Background:  The study author, while still a medical student, observed microscopic evidence of chronic inflammation in joint tissue of patients suffering with osteoarthritis and hypothesized that osteoarthritis was caused by an infectious process. After graduating from medical school and entering into private practice, the study author had several patients who informed him that when they were on tetracycline therapy, for reasons other than arthritis, their arthritis symptoms diminished to some extent. After reporting improvement of arthritic symptoms with tetracycline, one of these patients subsequently received metronidazole and while taking both tetracycline and metronidazole reported that his arthritic symptoms improved to an even greater extent, as his joint pain further diminished but did not resolve.  Subsequent treatment of osteoarthritis in other patients included the combination of tetracycline, metronidazole, other antibiotics and some natural products but only when L-lysine was added to the tetracycline and metronidazole combination therapy did the author observe yet further improvement in arthritic pain. Since L-lysine was reported to inhibit the growth of herpes simplex virus, the author and another colleague concluded that acyclovir might be a beneficial addition to the tetracycline, metronidazole, L-lysine combination. This four-component combination treatment resulted in total resolution or a marked diminution of osteoarthritis joint pain, joint tenderness and joint stiffness in most patients treated. It was further determined that L-lysine could be eliminated; that acyclovir could be replaced with valicyclovir; and that tetracycline could be replaced with minocycline or doxycycline.
Preliminary studies of patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis and treated with tetracycline alone or the combination of tetracycline and metronidazole demonstrated improvement   in their osteoarthritic symptoms.  However the triple combination of doxycycline (broad spectrum antibiotic), metronidazole (antiprotozoal and antibacterial imidazole) and acyclovir (antiviral purine nucleoside) administered orally twice daily for eight weeks showed marked success in a group of patients suffering with osteoarthritis by substantially eliminating their joint pain, joint tenderness and joint stiffness while overcoming their fatigue and increasing their energy level. The data in this report substantiate that this triple combination is a disease modifying therapy that eliminates or markedly diminishes the symptomatology of osteoarthritis and further supports the hypothesis that osteoarthritis is an infectious disease. Objective:  To evaluate the effect of the triple combination therapy of doxycycline, metronidazole, and acyclovir on the joint pain, joint stiffness and functionality in   patients suffering with osteoarthritis. Design:  Non-blinded study of treatment of patients suffering with osteoarthritis Setting:  Primary care internal medicine practice in Alameda County, California. Sample:  Six adult individuals suffering with osteoarthritis. Patients: Six patients, ages 53 through 82 years.  Patient 1 was treated for 28 days and Patients 2 through 6 were treated for 56 days. Method:  After obtaining informed consent, six patients suffering with osteoarthritis were prescribed a 56 day course of treatment with the triple combination of doxycycline, metronidazole, and acyclovir for treatment of their osteoarthritis. Utilizing the WOMAC index for assessment of the effectiveness of treatment of osteoarthritis, pre-treatment   pain, stiffness and functional limitation, were compared to post-treatment pain, stiffness and functional limitations. Results: Three patients demonstrated total resolution of pain and stiffness and greater than 95% improvement in functional limitations.  One of the remaining three patients demonstrated a 70% improvement in pain, total resolution of stiffness, and an 85% improvement in functional limitations; another one of the three remaining patients demonstrated an 86% improvement in pain, total resolution of stiffness, and a 79% improvement in functional limitations; while the last of the three remaining patients demonstrated at least an 85% improvement in pain, 67% improvement in stiffness, and a 63% improvement in functional limitations.
Limitations:  No randomization. No placebo. No control group. Small sample size. Conclusion: The results of treatment of these patients suffering the osteoarthritis support the hypothesis that osteoarthritis is an infectious disease.   These results further suggest that osteoarthritis is, at a minimum, modifiable with the triple combination therapy of doxycycline, metronidazole, and acyclovir and is even curative of with this breakthrough treatment in many cases.   The medical treatment reported in this article represents the first truly Disease Modifying medication therapy developed for osteoarthritis.
Keywords: WOMAC index


Inoculation of rhizobacteria in seeds and plants has been documented as a stimulant and promoter of germination and growth of agricultural crops, but there is little information on native forest species. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the potential of Azospirillum brasilense inoculation in the germination of seeds and initial growth of seedlings of native forest species. The following experiments were carried out: (I) germination of seeds in germination chamber, and (II) initial growth of seedlings in nursery, both with four forest species (Cassia leptophylla, Lafoensia pacari, Mimosa flocculosa and Schinus terebinthifolius). For the four species, in both experiments, two treatments were used: inoculation of seeds with concentrated solution of A. brasilense and no inoculation of seeds (control). Physiological aspects of seed germination and seedling vigor were evaluated in the first experiment (germination speed, and length and dry weight of seedlings), and seedling growth was evaluated in the second experiment (height, collar diameter and dry weight of seedlings). Inoculation of A. brasilense in seeds of C. leptophylla, L. pacari, M. flocculosa and S. terebinthifolius did not promote beneficial or promising results for seed germination and initial growth of seedlings, so its use to produce seedlings of these species is not recommended.


A ZnGeP2 (ZGP) optical parametric oscillator (OPO) is described that is pumped by a gain-switched Cr2+:ZnSe laser and which is broadly pump-tuned in the midinfrared. Both Type I and Type II ZGP OPOs operating in the 4 to 6 µm region are demonstrated with slope efficiencies as high as 53%. The Type II configuration is noncritically phase matched and can potentially tune from 3.4 to 6.1 µm by tuning the pump laser from 2.1 to 2.9 µm. The Type I configuration can either angle- or pump-tune over nearly the entire transparency range of ZGP.


We consider risk-averse learning in repeated unknown games where the goal of the agents is to minimize their individual risk of incurring significantly high cost. Specifically, the agents use the conditional value at risk (CVaR) as a risk measure and rely on bandit feedback in the form of the cost values of the selected actions at every episode to estimate their CVaR values and update their actions. A major challenge in using bandit feedback to estimate CVaR is that the agents can only access their own cost values, which, however, depend on the actions of all agents. To address this challenge, we propose a new risk-averse learning algorithm with momentum that utilizes the full historical information on the cost values. We show that this algorithm achieves sub-linear regret and matches the best known algorithms in the literature. We provide numerical experiments for a Cournot game that show that our method outperforms existing methods.


Lode horizons north and south of the Broken Hill, New South Wales orebody contain a number of zones rich in sphalerite and poor in galena. One example is Pasminco Mining's new opencut Potosi Mine, which averages 8.5% Zn and 2% Pb with little other sulphide. The mineralisation at the Potosi Mine has been well defined by applied potential and induced polarisation (IP) surveys, but different techniques are required for deeper, downplunge exploration. Drillhole electromagnetics (DHEM) is routinely used but may miss those zones where sphalerite is almost the only sulphide. It was therefore decided to try a series of drillhole magnetometric resistivity (DHMMR) surveys, since this method responds to contrasting, rather than absolute, conductivity. The results were very successful with the known sulphides (and some previously unsuspected zones) responding at downhole depths of more than 600 m. The method has detected mineralisation at distances greater than 150 m from the drillhole and has given clear responses to sulphides where DHEM has failed. The method has less resolving capability than DHEM, although it has proven to be more definitive where sulphide lenses occur both above and below the drillhole. The results also suggest that the magnetic field, which responds to changes in resistivity, has a much larger search radius than the phase angle, which measures the IP effect. DHMMR is expected to play a wider role in the Broken Hill district and elsewhere, in the search for sphalerite-rich orebodies.


The genes for two of several pectate lyase isozymes produced by the phytopathogenic enterobacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi 1237 were subcloned and compared by DNA-DNA hybridization, and the encoded proteins were analyzed. The borders of the genes were located on a restriction map by incremental exonuclease III deletions. DNA-DNA hybridization studies revealed a low percentage of mismatch (7 to 17%) between pelB and pelC. No homology was detected between pelC and other regions of the E. chrysanthemi 1237 chromosome, in which three other isozyme genes apparently reside. The pectate lyase isozymes were readily purified by chromatofocusing or granulated-gel bed isoelectric focusing from the periplasmic shock fluids of Escherichia coli subclones. The molecular weights of PLb and PLc were 30,000 and 33,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Their isoelectric points were 7.6 and 8.1, respectively, as determined by equilibrium isoelectric focusing in ultrathin polyacrylamide gels. The Km values for PLb and PLc were 0.20 and 0.32 mg/ml, respectively, with polygalacturonate as a substrate. Thin-layer chromatography of reaction products and viscometric assays revealed little difference between the two isozymes. All our data indicate that the genes are duplicates and that the proteins are isofunctional.


Based on my personal experiences for past 10 years, I would like to propose my plans for young physicians concerned with clinical laboratory medicine as follows: 1. Training periods (several years after graduated from medical school): Pursue your courses in the various fields of medicine including clinical activities. 2. Periods of fellowship(approximately about 35 years-old): During this period, it is recommended to go abroad for young scientist to add to your stock of knowledges and experiences. 3. Periods of devoting yourself to the work in the clinical laboratory medicine(approximately about 40 years-old): You are recommended to be self-reliant in the routine works and academic studies in the fields of laboratory medicine.


Heavy metals are free radicals contains one or more unpaired electrons produces superoxide anion, interact with other molecules to generate secondary ROS, either directly or prevalently through enzymes or metal catalyzed process and induces severe alterations in the tissues of both animals and humans. The aim of the present investigation was to detoxify mercuric chloride induced hepatotoxicity using morin-5'sulfonic acid, sodium salt and determining the optimum dose for the same. Administration of mercuric chloride (1.25mg /kg) capable of causing the Hepatotoxicity through the elevation of AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, bilirubin and decreasing of total protein, at the same time when the morin was simultaneously administered in the form of morin-5'-sulfonic acid sodium salt in 3 different doses (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) with mercuric chloride (1.25 mg/kg b.wt), all the 3 doses showed protective effect on mercury induced toxicity among them 50 mg / kg body weight was found to be more effective than remaining doses hence the optimum dose for morin-5'-sulfonic acid sodium salt fixed to be 50 mg/kg body weight against mercuric chloride (1.25mg /kg body weight., p.o). On the basis of the obtained results, it is concluded that morin in the form of morin-5'-sulfonic acid sodium salt has more protective effect against mercuric chloride induced poisoning in rats, due to its free radical scavenging ability induces enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and chelates free mercuric ions . The mechanism of detoxifying action of morin-5'-sulfonic acid sodium salt is most probably based on their high affinity and ability to form insoluble complexes with mercury ions, which will get excreted in faeces and urine.


The authors examine the concept of the orientation of a 2D object from three points of view; a direct axis of geometric shape, the principal axis defined in terms of the principal second movements of area, and the major axis of the fundamental ellipse fitting the boundary of the object. The three methods are implemented on a vision workstation and applied to samples of Pacific salmon. The results are compared with direct measurement orientation. The three methods of orientation measurement are evaluated quantitatively using these results, with respect to accuracy, speed of measurement and appropriateness under various practical conditions.<<ETX>>


Abstract Glucose oxidase (EC 22.214.171.124) is the most widly employed enzyme as analytical reagent. This is the result of (1) its utility in the determination of glucose, an analyte of wide analytical interest, and (2) its relatively low cost and good stability that make the glucose/glucose oxidase system a very convenient model for method development (particularly in the area of biosensors). This review discusses in detail enzyme structure, biocatalysis, enzymes as analytical reagents, properties of glucose oxidase (including a historical account), and the use of glucose oxidase as an analytical reagent in homogeneous systems as well as an immobilized reagent.


I have found that the arterially injected lipid lymphographic agent, lipiodol ultrafluid, remaines selectively in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and other malignant solid tumors. Using this characteristic nature of lipiodol, targeting cancer chemotherapy was achieved. It was shown that anticancer drug had to he dissolved in lipiodol and diffused out gradually from the agent in order to achieve targeting cancer chemotherapy. SMANCS/lipiodol, mitomycin C/lipiodol, aclarubicin/lipiodol and doxorubicin/lipiodol were successfully developed. Clinically, these oily anticancer agents were administered to 281 patients with HCC and 98 patients with metastatic liver cancer. Remarkable anticancer activities were proved based on decreased in tumor marker(AFP and CEA level decreased in 92%and 73%of the cases, respectively)and reduction in tumor size(in 94% of the patients with HCC and 47% of the cases with metastatec liver cancer). It was proved that survival period of the patients with unresectable tumors was definately prolonged (one year and two years survival rates of HCC and metastatic liver cancer were 64%, 26% and 58%, 21% respectively). Neither hernatosuppression nor any side effects due to anticancer drugs were observed.


In this simulation study, integration of a nanocantilever inside a two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal (PC) cavity resulted in a unique photonic crystal-cantilever cavity (PC3), where the cantilever served as a tunable mechanical defect of the PC slab. Strong nano-opto-mechanical interactions between the cantilever and the defect-mode field inside the PC3 gave rise to a high sensitivity of the resonance wavelength to surface stress-induced cantilever deflection. Mechanical and optical responses of the PC3 to surface stress changes on the cantilever surface were studied by using a finite-element method (FEM) and a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, respectively. Theoretical analysis revealed that the devised PC3 sensor could resolve a conservative minimum surface stress at the level of ∼0.8 mN m−1, representing state-of-the-art cantilever sensor performance. Also, the PC3 sensor design used an ultracompact structure with an on-chip optical length of only several microns, while a conventional reflected laser beam detection scheme requires a ∼1 m long free-space optical path.


Large-eddy simulation (LES) has been performed for planar turbulent channel flow between two infinite, parallel, stationary plates. The capabilities and limitations of the LES code in predicting correct turbulent velocity and passive temperature field statistics have been established through comparison to direct numerical simulation data from the literature for nonreacting cases. Mixing and chemical reaction (infinitely fast) between a fuel stream and an oxidizer stream have been simulated to generate large composition and temperature fluctuations in the flow; here the composition and temperature do not affect the hydrodynamics (one-way coupling). The radiative transfer equation is solved using a spherical harmonics (P1) method, and radiation properties correspond to a fictitious gray gas with a composition- and temperature-dependent Planck-mean absorption coefficient that mimics that of typical hydrocarbon-air combustion products. Simulations have been performed for different optical thicknesses. In the absence of chemical reactions, radiation significantly modifies the mean temperature profiles, but temperature fluctuations and turbulence-radiation interactions (TRI) are small, consistent with earlier findings. Chemical reaction enhances the composition and temperature fluctuations and, hence, the importance of TRI. Contributions to emission and absorption TRI have been isolated and quantified as a function of optical thickness.


The intestinal Ca2+ transport protein CaT1 encoded by TRPV6 has been reported (Yue, L., Peng, J. B., Hediger, M. A., and Clapham, D. E. (2001)Nature 410, 705–709) to be all or a part of the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channel (CRAC). The major characteristic of CRAC is its activation following store depletion. We expressed CaT1 in HEK293 cells and rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) mast cells and measured whole-cell currents by the patch clamp technique. In HEK293 cells, the expression of CaT1 consistently yielded a constitutively active current, the size of which was strongly dependent on the holding potential and duration of voltage ramps. In CaT1-expressing RBL cells, the current was either activated by store depletion or was constitutively active at a higher current density. CaT1 currents could be clearly distinguished from endogenous CRAC by their typical current-voltage relationship in divalent free solution. 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), which is considered a blocker of CRAC, was tested for its inhibitory effect on both cell types expressing CaT1. Endogenous CRAC as well as store-dependent CaT1-derived currents of RBL cells were largely blocked by 75 μm 2-APB, whereas constitutively active CaT1 currents in both RBL and HEK293 cells were slightly potentiated. These results indicate that despite the difference in the permeation properties of CRAC and CaT1 channels, the latter are similarly able to form store depletion-activated conductances in RBL mast cells that are inhibited by 2-APB.


Abstract Purpose. Markers of micro- and macrovascular disease are needed in type 1 diabetes in order to identify patients at risk of severe complications. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is expressed in vascular myocytes, and increasing levels have been reported in type 1 diabetes. Consequently, we investigated OPG as a non-invasive marker of micro- and macrovascular complications in long-term type 1 diabetic patients. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study of 200 type 1 diabetic patients with long diabetes duration from a population-based cohort from Fyn County, Denmark. Patients were examined in 2007–2008, and OPG was measured and correlated to diabetes-associated complications: retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and macrovascular disease. Results. Median age and duration of diabetes was 58.7 years (range 37.7–84.4 years) and 43 years (range 34–70 years), respectively. Median level of OPG was 1257 pg/ml (range 379–5706 pg/ml). In univariate analyses, OPG was related to age, duration of diabetes, female gender, nephropathy and inversely to diastolic blood pressure. In an age- and sex-adjusted model, higher levels of OPG were associated with a higher risk of nephropathy (OR 2.54, 95% confidence interval 1.09–5.90 for third vs. first tertile). Statistical significance was, however, lost in a multivariate model, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy and macrovascular disease was not associated with OPG in either model. Conclusions. Some associations of OPG and nephropathy were found in a long-term type 1 diabetic cohort. Prospective studies are needed in order to determine whether OPG can be used to predict nephropathy.


Aldehydes and ketones compounds, as one of the components in the exhaust of restaurants, are a class of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with strong chemical reactivity. However, there is no systematic study on aldehydes and ketones compounds in the exhaust of restaurants. To further clarify the food source emission levels of aldehydes and ketones compounds and controlling measures, to access city group catering VOCs emissions control decision-making basis, this study selected 8 Beijing restaurants with different types. The aldehydes and ketones compounds were sampled using DNPH-silica tube, and then ultra performance liquid chromatography was used for quantitative measurement. The aldehydes and ketones concentrations of reference volume condition from 8 restaurants in descending order were Roasted Duck restaurant, Chinese Style Barbecue, Home Dishes, Western Fast-food, School Canteen, Chinese Style Fast-food, Sichuan Cuisine, Huaiyang Cuisine. The results showed that the range of aldehydes and ketones compounds (C1-C9) concentrations of reference volume condition in the exhaust of restaurants was 115.47-1035.99 microg x m(-3). The composition of aldehydes and ketones compounds in the exhaust of sampled restaurants was obviously different. The percentages of C1-C3 were above 40% in the exhaust from Chinese style restaurants. Fast food might emit more C4-C9 aldehydes and ketones compounds. From the current situation of existing aldehydes and ketones compounds control, the removal efficiency of high voltage electrostatic purifiers widely used in Beijing is limited.


Tool-path, feed-rate, and depth-of-cut of a tool determine the machining time, tool wear, power consumption, and realization costs. Before the commissioning and production, a preliminary phase of failure-mode identification and effect analysis allows for selecting the optimal machining parameters for cutting, which, in turn, reduces machinery faults, production errors and, ultimately, decreases costs. For this, scalable high-precision path generation algorithms requiring a low amount of computation might be advisable. The present work provides such a simplified scalable computationally low-intensive technique for tool-path generation. From a three dimensional (3D) digital model, the presented algorithm extracts multiple two dimensional (2D) layers. Depending on the required resolution, each layer is converted to a spatial image, and an algebraic analytic closed-form solution provides a geometrical tool path in Cartesian coordinates. The produced tool paths are stacked after processing all object layers. Finally, the generated tool path is translated into a machine code using a G-code generator algorithm. The introduced technique was implemented and simulated using MATLAB® pseudocode with a G-code interpreter and a simulator. The results showed that the proposed technique produced an automated unsupervised reliable tool-path-generator algorithm and reduced tool wear and costs, by allowing the selection of the tool depth-of-cut as an input.


A series of five realistic, nested, hydrostatic numerical ocean model simulations are used to study semidiurnal internal tide generation and propagation from the continental slope, through the shelf break and to the midshelf adjacent to Point Sal, CA. The statistics of modeled temperature and horizontal velocity fluctuations are compared to midshelf observations (30to 50-m water depth). Timeand frequency-domain methods are used to decompose internal tides into components that are coherent and incoherent with the barotropic tide, and the incoherence fraction is 0.5–0.7 at the midshelf locations in both the realistic model and observations. In contrast, the incoherence fraction is at the most 0.45 for a simulation with idealized stratification, and neither atmospheric forcing nor mesoscale currents. Negligible conversion from barotropic to baroclinic energy occurs at the local shelf break. Instead, the dominant internal tide energy sources are regions of small-scale near-critical to supercritical bathymetry on the Santa Lucia escarpment (1,000–3,000 m), 70–80 km from the continental shelf. Near the generation region, semidiurnal baroclinic energy is primarily coherent and rapidly decays adjacent to the shelf break. In the realistically forced model, incoherent energy is less than 10% in the generation region, with a steady increase in incoherence fraction from the continental slope to the midshelf. Backward ray tracing from the midshelf to the Santa Lucia escarpment identifies multiple energy pathways potentially leading to spatial interference. As internal tides shoal on the predominantly subcritical slope/shelf system, temporally variable stratification and Doppler shifting from mesoscale and submesoscale features appear equally important in leading to the loss of coherence.


The brain tumor segmentation task with different domains remains a major challenge because tumors of different grades and severities may show different distributions, limiting the ability of a single segmentation model to label such tumors. Semi-supervised models (e.g., mean teacher) are strong unsupervised domain-adaptation learners. However, one of the main drawbacks of using a mean teacher is that given a large number of iterations, the teacher model weights converge to those of the student model, and any biased and unstable predictions are carried over to the student. In this article, we proposed a novel unsupervised domain-adaptation framework for the brain tumor segmentation task, which uses dual student and adversarial training techniques to effectively tackle domain shift with MR images. In this study, the adversarial strategy and consistency constraint for each student can align the feature representation on the source and target domains. Furthermore, we introduced the cross-coordination constraint for the target domain data to constrain the models to produce more confident predictions. We validated our framework on the cross-subtype and cross-modality tasks in brain tumor segmentation and achieved better performance than the current unsupervised domain-adaptation and semi-supervised frameworks.


High thermal and electrical stress, over a period of time tends to deteriorate the health of power electronic switches. Being a key element in any high-power converter systems, power switches, such as insulated-gate bipolar junction transistors (IGBTs) and metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors, are constantly monitored to predict when and how they might fail. A huge fraction of research efforts involves the study of power electronic device reliability and development of novel techniques with higher accuracy in the health estimation of such devices. Until today, no other existing technique can determine the number of lifted bond wires and their locations in a live IGBT module, although this information is extremely helpful to understand the overall state-of-health of an IGBT power module. Through this article, a new method for online condition monitoring of IGBTs and IGBT modules using spread spectrum time-domain reflectometry has been proposed. Unlike traditional methods, this research work concentrates at the gate terminals (low voltage) of the device instead of looking at the collector side. In addition, the RL-equivalent circuit to represent a bond wire has been developed for the device under test and simulated in CST Studio Suite to measure the reflection amplitudes. Experimental results were obtained using a prototype reflectometry hardware, and both the simulation and experimental results have been compared. These results prove that a single measurement is sufficient to predict the failure of the device instead of looking at the traditional precursor parameter (VCEON). With only two sets of measurements, it is possible to locate the aged device inside a module and detect the number of bond wire liftoffs associated with that device.


: Here is a cool-headed, logical argument against using the Canadian health care system as a model for reform in the U.S. offered by a leading Heritage Foundation expert.


Depending on the flexibility in controlling the transmission rate and the differences between on-line (real time) and off-line transmission modes, multimedia applications can potentially include a wide range of services, with the traditional stringent quality-of-service (QoS) requirement at the extreme to the highly adaptive ones that can tolerate or smartly adapt to the transient fluctuations in the QoS parameters. Keeping the cellular multimedia networks efficient with low call dropping and blocking rates and high bandwidth utilisation while maintaining a fair distribution of bandwidth by synergistically addressing the differences among these services remains a significant challenge. This paper addresses this issue by developing a novel min–max fairness scheme where bandwidth is distributed with equal share only after ensuring the minimum requirements. Besides borrowing in-use bandwidth through redistribution, this scheme also allows for using the reserved bandwidth for the offline services. Simulation results confirm the superiority of this scheme against the rate-based borrowing and the max–min fairness schemes, the two most recent works addressing similar issues. Copyright © 2005 AEIT.


Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the indirect cost burden associated with migraine. Methods: Data were obtained from Thomson-Medstat's Health and Productivity Management (HPM) database for the 2002 through 2003 calendar years. The migraine cohort was composed of patients who had a diagnosis of migraine or migraine-specific abortive prescription medication, or both. A control cohort of patients without migraine was matched to patients in the migraine cohort. The average annual indirect burden of illness (BOI) of migraine and a national indirect BOI were estimated. Results: Annual indirect expenditures were significantly higher in the migraine group compared with the control group ($4453 vs $1619; P < 0.001). The national annual indirect BOI, excluding presenteeism, was estimated to be $12 billion (mostly attributed to absenteeism). Conclusions: Migraine imparts a substantial indirect cost burden. Projected to a national level, this amounts to an annual cost to US employers of approximately $12 billion.


We show that deceleration in hazard functions (mortality curves) and the resulting mortality plateaus are an intrinsic property of time-to-event traits that are affected by many underlying genetic and environmental factors. We argue that just demonstrating that a mortality curve decelerates with age and reaches a plateau provides little information about the underlying biology associated with lifespan and mortality. To test hypotheses about the rate of deceleration of mortality curves and the level of mortality plateaus, observed curves must be compared with mortality curves expected under a null model - that is, the deceleration of a mortality curve and the mortality plateau generated from a normally distributed trait of the same mean and variance. Comparisons between the observed data and the null models can be achieved with simple statistical tests. The results of these comparisons can be very informative regarding which questions about the shapes of mortality curves will be most meaningful.


Noting the importance of international financial law standards and domestic financial sector reform, the author considers how to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of the legal reform efforts of International Financial Institutions and other relevant institutional legal assistance providers, with a focus on the evaluation of legal technical assistance programs. After providing an overview of evaluation research (including a discussion of models and types of evaluation) and historical background on development assistance evaluation and international programmes of legal reform, the author discusses the legal reform operations of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank and a number of other development institutions. The author also suggests a comprehensive evaluation process for Legal Reform Programmes.In concluding the article, the author draws together specific observations on International Financial Institutions and Legal Reform Programmes and more general observations on the issues of representation, transparency and accountability.


M utual fund An investment vehicle that is made up of a pool of funds collected from many investors for the purpose of investing in securities such as stocks, bonds, money market instruments and similar assets. Mutual funds are Managed by an professional investmen maganer that can manage the fund in accordance with its investmen objectives. The method used is multiple regression analysis with the classical assumption as statistical requirements.  The  research  variables  consisted  of  total  assets,  fund  age,  expense  ratio  and portfolio turnover. Data used in the study include the NAB monthly data, the effective date of mutual funds, expense ratio and portfolio turnover in the period 2012 - 2014. Forty-five conventional mutual funds with the observation period of 3 years cover 15 equity funds, 15 fixed income funds and 15 mixed fund. T he results show  The partial test showed that  total asset and expense ratio give a positive effect and significant on the performance of conventional mutual fund. Portofolio turnover give a negative effect and not significant on the performance of mutual fund. Fund age give a positif effect but not significant on the performance of mutual fund.


A magnetic sensor (10) comprises a core body (11) having a sensor face (110) whereupon an air gap (16) is opened, and an exciting coil (12) arranged in the air gap (16). A nonmagnetic wear resistant member (18) exhibiting conductivity is arranged in the air gap (16) on the side closer to the sensor face (110) than the exciting coil (12). A sheet identifying device (1), which is provided with the magnetic sensor (10) arranged on a conveyance passage (3) for the sheet (2) and identifies the sheet (2) being conveyed on the conveyance passage (3) based on the detection results from the magnetic sensor (10), comprises a core body (11) equipped with a magneto-sensitive portion (118) directed toward the conveyance passage (3), and an exciting coil (12) wound around the core body (11) in order todetect a pattern for generating a magnetic field in the conveyance passage (3) when an AC current is supplied. The magnetic sensor detects a first pattern (21) formed on the sheet (2) by a magnetic material and a second pattern (22) formed on the sheet (2) by a nonmagnetic material based on the detection results of magnetic field variation caused when the sheet (2) is conveyed on the conveyance passage (3).


Deep neural networks have been widely deployed in various machine learning tasks. However, recent works have demonstrated that they are vulnerable to adversarial examples: carefully crafted small perturbations to cause misclassification by the network. In this work, we propose a novel defense mechanism called Boundary Conditional GAN to enhance the robustness of deep neural networks against adversarial examples. Boundary Conditional GAN, a modified version of Conditional GAN, can generate boundary samples with true labels near the decision boundary of a pre-trained classifier. These boundary samples are fed to the pre-trained classifier as data augmentation to make the decision boundary more robust. We empirically show that the model improved by our approach consistently defenses against various types of adversarial attacks successfully. Further quantitative investigations about the improvement of robustness and visualization of decision boundaries are also provided to justify the effectiveness of our strategy. This new defense mechanism that uses boundary samples to enhance the robustness of networks opens up a new way to defense adversarial attacks consistently.


ABSTRACT Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) is an important etiological agent of otitis media (OM) and of exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Inflammation is a hallmark of both diseases. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), one of the important inflammatory mediators, is induced by NTHI and may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Our studies demonstrated that a soluble cytoplasmic fraction (SCF) from NTHI induced much greater IL-8 expression by human epithelial cells than did NTHI lipooligosaccharides and envelope proteins. The IL-8-inducing activity was associated with molecules of ≤3 kDa from SCF and was peptidase and lipase sensitive, suggesting that small lipopeptides are responsible for the strong IL-8 induction. Moreover, multiple intracellular signaling pathways were activated in response to cytoplasmic molecules. The results indicated that the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Src-dependent Raf-1-Mek1/2-extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK MAPK) pathways are required for NTHI-induced IL-8 production. In contrast, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway did not affect IL-8 expression, although this pathway was concomitantly activated upon exposure to NTHI SCF. The PI3K-Akt pathway was also directly activated by IL-8 and significantly inhibited by an antagonist of IL-8 receptors during NTHI stimulation. These results indicated that the PI3K-Akt pathway is activated in response to IL-8 that is induced by NTHI and may lead to other important epithelial cell responses. This work provides insight into essential molecular and cellular events that may impact on the pathogenesis of OM and COPD and identifies rational targets for anti-inflammatory intervention.


Background: YKL-40 has been reported to be associated with the prognosis of glioma patients. However, expression of YKL-40 was detected at protein or mRNA level in different studies. This may result in conclusion bias. This study is to investigate the prognostic value of increased YKL-40 protein versus mRNA expression in glioma patients. Methods: A comprehensive systematic search and review were performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and NKI databases to identify literature (published before May 1, 2018) that evaluated the association between YKL-40 and survival in glioma patients. Results: Thirteen relevant studies, involving 2139 patients, were included in this study. Elevated YKL-40 expression was associated with worse overall survival (OS) in glioma patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27–1.63, P < 0.001), especially in high-grade glioma (anaplastic glioma: HR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.09–1.74, P = 0.008; glioblastoma multiform: HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.33–1.73, P < 0.001). The increased YKL-40 protein level in serum (detected by ELISA) or in tumor tissues (detected by immunohistochemistry) was associated with worse OS (ELISA: HR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.29–1.59, P < 0.001; immunohistochemistry: HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.20–1.93, P = 0.001). However, the association between elevated YKL-40 mRNA level (detected by real-time PCR) with worse OS was not significant (HR = 1.44, 95% CI: 0.73–2.83, P = 0.29, I2 = 68.3%). In addition when status of IDH1 mutation or/and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter was incorporated as multivariate, increased expression level of YKL-40 was not associated with poorer survival (HR = 1.39, 95% CI: 0.99–1.93, P = 0.055). Conclusion: YKL-40 protein level, rather than mRNA level, may be a valuable biomarker to assess the prognosis in glioma patients.


Peritoneal carcinomatosis, which is the most common malignant process of the peritoneal cavity, originates mostly from colorectal, gastric, and gynaecological malignancies. The differential diagnosis is broad and covers primary peritoneal malignancies, as well as many benign disorders such as endometriosis, and inflammatory and infectious diseases. Peritoneal implants tend to locate in the areas of the physiological stasis of the peritoneal fluid: pelvic peritoneal reflections, right and left paracolic gutters, superior part of the sigmoid mesocolon, ileocolic area, and the right subdiaphragmatic space. The 3 most common imaging findings are ascites, nodular implants, and infiltration of the peritoneal fatty tissue. Several imaging modalities may be applied in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. Ultrasound has low sensitivity and specificity, and therefore plays only a marginal role. Computed tomography is the method of choice, due to its availability, cost-effectiveness, and relatively high sensitivity. The sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging depends on the size of peritoneal implants – in cases of implants larger than 10 mm is comparable to CT. Some studies suggest that PET/CT may be the most sensitive method, yet its usefulness in everyday practice is controversial. The Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI) is a scale used to assess the tumour burden in the peritoneum and may serve as a communication tool between clinicians and radiologists. The imaging findings may influence the surgeon's decision on performing cytoreductive surgery, which may be followed by intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC or EPIC procedures). The introduction of these therapeutic methods has significantly improved the life expectancy of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.


The action of epinephrine (E) on canine platelet aggregation is described. Although E did not induce a change in platelet shape or aggregation, potentiation of aggregation induced by the following agents was observed at physiological E concentrations (that is, less than 10 nM/1): arachidonic acid; the dense granule agonists, ADP and serotonin (5-HT); and collagen. Epinephrine-induced potentiation was in part independent of formation of arachidonic acid metabolites, and E potentiated the aggregating action of the bivalent cationophore A23187. Potentiation was inhibited by alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonists phenoxybenzamine, phentolamine, and ergotamine, and mimicked by alpha-adrenergic receptor agonists norepinephrine, clonidine, and in some cases, phenylephrine. The beta-adrenergic receptor agonists isoproterenol and dobutamine inhibited ADP-induced aggregation, and this action was presented by pretreating the platelets with propranolol and dichloroisoproterenol. An augmentation of the aggregation response of platelets to arachidonic acid was observed in blood samples withdrawn when circulating catecholamines were elevated. The physiological implication of epinephrine acting as a gain controller that alters the relationship between actuating signal and the platelet response to an agonist is discussed.


The papers of Benjamin Franklin, ed. Claude A. Lopez. New Haven: Yale University Press, Volume 27,1988. Pp. 727. £45. ISBN 0-300-04177-2. This chunky volume of 727 pages covers four months of Franklin's life, from July to October 1778. As it happens, these months are probably the least significant four months in Franklin's years in Paris. The treaty of alliance with France had been signed in February, and it was bringing a French army, a French fleet and vast quantities of munitions to aid the American cause; and it took France into war with Britain, as part of that second Hundred Years' War that began in 1702 and ceased only in 1815. But whatever Franklin's public fame in Paris as a scientist and as a Voltaire from the backwoods, and whatever his skill as architect of the alliance, the French Foreign Minister, Vergennes, having committed his country to the American cause, preferred to deal with the American Congress via his minister-plenipotentiary in Congress, ConradAlexandre Gerard, rather than through the quarrelsome American envoys in Passy. He liked and appreciated the sagacity of Franklin, but he found it hard to be patient, as did Franklin himself, with the prickly Lees, Arthur and William, and with vain and irascible John Adams, whom he tried to persuade Franklin to have recalled.


Background Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection is currently a serious medical problem for widespread of multi-drug resistant strains causing difficult to treat illnesses. Resistance to fluoroquinolones, azithromycin as well as recently reported cases of resistance to cefixime and ceftriaxone represents important health threat. Methods The first consecutive isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae obtained from patients with risky sexual behaviour (promiscuity, commercial sex, gay community including HIV infected individuals) suspected of infection or carriage, coming to two dermatovenereology clinics in Prague from June 2012 to February 2013, were included. Strains were detected from clinical samples (urethral, vaginal/cervical, rectal or throat swabs) using standard culture technique. Susceptibility to fluoroquinolones and macrolides was routinely determined using disc diffusion test. E-test technique was done to establish MIC values of penicillin and cefixime. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients and strains were studied using standardised protocol. Results A total of 82 N. gonorrhoeae consecutive isolates were tested. The resistance rate to ciprofloxacin was 40%, resistance to erythromycin was 3.8%, respectively. Penicillin MIC equal or higher than 1.0g/l was found in 21% of strains. Cefixime MIC values were equal to 0.125g/l in 4.9% of strains, no strain with MIC higher than 0.125g/l was identified. The patients were treated with azithromycin, doxycycline, cefixime, ceftriaxone, penicillin or combinations of antibiotics. Treatment failure was observed in 7 cases. Association of treatment failure with antimicrobial resistance should be clarified via following clinical studies. Conclusions Preliminary results confirmed important occurrence of resistance of N. gonorrhoeae to essential antimicrobials in high risk population in the Czech Republic. Similarly to other European countries, increasing MIC values of penicillin and cefixime indicate growing risk of difficult to treat N. gonorrhoeae infections.


Skin aging is a multifactorial phenomenon that involves alterations at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels. Our aim was to carry out a multiparametric biophysical and Raman characterization of skin barrier between individuals of different age groups (<24 and >70 years old). Our results showed a significant decrease of lipids to proteins ratio overall the thickness of the stratum corneum and higher lateral packing in the outer part of the SC for elderly. This can explain the decrease in trans epidermal water loss measured values rather than only SC thickening. Both age groups showed similar water content at SC surface while elderly presented higher water content in deep SC and viable epidermis. Mechanical measurements showed a decrease in the elasticity and an increase in the fatigability with age and were correlated with partially bound water. Highest correlation and anti‐correlation values were observed for the deepest part of the SC and the viable epidermis.


This study selected Sichuan Province of China's power energy production and consumption province as the regional research object. It studied power energy utilization efficiency in regional industrial sectors with DEA-Malmquist Model from output of power energy consumption, power energy utilization technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency, and change index of power energy utilization efficiency by power energy consumption and GDP from 2005 to 2010. The power energy utilization efficiency was big difference in industrial sectors. It provided basis of taking different measures according to different characteristic in industrial sectors while reducing power energy consumption and power energy conservation.


Temperate and cold stages comparable to those of the last interglacial-glacial have alternated for ca. 2.4 Ma, a time-level regarded as the base of the Quaternary. A curve showing climatic fluctuations according to a number of glacials, interglacials, and temperate oscillations of small amplitude or short duration (interstadials) is given, and the value of pollen records in this context is discussed. Because the position of the individual intervals with known vegetational development on the total timescale is controlled by superposition, the lithostratigraphic position of some of them is reviewed. Basic differences in vegetational evolution between the Tiglian, Waalian, and later interglacials, as well as the extinction of certain trees at around the time of the transition of the Early-Middle Pleistocene, probably indicate lower temperatures during the glacials which have occurred in the past million years. Although the established record shows some resemblance to the oxygen-isotope curve of the deep sea, precise correlation is not yet possible. A tentative correlation is discussed.


The effectiveness of a reverse wave suppressor (RWS) mirror in an unstable ring resonator has been investigated theoretically and experimentally for the case of an inhomogeneously broadened gain medium. The theory indicates that the RWS mirror is effective when (δ/Δνh)2 ≪ 1, where Δνh is the characteristic homogeneous linewidth of the gain medium and δ = Δu(ν0/c) is a measure of the separation between competing forward and reverse waves. Unstable linear ring resonator experiments were conducted using a continuous wave HF laser. Successful suppression of the reverse wave was achieved. In these tests the ratio of forward to reverse power had an average value of 41. An unstable annular ring resonator was investigated using a pulsed CO2 laser. Reverse wave suppression was achieved when the resonator and RWS mirror were in good alignment. Suppression effectiveness and beam quality were degraded when the RWS mirror was tilted.


Most cochlear implant (CI) users perceive music poorly. Little is known, however, about the musical enjoyment received by CI users. The author examined possible relationships between musical enjoyment and music perception tasks through the use of 1) multiple musical tests, and 2) two groups of listeners: normal-hearing (NH) listeners with a CI-simulation and actual CI users. The two groups' performances are compared to determine whether NH participants listening to music via CI-simulation software are a good model for actual CI users for perceiving music. Copyright by Rose Ellen Bradley 2010


This paper examines the historical pattern of aggregate demand and supply shocks in several European Monetary System countries in order to assess the desirability of monetary union. Countries with similar patterns of shocks are presumably better candidates for monetary union than those hit by wildly disparate shocks. The historical time series of shocks is identified by estimating a vector autoregressive model while imposing the restriction that demand shocks have no permanent effect on real output. In most cases supply shocks are positively correlated with those of Germany, but the negative correlation of demand shocks suggests that monetary union may not be desirable.


Infective endocarditis is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality and oral Streptococci are the priniciple causative organism. Platelet adhesion and subsequent aggregation play a critical role in the pathogenesis and dissemination of the infective process. The mechanism by which S. gordonii interacts with and subsequently leads to platelet activation is currently unknown. Previously we described the ability of Streptococcus sanguis to induce platelet aggregation via the platelet vonWillebrand factor receptor, GPIbα, however identification of the bacterial protein involved was not established. Here we describe the novel interaction between a Streptococcal protein that triggers aggregation via platelet GPIbα, in a unique fashion. Wildtype S. sanguis (133–79) and S. gordonii (DL1) support platelet adhesion and induce αIIbβ3 dependent platelet aggregation. Pre-incubation of platelets with an anti-GPIbα antibody inhibited the adhesion (61±6%, p p S. gordonii . These results suggest that GPIbα is a key receptor for recognition of platelets by streptococci. Passing a mutanolysin cell wall extract of S. sanguis through a GPIb affinity column identified a highly glycosylated protein, Hsa, also present on S. gordonii. S. gordonii DL-1 deficient in the Hsa gene, was generated by allelic exchange with an antibiotic resistance cassette. Platelet adhesion to S. gordonii ΔHsa was reduced by 41±5%, ( p 0.001), however aggregation was unaffected (49±7% vs 55±5% wt). To confirm that Hsa was binding to platelet GPIbα we immobilised soluble GPIbα (glycocalicin, 0.2μg/ml) on a 96 well plate. Wildtype S. gordonii bound to immobilised glycocalicin, however, the Hsa mutant adhered significantly less (9±3% of wildtype, p 0.001). Furthermore, wildtype S. gordonii induced αIIbβ3 dependent platelet aggregation in washed platelets in the absence of vWf, suggesting a direct interaction between Hsa and GPIbα. We further investigated the interaction between GPIbα and Hsa under shear. Experiments were recorded in real time for a period of 8 minutes. Upon commencement of shear (50s-1), platelets interacted with S. gordonii DL-1 with a rolling fashion followed by firm adhesion. This adhesion was completely inhibited by addition of an anti-GPIbα antibody. When platelets were sheared over immobilized S. gordonii ΔHsa no interaction was observed. In addition, S. gordonii DL-1 failed to interact with platelets at the higher shear rate of 500s-1. Collectively, these results identify a unique interaction between S. gordonii Hsa and platelet GPIbα. This interaction occurs at static and low shear but not at high shear, which is in direct contrast to the interaction between vwf and GPIbα. Furthermore, we propose that the platelet interaction with S. gordonii appears to be a 2 step process. Firstly, platelets roll across the S. gordonii via a GPIbα - Hsa interaction. Following this a second more stable interaction firmly immobilizes the platelet, thereby facilitating the intravascular colonization of a septic plaque.


The supply and demand relation runs through the whole level of supply chain. So it is important to study vendor and purchaser for coordinating their lot sizing. The paper discusses a non-cooperation model with a vendor and a purchaser, then introduced a policy of price discount, the price considered both quantity increased discount and quantity decreased discount, and then the paper proposes a Stackelberg game theory model and a pareto optimization model to coordinate the lot sizing between a vendor and a purchaser in supply chain based on the MTO (make to order). Finally a numerical example is given to illustrate.


Two solitons in a nonlinear fiber behave like two particles. They propagate without distortion, collide elastically gaining quantum correlations and emerge separately from the fiber providing the condition of spacelike separation. The entanglement appearing between positions and momenta of the two distanced solitons allows us a close following of the famous Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) reasoning with two correlated quantum particles. The particlelike behavior of the solitons makes our proposal conceptually different from the previous optical schemes with correlated plane waves (photons).


Anaplasma marginale , bacteria that occurs in tropical and subtropical areas throughout the world, is responsible for causing a disease that is one of the most constraint to cattle production in many countries. The present work aimed to investigate potential risk factors for anaplasmosis and the occurrence of transplacental transmission by molecular and serological assays in cattle. A total of 22 calves were randomly sampled and monitored during four years; the presence of infection/exposure to A. marginale was assessed by a semi-nested PCR assay targeting msp-5 gene of A. marginale , indirect ELISA for detection of IgG antibodies to A. marginale and blood smears. The A. marginale infection prevalence data were analyzed in relation to risk factors, using chi-squared, odds ratio and multiple logistic regressions. DNA amplification results revealed a frequency of infection with A. marginale of 41% (9/22) in the newborn calves before colostrum suckling. However, only 14% (3/22) of newborn calves were seropositive for A. marginale . All calves were positive to A. marginale by PCR and microscopic examination of blood smears before the two and fourth month of age, respectively. The main risk factors associated with seroprevalence were breed (OR=36.2), tick infestation (OR=3.44) and stocking density (OR=3.28). The results indicated that exposure of cattle to A. marginale was common in dairy herds and endemic instability situation probably is due to inadequate antibody production in cows or genetic variability of pathogen. This study still demonstrated that in addition to transmission of A. marginale by ticks and flies, the transplacental transmission is very important and should be the target of disease control programs in Brazil.


This paper presents a reduced-complexity low power error-resilient K-Best MIMO Detector. A novel tree-enumeration method is proposed such that the error-resilient detection processes a reduced search space and is more suitable for VLSI design. Moreover, a circuit-level optimization is employed to further simplify the complexity. Experimental results are given showing that the circuit-level optimization decreases the detector area by 15% and power consumption by 41%. Moreover, we show that the proposed error-resilient MIMO detector with reduced-voltage memory can achieve a total of 19% reduction in power consumption compared with the conventional scheme, while still maintaining close-to optimal PER performance.


Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, have been shown to home to the same spawning site in successive years, suggesting that distinct breeding populations could exist. The species' population structure has, therefore, been studied using biochemical genetic methods to reveal possible genetic differences among fish from different spawning sites. Genetic screening of 43 loci in Faroese halibut revealed only four polymorphic loci, including one highly polymorphic fumarase locus not previously detected in halibut. Comparing these four loci among stocks from the Faroes, the Norwegian coast and Greenland gave evidence of general genetic homogeneity over the sampling range. This lack of genetic differentiation is not taken as proof, but as strong evidence of substantial gene flow between geographical areas.


We show that the property of a spectral space, to be a spectral subspace of the real spectrum of a commutative ring, is not expressible in the infinitary first order language L∞λ of its defining lattice. This generalises a result of Delzell and Madden which says that not every completely normal spectral space is a real spectrum.


Silicon materials play a key role in many technologically relevant fields, ranging from the electronic to the photovoltaic industry. A systematic search for silicon allotropes was performed by employing a modified ab initio minima hopping crystal structure prediction method. The algorithm was optimized to specifically investigate the hitherto barely explored low-density regime of the silicon phase diagram by imitating the guest-host concept of clathrate compounds. In total 44 metastable phases are presented, of which 11 exhibit direct or quasi-direct band-gaps in the range of $\approx$1.0-1.8 eV, close to the optimal Shockley-Queisser limit of $\approx$1.4 eV, with a stronger overlap of the absorption spectra with the solar spectrum compared to conventional diamond silicon. Due to the structural resemblance to known clathrate compounds it is expected that the predicted phases can be synthesized.


Patterning of the vertebrate axial skeleton requires precise spatial and temporal control of Hox gene expression during embryonic development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently described modulators of gene activity, and members of the miR-196 and miR-10 families have been shown to target several Hox genes in vivo. Testing miRNA function in mice is complicated by potential redundancy between family members. To circumvent this, we have developed protocols for introducing modified antisense oligonucleotides (antagomiRs) in ovo during chick development. Using this approach, we identify a layer of regulatory control provided by the miR-196 family in defining the boundary of Hox gene expression along the anterior-posterior (A-P) embryonic axis. Following knockdown of miR-196, we observe a homeotic transformation of the last cervical vertebrae toward a thoracic identity. This phenotypic alteration is, in part, due to an anterior expansion of Hoxb8 gene expression and consolidates the in vivo relevance of post-transcriptional Hox gene regulation provided by miRNAs in the complex hierarchies governing axial pattering.


The actin cytoskeleton is a malleable framework of polymerised actin monomers that may be rapidly restructured to enable diverse cellular activities such as motility, endocytosis and cytokinesis. The regulation of actin dynamics involves the coordinated activity of numerous proteins, among which members of the annexin family of Ca2+‐ and phospholipid‐binding proteins play an important role. Although the roles of annexins in actin dynamics are not understood at a mechanistic level, annexins have the requisite properties to integrate Ca2+‐signaling with actin dynamics at membrane contact sites. In this review we discuss the current state of knowledge on this topic, and consider how and where annexins may fit into the complex molecular machinery that regulates the actin cytoskeleton.


This research was conducted with the goals to identify the potential of Black Tongkat Ali, Eurycoma longifolia on the masculinization of brine shrimp, Artemi salina and to identify the toxicity level in E. longifolia steam extract. Five concentration of Black Tongkat Ali, E. Longifolia extract are prepared that are 0.02gL⁻¹,0.04 gL⁻¹, 0.06 gL⁻¹, 0.08 gL⁻¹, and 0.10 gL⁻¹.:1 with the control. Three replication of the solution is done for toxicity test. For the masculinization,the brine shrimp, Artemia are soaked in the extract for 14 days and the sex of the Artemia observe under the light microscope. The result showed that E. longifolia has the potential for the masculinization of Artemia where 82.4% of the male nauplii of Artemia produced in 0.08 gL⁻¹ concentration that is the highest among the other treatinent. One- way ANOVA analysis reveals the Artemia bioassay highly significance from different concentration used (p<0.01). Follow-up comparison between the composite groups by Tukey's pairwise multiple-comparison test (a =0.05) showed that the effect of the extract can be divided into 4 groups with 0.10 gL⁻¹ showed highest toxicity level (4.00± 1.00).


We present our approach to support program understanding by a tool that generates static and dynamic analysis algorithms from design pattern specifications to detect design patterns in legacy code. We therefore specify the static and dynamic aspects of patterns as predicates, and represent legacy code by predicates that encode its attributed abstract syntax trees. Given these representations, the static analysis is performed on the legacy code representation as a query derived from the specification of the static pattern aspects. It provides us with pattern candidates in the legacy code. The dynamic specification represents state sequences expected when using a pattern. We monitor the execution of the candidates and check their conformance to this expectation. We demonstrate our approach and evaluate our tool by detecting instances of the observer, composite and decorator patterns in Java code using Prolog to define predicates and queries.


The microbial composition resemblance among individuals in a group can be summarized in a square covariance matrix and fitted in linear models. We investigated eight approaches to create the matrix that quantified the resemblance between animals based on the gut microbiota composition. We aimed to compare the performance of different methods in estimating trait microbiability and predicting growth and body composition traits in three pig breeds. This study included 651 purebred boars from either breed: Duroc (n = 205), Landrace (n = 226), and Large White (n = 220). Growth and body composition traits, including body weight (BW), ultrasound backfat thickness (BF), ultrasound loin depth (LD), and ultrasound intramuscular fat (IMF) content, were measured on live animals at the market weight (156 ± 2.5 days of age). Rectal swabs were taken from each animal at 158 ± 4 days of age and subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Eight methods were used to create the microbial similarity matrices, including four kernel functions (Linear Kernel, LK; Polynomial Kernel, PK; Gaussian Kernel, GK; Arc-cosine Kernel with one hidden layer, AK1), two dissimilarity methods (Bray-Curtis, BC; Jaccard, JA), and two ordination methods (Metric Multidimensional Scaling, MDS; Detrended Correspondence analysis, DCA). Based on the matrix used, microbiability estimates ranged from 0.07 to 0.21 and 0.12 to 0.53 for Duroc, 0.03 to 0.21 and 0.05 to 0.44 for Landrace, and 0.02 to 0.24 and 0.05 to 0.52 for Large White pigs averaged over traits in the model with sire, pen, and microbiome, and model with the only microbiome, respectively. The GK, JA, BC, and AK1 obtained greater microbiability estimates than the remaining methods across traits and breeds. Predictions were made within each breed group using four-fold cross-validation based on the relatedness of sires in each breed group. The prediction accuracy ranged from 0.03 to 0.18 for BW, 0.08 to 0.31 for BF, 0.21 to 0.48 for LD, and 0.04 to 0.16 for IMF when averaged across breeds. The BC, MDS, LK, and JA achieved better accuracy than other methods in most predictions. Overall, the PK and DCA exhibited the worst performance compared to other microbiability estimation and prediction methods. The current study shows how alternative approaches summarized the resemblance of gut microbiota composition among animals and contributed this information to variance component estimation and phenotypic prediction in swine.


Most cancer-related deaths are due to the development of metastatic disease, and several new molecularly targeted agents in clinical development have the potential to prevent disease progression. However, it remains difficult to assess the efficacy of antimetastatic agents in the clinical setting, and an increased understanding of how such agents work at different stages of the metastatic cascade is important in guiding their clinical use. We used optical window chambers combined with photobleaching, photoactivation, and photoswitching to quantitatively measure (a) tumor cell movement and proliferation by tracking small groups of cells in the context of the whole tumor, and (b) E-cadherin molecular dynamics in vivo following perturbation of integrin signaling by inhibiting focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Src. We show that inhibition of Src and FAK suppresses E-cadherin-dependent collective cell movement in a complex three-dimensional tumor environment, and modulates cell-cell adhesion strength and endocytosis in vitro. This shows a novel role for integrin signaling in the regulation of E-cadherin internalization, which is linked to regulation of collective cancer cell movement. This work highlights the power of fluorescent, direct, in vivo imaging approaches in the preclinical evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents, and shows that inhibition of the Src/FAK signaling axis may provide a strategy to prevent tumor cell spread by deregulating E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesions.


Much has been written about food security, nutrition security and the ability of people to access their food needs. Food sovereignty and the associated ability of people to participate in the production, distribution and consumption decisions of their food have been at the fringe of this discussion. Linked with this is the debate on the question of pursuing policies of food self-sufficiency or policies of self-reliance where food imports are considered a natural extension of food security. Examining the elements of food security through the food system participation framework of food sovereignty is an opportunity worthy of further exploration. This paper seeks to add a dimension to the understanding of food security by considering the value that a food sovereignty perspective has on the right to access food that is nutritious and safe for consumption. Current themes are cited and reviewed, and the implications of both food security and food sovereignty perspectives for the food system are argued. Agricultural trade liberalisation has benefited some societies and harmed others. To this end, the Global Strategic Framework (the Framework) on Food Security and Nutrition has recently incorporated the philosophy of the food sovereignty movement into its guidelines. The Framework provides an opportunity to view food security through a lens of food sovereignty providing guidance for all societies on how to safeguard their food security.


A photonic crystal slab waveguide (PhC-WG) with an integrated MEMS bimorph cantilever actuator has been successfully fabricated using deep UV lithography and surface micromaching techniques. The cantilever is equipped with tips that are self-aligned with respect to the holes of the PhC-WG such that on electrostatic actuation, with modest voltages of less than 10 V, these tips move into the holes. This provides electro-opto-mechanical modulation of light-transmission, up to 80%, for interaction lengths as short as 10 µm. The device is monolithically integrated and designed to operate in the C-band of the telecommunication wavelengths.


In his essay entitled "Communication and Navigation" (see Proc. IRE, vol.49, p.592, 1961), H. Busignies foresaw booming businesses in each field leading up to 2012. His visions have been largely fulfilled earlier than he expected, which is typical of forecasting the future. He envisioned satellite communication, worldwide electronic mail, waveguides at optical frequencies (fiber optics), newspapers and magazines without paper, hand-carried wireless radio, all-weather flying, and anti-collision systems for aircraft-a remarkable list from a remarkable engineer. The author expands on his list, makes some comments on his essay, and then tries to look beyond 2012.


Pelvic pain associated with the menses may be a result of physiologic problems, premenstrual tension syndrome, primary dysmenorrhea or secondary dysmenorrhea. All of these conditions may be caused by both physiologic and psychologic factors. An accurate diagnosis requies a complete history and physical examination and astute assessment of predisposing or aggravating conditions. Diagnosis has been improved through the use of laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, hysterosalpingography and dilatation and curettage. Treatment has been revolutionized with the use of oral contraceptives and prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors. These diagnostic and therapeutic advances now enable the sympathetic physician to effectively evaluate and treat almost all patients with menstrually related pelvic pain. When all of these approaches fail, the physician should consider psychiatric consultation or referral to pain clinic or gynecologist with special interest in this field.


A method was developed that uses paired DNA dyes to detect the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) into cellular DNA and requires only 488 nm excitation. The fluorescence of thiazole blue, TO-PRO-3, and LDS-751 was found to be enhanced by the presence of BrdUrd in DNA. Pairing LDS-751, thiazole blue, or TO-PRO-3 with propidium iodide (PI) for flow cytometry allowed the differentiation of cells containing BrdUrd from BrdUrd unlabeled cells. LDS-751 can be excited directly at 488 nm, and TO-PRO-3 or thiazole blue can be excited indirectly by resonance energy transfer from PI. The enhancement of fluorescence from these dyes is correlated with a decrease in PI fluorescence, suggesting an increased energy transfer from PI to the red emitting dye. Fluorescence from other dyes, including thiazole orange, TO-PRO-1, rhodamine 800, oxazine 750, and 7-aminoactinomycin D, was not altered by the presence of BrdUrd in DNA. Results also were obtained showing that BrdUrd detection using PI and TO-PRO-3 is compatible with immunofluorescence staining with FITC-labeled antibodies.


ABSTRACT Primary leiomyosarcomas of the colon (PLC) are rare tumors, representing 0.12% of all colon malignancies. We report a 59-year-old man with weight loss, mild anemia, and rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy revealed a 3.2 × 2.6-cm mass at the ileocecal valve. Histopathological examination of the biopsy showed a spindle cell neoplasm that stained positive for smooth muscle actin, caldesmon, and desmin. A diagnosis of PLC was made. Subsequently, a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed, and no local recurrence was noted 6 months after the resection. Given the rarity of PLC, more studies on the clinical features and treatments of this tumor are warranted.


Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is a rare but lethal disease that affects the pulmonary vascular bed, resulting in hypoxia, respiratory distress, right heart failure, exercise limitation and mortality. Currently, many PAH specific medications are applied to ameliorate patients' symptoms, improve life quality and prolong their lives. The survival rate has improved with medical therapy but patients may still suffer from insufficient exercise capacity. Therefore, cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) can play an important role in the evaluation of PAH patients' risk status and treatment response, and, furthermore, it can guide the rehabilitation program. In this article, we would like to introduce the current implementation of CPET and rehabilitation for PAH patients.


The syndiome has not been recognized before. The distinct features are congenital xeroderma with hyphidrosis, nail abnormalities, hypoplasia of sweat glands (the epidermis otherwise normal), cleft palate, bilateral club foot anomaly, hypoplasia of the ocular puncta leading to epiphora and blepharitis, mild oligophrenia with abnormal electroencephalographic changes. It would seem that a child developing the syndrome would first show xeroderma and club foot. It should be noted that the dry skin is not due to ichthyosis but to a deficiency of or defect in the sweat glands.


Online learning is no longer novel in higher education. Decades of research have proven it to be an effective modality for learning when designed and facilitated well to students who are ready and supported to participate in this type of instruction. With demand increasing for online and blended course and program offerings, faculty and practitioners who work in health education and promotion are pressed to adopt new paradigms of teaching and course development that engage the learner and cover professional competencies (many skills-based). While service-learning has become an integral facet of higher education, embraced by many disciplines for its positive influence on student learning and community, service-learning and community-based projects are not commonly part of online learning. Working in and with communities provides students opportunities to experience transformative moments that help them not only develop academically and professionally but also lead to increased social consciousness about the world around them. There is a need for empirical studies that explore the integration of service-learning in fully online health promotion courses. This article presents findings and lessons learned from a pilot project that explored the impact of service-learning on community of inquiry measures (e.g., cognitive presence, teacher presence, and social presence). The authors introduce a new online course model in health promotion that includes service-learning or other forms of community engagement.


Polymer materials that are used in outdoor enviroments are exposed to humidity and polution. In addition, some insulation materials installed in water or embeded to slush containing serious pollutants for a long time. These conditions adversely affect the dielectric properties of insulating materials. In this study, the prepared unsaturated polyester (UPE) samples are stored in an ionized water solution for 8, 24, and 168 hours. This ionized water solution is considered to represent the polluted water in the outdoor environments. Further, the dielectric behaviors of the prepared polyester samples are investigated using the inclined plane test (IPT) method, whereas the leakage current data that are recorded during the experiment are analyzed using the recurrence plot (RP) method. The results of applying the inclined plane test on the unsaturated polyester samples depict that the lifetime of the samples decreased with an increase in the period of storage in the ionized water solution. Further, the results of the recurrence plot analysis reveal that the recurrence plot point density also depicted a decrease with an increase in the period of storage in the ionized water solution.


Aim: To estimate the proportion of exocrine pancreatic cancers in Australia that can be attributed to the established risk factors, smoking and excess body weight, and the suggested risk factors, excessive alcohol consumption and excessive red and processed meat consumption. Methods: The proportion of pancreatic cancers attributable to lifestyle-related risk factors was quantified using the Population Attributable Fraction (PAF) which combines estimates of the strength of the exposure-cancer association and the exposure prevalence in the population. The study population included seven Australian cohort studies (N=367,772) with comprehensive data on exposure to lifestyle-related risk factors and long-term follow-up. Pancreatic cancer incidence and all-cause mortality were identified through linkage with the Australian Cancer Database and National Death Index, respectively. A proportional hazards model was used to estimate the strength of exposure-cancer and exposure-death associations adjusting for age, sex and other lifestyle exposures. The age- and sex-specific exposure prevalence was calculated from the Australian National Health Survey (NHS) 2011-2012 except for red and processed meat consumption which was not available and was calculated from the latest 45 and Up study. A newly developed method that takes into account the competing risk of death was used to produce PAF estimates and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: During the first 10-years follow-up to incidence of pancreatic cancer, death or end of follow-up, there were 21,541 deaths and 613 incident exocrine pancreatic cancers. 10% (CI = 1-17%) of pancreatic cancers in Australia could be attributed to current or past smoking. Current smoking explained 8% (CI = 4-13%) of pancreatic cancers. Using cancer incidence projections estimated by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, a PAF of 8% translates to 2,700 potentially preventable pancreatic cancers over the next 10 years. The PAF results for excess body weight (≥ 25 kg/m2), excessive alcohol consumption (> 2 drinks/day) and excessive red and processed meat consumption (≥ 4 times/week) were not statistically significant. Conclusion: According to the first pancreatic cancer PAF results from cohort studies, and accounting for competing risk of death, smoking control could reduce the number of pancreatic cancers by one tenth. Further PAF studies should include confidence intervals for the estimates to allow an evaluation of their significance. Citation Format: Maria E. Arriaga, Maarit A. Laaksonen, Karen Canfell, Robert MacInnis, Emily Banks, Graham Giles, Paul Mitchell, Robert Cumming, Barbra-Ann Adelstein, Julie Byles, Dianna J. Magliano, Jonathan Shaw, Anne Taylor, Kay Price, Vasant Hirani, Claire M. Vajdic. Population-level relevance of lifestyle-related risk factors for pancreatic cancer in Australia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2283. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-2283


This study addresses gaps in knowledge of protective factors that support adaptive functioning among maltreated adolescents. The sample included 1003 high-risk youths participating in the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (53% female, 56% Black, and 82% living in poverty). Adolescent neglect (Exposure to Risky Situations, Lack of Monitoring, Inattention to Basic Needs, Permitting Misbehavior, Lack of Support) and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse were self-reported at age 16. Age 18 adaptive functioning measures included healthcare receipt (medical, dental, and mental health), self-rated global health, high school graduation or enrollment, prosocial activities, peer relationships (Companionship, Conflict, Satisfaction, and Intimacy), and independent living skills. Previous childhood maltreatment, demographics, and earlier prosocial activities and peer relationships were controls. Structural equation modeling showed that adolescent neglect and abuse were associated with lower adaptive functioning. Multigroup models showed protective effects for food security on the relationships between sexual abuse and self-rated health and between Inadequate Monitoring and Companionship. Housing stability buffered relationships between Inadequate Support and high school graduation or enrollment and between Permitting Misbehavior and independent living skills. Findings imply the need for adolescent-focused prevention, including the promotion of food security and housing stability to support adaptive functioning in maltreated adolescents. However, notable mixed findings show the need for additional research.


Current state of the debt of population for electricity has been described, the methods of struggle of power companies and regulatory agencies with its growth in Russia have been considered. The reasons for non-payment of population and their share in the structure of total debt for electricity in 2014-2017 have been analyzed. The ways of struggle with non-payment of the population for energy in a number of foreign countries have been highlighted. The prospects for the application of foreign experience in Russia have been considered in terms of methods of regulating the growth of the debt of population for electricity


The following study demonstrated the influence of 1,25D/CA and 1,25D/CUR combinations on Nrf2 expression in primary leukemic cells derived from newly diagnosed CML and AML patients of hematological department of Karaganda Regional Clinical Hospital (Karaganda, Kazakhstan). Methods. The research was conducted by using quantitative real-time PCR. Mononuclear cells were isolated by centrifugation in a Ficoll-PaqueTMPREMIUM density gradient. Cell cultures were incubated in RPMI 1640 medium with test agents. RNA extracted from mononuclear cells was used for cDNA molecules synthesis by reverse transcription. Quantitative real-time PCR was carried out in a DT-322 PCR machine. The relative expression level was quantified by using the 2-DDCt method. The statistical analysis was carried out by GraphPadPrism 6.0 program. Results. It was found 1.25D, CUR, CA alone and their combinations do not lead to an increase in the level of expression of the Nrf2 gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of AML and CML patients. The expression of NQO1 gene did not change much in the all cell groups of CML patients, but is pronounced in cells of AML patients grown in a medium supplemented with combinations of 1.25D/CUR, 1.25D/CA and CUR, CA alone. 1.25D/CUR and 1.25D/CA combinations do not enhance the expression level of the Nrf2 gene, but increase the amount of its protein, which in turn augments the expression level of the NQO1 gene.


Smart environments are places where different kind of embedded devices are interconnected in order to provide their occupants intelligent services improving their comfort and convenience. These smart environments are seen to be important for the future urban ecosystems in terms of user friendliness, quality of life, energy efficiency and sustainability. Lately such environments have become economically and technologically feasible due to the advancements in embedded and distributed technologies. Most of the novel infrastructures adopt smart technologies, while old infrastructures need a transition towards smart environments. Even though different technologies and devices are available, there is a need for an appropriate methodology and a system architecture for a smooth and profitable transition towards smart environments. In this paper we present a framework for creating personalized smart environments using wireless sensor networks. This framework, among other services that it provides, is able to identify people and take personalized actions such as control electrical devices based on their preferences and needs. We present, as a proof of concept, a real world deployment where two scenarios are implemented in two office premises.


"In recent years, there has been an increased interest in data on job vacancies that are representative of the entire economy. Data from administrative sources cannot meet this demand adequately in structure or coverage. In Germany, this gap is filled by the German Job Vacancy Survey of the IAB, a representative survey of establishments providing valid data on the number and the structure of job vacancies in the entire German economy. It also provides data crucial to the understanding of recruitment processes and the reasons for the lapsing of vacancies. This enables a detailed examination of labor market processes, in particular search and hiring decisions. Beginning in 2011, data from all waves have gradually been made available to external researchers through the Research Data Centre (FDZ) of the Federal Employment Agency at the Institute for Employment Research." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en)) Additional Information frequencies


We show that the moduli space of marked branched projective structures of genus g and branching degree n is a complex analytic space. In the case g>1 we show that this moduli space is of dimension 6 g - 6 + n and we characterize its singular points in terms of their monodromy. We introduce a notion of branching class, that is an infinitesimal description of branched projective structures at the branched points. We show that the space of marked branching classes of genus g and branching degree n is a complex manifold. We show that if n<2g-2 the space of branched projective structures is an affine bundle over the space of branching classes, while if n>4g-4 the former is an analytic subspace of the latter.


In wireless communication system, interference is one of the issue facing that can disturb in communicating between base station and mobile devices. This paper propose switched beam smart antenna system, an octagonal configuration of directional antenna is introduced and selecting beam to desire user. Each beam of antenna covered 45 degrees; by assembly of all directional antennas to create an omni-directional configuration with coverage all the beam 360 degrees. To control of the beam switching, an inexpensive microcontroller PIC 16F877 from microchip used, radio signal strength of mobile device receive as reference signal and compare to each of beam, the highest signal received is selected than microcontroller will lock to the desire beam. A few samples of received signal strength to be analysis by an algorithm to avoid multiple signals and select actual signal strength received. In this experiment 2.45 GHz ISM band used for the transmitter and receiver and testing have been conducted in outdoor environment. Results shows that switched beam smart antenna working fine base on mobile device location and able to switch the beam while mobile device is moving.


This research developed a learning model containing life based learning approach in education research course of Sociology Educa-tion, Malang University. ADDIE development model was applied in this re-search development process. This learning model was developed following the procedural principle in the research, thereby called CDAC (Constructing, Design, Act, and Communicate) model. The procedure of CDAC learning model was as follows: 1) evaluation for constructing, 2) taking information for design, 3) collecting data for act, 4) innovation for communicate. In addi-tion, this model is equipped with media including video and module devel-oped to support the successful learning process. Having passed through eval-uation and revision processes, the result of research showed that model and media developed is highly beneficial to the students and helped them provide the best research, as indicated with the satisfactory learning outcome achieved.


Novel biobased materials from fungal hyphae and cellulose fibers have been proposed to address the increasing demand for natural materials in personal protective equipment (PPE). Materials containing commercially available kraft fibers (KF), laboratory-made highly fibrillated hemp fibers (HF) and fungal fibers (FF) obtained from fruiting bodies of lignicolous basidiomycetes growing in nature were prepared using paper production techniques and evaluated for their mechanical and air permeability properties. SEM and microscopy revealed the network structure of materials. The tensile index of materials was in the range of 8–60 Nm/g and air permeability ranged from 32–23,990 mL/min, depending on the composition of materials. HF was the key component for strength; however, the addition of FF to compositions resulted in higher air permeability. Chemical composition analysis (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) revealed the presence of natural polysaccharides, mainly cellulose and chitin, as well as the appropriate elemental distribution of components C, H and N. Biodegradation potential was proven by a 30-day-long composting in substrate, which resulted in an 8–62% drop in the C/N ratio. Conclusions were drawn about the appropriateness of fungal hyphae for use in papermaking-like technologies together with cellulose fibers. Developed materials can be considered as an alternative to synthetic melt and spun-blown materials for PPE.


This paper presents the design and analysis done on the 720 step hybrid stepper motor used to drive solar array drive mechanism of Indian remote sensing satellites (IRS). The original design reported in PEDS 1995, develops a peak holding torque of 1.1 NM, saturating at 42 Volts. The authors then, introduced a phenomenon called "torque saturation" different from material saturation to explain the phenomenon of saturation. Recent investigation on the same motor using electro-magnetic FE CAD tools together with circuit simulation tools showed that the torque saturation in the motor is purely due to material saturation. The magnetic circuit was then optimized to remove all saturation effects. FE analysis showed that the motor could develop a peak holding torque of 5 NM for the same excitation. Hardware verification model with de-saturation of stator alone developed 2.6 NM. In addition a method is evolved to reduce the spatial harmonic content in the holding torque. Using the de-saturated stepper motor, a power optimal micro-stepping mode of operation is being realized for use in future IRS missions.


Carbon fiber composite use in automobiles and light trucks could dramatically reduce energy use and engineout emissions. However, worldwide capacity of 28,000 tonnes per year of carbon fiber from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and petroleum pitch could support limited automotive use. Production of high-volume, industrialgrade fiber from renewable and recycled polymers (lignin, recycled plastics, regenerated cellulosics) could meet automotive demand. Profiles of material volumes, carbon content, and melting points indicate several attractive candidates for production melt-spun carbon fiber feedstocks. Effects on the carbon fiber production cycle and its integration into automotive production are discussed.


MLHD is short for Minimum Lethal Herbicide Dose. MLHD is a new concept within chemical weed control. It supports effective weed control while herbicide doses are kept at minimum effective levels (minimum lethal doses). This manual describes how to use of the MLHD calculation module for users from outside the Netherlands, and gives background information on the method, the meaning of readings with MLHD-meters, weeds in MLHD online, a list of herbicides compatible with MLHD and descriptions of the MLHD-meters.


We present an efficient one-step scheme for a single spin measurement based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. This scheme considerably reduces the time of operation using a spin star network where a target spin and an ancillary spin are coupled to a ring of N spins. As opposed to the proposal in [Phys. Rev. Lett. 97(2006) 100501] using a cubic lattice crystal to achieve a cubic speedup, the distinct advantage of this scheme is that under ideal conditions it requires the application of only one step to create a system of N correlated spins. In the process of single spin measurement, the total macroscopic magnetization, the individual magnetization and the transfer fidelity are calculated analytically as simple cosine functions of time and the amplitude of irradiation.


Background : Survivin, a novel antiapoptotic gene has been linked with tumor development and progression in various human carcinomas including gastric carcinomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of survivin in gastric carcinoma and its correlation with tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis. Methods : Expression of survivin was evaluated immunohistochemically in 84 surgically resected gastric carcinomas. Tumor cell apoptosis was evaluated with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and Ki-67 immunostaining was used for evaluation of tumor cell proliferation. Results : Expression of survivin was noted in 53.6% of the gastric carcinomas, and was significantly associated with depth of invasion, status of lymph node metastasis or tumor stage (p=0.022, 0.034, 0.040, respectively). There was an inverse correlation between survivin expression and apoptotic index (p=0.015). But there was no significant correlation between survivin expression and Ki-67 labeling index (p=0.430). Conclusions : These results suggest that survivin expression may contribute to tumor development and progression by inhibiting apoptosis in human gastric carcinoma.


Many university academics spend time and money attending national and international conferences each year. This initial longitudinal study seeks to investigate the perceived and actual benefits and outcomes specifically from delegates attending the 2009 UniServe Science Conference. This is a relatively small three day annual conference for science and mathematics educators. Data was collected from an online survey immediately after the event and another survey six months later. This revealed information concerning the demographics of the delegates and sought detail on the synergies and collaborations, articles and grants emerging in the short term from such a conference.
Networking emerged as the main benefit along with the opportunity to find out about new ideas to implement in their own teaching and research. Delegates indicated they had used ideas from the conference and shared these with others. However there was a decline in actual submissions to journals compared with the expectations of delegates immediately after the conference. Findings lead to alternative formats for conferences and suggest changes to allow maximum benefits for all stakeholders.


This report describes a case of amnesia during a cold-water experiment. The volunteer was exposed three times in 1 day (120 min duration each time) to 20 degrees C water. During the third immersion, from min 95 to min 115, the subject experienced transient global amnesia for 20 min. The rectal temperature during this time was 35.6 degrees C. This single case demonstrates that memory loss in a young individual apparently can occur after cold-water exposure and at core temperatures above 35 degrees C.


In this paper, the methodology for determination of the out-of-plane thermal diffusivity (TD) of a thin graphite layer deposited onto a substrate of known properties is presented. The developed methodology resulted in combined experimental-numerical procedure enabling investigation of the properties of thin layer deposits. The procedure involves the experimental data acquisition during the laser flash tests, and next the numerical processing of the collected data using the heat conduction problem solution and the nonlinear least square parameter identification approach. Two last steps produce a certain inverse heat conduction problem that is formulated and numerically solved for a three-layer specimen. The procedure has been successfully tested while processing the real experimental data from investigation of flake graphite layers. This proved the effectiveness of the methodology in providing quantitative data on the TD of thin layers of relatively poor conductors deposited onto a highly conductive substrate.