Abstract 4756 Background: Intracranial aneurysms in sickle-cell anemia (SCA) have been reported in about 50 adult patients, mostly presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Aneurysms in those patients tend to be multiple (50%), to involve the posterior circulation more frequently than in the general population (33% vs 14%) and to be diagnosed at a younger age. In pediatric SCA patients, SAH has scarcely been reported, without evident link with stenotic cerebral vasculopathy. An associated intracranial aneurysm has only been demonstrated once in a teenager. Case reports: We report the cases of 2 children with sickle-cell anemia (HbSS) with intracranial aneurysms. The first patient was a 5-year old girl with abnormal transcranial Doppler (TCD) screening for cerebral vasculopathy: left middle cerebral artery time-averaged mean velocity (MCA TAMV) 208cm/sec, right MCA TAMV 196cm/sec. She had normal neurological assessment. On her brain MRA, no stenotic lesion was found within the Circle of Willis and the Internal Carotid arteries. A 6mm distal left posterior cerebral artery unruptured saccular aneurysm was observed. The brain MRI revealed a left thalamic lacunar infarction likely due to asymptomatic embolic infarction from the aneurysm. Longitudinal MR imaging showed spontaneous but incomplete thrombotic aneurysm occlusion. The second patient, an 11 year-old boy with slight cognitive delay and normal annual TCD procedures, presented with a non-traumatic SAH. Brain MRI showed several small silent cerebral infarctions in the white matter watershed territories. Brain MRA revealed multiple aneurysms without any stenotic lesion. A ruptured aneurysm was located on the basilar artery termination. Four unruptured aneurysms were found: 3 on the posterior cerebral arteries (1 right, 2 left) and 1 on the ophthalmic artery ostium. Endovascular coil embolization resulted in angiographic occlusion of the 2 accessible aneurysms. Clinical outcome was excellent. Discussion: Hemorrhagic strokes are more frequent than ischemic strokes in young adult SCA patients. Two main mechanisms are described: intracerebral or intraventricular hemorrhage due to major occlusive vasculopathy (moyamoya syndrome) or subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysm rupture or leak. Our pediatric patients have no evidence for moyamoya syndrome. Their intracranial aneurysms bear similar characteristics with adult SCA patients9: possibility of multiple aneurysms and posterior circulation involvement. They are observed at a very young age and are associated with mild cerebral vasculopathy: abnormal TCD without MRA stenosis in one case, silent cerebral infarcts without MRA stenosis in the other case. These findings plead for a possible concurrent development of vascular lesions leading either to ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. This hypothesis is supported by similar histopathological findings in both aneurysms and cerebrovascular occlusive lesions in SCA: intimal hyperplasia, smooth-muscle layer hyalinization and elastic lamina fragmentation. This challenges the supposedly sequential pathophysiology of strokes in SCA, based on the high prevalence of infarctive strokes in children and hemorrhagic strokes in young adults. Conclusion: This report of pediatric intracranial aneurysms, associated with mild cerebral vasculopathy in both patients, supports the hypothesis of a common pathophysiological mechanism and the possible concurrent development of stenotic lesions and dilatations. This is also the first report of successful coil embolization in a pediatric SCA patient. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


The quality of diffraction data measured with electronic area-detectors is improved by correcting for non-uniformities in the response of the detector. Many detectors are actually much more uniform than they appear because much of the perceived non-uniformity is an artefact of the distortions in their imaging geometry and of the methods of illumination during calibration. Indeed, every known correction reduces the perceived non-uniformity. Our inability to illuminate the detector uniformly with radiation of the same wavelength as is used during data-collection is a particular worry because of differential absorption. The tails of the point-spread function also perturb the apparent response, particularly near to the edges of the imaging area. These problems are difficult to compensate, so there is no completely satisfactory method of determining the true response of real detectors. However, this does not prevent us from making calibrations of usable accuracy. Although this paper applies to all types of area-detector, the discussion is centred mainly on the ENRAF-NONIUS fast system, which is a commercially available television diffractometer, calibrated using software written by the present author. Calibrating the response of imaging detectors is a general problem, and many of the techniques expounded here are of wide applicability.


Two infants with familial erythrophagocytic reticulosis attained a durable complete remission after combination chemotherapy including intrathecal methotrexate. Though both later died, neither child had definitive evidence of tumour at necropsy.


Multi-modal cargo container ports and trans-shipment terminals serve as the back-bone of major transportation networks by fulfilling several requirements of cargo handling. Terminal management systems (stevedores) ensure an efficient utilization of resources at the port so that the intended cargo is handled within time and the overall cost is minimized. The demands on throughput of these terminals are increasing in conjunction with the the complexity of cargo operations. Such factors necessitate the development of suitable models, algorithms and techniques to decide the allocation, scheduling or sequencing of operations at cargo terminals. The motivation behind the current research is to optimise the scheduling of operations at cargo terminals, resulting in economical, sustainable and profitable transportation of cargo. A typical cargo terminal is expected to handle around 100-500 containers on a single day utilizing several (non-uniform) resources. The availability of the required resources and/or the movement of containers is often restricted by time window bounds. Then, suitable resources must be allocated via a plan, time-table or roster so as to execute the required activities. The allocation of any resource to any task(s) entails many different types of variable costs. The objective of minimizing the overall costs (while accomplishing all prescribed activities) leads to several interesting optimization problems. While some of these problems have been studied earlier in the operations-research literature, several novel interesting questions are as yet unanswered. The current research identifies and formally defines these new problems, establishes their computational complexity and thereafter presents suitable mathematical models and algorithms to solve them. We focus on the utilization of resources (machines,cranes or personnel) that shall facilitate any required internal rearrangement of cargo containers within the terminal itself. Apart from the primary motivation of optimising the cargo handling within terminals, many techniques developed within this research are equally applicable in the broader context of resource planning and task allocation for routing and scheduling applications. Consider the routes taken by cranes as they traverse the specific identified locations within the terminal to pick up and deliver containers. Mathematically, this sequence dependence leads to an NP-hard problem that overlaps the well studied domains of vehicle routing problems (VRP) and job scheduling problems (JSP). Determination of routes with immediate sequence dependence is just one of the many considerations at container terminals. The stacking of containers in several different columns or heaps adds a very novel dimension to our discussion. The trans-location of any specific container (which is within some stack) requires rearrangement of other containers in the origin stack at the pickup location of the desired container. The effort involved in such a rearrangement depends on the complete history of all related containers that have been moved until that time. The resulting costs differ substantially from the immediate sequence dependent efforts in crane routing. Even if we neglect the horizontal movement costs (on routes), disregard the time window restrictions and relax all other side constraints, the remaining (reduced) problem is still NP-hard. Conversely, if we neglect the horizontal movement costs (on routes) and also the stack rearrangement efforts, the allocation of fixed interval operations to a set of non-uniform resources constitutes another NP-hard allocation problem. Thus, the crane scheduling problem is a combination of the following constituent problems: 1. Container stack rearrangement problem based on general precedence 2. Crane route minimization problem based on immediate precedence 3. Interval scheduling problem for multiple resources 4. Routing problem (or job scheduling) with time windows In conjunction with each other, these diverse features present an interesting computational challenge. Our approach to solving the overall scheduling problem is to initially model every individual sub-problem separately. Building upon our understanding of these separate constituents, we design integer programming formulations to solve the overall (combined) problem. Our primary hypothesis in these formulations is: any decisions made based on one model (say stacking) impose strong constraints on some other model (say routing). So we design algorithms that effectively integrate or synthesize multiple loosely interconnected models. We begin by exclusively analyzing the stack rearrangement efforts required when containers are piled up over each other in columns. To model the general (history dependent) precedence of container stack rearrangement, we introduce a new decision variable. This new variable captures decisions of whether or not a pair of tasks may be executed in a particular sequential order by any resource. While immediate precedence (path traversal) variables have been commonly used in routing problem, our general precedence variable does not seem to have been used earlier in relevant literature. Based on this new decision variable, we propose several new techniques (exact and heuristic) to model and optimize the stack rearrangement efforts. We also construct new families of problem data instances to capture the practical scenario expected in cargo terminals and hence demonstrate the applicability of our techniques. Combination of the immediate precedence sequence effects (from crane routing) along with the general history dependence effects (from stack rearrangement) leads to a more interesting problem. Even neglecting time window restrictions and the heterogeneity of multiple cranes, the resulting problem still involves several critical issues regarding crane operations at container terminals. We develop many new integer programming formulations to solve this problem, but find that the standard approaches are incapable of handling larger sized problem data instances. Hence we design a new approach: we employ two separate integer programming formulations for the representing the crane routing and the container stacking. Thereafter, we interconnect the two formulations to yield crane routes that optimize the total costs. A rigorous computational comparison of this approach allows us to finalize the best formulation and the tightest constraints for use in subsequent procedures which also address some side constraints. Efficient utilization of heterogeneous resources for executing several time-bound tasks is studied in the domain of 'Interval scheduling problems'. Fixed interval scheduling problems concern the allocation and assignment of non-uniform resources to execute tasks of fixed time intervals. The current research develops new cuts and a decomposition scheme that solves larger sized fixed interval scheduling problems. This decomposition scheme involves deduction of an initial minimal set of resources expected to be necessary (but possibly not sufficient) for all the prescribed tasks. In the next stage, we attempt to find the sub-sets of tasks which could not be executed within the selected minimal set of resources. This enables the discovery of new feasibility cuts which are subsequently used to find a corrected set of sufficient resources. The recursive application of this procedure leads to an improved minimal set of resources which is proved to be necessary and sufficient (i.e. optimal) for the given tasks. This decomposition scheme forms the basis of the solution procedure that we shall eventually propose for the overall crane scheduling problem. Our decomposition scheme also applies to several other problems in the interval scheduling domain. We demonstrate the efficacy of our procedures by solving standard problem data instances in the interval scheduling literature and also design new (more complex) problems with inter-task variability factors. The overall problem to be solved for efficient scheduling of cranes at cargo container terminals involves a combination of multiple resources, time-bound tasks, immediate precedence based costs and general (history) precedence based efforts. We address the unified problem by combining the formulations, algorithms and approaches developed for all the sub-problems discussed earlier. We use the precedence governing decision variables of history dependent scheduling. We continue to employ an aggregation of loosely inter-connected integer programming formulations. We rely upon the decomposition scheme designed for time restricted routing problems that we used in interval scheduling. The overall procedure presented here is robust enough to solve the entire range of crane scheduling problems within the scope of our research within reasonable computational efforts.


Glucocorticoids (GC) are used in paediatric practice for a broad range of conditions and all paediatricians will prescribe GC, in some form, during their career. A wide variety of GC formulations, doses and administration routes are used for periods of time ranging from days to years. Exposure to exogenous GC can result in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression—otherwise known as adrenal suppression (AS). Patients with AS may be well most of the time but if GC therapy is reduced or stopped or if additional endogenous GC cannot be generated during illness, then an absolute or relative lack of GC can result in severe illness or death. Here, we highlight the relevance of AS to all paediatricians by providing an overview of the background and discussing the presentation and approaches to the management of this clinical entity.


Patients with solid malignancies who were not candidates for tumor resections in the past are now presenting for extensive oncological resections. Cancer patients are at risk for thromboembolic complications due to an underlying hypercoagulable state; however, some patients may have an increased risk for bleeding due to the effects of chemotherapy, the administration of anticoagulant drugs, tumor-related fibrinolysis, tumor location, tumor vascularity, and extent of disease. A common potential complication of all complex oncological surgeries is massive intraand postoperative hemorrhage and the subsequent risk for massive blood transfusion. This can be anticipated or unexpected. Several surgical and anesthesia interventions including preoperative tumor embolization, major vessel occlusion, hemodynamic manipulation, and perioperative antifibrinolytic therapy have been used to prevent or control blood loss with varying success. The exact incidence of massive blood transfusion in oncological surgery is largely unknown and/or underreported. The current literature mostly consists of purely descriptive observational studies. Thus, recommendation regarding specific perioperative intervention cannot be made at this point, and more research is warranted.


Cover crops (CC) have been explored in corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) systems for their allelopathic potential to control weeds. However, allelopathic compounds may negatively affect these row crops by reducing germination, emergence, and grain yields. We reviewed studies that document allelopathic effects of CC on subsequent row crops in field and laboratory settings. We summarize the influence of CC management, including biomass production, planting and termination timing on allelochemical quantity. Our review found few studies documenting allelopathic effects of CC on row crops in field settings. Studies that focus on understanding yield impacts of CC on row crops should be designed to include allelopathic CC–row crop interactions. Understanding the link between CC management and allelopathic dynamics can help avoid impacts on the growth and productivity of the subsequent row crop.


Potato brown rot, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum race 3 biovar 2 (Phylovar II, sequevar 1), is a serious endemic disease in the Nile Delta of Egypt. It is a quarantine disease in the EU, and export of potatoes from Egypt is restricted to pest-free areas in the desert. This thesis is directed at survival and eradication of the pathogen in areas that may become contaminated and at brown rot control in infested areas. R. solanacearum survival and disease suppression were studied for soils differing in origin (Dutch versus Egyptian soils), type ( san d versus clay), and management (organic versus conventional). Effects of amendment of conventional soils with NPK and organic soils with compost or cow manure were compared with non-amended controls. The pathogen survived longer in Dutch than in Egyptian soils, and in clay than in san dy soils from both countries. Survival was never longer than 180 days and in many cases much shorter, especially in Egyptian san dy soil. Organic management reduced pathogen survival in Egyptian soils, especially in the san dy soil, but not in Dutch soils. Pathogen survival was positively correlated with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in soil, negatively with organic matter (OM) content at similar DOC content, and negatively with bacterial diversity estimated from denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of eubacterial 16S rDNA extracted from soil. NPK ferti li zation and cow manure amendment reduced pathogen survival in most soils while compost was not effective. There was a clear shift in microbial community after manure amendment, a weak shift by compost amendment, and no shift after NPK ferti li zation. Disease development was highest in Dutch san dy soils and similar in all other soil types. It was positively correlated with DOC (substrate availabi li ty), and negatively with K and Ca contents in soil, which may increase plant resistance. The disease was s li ghtly suppressed in organic compared to conventional san dy soils from Egypt while organic management increased disease incidence in all Dutch soils. This was related to a high DOC content in organic Dutch soils. There were no differences in bacterial diversity and composition in different rhizosphere soils, and no correlations between disease development and bacterial diversity . Manure ferti li zation suppressed brown rot in most soils with a clear shift in rhizospere bacterial community. Stenotrophomonas maltophi li a , isolated from the rhizosphere of eggplant in the Egyptian Delta, was antagonistic to R. solanacearum in vitro ; its antagonistic activity was not Fe-siderophore dependent. A selected S. maltophi li a strain survived longer and reduced R. solanacearum survival more in Egyptian than in Dutch clay soils, and suppressed potato brown rot in Egyptian soil (by at least 36%) but not in Dutch soil. Survival and suppressive activity of S. maltophi li a were positively correlated with OM , which was highest in Egyptian organic clay soil. The effect of biological soil disinfestation (BSD) was tested in glass vessels, microplots, and in an accidentally infested commercial field. BSD is based on production of toxic organic acids through anaerobic digestion of fresh organic matter. BSD was accomp li shed by incorporating grass or potato haulms in soil and covering the soil with airtight plastic. Survival of R. solanacearum in soil and potato tubers was significantly reduced in the BSD treatment (>93%), and not in separate g rass amendment -or plastic cover treatments. This thesis may contribute to regulatory decisions in the EU concerning the time required for keeping accidentally infested fields out of potato production and to recommendations for management of potato brown rot in areas where the disease is endemic.


Next week, the New Horizons spacecraft will reconnoiter Pluto and its system of moons on the ragged edge of our planetary system. It may then fly by icy bodies in the Kuiper Belt, more than a billion kilometers beyond Neptune's orbit. These will become the farthest worlds ever explored, ushering in a new era of discovery. Although information from previous planetary probes has helped scientists understand the origin of the inner rocky planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) and the gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), as well as their moons, this will be the first opportunity to undertake a close-up study of the dwarf planets that are so common beyond Neptune.


We report a 91% accuracy with fine needle aspiration cytology in 46 patients found to have a mass in the pancreas at laparotomy. Results were compared with conventional biopsy at operation which was accurate in only 56% of an earlier group of 48 patients with a localised mass compared with 97% in 33 patients with disseminated malignancy. Although we strongly advise a through attempt to establish a histological or cytological diagnosis before operation, there are many occasions when a surgeon is faced with an undiagnosed mass in the pancreas at laparotomy. Under these circumstances fine needle aspiration cytology of the pancreas should be advised in units with an experienced cytology service.


Microfluidic droplet-on-demand systems allow the controllable construction of multiple droplets of previously unattainable morphologies. Guided by the diagrams of the possible topologies of double droplets we investigate in detail the vistas to control the morphology of Janus droplets. We also explore and control new morphologies of multiple Janus droplets, i.e., arbitrarily long chains of alternating immiscible segments. Theoretical calculations together with the control offered by the use of automation allow the design of both the topology and the geometry (e.g. curvatures of the interfaces) of the multiple droplets. The ability to rationally design convex–convex, convex–concave and concave–convex segments may be useful in material science, while the ability to tune the distances between the interfaces in the chains of droplets may have applications in designing artificial biochemical signalling networks.


Multilocus electrophoresis analysis has been used to study the genetic structure of 18 populations of Aedes albopictus newly introduced to Italy, in comparison with two populations in the United States, four in Japan, and four in Indonesia. Allozyme analysis revealed that 15 out of the 18 studied loci were polymorphic among the 28 populations. No significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were found at polymorphic loci. High genetic affinity was observed between the Italian populations and those from the United States and Japan. The analysis of variance in allele frequencies showed that variance among subpopulations accounted for most of the total variance, suggesting that isolation of the Italian populations is not related to distance. Analysis of linkage disequilibrium using Ohta's method shows that the variance in the frequency of allele combinations could be explained by the action of the genetic drift which accompanies the establishment of new populations. The colonization process of Ae. albopictus in Italy is following a trend similar to that previously observed in the U.S.A., probably because both infestations derive from several successive introductions, each with large numbers of individuals.


Background: Anecdotal reports of improvement in chronic pain patients given oxidative therapy (OXT) in the form of Intravenous Hydrogen Peroxide (IVHP) led the author to try this therapy on intractable pain cases. Method: 54 intractable non-malignant pain cases selected at random (16 had spinal problems, 14 had Interstitial Cystitis, 8 had headaches and 16 with miscellaneous problems) each received an average of 9 weekly IVHP infusions of 250 ml 0.03% Hydrogen Peroxide. After 4 months of this therapy all patients were given a questionnaire to evaluate and study any improvements in their condition. The questions covered three areas: 1) Subjective improvements: pain, function, mental and emotional status, general health, and sexual health, 2) Analgesic medication usage: dosage and efficacy changes, 3) Satisfaction with the therapy and desire to continue. Results: 52%-70% mean 66% of the patients responded positively (more than slightly improved) to questions in the subjective areas, 85% of the patients were using less medication and/ or getting more effect from the analgesics they were taking, 96% of the patients wished to continue the therapy. These improvements were constant over the range of the four diagnostic groups. The improved patients all demonstrated some signs and lab results including fever, chills, abscess formation, purulent discharges, elevated WBCs and ESRs consistent with resolving systemic and/ or regional infections. Conclusions: IVPH can significantly improve patients in a majority of chronic painful conditions. Chronic Infection is associated with or absolutely the cause of Chronic Pain in the patients studied.


A self-learning fractal interpolation algorithm to construct synthetic fields with statistical properties close to real turbulence is proposed. Different from our previous work [Phys. Rev. E 84 (2011) 026328, 82 (2010) 036311], the position mapping and stretching factors between the adjacent large and small scales are learned from the initial information. Using this method, a turbulence-like field with K41 spectra and without dissipation is constructed well through a coarse grid velocity signal from one experiment's data. After filtering the interpolated signal appropriately, the probability distribution of velocity, velocity structure functions and the anomalous scaling law of the synthetic field are close to those of the original signal.


Many advanced concepts for high-efficiency photovoltaic devices exploit the peculiar optoelectronic properties of semiconductor nanostructures such as quantum wells, quantum wires, and quantum dots. While the optics of such devices is only modestly affected due to the small size of the structures, the optical transitions and electronic transport can strongly deviate from the simple bulk picture known from conventional solar cell devices. This paper discusses the challenges for an adequate theoretical description of the photovoltaic device operation arising from the introduction of nanostructure absorber and/or conductor components and gives an overview of existing device simulation approaches.


BACKGROUND
The gold standard for HIV-1 treatment is to administer triple antiretroviral therapy, but a shift to simplified regimens is being explored. Boosted darunavir monotherapy can be considered for patients who are for specific reasons not good candidates for dual or triple therapy. Still, a number of patients fail virologically or need to switch treatment.

OBJECTIVES
To identify predictive markers for those patients that are more likely to sustain virological control under monotherapy, virological and immunological markers were explored in HIV-1-positive patients that experienced virological failure on ritonavir-boosted darunavir monotherapy in the PROTEA trial.

METHODS
As a retrospective nested study of the PROTEA study (NCT01448707), we analysed 77 HIV-1-infected patients who were on darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg monotherapy up to 96 weeks. Patients were appointed to three distinct cohorts based on viral loads (VLs): (i) undetectable VL after 96 weeks; (ii) very-low-level viraemia (5-39 copies/mL); and (iii) failing treatment. Total HIV-1 DNA, integrated HIV-1 DNA and 2-long terminal repeat circular HIV-1 DNA (2LTR circles) were measured in PBMCs at baseline, week 48 and week 96.

RESULTS
Total HIV-1 DNA and integrated HIV-1 DNA at baseline differed significantly between patients who experienced virological failure on monotherapy (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001). Although a higher level of HIV-1 DNA was measured in failures, this marker by itself does not provide enough predictive value to prospectively predict virological failure in patients on monotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS
HIV-1 reservoir markers correlate with therapy failure in ritonavir-boosted darunavir monotherapy. However, their role as a predictive marker combined with other markers in a routine clinical setting should be further explored.


Background of experimental and methodical work is the loss of coolant accident (LOCA) with release of fibrous pipe insulation material. Latest investigations were focused on material deposition and distribution (cross mixing) in the reactor core. Therefore, a 2×2 PWR fuel assembly (FA) cluster was constructed. Four shortened PWR-FA-dummies are provided with separated in- and outlets. Every 16×16 fuel rod dummy consists of 20 control rod simulators, two spacers, FA-head and FA-bottom with a 3.5×3.5 mm integrated debris-screen filter (IDF). The cluster is encased in an acrylic housing for visual observation. It is connected with the test facility "Zittau Flow Tray" (ZFT), a simplified sump model, which allows inclusion and investigation of complex phenomena like material sedimentation in the sump and strainer blockages. A well mixing of air in the fluid was also considered by free jet expansions and flows through full cone-nozzles as well as marginal air entrainments.This Paper includes descriptions of applied measuring techniques (digital image processing, thrubeam laser sensors etc.) and an overview of all considered boundary conditions. Experimental results, aiming at the development, implementation and verification of multiphase flow and strainer models, are presented.Copyright © 2012 by ASME


The insulator-metal (I-M) transition in the colossal magnetoresistance material La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 has been studied by electrical transport, magnetization and electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. Around the I-M transition, the ESR signal shows a crossover from paramagnetic resonance line to ferromagnetic resonance line, which implies a coexistence of localized small polarons and itinerant carriers during the I-M transition. Based on the concept of `small polaron collapse', a two-phase model is proposed to quantitatively describe the electrical transport behaviour across the insulator-metal transition. The calculations of resistivity in different applied magnetic fields have close trends with the experimental data, which strongly proves that the I-M transition results from the collapse of small polarons and the two phases coexist during the transition.


Background  In drug abusers, white matter changes have been described by neuroimaging analyses in different brain regions. A specific pattern of involvement or a predominance of a specific brain region could not be drawn.

Aims  To examine alterations of the white matter as a possible morphological substrate of the neuroimaging findings.

Methods  Brain specimens of 30 polydrug abusers and 20 controls were obtained at autopsy. The white matter from 11 different brain regions was analysed by means of immunohistochemistry for β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP), a marker of axonal damage.

Findings  In the white matter of polydrug abusers, β-APP-immunopositive accumulations were increased significantly compared to controls. They were more prominent in the brains of younger drug abusers than in those of the elderly. With the exception of five cases (four polydrug abusers and one control case), there were no significant white matter changes seen on myelin-stained sections, but there was a concomitant microglial activation.

Conclusions  Our results show a significant axonal damage in the brains of polydrug abusers, which might represent the morphological substrate of a chronic-progressive drug-induced toxic-metabolic process. It is yet to be established if the observed changes are responsible for the alterations seen in different neuroimaging analyses and which drugs of abuse might be of major pathogenetic significance.


With the aim of finding an effective way of utilizing shrimp waste, the suppression of freeze-induced denaturation of lizardfish myofibril by proteolytic shrimp head protein hydrolysates (SHPH) during frozen storage at -25°C was investigated by determining the amount of unfrozen water and Ca-ATPase activity in myofibrillar samples containing SHPH from three different species of shrimp at various concentrations (2.5-10% dried matter). The amount of unfrozen water increased markedly after freezing and decreased gradually during frozen storage in the samples containing SHPH, regardless of shrimp species. Over 120 days of storage, the Ca-ATPase activity of myofibril containing SHPH slowly decreased, whereas that of the control fell drastically after the initial freezing. These results suggest that the interactions between myofibrillar protein and the active components of SHPH, such as hydrophilic amino acids and peptides, may retard freeze-induced denaturation in fish myofibril during frozen storage. SHPH exhibited optimum suppression of freeze-induced denaturation at concentrations of 5-7.5%, regardless of species differences.


How protein toxins translocate their catalytic domain across a cell membrane is the least understood step in toxin action. This study utilized a reporter, β-lactamase, that was genetically fused to full-length, nontoxic tetanus toxin (βlac-TT) in discovery-based live-cell assays to study LC translocation. Directed mutagenesis identified a role for K768 in LC translocation. K768 was located between α15 and α16 (termed the cis-loop). Cellular assays showed that K768 did not interfere with other toxin functions, including cell binding, intracellular trafficking, and pore formation. The equivalent K768 is conserved among the clostridial neurotoxin family of proteins as a conserved structural motif. The cis-loop appears to contribute to LC translocation. ABSTRACT The clostridial neurotoxins (CNTs) comprise tetanus toxin (TT) and botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT [BT]) serotypes (A to G and X) and several recently identified CNT-like proteins, including BT/En and the mosquito BoNT-like toxin Pmp1. CNTs are produced as single proteins cleaved to a light chain (LC) and a heavy chain (HC) connected by an interchain disulfide bond. LC is a zinc metalloprotease (cleaving soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors [SNAREs]), while HC contains an N-terminal translocation domain (HCN) and a C-terminal receptor binding domain (HCC). HCN-mediated LC translocation is the least understood function of CNT action. Here, β-lactamase (βlac) was used as a reporter in discovery-based live-cell assays to characterize TT-mediated LC translocation. Directed mutagenesis identified a role for a charged loop (767DKE769) connecting α15 and α16 (cis-loop) within HCN in LC translocation; aliphatic substitution inhibited LC translocation but not other toxin functions such as cell binding, intracellular trafficking, or HCN-mediated pore formation. K768 was conserved among the CNTs. In molecular simulations of the HCN with a membrane, the cis-loop did not bind with the cell membrane. Taken together, the results of these studies implicate the cis-loop in LC translocation, independently of pore formation. IMPORTANCE How protein toxins translocate their catalytic domain across a cell membrane is the least understood step in toxin action. This study utilized a reporter, β-lactamase, that was genetically fused to full-length, nontoxic tetanus toxin (βlac-TT) in discovery-based live-cell assays to study LC translocation. Directed mutagenesis identified a role for K768 in LC translocation. K768 was located between α15 and α16 (termed the cis-loop). Cellular assays showed that K768 did not interfere with other toxin functions, including cell binding, intracellular trafficking, and pore formation. The equivalent K768 is conserved among the clostridial neurotoxin family of proteins as a conserved structural motif. The cis-loop appears to contribute to LC translocation.


Aim: Treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration by using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonists is the gold standard today. So far, several bioactive molecules have been approved for therapeutic use. In this study, we investigate the effects of ranibizumab (Lucentis®), bevacizumab (Avastin®), and aflibercept (Eylea®) on primary human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells in vitro. Methods: hRPE cells were prepared from donor eyes and cultured under standard culture conditions. Scleral fibroblasts also prepared from donor tissue served as physiological controls. The impact of the anti-VEGF molecules on cell viability was investigated with the trypan blue exclusion assay, whereas proliferation was measured using the MTT assay. Biological activity of the molecules was quantified in a VEGF-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: All tested substances were biologically active in vitro. They displayed no cytotoxicity on RPE cells or scleral fibroblasts. However, proliferation of RPE cells was significantly decreased after treatment with ranibizumab or bevacizumab but not with aflibercept. Conclusions: The humanized antibodies (fragments) interfered specifically with the RPE cells. The thereby measured inhibition of cell proliferation may indicate possible side effects on the physiology of RPE cells.


When urban catchments present inlet systems with a poor capacity of conveying runoff into the sewer system, hydraulic parameters (flow depth and velocity) can grow up to reach dangerous levels for pedestrian and vehicular circulation. When these flows reach depressed areas, stormwater stores in these areas big volumes of flow that need particular hydraulic structures to discharge into the sewer systems as soon as possible. A feasible solution for this problem consists on the use of macro-grates with a high hydraulic efficiency. In this paper experimental data concerning some macro-grates tests are presented. An accurate analysis of these data is useful to design efficient and safe inlet systems.


The neonatal gut is rapidly colonized by a newly dominant group of commensal Escherichia coli strains among which a large proportion produces a genotoxin called colibactin. In order to analyze the short- and long-term effects resulting from such evolution, we developed a rat model mimicking the natural transmission of E. coli from mothers to neonates. Genotoxic and non-genotoxic E. coli strains were equally transmitted to the offspring and stably colonized the gut across generations. DNA damage was only detected in neonates colonized with genotoxic E. coli strains. Signs of genotoxic stress such as anaphase bridges, higher occurrence of crypt fission and accelerated renewal of the mature epithelium were detected at adulthood. In addition, we observed alterations of secretory cell populations and gut epithelial barrier. Our findings illustrate how critical is the genotype of E. coli strains acquired at birth for gut homeostasis at adulthood.


Abstract Objectives: The manner in which psychiatrists dress and how they address their patients and in turn are addressed, may impact upon the therapeutic relationship. We undertook a survey to assess patients' preferences regarding doctors' dress and forms of address. Method: Patients attending four psychiatric clinics were asked to complete a questionnaire asking them to rate photographs of doctors dressed in varying levels of formality, presented in random order. Results: One hundred and forty-five patients agreed to take part. Patients had a strong preference for their consultants to wear suits but were more ambivalent about NCHDs' attire. When asked to rate the photographs in terms of competence and ease in forming a trusting relationship, suits scored the highest ratings. When asked to rate for friendliness, smart attire scored slightly higher than suits. Of the patients 50% said that they wished to be called by their first name and 50% said that they did not have a preference. Very few patients preferred to be addressed by title but 95% said that they tended to call their doctor by title. Of the respondents 70% preferred to be called patients rather than clients or service users. Conclusions: The patients in this survey preferred their doctors to dress formally and were comfortable with an asymmetrical form of address.


Students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience school-related difficulties. Although evidence-based classroom management strategies (CMS) are known to alleviate such problems, they are rarely implemented. The current study examined whether a path model including variables influencing the use of effective CMS developed by top-down methods can be replicated utilizing an open science method. An extended model including class size and experience with children with ADHD was also calculated. We further explored prominent implementation barriers. N = 336 in-service teachers completed an online survey. Perceived effectiveness, training on ADHD, perceived disruption, and affiliation with primary/special educational needs schools were important variables associated with the use of CMS. While class size was not correlated with the use of CMS, experience mediated by training revealed an indirect association with it. Class size, lack of time, and many students with disabilities were the most frequently reported implementation barriers. The implementation of effective CMS could thus be mainly enhanced by improving how effectiveness is perceived and by engaging teachers in ADHD-specialized training. Preparing teachers in how to cope with potential barriers should also be considered.


Urban areas are expanding, changing the structure and productivity of landscapes. While some urban areas have been shown to hold substantial biomass, the productivity of these systems is largely unknown. We assessed how conversion from forest to urban land uses affected both biomass structure and productivity across eastern Massachusetts. We found that urban land uses held less than half the biomass of adjacent forest expanses with a plot level mean biomass density of 33.5 ± 8.0 Mg C ha-1. As the intensity of urban development increased, the canopy cover, stem density, and biomass decreased. Analysis of Quercus rubra tree cores showed that tree-level basal area increment nearly doubled following development, increasing from 17.1 ± 3.0 to 35.8 ± 4.7 cm2 yr-1. Scaling the observed stem densities and growth rates within developed areas suggests an aboveground biomass growth rate of 1.8 ± 0.4 Mg C ha-1 yr-1, a growth rate comparable to nearby, intact forests. The contrasting high growth rates and lower biomass pools within urban areas suggest a highly dynamic ecosystem with rapid turnover. As global urban extent continues to grow, cities consider climate mitigation options, and as the verification of net greenhouse gas emissions emerges as critical for policy, quantifying the role of urban vegetation in regional-to-global carbon budgets will become ever more important.


Sliding clamps on DNA consist of evolutionarily conserved enzymes that coordinate DNA replication, repair, and the cellular DNA damage response. MutS homolog (MSH) proteins initiate mismatch repair (MMR) by recognizing mispaired nucleotides and in the presence of ATP form stable sliding clamps that randomly diffuse along the DNA. The MSH sliding clamps subsequently load MutL homolog (MLH/PMS) proteins that form a second extremely stable sliding clamp, which together coordinate downstream MMR components with the excision-initiation site that may be hundreds to thousands of nucleotides distant from the mismatch. Specific or nonspecific binding of other proteins to the DNA between the mismatch and the distant excision-initiation site could conceivably obstruct the free diffusion of these MMR sliding clamps, inhibiting their ability to initiate repair. Here, we employed bulk biochemical analysis, single-molecule fluorescence imaging, and mathematical modeling to determine how sliding clamps might overcome such hindrances along the DNA. Using both bacterial and human MSH proteins, we found that increasing the number of MSH sliding clamps on a DNA decreased the association of the Escherichia coli transcriptional repressor LacI to its cognate promoter LacO. Our results suggest a simple mechanism whereby thermal diffusion of MSH sliding clamps along the DNA alters the association kinetics of other DNA-binding proteins over extended distances. These observations appear generally applicable to any stable sliding clamp that forms on DNA.


The drive towards the abolition of the slave trade at the beginning of the 19th century was not effective until the 1850s. It was perhaps the only migratory intercontinental movement in history which came to a complete stop because of political pressures in spite of the fact that neither the supply nor the demand for African slaves had disappeared. Because of the continuing demand for bonded labour in some of the plantation areas in the New World (notably the Guiana's, Trinidad, Cuba and Brazil) and because of a new demand for bonded labour in the developing sugar and mining industries in Mauritius, Réunion, Queensland (Australia), Natal (South Africa), the Fiji-islands and Hawaii an international search for 'newslaves' started.


During this research the role and significance of hip scintigraphy in diagnosis and evaluation of Perthes disease were examined. Three phase scan was applied in 35 patients clinically suspected of Perthes' disease. There were no false positive findings in 20 patients who did not suffer from Perthes' disease and all 15 who suffered from disease were scintigraphically positive. Our investigation confirmed clearly that late scintigraphy conducted with pinhole colimator can be used as a reliable method for diagnosis and evaluation of Perthes' disease.


Changes were observed in the ultrastructure of the pancreatic acinar cells in rats after administration of atorvastatin (Sortis) in the therapeutic and ten times larger dose for the period of 6 weeks. It was found that atorvastatin given to rats in the therapeutic dose (80 mg/day) stimulated the secretion in pancreocytes, whereas the ten times higher dose of atorvastatin distorts the complicated process of the release of the secretion from the cell.


The concrete used in highway structures such as pavements, bridge approach slabs or bridge decks are deteriorated much faster rate than other concrete structures due to environmental and traffic loads leading to sudden failure and/or more cracking potential. The present paper investigates experimentally the development of ductile concrete mixtures. Twenty-four mixtures with three types of fibers (PVA, Hocked steel fiber and Nylo-mono) were used. River sand as a fine aggregate and coarse aggregate with a maximum aggregate size of (9.5 mm) were adopted. Fly ash was used as a replacement of Portland cement with three ratios. Compressive and flexural strengths tests were achieved at different curing ages (7, 28 and 90 days) to determine the stress and ductility indexes. The results show that due to more fly ash content there is an increase in the stress index and decrease in the ductility index for mixtures containing 1% steel and 1% PVA fibers by volume. In addition, the results demonstrated that using of Nylo-mono enhances the ductility index better than PVA. Finally, the use of 2% by volume hybrid fiber (PVA0.5+Steel.0%+Nylo-mono 0.5) achieved a ductile concrete mixture that has a ductility index nine times higher than that of plain concrete.


We previously reported that adenosine elicited site-dependent neuronal and cardiovascular responses in two subareas of the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) of normotensive rats. Pressor and tachycardic responses were obtained from the rostral NTS (adenosine pressor system), and depressor and bradycardic responses were obtained from the caudal NTS (adenosine depressor system). In both areas, adenosine inhibited the firing rate of barosensitive neurons. The present study investigated whether spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) exhibit abnormal neuronal and cardiovascular responses mediated by the adenosine pressor and depressor systems within the NTS. Male SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were anesthesized with urethane and prepared for blood pressure and heart rate recording, stereotaxic microinjection of adenosine into the NTS, and extracellular recording of single-unit neuronal activity of NTS neurons. Chemical identification of the targeted neuronal pool was made by L-glutamate (5 nmol) and confirmed by histology. SHR exhibited significantly higher mean arterial pressure and firing rate of caudal NTS neurons (45.0 +/- 4.5 versus 27.3 +/- 4.7 spikes per 2.5 seconds, P <.05) but similar heart rate and neuronal firing rate of rostral NTS neurons compared with WKY. Adenosine (0.1, 1, and 10 nmol) elicited dose-related neuronal and cardiovascular responses in both strains. However, SHR exhibited differential alterations in both adenosine systems. Compared with WKY, SHR exhibited attenuated pressor, tachycardic, and neuronal responses mediated by the adenosine pressor system and exaggerated depressor, bradycardic, and neuronal responses mediated by the adenosine depressor system. In both strains, the responses elicited by adenosine were virtually abolished by theophylline (10 mg/kg IV), suggesting that these responses were mediated by adenosine receptors in the NTS. Furthermore, the theophylline-evoked increase in blood pressure was twofold higher in SHR (15.0 +/- 1.7 versus 6.9 +/- 1.5 mm Hg, P <.05); larger but nonsignificant increases in heart rate and neuronal firing rate also were evident in SHR compared with WKY. These findings suggest differential alterations in adenosine pressor and depressor systems in the NTS of SHR, which may be implicated in the pathophysiology of this model of hypertension.


In order to determine both clinical and spirometric changes due to high environmental concentrations of wheat dust at a wheat processing plant mill, 48 exposed men and 48 age and antroprometrically-matched, non-exposed apparently healthy men were studied. In both groups a medical and occupational history were taken, and spirometric measurements were carried out, that included Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume at the first second (FEV1), Peak Flow Rate (PFR), Forced Percentual Expiratory Volume (FEV%), Forced Percentual Vital Capacity (FVC%), Forced Expiratory Flow at 25% (FEV25%), at 50% (FEV50%) and at 75% (FEV75%) of their Forced Vital Capacity, which were analyzed through Corzo's predictive equations and the lung deterioration's criteria by USA's Thoracic Association. The environmental wheat dust was determined by gravimetry and its concentration was higher than the legally admitted (3/5, 60%). There was a decrease in the PFR, FEV%, FEV25% and FEV75%. (p < 0.05). In addition, 4 restrictive and 1 obstructive syndrome were detected in the exposed workers and none in the control group. The spirometric values diminished in a positive correlation with the time of exposure and smoking habits. There was no correlation between the clinical findings and the dust concentration but it did exist with the spirometric values. It is concluded that in this plant, the wheat dust exposed workers have a diminished spirometric values.


Mass disturbances in opposition to government-imposed austerity measures in February 1989 (the Caracazo) and the democratic government's ensuing brutal repression exposed serious fissures in the Venezuelan political system. Venezuela has long been promoted as a model democracy for Latin America, but it soon became obvious that below the surface Venezuelan society exhibited a deep social divide and that the political system had become unresponsive to the needs of most of the people. This disparity was only made worse by the popular perception that, as a world supplier of oil, the country had ample resources to redress poverty. Recurrent national scandals involving government corruption and the collapse of banking institutions and the complete impunity surrounding these cases further incensed most Venezuelans. As the country experienced an intensification of class polarization, the continued growth of the informal sector, and a growing wave of social protest, it increasingly resembled others throughout Latin America. The social tensions evident in society were reflected in popular culture, including various musical genres, such as llanero music, salsa, and gaitas (as Light Carruyo shows in this issue). Two unsuccessful military coups in 1992 also put in evidence the widespread discontent. Throughout the 1990s the traditional political class scurried to repair the system without fundamentally addressing the causes of the problem. Yet even under these circumstances, many political leaders at all levels assumed that no fundamental change had occurred in Venezuelan politics. This complacency explains why Venezuela's largest party, the social-democratic Acción Democrática (Democratic Action–AD), nominated a lackluster oldtime politician (Luis Álfaro Ucero) as its presidential candidate in 1998 in spite of the formidable challenge posed by the candidacy of Hugo Chávez. The election in 1993 of the octogenarian Rafael Caldera, former leader of the Christian Democrats, at the head of a diverse coalition of traditional political


We introduce a quantum logic for quantum information, which we identify with the quantum logic of the psychodynamic unconscious, amenable to formal characterization through the theoretical framework of Quantum Mind. We claim that this sub rosa quantum logic of the normal mind's unconscious domain is also the dominant, pathologically emerging logic of schizophrenia. We interpret Quantum Metalanguage as speaking as a quantum control about such a quantum logic. We then suggest that psychotherapists might learn this formal Quantum Metalanguage and apply it in practice in order to communicate more easily with schizophrenic patients.

NeuroQuantology | September 2012 | Volume 10 | Issue 3 | Page 566-579


The basic concept of "an Open Industry Framework" is proposed. Current industry framework is closed and industries are making their efforts to produce best quality products in their own particular field. This is because current industries developed on the basis of their inventions. But quickly increasing diversification and frequent and extensive changes are calling for an open framework. In this new framework, industries operate on the basis of Parallel Distributed Processing model. They process multiple tasks in parallel among different types of industries. To achieve such a goal, modular production is called for but current ones are not fully integrated between design and manufacturing. We have to develop a module system which integrates design and manufacturing and which can be shared across industries. When such a system is developed, industries will be divided into two groups. One is subsystem suppliers and the other is system integrators. The subsystem here works in the same way as Lego pieces. Such a framework will enable to distribute production activities to local factories according to their capabilities so that it will increase local employment and their buying power. And we do not have to carry heavy final product over a long distance. Thus, an Open Industry Framework will reduce time to market, cost and energy consumption considerably and industries can be more flexible and adaptive and can satisfy the basic needs of customers.


Blood flow and the diameter of superficial vessels may be assessed non-invasively by pulsed doppler ultrasonography. Preoperative and follow-up studies were performed in 15 patients with Stage IV occlusive arterial disease undergoing axillo-femoral bypass operations. Blood flow and vessel diameter were measured in the femoral and humeral arteries and in the prosthetic bypass graft. There was no significant difference in flow in the humeral artery after bypass (35 cc/min). The femoral artery diameter was 0.36 cm and average flow was 47 +/- 30 cc/min. These results were compared to those obtained in 12 healthy controls (femoral artery diameter 0.62 +/- 0.05 cm; flow 126 cc/min) and in 29 patients with Stage II occlusive arterial disease with intermittent claudication (femoral artery diameter 0.47 +/- 0.08 cm; flow 87 cc/min). The average flow in the bypass one month after operation was 211 +/- 87 cc/min, falling to 124 +/- 53 cc/min at three months. These results are compared to those previously reported measured with electromagnetic flow counters at operation (273 cc/min). Finally, the internal diameter of the graft measured by ultrasound was compared with the true ex-vivo diameter and a constant difference of -2.12 +/- 0.94 mm was found. These results show the value of pulsed doppler ultrasonography in the assessment of peripheral blood flow for the follow-up of patients undergoing revascularisation procedures.


The authors present the tactics and technique of the decompression craniotomy (DC). DC is one of the principal neurosurgical procedures in the treatment of intracranial hypertension. Early indication and perfect technical completion of the procedure are the prerequisites for achieving the anticipated decompressive effect. While indications of DC are frequently discussed in the scientific literature, the procedure's tactics and techinque is usually overlooked. The report mentions the DC development and significance from its historical perspective. Decompression craniotomy should be performed as a preventive procedure to prevent secondary brain damage. Four types of craniotomy are used in order to perform decompression: subtemporal, circular, bifrontal and hemispheral. The hemispheral DC best fulfills the essential requirement regarding the brain stem direct compression release. The technical aspect of the hemispheral decompression procedure is described further in the report. The authors discuss some technical aspects, which, provided they are followed, should prevent the surgical method from failure. Incorrect technical performance, especially insufficient extent of the decompression, along with its late indication, is the principal factor discrediting the idea of decompression craniotomy.


Large scale code testing can be mad viable by determining and searching for the most probable faults in the system under examination. The results of an exploratory survey carried out to determine the common error factors for code written in C indicates that the program task and the programmer experience are important considerations. Using this information, testing can be directed efficiently towards the removal of prevalent coding faults. The results of the survey can also be useful in determining features of C which are likely to become the subject of corrective maintenance.


This study was conducted to seek optimum sowing time and pinching height for tender shoots production of moloheiya (Corchorus olitorius L.), which is a subtropical leaf vegetables, under an unheated greenhouse in the south of Korea. Seeds of moloheiya did not germinate at all at 10℃, but germinated well at 18~30℃ with 95.5~98.5% germination rate. Germination rate was 75.0% at 15℃, but germination speed was very low. The pods of moloheiya sown before April 28 was matured after late-August, but those sown after May 7 was not matured in that year. In tender shoot production and harvest frequency, treatment sown on April 14 was most plentiful among sowing time treatments, and showed marketable yield increase by 14~42% compared to other sowing times. Meanwhile, pinching at 100㎝ high from soil surface was more effective than other heights for increment of branches and tender shoot. All above suggest that it was suitable to sow seed on mid-April and to pinch at 100㎝ high from soil surface for increment of tender shoots in the south of Korea.


Distributed computing, distributed multimedia applications as well as advanced applications for computersupported cooperative work depend on high performance networks providing point-to-point and point-tomultipoint communication services. ATM networks promise to provide adequate support for these applications. However, the traffic originating from these applications is highly bursty and unpredictable. While existing ATM protocol standards allow an efficient use of network resources for steady, predictable traffic, it is of high importance that ATM networks also allow for the efficient provision of services for highly bursty traffic. It is particularly difficult to provide multicast services for highly bursty sources efficiently, as there is a fundamental trade-off between throughput, cell loss rate, and use of network resources. If non-negligible cell loss can be accepted, a large statistical multiplexing gain can be achieved at the ATM layer even for highly bursty sources. However, current adaptation layer protocols for data traffic are designed for very low cell loss probability and do not handle non-negligible cell loss well. This paper presents a framework for error control within the ATM Adaptation Layer which allows to provide reliable point-to-point and point-to-multipoint services for different traffic management schemes even under conditions of high cell loss rates. The framework allows to select the error control scheme which provides the highest efficiency for a specific cell loss rate. It is of benefit for a variety of scenarios in combination with the ATM service categories Unspecified Bit Rate (UBR) and Available Bit Rate (ABR). In the case of low cell loss rates, the Reliable Lightweight Multicast Protocol (RLMCP) is proposed as Service Specific Convergence Sublayer (SSCS) for AAL5, employing frame-based error control. In case of significant cell loss, large group sizes, and higher path capacities, and also for applications with stringent real-time requirements, the new adaptation layer type called the Reliable Multicast ATM Adaptation Layer (RMC-AAL) is proposed. It is the first AAL protocol offering cell-based ARQ and FEC for reliable multicasting and has a very low protocol overhead per cell. It is proposed to integrate RLMCP and RMC-AAL not only into ATM end systems, but also within ATM intermediate systems called Group Communication Servers.


We consider optimal sequential allocation in the context of the so-called stochastic multi-armed bandit model. We describe a generic index policy, in the sense of Gittins (1979), based on upper confidence bounds of the arm payoffs computed using the Kullback-Leibler divergence. We consider two classes of distributions for which instances of this general idea are analyzed: The kl-UCB algorithm is designed for one-parameter exponential families and the empirical KL-UCB algorithm for bounded and finitely supported distributions. Our main contribution is a unified finite-time analysis of the regret of these algorithms that asymptotically matches the lower bounds of Lai and Robbins (1985) and Burnetas and Katehakis (1996), respectively. We also investigate the behavior of these algorithms when used with general bounded rewards, showing in particular that they provide significant improvements over the state-of-the-art.


Roaming across different access technologies permit people to access Internet via heterogeneous wireless networks such as WLAN, WiMAX, GPRS, 3G and Beyond 3G networks. The convergence of heterogeneous wireless access networks with handoff support enable mobile nodes to freely move in and out of any available networks without breaking the connection to the Internet. In this paper, an Adaptive Cross Layer handoff Management for Future Generation Wireless Networks is presented and an efficient approach in optimizing the handoff decision procedure between WLAN and WiMAXnetworks utilizing IEEE 802.21 media independent handover functions (MIHFs) is proposed. This is expected to support seamless mobility while reducing handoff latency and call dropping probability for optimal user experience.


Urbanization and associated landscaping has increased the abundance of year-round habitat for waterfowl, resulting in vegetation damage, loss of recreational activities, air transportation mishaps and health hazards. As part of a research program to develop socially acceptable techniques for management of pest bird populations, we are evaluating nicarbazin as a contraceptive in pest and surrogate avian species. As reproductive studies with Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) are tedious due to the difficulty of conducting controlled field studies and/or breeding geese in captivity, we evaluated the effects of oral nicarbazin administration on the production and hatchability of chicken eggs. Blood plasma and egg DNC concentrations were correlated to contraceptive efficacy. Subsequent studies are being conducted with geese to determine the diet nicarbazin concentration required to produce the desired blood and plasma DNC concentrations. This approach permits the expeditious evaluation of formulations and dosing regimes by simply monitoring blood DNC concentrations in target species.


In the first part of this talk, we discuss the calculation of th e correlation lengths of confining as well as of nonperturbative-nonconfining stochastic backgr ound Yang–Mills fields. This calculation was done in Ref. [1] by means of a direct analytic pathin egral evaluation of the Green functions of the so-called oneand two-gluon gluelumps. Nu merically, the obtained correlation lengths turn out to be in a good agreement with the results cor responding to the masses of these objects found on the lattice. They also agree with the earlie r analytic results obtained within the Hamiltonian formalism. In the second part of the talk, we dis cuss the recent calculation of the quark condensate for various heavy flavors. This calculatio n was done in Ref. [2] by means of the effective-action formalism combined with the most general parametrization of the quark Wilson loop provided by the stochastic vacuum model. In particular , we show that the conventional formula for the heavy-quark condensate becomes inapplicable i n th c-quark case, where it acquires the corrections that can reach up to 50%. This conclusion agr ees with the one drawn in Ref. [3], where the heavy-quark condensate was calculated by other an alytic nonperturbative methods.


Averaged electroencephalic audiometry has previously demonstrated that cortical responses to auditory stimuli increase and decrease in a direct relationship with stimulus sensation levels. This study utilized a conditioning paradigm with bimodal stimulus presentations in order to effect an enhancement of the auditory evoked response at low sensation levels with normal hearing subjects. The conditioning procedure that was used was found to enhance significantly the percentage of responses as well as the response amplitude. The individual specificity of the response remained unaffected by the conditioning. Response latencies were increased as a result of conditioning. Response latencies were increased as a result of conditioning.


A simplified procedure was developed for preparing soluble antigen from two related orbiviruses, bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses, for agar gel immunodiffusion. The antigens gave excellent results in both micro-agar gel diffusion (agar gel precipitin) and macro-agar gel diffusion (bluetongue immunodiffusion). Minor modification in the spatial arrangement of reference antisera, commonly utilized in the agar gel immunodiffusion tests, was employed to reduce the possible development of false-positive reactions. The procedures for antigen preparation were inexpensive and did not require elaborate filtration or high-speed centrifugation. Stability of antigen preparations at 5 degrees C was excellent (in excess of 3 years for bluetongue virus and 2 years for epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus).


The steered response power phase transform (SRP-PHAT) is a beamformer method very attractive in acoustic localization applications due to its robustness in reverberant environments. This paper presents a spatial grid design procedure, called the geometrically sampled grid (GSG), which aims at computing the spatial grid by taking into account the discrete sampling of time difference of arrival (TDOA) functions and the desired spatial resolution. A SRP-PHAT localization algorithm based on the GSG method is also introduced. The proposed method exploits the intersections of the discrete hyperboloids representing the TDOA information domain of the sensor array, and projects the whole TDOA information on the space search grid. The GSG method thus allows one to design the sampled spatial grid which represents the best search grid for a given sensor array, it allows one to perform a sensitivity analysis of the array and to characterize its spatial localization accuracy, and it may assist the system designer in the reconfiguration of the array. Experimental results using both simulated data and real recordings show that the localization accuracy is substantially improved both for high and for low spatial resolution, and that it is closely related to the proposed power response sensitivity measure.


Introduction:  Ectopic pregnancy is one of the important obstetric emergencies. Rapid diagnosis, correct triage, and referral of ectopic pregnancy cases can be effective in prevention of mortality in these patients to a great extent. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the baseline characteristics of the patients presenting to emergency department (ED) with final diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.  Methods:  In this cross-sectional study, all the patients with the final diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy presenting to ED during a 5-year period, from October 2011 to September 2016, who were hospitalized in the obstetrics department of Shahid Rajaii Hospital, Tonekabon, were evaluated regarding their baseline characteristics. Data were gathered by referring to the patients' medical profile and then analyzed and reported using SPSS 21 software and descriptive statistics.  Results:  140 patients with the mean age of 30.77 ± 5.94 (16-45) years were evaluated (10% with a positive history). Only 26 (18.6%) had reported irregular period in the past month. The most common pregnancy prevention methods used in this group of patients were natural in 123 cases (87.9%), pills in 6 cases (4.3%), condoms in 6 cases (4.3%), and tubectomy in 3 cases (2.1%). Only 3 (2.1%) patients had unstable vital signs on admission. The most common complaints of the patients on admission were abdominal pain with 136 cases (97.1%) and vaginal bleeding with 81 (57.9%). The most common finding in clinical examination was abdominal tenderness in 99 (70.7%) patients. Average time interval between presenting to ED and final diagnosis was 16.24 ± 17.03 hours (0-96). 51 (36.4%) patients needed blood transfusion in the end. On average, patients were hospitalized for 3.44 ± 1.50 days (1-10). All the patients were discharged from the hospital and no case of mortality was reported.  Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, the most common complaints of patients with ectopic pregnancy on presentation to ED were abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Irregular period was reported in less than 19% of the patients and 97.9% had presented with stable hemodynamics. 67% of the participants needed laparotomy in the end and no case of mortality was reported in this series of patients.


We present the light curve of the little studied flare star AF Psc (M4.5V) obtained using engineering data from the K2 mission. Data were obtained in Long Cadence mode giving an effective exposure of 29 min and nearly 9 d of coverage. A clear modulation on a period of 1.08 d was seen which is the signature of the stellar rotation period. We identify 14 flares in the light curve, with the most luminous flares apparently coming from the same active region. We compare the flare characteristics of AF Psc to two M4V flare stars studied using Kepler data. The K2 mission, if given approval, will present a unique opportunity to study the rotation and flare properties of late type dwarf stars with different ages and mass.


An enantioconvergent total synthesis of sordaricin (3), the diterpene aglycon of an important class of antifungal compounds, is described. Two approaches were explored, the first of which utilized a possible biogenetic intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition to form the complete carbon skeleton of the target molecule as a single regioisomer 30. A second approach employed a tandem cycloreversion/intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition process to afford not only the desired product 30 but also significant quantities of the undesired regioisomer iso-30. An investigation into the reasons for the difference in regioselectivity between these two reactions revealed the intervention of a cycloreversion/cycloaddition pathway at elevated temperatures leading to the formation of iso-30. Experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that iso-30 is the more thermodynamically stable of the two regioisomers.


The levan polysaccharides synthesized from sucrose by a spore-forming bacillus of plant origin and by a strain of Streptococcus salivarius were proved to be serologically reactive and serologically similar substances. The levans gave both precipitation and complement fixation with antiserums produced by immunization with either the streptococcus or the bacillus which had been grown in media containing sucrose, and also reacted with some samples but not with most type 20 antipneumococcus serums.
 The carbohydrate in the culture medium was an important factor. The serologically reactive levans were produced in abundant amount in broth containing sucrose or raffinose whereas none could be found in cultures grown with 8 other sugars. Similarly, antiserums reactive with the levans were readily produced by immunization with suspensions of either the bacillus or streptococcus which had been grown in sucrose media but not by immunization with the same bacteria grown in glucose media.


OBJECTIVE
To provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of the damage done to Ophiopogen japonicus by grubs.

METHOD
Conducting laboratory observation along with field investigation.

RESULT
The grubs endangering the growth of O. japonicus are mainly Hoplosternus incanus, Holotrichina paraullela and Anomala corpulenta, H. incanus takes two years to make a generation and overwinters in the form of second or third-instar larvae. H. parallela and A. corpulenta generate yearly and overwinter in the form of third-instar larvae. The extent of the damage done to O. japonicus by grubs is related to such factors as the number of sequential cropping years, the model of intercropping and the type of soil.

CONCLUSION
Prevention and control of the pest grub should be based primarily on proper agricultural (cultivating) measures.


While there are many works about the development of computers, there is surprisingly little that focuses on early initiatives in digital computing. This article describes and elaborates on some of the early developments in digital computing. The logical machine of W. Stanley Jevons, for instance, interested others. The most promising offshoot was the work of Allan Marquand, who conceived of an electromechanical digital machine as early as 1885. Marquand moved from mechanical to electromechanical devices. A similar progression occurred in subsequent, but unrelated work by Konrad Zuse, who also began by constructing a mechanical digital machine.


The asymmetric reduction of carbonyl, C=O, groups for the production of enantiomerically pure secondary alcohols is a reaction of fundamental importance in modern synthetic chemistry. This reaction can be performed in a number of ways. Asymmetric chemocatalysis (1) and the often complementary biocatalysis offer solutions to the stereoselective reduction of C=O groups. These two techniques have found wide industrial application (2). In the mid 1990s, two new ruthenium systems based on dihydrogen or transfer hydrogenation for asymmetric reduction of prochiral ketones were developed by Professors Noyori and Ikariya. These systems enable catalytic asymmetric reduction to provide a route for the generation of enantiomerically pure secondary alcohols in a highly efficient, simple and economic way (3). This paper describes some robust and cost-effective chemocatalytic technology for asymmetric ketone reduction, using ruthenium catalysts with diphosphine ligands.


Objectives This study aimed to survey pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) providers on their management of 2 hypothetical acute concussion scenarios. We hypothesized that most providers would recommend a management strategy based on cognitive and physical rest. Methods Fifty-nine percent (46/78) of PEM providers that were surveyed completed the study. The survey consisted of 2 clinical scenarios—a female patient with a mild concussion and a male patient with a moderate concussion. Practitioners were asked questions regarding how they would hypothetically manage these patients in terms of recommendations for returning to school and returning to sports. Results Eighty-six percent of providers recommended moderate time off from school for the moderate concussion scenario compared with 67% of providers in the mild concussion scenario (P = 0.008). In regard to return to sports, all providers recommended moderate time off in both scenarios, including 78% of providers who recommended clearance by a physician in the moderate concussion scenario. Conclusions In both of our hypothetical concussion scenarios, including a very mild head injury, most PEM providers surveyed recommended a management strategy that included a moderate degree of a delay of return to school and sports. Given recent evidence suggesting that prolonged rest does not reduce the risk of prolonged concussion symptoms, recommendations of periods of cognitive rest, particularly absences from school, should be approached cautiously. Future studies should examine why providers are recommending rest-based treatment strategies and the potential benefits of active rehabilitation.


The study aimed to determine the impact of Computer Assisted Language Learning Activities to the oral English Proficiency of JEEP 1 students. The students' pre and post mean scores were compared to determine the significant improvement in their oral English proficiency. This research made used of the experimental research design with pre and post-test design with 58 randomly selected students from different year levels who were enrolled at Mindanao State University- Maguindanao and currently taking the subject JEEP 1 of the S.Y. 2014-2015. The instrument used covered four specific areas as Sentence Reading, Reading and Pronunciation, Comprehension and Structure, and Sentence Repetition. The following are the summary of the findings: 1. Before the CALL Activities in JEEP 1, the students' oral English proficiency is lower elementary as indicated by the mean of 0.60; After engaging to the CALL Activities, the students' oral English proficiency is still lower elementary as proven by the mean score of 0.79; and After comparing the results, it was found out that there is a substantial transformation in the students' oral English proficiency level before and after Computer Assisted Language Learning Activities in JEEP 1 as indicated by the t-Value of 2.84. Based on the results of the study, it was determined that CALL Activities have contributed slight improvement to the student's oral English proficiency score. However, the said activities did not improve their oral English proficiency level possibly due to some unknown factors that might have affected them during the duration of the study.


Anti-hepatitis effect of the olean-9(11),12-diene-3 b, 30-diol 3 b, o-hemisuccinate Na Salt (III b), a glycyrrhetinic acid derivative, was studied in CCl4 induced mouse. The mouse was administered i.p. with 0.1 mole/kg or 0.2 mole/kg of III b, then followed by 31.4 microliters/kg of CCl4. III b was shown to promote the activity of the glucose-6-phosphatase, lower the content of malondialdehyde, and prevent the activity from the soluble enzyme(i.e. GPT, GOT, LDH) from flowing out in the serum enzyme and liver homogenate. III b had the similar anti-peroxidation effect as vitamin E and can maintain the liver function.


Abstract Context. Migratory species are known to pose a challenge for conservation because it is essential to understand their complex life history in order to implement efficient conservation actions. Aims. In New Caledonia, large seagrass habitats in the Grand Lagon Sud (GLS) are home to resident green turtles (Chelonia mydas) of unknown origins. To assess the stock composition in the GLS, 164 foraging turtles were sampled for genetic analysis of ∼770 base pairs of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region. Methods. Foraging turtles ranging in size from 48.0 to 108.4 cm curved carapace length were captured at five different sites within the GLS between September 2012 and December 2013. To provide baseline data for mixed stock analysis, published data from rookeries were used in addition to 105 samples collected at rookeries in the d'Entrecasteaux Islands and Chesterfield Islands in New Caledonia and at Malekula Island in Vanuatu. Exact tests of population differentiation and pairwise FST estimates were used to test for differences in mtDNA haplotype frequencies. Key results. These analyses indicated that rookeries in the d'Entrecasteaux Islands and Vanuatu form unique management units and that the Chesterfield Islands rookeries are linked to the Coral Sea management unit. Mixed stock analysis indicated the highest proportion (mean = 0.63) of foraging turtles originate from the d'Entrecasteaux stock. Conclusions. The larger contribution is estimated to be from a large rookery from New Caledonia, but smaller contributions are suggested from other rookeries in the South Pacific. Implications. Marine conservation policies in New Caledonia need to consider the links between the foraging and nesting populations of C. mydas in New Caledonia and other rookeries and foraging grounds in the Coral Sea.


The article is devoted to the problems of formation and evaluation of the financial potential of the textile industry. The paper characterizes the financial potential, analyzes the results of the textile industry and considers the mechanisms of its support from the state. Methodological tools of research: analysis of statistical sources of information. According to the study conducted on the example of a company producing woven and nonwoven polymer materials, participation in government support programs did not have a significant impact on its key financial performance. It is concluded that state support is only an additional source of growth of financial potential of large enterprises of the textile industry. The author reveals the indicators that reflect the changes in the financial potential of the textile industry and characterizes the negative trends of its development.


Computational manipulation of knowledge is an important, and often under-appreciated, aspect of biomedical Data Science. The first Data Science initiative from the US National Institutes of Health was entitled "Big Data to Knowledge (BD2K)." The main emphasis of the more than $200M allocated to that program has been on "Big Data;" the "Knowledge" component has largely been the implicit assumption that the work will lead to new biomedical knowledge. However, there is long-standing and highly productive work in computational knowledge representation and reasoning, and computational processing of knowledge has a role in the world of Data Science. Knowledge-based biomedical Data Science involves the design and implementation of computer systems that act as if they knew about biomedicine. There are many ways in which a computational approach might act as if it knew something: for example, it might be able to answer a natural language question about a biomedical topic, or pass an exam; it might be able to use existing biomedical knowledge to rank or evaluate hypotheses; it might explain or interpret data in light of prior knowledge, either in a Bayesian or other sort of framework. These are all examples of automated reasoning that act on computational representations of knowledge. After a brief survey of existing approaches to knowledge-based data science, this position paper argues that such research is ripe for expansion, and expanded application.


Attempts to link design and test are discussed. They are shown to have some value and all have been employed successfully by many engineers in both domains. A "wish list" is presented which summarizes some ways to make this process easier: (1) Test engineers need to be involved in simulation. (2) ATPG tools must evolve to support path delay testing and other techniques that leverage static timing analysis. (3) More effective use should be made of BIST approaches. (4) Finally, it would be nice if testers always had enough memory so that test engineers didn't have to deal with RTZ signals and the like. A more direct mapping from simulation to the tester would be the result.


The effect of nifedipine on cellular electrolytes was studied in 14 patients (10 males, 4 females, age 39-62 years) with untreated primary hypertension. Before therapy and after one and three months of treatment, sodium and potassium were analyzed in erythrocytes (ENa, EK). Before and after treatment, potassium and calcium (MK, MCa) were determined in biopsy specimens of skeletal muscle, by use of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry analysis. Blood pressure decreased from 186 +/- 23.5/108 +/- 8.4 to 156.1 +/- 13.8 (p less than 0.001)/88.6 +/- 7.5 (p less than 0.001) and remained constant till the three-month control, 151.8 +/- 8.0 (p less than 0.001)/88.9 +/- 6.6 mmHg (p less than 0.001). ENa was significantly higher than in normotensive controls (p less than 0.001) and decreased from 11.9 +/- 2.7 to 10.1 +/- 2.0 mmol/l (p less than 0.05). There was no statistical (pairs of differences) change in EK, MK or MCa when the whole patient series was considered. No relation was seen between family history of hypertension and electrolyte changes. For the 10 male patients a decrease was found in MCa from 1.30 +/- 0.25 to 1.08 +/- 0.17 mmol/l (p less than 0.05). No correlation could be shown between any of the parameters studied, neither in the whole group nor in the males separately.


PURPOSE
To investigate whether contamination of etched porcelain surfaces by operating gloves of different types alters the shear bond strength of the porcelain to a resin-composite luting material.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifty porcelain specimens of 7 mm diameter and 2 mm thick were manufactured in feldspathic porcelain. After randomly dividing the specimens into five groups of 10 specimens, the porcelain surface of each specimen was etched with hydrofluoric acid. Samples of glove material, taken from the outer surface of gloves typically used in clinical dentistry, were held against the etched porcelain surface for 10 seconds. Four different glove types were used, Group 1: Biogel D; Group 2: Featherlite; Group 3: Microtouch; and Group 4: Tru-Touch; Group 5: Control/not treated with glove material. A resin composite-based luting material of standard shade was placed against the treated porcelain surface in a PTFE mold of 2 mm diameter and 2 mm depth, and light-cured from a direction of 90 degrees to the porcelain surface for 60 seconds. Each specimen was tested in shear, the results noted and subjected to statistical analysis.

RESULTS
The mean shear bond strengths (MPa) for Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 22, 21, 16 and 23 and for the control group, 26. Statistical analysis of the results indicated that there was no significant difference between the groups.


Objective: To investigate the surgical methods and clinical effects of free superficial peroneal artery perforator flap in repairing small and medium-sized thermal crush injury wounds in the hand. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From August 2018 to December 2021, 12 patients (19 wounds) with small and medium-sized thermal crush injury in the hand who met the inclusion criteria were hospitalized in Suzhou Ruihua Orthopaedic Hospital, including 5 males and 7 females, aged from 30 to 54 years. The area of the wound was from 2.5 cm×2.0 cm to 14.0 cm×3.5 cm, and all the wounds were repaired by using free superficial peroneal artery perforator flaps from lower leg on one side (including single flap, multiple flaps, and multiple flaps with one pedicle resected from the same donor site). The area of the flap was from 3.5 cm×3.0 cm to 16.0 cm×4.0 cm. The wound in the donor site was sutured directly. The vascular crisis and survival of the flap were observed after operation. The texture, appearance, color, hyperpigmentation, sensation, and two-point discrimination of the flap repaired area were followed up, as well as the hyperplasia of scar and pain condition in the donor and recipient sites. At the last follow-up, the curative effect of flap repair was evaluated by the comprehensive evaluation scale, and the extension and flexion functions of the reserved digital joint were evaluated by the total active movement systematic evaluation method recommended by American Academy for Surgery of Hand. Results: One flap developed arterial crisis on the first day after operation but survived after timely exploration. The other 18 flaps survived successfully after operation. Follow-up of 4 to 24 months after operation showed good texture and appearance in the flap repaired area; the color of the flap repaired area was similar to that of the normal skin around the recipient site, without pigmentation; the protective sensation was restored in all cases, but there was no two-point discrimination; there was no obvious hypertrophic scarring or pain in the donor or recipient site. At the last follow-up, the curative effect of flap repair was evaluated with 3 flaps being excellent and 16 flaps being good; the extension and flexion functions of the reserved digital joint were also assessed, being excellent in 8 fingers, good in 9 fingers, and fair in 2 fingers. Conclusions: The blood supply of superficial peroneal artery perforator flap is sufficient and reliable, and multiple flaps of this type or multiple flaps with one pedicle can be resected from one donor site. The use of this flap to repair small and medium-sized thermal crush injury wounds in the hand results in minimal damage to the donor area, and good postoperative appearance and texture of the flap.


Purpose To investigate the trends of hospital admissions concerning diseases of the eye and adnexa in the United Kingdom in the past 20 years. Materials and Methods An ecological study was conducted using hospital admission data taken from the Hospital Episode Statistics database in England and the Patient Episode Database for Wales. Hospital admissions data for diseases of the eye and adnexa were extracted for the period between April 1999 and March 2019. The trend in hospital admissions was assessed using a Poisson model. Results Hospital admission rate for diseases of the eye and adnexa increased by 73.8% [from 7.48 (95% CI 7.45–7.50) in 1999 to 13.00 (95% CI 12.97–13.02) in 2019 per 1000 persons, trend test, p < 0.001]. The most common cause of hospitalisation for diseases of the eye and adnexa was disorders of the lens (62.3%), followed by disorders of the choroid and retina (14.2%), followed by disorders of the eyelid, lacrimal system and orbit (11.5%). Hospital admission rate among males increased by 91.2% [from 6.19 (95% CI 6.16–6.22) in 1999 to 11.83 (95% CI 11.80–11.87) in 2019 per 1000 persons]. Hospital admission rate among females increased less sharply by 63.2% [from 8.71 (95% CI 8.68–8.75) in 1999 to 14.22 (95% CI 14.18–14.26) in 2019 per 1000 persons]. Conclusion There are clear gender and age trends in the epidemiology of hospital admissions related to eye and adnexa disorders. Further observational studies are warranted to identify other risk factors for these important causes of hospitalisation and understanding of differential trends.


Researchers have discovered that scatterometer data could provide important information on a variety of other surfaces, such as forests and ice, which became the basis for global climate change study applications.


Living organisms require continuous input of energy for their existence. As a result, life as we know it is based on metabolic processes that extract energy from the environment and make it available to support life (energy metabolism). This metabolism is based on, and regulated by, the underlying thermodynamics. This is important because thermodynamic parameters are stable whereas kinetic parameters are highly variable. Thermodynamic control of metabolism is exerted through near equilibrium reactions that determine. (1) the concentrations of metabolic substrates for enzymes that catalyze irreversible steps and (2) the concentrations of small molecules (AMP, ADP, etc.) that regulate the activity of irreversible reactions in metabolic pathways. The result is a robust homeostatic set point (−ΔGATP) with long term (virtually unlimited) stability. The rest of metabolism and its regulation is constrained to maintain this set point. Thermodynamic control is illustrated using the ATP producing part of glycolysis, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate oxidation to pyruvate. Flux through the irreversible reaction, pyruvate kinase (PK), is primarily determined by the rate of ATP consumption. Change in the rate of ATP consumption causes mismatch between use and production of ATP. The resulting change in [ATP]/[ADP][Pi], through near equilibrium of the reactions preceding PK, alters the concentrations of ADP and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), the substrates for PK. The changes in ADP and PEP alter flux through PK appropriately for restoring equality of ATP production and consumption. These reactions appeared in the very earliest lifeforms and are hypothesized to have established the set point for energy metabolism. As evolution included more metabolic functions, additional layers of control were needed to integrate new functions into existing metabolism without changing the homeostatic set point. Addition of gluconeogenesis, for example, resulted in added regulation to PK activity to prevent futile cycling; PK needs to be turned off during gluconeogenesis because flux through the enzyme would waste energy (ATP), subtracting from net glucose synthesis and decreasing overall efficiency.


The present study relates to the opinions of thirty nurses who introduced aspects of work organization innovation into their routine work practices through the research process. Its objective was to promote reflection on and experimentation with alternative work organization practices which are close to the comprehensive nursing care model. To this end, a qualitative, convergent care study was developed and carried out in a teaching hospital in Southern Brazil, through workshops which articulated collective reflection, definition, experimentation and assessment of aspects of change in organization of the work. The results indicated four categories: insulin therapy care; in-patients' level of dependency; recording additional nursing observations; and comprehensive care during the nightshift. It is therefore concluded that undertaking nursing care using the comprehensive care model entails institutional actions which occur through adequate working conditions and through decision-making by staff themselves in their daily work practices. DESCRIPTORS: Nursing. Organization and administration. Nursing care.


[1] The Gibraltar Arc in the western Mediterranean consists of the Betic and Rif Alpine chains and the Alboran Sea Basin. Four types of stress indicators (wellbore breakouts, earthquake focal plane mechanisms, young geologic fault slip data, and hydraulic fracture orientations) indicate a regional NW–SE compressive stress field resulting from Africa-Eurasia plate convergence. In some particular regions, deviations of SHmax are observed with respect to the regional stress field. They are gentle-to-moderate (22°–36°) anticlockwise rotations located along the North Alboran margin and moderate-to-significant (36°–78°) clockwise rotations around the Trans-Alboran Shear Zone (TASZ). This is a broad fault zone composed of different left-lateral strike-slip fault segments running from the eastern Betics to the Alhoceima region in the Rif and resulting in a major bathymetric high in the Alboran Sea (the Alboran Ridge fault zone). Some of these stress rotations appear to be controlled by steep gradients of crustal thickness variation across the North Alboran margin and/or differential loading imposed by thick sedimentary accumulations in basin depocenters parallel to the shoreline. Other stress perturbations may be related to active left-lateral, strike-slip deformation within the TASZ that crosscuts the entire orogenic arc on a NE–SW trend and represents a key element to understand present-day deformation partitioning in the western Mediterranean.


We present new experimental data on the highly excited levels in mercury using the laser optogalvanic detection technique in conjunction with RF discharge. The 6s np 3P0 (), 6s np 3P2 () and 6s nf 3F2 () Rydberg series have been observed via two-photon excitation from the 6s6p 3P0 intermediate level, which is collisionally populated in the discharge. The 6s nf 3F2 Rydberg series to such high n-values is reported for the first time. The first ionization potential of mercury is determined from the unperturbed 6s nf 3F2 Rydberg series as 84 184.15 ± 0.05 cm−1.