Microtubule-associated-protein 1b (MAP1b) is abundant in neurons actively extending axons. MAP1b is present on microtubules throughout growing axons, but is preferentially concentrated on microtubule polymer in the distal axon and growth cone. Although MAP1b has been implicated in axon growth and pathfinding, its specific functions are not well understood. Biochemical and transfection studies suggest that MAP1b has microtubule-stabilizing activity, but recent studies with neurons genetically deficient in MAP1b have not confirmed this. We have explored MAP1b functions in growing sympathetic neurons using an acute inactivation approach. Neurons without axons were injected with polyclonal MAP1b antibodies and then stimulated to extend axons. Injected cells were compared to controls in terms of axon growth behavior and several properties of axonal microtubules. The injected antibodies rapidly and quantitatively sequestered MAP1b in the cell body, making it unavailable to perform its normal functions. This immunodepletion of MAP1b had no statistically significant effect on axon growth, the amount of microtubule polymer in the axon, and the relative tyrosinated tubulin content of this polymer, and this was true in sympathetic neurons from rat, wild type mice, and tau knockout mice. Thus, robust axon growth can occur in the absence of MAP1b alone or both MAP1b and tau. However, immunodepletion of MAP1b significantly increased the sensitivity of microtubules in the distal axon and growth cone to nocodazole-induced depolymerization. These results indicate that MAP1b has microtubule-stabilizing activity in growing axons. This stabilizing activity may be required for some axonal functions, but it is not necessary for axon growth.


Recent legalization of marijuana for medical purposes in certain U.S. states has brought state and federal laws regulating marijuana into conflict. As with other issues, media coverage has affected both legal and social consciousness of the debate regarding legalization of medical marijuana. This review highlights the history of marijuana, the social control of marijuana, the medicalization of marijuana use, and the relevance of agenda-setting theory to media coverage of medical marijuana. An ethnographic content analysis of newspaper articles concerning medical marijuana was utilized and revealed that 64.2% of the sample treated medical marijuana positively. The effect of presidency and region of the country regarding the treatment of medical marijuana is discussed. The policy implications discussed shed light on the various different issues encountered due to the legalization of medical marijuana, and offers guidelines for minimizing the confusion caused. The topics included in this book would be beneficial for individuals involved in drug policy making, as well as those who are interested in the topics of marijuana, and the role of media in social control.


Four homologous series of symmetric bent-core molecules containing lateral fluorine or iodine substituents in the branches were synthesised and studied. Depending on the central ring and the lateral substituent the studied compounds exhibit a B7 phase or B2 type phases with anticlinic (SmCAPA) or synclinic (SmCSPA) interlayer structures. For the SmCSPA phase the C2v symmetry structure is proposed, with regularly spaced anticlinic–ferroelectric interlayer boundaries. In the SmCAPA phase strong optical activity was detected, chiral domain segregation could be induced by applying a weak electric field.


An I(2)O(5)-promoted free-radical cascade trifluoromethylation/cyclization of a broad range of N-arylmethacrylamides and enynes with sodium trifluoromethanesulfinate in aqueous medium has been achieved. This strategy allows highly selective access to a variety of CF(3)-containing oxindoles and pyrrolidines. Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies indicate that atom-transfer processes are involved in this system.


Fluorination of the parent oxide, BaFeO3δ, with polyvinylidine fluoride gives rise to a cubic compound with a = 4.0603(4) Å at 298K. Fe Mössbauer spectra confirmed that all the iron is present as Fe. Neutron diffraction data showed complete occupancy of the anion sites indicating a composition BaFeO2F, with a large displacement of the Fe offsite. The magnetic ordering temperature was determined as TN = 645±5K. Neutron diffraction data at 4.2K established G-type anti-ferromagnetism with a magnetic moment per Fe ion of 3.95μB. However, magnetisation measurements indicated the presence of a weak ferromagnetic moment, which is assigned to the canting of the antiferromagnetic structure. Fe Mössbauer spectra in the temperature range 10 to 300K were fitted with a model of fluoride ion distribution that retains charge neutrality of the unit perovskite cell.


Irecently received an inquiry about what literature might help clinicians talk with parents about decisions to stop food and water provided to children through feeding tubes. To my knowledge, no "how to" guides exist. The excellent clinical and ethical analysis from Nelson and colleagues in 1995 does not offer a detailed description of the conversations one must have. Clinicians desperately need research focused on how to help families understand the facts relevant to their decision and work through the powerful feelings these situations evoke no matter what they decide. The possibility of discontinuing nutritional life support has come up several times in the few months since our pediatric palliative care program began at the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Grimaces have overtaken the faces of family members in the opening moments of each such conversation I've had. Recently, one family requested that their child be admitted to the hospital for the purpose of ensuring comfort after stopping use of the patient's implanted feeding tube—the only measure maintaining organ function as a degenerative disease progressed. As the "on call" palliative care physician at the time of the admission, I accompanied the intern and third-year resident to take a history and perform a physical. We reviewed the child's condition and the goals for the admission. I recited—for one more time that the family might have preferred to skip—what we think happens after fluids and nutrition are stopped. In children who have little response to their environment, hunger and thirst probably do not occur. For those with more brain function, hunger is most likely transient, lasting twenty-four hours or so, disappearing as chemical changes induced by the lack of fuel take place. Thirst fades, too, although it probably lasts somewhat longer, about forty-eight to seventy-two hours. Again, biochemical changes prompted by the lack of water play a role in the brain's reaction. These observations, however, come from reports that may not be relevant to pediatrics. They come from people deprived of food and water in "desert isle" scenarios, kept from eating and drinking by captors, or on hunger strike. Also, many adult patients, especially those with disseminated cancer, voluntarily speed their death by stopping their intake and do not report unpleasant consequences. We cannot readily apply these experiences to those of dying children, especially children with diminished cognitive capacity. The parents of our patient indicated they understood our explanations and reiterated their agreement with our plan to maximize their child's comfort by providing morphine and sedation to blunt, if not eliminate, discomfort. We worked over the next several days to help the family cope with the child's decline. We also met with nurses and physicians in training to help them come to terms with the developments. Watching a child die partly as a result of stopping fluids and nutrition stirs up very strong feelings. Young children depend on us to feed them. We obsess about babies' weight gain, wanting them round and healthy. Not feeding runs sharply against the grain. Moreover, dying this way may take some time—between one and three weeks, depending on the child's age and the state of the child's cardiovascular system. The waiting takes a toll. After our patient died, we felt exhausted, though the parents' relief and thanks helped reassure us that we had done the right thing. I cannot imagine a recipe for perfect conversations with parents about stopping artificial fluids and nutrition. Only a few rough suggestions seem possible. I believe candor, acknowledgment of uncertainty about the child's experience, and a solemn promise to respond quickly and unhesitatingly to signs of distress or discomfort make a difference. I also believe clinicians need to spend all available time at the bedside during the child's dying because we clinicians need to stay connected to the reality of death. Yet even here, the parents may have different needs—some will want as much time as possible alone with their child. And though research will help us understand what families need, I doubt we can ever fully script these difficult discussions.


Land tenure is given attention in the general discussions on conservation and management of natural resources, but the necessary holistic approach to understand the linkages is less considered. Thus, we considered a watershed as a unit of reference and Integrated Watershed Management as a holistic land and water resources management approach with various roles and touchpoints with land tenure issues. To examine the role of land tenure on the management of natural resources in watersheds, we reviewed and compiled literature that captures watershed issues, integrating aspects of land tenure, and aiming to identify the key land tenure roles, dynamics, and its influences on integrated watershed management. Land tenure is observed playing various roles in watersheds and, thus, also on integrated watershed management as an approach—as a driver of change, influence for investment decisions, an incentive for adoption of practices, and leading to sustainability. Land tenure dynamics range from land tenure security, land tenure forms, land access and acquisition modalities, and how these aspects of land tenure relate with integrated watershed management.


Over the past ten weeks, the payload team for the Elijah High Altitude Balloon Project has researched, designed, and constructed a scientific payload that would fly to the edges of space and gather data advancing the team's knowledge of Earth sciences, aerospace sciences, and aerospace engineering. The payload packages consisted of a sensor suite, telemetry system, Geiger counter, and camera. The telemetry system was able to provide a live data feed that interacted with existing networks to record data acting as a proof of the concept that a similar system would be viable and even suggested for future teams. The sensor suite was designed to gather data that would provide tracking data and finalize the battery experiment. While the tracking sensors were unsuccessful the thermistors and voltmeter reported data that confirmed that the various electronic components onboard were kept within their operating temperatures and gave data on the battery performance inflight. The Geiger counter data that was gathered was not able to be directly correlated with an altitude, it was able to be correlated with time, and as all data points received were on the ascent of the balloon it is possible to state that there was a positive correlation between radiation levels and altitude. The camera system that was included in the payload was able to record the entirety of the two flights and provided imagery from the edge of space. A large amount of the project was also devoted to the development of a rugged and reusable capsule; this task was accomplished by the creation of a layered capsule wall that insulated the capsule and gained increased rigidity due to the geometry of the capsule and an internal rib cage that supported plates for the electronics.Â


Abstract The Polnische Bibliothek, founded by the German Institute for Polish Culture in Darmstadt, financed by Robert Bosch Foundation and published by the Suhrkamp Publishing House, remains a unique attempt at presenting Polish literature in the German book market. This paper focuses on the historical, political and cultural background of the series and the conflicts at the backstage of its initiation. The analysis, based mostly on the so far unpublished archival correspondence of the publishing house has two aims: on the one hand, a historiographic description of the so far unknown processes of Polish literature transfer lies at its centre, on the other, it addresses the need for appropriate conceptualisations of such phenomena. The study is framed in the category of Histoire croisée in this case applied to an analysis of translation production. Activities of all the actors involved, the conflicts and solutions to them constitute the starting point. These generate an argumentation space which offers insights into the history of production of the series that had since its beginning been marked by conflicting expectations.


Objective: The collapse of the internal jugular vein (IJV) regulates intracranial pressure (ICP) in upright body positions. The cross-section area (CSA) is therefore of interest when studying the effects of postural changes in various neurological diseases. We have developed a semi-automatic segmentation method, which tracks the CSA of the IJV in ultrasound movies, and evaluated its performance in three body positions (supine, 16°, 71°). Approach: The proposed method utilized post-processing image filtering combined with a modified snake active contour algorithm. The ultrasound movies were retrospectively analysed (n = 231, 3s, 28 fps) based on previously collected data from 17 healthy volunteers. The computed CSAs (CA) from the segmentation method were compared to manually segmented CSAs (MA) in two frames per movie. Tracking performance were evaluated by visual inspection. Main results: In the supine position, 100% of the ultrasound movies were tracked successfully, and the mean of CA-MA was −4.4 ± 6.9 mm2 (MA, 88.4 ± 50.5 mm2). The most challenging movies occurred in upright body posture where tracking success rate was 90% and mean of CA-MA was −1.4 ± 2.2 mm2 (MA, 12.0 ± 11.1 mm2). The semi-automatic segmentations took 55 s to perform on average (per movie) compared to manual segmentations which took 50 min. Significance: Segmentations made by the proposed method were comparable to manual segmentations in all tilt-angles, however much faster. Efficient and accurate tracking of the CSA of the IJV, with respect to postural changes, could help furthering our understanding of how IJV-biomechanics relates to regulation of intracranial pressure in different neurological diseases and physiological states.


The possibility to inject spin currents in topological insulators (TIs) by ultrashort optical pulses has stimulated intense studies of their out-of-equilibrium electronic properties. However, a comprehensive description of the electronic relaxation dynamics has been elusive, so far. In order to reveal the role of the bulk and surface states in the microscopic scattering mechanisms, we have investigated, by means of time-and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, a wide set of TIs. These have been selected in order to display different positions of the Fermi energy (E-F) within the bulk band structure. When three-dimensional bulk states lie at E-F, we observe a fast relaxation dynamics with a characteristic time scale of a few picoseconds (ps). On the contrary, a long lasting excited state is recorded when only the two-dimensional surface state crosses E-F. These findings suggest the important role played by spatial diffusion in the direction orthogonal to the surface in governing the relaxation mechanisms. We propose that this electron diffusive mechanism is driven by the optically induced temperature gradient that is at play only for electrons residing in bulk states.


Abstract Folate metabolism makes a crucial contribution towards late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Moreover, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) constitutes the primary enzyme of the folate pathway. We hypothesize that there is an association of C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene with the susceptibility to LOAD. Previous published research has investigated the link between the MTHFR C677T polymorphisms and LOAD susceptibility; nevertheless, the findings have continued to be not only controversial, but also indecisive. Accordingly, we carried out the present meta-analysis for the assessment of the potential link that exists between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and the susceptibility to LOAD. Furthermore, we carried out a literature search of the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and WanFang database up to August 10, 2018. The odds ratios (ORs) with the respective 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were put to use for the evaluation of the robustness of the link of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism with the vulnerability to LOAD. All statistical analyses were carried out using STATA 15.0. An aggregate of 14 case-control research works was retrieved, involving 2,467 LOAD patients as well as 2,877 controls. We found that a substantial link exists between C677T polymorphism and LOAD risk in a codominant framework (TC vs. CC: OR=1.22, 95%CI=1.00-1.49, P=0.049). In addition to the stratified analysis based on ethnicity, which suggested that C677T polymorphism was likely linked only to an augmented threat of LOAD in Asians, it did not exist among Caucasians. Furthermore, in the subgroup analysis carried out using APOE ɛ4 status, a substantial increase in the susceptibility to LOAD was detected in APOE ɛ4 carriers as well as non-APOE ɛ4 carriers. In sum, the current meta-analysis revealed that MTHFR C677T polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to LOAD. Further extensive case-control studies are required.


To meet the increasing energy demand and to shave the peak, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is currently planning to invest more on renewable energy (RE) seeking diversity of energy resources. Through the integration of demand side management measures and renewable energy distributed generation (DG) systems, the study outlined in this paper aims at investigating the potential of hybrid renewable energy systems in supplying energy demands for residential communities in an oil-rich country. The residential community considered in this study, located in the eastern region of KSA, has an annual electrical usage of 1,174 GWh and an electrical peak load of 335 MW that are met solely by the grid. The results of the analyses indicated that the implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures (EEMs) reduced electricity usage by 38% and peak demand by 51% as well as CO2 emissions by 38%. While, the analysis of the hybrid systems showed that purchasing electricity from the grid is the best option with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $0.1/kWh based on the current renewable energy market and economic conditions of KSA, RE systems can be cost-effective to meet the loads of the residential communities under specific electricity prices and capital cost levels. This study can assist KSA decision makers establish effective and targeted policies that can facilitate and promote renewable technologies.


It is generally agreed that Lévinas's political thought has seriously weakened the appeal and force of his ethics. In the preface to his monograph Lévinas and the Political, Howard Caygill mentions such an event: In a radio broadcast of 1982, after the massacres in an Israel-occupied area in Lebanon, Lévinas manifested "a coolness of political judgement that verged on the chilling, an unsentimental understanding of violence and power almost worthy of Machiavelli." This put him in mind of Lévinas's saying, "in alterity we can find an enemy." Caygill felt that that was not the philosopher who has been widely known as a staunch advocate for the priority of ethical alterity. The perplexity that arose from such an experience drove him to reread Lévinas with a view of his political judgment. In one section entitled "Threatening others" in his book, Caygill deals with the few texts of Lévinas's that bear upon the relation with non-Western cultures. Caygill does not refer to an article predating his book, that is, Robert Bernasconi's article "Who Is My Neighbor? Who Is the Other?: Questioning 'the Generosity of Western Thought.'" This article addresses relevant problematics in Lévinas's notion of the other and in his claim of the generosity of Western thinking with regard to understanding other traditions. Another related article is Sonia Sikka's "How Not to Read the Other? 'All the Rest Can Be Translated.'" It accuses Lévinas of subsuming all particular others into a general notion of the Other. The most recent article is Andrew McGettigan's "The Philosopher's Fear of Alterity: Lévinas, Europe and Humanities 'without Sacred History.'" While Bernasconi seems to be inclined to differentiate Lévinas's proper philosophical corpus from his occasional speeches that convey an appalling message with respect to nonWestern traditions, McGettigan argues for the consistency of Lévinas's ethics with his biased view of other cultures. For him, Lévinas's ethics cannot be accepted as a neutral philosophical construction. It is


Diversity of art and culture in Indonesia should be preserved so as not to become extinct in the face of times so that it can be passed on to generations to come. Many of the people of Indonesia who forget about the culture to identity of the area because of several factors such as the people of indonesia more interested of the western culture than self culture, the region of Indonesia which large also cause people's reluctance to learn because of constrained of time, distance and cost as well as limitations of the media information about the art and culture that currently can only be learned through pictures and visit the location of art and culture directly make the introduction of art and culture to people of indonesia not yet optimal. Therefore required a media so that people can learn more about the wealth of art and culture without having to visit directly into the location of the arts and cultures its. "Keliling Nusantara Edisi Sumatra" application that was built can be the way to preserve the national culture. The function of this application as a learning media for recognize the diversity of arts and cultures of Indonesia on the island of Sumatra. This application is built using Mobione Studio and running on Android and iOS devices. The application is made using the UCD (User Centered Design) which has been mapped to multimedia development methods by Luther from the stage specify the context of use and specify the users and organisational requirements are mapped into the concept, the stage produce design solutions are mapped into the design, production and collecting material as wellas the evaluate design againts the user requirements are mapped into the stage of testing and distribution. The results produced an application based on Android and iOS contains folks song and lyrics and sound, traditional dress, traditional homes, custom traditions, traditional weapons, traditional dance, tradition musical instrument, the symbol of the region, the anniversaries, the name of the capital city, location, area and amount of population and the flora and fauna typical area on the island of Sumatra. The application goes well on the Android operating system version 2.2-4.X and iOS version 5-7 correspond with the functionality, specification and design of desired.


Catalytic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation from oxygen and water enables a sustainable environment to operate in an effective and green energy-to-chemical conversion way, which has attracted increasing interest in the fields of energy production and environment treatment. In light of this, tremendous progresses and developments have been made during the past decades in catalytic H2O2 production for pollutant removal from three perspectives including photocatalysis, electrocatalysis or chemical activation. Herein, we critically review the state-of-the-art developments over various procedures of H2O2 generation and its further application, with the existence of photocatalysts, electrocatalysts, and catalysts, respectively. Benefiting from extensively experimental and theoretical investigations, the performance and stability of H2O2 generation and its utilization can be maneuvered by devising catalytic platform based on numerous catalysts with predominant electronic, chemical and physical properties, which endow the catalysts with efficient electrons transportation, abundant active sites, and sufficient oxygen adsorption for H2O2 generation. Furthermore, this review also discusses the formation mechanism of H2O2 by 2e-ORR and 2e-WOR, as well as its functional process of activating and removing pollutants, and summarizes the design principles of various catalysts by focusing on the formation of H2O2. We finally highlight the specific challenges and prospects related to the utilization of catalysts and envision the possible future development trends in the fields of pollutant removal.


Beta amyloid (Aβ) accumulation is recognized as a hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology and the aggregation of Aβ peptide is hypothesized to drive pathogenesis. As such, Aβ is a logical target for therapeutic intervention and there have been many studies looking at diverse classes of drugs that target Aβ. Of concern is the recent failure of several clinical trials, highlighting the need for earlier, possibly preventative intervention, and raising the question of what form of Aβ is the best target. The Aβ oligomers are considered to be the toxic species, but many therapies, such as antibody therapies, target monomers, removing them as substrates for aggregation. Peptide inhibitors, in contrast, are able to interfere with the aggregation process itself. Designing peptide inhibitors requires some knowledge of Aβ structure; while there is structural information about the amyloid core of Aβ fibrils, the transient nature of oligomers makes them difficult to characterize. Fortunately, some interaction sites have been identified between monomers and oligomers of Aβ and these, plus known aggregation-prone sequences in Aβ, can serve as a basis for inhibitor design. In this mini-review we focus on D-amino acid based peptide inhibitors and discuss how their non-toxic and stable nature can be beneficial, while they specifically target aggregation-prone sequences within the Aβ peptide. Many peptide inhibitors have been designed using the LVFFA domain within Aβ to disrupt the self-assembly of Aβ peptide. While this may be sufficient to stop aggregation in vitro, other aggregation sites at the C-terminus may promote aggregation independently and the flexible N terminus may be a good target to induce clearance of aggregates. Ultimately, it may be a combination of targets that provides the best therapeutic strategy.


The developing world is experiencing the largest ever generation of children and youth. Around 1 billion people - one out of every six on the planet - are between 10 and 19 years of age 85% of them in developing countries. Because of the considerable drop in fertility rates the children of today will constitute the largest-ever generation of active people. This is perhaps the greatest development opportunity the world cannot afford to miss. The Convention of the Rights of the Child consolidates the position of children and adolescents as subjects of rights rather than objects of compassion. It also places families and states in a position of responsibility towards them and gears adults to visualize children in relation to their potential rather than to the demands they pose on society. They are the main source of inspiration innovation creative strength new values and of new dreams with which to build a prosperous and humane society. (excerpt)


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the distribution characteristics of left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony (LV-SD) in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and normal QRS wave width, by pulsed-wave Doppler tissue imaging (PW-DTI), and study its relation with left ventricular systolic function, ventricular remodeling, and functional mitral regurgitation (FMR).

METHODS
The time to peak systolic velocity (Ts) in 12 left ventricular segments was evaluated by PW-DTI, from which the standard deviation (SD) of Ts in the 12 segments (Ts-SD) and maximum Ts difference (Ts-maxD) were calculated.

RESULTS
Ts-SD and Ts-maxD in the 12 LV segments of the DCM patients with CHF were significantly higher than those of the healthy controls (P<0.01). In DCM patients with CHF and normal QRS wave width, the incidence of LV-SD was 29.8% (14/47) and the inferior wall was the most frequent distribution site of contraction delay. Linear regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between Ts-SD, Ts-maxD, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P<0.01), but a positive correlation between Ts-SD, Ts-maxD and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), lefe ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), New York Heart Association (NYHA) cardiac function, FMR (P<0.01) in DCM patients with CHF.

CONCLUSION
LV-SD exists in DCM patients with normal QRS width. LV-SD aggravates the LV systolic function damage, which is closely associated with left ventricular remodeling. LV-SD may contribute to the FMR in DCM patients.


Relationships among families of the shark order Carcharhiniformes are still being debated, for example, in relation to the inclusion of hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae) and the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) in the Carcharhinidae. Previous morphological studies have not analyzed the phylogenetic significance of axial caudal muscles among carcharhiniforms. The authors therefore describe here the axial muscles of the tail region (m. epaxialis, m. obliquus superioris, m. obliquus inferioris, m. flexor caudalis) to better understand their anatomical patterns among carcharhiniform sharks. Our results indicate that the family Pentanchidae, recently separated from scyliorhinids (catsharks), present a similar pattern of caudal muscles to catsharks, indicating their close phylogenetic relationship. Triakids, hemigaleids, leptochariids, Galeocerdo cuvier and Prionace glauca have a unique pattern in which the medial axial bundle is bulkier than all other caudal axial muscles. Sphyrnids share with carcharhinids a similar pattern of the m. obliquus superioris (approximately the same size as the dorsal m. epaxialis) and have fibers of the m. flexor caudalis arranged in a V‐shape. This chevron‐shape is also present on the m. flexor caudalis of hemigaleids and leptochariids. Also, sphyrnids and carcharhinids have more slender septa between muscle bundles (more notably in carcharhinids; the only exception is Galeocerdo cuvier, which has the same pattern as sphyrnids). Although being used here as an outgroup, Squaliformes is unique in lacking one of the epaxial bundles. The authors conclude that the caudal axial musculature has greater phylogenetic potential than previously understood.


Abstract `Background: In today's business environment, a company is able to maintain its competitive position if it constantly generates knowledge and disseminates this knowledge within the organization, as well as transforms it into new competences. The ability to transfer knowledge becomes one of the key factors in the improvement of a company's competitive position. This hypothesis is applicable particularly in the case of cooperation within networks, as they are an excellent opportunity for mutual learning between partners. Objectives: The purpose of the paper is to analyse the process of knowledge transfer in intra-organizational networks. Method: Due to the specificity of the research object, the case study method has been chosen. In order to make an in-depth analysis of the case study, we selected a group of several criteria based on the theory which we believe to be fundamental to the effectiveness of knowledge management in networks, and compared them with the situation in the ArcelorMittal Group. Results: Our research show that ArcelorMittal Group has met almost all the criteria of effective knowledge management in its intra-organizational network. Some exceptions, albeit merely to an extent, are mostly the result of historical circumstances, , i.e. the process of growth through acquisitions, and the acquisition of companies at different stages of organizational development, as well as organizational culture. Conclusion: Based on theoretical assumptions, the study analysed in details the components of knowledge management applied by the corporation in question. Therefore this study might be utilised to formulate a refutable hypothesis and verify them on a larger group of companies from different sectors of the economy. The main limitations of the paper are mostly related to the inherent approach therein


In 321 patients with different forms of EBV infection in the age range from 19 to 57 years (mean age 33,1 ± 11,7 years) different types of immune response were isolated and studied. All participants in the study were divided into groups of comparable sex and age: patients with infectious mononucleosis (n = 138); patients with various forms of chronic EBV infection (n = 183); clinically healthy volunteers (n = 20). During the study all ethical norms were observed in accordance with international and Ukrainian protocols. Clinical examination of patients and healthy volunteers included examining complaints, an epidemiological history, a history of illness and life, an objective examination, instrumental and laboratory studies in dynamics. Statistical processing of the results of the study was carried out by parametric and nonparametric methods using the program Statistika 6.0, for each variational series, the absolute values (n), the arithmetic mean (M), the mean error of the arithmetic mean (m) were calculated. It was found that patients with different forms of EBV infection have a reliable cytokine imbalance. Four main types of immune response were identified: normoreactive, dissociative, hyporeactive and hyperreactive. The revealed types of immune response testify to inadequate cellular-humoral reactivity of the organism in conditions of prolonged persistence of EBV, which is manifested by a tendency to suppress cell-mediated and enhancing humoral mechanisms of the immune response and is reflected in the clinical and biochemical manifestations of the disease and leads to a protracted undulating course of the disease.


Although studies of teacher preparation programs have documented positive changes in mathematical knowledge for teaching with preservice teachers in mathematics content courses, this study focused on the impact of a mathematics methods course and follow-up student teaching assignment. The presumption was that preservice teachers would show growth in their mathematical knowledge during methods since the course was structured around active participation in mathematics, research-based pedagogy, and was concurrent with a two-day-per-week field experience in a local elementary school. Survey instruments utilized the computer adaptive test version of the Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching (MKT) measures from the Learning Mathematics for Teaching Project, and the Attitudes and Beliefs (towards mathematics) survey from the Mathematical Education of Elementary Teachers Project. A piecewise growth model analysis was conducted on data collected from 176 participants at 5 time-points (methods, 3 time-points; student teaching, 2 time-points) over a 9 month period. Although the participants' demographics were typical of U.S. undergraduate preservice teachers, findings suggest that initial low-level of mathematical knowledge, and a deep-rooted belief that there is only one way to solve mathematics problems, limited the impact of the methods and student teaching courses. The results from this study indicate that in (a) number sense, there was no significant change during methods (p = .392), but a significant decrease during student teaching (p < .001), and in (b) algebraic thinking, there was a significant decrease during methods (p < .001), but no significant change during student teaching (p = .653). Recommendations include that the minimum teacher preparation program entry requirements for mathematical knowledge be raised and that new teachers participate in continued professional development emphasizing both mathematical content knowledge and reform-based pedagogy to continue to peel away deep-rooted beliefs towards mathematics.


Honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) is the most studied insect pollinator in the world, due to its extremely important role in the plant reproduction. More than 80% of agricultural crops in the world are being pollinated by the honey bee. Prior to appearance of CCD syndrome, i.e. syndrome of Colony Collapse Disorder of honey bee colonies, bees have been disappeared en masse. Since the late 60's of the XIX century, there were about twenty recorded cases of large honey bee colony loses, caused by various diseases. However, since 2006, the phenomenon never seen before in the world appeared which was called CCD syndrome. The difference between this "disease" and previous cases of honey bee disappearances lies in the fact that there are no dead bees as evidence of disease. Beekeepers find empty, abandoned hives with only queen bee, brood and very small number of adult workers, where the largest part of worker bees had left the colony. There is a lot of food, honey and pollen, left in the hive. Mentioned syndrome was firstly appeared in the USA, where, for only one week, certain number of large beekeepers reported losses of 5090% of their bee colonies. Soon, syndrome was noticed in Europe, where in many countries larger disappearance of honey bees were reported. Exact cause of CCD syndrome appearance is not known, but assumptions include individual impact of more factors or, more likely, their synergistic effect. Hypothesis related to causes of mentioned syndrome include the impact of traditional honey bee diseases caused by varroa mites and other parasites, excessive pesticides consumption in agricultural production, genetically modified organisms, electromagnetic radiation, poor honey bee nutrition, crops growing in monoculture and biodiversity loss. Nowadays, a number of researchers think that it is a synergy of many factors, so that the bees as a bio-indicator reflect current state of environment in the world. Economic estimations of damages caused by potential disappearance of this species count billions dollar, where the consequences do not consider just monetary loss, but the impact on agro food safety of the world population.


Purpose: This field study analyses the quality of the actual thermal comfort and indoor air quality in Dutch office buildings. A linear regression analysis was used to determine how much these variables and demographic variables influenced the perceived thermal comfort of office workers. Approach: Data were collected on-spot at two Dutch office buildings (n=182) during the winter of 2015 and showed that the indoor air in these offices is of good quality and did not affect the perceived thermal comfort significantly. The indoor temperature was the most important variable that influenced the perceived thermal comfort. Indoor temperatures ranged in this study from 18 till 24oC and were therefore at the edge of acceptable European and Dutch standards NPR-CR 1752 (1999), NEN-EN 15251(2007) and NEN-EN-ISO 7730 (2007). Findings: Office workers which experienced a indoor temperature of 20oC graded this temperature the highest (6.7 on a scale from 1-10). At 20oC the percentage of workers that was dissatisfied was the lowest (30%). This study also showed that female workers were more likely to have the sensation that is was too cold than male workers. European and Dutch standards prescribe that an indoor temperature between 21 and 23oC should be the most ideal temperature during wintertime. This study indicates that an indoor temperature higher than 22oC might be too warm for office workers in The Netherlands during wintertime and that application might influence office workers' satisfaction negatively.


The insulin-responsive glucose transporter GLUT4 plays a crucial role in insulin-mediated facilitated glucose uptake into adipose tissue and muscle, and impaired expression of GLUT4 has been linked to obesity and diabetes. In this study, we demonstrate that liver X receptors (LXRs) regulate the expression of GLUT4 through direct interaction with a conserved LXR response element in the GLUT4 promoter. The expression of GLUT4 in WAT is induced by a potent LXR agonist in wild type, LXRα-/-, and LXRβ-/- mice but not in LXRα-/-β-/- mice, demonstrating that both LXRs are able to mediate ligand activated transcription of the GLUT4 gene. However, basal and insulin stimulated expression of GLUT4 in epididymal WAT is reduced only in mice carrying ablation of the LXRα isoform. The expression of GLUT4 is furthermore correlated to the induction of LXRα during mouse and human adipocyte differentiation. LXRβ is thus apparently not able to rescue basal expression of GLUT4 in the absence of LXRα. We have previously demonstrated that LXRα is down-regulated in animal models of obesity and diabetes, thus revealing a striking correlation between GLUT4 and LXRα expression in insulin-resistant conditions. This suggests that the LXRα isoform has a unique role in adipose expression of GLUT4 and suggests that alteration of adipose tissue expression of LXRα might be a novel tool to normalize the expression of a gene that is dysregulated in diabetic and insulin-resistant conditions.


The authors present an evaluation for the calculation of the effective g-factor and the effective mass of conduction band electrons in pseudomorphic strained layers. They apply this evaluation to some important heterostructure systems and show that effective mass is mainly isotropically shifted whereas the g-factor exhibits anisotropic splitting. They show that these effects, being attributed to the internal strains induced by lattice mismatch, may be used to characterize heterostructures.


ABSTRACT RAD53 and MEC1 are essential Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes required for the DNA replication and DNA damage checkpoint responses. Their lethality can be suppressed by increasing the intracellular pool of deoxynucleotide triphosphates. We report that deletion of YKU70 or YKU80 suppresses mec1Δ, but not rad53Δ, lethality. We show that suppression of mec1Δ lethality is not due to Ku−-associated telomeric defects but rather results from the inability of Ku− cells to efficiently repair DNA double strand breaks by nonhomologous end joining. Consistent with these results, mec1Δ lethality is also suppressed by lif1Δ, which like yku70Δ and yku80Δ, prevents nonhomologous end joining. The viability of yku70Δ mec1Δ and yku80Δ mec1Δ cells depends on the ATM-related Tel1 kinase, the Mre11-Rad50-Xrs2 complex, and the DNA damage checkpoint protein Rad9. We further report that this Mec1-independent pathway converges with the Rad53/Dun1-regulated checkpoint kinase cascade and leads to the degradation of the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor Sml1.


Catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are crucial in fuel cells. Developing metal-free catalyst with high activity at low-cost and high-volume production remains a great challenge. Here, we report a novel type of nitrogen-doped nanoporous carbon nanosheets derived from a conveniently available and accessible plant, Typha orientalis. The nanosheets have high surface area (the highest surface area can be 898 m2 g−1), abundant micropores and high content of nitrogen (highest content of 9.1 at.%). The typical product exhibits an unexpected, surprisingly high ORR activity. In alkaline media, it exhibits similar catalytic activity but superior tolerance to methanol as compared to commercial 20% Pt/C. In acidic media as well, it shows excellent catalytic ability, stability and tolerance to methanol. This low-cost, simple and readily scalable approach provides a straightforward route to synthesize excellent electrocatalysts directly from biomass, which may find broad applications in the fields of supercapacitors, sensors, and gas uptake.


Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL

Breast tumors exhibit inflammatory responses through recruitment of stromal cells in the primary tumor microenvironment, including fibroblasts and macrophages. Accumulation of these stromal cells correlates with development of invasive breast cancer and poor patient prognosis. These stromal cells express high levels of the inflammatory chemokine CCL2, corresponding to overexpression of its receptor CCR2 in the tumor epithelium. Our laboratory and others have shown that CCL2/CCR2 signaling mediates stromal: tumor interactions to regulate breast cancer cell survival, invasion and metastasis. While the CCL2/CCR2 signaling represents a novel and potentially effective therapeutic target in invasive breast cancer, it is necessary to develop new tools to specifically inhibit CCL2/CCR2 signaling in vivo. siRNA knockdown could specifically target CCL2 or CCR2, but is unstable and toxic when delivered in vivo. The HIV-1 derived TAT peptide penetrates cell plasma membranes at high efficiency and contains nuclear translocation signals to enhance siRNA delivery to the nucleus. Recent studies from our research team have shown that CaCl2 condenses TAT/nucleic acids to nanoparticles facilitating cellular uptake. The goals of these studies are to design TAT nanoparticle formulas to target CCL2 and CCR2 protein expression in breast tumors. Using an in vitro luciferase reporter system, we identified specific N/P ratios and CaCl2 concentrations that would transfect stromal cells and PyVmT mammary tumor cells. TAT/CaCl2 nanocomplexes carrying GFP plasmid or Cy3 labeled siRNAs were then injected into PyVmT mammary tumors. We observed visible GFP expression and Cy3 labeled siRNA uptake in over 50% of the PyVmT mammary tumor at low and high N/P ratios. Normal mammary tissues did not show significant uptake of TAT nanoparticles. Flow cytometry analysis showed that high N/P ratios resulted in efficient TAT/CaCl2/siRNA uptake in breast cancer associated fibroblasts and macrophages. TAT/CaCl2/siRNA nanocomplexes formed at low N/P ratios resulted in efficient siRNA uptake in tumor epithelial cells. Preliminary studies of PyVmT mammary tumors showed a reduction in CCL2 and CCR2 expression upon delivery of TAT/CaCl2 nanoparticles carrying CCL2 or CCR2 siRNAs. These data indicate this nanoparticle strategy represents a novel, feasible approach to target the CCL2/CCR2 signaling in breast cancer, with important implications on therapeutic targeting.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1952. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1952


In 1907, William Jones made his way up the Cagayan River in northern Luzon Province of the Philippines. In a letter posted back to the United States he wrote, "I am sojourning with a Negrito-Malay people called Ilongots, who dwell in lofty booths on poles and in the forks of trees." He was excited to be among a headhunting jungle society, yet also repelled by the "savagery" that he witnessed. Two years later he was speared and cut down with bolo knives at a bend in the river by Ilongot warriors. The attack came in response to unfortunate events that might have been reminiscent of the fate of James Cook: Jones had argued about boats, been impatient and unwise in dealing with local clans and, at the last moment, seemed to be taking a local elder, Takadan, hostage until he could have his demands satisfied. In Jones' case those demands centered on balsa rafts that the Ilongot were supposed to build and guide for him downriver. The need for so many rafts was unusual, but Jones had a large cargo: extensive collections of baskets, weapons, fish traps, and models of local dwellings bound for the Field Museum in Chicago.


In coherent optical transmission systems and sensors, passive quadrature detection1 is frequently used as it facilitates unambiguous measurement of amplitude and phase and avoids the need for an optical phase-locked loop. This requires the use of some kind of multiport network with the appropriate phase shifts. A network to produce three outputs 120° apart is easily implemented in a three-fiber fused coupler.2 However, this arrangement is not the optimum tor sensitivity or rejection of local oscillator intensity noise. Implementation of a multiport network to produce true quadrature (90°) and balanced outputs has proved more difficult, requiring precise control of differential phase delays.1 Various techniques have recently been proposed3,4 which achieve this by birefringence or mode coupling in a multiport coupler, and in all these the phase relationship of the outputs is determined by coupling in the fiber system.


Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) have drawn extensive interest for the past two decades both in scientific research and industrial engineering circles for their advantages of high energy density, environmental friendliness, and easy fuel handling. However, their excessively high costs, especially derived from the massive use of precious metal catalysts in both their anodes and cathodes, hamper the commercialization of this technology to the general public. Though the production of inexpensive catalysts of methanol oxidation remains challenging, non-precious-metal-based catalysts of the oxygen reduction reaction have seen considerable technical progress, yielding remarkable performance levels in hydrogen-fueled polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Due to the particularities of the electrochemical reactions and mass transport for methanol fuel in DMFC electrodes, highly active non-precious metal catalysts have not yielded sufficiently satisfactory single-cell performances for practical applications. In the current work, rather than exploring the cathodic designs with advanced electrode materials and structures, we estimated the mass transport of methanol and its effects on cathode performance, and then redesigned the anode architecture with ultrathin gas diffusion layers based on carbon nanotube composite materials. By using such an alternative strategy focused on anodic engineering to accelerate methanol transport combined with the use of a methanol-inert cathode, an ultrahigh cell performance, comparable to those of Pt–C-containing cathodes, was achieved even at a low methanol concentration. The peak power density obtained was 141 mW cm−2, a value among the highest obtained from DMFCs with non-precious-metal catalyst cathodes to the best of our knowledge. A wider avenue of DMFC technologies for practical applications might be opened with further development of this work.


Based on the performance of entire social networks, anomaly analysis for evolving social networks generally ignores the otherness of the evolutionary behaviors of different nodes, such that it is difficult to precisely identify the anomalous evolutionary behaviors of nodes (AEBN). Assuming that a node's evolutionary behavior that generates and removes edges normally follows stable evolutionary mechanisms, this study focuses on detecting and assessing AEBN, whose evolutionary mechanisms deviate from their past mechanisms, and proposes a link prediction detection (LPD) method and a matrix perturbation assessment (MPA) method. LPD describes a node's evolutionary behavior by fitting its evolutionary mechanism, and designs indexes for edge generation and removal to evaluate the extent to which the evolutionary mechanism of a node's evolutionary behavior can be fitted by a link prediction algorithm. Furthermore, it detects AEBN by quantifying the differences among behavior vectors that characterize the node's evolutionary behaviors in different periods. In addition, MPA considers AEBN as a perturbation of the social network structure, and quantifies the effect of AEBN on the social network structure based on matrix perturbation analysis. Extensive experiments on eight disparate real-world networks demonstrate that analyzing AEBN from the perspective of evolutionary mechanisms is important and beneficial.


The primary source of information on the distributions of partons within the nucleon, is data on deep inelastic scattering of leptons on nucleons. The description of deep inelastic scattering is developed through the quark parton model including quantum chromodynamic corrections. The extraction of the quark and gluon momentum fraction distributions is illustrated using contemporary data. The extension to the case when the leptons and target are both polarized is presented and the recent data in this area are discussed. Finally, the dXerences observed in the data when the nucleons are embedded in nuclei are briefly discussed. This report is a rather belated written version of a set of four talks presented in the Fermilab Academic Lecture Series in March 1989. The figures are largely copies of the transparencies used during the talks with little effort to clean them up. 'Work supported by the US Department of Energy


Considering in-plane (Cu 3d(x2-y2) and O 2psigma ) and out-of-plane (Cu 3d(2z2-r2) and apical O 2pz) orbitals, a new lowest-energy spin-bag is found for doped cuprates in the strong-coupling regime. While Zhang-Rice correlations are enhanced, a broad structure appears in the Fermi-level region with mainly non-planar character at EF. Both features may be relevant in the high-Tc superconductivity scenario. This description stems from a mean-field calculation in terms of a general, two-centre, six-band Hamiltonian for 2n*2n (up to 8*8) cuprate clusters. Other previously known solutions are also found and discussed. Different apical O 2pz levels are considered in order to study their possible effects.


Concentrations of enrofloxacin and its active metabolite, ciprofloxacin, were detected in tissues following single intravenous administration of 20 mg/kg to four anesthetized dogs. Two hours after treatment, serum samples were collected, animals were euthanized, and tissues were collected from each dog. Solid tissues were homogenized, and both enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography. Enrofloxacin was detected in all tissues examined; the highest concentrations were found in the gall bladder, urine, bile, stomach, and liver. Concentrations in the cerebral cortex, cerebrospinal fluid, skin, and prostate were 5.7, 5.3, 9.2, and 23.5 microg/ml, respectively. Tissues for which the concentration of enrofloxacin was 4 microg/ml or lower included the trachea, articular cartilage, aqueous humor, fat, and tendon. An inhibitory quotient of 8 or more was achieved for enrofloxacin in the majority of tissues studied. Ciprofloxacin was detected in 29 of 40 tissues examined.


Molossid bats exhibit a great diversity of size and skull morphology which likely reflect a trophic function and may be indicative of the degree of resource partitioning and overlap. We explored the morphofunctional variation of the skull in molossid species from Argentina, where 18 species had been recorded, and are representative of the vast South American Southern Cone region. We measured 18 craniodental variables in 377 specimens representing all 18 species. We performed a multivariate analysis using craniodental variables, and we used a comparative phylogenetic method, to determine the importance of phylogeny in morphofunctional variation. The specimens distribution in morphospace showed a clear segregation between species on the basis of skull size and morphological differences related with prey selection, and associated with other important factors such as echolocation and flight. We show that the morphological pattern observed was determined principally by the evolutionary history of the family, we identified major events of expansion of occupied morphospace with the origination of large species such as those in Eumops as well as small species of Molossops and Cynomops . We believe that the joint effects of history, size and functional morphology busted the evolution of Neotropical molossids and facilitated the coexistence of related species.


In this paper, we study the regulation of the Ground Contact Forces (GRF) in thruster-assisted legged locomotion. We will employ Reference Governors (RGs) for enforcing GRF constraints in Harpy model which is a bipedal robot that is being developed at Northeastern University. optimization-based methods and whole body control are widely used for enforcing the no-slip constraints in legged locomotion which can be very computationally expensive. In contrast, RGs can enforce these constraints by manipulating joint reference trajectories using Lyapunov stability arguments which can be computed much faster. The addition of the thrusters in our model allows to manipulate the gait parameters and the GRF without sacrificing the locomotion stability.


ABSTRACT Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) is used to monitor the structural diversity of complex microbial communities in terms of richness, relative abundance, and distribution of the major subpopulations and individual members. However, discrepancies of several nucleotides between expected and experimentally observed lengths of terminal restriction fragments (T-RFs), together with the difficulty of obtaining DNA sequence information from T-RFLP profiling, often prevent accurate phylogenetic characterization of the microbial community of interest. In this study, T-RFLP analysis of DNA from an artificial assembly of five bacterial strains was carried out with a combination of two size markers with different fluorescent tags. Precise sizing of T-RFs in the 50- to 500-nucleotide range was achieved by using the same dye for both samples and size markers. Phylogenetic assignment of the component microbial strains was facilitated by coupling T-RFLP to denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (D-HPLC) of 16S RNA gene fragments followed by direct sequencing. The proposed coupling of D-HPLC and T-RFLP provides unambiguous characterization of microbial communities containing less than 15 microbial strains.


A remarkably severe spontaneous amyloidosis involving multiple organs has characterized the inbred PS mouse strain since the 25th generation. The amyloid substance was extracted with H2O and purified by successive gel filtrations on Sephadex G100, Sephadex G10 and Biogel P4. It was submitted to biochemical, immunochemical and histochemical analysis in order to determine its origin. Potassium permanganate resistance of the affinity for Congo Red dye, aminoacid composition, cross-reactivity with anti-mouse light chains antisera suggested an amyloidogenic process comparable to that described for the AL substance in man. However, even if abnormal lymphoid infiltrates were present in several organs, the presence of M component could not be demonstrated in serum or urine of these mice. This indicated either a limited tumoral mass or a tumor poorly secreting a precursor that would be strongly amyloidogenic. Alternatively, the existence of a so far unidentified precursor could not be excluded.


Purpose
Combining institutional work and actor engagement (AE) literature, this paper aims to elucidate how the collective action of market shaping occurs through the interplay between market shapers' institutional work and engagement of other market actors. While markets are shaped by actors' purposive actions and recent literature notes the need to also mobilize AE, the underlying process remains nebulous.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper is conceptual but supported by an illustrative case study: the Winding Tree. This blockchain-based, decentralized travel marketplace shapes a market by decoupling existing resource linkages, creating new ones and stabilizing others through a dynamic, iterative process between the market shaper's institutional work and others' AE.

Findings
The paper develops a dynamic, iterative framework of market shaping through increased resource density, revealing the interplay between seven types of market shapers' institutional work distilled from the literature and changes in other market actors' engagement dispositions, behaviors and the diffusion of AE through the market.

Originality/value
This research contributes to the emergent market shaping and market innovation literature by illustrating how the engagement of market actors is a fundamental means of market shaping. Specifically, it advances understanding of how market shapers' institutional work leads to new resource linkages and higher resource density in emergent market systems through AE. The resultant framework offers an original, critical foundation for future market shaping research.


Objective: On the-job training of Community Midwives (CMWs) is of critical importance in enabling midwives to provide services that meet standards of quality care. The objective of this study was to assess the intervention of an internship for CMWs that would increase their ability to provide quality maternal, newborn, and child health services. Method: A pre and post-intervention design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of an internship of 32 working days. Validated questionnaire was used to assess the CMWs' knowledge and skills before and after the intervention. Overall, 252 CMWs from 14 districts of the Sindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan participated in the study. Result: The intervention improved both the knowledge and skills of the midwives. The pre and post skills and knowledge assessments demonstrated statistically significant increases in the mean scores (p <0.0001). Conclusion: Challenges were encountered in organizing and accessing internship sites and experienced mentors. However, the study found that the internship program helpful for the CMWs to enhance their knowledge and hands-on practice. We recommend that it be continued in future for this cadre of midwives. 26 Journal of Asian Midwives (JAM), Vol. 3, Iss. 2 [2016] Published by eCommons@AKU, 2016


The dependence of norepinephrine-(NE-) and high potassium (80 mM K) depolarization-induced contractions on extracellular versus intracellular calcium (Ca2+) pools was studied in strips of rabbit superior mesenteric artery and its branches, and in perfused mesenteric resistance vessels. 80 mM K contractions were abolished in the presence of 0 Ca2+ 2 mM EGTA in all arteries studied, whereas 10(-5) M NE-induced contractions and stimulated 45Ca efflux in 0 Ca2+ 2 mM EGTA decreased in a graded fashion from proximal to distal arteries. These data indicate a decreasing release of intracellular Ca2+ and an increasing dependence on extracellular Ca2+ for NE-induced contractions as one proceeds from proximal to distal arteries. This pattern was paralleled by increasing sensitivity of NE-induced contractions to inhibition by diltiazem (10(-9)-10(-4) M) from proximal to distal arteries, while inhibition of 80 mM K contractions was similar in all vessels. 45Ca influx induced by 10(-5) M NE in the resistance vessels, wherein the NE does not release intracellular Ca2+, is approximately 10,000-fold more sensitive to the action of diltiazem than that in the aorta. However, when the aorta is activated by 10(-8) M NE, it becomes more sensitive to inhibition by diltiazem than when it is activated by 10(-5) M NE. The former NE concentration does not release intracellular Ca2+ in the aorta, whereas the latter does. Thus, it appears that NE-induced 45Ca influx is most susceptible to inhibition by diltiazem when the NE has not also released intracellular Ca2+. We suggest that the release of intracellular Ca2+ by NE may make its stimulated Ca2+ influx less susceptible to inhibition by diltiazem.


Psoriasis increases the incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. However, its effect on the course of cardiovascular disease remains unknown. To investigate whether patients with psoriasis and hypertension have a higher requirement for cardiovascular procedure and surgery than patients with hypertension but without psoriasis, we used the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to identify patients with new‐onset hypertension during 2005–2006. Among these patients, those with psoriasis (n = 4039) were matched in a 1:1 ratio by age and sex with patients without psoriasis. The association between psoriasis and cardiovascular interventions was examined using time‐varying Cox proportional hazards models. The mean follow‐up period was 5.62 years. Psoriasis was associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular procedure and surgery in patients with hypertension (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–1.53). When no psoriasis served as a reference group, the aHRs were higher for women than for men, and for patients aged 50–64 years than for younger and older patients. Patients with severe psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis tended to have higher risks of cardiovascular procedure and surgery than patients with mild psoriasis (aHR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.98–1.51) or patients without psoriatic arthritis (aHR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.84–1.58), respectively, did, although not reaching statistical significance. In conclusion, patients with hypertension and psoriasis had a greater requirement for cardiovascular interventions than hypertensive patients without psoriasis. More intense assessments for cardiovascular interventions may be necessary in patients with concurrent hypertension and psoriasis than general hypertension patients.


Operators are building architectures and systems for delivering voice, audio, and data services at the required speed for now and in the future. For fixed access networks, this means in many countries a shift from copper based to fibre based access networks. This paper proposes a method to optimise the migration path, heterogeneously per central office area, using geometric models as input. The method results in a detailed migration path that meets a required bandwidth coverage. For this, two models are presented. The first minimises the total costs meeting a bandwidth requirement per period, the second minimises the deviation from this bandwidth requirement meeting a budget constraint per period. While the data used for the migration path optimisation is in practice hard to gather, the use of geometric modelling is proposed. This modelling approach can estimate the total CapEx of a migration step using only two simple parameters per Central Office area.


...................................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION .................................................................................................................. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... v TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................ viii LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................................... xi LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER


Hepatitis A infections still represent a major global health concern. During the past years, a transition pattern of the hepatitis A epidemiology was noted in many parts of the world. In Tunisia, there is not a recent survey on age‐specific hepatitis A virus seroprevalence. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus infection in Central‐West Tunisia, representative of regions with lowest socioeconomic level in the country, before vaccine implementation. Sera obtained from the blood samples of subjects were screened for the detection of hepatitis A virus. The seroprevalence was evaluated by detection of total antibodies to hepatitis A virus using commercially available immunoassay kits. A total of 1379 subjects, aged 5–75 years (mean age: 29.0 ± 17.3 years) were studied. The global anti‐hepatitis A virus seroplevalence was 84.7% (95% confidence interval: [82.6–86.5]). A higher hepatitis A virus seroprevalence was showed in subjects aged 10–14 years compared to those aged less than 10 years (50.0% vs. 31.0%). In subjects aged 20–29 years, a rapid increase in the hepatitis A virus prevalence was noted; it reached 97.0%. The seroprevalence of anti‐hepatitis A virus differed by zone of residence (81.1% in rural area vs. 72.4% in urban area, p = .005) and increased significantly with lower level of education (p = .019). There was no statistical significant seroprevalence difference between male and female: 84.2% versus 85.2%, respectively. Our study confirm the transition pattern of the hepatitis A virus endemicity in Tunisia from high to intermediate and provide an evaluation of the hepatitis A virus epidemiological situation before vaccine implementation.


For several decades, di fferent numerical models of storage tanks using PCM for latent energy storage have been developed; a few of thes e models have been elaborated to work with the TRNSYS simulation package (Jokisalo, 2000). Unfortunately, none o f them gave enough s atis faction to allow a l arge di ffusion, either due to a l ack o f time to test its reliability (Visser, 1986), or a lack o f flexibility which does not allow the modelling o f di fferent types o f containers for PCM (Egolf, 1997).


CuInSe2 (CIS) thin films can be described as one of the best candidate as absorber material for solar cell application. The CIS thin films have been prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering from compound ternary fan-shaped targets on low-temperature substrates with pure argon gas as the atmosphere. The stoichiometry of the ternary compound semiconductor quantum dots can easily be controlled by the ratios of the ternary elements and sputtering parameters. The CIS thin films were deposited onto FTO glass substrate in 40 min of deposition time. The annealed process of CIS thin film at 100°C in 30 min was done. The composition of CIS is obtained from a composite target consisted of copper disk of 99.99% purity, indium and selenium thin foil of 99.99% purities. The CIS nanoparticle thin films regularly shaped and distributed reasonably uniform in size on substrates CIS samples have been characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The electrical properties of the samples were measured by a standard collinear four point probe technique.


The objective of present study was to prepare transdermal gels of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) alone or in combination with aloe vera and sesame oil using polymers like carbopol 940 (CP) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC). The physicochemical compatibility of drug and the polymers was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The gels were evaluated for various physicochemical parameters such as pH, homogeneity, spreadability, viscosity measurement and drug content. In-vitro drug release study across cellophane membrane was performed. CP based gels (F1- F4) showed higher drug release ranging from 89.7% to 96.4% than NaCMC based gels (F5- F8) with drug release ranging from 79.5% to 89.1% at the end of study. Also, CP based gels showed more prominent anti-inflammatory activity (69.25 to 81.5% inhibition) than NaCMC based gels (54.4 to 72.3 % inhibition). CP based F4 formulation was considered to be optimized formulation based on its in vitro drug release and anti-inflammatory activity studies. The F4 formulation was further subjected to skin irritation study, short term stability study and In-vivo study on osteoarthritic patients. It was observed that Lequesne's score was significantly reduced (p<0.05) as compared to placebo, demonstrating that patient's symptoms can be improved with MSM gel containing aloe vera and sesame oil. However, further clinical studies on larger number of patients are required. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the MSM gel containing aloe vera and sesame oil can be better alternative for treating the patients with osteoarthritis.


The presence of oxidation debris (OD) complicates the structures and properties of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets, thereby impacting their potential applications. However, the origin of OD is still in dispute. Moreover, characterizing the structure and location of supposed OD on nanosheets of GO produced during the oxidation process is difficult. Herein, the attached state and size of OD on graphene oxide nanosheets were directly observed using HRTEM, the molecular structure of OD was initially proposed based on the spectroscopic characterization and Q-TOF mass spectrometry, and the locations of OD on the GO nanosheets were detected through the adsorption of probe molecules onto as-prepared GO (a-GO) and base-washed GO (bw-GO). The results indicated that OD possesses a highly crystalline structure and can be defined as several nanometre-sized polyaromatic molecules with a considerable number of oxygen-containing functional groups attached on the edges. The dark nanodot seated on a-GO was clearly observed in the HRTEM images, whereas it appeared as a clean nanosheet in the image of bw-GO, indicating that OD is removed by base-washing treatment. Following the base-washing treatment, the contents of carboxyl groups on bw-GO unexpectedly increased and subsequently contributed to the desorption of OD from a-GO due to the electrostatic repulsion being stronger than primary π-π interactions. Compared with a-GO, the adsorption of phenanthrene, as an aromatic probe, onto bw-GO increased by 6-fold via π-π stacking interactions, whereas the increase in the adsorption of m-dinitrobenzene, as a defect probe, was not as remarkable as that of phenanthrene. Reasonably, the OD nanoparticles were primarily located at the sp(2) structures on the GO nanosheets through π-π interactions rather than attached on defects/edges. The insights regarding the existence, molecular structures and attached sites of OD nanoparticles on GO nanosheets provide a theoretical basis for preparing OD-free GO for optimizing the potential applications of GO nanosheets.


INTRODUCTION: Malleolar fractures are one of the most common lower extremity fractures in orthopaedic traumatology. Ankle injuries gain importance because body weight is transmitted through it and locomotion depends upon the stability of this joint. Malleolar fractures have varied presentations which have given rise to a wide variety of classification systems, of which two are in vogue LaugeHansens and DanisWeber classification. As with all intra articular fractures, malleolar fractures necessitate accurate reduction and stable internal fixation. When malleolar fractures are not reduced accurately they may lead to post traumatic painful restriction of motion or osteoarthritis or both.1 Many of the fractures which are stable are treated by conservative treatment and have given good result. The other unstable, displaced and open fractures require open reduction internal fixation. The superiority of ORIF over closed treatment have been thoroughly demonstrated in literature.2 The purpose of this study is to assess the functional outcome and results of surgical treatment of malleolar fractures. The treatment options with ORIF technique available for malleolar fractures, to attain a proper anatomical alignment and stability of the ankle joint, can lead to rewarding outcome for the patient and surgeon.


In January 2019 the University of Derby delivered its first module entirely dedicated to and structured around editing and writing articles for Wikipedia. The course focused on using Wikipedia as a means to improve students' skills in writing for public consumption, in addition to enhancing their digital and collaborative skills. Students contributed to 118 articles across a range of topics, which were viewed over 11.2 million times, providing them with a public platform no university assignment could match, and introduced them to the challenges of interaction and engagement in a global editing community. Students' confidence in their digital capabilities was assessed at the start and end of the module and showed a clear increase in confidence across all categories.


In the four and one-half year period between July 1, 1928, and Dec. 31, 1932, 3,271 appendectomies were performed at the Koster Clinic; 4 appendixes showed tuberculosis. Tuberculosis of the appendix is one of the more rare manifestations of infection with the Koch bacillus in the human body. Corbin, 1 in 1837, was the first to observe such a case. In 1838, Hallowel 2 reported a death from peritonitis due to perforation of a tuberculous appendix. Following these observations a number of reports on tuberculosis of the appendix, cecum or both appeared at intervals. Koch's discovery of the tubercle bacillus, in 1882, greatly increased the impetus to the study of tuberculosis generally, and subsequently observations on this subject were reported more frequently. However, it was not until 1909, when Muller 3 published his excellent monograph on tuberculosis of the appendix, that any definitely collective statistical study was made. He collected


This article reports an efficient host-assisted guest protonation mechanism in coumarin 6 (C6) dye, upon its interaction with cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) macrocycle. C6 uptakes the CB7 macrocycle both in 1:1 and 2:1 (CB7/C6) stoichiometries, which brings out a large upward pK(a) shift (from ~0.8 to 6), and facilitates the protonation of C6 at normal pH conditions, having significant photochemical implications. Controlled dissociation of the assemblies has been achieved through their response to stimuli like temperature change or metal ions. By this approach, a specific form of the guest can be activated and could provide a simple stimulus for the controlled drug/dye delivery. Furthermore, the host-assisted guest protonation improves the stability and aqueous solubility of C6 and is a promising candidate for aqueous-based supramolecular dye laser system. Such simple protocol leading to photoswitchable systems having aqueous solubility and biocompatibility can in principle be evolved into a general strategy to deliver and operate potential functional molecular components under various trigger control.


A Licensed Shared Access (LSA) authorization/license includes an agreement between the secondary sharing user (some type of operator) and the primary license holder (e.g. a government organization) around the conditions of use (where, when, how). Compared to secondary access LSA offers a more attractive case for long term investments. The contribution in this paper is that we look into how LSA can be used by different types of actors. The outcome depends heavily on what type of actor that makes use of the spectrum using LSA. Based on cost structure analysis (leading to required investments) and analysis of availability of the basic spectrum resource we can identify clear differences of the commercial usability of spectrum awarded using LSA, all depending on what actors that make use of the LSA contract. Cases where new actors need to invest a lot in new infrastructure do not that look that promising. We cannot identify a separate LSA business case that is feasible from a business perspective (where the key resource for the operator is spectrum awarded using LSA). Service availability that cannot be guaranteed due to LSA type of spectrum being the only resource seems risky, especially when combined with high investments. However this applies only for outdoor deployment. For deployment of a new indoor network the situation is different. The cost structure is the same no matter if a new or existing actor deploys the networks. In addition, a multitude of spectrum bands and spectrum access options exist indoor so the service provisioning will be less vulnerable if some part of spectrum is not available some period of time.


An example of the relationship that exist between the preferred crystaliografic orientation of quartz grains and the attitude of the mylonite foliation of quartz-feldspar mylonites is described. These rocks are the result of the inhomogeneous deformation under low-grade metamorphic conditions of a late Hercynian granodiorite, intruded into the gneisses of the slopes of the CanigÓ massif (Eastern Pyrenees). The Costabona mylonites have a quartz c-axis fabric in pseudo-twogirdles symmetrical with respect to the mylonite foliation and perpendicular to the shearband systems which produce an extensional crenulation of the mylonite foliation.


Compressor aerodynamic instability, such as surge, has been attracting a broad interest in research because of its severe damage to engine performance and structural integrity. Therefore, the knowledge concerning surge flow mechanism and characteristics plays an essential role in taking effective measures of surge recovery. This paper aims to investigate the surge characteristics and distinct instability evolution process of an axial-centrifugal compressor using URANS simulation. Firstly, the CFD model of a combined compressor consisting of one axial and one centrifugal stage was established and validated by experimental data, then the transient characteristics of the surge were obtained. It was found that when the surge occurs, the reverse flow firstly occurs at the diffuser, and an obvious surge cycle was observed at the outlet of the centrifugal stage. In contrast, the pressure at the outlet of axial stage varied linearly with the mass flow without hysteresis phenomenon. When the reverse flow fully developed, the area with reverse flow showed an S-shaped meridional distribution, and higher reverse flow velocity existed at the regions near rotor hub, stator tip, and impeller tip. As a result, these regions were at risk to the detrimental effects of reverse flow and thus, suffer unsteady aerodynamic forces. Furthermore, a full-annulus model was established to study the development of the flow field during the surge inception process. The results showed that rotating stall was first observed near the axial stator hub, while the flow inside the centrifugal stage, worked normally. It indicated that the strong pressurization effect of the downstream centrifugal stage stabilized the operation of the combined compressor even though the upstream axial stage operated at rotating stall.


The feasibility of a force-balance interface based on a second-order delta-sigma (/spl Delta//spl Sigma/) modulator for capacitive sensors has been analyzed in order to delimit the requirements to assure system stability for a given set of constraints related to the sensor-modulator system. A /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ modulator based on a switched-capacitor architecture with floating MOSFET capacitors has been implemented using a 0.7-/spl mu/m CMOS process. Nonlinear effects related to voltage dependence of the floating MOSFET capacitors have been avoided using a modulator architecture based on charge integrators. The behavior of the new proposed modulator has been measured experimentally and compared with an equivalent interface made with lineal capacitors. Similar results were obtained from both systems. In both circuits, the modulator resolution was better than 14 bits at a sample frequency of 250 kHz, and oversampling ratio of 256.


A digital land use map of the study area Rajahar VDC at Nawalparasi district was prepared with the aid of RS/GIS for 1989 to 2013 followed by land use map analysis. The obtained image was classified as forest, agricultural, settlement, wat er body and religious areas for the study year 1989 to 1999 where industrial area was included as new land use category (0.07%) for 2013. The study showed that there was considerable change in forest area (-3.47%) and religious area (-0.01%). But agriculture land, settlement area and water body we re increased by 2.02%, 3.66% and 1.28%, respectively. The land use change for 1989 to 2013 followed polynomial (R 2 : 0.6577) pattern. The identified land use change key drivers were depende nt on past events and reactions of the


Several semi-supervised representation learning methods have been proposed recently that mitigate the drawbacks of traditional bootstrapping: they reduce the amount of semantic drift introduced by iterative approaches through one-shot learning; others address the sparsity of data through the learning of custom, dense representation for the information modeled. In this work, we are the first to adapt three of these methods, most of which have been originally proposed for image processing, to an information extraction task, specifically, named entity classification. Further, we perform a rigorous comparative analysis on two distinct datasets. Our analysis yields several important observations. First, all representation learning methods outperform state-of-the-art semi-supervised methods that do not rely on representation learning. To the best of our knowledge, we report the latest state-of-the-art results on the semi-supervised named entity classification task. Second, one-shot learning methods clearly outperform iterative representation learning approaches. Lastly, one of the best performers relies on the mean teacher framework (Tarvainen and Valpola, 2017), a simple teacher/student approach that is independent of the underlying task-specific model.


Abstract Triangular algebras, and maximal triangular algebras in particular, have been objects of interest for over 50 years. Rich families of examples have been studied in the context of many w*- and C*-algebras, but there remains a dearth of concrete examples in $B({\cal H})$. In previous work, we described a family of maximal triangular algebras of finite multiplicity. Here, we investigate a related family of maximal triangular algebras with infinite multiplicity, and unearth a new asymptotic structure exhibited by these algebras.


ABSTRACT Introduction: Cancer is responsible for an extraordinary burden of disease, affecting 90.5 million people worldwide in 2015. Outcomes for these patients are improved when the disease is diagnosed at an early, or even precancerous, stage. Raman spectroscopy is demonstrating results that show its ability to detect the molecular changes that are diagnostic of precancerous and cancerous tissue. This review highlights the new advances occurring in this domain. Areas covered: PubMed searches were undertaken to identify new research in the utilisation of Raman spectroscopy in cancer diagnostics. The areas in which Raman spectroscopy is showing promise are covered, including improving the accuracy of identifying precancerous changes, using the technology in real time, in vivo modalities, the search for a biomarker to aid potential screening and predicting the response of the cancer to the treatment regimen. Expert commentary: Many of the examples in this review are focused on Barrett's oesophagus and oesophageal adenocarcinoma as this is my area of expertise and perfectly exemplifies where Raman spectroscopy could be utilised in clinical practise. The authors discuss the areas where they believe current knowledge is lacking and how Raman spectroscopy could answer the dilemmas that are still faced in the management of cancer.


Artistic research has helped verify how primary a role creative processes play in not only constructing knowledge but also questioning knowledge elitism. The particular power-knowledge problematics for artistic research – addressed in both academic and artistic ways in this paper – is academic quotation. I first trace critical qualitative inquiry into citation back to feminist ethnography's so-called citational politics. Then, by methodologizing my own artistic research into the non-distinction between reading and citing academic language, I make it possible for citationality to be holistically understood as interplay between: citation's technical role in academic writing; its quantitative role in academic capitalism; and its political role in academic positionality. The well-trodden citational genealogies called out by Sara Ahmed are replaced by citational pathways connecting the authoring academic to voices entirely outside the discourse community that is academia in, for example, the arts-based educational research of Camea Davis. In the final analysis, such artistic understandings of citationality – citations that transform what we mean by citation – have the power to redeploy citations as channels of communication for social change.


This paper presents a new Epstein frame optimized for high frequencies and high flux densities. The design philosophy and test results at high power frequencies are presented. The frame achieves high frequency and high flux density performance because of reduced number of turns and reduced number of samples, while using standard 25-cm Epstein samples. Some of its technical advantages over the current Epstein frames and the single sheet testers are less samples' preparation time and better material representability, respectively. Four lamination types were tested: 0.0250-in (0.64 mm) M36 and cold rolled motor lamination, 0.0184-in (0.47 mm) M19, and 0.0140-in (0.36 mm) M45. The results obtained show good agreement with the core loss data provided by the steel manufacturers measured using the old frames at 200, 300, and 400 Hz. Results at 600 Hz and 1.0 kHz are also presented for the M45 and M19 samples along with the test bench used.


Acute upper respiratory infection is one of the common infectious diseases,especially in the elderly people. Qingkailing Injection has the effect of clearing away heat and detoxifying. It can be used for external wind heat,upper respiratory tract infection,viral cold,etc. Based on 2 147 cases of upper respiratory tract infection patients using Qingkailing Injection in the medical electronic data warehouse of the information system of 16 large class-A hospitals constructed by the Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,description analysis,Apriori calculation and recurrent network analysis were used to analyze the effect of Qingkailing Injection on upper respiratory tract infection. The clinical characteristics and the law of combined use of drugs can provide reference for the mining of clinical diagnosis and treatment characteristics and the construction of optimal and effective programs and paths. 2 147 patients with upper respiratory tract infection who used Qingkailing Injection were mostly middle-aged and elderly people over 45 years old,often combined with hypertension,ischemic cerebrovascular disease,coronary heart disease,diabetes,etc.; in treatment,it was more common to use Qingkailing Injection in combination with hormones,antipyretics and analgesics,antibiotics,nutritional support agents,antitussive,expectorant and antiasthmatic drugs,as well as traditional Chinese medicine Jiebiao agents and blood management agents. The combination of potassium chloride injection and cephalosporin injection is the most commonly used in combination with two kinds of Western medicine( 33. 2%); the combination of Shuanghuanglian and Ganmao Qingre Granules is the most commonly used in combination with two kinds of traditional Chinese medicine( 9. 13%); through the calculation of complex network group module,it is found that Qingkailing Injection is often associated with antibiotics,antipyretic and analgesic drugs,antitussive,expectorant and antiasthmatic drugs,antiviral drugs and anti infection drugs. Drugs,nutritional support agents,bronchodilators,immunomodulators and other chemical drugs are often used in combination with Chinese medicine,such as Jiebiao agents,expectorants,Qingre agents,resuscitation agents,Qufeng agents,tonics,Liqi agents,which may be related to both the treatment of upper respiratory tract infection and the basic diseases of middle-aged and elderly patients,with the theoretical characteristics of " combination of disease and syndrome,corresponding formula and syndrome". Based on the real world big data complex network group module mining results provide clues for the clinical optimization scheme and path construction,and provide signals and ideas for further causal research.


The case of a rare type of T-cell malignant lymphomas, clinically with a relatively favorable course, a T gamma-lymphoproliferative disease (T gamma-cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia) was presented. The cytomorphological, cytochemical, immuncytochemical and cytogenetical markers and functional tests of the peripheral blood lymphocytes from the patient were tested. The leukaemic cells with light- and electron microscopy showed the so called LGL (large granular lymphocyte) morphology with multifocal reactions of acid hydrolase enzymes. These cells also expressed IgG-Fc-receptor, CD 8 monoclonal antibody positivity and a monoclonally rearranged T-cell receptor gen expression. Functionally the patient's lymphocytes developed a blastic response to the T-cell mitogen Concanavalin A (ConA), they suppressed the immunoglobulin production of B-lymphocytes in co-cultures and had a normal NK-activity but decreased ADCC values. The patient was diagnosed by blood, bone marrow and lymph node examination and does not need any therapy. This case was published because of it's diagnostic, immunological and prognostical interests.


According to data from 150 countries, the worldwide caesarean section rate increased from 7% in 1990 to 19% in 2014. Latin America and the Caribbean region reported the highest CS rate 42%, followed by North America 32%, Oceania 31%, Europe 25%, Asia 19%, and Africa 7%. This trend is accompanied by increasing reports of severe adverse outcomes, such as invasive placenta, peripartum hysterectomy, and massive obstetric bleeding. The World Health Organization stated in 2015 that caesareans are effective in saving maternal and infant lives only when they are required for medically indicated reasons and that caesarean rates higher than 10–15% at a population level are not associated with reduced maternal or newborn mortality rates. More than 90% of women claim that they want to give birth in a natural way. In contrast, recent studies suggest that the majority of planned caesareans are carried out for psychosocial or nonmedical reasons. Knowledge about the indications for caesareans is a prerequisite in order to define actions to prevent unnecessary caesareans. The aim of this chapter was to present a review of the history behind, and to evaluate the indications for, caesarean sections in order to suggest appropriate actions to prevent unnecessary caesareans.


5ABSTRACTThe University of ManchesterDoctoral Programme in Bioethics and Medical JurisprudenceFionnuala Gough19th December 2012Irish Ostriches, Embryos and Stem CellsHuman embryonic stem cell research would seem to offer the prospect of developinga greater understanding of, and potential therapies for, common degenerativediseases such as diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer?s and Parkinson?s disease. Despite thefact that some Irish institutions engage in such research, Ireland is one of the fewcountries in Europe which has failed to produce any relevant regulatory frameworkor legislation. This is largely because embryo research and its regulation remainmired in conflicting socio-political values and interests, despite the fact that the invitro human embryo is not afforded any legal protection under the Irish Constitution.This thesis seeks to examine the current Irish legal lacuna in relation to embryos andembryonic stem cell research.The first of the three papers making up the core of this thesis reviews the backgroundto the moral, legal and social factors that have contributed to the extant Irish position.A description of the divergent policies enacted in other jurisdictions is also given tooutline possible policy options which may be considered by Ireland in the future. Theviews of relevant stakeholders on the impact of the regulatory lacuna are explored inthe second paper through a series of semi-structured interviews. These interviewshighlight a surprising level of consensus on the need for the Irish legislature to actand introduce regulations to provide certainty, in one way or the other, in this area ofscientific innovation. A procedural mechanism is proposed in the third paper whichcould allow the development of policy and concomitant regulation in Ireland in thisarea. It is hoped that the procedural process and resultant framework would besufficiently inclusive as to be acceptable to the majority of people in Irish society.In conclusion, it is argued that it is undesirable that a modern pluralist democracy (asIreland aspires to be) should regard legislative inertia and non-regulation as thepreferred method of dealing with morally challenging scientific endeavour. Instead,appropriate procedural mechanism should be utilised to allow for the development ofapposite policies.


Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of preventable death in trauma patients. TBI often need blood transfusion, iron deficiency (ID) is known as the first cause of anemia worldwide, but no known predictors of transfusion requirements are available at intensive care unit (ICU). The aims of this study were to investigate ID relationship with blood transfusion requirements in TBI patients at ICU.
Methods: One hundred forty-two patients with severe TBI, as defined by Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores <8 with an expected ICU length of stay ≥ 48 hours were admitted to the general ICU were enrolled in the prospective observational study between April 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their baseline iron status: iron- deficient (ID) and non-ID (normal iron profile) cohorts. Demographic features, laboratory values, blood transfusions, and length of ICU stay were recorded.
Results: A total of 134 patients were included in this analysis. The mean Glasgow coma score at baseline was 6 ± 5 and Injury Severity Score (ISS) 18.5 ± 4.5. ID with TBI patients, which was diagnosed in 65 patients (48.5%), compared with non-ID patients, with higher ISS but no difference in admission GCS score or APACHE II scores. ID was associated with a greater use of blood transfusions (5 and 2 U/ patient, respectively; p=0.0001). The median length of ICU stay after TBI was longer among the ID versus the non-ID group (25 and 17 days per patient, respectively; p=0.0001).
Conclusion: We found that ID was highly prevalent at ICU admission patients with TBI and that it was associated with higher blood transfusion requirements. Therefore, ID may be a prognostic factor for the blood transfusion requirements in TBI at ICU.