The root is the main organ of a plant for absorbing resources and whose spatial distribution characteristics play an important role in the survival of seedlings after afforestation. Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is one of China's most important plantation species. To clarify the effects of propagation methods on root growth and spatial distribution characteristics of Chinese fir trees, sampled trees cultivated by seed germination, tissue culture, and asexual cutting of Chinese fir were taken as the research objects. The root morphology, geometric configuration, and spatial distribution characteristics of different trees were analyzed. The influence of geometric root morphology on its spatial distribution pattern was explored by correlation analysis, and the resource acquisition characteristics reflected by the roots of Chinese fir trees with different propagation methods are discussed. The main results showed that the root mean diameter (1.56 mm, 0.95 mm, and 0.97 mm), root volume (2.98 m3, 10.25 m3, and 4.07 m3), root tip count (397, 522, and 440), main root branch angle (61°, 50° and 32°) and other geometric configurations of Chinese fir under seed germination, tissue culture and rooted cutting respectively, were significantly different, which resulted in different distribution characteristics of roots in space. Chinese fir seed germination had noticeable axial roots, and the growth advantage was obvious in the vertical direction. A fishtail branch structure (TI = 0.87) was constructed. The shallow root distribution of tissue culture and rooted cutting was obvious, and belonged to the fork branch structure (TI = 0.71 and 0.74, respectively). There was a tradeoff in the spatial growth of the root system of Chinese fir trees with different propagation methods to absorb nutrients from heterogeneous soil patches. A negative correlation was present between the root system and root amplitude. There was an opposite spatial growth trend of Chinese fir trees with different propagation methods in the vertical or horizontal direction. In conclusion, selecting suitable propagation methods to cultivate Chinese fir trees is beneficial to root development and the "ideal" configuration formation of resource acquisition to improve the survival rate of Chinese fir afforestation.


The effect of ten microalgal chlorophytes isolated from mosquito breeding containers on the survival, larval development and adult body size of the mosquito Aedes aegypti was investigated. All larvae fed with six of the microalgal isolates died after 7 days. These isolates were found to be resistant to digestion by mosquito larvae. Delayed pupation and body size reduction of the mosquitos fed with Chlorococcum UMACC 218 and Scenedesmus UMACC 220 were observed. In contrast, larvae fed with Ankistrodesmus convolutus UMACC 101 and Chlorococcum UMACC 213 were bigger in size than those fed with normal insectory feed. The present study showed that microalgal chlorophytes have the potential to be used as larvicidal agents for mosquitos.


In this dissertation, we deal with the design of algorithms to tackle the α-fair resource allocation problem in real-time and distributed Software-Defined Networks (SDN). First, we define three major requirements that picture the challenges of real-time algorithms implementable in modern distributed SDN controllers. Those challenges are the ability to provide feasible resource allocations at all times, good transient solutions in terms of optimality gap that converge in an acceptable number of inter-controller communication rounds, and their ability of being massively parallelized independently of the network architecture. We use the Alternating Directions Method of Multipliers to design an algorithm that simultaneously, and unprecedentedly, tackles the three challenges. Motivated by a first study of the structural properties of the α-fair model, where we derive a lower bound on the optimal solution, we tune the penalty parameter of the augmented Lagrangian of the problem in order to optimize the algorithm's performance. We show that the algorithm can function in real-time when the traffic requirements can vary more or less abruptly. The variation of the traffic requirements are modeled by real-time varying coefficients of the optimization model that is solved on-the-fly and may represent various prioritization policies of the traffic (payment, traffic type, number of connections within a tunnel, etc). Then, we describe how to extend the algorithm to real world use cases with limited modifications to cope with multi-path load balancing and online adjustments. Furthermore, we address the problem of α-fairness when the environment is uncertain and the available amount of resources over the network links is known only through general density functions. The main focus there is, instead of feasibility, the notion of safety. We design a heuristic that polishes an outer relaxation of the problem, based on the sensitivity analysis of the static problem. In general, we are able to provide a safe and acceptably efficient solution by solving several static problems.


We present a multigram scale, one-step nonaqueous synthesis route to monodisperse, highly crystalline ZrO(2) nanoparticles. The nanoparticles can be stabilized in nonpolar solvents via a simple functionalization procedure using only minute amounts of organic stabilizers. Their great potential in materials applications is demonstrated by the fabrication of organic-inorganic nanocomposites that can be selectively photopolymerized to inscribe extremely effective and volume holographic gratings with the highest refractive index contrast (n(1) of up to 0.024) achieved so far.


This article interprets the new Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement for Further Education and Training for teacher education as an opportunity for creating communities of practice, which means viewing teaching and learning as socially situated (Barton, 1994: 68). A transliteracies framework for language development was used (Stornaiuolo, Smith and Phillips (2016: 4), which refers to resemiotisation. Guiterrez (2008) implies that, in an institutionalised learning context, it is acknowledged that multiple discourses come together around a specific task, such as in this case, English education. Multiple intersecting discourses are at play, and individuals develop meaningful connections to each other in the process of collaborative negotiation of meaning. In these communities, certain practices originate, and are developed, perpetuated and discarded, or adapted with the intention of expanding student linguistic and intellectual development. The content of the specific English teacher education curriculum design discussed here, is on globally pertinent issues of political, social and ecological ethics, in an attempt to address existing and persistent hierarchies of power while developing agency, voice, empathy and reflexivity, qualities which may enhance community development. A strong emphasis on critical reading, collaborative argumentation and engagement with text production is proposed, as a means of building community in the classroom.


PURPOSE
The objective of this study was to assess intra- and inter-evaluator reliability and validity of ventilatory threshold (VT) determination in children.

METHODS
At the age of 6-12 yr, 35 children born prematurely and 20 controls born at term performed an incremental continuous cycling task until volitional fatigue. Fifteen-second averages of VE/VO2, VE/VCO2, and respiratory exchange ratio were plotted 1) over time (X-time) and 2) over VO2 (X-VO2). VCO2 was plotted over VO2 only (X-VO2). Two experienced evaluators, blind to the identity of plots, independently assessed VT from X-time and X-VO2 plots on two occasions, 6 wk apart. Thus, for each of the 55 subjects, four VT values were expected from X-time plots and four from X-VO2 plots (2 evaluators, 2 occasions).

RESULTS
VT expressed as VO2 in mL x min(-1) could be determined by both evaluators on both occasions in 40/55 children from X-time and in 45/55 children from X-VO2. VT was significantly different between evaluators for X-time plots. Using X-time plots, intraevaluator ICC were 0.88 and 0.98 and interevaluator ICC were 0.82 and 0.79. The respective values for X-VO2 plots were 0.94 and 0.95, and 0.96 and 0.92. Intra- and inter-evaluator reliability of VT determinations tended to be slightly lower in children born prematurely compared with those born at term. There was a close association between VT and VO2peak (r = 0.92).

CONCLUSION
Plotting gas exchange data over VO2 is likely to be the method of choice for determining VT. Although a minority of children have uninterpretable X-VO, plots, VT can be reliably interpreted in the remainder. Furthermore, VT is a valid marker of aerobic capacity. Thus, VT is a useful measure of aerobic fitness in children.


Increasingly, patients are making complaints to state licensing boards and filing lawsuits against healthcare providers alleging sexual misconduct. This article addresses the risk management implications of patient allegations of sexual misconduct involving inappropriate touching by healthcare providers during an examination or treatment. From a risk management standpoint, techniques can be implemented before and after these incidents that can help reduce the facility's exposure.


With the development of the digital devices, computers and networks, our world relies more and more on the digital data. In many cases, storing data safely is a very big concern. These data have to be protected so as to prevent the possible unauthorized access. Many technologies have been used to improve the security of the data storage. Encryption is a process of coding information which could either be a file or mail message in into cipher text a form unreadable without a decoding key in order to prevent anyone except the intended recipient from reading that data. Decryption is the exactly opposite process of converting encoded data to its original unencoded form which is nothing but plaintext. Here we are introducing some encryption algorithms.


Effective long-term management is needed to address the impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) that cannot be eradicated. We describe the fundamental characteristics of long-term management policies for IAS, diagnose a major shortcoming, and outline how to produce effective IAS management. Key international and transnational management policies conflate addressing IAS impacts with controlling IAS populations. This serious purpose–implementation gap can preclude the development of broader portfolios of interventions to tackle IAS impacts. We posit that IAS management strategies should directly address impacts via impact-based interventions, and we propose six criteria to inform the choice of these interventions. We review examples of interventions focused on tackling IAS impacts, including IAS control, which reveal the range of interventions available and their varying effectiveness in counteracting IAS impacts. As the impacts caused by IAS increase globally, stakeholders need to have access to a broader and more effective set of tools to respond.


Fisetin, a known antioxidant, has been found to be cytotoxic against certain cell lines. However, the mechanism by which it inhibits tumor growth in vivo remains unexplored. Recently, we have demonstrated that Aflatoxin-B1 (AFB1) induced hepatocarcinogenesis is associated with activation of oxidative stress-inflammatory pathway in rat liver. The present paper describes the effect of in vivo treatment with 20 mg/kg b.w. Fisetin on antioxidant enzymes vis-a-vis oxidative stress level and on the profile of certain proinflammatory cytokines in the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by two doses of 1 mg/kg b.w. AFB1 i.p. in rats. The reduced levels of most of the antioxidant enzymes, coinciding with the enhanced level of reactive oxygen species in the HCC liver, were observed to regain their normal profiles due to Fisetin treatment. Also, Fisetin treatment could normalize the enhanced expression of TNFα and IL1α, the two proinflammatory cytokines, reported to be involved in HCC pathogenesis. These observations were consistent with the regression of neoplastic lesion and declined GST-pi (placental type glutathione-S-transferase) level, a HCC marker, in the liver of the Fisetin treated HCC rats. The findings suggest that Fisetin attenuates oxidative stress-inflammatory pathway of AFB1 induced hepatocarcinogenesis.


The number of Vietnamese students studying abroad in other Asian countries has increased considerably, Taiwan has become one of the most popular destinations. This study investigated the motivation leading to the choice of Vietnamese students to study in Taiwan. Additionally, an appropriate model of students' decision-making process that explores the desire to study abroad was developed, clarifying, and emphasizing the impact of the motivation on students' career planning and decision-making process. This study was conducted using the mixed-methods methodology. A qualitative approach was used for indepth interviews with 30 Vietnamese students studying in Taiwan. The data collected from the interviews were used to create questionnaires to survey more than 500 participants, and the responses were used for quantitative analysis. The results reveal the main factors of the motivation and career planning of Vietnamese students to study abroad in Taiwan and provide a model of how the students' decision-making process operates. The quantitative findings indicate that students' motivation and career planning have a significant correlation, whereas both of them directly affect decision-making.


Can one and the same quotation be used on different occasions to quote distinct objects? The view that it can is taken for granted throughout the literature (e.g. Goddard & Routley 1966, Christensen 1967, Davidson 1979, Goldstein 1984, Jorgensen et al 1984, Atlas 1989, Clark & Gerrig 1990, Washington 1992, García-Carpintero 1994, 2004, 2005, Reimer 1996, Saka 1998, Wertheimer 1999). Garcia-Carpintero (1994, p. 261) illustrates with the quotation expression ''gone''. He says it can be used to quote any of the following items: 1. The expression (''gone' is dissyllabic'); 2. Different types instantiated by the tokens (''gone' is cursive'); 3. Different types somehow related to the token (say, the graphic version of the uttered quoted material, or the spoken version of the inscribed quoted material, as in ''gone' sounds nice'); 4. Different tokens somehow related to the quoted token ('What was the part of the title of the movie which, by falling down, caused the killing? 'gone' was'); 5. The quoted token itself ('At least one of these words is heavier than 'gone'' which you should imagine written in big wooden letters). Here's another of his examples: 6. There are contexts in which the quotations 'Madrid' and 'Madrid' would have the same content, but there are easily conceivable contexts in which they would have different contents... (García-Carpintero 1994, p. 260; cf. also García-Carpintero 2005, p. 97) We can summarize his points (as well as those of the other authors referenced above) as the thesis of Quotation Context Sensitivity (QCS):


Growing evidence indicates a central role for p53 in mediating cell cycle arrest in response to mitotic spindle defects so as to prevent rereplication in cells in which the mitotic division has failed. Here we report that a transient inhibition of spindle assembly induced by nocodazole, a tubulin-depolymerizing drug, triggers a stable activation of p53, which can transduce a cell cycle inhibitory signal even when the spindle-damaging agent is removed and the spindle is allowed to reassemble. Cells transiently exposed to nocodazole continue to express high levels of p53 and p21 in the cell cycle that follows the transient exposure to nocodazole and become arrested in G1, regardless of whether they carry a diploid or polyploid genome after mitotic exit. We also show that p53 normally associates with centrosomes in mitotic cells, whereas nocodazole disrupts this association. Together these results suggest that the induction of spindle damage, albeit transient, interferes with the subcellular localization of p53 at specific mitotic locations, which in turn dictates cell cycle arrest in the offspring of such defective mitoses.


Photovoltaic (PV) panels have a crucial role in coping with the global warming mitigation and the energetic crisis currently affecting the European Community. However, from the circular perspective of end-of-life (EoL) management, there are still big issues to be solved in order to recover materials from this kind of e-wastes. Because of several reasons (e.g. type of embedded materials, illegal shipments, location of manufacturers) EoL businesses do not have the interest in approaching them. This poses a significant environmental concern in terms of their management. This work wants to assess the profitability of a specific PV module recycling plant, by evaluating several market contexts in which multiple scenarios of material price, investment and process costs will be considered. The results for a 3000 tonnes plant show that profitability is not verified in the absence of an avoided landfill cost. Instead, when a value of 200 €/tonnes is applied, the net present value is positive in 35.2% of the scenarios and at 87.6% when a value of 350 €/tonnes is considered. The policy choice of this value requires linking the PV module disposal fee to the circular benefits associated with its recovery.


Wavelet ridge techniques utilizing daughter wavelets under two different kinds of definitions in the optical fringe pattern analysis are theoretically clarified. The clarification reveals that the phase of the optical fringe pattern is equal to that of its wavelet transform coefficients on the ridge using both of the two wavelet definitions. The differences between the two definitions in the performance of wavelet transform algorithms are verified in theory. The strict relations between the instantaneous frequency of the fringe pattern and the scale parameter at the wavelet ridge position are also theoretically clarified for the phase gradient method. A simple method for selecting the scale vector is introduced. Computer simulations and experiments reveal the correctness of the clarification and the validity of the proposed method.


Roots are highly plastic organs enabling plants to acclimate to a changing below-ground environment. In addition to abiotic factors like nutrients or mechanical resistance, plant roots also respond to temperature variation. Below the heat stress threshold, Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings react to elevated temperature by promoting primary root growth, possibly to reach deeper soil regions with potentially better water saturation. While above-ground thermomorphogenesis is enabled by thermo-sensitive cell elongation, it was unknown how temperature modulates root growth. We here show that roots are able to sense and respond to elevated temperature independent of shoot-derived signals. A yet unknown root thermosensor seems to employ auxin as a messenger to promote primary root growth. Growth is primarily achieved by accelerating cell division rates in the root apical meristem, likely maintained via temperature-sensitive organization of the polar auxin transport system. Hence, the primary cellular target of elevated ambient temperature differs fundamentally between root and shoot tissues, while the messenger auxin that relays temperature information to elongating or dividing cells, respectively, remains the same.


The propagation of a DC-pulsed argon plasma jet through the surrounding ambient air, and its interaction with an ungrounded glass plate placed on the jet trajectory, was studied by means of fast imaging. The surface plays an important role in the spatio-temporal characteristics of the plasma. Indeed, for an argon jet propagating perpendicularly to the surface, the plasma jet structure changes from filamentary to diffuse when the distance between the nozzle of the capillary tube and the surface is short (≤10 mm). Changing the angle between the capillary tube and the glass plate, and varying the gas flow rate strongly affects the spatial extension of the plasma that develops on the surface. This surface plasma propagates while the plasma in the argon jet is maintained with the same luminous intensity. Finally, this plasma jet shows interesting characteristics for desorption of low volatile organic molecules such as bibenzyl. A maximum removal of bibenzyl is located at the intersection area between the jet axis and the glass surface, and some of the initially deposited molecules are found intact in gas phase.


2185 The therapeutic potential of tumor specific T cell receptor (TCR)-based immunotherapies has been suggested by reports that show tumor eradication, both in mice and in humans, can be mediated by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). The TCR demonstrates exquisite specificity much like that of an antibody, and we have created high affinity soluble, single-chain TCR-based fusion proteins to be used as targeting agents for cancer therapies. Such TCR-based cancer therapies may significantly expand the target range of targeted therapies because TCRs recognize peptide epitopes derived from both intra-and extracellular proteins presented in the context of MHC, whereas antibodies only recognize antigens on extracellular proteins. To test the idea that high affinity scTCR-based fusion proteins have therapeutic utility, we have created a TCR that recognizes a distinct, naturally processed peptide fragment of the unmutated, human tumor suppressor protein, p53, presented on the cell surface in the context of HLA-A2. This soluble, single-chain TCR, which we call 264scTCR, was isolated from a p53 (aa 264-272) high avidity CTL clone derived from the HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice. To equip the 264scTCR with immunomodulatory functions, we have genetically linked it the immunomodulatory Fc domain of human IgG1 (264scTCR/IgG1). The 264scTCR should guide the immunomodulatory IgG1 Fc domain to tumors to trigger eradicatation of malignant cells. The TCR/IgG1 fusion protein has been expressed at high levels in mammalian cells. MHC restricted antigen specific binding properties are maintained in the single-chain, three domain TCR portion of this fusion protein, and the Fc domain is capable of Fc receptor binding. The fusion protein exhibited antibody-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity in vitro against human tumor cells. Moreover, this fusion protein is capable of conjugating target and effector cells and displays favorable pharmacokinetics in the blood. Finally, the 264scTCR/IgG1 fusion protein is capable of reducing lung metastases in a dose dependent manner in an experimental model of metastasis. Thus, the 264scTCR/IgG1 fusion protein has potential to be used as an immunomodulatory cancer therapy that can target tumor antigens not normally recognized by antibody-based therapies.


Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most malignant brain tumor in children and is characterized by marked biological and clinical heterogeneity. It includes four distinct molecular subtypes [wingless (WNT), sonic hedgehog (SHH), Group 3 and Group 4]. Previous attempts to identify prognostic markers applicable to all MBs were unsuccessful and we therefore hypothesize that each molecular subtype of MB may be associated with its unique prognostic markers. The aim of this study is to identify prognostic markers specific for SHH-active MB tumors. We analyzed SNP-array CGH data and gene expression profiling for 60 pediatric MBs and compared the molecular results with clinical outcome data. Using unsupervised hierarchical clustering, we identified 18 MBs that have activated SHH signaling. This subtype of SHH-active tumors also have frequent chromosome 9q loss which are associated with more favorable outcome. In an attempt to identify candidate genes on chromosome 9q with survival impact, we found that low expression of Heat Shock 70kDa Protein 5 (HSPA5) was significantly associated with better event free survival (EFS) in SHH MB patients independent of other clinical variables. This finding had been validated in two other independent MB cohorts. By immuohistochemistry and western blotting, we confirmed the negative correlation between patient survival and HSPA5 protein expression in SHH tumors. Furthermore, in vitro study indicated that knockdown of HSPA5 by siRNA caused dramatic growth suppression in SHH active MB cells. These findings suggest that HSPA5 is a potential prognostic marker in predicting survival of SHH active MB patients and this protein may also be exploited as therapeutic target for SHH MBs that do not harbor chromosome 9q loss. Citation Format: Angela Kwok-Fung Lo, Jian Wang, Jianhe Shen, Alexander Yu, Wing-Yuk Chow, Jack Su, Adekunle Adesina, Robert Dauser, William Whitehead, Murali Chintagumpala, Rudy Guerra, Tsz-Kwong Man, Ching C. Lau. Integrated analysis of array-CGH and gene expression profiling identifies HSPA5 as a prognostic marker in SHH pathway-actived Medulloblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3824. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3824


Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) comprise a family of cell surface receptors that control many critical cellular processes. Various human diseases are caused by dysfunction in RTKs or in their intracellular signaling pathways. Stem Cell Factor (SCF) initiates its multiple cellular responses by binding to the extracellular region of the RTK KIT resulting in receptor dimerization and tyrosine kinase activation. We have determined the crystal structure of the entire extracellular region of KIT before and after SCF stimulation. The structures show that KIT dimerization is driven by SCF binding whose sole role is to bring two KIT molecules together. We have used X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy (EM) and biochemical experiments to determine the three dimensional structure of intact, SCF-stimulated KIT dimers. Several forms of dimeric KIT molecules with different asymmetric arrangements of the two tyrosine kinase domains were identified. These asymmetric contacts may represent specific interactions occurring between two KIT tyrosine kinase domains poised towards trans autophosphorylation. We propose that cooperative interactions mediated by multiple weak homotypic contacts between the extracellular, transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions of KIT are responsible for tyrosine kinase activation and cell signaling in normal and transformed cells. Sutent is a drug that blocks the tyrosine kinase activities of several RTKs including KIT and VEGFR2. Sutent has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of advanced kidney cancers, gastrointestinal tumors and for endocrine pancreatic cancers. A scaffold-based drug discovery approach was developed enabling the development of new families of inhibitors for protein kinases and other enzymes that play a role in cell signaling. V600E B-RAF mutant is an oncogenic mutation identified in approximately 50% of melanomas and in 4% of all solid tumors. By using a scaffold-based drug discovery approach, a potent inhibitor of V600E B-RAF mutant has been discovered designated PLX 4032 (Vemurafenib). Phase-I and-II clinical trials in multiple medical centers revealed 80% responses such as tumor shrinkage, delay in tumor progression and survival of melanoma patients harboring the B-RAF mutation. Primary endpoints of phase-III clinical trials in multiple medical centers were achieved to support Vemurafenib registration. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr PL04-03. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-PL04-03


Field
Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS), when used in proteomics studies,
provides superior selectivity, and enables more proteins to be identified by
providing additional gas phase separation.
Here, we tested the performance of cylindrical FAIMS for the
identification and characterization of proteoforms by top-down mass
spectrometry of heterogeneous protein mixtures.
Combining FAIMS with chromatographic separation resulted in a 62%
increase in protein identifications and an 8% increase in proteoform
identifications as compared to samples analyzed without FAIMS. This increase
was attributable, in part, to improved signal-to-noise for proteoforms with
similar retention times. Additionally,
our results show that the optimal compensation voltage of any given proteoform
was correlated with the molecular weight of the analyte. Collectively these results suggest that the
addition of FAIMS can enhance top-down proteomics in both discovery and
targeted applications.


Secretary; suffragist; incisive critic and parodist of Henry James; witness to and recorder of his death bed dictations; writer of one of the best memoirs about James; tireless psychical researcher who channeled a marvelously verbose James after his death, Theodora Bosanquet was a novel waiting to happen. This article analyzes Bosanquet's recent appearances in Michiel Heyns's The Typewriter's Tale (2005), Cynthia Ozick's "Dictation" (2008) and David Lodge's Author, Author (2004) to consider the ways in which the boom in novelizing James might be seen as intimately bound up with the compelling figure of the turn-of-the-century secretary.


PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO) is a mission belonging to the European Space Agency Cosmic Vision program which objective is to find and study extrasolar planetary systems. PLATO is composed of 26 telescopes which will observe uninterruptedly Sun like stars in order to identify a periodic decrease of the star brightness indicating the possible transit of an exoplanet. The PLATO on-board Data Processing System (DPS) consists of an Instrument Control Unit (ICU) and several distributed Digital Processing Units (DPUs) connected together by a SpaceWire network. The ICU collects and compresses scientific data from the DPUs and it implements the main data interface towards the satellite for telemetry and telecommands. The focus of this paper is on the Boot Software (BSW) of the ICU. The BSW is executed on a LEON3FT processor to perform system initialization, hardware checks, telecommand/telemetry management and the start of the ICU Application Software (ASW) responsible of the PLATO sub-system management necessary for the mission objectives. ICU BSW is the only boot software on-board PLATO and its high criticality level requires stringent verification/validation activities and a high-quality control of the software product which is achieved through extensive quality plans, multi-level testing and static analysis of software code. This paper describes the BSW dependable architecture along with the methods used to achieve the required performances, including FDIR techniques. Two engineering models of the ICU are going to be developed and the foreseen functional and performance tests will be presented in this paper.


Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) aims to provide opportunistic access to under-utilized spectrum in cellular networks for secondary network operators. In this paper we propose an algorithm using stochastic and optimization models to borrow spectrum bandwidths under the assumption that more resources exist for secondary access than the secondary network demand by considering a merchant mode. The main aim of the paper is to address the problem of spectrum borrowing in DSS environments, where a secondary network operator aims to borrow the required spectrum from multiple primary network operators to achieve a maximum profit under specific grade of service (GoS) and budget restriction. We assume that the primary network operators offer spectrum access opportunities with variable number of channels (contiguous and/or non- contiguous) at variable prices. Results obtained are then compared with results derived from a heuristic algorithm in which spectrum borrowing are random. Comparisons showed that the gain in the results obtained from our proposed stochastic-optimization framework is significantly higher than random counterpart.


This work discusses a new wave energy converter (WEC) design that, when deployed in waves, performs unidirectional rotation about a vertical shaft. The uniqueness of this new WEC design is on utilizing omnidirectional water flow generated by waves to drive a rotor to perform unidirectional rotation about a vertical axis. This unique feature circumvents the frequency-dependent issue of common WECs, and eliminate realignment needs to cope with dynamically changing wave propagation directions. The key component of the WEC is a rotor, which has a vertical shaft with a number of blades mounted to it. Each blade has a hydrofoil-shaped cross section and is in a bent shape along its span. The spanwise bending of the blades makes the rotor capable of gaining a unidirectional driving torque about the vertical shaft no matter in which spatial direction the local water is passing by. For validating the WEC design and gaining preliminary understanding, a very first rotor model without any parametric optimization was built. Two types of experiments were then carried out by employing this model. In the first type, the model was translated (with the shaft vertically aligned all the time) in still water along a horizontal direction (back and forth), a vertical direction (up and down), and a circular orbit in a vertical plane. In the second type, the model was exposed in waves generated in a wave flume. In all the experiments, well-established unidirectional rotation of the rotor about its vertical shaft has been observed. The hydrodynamic performance of the rotor in waves was further characterized through systematic experiments under various conditions.Copyright © 2016 by ASME


Maf1, a key repressor of RNA polymerase III-mediated transcription, has been shown to promote mesoderm formation in vitro. Here, we show, for the first time, that Maf1 plays a critical role in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation and bone mass. A high bone mass phenotype was noted in mice with global deletion of Maf1 (Maf1-/- mice), as well as paradoxically, in mice that overexpressed MAF1 in cells of the osteoblast lineage (Prx1-Cre;LSL-Maf1 mice). Osteoblasts isolated from Maf1-/- mice showed reduced osteoblastogenesis ex vivo. Prx1-Cre;LSL-MAF1 mice showed enhanced osteoblastogenesis concordant with their high bone mass phenotype. Thus, the high bone mass phenotype in Maf1-/- mice is likely due to the confounding effects of the global absence of Maf1 in Maf1-/- mice. Expectedly, MAF1 overexpression promoted osteoblast differentiation and shRNA-mediated Maf1 downregulation inhibited differentiation of ST2 cells, overall indicating Maf1 enhances osteoblast formation. We also found that, in contrast to MAF1 overexpression, other perturbations that repress RNA pol III transcription, including Brf1 knockdown and the chemical inhibition of RNA pol III by ML-60218, inhibited osteoblast differentiation. All perturbations that decrease RNA pol III transcription, however, enhanced adipogenesis in ST2 cell cultures. RNA-seq was used to determine the basis for these opposing actions on osteoblast differentiation. The modalities used to alter RNA pol III transcription resulted in distinct changes gene expression, indicating that this transcription process is highly sensitive to perturbations and triggers diverse gene expression programs and phenotypic outcomes. Specifically, Maf1 induced genes in ST2 cells known to promote osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, genes that are induced during osteoblast differentiation displayed codon bias. Together, these results reveal a novel role for Maf1 and RNA pol III-mediated transcription in osteoblast fate determination and differentiation and bone mass regulation.


This article examines the role of metapragmatic expressions (MPEs) in constructing common ground (CG) in the call taker's responses to customer direct complaints in telephone interactions in the framework of the socio-cognitive approach proposed and developed by Kecskes ( 2008 , 2010 , 2013 , 2017 ) and Kecskes and Zhang ( 2009 , 2013 ). Based on five extracts drawn from the data of about two hours of 15 recordings of telephone interactions that include successful complaint settlements made between customers and the customer service department of one Chinese airline, it reveals that the call taker mainly employs five types of MPEs as CG construction devices to explicitly manifest intentions of giving accounts and explanations, confirming and checking information, negotiating adequate compensations, establishing close interpersonal relationships, and aligning with the organization. This article enhances our understanding of the functioning process of metapragmatic indicators in complaint settlement in institutional telephone interactions.


Bituminous materials and, more specifically, emulsions are often used as an additive to layers during the rehabilitation of road pavements. However, the Mechanistic analysis and economic justification of emulsion stabilization often presents engineers with challenges. This paper reports on the development of a fatigue relationship to be used for the mechanistic analyses of emulsion treated layers using heavy vehicle simulator (HVS) test results. It is shown that the rehabilitated road pavement is capable of carrying relatively high traffic loads under a condition of relatively high surface deflection measurements. The resultant fatigue line is compared to other existing fatigue lines which are shown to be comparatively conservative. The verification of these results in practice could assist engineers in the economic justification of the use of emulsion as an additive for the in-situ recycling of road pavement layers.


Twenty-eight patients with a clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome underwent extensive neurographic examination. The results were compared with those in 86 normal subjects who had no signs or symptoms. The widely used methods of measuring distal motor latency from wrist to thenar and the sensory conduction velocity from the first and third fingers to the wrist gave highly significant differences between the carpal tunnel syndrome group and the control subjects. There was, however, a large overlap of values between the two groups and the discriminative power of the tests was not sufficient to make a diagnosis. Both methods for selectively determining the conduction velocity across the carpal tunnel distinguished clearly between hands with carpal tunnel syndrome and the control group, with no overlap of values. The results support the diagnostic validity of a fractionated study of conduction velocity across the carpal tunnel with surface electrodes, a test that can easily be done by a trained nurse or EMG-technician under the supervision of a clinical neurophysiologist.


Some dicentric chromosomes show only one primary constriction at metaphase and behave in cell division as if they are monocentric. The few previous reports of tdic (translocation dicentric) chromosomes showing one morphologic indicate that among the cells of an individual the same centromere consistently shows the primary constriction. The present case deals with a tdic(5;15)(p13;p11) chromosome that is an exception to this pattern. Scoring 98 GTG-, C-, and QFQ-banded metaphases specifically for primary constrictions revealed 15 (15%) containing a tdic chromosome with a single primary constriction. Among these chromosomes, 8 (8%) were at the chromosome 15 centromere and 7 (7%) were at the chromosome 5 centromere. The remaining 83 (85%) tdic chromosomes showed two primary constrictions. We analyzed a total of 172 metaphases from peripheral blood, and all except 3 (1.7%) contained the tdic chromosome. Among these three cells, the tdic chromosome was broken in two and absent in one, which indicates that there was some unstable separation of this dicentric in cell division. In two metaphases, there was a chromatid gap at the site of one centromere. Possibly, the absence of certain primary constrictions was associated with deletion of centromeres. This mechanism may be a continual source for additional centromere inactivation during the life of this patient. This case demonstrates that for some dicentrics either centromere may become nonfunctional and inactivation can occur more than once within an individual. The karyotype of this patient was 45,XX,tdic(5;15)(p31;p11). Thus, she was monosomic for about 3/4 of the chromosome 5 short arm. Clinically, this infant had a shrill catlike cry and facies of the cri du chat syndrome.


BACKGROUND‐ Rett syndrome (RS) is a neurologic disorder that primarily affects girls. A genetic marker has recently been identified. Although RS is associated with a devastating loss of function between infancy and the fifth year of life, its course is relatively static thereafter, setting it apart from most neurodegenerative and genetic disorders of childhood. Clinical, neuropathological, and neurochemical studies call attention to RS as a neurodevelopmental disorder. REVIEW SUMMARY‐ Rett syndrome is a distinct clinical entity, with a unique cluster of clinical signs and symptoms observed in a large number of girls in all ethnic groups. RS affects early development first with stagnation (stage 1), then with devastating cognitive and motor regression (stage 2), partial recovery (stage 3), and cognitive stability (stage 4). Epidemiologic studies have supported the hypothesis that RS is genetically determined. After years of research, it is now known that RS is caused by mutations in the methyl‐CpG‐binding protein‐2 gene on chromosome Xq28. Neuropathological studies point to developmental abnormalities dating back to the late second or third trimester in utero. However, the major impact of the disease occurs during postnatal brain growth, involving synapse formation. Alterations in the dopaminergic, cholinergic, and glutaminergic neurotransmitters play an important role in growing nerve processes and morphogenesis in the developing nervous system. CONCLUSIONS‐ The identification of a biological marker, combined with improved understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms, provide hope for therapeutic intervention sufficiently early to alter the course of irreversible brain damage. (THE NEUROLOGIST 7:73‐81, 2001)


We investigated the prevalence of Chinese children's imaginary companions (ICs) and the internal variables of IC types (personified object or invisible friend) and child–IC relationship qualities (egalitarian or hierarchical child–IC relationship). Participants were 266 children aged 4 to 6 years. Only in the 5-year-old group was the proportion of children with ICs significantly higher among girls than among boys, implying that the relationship between gender and IC was not consistent across age groups. Children from families in the highest annual income group engaged in more IC play than did children from families in the lowest annual income group, indicating a relationship between family socioeconomic environment and children's imaginary play. IC types were not associated with child–IC relationship qualities in any of the age groups, implying that these qualities may represent different dimensions of IC play as early as 4 years old.


Whilst cities can be sites of creativity, innovation, and change, they can also reproduce the conditions for the exclusion of vulnerable groups. Older people report experiencing specific barriers to accessing the city and are often excluded from the resources for ageing well. The smart city agenda has attempted to bring about technological change whilst also delivering improved quality of life for urban citizens. Smart technologies are a key element of the smart city and are viewed as having the potential to support the independence, autonomy, and well-being of older people. Yet, there has been little research exploring the role of the smart city in supporting the social inclusion of older people, nor any attempt to link this with key policy drivers on ageing e.g., age-friendly cities and communities. In response, the aim of this paper is to explore the experiences of older people living in a smart city in China and discuss how the smart city and age-friendly can be brought together to support positive social outcomes for older people. The paper presents qualitative findings from a multi-methods approach, including semi-structured interviews, walking interviews and focus groups. A total of 64 older people participated in the research across three diverse neighbourhoods in the case study smart city of Chongqing, China. The findings identified opportunities in the development and deployment of smart cities, including the potential for improved health and well-being and social connectedness. Yet in delivering on these benefits, a number of challenges were identified which may widen social inequalities, including inequities in access, issues of safety and security, and exclusion from the co-production of smart city policy and practise. The paper discusses the implications of the findings for future smart city policy and practise, specifically in delivering interventions that support older adults' social inclusion and the delivery of age-friendly cities and communities.


With the development of computer and network technologies, there has been an explosion in the volume of multimedia database. In order to make use of this vast volume of data, efficient and effective techniques to classify multimedia information need to be developed. This paper proposes a novel fusion approach to image classification based on vague sets, in which vague sets for positive and negative evidences is applied to analyze and optimize the decisions obtained by multi-classifiers. Through integrating two sides of multiple classification decisions, the classification is optimized and synthesized, thus the processing and results will be both powerful and stable. Experimental results show that the performance of the classification is greatly improved.


One of the major obstacles that currently prevents the Semantic Web from exploiting its full potential is that the data it provides access to is sometimes not available or outdated. The reason is rooted deep within its architecture that relies on data providers to keep the data available, queryable, and up-to-date at all times – an expectation that many data providers in reality cannot live up to for an extended (or infinite) period of time. Hence, decentralized architectures have recently been proposed that use replication to keep the data available in case the data provider fails. Although this increases availability, it does not help keeping the data up-to-date or allow users to query and access previous versions of a dataset. In this paper, we therefore propose ColChain (COLlaborative knowledge CHAINs), a novel decentralized architecture based on blockchains that not only lowers the burden for the data providers but at the same time also allows users to propose updates to faulty or outdated data, trace updates back to their origin, and query older versions of the data. Our extensive experiments show that ColChain reaches these goals while achieving query processing performance comparable to the state of the art.


Abstract The purpose of current literature review is to identify the association between stress, physical exercise, and mental health among athlete. The outcomes of this investigation reveal stress and physical exercise have crucial role on the level of mental health; they likewise can impact on mental health positively and negatively. As well, this study focused on mental health as a main factor among athlete that increase the level of their activities in sports fields. Moreover, lack of attention to this main factor that influenced via stress and physical exercise appeared various results. Therefore, the current paper supports athletes requirements based on two main factors stress and physical exercise to accomplish mental health. Keyword: Athlete, mental health, physical exercise, stress.


Cutaneous microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a rare and poorly understood tumor that predominantly occurs in the head and neck. MAC usually affects people in their fourth and fifth decades. Some patients have had a history of radiation. We present a case of MAC occurring in the left antecubital fossa of an 18-year-old white woman with an unusual immunodeficiency syndrome. The patient also developed a squamous cell carcinoma, a cutaneous T-cell malignancy, and a perigastric leiomyoma. A congenital infection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) persisted throughout her life. The association of HSV infection with MAC and squamous cell carcinoma and that of peripheral T-cell lymphoma with Epstein-Barr virus is discussed in relation to her immunodeficiency.


Background: Algal cells produce neutral lipid when stressed and this can be used to generate biodiesel. Objective: Salt stressed cells of the model microalgal species Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were tested for their suitability to produce lipid for biodiesel. Methods: The starchless mutant of C. reinhardtii (CC-4325) was subjected to salt stress (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 M NaCl) and transesterification and GC analysis were used to determine fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content and profile. Results: Fatty acid profile was found to vary under salt stress conditions, with a clear distinction between 0.1 M NaCl, which the algae could tolerate, and the higher levels of NaCl (0.2 and 0.3 M), which caused cell death. Lipid content was increased under salt conditions, either through long-term exposure to 0.1 M NaCl, or short-term exposure to 0.2 and 0.3 M NaCl. Palmitic acid (C16:0) and linolenic acid (C18:3n3) were found to increase significantly at the higher salinities. Conclusion: Salt increase can act as a lipid trigger for C. reinhardtii.


Abstract Family involvement in end-of-life (EOL) care is critical to ensure older adults' health and quality of life. Older adults' self-efficacy in discussing EOL care plans with family members can facilitate family involvement in EOL care planning. Research shows that family relationships are associated with self-efficacy in discussing EOL care with family members among older Chinese Americans. However, the roles of family conflict and acculturation remain unknown. This study examines the association between family conflict and self-efficacy in discussing EOL care with family members and whether such an association differs by acculturation levels among older Chinese Americans. Data were collected from 207 Chinese Americans aged 65-102 in two metropolitan areas in 2017. Ordinary least squares regression was conducted to examine the association between family conflict, acculturation, and self-efficacy in discussing EOL care with family. Family conflict was negatively associated with older adults' self-efficacy in discussing EOL care with family. More specifically, the negative association between family conflict and self-efficacy in discussing EOL care with family members was more pronounced for those with higher levels of acculturation. Findings highlighted differential effects of family conflict on self-efficacy of EOL care plan discussion for older adults with different acculturation levels. Those with higher acculturation may be more independent in their EOL care planning and aware of the possible negative effects of family conflict in their EOL care planning discussions. Acculturation needs to be considered by geriatric health providers to develop family-centered interventions in improving end-of-life care planning for this population.


Abstract. East China experiences extensive crop residue burnings in fields during harvest season. The direct radiative effect (DRE) of carbonaceous aerosols from crop residue burning in June 2013 in East China was investigated using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem). Absorption of organic aerosol (OA) in the presence of brown carbon was considered using the parameterization of Saleh et al. (2014), in which the imaginary part of the OA refractive index is a function of wavelength and the ratio of black carbon (BC) and OA. The carbonaceous emissions from crop fires were estimated using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) fire radiative power (FRP) product with a localized crop-burning-sourced BC-to-organic carbon (OC) ratio emission ratio of 0.27. Evaluation of the model results with in situ measurements of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2. 5) chemical composition, MODIS aerosol optical depth (AOD) detections and meteorological observations showed that this model was able to reproduce the magnitude, spatial variation and optical characteristics of carbonaceous aerosol pollution. The observed BC and OC peak concentrations at the site in Suixi, Anhui province, during the 2013 wheat burning season reached 55.3 µg m−3 and 157.9 µg m−3. WRF-Chem simulations reproduced these trends with a correlation coefficient of 0.74, estimating that crop residue burning contributed 86 and 90 % of peak BC and OC, respectively. The simulated hourly DRE from crop residue burning at the top of atmosphere (TOA) reached a maximum of +22.66 W m−2 at the Suixi site. On average, the simulations showed that the crop residue burning introduced a net positive DRE of +0.14 W m−2 at TOA throughout East China, with BC from this source as the main heating contributor (+0.79 W m−2). The OA DRE from crop burning (−0.22 W m−2) was a combined effect of the positive DRE of absorption (+0.21 W m−2) and a stronger negative DRE of scattering (−0.43 W m−2). Sensitivity tests showed that the DRE of OA absorption strongly depended on the imaginary part of the OA refractive index, the BC-to-OA emission ratio from crop residue burning and the assumed mixing state of the aerosol, whereby the volume mixing treatment resulted in a higher positive DRE compared to the core–shell treatment. The BC mixing state and associated absorption enhancement during BC aging processes will be investigated in detail in future research.


The stability of the broad-spectrum antibiotic ceftiofur was studied in order to investigate the kinetics of pho- todegradation of this drug, using a stability-indicating liquid chromatography (LC) method. The degradation was carried out in aqueous solutions, prepared from reference substance and two pharmaceutical products (Excenel ® and Topcef ® ) containing sodium ceftiofur powder for injection, in quartz cells under UVC ( 254 nm) and UVA light (352 nm). The kinetics parameters of reaction order and the rate constants of the degradation were determined for both products. The degradation process of sodium ceftiofur in solution can be described by first-order kinetics under the experimental conditions used in this study. The obtained results show that the LC method is satisfactory in the determination of the kinetics of degradation of sodium ceftiofur in the presence of its photolytic degradation products. The present study reveals the photolability of the drug. Thus, appropriate light protection is recommended during the storage and handling of products containing sodium ceftiofur.


Experimental design was used in studying the effect of certain qualitative factors on rheological properties of antibiotic hydrogels. It was shown that water solubility of antibiotics and the procedure of their addition to gel bases were important in developing hydrogels. Scanning electron microscopy was used in comparative analysis of antibiotic hydrogels.


Without any doubt, broadband Internet access is one of the most successful services offered by telecom operators today. It gives the operator the potential of offering many new services to residential and business customers, thereby introducing new revenue streams. ATM today provides a solid solution for this. At the same time, packet-based aggregation technologies -especially Gigabit Ethernet are becoming popular for offering connectivity services to business customers. The success of packet-based aggregation technologies is mainly driven by their lower cost compared to established cell-based solutions. This article addresses a number of requirements that must be fulfilled by the access network if it is used to provide multiple services. It will be shown how MPLS and Ethernet can be used in a broadband access architecture. Both meet many of the identified requirements, but still require some standardization before reaching the same maturity as their cell-based counterpart. It will be shown how MPLS technology can be used to seamlessly link cell and packet-centric networks together. This gives operators the possibility to keep the benefits of their existing cell-based infrastructure and smoothly evolve toward a packet-centric approach when the time is right.


(1) Background: Obesity, a complex metabolic disease resulting from an imbalance between food consumption and energy expenditure, leads to an increase in adipocytes and chronic inflammatory conditions. The aim of this paper was to synthesize a small series of carvacrol derivatives (CD1-3) that are able to reduce both adipogenesis and the inflammatory status often associated with the progression of the obesity disease. (2) Methods: The synthesis of CD1-3 was performed using classical procedures in a solution phase. Biological studies were performed on three cell lines: 3T3-L1, WJ-MSCs, and THP-1. The anti-adipogenic properties of CD1-3 were evaluated using western blotting and densitometric analysis by assessing the expression of obesity-related proteins, such as ChREBP. The anti-inflammatory effect was estimated by measuring the reduction in TNF-α expression in CD1-3-treated THP-1 cells. (3) Results: CD1-3—obtained through a direct linkage between the carboxylic moiety of anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Flurbiprofen, and Naproxen) and the hydroxyl group of carvacrol—have an inhibitory effect on the accumulation of lipids in both 3T3-L1 and WJ-MSCs cell cultures and an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing TNF- α levels in THP-1 cells. (4) Conclusions: Considering the physicochemical properties, stability, and biological data, the CD3 derivative—obtained by a direct linkage between carvacrol and naproxen—resulted in the best candidate, displaying anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro.


Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) deficiency is a well-known cause of central and peripheral nervous system dysfunction, including sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy. Methylmalonate CoA mutase and homocysteine methyltransferase are cobalamin dependent enzymes. In cobalamin deficiency, the metabolic reactions catalysed by these enzymes are inhibited, resulting in the accumulation of methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine in the blood. High plasma levels of MMA and homocysteine indicate functional (organic) B12 deficiency in individuals with normal renal function and normal or low B12 level. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a poorly recognised cause of vitamin B12 deficiency and subsequent neuropathy/myelopathy. We present a case of 27 year old male who was diagnosed with a functional (psychogenic) right lower limb focal dystonia. His severely painful right leg paroxysmal spasms were treated on more than fifty occasions with Entonox (50:50 n2O and oxygen mixture) over the five years. He developed an axonal sensorimotor neuropathy and was diagnosed with a functional (organic) B12 deficiency related to N2O administration. His pre-treatment vitamin B12 levels were normal. However, levels of MMA and homocysteine were high. He was advised complete cessation of N2O, B12 injections and cognitive behavioural therapy for the functional limb dystonia. Post-treatment, his sensory symptoms resolved and MMA and homocysteine levels normalised.


Introduction Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) involve in the initiation, regulation and resolution of inflammation. Although the role of ILCs in murine liver fibrosis and biliary proliferation has been reported, the phenotypic characteristics and functional role of these cells in human liver disease remains undefined. We explored the detailed phenotype of human intrahepatic ILCs to gain insight on their function. Methods Liver infiltrating lymphocytes from normal liver tissue, autoimmune liver diseases (AILD), alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) explants were phenotyped with flow cytometry. Results Total intrahepatic ILC (CD3− lineage− CD45− CD127+ ) comprised 1% (IQR 0.4–1.7%) of the CD3− CD45+ population in normal liver and 0.4% for ALD/NASH and autoimmune livers. The ILC1 subset constituted the majority of intrahepatic ILC and its frequency is higher in normal liver compared to diseased livers (85% vs. 67%) (p < 0.05). In contrast, CD161+CRTH2+ ILC2 subset and ILC3 subset frequency are higher in diseased livers compared to normal livers. Interestingly, frequency of ILC3 is significantly higher in ALD compared to normal liver (p < 0.01). Intrahepatic ILC subsets are in activated and tissue resident state (CD69 75–90%). All subsets expressed the liver tissue homing chemokine receptor, CXCR3. Expression frequency is highest on diseased ILC1 (AILD 50%, ALD/NASH 56%,) compared to ILC2 (AILD 24%; ALD/NASH 15%) and ILC3 (AILD 38%, ALD/NASH 28%). Biliary tropic receptor CCR6 was expressed more highly by ILC subsets in diseased compared to normal livers. The fibronectin receptor, VLA5 and laminin receptor VLA6 were both highly expressed on all intrahepatic ILC subsets (60–90% and 55–80% respectively). In terms of the cytokine receptors expressed, on all ILC subsets, IL-6R was near undetectable (2%) and low expressions of ST2 (3–6%), IL-25R (2–5%) and IL-23R (2–7%) were detected. In contrast there was almost ubiquitous expression of IL18Ralpha. CD25 was also very highly expressed. Of note, CD25 was significantly higher in ILC1 and ILC3 subsets from normal compared to AILD (p < 0.01) livers (40% vs. 80%; 66% vs. 93%) while intrahepatic ILC2 and ILC3 subsets in diseased states highly expressed CD25 (>90%). Of likely functional importance, intrahepatic ILC1 expressed IFN-γ (40%) while ILC2 expressed IL-13 (20–50%) in diseased states. Conclusion We report for the first time the presence of all three ILC subsets within the human liver immune cell infiltrates. CXCR3+ IFN-γ expressing ILC1 subset is enriched in both normal and inflamed diseased livers. Higher frequencies of CCR6+ VLA5+ VLA6+ IL-13 expressing ILC2 are observed in diseased livers suggesting that this subset may play a role in biliary pathology and peri-biliary fibrosis. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


The study assesses the effects of a six-week plyometric training program (PT) on muscle stiffness in the dominant and non-dominant leg in male collegiate volleyball players. The study group comprised 16 volleyball players who had played collegiate volleyball for at least four years. For six consecutive weeks, twice a week, the players undertook a plyometric program of 60-min training sessions, each preceded with a specialist warm-up. The analysis of the anterior muscles of the right and the left lower leg revealed a significant increase in stiffness in the muscles of the right leg and the left leg. No significant differences were found between the anterior muscles of the left lower leg and the right lower leg in particular weeks of the training program. The analysis of the posterior lower leg muscles revealed no significant differences, either in the consecutive weekly training microcycles or between the left leg and the right leg. The measurement of muscle tone and biomechanical properties of muscles can be used as a fast and direct assessment of plyometric training-related muscle fatigue. A similar level of muscle stiffness in both lower legs (symmetry) is a reflection of the appropriate selection of plyometric training loads.


Cosmic ray (CR) origin problem is briefly discussed. It is argued that CRs with energies up to 1017 eV are produced in galactic supernova remnants, whereas ultra high energy CRs are extragalactic. CR composition strongly changes within the transition from galactic to extragalactic CR component, therefore precise measurements of CR composition at energies 1017 - 1019 eV are needed for the reliable determination of this transition. The possible sources of extragalactic CRs are briefly discussed. It is argued that CR acceleration at the shock created by the expanding cocoons around active galactic nuclei has to be considered as a prime candidate for the sources of extragalactic CRs.


Allopolyploidy is a prominent mode of speciation in flowering plants. On allopolyploidy, genomic changes can take place, including chromosomal rearrangement and changes in gene expression; these processes continue over evolutionary time. Recent studies of gene expression in polyploid and hybrid plants, reviewed here, have examined expression in natural polyploids and synthetic neopolyploids as well as in diploid and F(1) hybrids. Considerable changes in gene expression have been observed in allopolyploids, including up- or downregulation of expression in the polyploids compared with their parents, unequal expression of duplicated genes, and silencing of one copy. Genes in a variety of functional categories show altered expression, and the patterns vary considerably by gene. Some changes seem to be stochastic, whereas others are repeatable. Gene expression changes can be organ specific. Reciprocal silencing of duplicates in different organs has been observed, suggesting subfunctionalization and long-term retention of duplicates. It has become clear that hybridization has a much greater effect than chromosome doubling on gene expression in allopolyploids. Diploid and triploid F(1) hybrids can show alterations of expression levels compared with their parents. Parent-of-origin effects on gene expression have been examined, and loss of gene imprinting has been shown. Some gene expression changes in polyploids and hybrids can be correlated with phenotypic effects. Demonstrated mechanisms of gene expression changes include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and antisense RNA. Several hypotheses have been proposed for why gene expression is altered in allopolyploids and hybrids.


Traffic accidents are the main cause of death for children and young people all over the world, so it is necessary to explore road safety measures to ensure the right to life of this population group. Understanding the measures to improve road safety conditions in school environments contributes to the safety of children and young people in school. The objective of this study is to define variables associated with traffic components that affect road safety conditions in school environments through an exploratory bibliographic research.  As a result, the study provides a summary of the main variables found in the literature related to the subject and discusses the performance of these variables on traffic components and the impact road safety in school environments. Results of this study provide support for measures to improve road safety in school environments and encourage the use of more sustainable modes of transport, as well as, support the elaboration of research related to the theme.


This paper draws on findings from a European project 'Rights through alliances: Innovating and networking both within homes and schools' (RAINBOW-HAS) conducted 2013-2015. It built collaboration between six European Union countries to analyse and improve the rights of children and youth regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in educational settings. The main focus of discussion derives from a secondary discourse analysis following thematic analyses of the qualitative interviews undertaken with a range of different families, schools and community associations across these European countries, which provide a snapshot of contemporary practice. We discuss the relative silence of social work in challenging homophobic and transphobic bullying, given their potential in promoting family and young people's engagement.


Esophagus Diagnosis in Primary Care Testing with a spongy device that's swallowed to collect esophageal cells and retrieved via a thread attached to it improved general practitioners' detection of Barrett esophagus among patients with gastroesophageal reflux, according to a trial in The Lancet. In England, 13 514 patients were randomized to receive either standard management—referral to endoscopy only for severe symptoms—or to usual care plus an invitation to have the Cytosponge-trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) procedure. Endoscopies were performed if the procedure identified TFF3-positive cells. Among the intervention group, 24% of participants successfully completed the procedure. At 12 months, the estimated cumulative rate of Barrett esophagus was 20.2 per 1000 person-years in the intervention group, regardless of whether they had the procedure, and 2 per 1000 personyears in the usual care group. Of the 221 participants with a positive TFF3 result and subsequent endoscopy, 57% were diagnosed with Barrett esophagus and 2% were diagnosed with stage 1 esophagogastric cancer.


This paper builds and analyzes kinematics model for a class of wheeled mobile robot. Trajectory tracking problem of the WMRs is analyzed and a new control scheme is presented. In the paper, the rear wheel angle velocity is gained by iterative learning algorithm of tracking a virtual wheeled robot and deflection angular velocity is gained by D-type iterative learning algorithm. The convergent conditions of the iterative learning control algorithm are given. This algorithm has advantages of simplicity and depending little on the model. The results of simulation show that the presented iterative learning control can solve the problems of trajectory tracking for nonholonomic system successfully. The algorithm has good robustness to measuring parameter errors. Good tracking performance has been obtained.


The values of benefits and costs have been estimated for applying energy storage to three situations on the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation system, One situation is a valuable industrial customer requiring high quality, reliable power. The second situation is the need for reliable power at the end of a radial distribution feeder. The third situation is a case of thermal overload on a transmission line to a growing load in an environmentally sensitive location. The first case requires a small storage system (30 MJ); the second and third require relatively large systems (250 and 550 MWh, respectively). A variety of energy storage technologies was considered for each case (superconducting magnet energy storage (SMES), batteries, flywheels, capacitors, compressed air energy storage (CAES), compressed air in vessels, pumped hydro). This paper presents the benefit/cost results for the technologies considered for each case.


ABSTRACT This paper presents a site-specific study of solar drying of wastewater sludge in the region of Marrakesh in Morocco. During the course of the experiments, drying pans (DP) and solar greenhouse drying processes were studied in summer and winter seasons. To simulate the DP process, representative samples were dried in plastic cylindrical plates in ambient conditions, near an Open Greenhouse Sludge Dryer (OGSD) designed and constructed as a tunnel plant. Results showed that the dry solids' (DS) concentration of 80% was reached in only 32 h in summer and 57 h in winter by DP process. The OGSD reached the same concentration in 45 and 65 h in summer and winter, respectively. The important influence of wind speed had a greater effect than the temperature on drying rate. The sludge water evaporation caused a large volume reduction during DP and OGSD processes in both seasons. The removal of total and fecal coliforms during summer experiment was noticeably better in the OGSD, even for Clostridium perfringens. Based on the obtained results, the solar greenhouse drying was practical and beneficial to wastewater sludge management and can be recommended as an alternative to DP in arid climate zones generally, and in Marrakesh particularly.


A free-electron maser (FEM) has been built as a pilot experiment for a millimetre-wave source for applications on future fusion research devices such as ITER, the International Tokamak Experimental Reactor. A unique feature of the Dutch fusion FEM is the possibility to tune the frequency over the entire range from 130 to 260 GHz at an output power exceeding 1 MW. In the first phase of the project, the so-called inverse set-up is used. The electron gun is mounted inside the high-voltage terminal. The entire beam line was tested successfully with extremely low loss current, lower than 0.05%. The first generation of millimetre waves was achieved in October 1997. The highest peak power measured so far is 700 kW at 200 GHz. This was achieved with a beam current of 8 A and an acceleration voltage of 1.77 MV. The output power, start-up time and frequency correspond well with the simulation results. The parameter scans for the longitudinal undulator gap, acceleration voltage and reflection coefficient have given a wide range of interesting data of which a few highlights are given.


Influence of hyperlens structure parameters, such as curvature radius and layer number, and incident wavelength on the beam propagation is numerically investigated by FDTD. It is found that the intensity and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the output beam can be controlled by the structure parameters and operating wavelength. The optimized structure parameters and operating wavelength are obtained, which will be of great significance in design and fabrication of optical hyperlens with high resolution.


Background The increasing number of people testing human immunodeficiency virus positive and who demand antiretroviral therapy (ART) prompted the Department of Health to adopt World Health Organization's task shifting where professional nurses (PNs) initiate ART rather than doctors. This resulted in decentralisation of services to primary healthcare (PHC), generating a need to capacitate PNs on nurse-initiated-management of ART (NIMART). The impact of NIMART was assessed and even though there was an increased number of patients on ART, the quality of care is of serious concern. Aim The aim of this study was to explore and describe the challenges influencing NIMART training and implementation amongst PNs and programme managers. Setting The study was conducted from the PHC facilities, in the rural districts of the North West province. Methods An exploratory programme evaluation and contextual research design was used in the study. Purposive sampling was used. Focus group discussion (n = 28) and individual interviews were used to collect data. Data was analysed using ATLAS.ti software. Results The results revealed two themes: inadequacy in NIMART training and the healthcare system challenges that influence NIMART training and implementation. Theme 1 included among others the lack of standardised curriculum and model or conceptual framework to strengthen NIMART training. And theme 2 included patient and district healthcare structural system. Conclusion There a need to improve NIMART training and implementation through the standardisation of NIMART curriculum, introduction of pre-service NIMART training in institutions of higher learning, addressing staff shortages and negative attitude of PNs providing ART.


The treatment performance of two‐stage secondary treatment consisting of a trickling filter followed by activated sludge process for treatment of combined municipal and industrial wastewater is determined. The municipal wastewater treatment plant is located in Solon, Ohio, where the treatment units include grit tanks, primary clarifiers, trickling filters, aeration tanks, secondary clarifiers, tertiary filters and chlorine contact tanks. The treatment performance data for a 12‐month period in 1989 was evaluated. The average total plant flow was 2.82 MGD (millions gallons per day) which consisted of 2.19 MGD industrial wastewater and 0.63 MGD domestic wastewater. Raw wastewater was of a high strength mainly due to the contribution from industrial sources. After different degrees of treatment the values of total suspended solids (TSS) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) met US Environmental Protection Agency standards. This plant has good treatment performance with 99 per cent BOD and 98 per cent TSS remova...


In order to realize the purpose of automatic driving for unmanned vehicles, a vehicle target recognition system based on fuzzy control is designed. The fuzzy real-time estimation of the acceleration, velocity and position of the front target is realized by fuzzy control theory. To achieve the intelligent target recognition function. Finally, the model vehicle is tested, which proves that the design is suitable for pattern recognition.


Summary. One hundred and sixty female mink of four colour strains (Pearl, Cameo, Dawn Pastel and Violet) were assigned to eight groups according to age and colour. One-half of each group received wheat germ oil extracted with ethylene dichloride, while control mink received corn oil supplemented with mixed tocopherols. Mean performance data for the control and treated groups respectively were as follows: days from first attempted mating until actual first mating, 3\m=.\0 and 2\m=.\1; conception rate, 66\m=.\3 and 60\m=.\0%; young born/pregnant female, 2\m=.\29 and 2\m=.\45; weight of young at 3 weeks of age, females 93\m=.\6and 95\m=.\5g, and males 101\m=.\7 and 105\m=.\1g. Differences between control and treated groups were not statistically significant. Highly significant differences were observed between strains for conception rate, number of male and female young and total young/pregnant female. A significant interaction was noted between wheat germ oil treatment and strain in the number of days required to achieve mating. Previous reproductive history of the females (parous or non-parous) had little effect on the characteristics studied.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of rosuvastatin dose-loading on serum levels of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (Lox-1) and high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and postoperative prognosis in patients with diabetes and non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS) undergoing selected percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS
A total of 72 patients with diabetes and NSTEACS were randomized to either the group treated with 20 mg rosuvastatin 12 hours prior to PCI with a second dose administered just before PCI (n = 33), or a control group treated with standard method according guideline (n = 39). Serum levels of sLox-1, hs-CRP, CK-MB, and cTnI were measured prior to PCI, and at 24 hours and 30 days after PCI. The 30-day incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was recorded in both groups.

RESULTS
Compared to pre-PCI, serum levels of sLox-1 and hs-CRP of the two groups were increased at 24 hours after PCI (P < 0.05); the levels of CK-MB and cTnI were also improved (P < 0.01); however, the ascended values of sLox-1, hs-CRP, CK-MB, and cTnI were significantly lower in the loading-dose rosuvastatin-treated group than in the control-treated group. Serum levels of sLox-1 and hs-CRP were higher in the loading-dose rosuvastatin-treated group than in the control-treated group at 30 days after PCI (P < 0.05); compared to pre-PCI, the levels of TC and LDL-C were not changed at 24 hours after PCI (P > 0.05) until 30 days after PCI (P < 0.05), but there were no difference between the two groups. The levels of ALT and Scr had no significant difference between the two groups before and after PCI; the 30-day incidence of MACE occurred in 6.06% of patients in the loading-dose rosuvastatin-treated group and in 23.08% of patients in the control-treated group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION
The therapy of dose-loading rosuvastatin for patients with diabetes and non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes undergoing selected percutaneous coronary intervention can attenuate the increase of serum levels of sLox-1, reduce myocardial injury and inflammatory reaction caused by PCI, and also reduce the occurrence of MACE 30 days after PCI.


The paper presents the overview of the décor of the Lithuanian National-style furniture from the interwar period of the 20 th century. The aim of the paper is to discuss décor trends in the National-style furniture, stylistic peculiarities of expression, symbols, and specifics of manufacturing techniques. During the period in question, a popular opinion among the theoreticians was that the most important factor in creating the National style was the use of stylised folk ornaments as decorations. The analysis of the selected examples of furniture and design blueprints revealed that their décor was influenced by the ornaments of folk art, especially textile ornaments. This trend was caused by the intensive promotion of folk textiles during the interwar period. The dominant ornaments were: stylised Lithuanian floral motives, especially tulips, geometric folk textile patterns, and other folk ornaments like segmental stars or spruce twigs. However, the motif of a flower bouquet in a vase—very popular in folk furniture décor—was rare. Upholstery was also decorated with folk textile patterns. The Columns of Gediminas and the Lithuanian mythological and folkloric symbols were also sometimes used but less frequently than folk ornaments. The technique of making the ornaments also differed from the folk techniques. Instead of carving and painting methods popular in folk furniture, marquetry technique dominated in the National-style furniture. The paper discusses the creators of the National-style furniture, especially Jonas Vainauskas and Jonas Prapuolenis, who were promoting marquetry decoration technique together with folk ornaments. The décor was stylised in the geometric manner of Art Deco. In this way, an attempt was made to keep up with the Western design trends.


A new decision-level fusion (DLF)-based speech segment detection method and its application to audio noise removal for video conferences are presented in this paper. The proposed method calculates visual and audio features from video sequences and audio signals, respectively, obtained in video conferences. Features extracted from mouth regions of participants and attribution degrees of speech class are used as visual and audio features, respectively, and Support Vector Machine (SVM)-based classification is performed by using each kind of feature. The SVM classifier performs two-class classification of speech and non-speech segments to realize speech segment detection. From the detection results obtained from the visual and audio features, DLF based on Supervised Learning from Multiple Experts is performed to successfully obtain the final detection results with focus on the accuracy of each detection result. Then, from audio signals in the non-speech segments detected by our method, we can extract noise information to realize accurate audio noise removal in the speech segments.


The mechanical properties and dimensional stability of hardwood aspen in the form of sawdust and surface-treated glass fiber-polystyrene composites were evaluated under various extreme conditions, e.g., variation in the testing temperature (from +25° to −20°C), exposure to boiling water and heat in an oven at +105°C. The compatibility of wood fiber with glass fiber and with polystyrene improved by precoating the wood fiber with a coupling agent, e.g., 8% isocyanate, 4% silane and polymer. The mechanical properties of the composites, in particular, treated sawdust/glass fiber-filled composites, increased under extreme conditions in comparison with those filled with nontreated sawdust/glass fiber. Under the same conditions, dimensional stability also supports this observation.


Recording the physical characteristics of historic structures and landscapes is a cornerstone of preventive maintenance, monitoring and conservation. The information produced by such work assists the decision-making process for property owners, site managers, public officials, and conservators. Rigorous documentation may also serve a broader purpose: over time, it becomes the primary means by which scholars and the public apprehend a site that has since changed radically or disappeared. These records also serve as posterity and monitoring records in the event of catastrophic or gradual loss of the heritage resource.


The exploitation of multicast technologies leads to an improvement in both performance and scalability of some distributed applications. Applications needing reliable transference of data in long-lived sessions from one source to multiple receivers are typical in industrial automation. This paper describes a multicast transport protocol designed according to such needs and implemented with good results in a SCADA system. The authors addressed reliability using a NACK-based approach and implemented flow and congestion control based on destination set grouping in order to achieve fairness in the treatment of all receivers even when a link or a host becomes congested.


:New findings in the field of epitranscriptomics have led to resurgence in the study of modified nucleic acids in RNA. Current mass spectrometry methods for the study of the epitranscriptome lack key information on the state of modified nucleotides in RNA and cellular lysates. Presented here is the first report of modified nucleotides in RNA and the cell, and provides the first reported method for the untargeted analysis of these compounds using HILIC-HRMS. We utilized a novel extraction method to measure both the bound and unbound modified nucleotides in a single sample. This method also provides separation of many modified nucleoside species. MS-FINDER software was used to provide in silico structure predictions for the creation of fragmentation rules for separation of methylated modified nucleotides on the MS2 level. Annotated here are 12 modified nucleotide species and 20 nucleosides across RNA types and cell lines.


The urban railway systems using state-of-the-art technologies for train traffic, safety, traction and rail infrastructure are becoming increasingly widespread in the world. The Moscow Central Circle railroad is an example illustrating their integration into the urban transportation system of a megacity.Development and continuous modernization of such railroad systems during their operation generate new innovative approaches, particularly in the field of electric power supply.Electric traction load on the traction electric power supply system of the Moscow Central Circle railroad has several features explained by prevalence of passenger traffic and frequent changes of operating modes of electric trains. Frequently used regenerative braking determines the statement of the problem of developing a complex of measures to increase the efficiency of traction power supply system measured by the criterion of output capacitance reduction and of energy efficiency indicators' growth. The use of electric energy storage systems within the traction power supply system can help to solve thementioned problem.The objective of the described research is to assess the efficiency of the implementation of the electric energy storage devices within the system of traction power supply system of the Moscow Central Circle. The research uses the methods of statistical processing of the measurement data and of simulation modelling. Simulation modelling of interaction of electric rolling stock with traction power supply system within the Moscow Central Circle allows to obtain the characteristics of load chart of electric energy storage systems and of bus voltage at sectioning posts, to evaluate the durations of operation cycles in charge and discharge modes, their number and relevant total amount of electric energy per day.The obtained results allow assessing the technical features of various types of electric energy storage devices regarding operating conditions within traction power supply system of the Moscow Central Circle and to determine the economic efficiency of their implementation.


This paper focuses on Barthes' career and early American reception (1960s–1980s). It aims at showing the construction of Barthes as an intellectual figure in France and in the United States in a perspective of historical sociology of intellectuals and of social sciences and humanities. In studying how the American reception of Barthes' works takes place in the wider circulation of symbolic goods between the French and American academic, intellectual and literary spaces, it specifically demonstrates the way the crossing of national frontiers, in Barthes' case, is related to the crossing of disciplinary, professional and intellectual boundaries. The paper mobilizes different types of data on Barthes' career in France and on his reception in the United States – biographical data, publishing and translation data – and proposes an analysis of various intermediaries who imported Barthes as a reference in the American academic, intellectual and literary spaces. The combination of these perspectives allows to observe the social conditions of possibility of Barthes' first reception in the United States, the intellectual and academic appropriations of his work, as well as the way the French and American receptions of his works contributed to one another's growth and longevity. Eventually, this case study contributes to the understanding of the logics of the division of intellectual labor in transnational contexts.


This essay explores the importance of formal and informal network linkages among Mexico's leading capitalists and politicians from 1970 through 2000. It demonstrates that scholars have been misled in their conclusions about capitalist-politician connections because they have relied on shared, formal positions, rather than on numerous other means of contact. This essay also demonstrates the significant influence exerted by elite mentors, who often provide a bridge between other elites. It suggests that in most countries, a reliance on organizations as a means of measuring networking contacts has led to equally misleading conclusions. Finally, within specific leadership groups, elites share close ties with each other, ties that have impacted on policy issues and ideology.


Twenty four maiden heifers were bred by natural route by a specific immunotolerant bull, that was persistently infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhoea virus (BVD virus). The quality of the bull's semen was normal. Twelve heifers became pregnant in the first oestrus cycle and the remaining twelve in the second oestrus cycle. This leads to the conclusion that such persistently infected bulls may have good fertilisation results. Nevertheless, it is felt that bulls persistently infected with the BVD virus must be excluded from artificial insemination centres because of the risk of introducing BVD virus in a herd by the semen.


A relativistic electron beam propagating through an annular plasma sheath is subject to a transverse plasma - electron coupled electrostatic instability. From the linearized fluid equations, the beam - sheath interaction is resolved into three coupled equations. The corresponding wakefield is computed and the asymptotic linear evolution is noted. For illustration, numerical examples are given for a plasma accelerator employing such a sheath. While the coasting beam scalings are quite severe at low energy, single-bunch instability growth can in fact be reduced to nil for a very high-gradient accelerator.


Cellular senescence is a hallmark of aging and a promising target for therapeutic approaches. The identification of senescent cells requires multiple biomarkers and complex experimental procedures, resulting in increased variability and reduced sensitivity. Here, we propose a simple and broadly applicable imaging flow cytometry (IFC) method. This method is based on measuring autofluorescence and morphological parameters and on applying recent artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) tools. We show that the results of this method are superior to those obtained measuring the classical senescence marker, senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal). We provide evidence that this method has the potential for diagnostic or prognostic applications as it was able to detect senescence in cardiac pericytes isolated from the hearts of patients affected by end-stage heart failure. We additionally demonstrate that it can be used to quantify senescence "in vivo" and can be used to evaluate the effects of senolytic compounds. We conclude that this method can be used as a simple and fast senescence assay independently of the origin of the cells and the procedure to induce senescence.


Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal grain in the world and it has a diverse form of utilization including human food uses, animal feed formulation and as a basic raw material for industrial puposes. Quality of maize proteins is poor, they are deficient in the essential amino acids lysine and tryptophan. Mexico have successfully developed new hybrids and cultivars called quality protein maize (QPM) which contain greater amount of lysine and tryptophan. The objective of this study was to determine functional properties of flour of corn varieties. Water absorption capacity and solubility of flour obtained from HQPM-7 was found to be higher than that of HQPM-1 variety. On the other hand, gelation capacity, emulsification capacity and swelling power of flour obtained from HQPM-1 was found to higher than that of HQPM-7 variety.Functional properties are important in determining the nutritional, sensory, physico-chemical and organoleptic properties of the final product (Kinsella, 1979).


This article analyses how a latecomer firm facing adverse economic and policy conditions might still be able to build up enough technological capabilities to catch up with global competitors in renewable energy systems. Drawing on catch up theory and evolutionary economics, we conduct an in-depth case study of an unusually successful firm from Argentina over a 40 year period. The research indicates that the gradual and coherent formation of 'contrarian' technological capabilities eventually pays off in the long term.


Developing interactive systems is a challenging task. It involves concerns related to human-computer interaction (HCI), such as usability and user experience. Therefore, HCI design must be addressed when developing such systems. HCI design often involves people with different backgrounds, which makes communication and knowledge transfer a challenging issue. In this scenario, knowledge management can support understanding concepts from different knowledge areas and help learn from previous experiences. Aiming at investigating how knowledge management has supported HCI design and contributed to the development of interactive systems, we performed a mapping study in the literature and analyzed 15 publications reporting the use of knowledge management in HCI design. Following that, we conducted a survey with 39 HCI design professionals to find out how knowledge has been managed in their HCI design practice. In this paper, we present the studies and discuss their main findings. In summary, the results indicate that knowledge management has been used in HCI design mainly to improve product quality and reduce the effort and time spent on design activities. However, there is a need for simpler and more practical knowledge-based solutions to support HCI design. Such approaches would be capable of reaching more HCI design practitioners that could benefit from them.


Early-onset forms of Alzheimer disease (AD) have been associated with pathogenic variants in the APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 genes. Mutations in presenilin-1 (PSEN1) account for the majority of cases of autosomal dominant AD. Numerous phenotypes have been associated with PSEN1-pathogenic variants, including cerebellar ataxia and spastic paraplegia. Here, we describe a patient with early-onset AD presenting with extrapyramidal symptoms and supranuclear gaze palsy, mimicking progressive supranuclear palsy.


The lateral ligament complex of the ankle is a frequently injured structure in sports and recreational activities, which often results in chronic ankle instability (CAI). Balance exercise training has become a common component of clinical rehabilitation for CAI to address postural deficits. To determine the effect of balance training on postural stability, this critically appraised topic presents a summary and analysis of 4 relevant studies that address the effectiveness of balance training in subjects with CAI. Information about the methods and sources used in the article is provided. The findings imply that there is moderate evidence that 4-6 wk of balance training can enhance static and dynamic postural stability in subjects with CAI.


The characteristics of a low frequency (70 kHz) discharge with non-symmetrical configuration of electrodes in He–O 2 mixtures were investigated. The Langmuir probe technique, emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and absorption spectroscopy were used for plasma diagnostics. The physicochemical properties of PET (polyethylene terephtalate) were analyzed via contact angle measurements and XPS spectroscopy. The presence of the oxygen is shown to modify both the densities of the helium metastable states and also the energetic character of the discharge. The very efficient loss of He excited species and in particularly the metastables, for amounts of O 2 higher than a few percents, affects the surface modification in terms of crosslinking, and therefore the stability. This work has shown that one of the important species responsible for the crosslinking process leading to stable surface properties could be the helium metastables.