysis, hypothesis testing, and coefficient of determination test. The results of the study stated that profitability had no effect on audit report lag, while company size and financial distress had an effect on audit report lag.


Objective To investigate the impact of different stages of intrauterine inflammation (IUI) on neonatal outcomes, before and after adjusting for gestational age (GA) and other perinatal confounders. Methods This was an observational, prospective, single-center cohort study including all eligible neonates with GA < 35 weeks and/or birth weight ≤ 1500 g born at a 3rd level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between 2011 and 2014. Pathological patterns of placenta, membranes and cord were classified according to Redline's criteria. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were applied, either including or not GA among the covariates. Results Of the 807 enrolled neonates, 134 (16.6%) had signs of IUI: among these, 54.5% showed just histological chorioamnionitis (HCA), 25.4% had HCA + funisitis (FUN) stage 1, and 20.1% had HCA + FUN stage 2–3. At univariate analysis, HCA increased the risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, while FUN (any stage) had a deleterious impact on all outcomes investigated. After adjustment for covariates not including GA, HCA was a risk factor only for ROP (OR = 2.8, CI: 1–7.8), while FUN (any stage) was still associated with increased ORs for all outcomes (p <0.01). Upon inclusion of GA in the regression model, the results differed remarkably. HCA was associated with lower risk for mechanical ventilation (OR = 0.3, CI: 0.1–0.7) and need for surfactant (OR = 0.5, CI: 0.2–0.9), while FUN (any stage) worsened clinical conditions at birth (p <0.05), increased the risk for early-onset sepsis (p <0.01), and increased the length of mechanical ventilation (FUN stage 2–3 only, RC = 6.5 days, CI: 2–11). No other outcome was affected. Conclusions IUI, especially FUN, negatively impact most neonatal morbidities, but its effect is partially reverted adjusting for GA. Considered that GA is an intermediate variable interposed between prenatal causes of prematurity and outcomes, the appropriateness of adjusting for GA may be questionable.


Abstract For Catholic missionaries in the early twentieth century, the only way to achieve true conversion of Timorese ancestral ritualists was the deliberate destruction of sacred lulik houses. Although Timorese allegedly participated enthusiastically in this destruction, lulik (a term commonly translated as sacred, proscribed, holy, or taboo) remains a key part of ritual practice today. This article offers a dynamic historical analysis of what may be described as a particular form of Southeast Asian animism, examining how people's relationships with sacred powers have changed in interaction with Catholic missionaries. It links the inherent ambivalence of endogenous occult powers to religious and historical transformations, teasing out the unintended consequences of the missionaries' attempts to eradicate and demonize lulik. Comparing historical and ethnographic data from the center of East Timor, it argues that, contrary to the missionaries' intentions, the cycles of destruction, withdrawal, and return that characterized mission history ended up strengthening lulik. Inspired by anthropological studies of "taboo" and "otherness," especially the work of Mary Douglas and Valerio Valeri, this article makes visible the transformation of the sacred in relation to outside agents: when relations with foreign powers were productive, the positive sides of lulik as a source of wealth and authority were brought out; yet when outsiders posed a threat, the dangerous and threatening aspects of lulik were accentuated. This analysis allows us to highlight the relational dimensions of sacred powers and their relation to ongoing social transformations.


A CMOS analog front-end which contains a novel pulse-shaping circuit, an extremely linear-line-driver state, an oversampling second-order noise-shaping coder, and a wake-up signal detector is discussed. An analog front-end for 4B 3T coded signals is realized in a 2.5- mu m CMOS technology and operates up to 4.5 km with 0.4-mm-diameter lines, needing only one 5-V power supply. It is possible to transmit 2B 1Q coded signals also, using a modified pulse-shaping circuit. >


Abstract This article argues that medieval Arabic texts that were published in colonial northern Africa constitute as much a part of the history of colonialism and its legacy as that of the medieval centuries in which they were written. Using the publication history of a medieval Ibadi text and its French translations, I demonstrate how texts like it were edited, translated, and published not only for academic purposes, but also as contributions to the production of 'useful' colonial knowledge in Algeria. I begin with the first translation, published in 1878 alongside other ethnographic and historical studies funded by the colonial state. I then turn to the second translation, serially published between 1960–2 as its editors abandoned the country at the violent end of the colonial period. Finally, I address the Arabic editions published after independence, which recast it within a nationalist framework. Overall, I argue for the importance of addressing the colonial pasts of medieval texts in northern Africa.


Data mining is an analytical method for revealing the implicit internal relations among the data elements, and is also widely used in the field of acupuncture and moxibustion of traditional Chinese medicine. However, there exist some significant deficits in the rationality of design and implementation, preciseness, repeatability, comprehensiveness, objectivity and depth of insights in some current acupuncture data mining researches. In the present paper, we summarized the literature on acupuncture data mining published in the past five years, and analyzed their common shortcomings in the design, implementation and reporting process, including too broad research scope, fuzzy and limited descriptions about the inclusion criteria, not definite retrieval scope and strategy, rarely seen original researches about the assessment of the report quality, lack of detailed descriptions about the literature screening and data processing procedure, incomplete narration about the research outcomes and their clinical significance, and lack of comprehensiveness and subjectiveness and available coping strategies in the discussion of the research papers, etc., in order to promote the improvement of literature methodology and quality of acupuncture data mining research, and then improve the reliability and clinical reference value of such research results.


Hepatocyte nuclear factor 3 gamma (HNF-3 gamma) is an important transcription factor for the maintenance of specific liver functions. However, its relevance in the expression of human cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes has not yet been explored. Several HNF3 putative binding sites can be identified in human CYP2C 5'-flanking regions. Gene reporter experiments with proximal promoters revealed that HNF-3 gamma transactivated CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 (25-, 4-, and 4-fold, respectively), but it did not transactivate CYP2C18. However, overexpression of HNF-3 gamma in hepatoma cells by means of a recombinant adenovirus induced CYP2C9, CYP2C18, and CYP2C19 mRNA (4.5-, 20-, and 50-fold, respectively) but did not activate endogenous CYP2C8. The lack of effect of HNF-3 gamma on endogenous CYP2C8 could be reversed by treating cells with the deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A, suggesting the existence of chromatin condensation around functional HNF3 elements in this gene. We conclude that HNF3 gamma is an important transcription factor for the hepatic-specific expression of human CYP2C genes. Our results also evidence that efficient transfection tools, such as adenoviral vectors, may be decisive for assessing the role of transcription factor on chromatin organized genes.


Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the abdominal fat pad is considered to be a minimally invasive procedure for diagnosing systemic amyloidosis. However, this procedure is sometimes difficult and can be dangerous for elderly patients whose abdominal fat layer is thin because of malnutrition. In such cases, alternative diagnostic methods are required. We report three elderly patients with heart failure complicated by malnutrition. In all cases, electrocardiogram showed low voltage in the limb leads and a pseudoinfarct pattern in the chest leads, and echocardiography showed left ventricular wall thickening with granular sparkling appearance. These patients were suspected of having amyloid cardiomyopathy but could not undergo myocardial biopsies because of their poor conditions. After failed attempts at biopsy of the abdominal fat pad or the other organs, subcutaneous fat tissue biopsy over the hip led to the diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy. The resultant diagnosis guided us to choose the appropriate treatment for the patients. This article illustrates that subcutaneous fat tissue biopsy of the hip could be a useful procedure for diagnosing systemic amyloidosis in elderly patients, particularly when a fat tissue biopsy of the abdomen is associated with a high risk of complications because of malnutrition.


CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2008 Abstracts

Abstract #3055

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 1 (PPARγ1) is a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily and is over expressed in breast cancer compared to human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC). Although synthetic ligands of PPARγ have been reported to mediate differentiation, inhibit proliferation, and induce apoptosis of cancer cells in culture it remains unclear whether these are mediated through PPARγ or by off target effects. Furthermore, the controversial nature of these studies and the disappointing results from clinical trials raise questions about the efficacy of these drugs in treating breast cancer. Recent work from our lab and others suggests that targeting the expression or endogenous transactivation of PPARγ represents a novel strategy in the treatment of breast cancer. We have previously demonstrated that the increase in PPARγ1 expression in seen in breast cancer cells is driven by a tumor-specific promoter. Furthermore, we have identified the myc-associated zinc finger protein (MAZ) as a critical mediator of PPARγ1 expression in these cells. In this study, we further demonstrated the significance of MAZ in the transcriptional regulation of PPARγ1 and confirmed that high expression of PPARγ1 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells is MAZ dependent. Additionally, using RNA interference (RNAi) techniques to knockdown PPARγ1 or MAZ or driving the expression of a dominant negative form of PPARγ1 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, we demonstrated that blocking the expression of either protein resulted in reduced cellular proliferation and enhanced apoptosis. These findings suggest that in the absence of any exogenous ligand an increase in PPARγ1 signaling, driven at least in part by MAZ, contributes to an imbalance between proliferation and apoptosis, and may be an important mediator or of breast cancer progression. These results also highlight the need to understand the molecular mechanisms that drives tumor specific expression of PPARγ1 and development pure antagonist as a therapeutic treatment of this devastating disease.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 3055.


Depression in adolescence is a major public health problem that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A large number of clinically depressed adolescents still are unrecognized and untreated. This chapter provides pediatricians with useful guidelines for recognizing and managing adolescent depression in a primary care setting.


An analytic estimate has been made of the optimal parameters of a pulsed cold secondary-emission cathode magnetron operating at a frequency of 32 GHz with anode voltage of 8 kV and magnetic field of 0.4 T. The magnetron interaction space geometry facilitates the interplay of electrons and the microwave-field of the 1-st space harmonic of π-mode oscillations. The numerical experiment involving the use of a 3-D model has been performed to see whether the magnetrons with analytically specified parameters are capable of operating required energy characteristics. We have provided ample evidence of the opportunity to engineer the type of a magnetron, which can be efficiently operated with relatively lower anode voltages, acceptable magnetic field, energy parameter and maximum lifetime. All these operational features will open new fields of applications in mariner radar transmitters. Specifically, they will be able to address a series of specific problems at surveillance stations and to monitor the movements of small-size above-water objects, navigational aspects of high-speed hydrofoil vessels, ground-effect crafts. In addition, all the above features will beneficial in terms of piloting all kinds of vessels in the open waters close to the ports' coastal areas where the navigation traffic is heavy.


CTAPMS is an electronic system designed in this work to monitor the air pressure inside pneumatic tyres on various types of vehicles. A crucial issue in monitoring air pressures of a tyre was most users are too lazy and do not check their car tyre condition daily or before starting a journey. As an assist device for the user to monitor their car air tyre pressure daily, this project has developed the CTAPMS using a BMP180 sensor and Node MCU 8266 microcontroller board. Based on the system, the measured car air tyre pressure can be visualized from the ThingSpeak IoT platform through a smartphone. The performance of the developed system has been validated through a series of experimental works. The result indicates a reliable measurement with an error of less than 10% as compare to the existing system. Further, this product will be commercialized for future use.


[Background] Non-myeloablative regimens have been proven to allow engraftment following allogeneic stem cells transplantation with minimal procedure-related toxicity and lower costs. Cord blood has emerged as an appealing alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells for unrelated donor transplantation, but delayed engraftment and frequent transfusion were reported. No studies have formally evaluated the cost of reduced-intensity cord blood transplantation (RICBT). [Purpose] To evaluate the relationship among costs, baseline patient characteristics, and major complications of RICBT, we performed an economic analysis of data in a clinical trial of RICBT for hematologic diseases at a single institution. [Patients and Methods] Ninety-three patients with hematological diseases (median age, 55y; range, 17–79: median body weight, 53kg; range, 38–75) underwent RICBT from March 2002 to May 2004 in Toranomon Hospital. Mean follow-up period was 77 days (range, 13–863). Data on resource use, including hospitalizations, medical procedures, medications, and diagnostic tests, were abstracted from subjects' clinical trial records. Resources were valued using the Japanese national insurance reimbursement system for inpatient costs at one hospital and average wholesale prices for medications. Monthly costs were calculated and stratified by treatment group and clinical phase. [Results] The median initial inpatient cost was $80,400 (range, 41,300–154,700). When baseline variables were considered, disease status was significant predictor of costs. When clinical events were considered, in-hospital death was associated with higher costs. The mean length of total inpatient days was 78 days (range, 31–222), and the mean length of inpatient days post transplant was 51 days (range, 15–131). The mean units of transfused RBC, Platelet, and FFP were 27u, 224u, and 27u, respectively. [Discussion] This study firstly demonstrates that the cost of RICBT was much higher as compared to previous RIST using peripheral blood or bone marrow. RICBT is an attractive therapy, however, economic problem lies before prevalence of RICBT. The increased numbers of transfusions and supportive care would have effects on costs. The association between mortality and higher costs suggest that prevention of clinical complication may have significant economic benefits. Interventions that decrease these complications may have favorable cost-benefit ratios, and will be the focus of future investigation.


Cape Wagtails Motacilla capensis have been identified as a species susceptible to infection by the mite Knemidokoptes jamaicensis, but the processes influencing infection rates and prevalence have not been studied. We assessed the mite infection level of 117 Cape Wagtails captured during the 2005 breeding season on Dassen Island, South Africa, analysed mite infection as functions of morphometrics and fat, and compared prevalence to other sites. Knemidokoptic mite infection was found in 42% of wagtails, which was more than double the prevalences reported for conspecifics on the mainland, and high compared to other host species. Mite infection of birds captured on the island was explored graphically against the morphometrics of individuals using cubic splines. Formal statistics were then applied using generalised linear mixed models, with observation and unique ring number as random effects within a two-level hierarchical mixed binomial model, and the fixed explanatory morphometric data being natural log-transformed. Morphometric data supported the idea that larger individuals were more likely to exhibit signs of mite infection. Possible contributing factors to this high percentage of mite-infected wagtails are discussed, with one possibility being that the low levels of predation on the island allow larger individuals to carry the cost of mite infection.


The utilization of installed power capacity of internal combustion engines (ICE) in motive power units (especially in shunting locomotives and locomotives for industrial transport) is very low. The mean output of ICE in this operational mode is about 15 - 20 % of its installed power. The result is that most of the time the internal combustion engine works in regimes that are far from optimum mode. It means that specific fuel consumption is high. Some examples of measured operational regimes of locomotives in shunting operation and other motive power units are given in the paper. Kinetic energy of a classic diesel locomotive as well as the DMUs and trains is transformed into thermal energy during braking process. Normally it is not possible to utilize this kinetic energy in a reasonable way. In order to improve fuel economy, the kinetic energy of train should be transformed into a suitable form and stored for subsequent use. The improvement can be achieved by using of the unconventional traction drive of rail vehicles. One of possible ways is using of the hybrid traction drive. The hybrid drive includes the ICE, generator, traction motors and the energy storage device. In this case the output of ICE can be substantially lower than in the classic traction. The parameters of such traction drive must be based on analysis of real operational regimes of vehicles. There are other ways how to save fuel on railway vehicles, e.g. by better utilization of heat released from the fuel or using of solar energy.


Continuous rise in population levels in the developing world and servicing this need for housing on a large scale should be carried out in a sustainable manner. This has led to green building rating agencies to publish separate rating systems, particularly for the residential and housing sector. This review study aims at comparing two such green building rating systems of the housing sector. CASBEE for homes (Detached Houses) is chosen, as Japan being a developed island nation although having its own problems with regards to lack of housing space for its growing population and constant tectonic activities has come up with unique solutions to these problems that can be adopted in countries with similar issues. IGBC Green Homes being a vastly adopted rating system of the housing sector is compared to CASBEE to have an idea about the shortcomings of each rating system. The green building industry in both countries and the history of sustainable architecture is compared to give a look into the reasons behind adopting green building rating systems. The supporting regulatory framework of both countries along with the method of implementation of the systems is compared. Finally the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of each rating system are reviewed. This study provides some insight into the gaps present in both systems, and can be used while developing an add-on to the rating systems to ensure that all aspects of sustainability are covered while planning for the new development.


OBJECTIVE
To study the association of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms (BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI) with susceptibility to Graves disease (GD) in Egyptian patients and their correlation with serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25(OH)2D3].

METHODS
The current study consisted of 90 patients with GD (65 women and 25 men), with ages ranging from 25 to 55 years. A control group of 55 healthy euthyroid subjects (40 women and 15 men) with matched ages were included in the study. Genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D3 were measured with use of radioimmunoassay in the patients and the control subjects.

RESULTS
The distribution of genotype frequencies differed significantly between patients with GD and control subjects (BsmI: χ² = 10.627, P = .004; ApaI: χ² = 12.581, P = .001; TaqI: χ² = 9.591, P = .008). We found overexpression of the VDR BsmI "bb" (odds ratio, 2.360; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 4.996), ApaI "aa" (odds ratio, 2.785; 95% CI, 1.116 to 6.933), and TaqI "TT" (odds ratio, 3.047; 95% CI, 1.478 to 6.283) genotypes in patients with GD in comparison with control subjects. In contrast, no correlation was observed with respect to the 1,25(OH)2D3 levels with BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI genotypes (P>.05) on the analysis of variance test.

CONCLUSION
These data suggested that BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI polymorphisms in the VDR gene were associated with susceptibility to GD, whereas BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI polymorphisms were not associated with serum levels of 1,25(OH)2D3.


Visual cognitive function is important to build up executive function in daily life. Perception of visual Number form (e.g., Arabic digit) and numerosity (magnitude of the Number) is of interest to cognitive neuroscientists. Neural correlates and the functional measurement of Number representations are complex occurrences when their semantic categories are assimilated with other concepts of shape and colour. Colour perception can be processed further to modulate visual cognition. The Ishihara pseudoisochromatic plates are one of the best and most common screening tools for basic red-green colour vision testing. However, there is a lack of study of visual cognitive function assessment using these pseudoisochromatic plates. We recruited 25 healthy normal trichromat volunteers and extended these studies using a 128-sensor net to record event-related EEG. Subjects were asked to respond by pressing Numbered buttons when they saw the Number and Non-number plates of the Ishihara colour vision test. Amplitudes and latencies of N100 and P300 event related potential (ERP) components were analysed from 19 electrode sites in the international 10-20 system. A brain topographic map, cortical activation patterns and Granger causation (effective connectivity) were analysed from 128 electrode sites. No major significant differences between N100 ERP components in either stimulus indicate early selective attention processing was similar for Number and Non-number plate stimuli, but Non-number plate stimuli evoked significantly higher amplitudes, longer latencies of the P300 ERP component with a slower reaction time compared to Number plate stimuli imply the allocation of attentional load was more in Non-number plate processing. A different pattern of asymmetric scalp voltage map was noticed for P300 components with a higher intensity in the left hemisphere for Number plate tasks and higher intensity in the right hemisphere for Non-number plate tasks. Asymmetric cortical activation and connectivity patterns revealed that Number recognition occurred in the occipital and left frontal areas where as the consequence was limited to the occipital area during the Non-number plate processing. Finally, the results displayed that the visual recognition of Numbers dissociates from the recognition of Non-numbers at the level of defined neural networks. Number recognition was not only a process of visual perception and attention, but it was also related to a higher level of cognitive function, that of language.


Various speckle-based computational imaging techniques that exploit the ability of scattering media to transfer hidden information into the speckle pattern have recently been demonstrated. Current implementations suffer from several drawbacks associated with the use of conventional scattering media (CSM), such as their time-consuming characterization, instability with time, and limited memory-effect range. Here we show that by using a random dielectric metasurface diffuser (MD) with known scattering properties, many of these issues can be addressed. We experimentally demonstrate an imaging system with the ability to retrieve complex field values using a MD and the speckle-correlation scattering matrix method. We explore the mathematical properties of the MD transmission matrix such as its correlation and singular value spectrum to expand the understanding about both MDs and the speckle-correlation scattering matrix approach. In addition to a large noise tolerance, reliable reproducibility, and robustness against misalignments, using the MD allows us to substitute the laborious experimental characterization procedure of the CSM with a simple simulation process. Moreover, dielectric MDs with identical scattering properties can easily be mass-produced, thus enabling real-world applications. Representing a bridge between metasurface optics and speckle-based computational imaging, this work paves the way to extending the potentials of diverse speckle-based computational imaging methods for various applications such as biomedical imaging, holography, and optical encryption.


This study aims to determine the influence of company size and profitability on dividend policy and to determine the factors that most strongly influence the dividend policy on manufacturing companies. The population in this study is a manufacturing company that is listed on the indonesia stock exchange in 2007-2012, while the sample in this study only uses 30 manufacturing companies.Data analysis tool used multiple linear regression and hypothesis testing perfomed by t test, F test and derterminasi coeffisecient (R2). Based on the result of the study it was concluded that the profitability and firm size has a significant influence on the partial and simultaneous dividend policy on manufacturing companies. Profitability and size of the company dividend policy has a strong positive relationship that can be seen from the value of the correlation coefficient. Profitability and firm size has major contribution to the company's dividend policy on manufacturing. Keywords: Dividend policy, profitability, size of company


"Social justice is included in the mission of God to redeem and restore humanity. While in the early years evangelicals viewed social justice with suspicion, considering it subordinate to evangelism, since the second half of the 20th century, social justice has gained momentum among evangelical Christians who have become favorable to a more holistic approach to mission. William Carey had already set the tone in the 19th century as his work in India included missiological responses to social justice concerns. Other more recent and similarly mission-focused social advocacy work followed, such as the Temperance Movement in early Adventism, the ongoing Enditnow campaign to end violence against women and girls, and the work of International Justice Mission, just to cite a few. However, a mission-focused social justice advocacy must be based on clear principles and guidelines. For example, one of PARL's methods or principles is this: "Just because we can say something, doesn't mean we have something to say" (PARL 2017). "As we determine on an ongoing basis the issues we will focus on, we keep in mind our relevant expertise, the level of unanimity of our members on a given issue, the level of resources already invested on a given issue, and whether speaking publicly in a specific instance is the best means to accomplish our goals (PARL 2017)."


Motivation: MiRNAs are a kind of small non-coding RNAs that are not translated into proteins, and aberrant expression of miRNAs is associated with human diseases. Since miRNAs have different roles in diseases, the miRNA-disease associations are categorized into multiple types according to their roles. Predicting miRNA-disease associations and types is critical to understand the underlying pathogenesis of human diseases from the molecular level. Results: In this paper, we formulate the problem as a link prediction in knowledge graphs. We use biomedical knowledge bases to build a knowledge graph of entities representing miRNAs and disease and multi-relations, and we propose a tensor decomposition-based model named TDRC to predict miRNA-disease associations and their types from the knowledge graph. We have experimentally evaluated our method and compared it to several baseline methods. The results demonstrate that the proposed method has high-accuracy and high-efficiency performances.


Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the leading causes of infectious disease morbidity and mortality in the world. Two of the most common etiological agents are Influenza B virus (IBV) and Human Rhinovirus (HRV). The IBV is responsible for about 25% of laboratory-documented influenza; meanwhile HRV is responsible for 33% to 50% of common cold cases in adults. Little is known about immunological biomarkers in the early stages of the infection caused by this RNA virus and their possible association with symptoms in those patients. The aim of this study was to identify miRNAs and their correlation with cytokines and clinical severity. Adult patients clinically diagnosed with ARI were sequentially recruited from Medical Service and University Hospital of Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon. The study was conducted with approval of the bioethics committee of the School of Medicine of the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon. Virus was detected by Luminex xTAG RVP kit, levels of nine miRNAs and twenty six plasma cytokines were analyzed by RT-qPCR and multiplex immunoassay, respectively. The severity of symptoms was daily monitored throughout seven days by surveys. The IBV-positive patients showed lower expression levels of miR-146, miR-16 and increased levels of CCL20 when compared with non-IBV. HRV/Enterovirus(EV)-positive patients showed lower expression levels of miR-132, miR-146 and miR-29. Expression levels of miRNAs and plasma cytokines correlated with symptoms severity in both patient groups. In conclusion, our findings suggest that blood miRNAs and plasma cytokines may regulate systemic immune response against IBV and HRV/EV and many of them may be associated with symptoms severity.


In this editorial review on the optimal antihypertensive treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, we start with the controversy triggered by Casas et al., for proposing a bitherapy optimal not only for nephroprotection, but also for global cardiovascular protection. The incidence of cardiovascular complications are indeed much greater than the occurrence of end stage renal disease (ESRD) in these patients, so that their prevention has at least the same priority. We explain the huge amount of discordant papers, on the basis of methodology deficiencies in the studies aiming at evidencing the truth of 2 antinomic concepts underlying this controversy: 1) "The correction by antihypertensive drugs of the cardiovascular risk excess in hypertensive patients is exclusively related to their blood pressure lowering effect, the optimal blood pressure (BP) level being defined by epidemiologists at 115/75 mmHg"; 2) "Independently of BP lowering effect, antihypertensive drugs may have intrinsic, protective or deleterious, renal and cardiovascular effects which may be variable according to the target organ". We think that truth is conciliating and that both mechanisms should not be exclusive. However more rigorous studies are still needed to evidence it. Meanwhile we propose the optimal therapy by hypokaliemic diuretics (thiazides+/-loop diuretics according to glomerular filtration decline)+inhibitors of the angiotensin AT1-receptor (ACE inhibitors or AT1RB), in preference to the association of dihydropyridines with diuretics. This recommendation is strong however, only for CKD patients with macroproteinuria. The priority that we give to diuretic therapy is based on the evidence that this class confers good prevention against both heart failure and strokes, which is not the case for all AT1-inhibitors and dihydropyridines. Furthermore the diuretics are the drugs with the longest antihypertensive effect (many weeks) and their efficiency in CKD patients is proportional to the sodium depletion they initially induce and therefore to the dose (specially of the loop diuretics). Indeed volemia control is an incontrovertible factor for optimal BP control in renal insufficiency. As regards the use of betablockers, they should no more be considered as first drug for hypertension because they have the strongest diabetogenic effect. They should be used selectively for their specific cardiologic indications such as angina, heart failure, arythmia and as substitute for ACEI or AT1RB when general anesthesia is considered. Regarding the choice between ACEI and AT(1)RB, on the basis of indirect comparisons, we think that the latter may grant a comparable cardiac protection while giving a better cerebral protection. We shall have to wait the results of ONTARGET study to have or not the evidence for this preference. Finally, we want to stress the necessity to individualize the treatment by taking into account coexistence of cardiovascular complications and of other diseases, as well as the tolerance of the treatment (which may be influenced by seasons, in particular the canicula one), and the cost of the drugs.


Purpose. To evaluate the reproductive indicators and exterior characteristics of the breeding brood stock of the Galician carp group at the original farms, namely farms "Korop" and "Dzherelo", State Enterprise "Lviv Experimental Station". Methodology. The study was conducted according to generally accepted methods in fish farming and breeding using statistical processing and data analysis. The productive features of the Galician carp were improved by the method of mass selection and directional selection. The tasks of the selection were to obtain a breeding stock of the Galician group, which will ensure the production of offspring with high individual weight in the first year of life. Findings. The age of maturity in brood Galician carp was 3-4 years in males and 4-5 years in females. After pituitary stimulation in the conditions of industrial reproduction, a positive reaction of the brood fish was established, which exceeded 92%. When forming breeding stocks of Galician carp in the first year of life, the intensity of selection was 15%. Directional selection on the basis of average individual weight started on the second year of life. The intensity of selection of age-1+ Galician carp group was 50%, then this parameter exceeded 85%. Reproduction of the Galician carp group occurred in spawning ponds and in industrial conditions. Working fertility of females was 1256.0 ± 132.80 thousand eggs, relative fertility - 127.5 ± 5.52 thousand eggs/kg, which was quite high in comparison with the Ukrainian framed carp. During the reproduction of Galician carp in ponds, the yield of three-day-old larvae from one nest amounted to 241 thousand individuals. According to the obtained data, based on the exterior indicators, the Galician carp group is characterized by a high-backed physique and fleshy structure, which is preserved throughout life. In view of the conducted study, the Galician carp group fully complies with the requirements of the Regulation on approbation of selection achievements in animal husbandry and can be submitted to the relevant authorities for consideration and approval as an intrabreed type of Ukrainian framed and scaly carp breeds. Originality. The analysis of reproductive indicators of the breeding brood stock of Galician carp will serve as a basis for the presentation of this group in the status of intrabreed type and its approval as a selection achievement. Practical value. The obtained results will contribute to the expansion of the Galician carp group both in the aquaculture of Ukraine and abroad. Breeding brood material as an object of selection will be involved in work with framed carp mixes. Key words: breeding, carp, inventory, grading, crossbreeding, organization of spawning, reproduction.


BackgroundThis study aimed to find prevalence of use of smart devices in children aged five years or less and associated factors in KuwaitMethodsA cross-sectional study of 964 parents conducted by distributing a questionnaire. Following the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for the smart devices use in children, our population was divided into two groups (less than 2 years old and 2-5 years old).Results Reported prevalence of use was 53.2% in children less than 2 years old and 86.3% in 2-5 years old. A significantly higher mean age of fathers was seen in children who used smart devices compared to those who did not in both age groups. The use of smart devices in children less than 2 years was significantly associated with Kuwaiti nationality, family income and governorate. In addition, the higher the family income, the more the use of smart devices. The highest use of smart devices was seen in Capital (60%) and Ahmadi (58.3%). While the lowest was seen in Jahra (30%). In both age groups, most of the parents who reported the smart devices use in their children knew that its use at early age might harm their child. ConclusionYoung children use of smart devices is prevalent in Kuwait. Campaigns need to be carried out to increase parents' knowledge about the potential risks of smart devices on children's brains and development.


Background—Loss-of-function mutations in Nav1.5 cause sodium channelopathies, including Brugada syndrome, dilated cardiomyopathy, and sick sinus syndrome; however, no effective therapy exists. MOG1 increases plasma membrane (PM) expression of Nav1.5 and sodium current (INa) density, thus we hypothesize that MOG1 can serve as a therapeutic target for sodium channelopathies. Methods and Results—Knockdown of MOG1 expression using small interfering RNAs reduced Nav1.5 PM expression, decreased INa densities by 2-fold in HEK/Nav1.5 cells and nearly abolished INa in mouse cardiomyocytes. MOG1 did not affect Nav1.5 PM turnover. MOG1 small interfering RNAs caused retention of Nav1.5 in endoplasmic reticulum, disrupted the distribution of Nav1.5 into caveolin-3–enriched microdomains, and led to redistribution of Nav1.5 to noncaveolin-rich domains. MOG1 fully rescued the reduced PM expression and INa densities by Nav1.5 trafficking–defective mutation D1275N associated with sick sinus syndrome/dilated cardiomyopathy/atrial arrhythmias. For Brugada syndrome mutation G1743R, MOG1 restored the impaired PM expression of the mutant protein and restored INa in a heterozygous state (mixture of wild type and mutant Nav1.5) to a full level of a homozygous wild-type state. Conclusions—Use of MOG1 to enhance Nav1.5 trafficking to PM may be a potential personalized therapeutic approach for some patients with Brugada syndrome, dilated cardiomyopathy, and sick sinus syndrome in the future.


This paper presents a fully convolutional scene graph generation (FCSGG) model that detects objects and relations simultaneously. Most of the scene graph generation frameworks use a pre-trained two-stage object detector, like Faster R-CNN, and build scene graphs using bounding box features. Such pipeline usually has a large number of parameters and low inference speed. Unlike these approaches, FCSGG is a conceptually elegant and efficient bottom-up approach that encodes objects as bounding box center points, and relationships as 2D vector fields which are named as Relation Affinity Fields (RAFs). RAFs encode both semantic and spatial features, and explicitly represent the relationship between a pair of objects by the integral on a sub-region that points from subject to object. FCSGG only utilizes visual features and still generates strong results for scene graph generation. Comprehensive experiments on the Visual Genome dataset demonstrate the efficacy, efficiency, and generalizability of the proposed method. FCSGG achieves highly competitive results on recall and zeroshot recall with significantly reduced inference time.


s : Assessment drives learning, For the past years, we have been using an Traditional oral exam i.e. one examiner or tow examiner taking oral examination of one student, as a part of the examination process for the First MBBS formative and summative assessment. There appears to be tremendous variation on what constitutes the "traditional" oral examination. Studies analyzing characteristics of oral examinations vary most often by format and number of examiners. Considering above pros and cons of traditional oral examination and on the basis of examiners' feedback, the new format of viva voce examination is started in the form of "Small Group Structured Oral Examination"(SGSOE). In SGSOE Students will be divided in the small group of 10 to 12 students in each group. They have to sit in chronological order in group. Two examiners will be assigned to group . For examination, according to roll no, they have to randomly select a chit from box. Than student has to give answer of main question mention in structured viva card of the topic Than rest of the students one by one, has to give answer of leading question related to that topic. after completion of Group Viva (GV) group of two examiner present at group viva will decides Marks, depending number of topic attend by all the students. Thus, It is one of the new exam systems designed to make an objective, valid and reliable assessment of different components of subject. [ Singel & Shah, NJIRM 2014; 5(1) : 141-145]


Abstract Taiwan and the Southern Alps of New Zealand are both young transpressive orogens characterized by rapid uplift and exhumation, high heat flow and vigorous surface processes. However, the distribution of heat flow, hot springs and veins in the two orogens is different. Taiwan has higher heat flow, distributed hot springs and localized veining. The Southern Alps has a narrow heat-flow anomaly, localized warm springs and widespread veining. Both orogens have two fluid-flow systems centred about the drainage divide. Shallow topographically driven meteoric water is restricted to the top 2–4 km. Deep flow is dominated by mineralizing rock-exchanged fluids. Extensional deformation occurs in the divide region of both orogens. At depth, vertical stretching produces subhorizontal veins. At shallower levels, stretching is horizontal and veins are steep. Veins in Taiwan are rare with zones of intense veining where flow has been localized into one site during exhumation from metamorphic to near-surface conditions. Fracturing and veining of the initially weak Slate Belt rocks causes a rheological change, increasing the tensile strength and making it more prone to fracturing, thus focusing fluid flow into the same locale. More uniform rheology in the Southern Alps leads to distributed veining.


Abstract: Modernism, Religious Fundamentalism and Terrorism. All three communities of Abrahamic religions–Jews, Christians and Muslims–have experience of fundamentalism, modernism and terrorism. Their experience took different manifestations at some points, and show dissimilarities at others. This article tries to analyze the way these three key concepts related to the three religions both at theoretical and practical levels. Kata kunci: modernisme, fundamentalisme, dan terorisme


A biological signal is transmitted by interactions between signaling molecules in the cell. To date, there have been extensive studies regarding signaling pathways using numerical simulation of kinetic equations that are based on equations of continuity and Fick's law. To obtain a mathematical formulation of cell signaling, we propose a stability kinetic model of cell biological signaling of a simple two-parameter model based on the kinetics of the diffusion-limiting step. In the present model, the signaling is regulated by the binding of a cofactor, such as ATP. Non-linearity of the kinetics is given by the diffusion fluctuation in the interaction between signaling molecules, which is different from previous works that hypothesized autocatalytic reactions. Numerical simulations showed the presence of a critical concentration of the cofactor beyond which the cell signaling molecule concentration is altered in a chaos-like oscillation with frequency, which is similar to a discontinuous phase transition in physics. Notably, we found that the frequency is given by the logarithm function of the difference of the outside cofactor concentration from the critical concentration. This implies that the outside alteration of the cofactor concentration is transformed into the oscillatory alteration of cell inner signaling. Further, mathematical stability kinetic analysis predicted a discontinuous dynamic phase transition in the critical state at which the cofactor concentration is equivalent to the critical concentration. In conclusion, the present model illustrates a unique feature of cell signaling, and the stability analysis may provide an analytical framework of the cell signaling system and a novel formulation of biological signaling.


Background: Previous studies have suggested a relationship between 'red ear syndrome' (RES) and pediatric migraine. Aims of this study were (i) to assess the frequency, specificity and sensitivity of RES in a population of pediatric migraineurs and (ii) to establish the pathophysiological mechanisms of RES associated with migraine. Methods and results: A total of 226 children suffering from headache (aged 4–17 years) were enrolled. One hundred and seventy-two (76.4%) were affected by migraine, the remaining 54 (23.6%) by other primary headaches. RES was followed significantly more frequently by migraine (23.3%; p < .0001), and was characterized by high specificity and positive predictive value (96.3 and 95.3%, respectively). According to the univariate statistical analysis, RES showed a statistically significant association with male gender, throbbing quality of the pain, vomiting and phonophobia. It was confirmed by a multivariate stepwise logistic regression model only for the throbbing quality of the pain, vomiting and male gender. Conclusions: Our study showed that (i) in children, RES is a highly specific sign for migraine. In addition, the evidence of an association of RES with some migraine features partially provoked by the parasympathetic system supports the hypothesis of a shared pathophysiological background (e.g. via the activation of the trigeminal-autonomic reflex).


Using a unique 50-year high-resolution time series of daily kom-fyke catches, long-term patterns of scyphomedusae in the western Dutch Wadden Sea were analysed and related to changes in environmental conditions [eutrophication in the 1980s–1990s and recent climate change (increased water temperature)] in the area. Over the years, species composition and general pattern of appearance has remained the same: the first species that occurred in spring was Aurelia aurita, followed by Cyanea lamarckii/C. capillata. Chrysaora hysoscella and Rhizostoma octopus occurred from June to July onwards. All species appeared earlier in recent decades and first appearance and peak occurrence of A. aurita was in part inversely related to previous winter seawater temperature. Last occurrence of C. hysoscella was related to summer seawater temperature and the species is present longer in recent decades. Phenological relationships might have been decoupled since the seasonality of the phytoplankton bloom did not change. All species showed large inter-annual abundance fluctuations, with prolific years followed by sparse years. Peak catches of the coastal species A. aurita occurred in the late 1970s-early 1990s when eutrophication peaked, however, without a significant relationship with total nitrogen input into the area. Unlike for phenology, the patterns of mean abundance of any species did not show a relationship to climate change in the area. This might imply that population regulating mechanisms do not operate during the planktonic phase but during the sessile demersal polyp stages


Quite some research has been devoted to the field of reinforcement learning, however, applying this field to autonomous driving still requires extensive research. This results directly from a safety concern of applying them in real life. Reinforcement learning approaches have recently achieved superhuman performance in games such as Go, Chess, and classic video games. However, these algorithms are sensitive to perturbations in the environment and often struggle or catastrophically fail when applied to environments that differ from where they were trained. During this research, multiple reinforcement learning techniques are used in order to learn an agent to drive through a racing environment. Here, the main goal is to understand which reinforcement learning algorithms are viable for this task. In addition, evaluating, comparing, and interpreting the algorithms are central topics. The results show that the deep SARSA algorithm with -greedy exploration achieves the best performance within the racing environment.


In response to corpus callosum (CC) demyelination, subventricular zone-derived neural progenitors (SVZdNP) are mobilized and generate new myelinating oligodendrocytes. Here, we examine the putative immunomodulatory properties of endogenous SVZdNP during demyelination in the cuprizone model. We observed that SVZdNP density is higher in the lateral and rostral CC regions that show weaker demyelination and is inversely correlated with activated microglia density and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels. Single-cell RNA-sequencing further revealed CC areas with high SVZdNP mobilization are enriched in a microglial cell subpopulation with immunomodulatory signature. We identified ligand/receptor couple MFGE8 (milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor-8)/integrin β3 as a ligand/receptor couple implicated in SVZdNP/microglia dialog. MFGE8 is highly enriched in immature SVZdNP mobilized to the demyelinated CC and promotes myelin debris phagocytosis in vitro. Altogether these results demonstrate that beyond their cell replacement capacity endogenous progenitors display immunomodulatory properties highlighting a new role for endogenous SVZdNP in myelin regeneration.


A study was conducted with staff at a fly-in/fly-out mine camp to determine the: hydration knowledge, perceptions and behaviours; hydration status and needs; and perceived taste of potable water. A structured questionnaire was used to survey the self-reported hydration behaviour, knowledge and perception of. The study of the hydration status and needs of day shift staff while at the residential camp comprised measurements at 1800 h and 0600 h of weight, urine specific gravity and fluid intake. Staff rated the perceived taste of bottled, filtered potable and unfiltered potable waters on a seven point visual analogue scale. The mean correct responses to the knowledge items surveyed (n=78) was 9.2 out of 12. Three-quarters (n=15) of the 20 responses to an open-ended question suggested improved water taste to increase water consumption. In the hydration status study (n=46), the mean urine specific gravities at 1800 h and 0600 h were both 1.022, and the median fluid intake and loss rates were both 2.1 ml.kg(-1).h(-1). Staff (n=105) rated unfiltered water (median 4.0) as tasting significantly worse than bottled (median 6.0) or filtered (median 6.0) waters (Friedman test, p<0.001). While dehydration knowledge appears adequate, the observed fluid intakes and specific gravities demonstrate that external factors such as perceived taste of water influence hydration behaviour.


Previous studies in murine models, including those using the β2 microglobulin knockout mouse, have suggested an important role for CD8+ T cells in host defense to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). At present, little is understood about these cells in the human immune response to tuberculosis. This report demonstrates the existence of human Mtb-reactive CD8+ T cells. These cells are present preferentially in persons infected with Mtb and produce interferon γ in response to stimulation with Mtb-infected target cells. Recognition of Mtb-infected cells by these CD8+ T cells is restricted neither by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I A, B, or C alleles nor by CD1, although it is inhibited by anti–MHC class I antibody. The Mtb-specific CD8+ T cells recognize an antigen which is generated in the proteasome, but which does not require transport through the Golgi-ER. The data suggest the possible use of nonpolymorphic MHC class Ib antigen presenting structures other than CD1.


Alcoholic hepatic steatosis, considered for a long time as a reversible "harmless" disease, is now re-evaluated according to the concept of cirrhosis without cell necrosis and inflammation. The study of 166 biopsies from alcoholic hepatic steatosis has demonstrated the presence of fibrotic process in 25 (15%) of the cases. Histologic and electron microscopic examination have supplied data on the distribution of this fibrosis (perivenous, perisinusoidal and extensive) as well as on the cells involved in collagen synthesis; myofibroblasts, fat storing cells (Ito cells) and the hepatocyte itself. Peritoneoscopy revealed aspects of incipient portal hypertension in some of the cases. Follow-up in time with reiteration of morphologic exploration at intervals of 2 to 3 years has shown the possible evolution toward cirrhosis in cases of steatosis with fibrosis when ethanol consumption is continued. Detection of early fibrosis, in patients with alcoholic steatosis, by means of morphologic or biochemical methods would be necessary for its therapeutic implication: possible reversibility by abstinence from alcohol and antifibrogenic therapy.


This paper deals with a prospective way to allow the communication between heterogeneous agents in the framework of multimedia services. The focus is set on the interaction between the user of a service and his/her virtual assistant. The interaction takes the form of a dialogue where the assistant tries to identify the tasks that the current user wants to perform. After a short description of dialogue systems, we propose a way to adapt them for discovering the user's goals. Our approach to control the dialogue relies on Markov Decision Processes, which are particularly suitable to handle uncertainty that occurs at many points of the communication. We moreover collect knowledge about the users in order to build profiles that will be reused for future sessions.


Protected areas constitute a key foundation for national and international strategies of effective biodiversity and ecosystems conservation. Yet, they are not islands; they are components of their surrounding social and ecological contexts. Reconciling biodiversity conservation, people, protected areas and sustainable livelihoods requires a focused strategic planning for conservation and development. The designation of new reserves must be thus based on sound indicators within ecological, socioeconomic, institutional, and financial contexts. Many of the ecological and socioeconomic indicators have been designed for this purpose by practitioners and conservation planners around the world. Although these indicators are crucial to orient conservation priorities and protected areas' designation patterns, their identification remains a big challenge, largely due to the fact that an indicator is a simplification of a system (whether natural or social) which is characterized by high structural complexity, considerable spatial heterogeneity and temporal fluctuations. This paper presents a review of ecological and socioeconomic indicators globally used to orient conservation planning on the global and national levels. It also suggests a set of suitable, relevant, and practical set of indicators, adapted to Mediterranean-type continental environments.


Integral membrane proteins perform such essential cellular functions as transport of ions, nutrients and waste products across cell walls, transduction of environmental signals, regulation of cell fusion, recognition of other cells, energy capture and its conversion into high-energy compounds. In fact, 30-40% of genes in modem organisms codes for membrane proteins. Although contemporary membrane proteins or their functional assemblies can be quite complex, their transmembrane fragments are usually remarkably simple. The most common structural motif for these fragments is a bundle of alpha-helices, but occasionally it could be a beta-barrel. In a series of molecular dynamics computer simulations we investigated self-organizing properties of simple membrane proteins based on these structural motifs. Specifically, we studied folding and insertion into membranes of short, nonpolar or amphiphatic peptides. We also investigated glycophorin A, a peptide that forms sequence-specific dimers, and a transmembrane aggregate of four identical alpha-helices that forms an efficient and selective voltage-gated proton channel was investigated. Many peptides are attracted to water-membrane interfaces. Once at the interface, nonpolar peptides spontaneously fold to a-helices. Whenever the sequence permits, peptides that contain both polar and nonpolar amino also adopt helical structures, in which polar and nonpolar amino acid side chains are immersed in water and membrane, respectively. Specific identity of side chains is less important. Helical peptides at the interface could insert into the membrane and adopt a transmembrane conformation. However, insertion of a single helix is unfavorable because polar groups in the peptide become completely dehydrated upon insertion. The unfavorable free energy of insertion can be regained by spontaneous association of peptides in the membrane. The first step in this process is the formation of dimers, although the most common are aggregates of 4-7 helices. The helices could arrange themselves such that they formed pores capable of transporting ions and small molecules across membranes. Stability of transmembrane aggregates of simple proteins is often only marginal and, therefore, it can be regulated by environmental signals or small sequence modifications in the region of interhelical interactions. A key step in the earliest evolution of membrane proteins was the emergence of selectivity for specific substrates. Many channels could become selective if one or only a few properly chosen amino acids are properly placed along the channel, acting as filters or gates. This is a convenient evolutionary solution because it does not require imposing conditions on the whole sequence.


Objective: Activation of β-catenin causes podocyte injury and proteinuria, but how β-catenin signalling is regulated during podocyte injury remains elusive. Nuclear receptor interacting protein 2 (NRIP2) modulates the Wnt pathway in colorectal cancer-initiating cells, but the role of NRIP2 in podocyte injury has not yet been investigated. We aimed to examine the interaction between NRIP2 and β-catenin signalling. Materials and Methods: Knockdown or overexpression of NRIP2 and β-catenin and chemical treatments were performed in cultured human podocytes. Immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays were used to assess protein interactions and expression. Data from the GEO dataset and kidney tissues from patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and surgical nephrectomy were examined. An adriamycin (ADR) nephropathy model was established in NRIP2 knockout mice. Results: NRIP2 knockdown accelerated β-catenin degradation, which was reversed by MG132; specifically, NRIP2 bound β-catenin and stabilized it to prevent its degradation through the ubiquitin proteasomal pathway. Overexpression of NRIP2 led to β-catenin activation and Snail1 induction, and these effects were attenuated by β-catenin knockdown. NRIP2 knockdown blocked ADR-stimulated β-catenin activation. In ADR mice, genetic knockout of Nrip2 ameliorated podocyte injury and loss, glomerulosclerosis, and proteinuria by inhibiting β-catenin activation. Moreover, NRIP2 was significantly upregulated in podocytes of FSGS patients and colocalized with nuclear β-catenin. Conclusion: These results established NRIP2 as a stabilizer of β-catenin activation through the ubiquitin proteasomal pathway in podocyte injury.


An enabling superjunction device technology, which is fully integrated on the Partial Silicon on Insulator (PSOI) platform using the bulk silicon substrate, is proposed and fabricated. The proposed technology has the potential to eliminate the substrate assisted depletion. It enables the implementation of lateral superjunction power MOSFET (SJ LDMOS) on bulk silicon substrate without sacrificing its thermal performance. In this paper, the approach was demonstrated successfully on both p-i-n diode and planar gate SJ LDMOS devices. The proposed technology has enabled the fabrication of SJ Power Integrated Circuits (PIC) on the bulk silicon substrate for future automotive power electronics applications.


Individual psychotherapy is discussed. Some characteristics of psychotherapy, sharing, proximity and interaction, between patient and therapist lay the basis for the concept of levels of psychotherapy. Three levels of psychotherapy—"Caretaker" "Educational" and "Integrative"—are outlined on theoretical and clinical grounds and brief excerpts from therapy used to highlight each level. Central to the distinction of one level from another is the phenomenon of intimacy. Thereby, the therapeutic relationship in "Caretaker" psychotherapy is seen as a limited, uni-lateral intimacy; in "Educational" psychotherapy as a non-intrusive, limited intimacy and in "Integrative" psychotherapy as a bilateral, shared intimacy.


The cesarean scar is a significant risk factor for the following pregnancies and especially deliveries. In this chapter, we discussed the diagnosis, incidence, detec-tion, manifestations, and prognosis of pregnancy and delivery with cesarean scars. A systematic review of current literature showed that a manifestation of cesarean scars during the following pregnancies is not predictable, in general, although mod-ern visualization technologies could reveal some specific features of scar defects that are associated with complications during pregnancy and delivery. However, there is no factor, which could serve as the main prognostic guide for obstetricians to make a decision for VBAC, thus Edwin Cragin's phrase "once a cesarean, always a cesarean" has represented the essential healthcare issue over the century. At the moment, the most reasonable measurements to prevent uterine scar complications are reducing the rate of Cesarean Sections, opening the uterus transversely in the lower segment, and stitching the uterus with one layer only continuously using a big needle preferable by Stark technique of Cesarean section.


In this paper, we apply parallelism by 4/spl times/ of analog signal processors to the design of a bandpass sigma-delta modulator. We show that the overall speed of the modulator is increased without increasing the speed requirement of the individual building blocks. Several architectures are considered in terms of their resilience to implementation details such as mismatch and gain errors. A switched capacitor circuit is also presented for the proposed modulator.


Re: Arsenic Carcinogenicity Testing In their letter to EHP, Huff et al. (1) maintained that arsenic is still viewed as "a paradoxical carcinogen; that is, carcinogenic to humans but not to laboratory animals," and that this paradox will be believed until carcinogenicity of arsenic is demonstrated in animal experiments such as "long-term inhalation studies using arsenic trioxide." Huff et al. (1) seem not to take into consideration, however, that a researcher never has at his disposal an animal population commensurable with human populations for which even low carcinogenic risk may be attributed to an exposure, based on epidemiologic data, with a sufficient statistical significance. Even under carcinogenic exposure, even most common cancers are still rather rare events. For example, an additional 50 lung cancers per 100,000 workers exposed to arsenic trioxide aerosol in copper smelters would constitute a very high risk level, while probably no cancer would be detected after exposing 100 rats to the same aerosol, provided the risk is the same. To attempt to circumvent this statistical obstacle, we might expose rats to much higher concentrations of M20 but under such an exposure, development of a severe intoxication would be highly probable, and rats with a dramatically shortened life span might never survive until the appearance of cancer. The same argument is valid if drinking water is used as the medium for administering arsenic. It seems much wiser to use experimental models, giving opportunity to concentrate a sufficiendy high and long-term exposure on a small part of a target organ only, thus reducing systemic toxicity of the tested chemical to a minimum. Of course, such a model would be difficult to use directly for any standard setting, but it would be adequate for proving that the chemical is carcinogenic (at least for one organ). Twelve years ago we published results of such an experiment (2), which Huff et al. (1) failed to mention in their brief overview. The English version of the summary of our paper (verbatim as translated by the publishers) is as follows:


Strong spin-selective e ects have been recently observed in both photoemission and electrical transport experiments in biomolecular systems, opening fascinating possibilities for interfacing semiconductor and biomolecular systems to create highly e cient spintronics devices. From the theoretical and experimental point of view there are strong suggestions that molecular chirality is playing a crucial role. In this study we extend a previously formulated model (R. Gutierrez, E. Diaz, R. Naaman, G. Cuniberti, Phys. Rev. B 85, 081404 (2012)) describing the linear propagation of a charge with spin along the axis of a helical charge distribution. We explore di erent parameter regions and show that a strong negative spin polarization as observed in the previously mentioned experiments can be obtained with reasonable values of both the electronic coupling elements and the helical eld induced spin orbit interaction.


The article reviews the most common European scientific concept of interaction between government and business. On this basis, the analysis of the main achievements and shortcomings of theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of business as a political actor. Interest groups and pressure groups are a form of protective groups that influence the actions of the modern authorities, both in Europe and in Ukraine . In terms of pluralism, society is composed of a large number of interest groups and pressure groups representing the interests of all significant population and compete for influence over state power. This competition takes place in the framework of multi-sectoral partnerships that achieved consensus on the basic foundations of economic and political systems and the acceptable level of conflict. Competition between groups between sectors of society provides a condition in which no group dominates and remains a balance of interests . This balance is crucial for the stability of the existing social system. The author concludes that further development of partnership relations between the state and business in Ukraine in the spirit of European tradition should be based on the principles of liberal corporatism.


AMONG STUDENTS OF the so-called "Young Hegelians," it is usual to name David F. Strauss (18o8-1874) as the first to develop Hegelianism after Hegel? He did not, however, see his role as anything more than being a disciple o f what he unders tood to be o r thodox Hegelianism. In merely applying what he conscientiously took to be the authentic principles of the master to a h i ther to unexamined field, i.e., biblical criticism, Strauss jo ined himself to the older school o f o r thodox and conservative Hegelians. These "Epigonen" were not displeased to consider themselves as but the satraps o f a vanished philosophical Alexander who had been left with only the uncreative task o f dividing and cultivating an already conquered Geisterreich/ In short, Strauss was not the first critic o f Hegel, but merely the first Hegelian critic. T h e honor , if that is the correct term, of being the first Hegelian to criticize Hegel and thereby to create a "neo-Hegelianism" belongs to August von Cieszkowski ( x 814 -1894 ). This paper has two main intentions: first, to de termine the nature o f Cieszkowski's radical crit ique o f Hegel 's philosophy of history, along with the reasons Cieszkowski employed to justify his critique, and second, to submit a possible objection that Hegel might have taken in regard to the corrective surgery that Cieszkowksi p e r f o r m e d upon the corpus of his philosophy.


The calculation of the surface nucleation field Hc3 of a type II superconducting cylinder in a parallel applied magnetic field is revised. The linearized Ginzburg–Landau (G–L) equation for the order parameter is employed in the evaluations of the effects of spatial inhomogeneity of the applied magnetic field. The general profile of the applied magnetic field is that it is parabolic in the radial distance although it can take an arbitrary value at the origin. In general, the universal field-temperature curves are characterized by flux-entry points at each of which the azimuthal quantum number decreases by unity. There are no flux entries, however, in the curve for which the applied magnetic field is zero at the origin. The effects of normal-metal cladding, in particular the suppression of the critical temperature, are also evaluated.


Within a six-month period, two type-I diabetics were admitted because of labile metabolic state with recurrent severe hypoglycaemia and unconsciousness. In both patients electrolytes were normal on admission. There were at first only few pointers to Addison's disease. But in both primary adrenocortical insufficiency was demonstrated to be the cause of the symptoms. Serological tests suggested an autoimmune genesis. Recurrent severe hypoglycaemia and unconsciousness in insulin-treated diabetics indicates that adrenocortical insufficiency should be excluded.


Background Rosmarinus officinalis (R. officinalis) is a medicinal plant called rosemary, largely used in the Mediterranean diet for many decades ago. Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the polyphenolic content, the antioxidant activity, and the antiproliferative effect against human prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP) of carnosol and carnosic acid as bioactive compounds contained in R. officinalis growing in Morocco. Materials and Methods Polyphenolic content of R. officinalis ethanolic extract was studied using colorimetric assay. Carnosol and carnosic acid contained in R. officinalis extract were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antiproliferative effect of the studied extracts on LNCaP was evaluated by WST-1 bioassay, and the antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH assay. Results The extracts of R. officinalis showed an important polyphenolic content ranging from 74.15 μg·GAE/mg to 146.63 μg·GAE/mg. The percentage of carnosol and carnosic acid in rosemary crops ranges from 11.7 to 17.3% and 1.09% to 3%, respectively. The extracts of R. officinalis exhibited a promoting antioxidant activity with IC50 ranging from 0.236 mg/mL to 0.176 mg/mL. Regarding the antiproliferative effect, the WST-1 assay revealed that all the tested extracts reduced notably the cell viability with IC50 values ranging from 14.15 to 15. 04 μg/mL. Conclusion In the current work, carnosol and carnosic acid exhibit antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in a concentration-dependent manner.


Oil–water separation is a worldwide subject because of the increasing demands in numerous applications, involving separation of immiscible products from chemical reaction systems in synthetic industry. Owing to the limitations of low efficiency, high energy consumption, and multiple operations in conventional methods, membranes with special wettability have been widely developed in recent years to effectively separate various oil–water systems. However, few works on treating chemical reaction systems have been reported because of the lack of stability of current membranes in harsh environments, especially during long‐term work. Herein, a continuous in situ separation of chemical reaction systems based on a special wettable porous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane is successfully conducted. The membrane possesses (1) an intrinsic (with no modification) special wettability of highly hydrophobic/oleophilic in air and superoleophilic under water and 2) an excellent long‐term durability in acidic, alkaline, saline, organic, or heating environments. The in situ separation process exhibits both large separation flux (>3500 L m−2 h−1) and high product purity (>99.00%) by continuously filtering synthetic products without interrupting chemical reactions, which is of great significance in industrial fields.


An aerodynamic sound generated by a flow inside a duct is one of the noise pro- blems. Flows in ducts with uneven surfaces such as grooves or cavities can be seen in various industrial devices and industrial products such as air-conditioning equipment in various plants or piping products. In this article, we have performed experiments and simulations to clarify acoustic and flow-induced sound characteris- tics of L-shaped duct with a shallow cavity installed. The experiments and simula- tions were performed under several inflow velocity conditions. The results show that the characteristics of the flow-induced sound in the duct are strongly affected by the acoustic characteristics of the duct interior sound field and the location of the shallow cavity. Especially, it was found that the acoustic characteristics were af- fected by the location of the shallow cavity in the frequency range between 1000 Hz and 1700 Hz.