The aim of this study was to determine the acute metabolic effects of different magnitudes of wearable resistance (WR) attached to the lower leg during submaximal running. Fifteen endurance-trained runners (37.8 ± 6.4 years; 1.77 ± 0.7 m; 72.5 ± 9.8 kg; 58.9 ± 7.4 L/min VO2max; 45.7 ± 5.8 min 10 K run time) completed seven submaximal running trials with WR loads of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3% body mass (BM). Based on regression data, for every 1% BM increase of additional load, oxygen consumption (VO2) increased by 2.56% and heart rate increased by 1.16%. Inferential based analysis identified that ≤1% BM were enough to elicit responses in VO2, with a possible small increase (effect size (ES), 90% confidence interval (CI): 0.22, 0.17 to 0.39), while 3% BM loads produced a most likely very large increase (ES, 90% CI: 0.51, 0.42 to 0.60). A training load score was extrapolated using heart rate data to determine the amount of internal stress. An additional 1% BM resulted in an extra 0.39 (0.29 to 0.47) increase in internal stress over five minutes. Lower leg WR elicited substantial increases in lactate production from the lightest loading (0.5% BM), with a likely moderate increase (ES, 90% CI: 0.49, 0.30 to 0.95). Lower-leg positioned WR provides a running-specific overload with loads ≥ 1% BM resulting in substantial changes in metabolic responses.


Background: Smoking cessation is important clinical outcome in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) given its negative impact on disease course. Better understanding of successful methods of smoking cessation among IBD patients are necessary to improve quit rates. Methods: Individuals with IBD and a current or former smoking history who had previously attempted to quit smoking were included for analysis. Patients were excluded if they were never smokers, had no associated information on smoking cessation methods recorded, or were current smokers who had never attempted to quit smoking. Binary logistic regression was used to model the relationship between smoking success (coded as former smokers compared to current smokers) and age, history of anxiety or depression, history of substance abuse, number of quit attempts, and number of smoking cessation methods used. An unadjusted alpha of 0.05 level of significance was used for all tests. Results: There were a total of 219 former smokers and 67 current smokers included for analysis after exclusion of 2 individuals for missing information, 14 current smokers for no attempted smoking cessation, and 1 individual with a diagnosis of indeterminate colitis. Current smokers were younger (P value = 0.003), more likely to have multiple quit attempts (P value = 0.002), and more like to have comorbid anxiety/depression (P value = 0.001) and/or substance abuse (P value = 0.002). Current smokers were generally more likely to have tried all smoking cessation methods, except the nicotine spray and other methods. Most former smokers used nothing or "cold turkey" methods to quit smoking (68.9%), followed by the nicotine patch (11.4%), and e-cigarettes (10%). Factors associated with successful smoking cessation were then evaluated with binary logistic regression. The overall model was statistically significant (LR Chi-square = 51.424, df = 2, P < 0.001). Patients had significantly higher odds of successfully quitting smoking if they were without a history of substance abuse (OR = 0.292, 95% CI, 0.108–0.785) and if they used less smoking cessation methods (OR = 0.097, 95% CI, 0.048–0.195). Conclusions: Among patients with IBD who have attempted to quit smoking, cold turkey or no smoking cessation adjunct was the most effective method to quit. Patients who are successful at quitting smoking are more likely to have no history of substance abuse as well as fewer smoking cessation aids used.


Mum is crazy about all things spotty, from spotty clothes and spotty wallpaper to spotty games like dominoes. Dad loves stripes, stripy suits, stripy ties and stripy humbug sweets. No wonder they make their son laugh, but they think that he's funny in his grey patternless clothes. When they go to the safari park, Mum goes wild about the big cats, while Dad enthuses over the zebras. But, as the last spread reveals, their son is even more obsessive about elephants! Packed with patterns of stripes and spots, this book also contains a clue on each spread as to the nature of the little boy's obsession, from a pink elephant toothbrush holder in the bathroom to a bun in the cafe! Nick Sharratt's children's books include illustrations for "One by One"; "Isn't it Time?"; "Crazy ABC" and "Little and Big" in The Little Learning Library by Judy Hindley, as well as three verse anthologies edited by Jill Bennett and the cover of the award-winning novel "Tracy Beaker".


We propose HERMES, a scalable, secure, and privacy-enhancing system, which allows users to share and access vehicles. HERMES outsources the vehicle access token generation to a set of untrusted servers, utilizing several cryptographic primitives with secure multi-party computation efficiently. It conceals the vehicle secret keys and transaction details from the servers such as vehicle booking details, access token information, and user-vehicle identities. It also provides user accountability in case of disputes. We prove that HERMES meets its security and privacy requirements. Moreover, we demonstrate that HERMES scales for a large number of users and vehicles, making it practical for real-world deployments. To achieve high-performance computations, we evaluate HERMES over two different multiparty computation protocols for Boolean and arithmetic circuits. We provide a detailed comparison of their performance, together with other state-of-the-art access provision protocols. Through a proof-of-concept implementation, our performance analysis demonstrates that HERMES requires only approx 61ms for a single-vehicle access provision. At the same time, it handles 546 and 84 access token generations per second from a single-vehicle owner and large branches of rental companies with over a thousand vehicles, respectively.


A new interpretation is proposed for stimulus‐induced signal changes in diffusion‐weighted functional MRI. T2‐weighted spin‐echo echo‐planar images were acquired at different diffusion‐weightings while visual stimulation was presented to human volunteers. The amplitudes of the positive stimulus‐correlated response and post‐stimulus undershoot (PSU) in the functional time‐courses were found to follow different trends as a function of b‐value. Data were analysed using a three‐compartment signal model, with one compartment being purely vascular and the other two dominated by fast‐ and slow‐diffusing molecules in the brain tissue. The diffusion coefficients of the tissue were assumed to be constant throughout the experiments. It is shown that the stimulus‐induced signal changes can be decomposed into independent contributions originating from each of the three compartments. After decomposition, the fast‐diffusion phase displays a substantial PSU, while the slow‐diffusion phase demonstrates a highly reproducible and stimulus‐correlated time‐course with minimal undershoot. The decomposed responses are interpreted in terms of the spin‐echo blood oxygenation level dependent (SE‐BOLD) effect, and it is proposed that the signal produced by fast‐ and slow‐diffusing molecules reflect a sensitivity to susceptibility changes in arteriole/venule‐ and capillary‐sized vessels, respectively. This interpretation suggests that diffusion‐weighted SE‐BOLD imaging may provide subtle information about the haemodynamic and neuronal responses. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Background: Lesions of the upper trunk in obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) commonly leads to long-term shoulder dysfunction. The constant internal rotation lead to early glenohumeral (GH) joint deformity by 6 mo of age and to advanced deformity by 2 yr. Halting or reversing GH deformity and the percentage of the humeral head anterior to the midscapular line is an important surgical goal to restore shoulder function. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of arthroscopic anterior release (with or without tendon transfers) to correct GH deformity. Methods: Twenty-one patients were included in this study. The average age was 26 mo (17 to 50 mo). Sixteen patients (76.2%) had C5 or 6 lesion, while five (23.8%) had C5, 6 or 7 lesion. Seven patients had grade II GH deformity (33.3%), ten had grade III (47.6%), and four had grade IV (19.1%). Ten children underwent isolated release and 11 underwent concomitant tendon transfers. Functional and radiographic assessments were used to assess outcome after at least 1-year follow-up. The average follow-up period was 19±7 mo (range 12-41 mo). Results: Significant improvement was noted in both the glenohumeral retroversion angle (GRV) angle and percentage of humeral head anterior to the midscapular line at 1-year follow-up The mean preoperative GRV angle was −27.8 degrees and postoperatively −11.8 degrees. The mean percentage of humeral head anterior to the midscapular line was 25% preoperatively and 43% postoperatively. Aggregate Mallet score also demonstrated statistically significant improvement. Conclusions: Arthroscopic release and reduction of GH joint with or without tendon transfer for the sequela of OBPP was associated with GH remodeling. The current study confirmed that the improvement was achieved after nearly 1-year follow-up. The clinical improvements paralleled the radiographic ones. Level of evidence: IV.


In forty-five patients, who had an arthrodesis because of failed total knee arthroplasty, the cause was infection in forty, instability in two, failure of the prosthesis in two, and loosening in one. The arthrodesis succeeded in twenty-nine (81%) of thirty-six patients who had had a minimally or partially constrained arthroplasty and in five (56%) of nine who had had a hinge-type prosthesis inserted. The reasons for failure were severe bone loss, persistent sepsis, and loss of bone apposition after manipulation. The technique of arthrodesis did not seem to influence the final result. External fixation most commonly had to be used because of the infections and the device was kept in place for an average of ten weeks, after which immobilization in a cast was used until the arthrodesis healed.


Membrane preparations from immature stages of the fruit fly Ceratitis capitata catalyze the transfer of mannose from GDP-[14C]mannose into lipid-linked oligosaccharides. These compounds behave as polyprenyl derivatives and their formation is stimulated by the addition of an acidic glycolipid fraction isolated from insects. The mannose-labeled oligosaccharides are attached to the poly-isoprenol by a pyrophosphoryl linkage and can be released by mild acid hydrolysis. The trisaccharide lipid has been partially characterized. The results indicate that the compound is polyprenyl-pyrophosphate-N,N'-diacetylchitobiose-mannose. Incubation of dolichyl phosphate [14C]mannose or lower 14C-labeled oligosaccharide lipids with unlabeled GDP-mannose and the insect enzyme leads to the labeling of a higher lipid-bound oligosaccharide. When UDP-N-acetyl[14C]glucosamine was incubated with insect membranes a 14C-labeled chitobiosyl lipid was synthesized. If unlabeled GDP-mannose was also present, the 14C label appeared in the trisaccharide and higher oligosaccharide lipids. Preliminary evidence indicates that the insect polyprenyl oligosaccharides described here might participate in glycoprotein biosynthesis.


Multi−view video receives many attentions in these years, because it can support a wide range of applications, such as 3D video communication and free view point video. To improve the coding efficiency, multi−view video coding not only employs temporal predictions but also predictions between different views. This paper investigates the parallel computing, low delay and scalability problems induced from the temporal−spatial predictions, proposes a diagonal interview prediction (DIP) structure. It is shown in the test results that the DIP can exploit the correlations between different views largely, it can support parallel computing, low delay and scalable decoding features, and it obtains a high coding gain especially for the large motion cases.


The development of an automated aerodynamic optimisation algorithm using a novel method of parameterising a computational mesh by employing userdefined control nodes will be presented. The shape boundary movement is coupled to the movement of the novel concept of control nodes via a quasi-1Dlinear deformation. Additionally, a discrete third order smoothing step has been integrated to act on the boundary during the mesh movement based on the change in its second derivative. By implementing the discrete boundary smoothing both linear and non-linear shape deformation is achievable dependent on the preference of the user. The domain mesh movement is then coupled to the shape boundary movement via a Delaunay graph mapping. An optimisation algorithm called Modified Cuckoo Search (MCS) is used acting within the prescribed design space defined by the allowed range of control node displacement. In order to obtain the aerodynamic design fitness a finite volume compressible Navier-Stokes solver is utilized. The resulting coupled algorithm is applied to a range of case studies in two dimensional space including the design of a race car diffuser and a subsonic, transonic and supersonic intake.


PriA helicase catalyzes the initial steps of replisome reloading onto repaired DNA replication forks in bacterial DNA replication restart pathways. We have used a high-throughput screen to identify a small molecule inhibitor of PriA-catalyzed duplex DNA unwinding. The compound, CGS 15943, targets Neisseria gonorrhoeae PriA helicase with an IC(50) of 114 ± 24 μM. The PriA helicase of Escherichia coli is also inhibited, although to a lesser extent than N. gonorrhoeae PriA. CGS 15943 decreases rates of PriA-catalyzed ATP hydrolysis and reduces the affinity with which PriA binds DNA. Steady-state kinetic data indicate that CGS 15943 inhibits PriA through a mixed mode of inhibition with respect to ATP and with respect to DNA, indicating that it binds to a site on PriA that participates in both substrate binding and catalysis. Inhibitor binding constants derived from steady-state kinetic experiments reveal that CGS 15943 has the highest binding affinity for the PriA·PriB·ATP complex, intermediate binding affinity for the PriA·PriB·DNA complex, and the lowest binding affinity for the PriA·PriB·DNA·ATP complex, suggesting that PriA assumes different conformations in each of these complexes. We propose that CGS 15943 binds to PriA at a site distinct from the DNA and primary ATP binding sites, perhaps at PriA's weak nucleotide binding site, and induces a conformational change in PriA that renders it less catalytically proficient or prevents conformational changes in PriA that are necessary for ATP hydrolysis and duplex DNA unwinding.


Dealing with intermittent aeration as a useful practice to improve nitrogen removal efficiency of activated sludge plants, the possibility to plan optimal temporisation during daytime was investigated. A mathematical model (NIDEN) that allows us to manage different situations, with respect to influent load, environmental conditions and operating strategy, was then developed. The model represents a useful tool especially to plan the aeration cycles in small and medium sized plants, where high costs of automatic control through on-line instrumentation might not be justified. Once the input variables have been defined and the set-point values for tank nutrient concentration have been fixed, NIDEN gives an optimal phase temporisation, to obtain either the maximum energy saving or the best total nitrogen removal.


The uniform electron gas and the hydrogen atom play fundamental roles in condensed matter physics and quantum chemistry. The former has an infinite number of electrons uniformly distributed over the neutralizing positively charged background, and the latter only one electron bound to the proton. The uniform electron gas was used to derive the local spin density approximation to the exchange-correlation functional that undergirds the development of the Kohn-Sham density functional theory. We show here that the ground-state exchange-correlation energies of the hydrogen atom and many other 1- and 2-electron systems are modeled surprisingly well by a different local spin density approximation (LSDA0). LSDA0 is constructed to satisfy exact constraints but agrees surprisingly well with the exact results for a uniform two-electron density in a finite, curved three-dimensional space. We also apply LSDA0 to excited or noded 1-electron densities, where it works less well. Furthermore, we show that the localization of the exact exchange hole for a 1- or 2-electron ground state can be measured by the ratio of the exact exchange energy to its optimal lower bound.


We present the extension of our field-induced surface hopping method for the description of the photoionization process and the simulation of time-resolved photoelectron spectra (TRPES). This is based on the combination of nonadiabatic molecular dynamics "on the fly" in the framework of TDDFT generalized for open shell systems under the influence of laser fields with the approximate quantum mechanical description of the photoionization process. Since arbitrary pulse shapes can be employed, this method can be also combined with the optimal control theory in order to steer the photoionization or to shape the outgoing electronic wavepackets. We illustrate our method for the simulation of TRPES on the prototype system of Ag(3), which involves excitation from the equilibrium triangular geometry, as well as excitation from the linear transition state, where in both cases nonadiabatic relaxation takes place in a complex manifold of electronic states. Our approach represents a generally applicable method for the prediction of time-resolved photoelectron spectra and their analysis in systems with complex electronic structure as well as many nuclear degrees freedom. This theoretical development should serve to stimulate new ultrafast experiments.


ABSTRACT This study uses Jungian psychological type theory to profile visitors to Chester Cathedral in England and St Davids Cathedral in Wales. Psychological type theory offers a fourfold psychographic segmentation of visitors, distinguishing between introversion and extraversion, sensing and intuition, thinking and feeling, and judging and perceiving. New data provided by 157 visitors to Chester Cathedral, considered alongside previously published data provided by 381 visitors to St Davids Cathedral, demonstrated that these two cathedrals attract more introverts than extraverts, more sensers than intuitives, and more judgers than perceivers, but equal proportions of thinkers and feelers. Comparison with the population norms demonstrated that extraverts and perceivers are significantly underrepresented among visitors to these 2 cathedrals. The implications of these findings are discussed both for maximizing the visitor experiences of those already attracted to these cathedrals and for discovering ways of attracting more extraverts and more perceivers to explore these cathedrals.


At this present corruption case is an issue that become public consumption everyday, starting from corruption
case in local level until national level. It prove that level corruption case in Indonesia in the high rank. Extra
ordinary criminal sanction and effort on corruption suspect to be poor by the implementation of Anti-Money
Laundering Law in fact it can't make other party to be deterrent to conduct corruption in the other time and
place. On the other hand, many corruption actors feel that themselves is conducted unfair in the due process of
law, also they feel have no access to justice. There are many corruption cases that the corruptor had been
imposed by heavy sanction in every legal process but the sanction not equal with their conduct. This
phenomenon that should be avoided by all parties whereas the crime is not equal with the legal sanction. On the
other hand, the corruptor is a human being that should be respected on their human right. This matter is a main
background for the author to conduct a research within refer to any legal issues, first legal issue is relate to how
the legal principle of The Anti-Money Laundering Law in case of confiscation of corruptor asset either in
international law or national law?, and the second legal issue is relate to how the legal concept of confiscation of
corruptor asset according to Indonesia Criminal Justice system?. Those issues has two main purposes, first to
analize and finding legal principle of confiscation asser refer to Indonesia's Anti-Money Laundering Law ("UU
TPPU"), and second thing are analize and to find legal concept of confiscation asset based on Justice Principle.
In the future, law enforcement should respect to the human right values, and the impose on criminal legal
sanction with confiscate of corruptor asset should prove of the predicate crime.


Although sifting functional genes has been discussed for years, traditional selection methods tend to be ineffective in capturing potential specific genes. First, typical methods focus on finding features (genes) relevant to class while irrelevant to each other. However, the features that can offer rich discriminative information are more likely to be the complementary ones. Next, almost all existing methods assess feature relations in pairs, yielding an inaccurate local estimation and lacking a global exploration. In this paper, we introduce multi-variable Area Under the receiver operating characteristic Curve (AUC) to globally evaluate the complementarity among features by employing Area Above the receiver operating characteristic Curve (AAC). Due to AAC, the class-relevant information newly provided by a candidate feature and that preserved by the selected features can be achieved beyond pairwise computation. Furthermore, we propose an AAC-based feature selection algorithm, named Multi-variable AUC-based Combined Features Complementarity, to screen discriminative complementary feature combinations. Extensive experiments on public datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Besides, we provide a gene set about prostate cancer and discuss its potential biological significance from the machine learning aspect and based on the existing biomedical findings of some individual genes.


Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) control strategies are often designed around specific driving conditions. However, when driving conditions differ from the designed conditions, HEV performance can suffer. This paper develops a novel HEV energy management strategy (EMS) that is robust to uncertain driving conditions by augmenting a stochastic dynamic programing (SDP) controller with minimax dynamic programing (MDP). This combination of MDP and SDP has not previously been studied in the literature. The stochastic element uses a Markov chain model to represent driver behavior and is used to optimize the control for expected future driver behavior. The minimax element instead optimizes against potential worst-case (maximal cost) future driver behavior. The resulting EMS can be directly implemented on a vehicle. This method is demonstrated on a series hybrid electric bus model. Robustness to uncertain driving conditions is tested by simulating on a variety of heavy-duty vehicle drive cycles that differ from the drive cycle on which the EMS was trained. A single tuning parameter is used to balance the stochastic and minimax elements of the EMS, and a parametric study shows the effects of this tuning parameter. It was found that using minimax control could increase the vehicle fuel economy on multiple uncertain driving conditions, with a tradeoff of decreased fuel economy when the driving conditions match the designed conditions. That is, it offers an exchange of performance on the nominal driving conditions for performance on uncertain driving conditions.


One of the major concerns in wireless sensor networks is improving the network lifetime. In this paper, we investigate the node density impact on network lifetime. We show that the average amount of energy required to report an event to the sink decreases when wireless sensor node density increases. Moreover, we show that network lifetime increases faster than network density. Based on this result, we derive the minimal number of wireless sensor nodes required to supervise a given area during a given period. Finally, we show that these nodes must be deployed at the same time and not over different deployment phases. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The book will help readers discover the various facilities of ImageJ through a tutorial-based approach. This book is targeted at scientists, engineers, technicians, and managers, and anyone who wishes to master ImageJ for image viewing, processing, and analysis. If you are a developer, you will be able to code your own routines after you have finished reading this book. No prior knowledge of ImageJ is expected.


The urgency of tackling global environmental issues calls for radical technological and behavioral changes. New prospective (or ex ante) methods are needed to assess the impacts of these changes. Prospective life cycle assessment (LCA) can contribute by detailed analysis of environmental consequences. A new stream of research has taken up the challenge to create prospective life cycle inventory (LCI) databases, building on projections of integrated assessment models to describe future changes in technology use and their underlying environmental performance. The present work extends on this by addressing the research question on how to project life cycle impact assessment methods for water scarcity consistent with prospective LCI modeling. Water scarcity characterization factors are projected from 2010–2050 using the AWARE method, based on SSP‐RCP scenario results of the integrated assessment model IMAGE. This work is coupled with prospective LCI databases, where electricity datasets are adapted based on the energy component of IMAGE for the same scenario. Based on this, an LCA case study of water desalination for the steel industry in Spain is presented. The resulting regional characterization factors show that some regions (i.e., the Iberian Peninsula) could experience an increase in water scarcity in the future. Results of the case study show how this can lead to trade‐offs between climate change and water scarcity impacts and how disregarding such trends could lead to biased assessments. The relevance and limitations are finally discussed, highlighting further research needs, such as the temporalization of the impacts.


Densities of sodium cyclamate in water and (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) m solutions of fructose have been measured at (298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15) K. The molality range of sodium cyclamate studied was (0.02 to 0.1) mol.kg-1. From experimental values of densities, partial molar volumes, expansion coefficients and Hepler's constants have been calculated. The calculated parameters have been used to get the information regarding solute-solvent interactions and structure making or breaking behaviour of sodium cyclamate. Furthermore, the apparent specific molar volumes of sodium cyclamate in water and (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) m fructose have been calculated. These values are used to get the information regarding taste quality of sodium cyclamate solutions


Along with the changes in the realm of language teaching and learning in 1960s from the previous structuralist teacher-centered methodologies and the subsequent emergence of social-constructivist approaches, learners came to be considered as the key in the field. As a result, learner-centered approaches were developed and special attention was given to sociological and anthropological dimensions of second language learning. Due to these shifts of focus, such concepts as learner identity came to attract the attention of language teachers and scholars. Gee (2001) defines identity as "a certain "kind of person" or even as several different "kinds" at once ... at a given time and place" (p. 99). Thus, second language scholars tried to investigate the possible relationship between the language learner and the larger social world. In the same line, the present article attempts to represent a description of the main variables in relation to learner identity aimed at shedding light on comprehending the theoretical points significant in the field. Then, the article goes on to discuss the role of identity and its possible influences in the field of second language teaching and learning. Finally, the implications and applications in the field are discussed.


The echocardiographic motion of the aortic root reflects, in part, left atrial filling and emptying. Patients with mitral valve obstruction were studied to determine whether clinically important alterations in patterns of left atrial emptying would alter motion of the posterior aortic wall. Patients with mitral stenosis had a characteristic pattern of slowing of left atrial emptying in early diastole, with loss of the conduit phase in mid-diastole. The atrial empty- Staning index, defined as the fraction of passive posterior aortic wall motion occurring in the first third of diastole, was significantly related to the mitral valve area index (r = 0.86), and thus provides a noninvasive quantitation of the degree of mitral stenosis. Determination of the atrial emptying index also proved useful in the evaluation of patients with prosthetic mitral valve obstruction and in documenting improvement in left atrial emptying after mitral valve surgery.


On the basis of the geological mapping, isotopic choronoogcal and petrological evidences, the aumors suggested that the early Tertiary volcanic strata in the Fildes Peninsula could be divided into two formations and four members. The erupted centers in the peninsula were gradualy migrating from the western coast to the eastern and the subvolcanic intrusives were regularly distributed along a series of NWW-SEE trending faults. All of these were basically formed in two stages of volcanic activities from Paleocene to Eocene.


The methods for understanding rock instability mechanisms and for evaluating potential destructive scenarios are of great importance in risk assessment analysis dedicated to the establishment of appropriate prevention and mitigation actions. When the portion of the unstable rock mass is very large, effective actions to counteract the risks are complex and expensive. In these conditions, an optimal risk management cannot ignore procedures able to faster and accurately acquire i) geometrical data for modeling the geometry of the rock walls and implementing reliable forecasting models and ii) monitoring data able to describe the magnitude and the direction of deformation processes. These data contributes to the prediction of the behavior of a landslide if the measurements are acquired frequently and reliable numerical models can be implemented. Innovative geomatic techniques, based on GPS, Terrestrial Laser Scanning Surveying (TLS), automated total station and satellite and ground SAR Interferometry, have been recently applied to define the geometry and monitoring the displacements of unstable slopes. Among these, TLS is mainly adopted to generate detailed 3D models useful to reconstruct rock wall geometry by contributing to the estimation of geo-mechanical parameters, that is orientation, persistence and apparent spacing of rock discontinuities. Two examples of applications of TLS technique to the analysis of a large front in a quarry and of a rock shoulder of a dam are presented.


Little is known about the incidence of cancer among farmworker populations or about effective strategies for communicating with farmworkers about cancer prevention. Some studies suggest that farmworkers may have unusually high incidences of skin and cervical cancers. With these two cancers as the focus, a group of interviewers, researchers, and health communication specialists set out to create, implement, and evaluate a cancer control demonstration project geared toward farmworkers. In 1994, a situation analysis was conducted to identify constraints and opportunities for providing farmworkers with cancer control information and services. The situation analysis provided valuable information to aid in developing intervention and evaluation strategies. This paper outlines how and why the situation analysis was conducted and what was learned with regard to the farmworker population on the Delmarva Peninsula. Living conditions and the local availability of cancer control services are described. Obstacles to conducting research and interventions with farmworkers are highlighted. Based on what was learned, recommendations are made for designing cancer control research and intervention for farmworkers.


OBJECTIVE
Disturbed sleep is a common complaint among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that appears in the reexperiencing and hyperarousal symptom clusters in DSM-IV. The causal relationship between sleep complaints and PTSD is unclear.

METHOD
Self-reported insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness were assessed in 102 victims of motor vehicle accidents and 19 comparison subjects 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the trauma. At 12 months the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R was administered to determine diagnoses of PTSD.

RESULTS
Twenty-six of the accident victims but none of the comparison subjects met the criteria for PTSD. Logistic regression models indicated that sleep complaints from 1 month on were significant in predicting PTSD at 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that on the basis of sleep complaints as early as 1 month after the trauma, it is possible to detect subjects who will later develop chronic PTSD.


A study of price determinants for cow-calf pairs was undertaken at a local Kansas auction company during 1 993. Cow breed, age, health, condition score, horns, frame size, and whether the cow h ad been bred back impacted cow-calf pair values, as well as calf weight, health, and frame score. Addition a lly, pairs per pen significantly impacted prices. Young healthy cows with healthy large calves received the highest prices.


The purpose of this study was to investigate the shoulder strength ratios obtained from college-level baseball pitchers and age- and sex-matched nonpitchers. Shoulder flexion/extension and externallinternal rotation strength ratios were assessed in 10 pitchers and 9 nonpitchers. Speeds selected for testing were 180 and 300 degrees /sec on the Cybex /I.@R esults indicated that both pitchers and nonpitchers generated greater peak torque values for the extensors and internal rotators than for the flexors and external rotators of the shoulder. A comparison of shoulder strength ratios between a pitcher's throwing arm and his nonthrowing arm was statistically significant (p < 0.05) for shoulder external/internal rotation at the speeds of 180 and 300 "/set. A comparison of shoulder strength ratios between pitchers and nonpitchers on the nondominant arm was not statistically significant for any of the speeds or directions tested. A comparison of the shoulder strength ratios between pitchers and nonpitchers on the dominant arm was statistically significant (p < 0.05) for all directions and speeds tested. The relationship between shoulder muscle imbalance and injury was discussed. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1987;8(9):451-461.


A FORTRAN program for calculating reflector antenna radiation patterns was rewritten and extended to include reflectors composed of a number of panels. These individual panels must be analytic surfaces. The theoretical foundation for the program is as follows: Geometrical optics techniques are used to trace rays from a feed antenna to the reflector surface and back to a mathematical plane just in front of the reflector. The resulting tangential electric field distribution, assumed to be the only source of forward radiation, is integrated numerically to calculate the radiation pattern for a desired set of angles. When the reflector is composed of more than one panel, each panel is treated as a separated antenna, the ray-tracing procedure and integration being repeated for each panel. The results of the individual aperture plane integrations are stored and summed to yield the relative electric field strength over the angles of interest. An example and several test cases are included to demonstrate the use of the program and verify the new method of computation.


The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of PPL on the hotel image in terms of context types(exposure of positive or econtext), frequency of exposure(once of twice). For this purpose, relevant literature was reviewed to set the hypotheses for the study. The collected data were analyzed using the techniques as reliability test and ANOVA. The results of this study can be summarized as follows; First, when hotel appeared as a background in PPL, the types of context affected consumers recognition of brand and their intention of purchase. What should be noted was the finding that as opposed to the hypothesis, the PPL in a negative context affected consumer`s recognition of brand and their intention of purchase more than the PPL in a positive context. However, it was found that consumers preferences of hotels were not significantly affected by types of context. Second, there was found no significant difference of brand recognition, preference and intention of purchase between one-time exposure and two-time one. Third, there was found no significant effect of interaction in PPL among types of context, Frequency of exposure.


: The research problem is to solve housing issues through the design of studio apartments, as they are suitable for youth, students, artists, designers, workers, bachelors, or people who live alone due to their low spending and maintenance costs. In addition, the studio environment is a conceptual, dynamic space that is exciting to the nature of artists who prefer studios as a living, creative, and working environment. The importance of the research is that studios are creative spaces suitable for all creative such as photographers, and other of art and These spaces need to be designed by many artistic personalities in interior design, which suits the nature of many artists' works. They are difficult and enjoyable spaces for designers to express their creativity. the research aims to study the types of small-sized houses, including studio spaces, in addition to creating and designing an innovative space that suits the artists' thinking as well as providing a space that enhances creativity and productivity for artists. Finally, the research conducted an analytic study of the studio's environment, including the emergence of their concepts, sizes, types, layouts, styles, the difference between them, and the types of small residential apartments, such as loft apartments and one-bedroom apartments. Besides, it studied bachelor's pad concepts, the characteristics of the artist studio, artist studio concepts, features, types of artist studios, interior design ideas for the art studio, design elements in a studio apartment, and the advantages and disadvantages of the studio. The study demonstrated creative interior design, which contributed to creating a studio environment suitable for the nature of the artists' work in their various fields, considering the small space available for good utilization and study. Furthermore, artists' studio spaces can be wonderful for providing a creative and ideal work environment to increase their productivity and motivation.


The article provides an outline of key events involving the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes. A key aspect of ENFSI activities is participation in the implementation of the European Union Council plan to create an integrated European Forensic Science Area 2020. This work is based on the EU system of direct grants, usually issued for a two-year period. A number of batch themed grants is discussed. The results of the Board, Standing Committee and Working Group activities, as well as scientifc projects coordinated by the ENFSI are presented. The interaction of ENFSI with external partners, primarily with members of the International Forensic Strategic Alliance uniting all major expert networks is briefly analyzed.


Training conditional generative adversarial networks (GANs) has been remaining as a challenging task, though standard GANs have developed substantially and gained huge successes in recent years. In this paper, we propose a novel conditional GAN architecture with a mirrored auxiliary classifier (MAC-GAN) in its discriminator for the purpose of label conditioning. Unlike existing works, our mirrored auxiliary classifier contains both a real and a fake node for each specific class to distinguish real samples from generated samples that are assigned into the same category by previous models. Comparing with previous auxiliary classifier-based conditional GANs, our MAC-GAN learns a fast converging model for high-quality image generation, taking benefits from its robust, newly designed auxiliary classifier. Experiments on multiple benchmark datasets illustrate that our proposed model improves the quality of image synthesis compared with state-of-the-art approaches. Moreover, much better classification performance can be achieved with the mirrored auxiliary classifier, which can in turn promote the use of MAC-GAN in various transfer learning tasks.


We developed a concise literature review to investigate if public or private ownership is a determinant factor on the performance of water supply systems. This is a relevant research issue because privatization and increased private sector participation in water supply systems are global trends, aimed to improve the low levels of performance and efficiency of these systems.The evidences collected in the literature shows that the ownership, itself, is not a determining factor on the performance levels of water supply systems. This finding shows that privatization can be an inefective operation to improve water supply systems performance, if other factors are not jointly considered. Regulation, competition and transparency are the main factors that define the efficiency and performance of this sector.


The present research sought to answer the question of what determines an uninvolved third party's forgiveness attitudes to conflicting groups' violent partisan members. Specifically, Bangladeshi participants read a fictitious interview with a radicalized Palestinian who declared his intention to avenge himself against Israelis for his personal and collective plight by carrying out a suicide bombing attack. Findings revealed that an empathy manipulation (high empathy = other focused or low empathy = objective focused) influenced participants' forgiveness attitudes towards the radicalized Palestinian such that in the high empathy condition participants were more forgiving of the target than participants in the low empathy condition. Moreover, while the strength of their religious identification (Islam) played no significant role, participants' tendency to attribute the target's decision to situational factors fully mediated the effects of empathy on forgiveness.


Nfu proteins are candidates to act as scaffold protein in vivo for iron-sulphur cluster biogenesis. In this work, Nfu2 protein function in the chloroplast was investigated in vivo using T-DNA insertion lines disrupted in AtNfu2 gene. Both alleles characterized presented the same dwarf phenotype due to photosynthetic and metabolic limitations. Nfu2 cDNA expression in nfu2.1 mutant rescued this phenotype. Photosynthesis study of these mutants revealed an altered photosystem I (PSI) activity together with a decrease in PSI amount confirmed by immunodetection experiments, and leading to an over reduction of the plastoquinol pool. Decrease of plastid 4Fe-4S sulphite reductase activity correlates with PSI amount decrease and supports an alteration of 4Fe-4S cluster biogenesis in nfu2 chloroplasts. The decrease of electron flow from the PSI is combined with a decrease in ferredoxin amount in nfu2 mutants. Our results are therefore in favour of a requirement of Nfu2 protein for 4Fe-4S and 2Fe-2S ferredoxin cluster assembly, conferring to this protein an important function for plant growth and photosynthesis as demonstrated by nfu2 mutant phenotype. As glutamate synthase and Rieske Fe-S proteins are not affected in nfu2 mutants, these data indicate that different pathways are involved in Fe-S biogenesis in Arabidopsis chloroplasts.


The paper analyzes the representations of women's health and disease associated with the epidemic of smallpox in the Habsburg Monarchy during the reign of empress Maria Theresa, which is thematized in Croatian writer Marija Jurić Zagorka's novel cycle Grička vještica (The Witch of Grič). Health and disease are considered as gendered experiences and, accordingly, gender coding strategies are investigated. The paper considers the role of discourses of infectious disease in establishing notions of female beauty, desirable and undesirable female bodies, controlling women's lives, and establishing gender and intra-gender hierarchies. It also investigates the impact of the infectious disease on the creation of fears and taboos related to human health, disease and disability and the (re)production of negative attitudes and discriminatory practices related to notions of "normal" and "abnormal" human bodies. It analyzes how the impact of contagious disease on monarchical marriage policy is represented, in which women's health and beauty function as erotic and political capital, and through it the impact of contagion on sociopolitical relations.


A Software Product Line is a set of software products that share a number of core properties but also differ in others. Differences and commonalities between products are typically described in terms of features. A software product line is usually modeled with a featurediagram, describing the set of features and specifying the constraints and relationships between these features. Each product is defined as a set of features. In this area of research, a key challenge is to ensure correctness and safety of these products. There is an increasing need for automatic tools that can support feature diagram analysis, particularly with a large number of features that modern software systems may have. In this paper, we propose using model transformations an automatic approach to valida te products according to dependencies defined in the feature diagram. We first introduce the necessary meta -models. Then, we present the used graph grammars to perform automatically this task using the AToM3 tool. Finally, we show the feasibility of our proposal by means of running examples.


Author(s): Chien, Diana | Advisor(s): Chang, Jane P | Abstract: This work focuses on the development of atomic layer deposition (ALD) for lead zirconate titanate, Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3 (PZT). Leveraging the surface-reaction controlled process based on alternating self-limiting surface reactions, PZT can be synthesized not only with elemental precision to realize the desired composition (Zr/Ti = 52/48) but also with outstanding conformality. The latter enables the integration of PZT with a ferromagnetic phase to realize multiferroism (MF) and magnetoelectric (ME) effect. Since PZT is one of the best known ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials due the large displacements of the Pb ions at the morphotropic phase boundary, PZT based MF composites could lead to stronger ME coupling through strain coupling at the interface.Specifically, ALD PZT thin films were synthesized by using beta-diketonate metalorganic precursors Pb(TMHD)2, Zr(TMHD)4, and Ti(O.i-Pr)2(TMHD)2 and H2O. The number of local cycles and global cycles were regulated to achieve the desired stoichiometry and thickness, respectively. ALD of PZT was studied to obtain (100) textured PZT on Pt (111) oriented platinized silicon substrates. In order to attain a highly oriented PZT thin film, a (100) textured PbTiO3 seed layer was required because PZT orientation is governed by nucleation.MF nanocomposites were engineered using ALD PZT thin films to achieve controlled complex nanoscale structures, enabling porosity to be studied as a new additional parameter for nancomposite architectures to enhance ME effect. Specifically, 3-6 nm-thick ALD PZT thin films were deposited to uniformly coat the walls of mesoporous cobalt ferrite (CFO) template. The PZT/CFO nanocomposites were electrically poled ex-situ and the change in magnetic moment was measured. The inverse magnetoelectric coupling coefficient, α, was determined to be 85.6 Oe-cm/mV. The in-plane results show no significant change in magnetization (1–4%) as a function of electric field, which was expected due to the effect of substrate clamping. The out-of-plane magnetization showed that the mesoporous CFO coated with 3-nm-thick PZT film had a greater saturation magnetization change of 15% compared to 10% for the 6-nm-thick PZT film. This indicates that the flexibility in the partially filled pores enhances the ME coupling.Additionally, ALD PZT films were integrated between MgO and CoFeB layers to fabricate magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ), which was the first work to demonstrate increased voltage controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) effect in a complete MTJ stack using a high dielectric material within the tunnel barrier and exhibit sizeable tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) at room temperature. The fabricated PZT MTJs with the MgO/PZT/MgO barrier demonstrated a VCMA coefficient which is ~40% higher (20 fJ/V-m) than MgO MTJs (14 fJ/V-m) and TMR of more than 50% at room temperature, comparable to that of the MgO MTJs. The enhanced VCMA coefficient and sizeable TMR makes PZT MTJs potential candidates for future voltage-controlled, ultralow-power magnetic random access memory devices. ALD enables the growth of conformal ultra-thin PZT films, which can then be integrated to engineer nanoscale multiferroic composites for various applications.


Many Floridians enjoy the opportunity to hunt, watch, or photograph white-tailed deer. Hunters and landowners often plant cool season forage plots both to attract wildlife and to provide a dependable food source. But where there is a high deer population or scarce food resources, deer may forage on food plots as soon as the plants emerge and before they become established. This 5-page fact sheet presents the results of research conducted at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy into the effectiveness of various strategies hunters and landowners can use to temporarily limit access to new food plots until the plants are well established and strong enough to attract and sustain hungry deer through the winter. Written by Holly Ober, Cheryl Mackowiak, and Ann Blount, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, February 2016.


Medical record information and retrospective parental reports at interview indicated that the 61 families were typically first contacted about the child's alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (ATD) during its first 6 months of life, when a physician called the mother on the telephone and told her at least something about the child's ATD. Most parents felt they had received unclear or inadequate information. A majority initially conceived of ATD as representing an imminent, serious danger to the child's health. Most of the mothers (78%) and many of the fathers (58%) reported having immediately had negative emotional reactions, most often worry, anxiety and fear. These reactions were often long-lasting and, in mothers, typically strong.


Experiments were conducted on mice with the use of sheep erythrocytes as an antigen; the level of the secondary immune response of the spleen (in situ) cells or in adoptive transfer was in reverse relationship to the dose of erythrocytes used for primary immunization. Cyclophosphamide administered to the animals together with the antigen proved to stimulate the immune reaction of mice to the repeated erythrocyte administration; this occurred only in case of using comparatively high antigen doses for the priming. The mechanisms of the phenomenon described are discussed.


Heart failure (HF) is a condition where the heart fails to meet the need of delivery of oxygen and energy to the tissues. In spite of advances in the recent decades, the prognosis is still serious with a mortality risk comparable to severe cancer. The most common heart imaging method today is ultrasound of the heart, or echocardiography. The prognosis in HF is affected by several factors. In the last two decades, the diastolic function and the function of the right ventricle (RV) have been shown to be important for the prognosis in HF.

The purpose of the present thesis was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic properties of a relatively new echocardiographic method, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). TDI measures the velocities of the myocardial tissue throughout the cardiac cycle. It has been shown to be a simple, sensitive and reproducible method to evaluate systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV) and the RV. Another aim was to examine the prognostic power of myocardial performance index (MPI), a Doppler based index, calculated as the sum of isovolumic time intervals divided by the ejection time. 173 patients admitted to the Department of Cardiology at Sodersjukhuset (Stockholm General South Hospital) due to acute HF and reduced systolic function (LV ejection fraction, LVEF ≤ 40%) were included in the study. Echocardiography was performed and TDI velocities were measured at 4 sites of the LV and at RV free wall. We performed two diagnostic studies (Papers I and V), and three prognostic studies (Paper II-IV). In Study I the diastolic function of 126 patients with sinus rhythm was evaluated with TDI and conventional methods, so called transmitral Doppler blood flow. Almost one third of the patients had a pattern on transmitral blood flow that could not be distinguished from normal diastolic function, but TDI showed that the vast majority of these patients had diastolic dysfunction. With TDI, the diastolic function could be assessed in all patients. In Paper V, 41 patients with newly diagnosed HF were examined again after 3-6 months when HF medication was titrated to adequate doses. At follow-up, all conventional echocardiographic parameters were improved, but the TDI parameters hardly changed at all. In Paper II-III, the prognostic value of TDI parameters was studied. With a shorter follow-up period, the variable E/e", a non-invasive measure of left sided filling pressure, was shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular (CV) mortality during the study period (HR 3.8, p 0.014). In Paper III, the follow-up period was longer, and a new TDI parameter from the RV (the sum of RV systolic and diastolic velocities) was found to be the only variable associated with a combined end-point of CV mortality and HF hospitalization.
In Study IV, we showed that TDI-derived MPI was an extremely powerful tool to predict the prognosis in the longer term. Having MPI > 0.67 indicated a 13-fold increased risk of CV mortality.

In conclusion, TDI is a highly feasible method to assess cardiac…


Experiments were conducted to determine peanut tolerance to CGA-362622 applied preemergence (PRE) and postemergence (POST) and to determine the potential for CGA-362622 applied PRE and POST to cotton to injure peanut grown in rotation the following year. CGA-362622 at 3.75 and 7.5 g ai/ha applied PRE visually injured peanut 11 and 16%, respectively, at 5 wk after treatment (WAT) but did not influence peanut yield. POST treatments at 3.75 and 7.5 g/ha injured peanut 63 and 93%, respectively, at 4 WAT and reduced peanut stand by 53 and 89% at 11 WAT, respectively. Peanut pod yield was reduced 73.1 and 97.9% by CGA-362622 POST at 3.75 and 7.5 g/ha, respectively, compared with the untreated weed-free control. CGA-362622 PRE at 3.75 and 7.5 g/ha reduced peanut pod yield 7.5 and 12.6%, respectively. Cotton was injured 9% or less by CGA-362622 PRE or POST at 3.75 or 7.5 g/ha and up to 25% with CGA-362622 POST at 15 g/ha. However, CGA-362622 did not influence weed-free cotton lint yields, regardless of method or rate of application. Peanuts grown in rotation were not injured, and yields were not influenced by CGA-362622 applied PRE or POST the previous year to cotton. Nomenclature: CGA-362622, N-[4,6-dimethoxy-(2-pyrimidinyl)carbamoyl]-3-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-pyridin-2-sulfonamide sodium salt; cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L.; peanut, Arachis hypogaea L. Additional index words: Carryover, crop injury, sulfonylurea herbicide. Abbreviations: ALS, acetolactate synthase; EPOST, early postemergence; LPOST, late postemergence; MPOST, mid postemergence; POST, postemergence; PRE, preemergence; WAT, weeks after treatment.


Background HLH is an under-estimated and under-reported syndrome with diverse etiologies but can cause life threatening cytopenia (s) and organ failure with very high mortality in critically ill patients. Early diagnosis and management are of paramount importance for better survival. The current HLH 2004 diagnostic criteria are not optimal to achieve such a goal. Monocytopenia is not included in the diagnostic criteria although HLH is associated with activation, mobilization of and shift of monocytes to tissues where phagocytosis occurs. Hypothesis and Goal We hypothesized that monocytopenia is expected to occur patho-physiologically in HLH and accompany other cytopenias and treatment should be associated with reversal of monocytopenia in adults with HLH associated with different diseases. Methods and subjects: This is a retrospective analysis of 20 consecutive adult patients (>/= 16 years) with complete records diagnosed on in ICU or in-patient hematology consult service at our institution who presented with fever and cytopenia(s) between Dec. 1st and June 30th, 2016. All patients fulfilled at least 5 out of 8 HLH2004-diagnostic criteria and/or had a genetic mutation of Familial HLH. Results: A total of 20 patients (3 females) with a median age 27 y (range 16-69) with diverse diagnoses (Table 1): 10 patients had malignancies; the most common (7; 70%) were lymphomas (3 HD, 1 DLBCL, 1 Plasmablastic NHL, 1 T cell NHL and PTLPD). 3 patients had myeloid malignancies (1 MDS, 1 active AML and one after FA salvage for AML), 3 were post allo-HSCT in CR (2 cGVHD; one on Cyclosporine), 1 post-Autologous HSCT for AML in CR, 1 HLH with RAB27 mutation, 1 ITP and AIHA (Evan9s) presented with portal and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis, 1 Kostman Syndrome, 1 HIV on HAART therapy, 1 MethylMalonic Acidemia (MMA) and one with Adult Onset MAS -SJIA. The triggering or Co-triggering factors were considered to be due to H1N1 in 10 (50%) patients (5 with active malignancy) as it is an epidemic in Saudi Arabia since 2009; one with CMV reactivation post Allo-HSCT, EBV in 2 (10%) (1 with PTLPD after renal transplant on CSA and 1 with HLH-RAB27 mutation), , 1 chemotherapy (Fludarabine+ AraC) triggered during extended neutropenia and sepsis, 3 patients (DLBCL, T Cell NHL, HD) presented with malignancies with HLH without known triggering factor except malignancy (Malignancy-triggered HLH). 4 patients had no known triggering factors (T cell -NHL, DLBCL and t- MDS in CR 5 years after 2-CDA therapy for HCL. All patients fulfilled at least 5 criteria out of 8 according to HLH-94/HLH 2004 guidelines9 criteria as shown in table-1 including a patient with HLH with RAB27 mutation 19 (95%) patients developed monocytopenia Kinetics of Monocytic count in relation to other cytopenias (thrombocytopenia, Neutropenia and anemia): Monocytic count followed the platelet count (and/or neutrophil count) and vice versa and responded promptly to IVIG and Dexamethasone therapy even before significant recovery of the platelet count as shown in the illustrated samples of patients number 1, 6, 7 and 10 in figure 1. Early disease response and recovery (figure 1; patient 1& 6 figure 1) was associated with early monocytes count recovery which may be related to inactivation of macrophages and re-mobilization back from tissue histiocyte/macrophage pool to the circulating pool of monocytes. Those who did not respond to therapy or progressed, showed progressive severe monocytopenia as in figure 1; patient 7 &10. Discussion and Conclusion: Monocytopenia was present in nearly all adults presenting with or during the course of untreated hemophagocytic syndrome or HLH of different etiologies and should be further evaluated in a larger cohort as an additional criterion for diagnosing HLH. It responds promptly and earlier than platelets to Dexamethasone and IVIG therapy while progressive severe monocytopenia was associated with progressive disease. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


The history of shell architecture is closely linked to the rapid industrialization of the first half of the 20th century. The large spans required for industrial buildings were most suitable for the developing structural systems based on reinforced concrete shells. Present paper studies the unique features of the development of shell architecture in Hungary, in comparison to other former socialist states and the West. The significance of individual engineering qualities as opposed to the international trends is studied via the evolution of the shell roofing designed for the KÖFÉM Factory. The different social-political context and the relative isolation of the Soviet Sphere of interest during the second half of the 20th century generated a mild western interest toward the 'exotic', the architectural developments of the eastern block. As the former socialist countries are recently coming to terms with their socialist architectural heritage, this interest is awakened. The short analysis of the western recognition of Hungarian industrial architecture in general and shell architecture in particular helps to understand its global and local relevance freed from the self-affirming interpretation of the contemporary socialist press.


Road traffic accidents are among the top leading causes of deaths and injuries of various levels in South Africa. With the wealth and huge amount of data generated from road traffic accidents, the issue of traffic accident prediction has become a central challenge in the field of transportation data analysis. Such accident prediction is designed to detect patterns involved in dangerous crashes and thus help decision making and planning before casualty and loss occur. Recently, numerous researchers have presented a wide range of prediction techniques. Most of these methods are based on statistical studies but usually fail to explain the insights of prediction results. This has led to the development and application of supervised learning algorithms (classifiers) in an attempt to provide more accurate accident prediction in terms of injury severity (fatal/serious/slight/property damage with no injury). Even then, the task of learning an accurate classifier from instances raises a number of new issues some of which have not been properly addressed by transportation research. Thus, an effective prediction method is required for improving predictive accuracy.


The liquid-phase hydrogen peroxide catalytic oxidation of p-nitrophenol was performed with an Fe(III)-resin catalyst. The conversion and mineralization of p-nitrophenol was effectively achieved at mild reaction conditions with the Fe(III)-resin catalyst. It was found that the oxidant concentration, pH, and temperature dominated the degradation rate of p-nitrophenol. The denitration pathway of p-nitrophenol was proposed, in which the concentration of H(2)O(2) and temperature showed strong influence on the conversion of nitrite to nitrate. To study the factors influencing the denitration of p-nitrophenol, a comparable kinetic study was attempted to know the possible denitration pathway of p-nitrophenol. The results of this investigation indicated that denitration was the possible step occurring with the decomposition of p-nitrophenol.


Earlier we introduced the idea of employing nanotechnology to improve the outcome of natural agents in chemoprevention and coined the term 'Nanochemoprevention'. Recently we reported the efficacy of chitosan nanoparticles encapsulating green tea polyphenol, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) for prostate cancer (PCa) therapy. Here we employed the idea of targeted uptake of therapeutic nanoparticles, a potentially powerful technology. Using PCa as a model, we report the efficacy of EGCG encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles surface functionalized with the A10 2′-fluoropyrimidine RNA aptamers that recognize the extracellular domain of the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), henceforth called chit-EGCG-Apt. Prepared bioconjugates were spherical in shape with a unimodal size distribution, with diameter around 200 nm and a zeta potential of -30 mV. Cellular binding and uptake of the fluorescent nanosystem was detected suggesting PSMA specific internalization and accumulation. Next, we determined the EGCG release kinetics and observed a sustained and constant release of EGCG from the nanobioconjugates. To test the biological efficacy, we first determined the efficacy of chit-EGCG-Apt for its cytotoxic response in several human prostate carcinoma cells. We observed that chit-EGCG-Apt lead to an increased anti-proliferative activity in PCa cells, with a better efficacy in PSMA positive cells (LNCaP and C4-2) than in PSMA negative PC3 cells and a decrease in IC50 by at least half the dose of the native agent. Further, we also observed a significant inhibition in the colony formation potency of PCa cells when treated with chit-EGCG-Apt as compared to the native EGCG with the effects more distinct in PSMA positive cells. Our next goal was to ascertain if EGCG in chit-EGCG-Apt retains its mechanistic identity. Chit-EGCG-Apt treatment (10 and 20 μM) to LNCaP cells resulted in significant (i) shift in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in favor of apoptosis, (ii) increase in PARP cleavage, (iii) inhibition in caspase 3, 7, 8 and 9, and other key regulators of apoptosis, (iv) modulation of DR4, DR5, TNFR1, FADD, TRADD death receptor pathway proteins, (v) increase in the levels of annexin V positive cells, (vi) increase in TdT positive cells (additional information to suggest induction of apoptosis), and (vii) modulation of p21, p27, CDK 4 and 6 cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors in addition to arrest of the cells in S phase of the cell cycle. Importantly, these effects were only visible at 40 μM of the native EGCG. The nanobioconjugate also demonstrated a significant inhibition of invasive potential of several PCa cells in scratch wound assay and 3-dimensional spheroid BME cell invasion assay. Translation of these data to appropriate animal model systems could pave way for prostate cancer therapy in humans. Citation Format: Imtiaz A. Siddiqui, Dhruba J. Bharali, Minakshi Nihal, Vaqar M. Adhami, Rahime Jashari, Shaker A. Mousa, Hasan Mukhtar. Aptamer conjugated prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeting EGCG nanobioconjugate for prostate cancer prevention and treatment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 251. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-251


Abstract Noise exposure that causes a temporary threshold shift but no permanent threshold shift can cause degeneration of synaptic ribbons and afferent nerve fibers, with a corresponding reduction in wave I amplitude of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) in animals. This form of underlying damage, hypothesized to also occur in humans, has been termed synaptopathy, and it has been hypothesized that there will be a hidden hearing loss consisting of functional deficits at suprathreshold stimulus levels. This study assessed whether recreational noise exposure history was associated with smaller ABR wave I amplitude and poorer performance on suprathreshold auditory test measures. Noise exposure histories were collected from 26 men and 34 women with hearing thresholds ≤ 25 dB hearing loss (HL; 250 Hz to 8 kHz), and a variety of functional suprathreshold hearing tests were performed. Wave I amplitudes of click-evoked ABR were obtained at 70, 80, 90, and 99 dB (nHL) and tone-burst evoked ABR were obtained at 90 dB nHL. Speech recognition performance was measured in quiet and in competing noise, using the Words in Noise test, and the NU-6 word list in broadband noise (BBN). In addition, temporal summation to tonal stimuli was assessed in quiet and in competing BBN. To control for the effects of subclinical conventional hearing loss, distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitude, an indirect measure of outer hair cell integrity, was measured. There was no statistically significant relationship between noise exposure history scores and ABR wave I amplitude in either men or women for any of the ABR conditions. ABR wave I amplitude and noise exposure history were not reliably correlated with suprathreshold functional hearing tests. Taken together, this study found no evidence of noise-induced decreases in ABR wave I amplitude or signal processing in noise in a cohort of subjects with a history of recreational noise exposure.


Humans as God's most perfect creatures create their own culture and preserve it from generation to generation. Culture is part of the journey of human life. Based on history, culture or culture is something that cannot be separated from human life. Culture is the result of human creativity. Culture exists because of humans and humans develop a variety of cultures according to their needs and desires. Culture develops according to the human environment. Apart from being social creatures, humans also interact with fellow humans according to their habits and habits which in the end become a culture that is always carried out. Culture is a product of human creation. In other words, culture exists because humans created it and humans can live in the midst of the culture they created. Culture will continue to live when humans become residents and culture has enormous uses for all aspects of human life. Culture, which is a universal phenomenon, where every human being in the world has a culture, even though the shape (symbol) and style, of the culture that is owned varies from various tribes, nations, and races. In the end, the culture that humans have shows their similarities in accordance with human nature and every culture has a place and society is a place for that culture.


Chloramphenicol (CAP) in egg powder samples was extracted with acetonitrile by sonication. After centrifugation, the supernatant was diluted with water and defatted with n-hexane, and cleanup was performed on a microcolumn of graphitized carbon black (GCB). Different silylation methods were compared for the derivatization of the analytes. Trimethylsilyl N,N-dimethylcarbamate produced stable di-TMS derivatives which were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography-electron capture detection (CGC-ECD) after splitless injection. The meta isomer of the chloramphenicol served as the internal standard for quantitation, and 80% + mean recovery was obtained in the 0.1-10 micrograms/kg (ppb) concentration range.


This contribution presents a comparison of the French prepositional expressions en voie de on the
 one hand and en route / en chemin (pour) on the other. We aim to show that être en route and
 être en chemin can be used as complex predicates resulting from a lexicalisation process, whereas
 être en voie de has been transformed into a marker of grammatical aspect as a consequence of a
 grammaticalization process. We then propose that the different evolution of both expressions can be explained by the fact that
 voie had already in Old French a more abstract meaning than chemin and
 route, which allowed it to designate a series of actions in direction of an objective. Finally, we propose to
 explain the emergence of en voie de + deverbal noun / infinitive as an aspectual marker by noticing that it was
 created at the moment French developed other analytic aspectual expressions in accordance with an abstract constructional pattern
 'expression/verb of movement + infinitive'.


This paper presents a MATLAB-based application to teach the guidance, navigation, and control concepts of a quadrotor to undergraduate students, using a graphical user interface (GUI) and 3-D animations. The Simulink quadrotor model is controlled by a proportional integral derivative controller and a linear quadratic regulator controller. The GUI layout's many components can be easily programmed to perform various experiments by considering the simulation of the quadrotor as a plant; it incorporates control systems (CS) fundamentals such as time domain response, transfer function and state-space form, pole-zero location, root locus, frequency domain response, steady-state error, position and disturbance response, controller design and tuning, unity, and the use of a Kalman filter as a feedback sensor. 3-D animations are used to display the quadrotor flying in any given condition selected by the user. For each simulation, users can view the output response in the form of 3-D animations, and can run time plots. The quadrotor educational tool (QET) helps students in the CS laboratory understand basic CS concepts. The QET was evaluated based on student feedback, grades, satisfaction, and interest in CS.


It has been found through various literatures that Crude Oil (Brent) and Crude Oil (WTI) series moves in close proximity. This paper tries to examine the causality relationship between Crude Oil(WTI) and Crude Oil(Brent). In absence of cointegration between the two series Auto Regressive Distributed Lag Model was used.


Temperature measurement is important in various applications; therefore, various temperature sensors have been developed. Due to its advantages, many optical fiber-based temperature sensors have been proposed. The wavelength modulation-based optical sensor is interesting due to high accuracy. However, the complex fabrication process and high cost limit the advantages of the sensors. Therefore, we proposed a simple and low-cost Mach Zehnder interferometer (MZI) sensor using step-index plastic optical fiber (SI-POF). Performance characterization of the sensor to temperature variation is presented. The sensor consists of two tapers at several distances, forming an interferometer. The first taper was designed to be steep to allow excitation of cladding modes, while the second taper was gradual to suppress power loss. Characterizations were done in terms of sensitivity, hysteresis, and repeatability by analyzing the output spectrums recorded by the spectrometer at various environment temperatures, 35C to 85C, with an increment of 10C. The results showed that the sensor has a sensitivity of 0.0431 nm/C and a correlation coefficient of 0.9965. Hysteresis of 6.9×10 was observed. In terms of repeatability, the sensor shows a maximum deviation, ±3C, which was mainly resulted from the fluctuation of the oven temperature. Despite its high deviation, the sensor has advantages of simple fabrication, low cost, robust, and low power loss, which make it a good candidate for temperature sensors.


The general conditions for a sandpile system to evolve spontaneously into a critical state characterized by a power law distribution of avalanches or bursts are identified as: a) the existence of a stationary state with a global conservation law; b) long-range correlations in the continuum limit (i.e. Laplacian diffusive field); c) the existence of a local rigidity for the microscopic dynamics. These conditions permit a classification of the models that have been considered up to now and the identification of the local rigidity as a new basic parameter that can lead to various possible scenarios ranging continuously from SOC behaviour to standard diffusion.


During the Freedman's Cemetery Project of the 1990s, evidence of lethal gun violence was recovered archaeologically from several early twentieth century burials. Although lying in unmarked graves, those who died violently still have the chance of being identified through the very bullets that robbed them of their lives. Forensic identification of the bullets and other archaeological criteria are compared to descriptions of gunshot victims in newspaper accounts and other archival records, and individual as well as group identity is examined in the process. These moments of violence also provide a unique window into exploring the extent and underlying causes of violence perpetrated within and against the African American community of Dallas, Texas, in the first decade of the twentieth century,


Derivatives are few and far between in countries where the com patibility of financial transactions with Islamic law requires the development of shari'ah-compliant structures. Islamic finance is governed by the shari'ah, which bans speculation and gamb ling, and stipulates that income must be derived as profits from the shared generation of goods and services between counterparties rather than interest or a guaranteed return. The paper explains the fundamental legal pr inciples underpinning Islamic finance with a view towards developing a cohesive theory of derivatives subject to shari'ah principles. After critically reviewing accepted contracts and the scholastic debate surroun ding existing financial innovation in this area, the paper offers an axiomatic perspective on a principle-based permissibility of derivatives under Islamic law.


The article is devoted to minimum standards in the new procedural instrument – the European Account Preservation Order. The main purpose of the preservation proceeding is to grant an  interim order of  creditor's claim on debtor assets, without overburdening his property. Due to the complicated procedure established by Regulation (EU) No 655/2014, the European Account Preservation Order should serve as an additional and optional measure for the creditor, the examination of the minimum standards is essential. The Author indicates the relation between the above-mentioned regulation and other regulations and gives an explanation why this instrument is another symptom of the new EU legislator's approach to cross-border civil matters. Since the debtor is a person whose interests are most affected by the preservation of the bank account, it is necessary to specify his rights and obligations in these proceedings.


Authentication of virgin coconut oil (VCO) is important to safeguard customers from adulteration practices. A study was carried out to distinguish VCO from VCO adulterated with palm olein (PO) using principal component analysis (PCA) of fatty acid (FA) compositional data. Six samples of VCO, and six samples of palm olein were obtained from oil producers' companies in Malaysia. Six samples of adulterated VCO were prepared by mixing with palm olein in 5% increment of adulteration. Fatty acid compositions of all oil samples were determined individually and the data were analyzed statistically. PCA analysis showed that lauric, palmitic and oleic acids were the most influencing parameters to discriminate VCO from adulterated VCO. Out of the thirteen FA variables investigated, ten were found to display high correlation with increasing adulteration. Predictive models showing higher coefficient of determination (R 2 ) and good confidence limits were useful for quantification purposes.


Abstract The author exemplifies the congruency of essential foundations between the critical realism of the Berlin School of Gestalt Psychology (Gestalt theory) and Nicolai Hartmann`s Critical Ontology. For instance, this congruency manifests in the importance given to critical-realistic epistemology - purified from idealistic prejudices, not least prejudices such as production-theoretical ones - connected with an unconditional phenomenology. Altogether, it results in a shared critical distance from scholars of Brentano, such as Husserl and Meinong, as well as from Neo-Kantianism.


Several groups are developing heating devices for simultaneous thermoradiotherapy to enhance thermal radiosensitization. One of our designs is an applicator for induction of superficial hyperthermia which is also compatible for concomitant operation with a linear accelerator. The dual-frequency system (DFS) design uses parallel-opposed linear arrays and a scanning dual-face reflector. The scanning reflector deflects and distributes, under computer control, the waves coming from the arrays toward the target. The prime design objectives for this design were: 1) compatibility with a linear accelerator; 2) sufficiently non-perturbing and non-attenuating to allow use of medical electron beams; 3) improved lateral conformability of power deposition; and 4) penetration depth control. Technical feasibility, lateral conformability and design optimization studies for a similar one-array system have been previously reported. Here, an acoustic model was developed to investigate the controllability of penetration depth of the DFS design. Results showed that by varying the power outputs from the low and high frequency arrays, the depth of the 50% isopower contour can be controlled over a range of 3 cm. Thermal simulations using the bioheat transfer equation were also performed which demonstrated corresponding changes in the depth of therapeutic isotherms over a 2.5 cm range for different low-to-high frequency power ratios. The results suggest that the DFS may be suitable for heating (sequentially or simultaneously with external beam radiation) extensive superficial tumors, where the distal tumor margin varies over the extent of the tumor, and where underlying bony structures and/or gas cavities are present such as in chest-wall lesions.


We report a case of subacute transverse myelitis associated with Sjögren's syndrome free of xerosis. A 62-year-old man was admitted due to dysesthesia of both lower extremities and the left trunk, weakness of the left leg, and urinary disturbance. Neurological examination showed myelopathy at the Th7 level. CSF had increased protein (82 mg/dl) and IgG (23.4 mg/dl) and IgG index (1.03) but an almost normal cell count (7/mm3). T2-weighted MRI showed a high signal intensity lesion at the sixth and seventh thoracic levels. Although he was free of xerosis, typical sialographic findings, as well as the presence of anti-SSA antibody, are consistent with the diagnostic criteria for Sjögren's syndrome decided by the Japanese research group on Sjögren's syndrome. The patient was treated with prednisolone, 60 mg/day, which completely cured his muscle weakness and difficulty in walking, and sensory disturbance was gradually alleviated. Spinal MRI detected a marked reduction in the size of T2-weighted high signal intensity lesion during prednisolone treatment. In Western countries, central nervous system complications are reported in up to 20% of Sjögren's syndrome patients, but myelopathy is a very rare condition. Only 12 cases, including ours, have been reported. The clinical manifestations of myelopathy in Sjögren's syndrome include acute or subacute transverse myelitis (6 cases, including ours), chronic progressive myelopathies (2 cases.), relapsing and remitting cord syndromes (4 cases) and Brown-Séquard syndrome (none). Ten patients were women. In 9 of 12 cases there were sicca symptoms. The level of the myelopathies in 6 of 10 cases was between the third to eighth thoracic level, consistent with the region vulnerable to ischemia. Eight patients were treated successfully with steroids. We speculate that ischemia due to vasculitis is important in the genesis of myelopathy associated with Sjögren's syndrome. In the case of myelopathy, especially in the thoracic cord, it is necessary to look for evidence of Sjögren's syndrome even when xerosis is unremarkable.


Banten Bay and its surrounding area has been indicated as the coastal areas that serious the environmental problems due to poor management of the natural marine resources that has been going for a long time. This study was carried out focusing on the coastal morphodynamic processes, using the multi temporal satellite images as the main sources of the information. The topographic data of year 1923 has been used for the baseline data for research carried out supported by others thematic data that can be collected for the area of study. The multi temporal images used were aerial photographs at 1:30.000 scale acquired in 1981/1982 and at 1:50.000 scale acquired in 1994; SPOT XS images dated 1990 and 1997 as well as LANDSAT MSS of 1976; LANDSAT TM of 1996 & 2000. Geomorphological map for the study area has been prepared on 1:50,000 scale and the coastal morphodynamic were studied in detail using remote sensing approach completed with the ground-truthing using stratified random sampling techniques. Physical aspect related to coastal changes can be treated throughout vector data gatherred from topographic and the thematic data. The results indicate that there were coastal changes has been found in some where Eastern part of the coast line segment close to Pulau Dua (Dua Islands) as tombolo formation. To the east, Ciujung Delta has been growing with typical bird foot delta. On the other hand, abrasion process took place in Tanjung Pontang (old Ciujung Delta) and also within the coast line segment at Lontar Village. The rate of abration processes within the study area has been 0,0436 mm/yr for the coral islands distributed within shallow coastal sea in the study area, 0,0316 mm/yr along the adesitic volcanic coast line at the western part of the study area, and 0,503mm/yr in soft sediment rock area. Deposition processes were also active in the coastal area between Bojonegoro up to Kamanjungan that is indicated by the bathymetry changes from 2.5 m in the year 1923 to < 1.25 m at present condition in the Karanghantu harbor at a distance of 100 m from the present coast line. Keywords: morphology, dynamics, coastal zone, remote sensing, coastline change.


The purpose of this report is to emphasize the criteria for recognizing the benign diseases such as viral lymphadenitis, necrotizing lymphadenitis, cat scratch disease, etc, in which a proliferation of immunoblasts is evident, and to discuss the criteria for distinguishing these diseases from neoplastic and atypical proliferations of immunoblasts. In this report, we use the term "immunoblasts" for transformed lymphoid cells of medium and large size. These cells may or may not have abundant quantities of cytoplasm, which may or may not be deeply staining. These immunoblasts may be of the B or the T cell type, and they may be mononuclear, binucleated, or multinucleated. The distinction between benign and malignant immunoblastic proliferations is not made on the basis of cytologic features, but by assessment of all histologic parameters including the architectural pattern, the cellular composition of the proliferation, the relationship of different cell types to one another, and the cytologic features of the immunoblasts.


The presence of defects in graphene have for a long time been recognized as a bottleneck for its utilization in electronic and mechanical devices. We recently showed that micro four-point probes may be used to evaluate if a graphene film is truly 2D or if defects in proximity of the probe will lead to a non-uniform current flow characteristic of lower dimensionality. In this work, simulations based on a finite element method together with a Monte Carlo approach are used to establish the transition from 2D to quasi-1D current transport, when applying a micro four-point probe to measure on 2D conductors with an increasing amount of line-shaped defects. Clear 2D and 1D signatures are observed at low and high defect densities, respectively, and current density plots reveal the presence of current channels or branches in defect configurations yielding 1D current transport. A strong correlation is found between the density filling factor and the simulation yield, the fraction of cases with 1D transport and the mean sheet conductance. The upper transition limit is shown to agree with the percolation threshold for sticks. Finally, the conductance of a square sample evaluated with macroscopic edge contacts is compared to the micro four-point probe conductance measurements and we find that the micro four-point probe tends to measure a slightly higher conductance in samples containing defects.


Ciliopathies are a class of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders characterized by deficits of the primary cilium, an important organelle for cellular signaling and development. Here we report on a patient from a consanguineous family presenting with renal cysts, short stature, distinctive facial features, missing teeth, brachydactyly, narrow chest, and abnormal ribs. His phenotype resembled a skeletal ciliopathy and the initial clinical differential diagnosis included Jeune thoracic dystrophy and cranioectodermal dysplasia. Due to the presence of parental consanguinity, a homozygous recessive mutation was the suspected cause and homozygosity mapping was used to direct candidate gene sequencing. WDR35, an intraflagellar transport protein previously associated with cranioectodermal dysplasia, the more severe short rib polydactyly syndrome type V and recently Ellis van Creveld syndrome, is present within a region of homozygosity and sequencing of all coding exons identified a novel homozygous nonsynonymous variant, p.Trp1153Cys. This variant affects a highly conserved tryptophan residue, is predicted to be deleterious, and is the most distal mutation yet reported in WDR35. This case expands the spectrum of phenotypes caused by WDR35 mutations, which we review herein. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Formal definitions for the components of efficiency and capacity, mathematical formulas for computing overall efficiency, and data collection strategies are proposed for rigorous measurement of equipment efficiency and equipment capacity. Measurement of overall equipment efficiency (OEE) under the TPM paradigm is extended to support the maintenance of capacity parameters for production planning. The weaknesses of equipment analyses based on utilization and aggregate UPH (units per hour) figures are contrasted against the robustness of the proposed approach. Implementation in semiconductor factories is described.


Current s ta tus o f Dengue Vacc ines . Perspectives Dengue fever continues spreading beyond tropical and sub-tropical regions and it became an increasing Public Health issue in endemic areas, with an important growing in its incidence and mortality. Control measures have not been enough and specific means of treatment and prevention are still not available. Advances in dengue vaccines design through innovative technologies have been made in the last decades. Most of theses vaccines are in pre-clinical stages of development and only some of them have reached clinical stages, with promising results. It is expected to have available a dengue vaccine in the near future, that may complement the existing strategies of control disease. This is a review on the current status of vaccines in development. Besides, it is included some information on guidelines coordinated by the WHO to conduct clinical trials, and regulatory aspects to be considered for the future license of these dengue vaccines.


Background: Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a lipid metabolite that mediates various physiological processes, including vascular endothelial cell function, inflammation, coagulation/thrombosis, and angiogenesis. As a result, S1P may contribute to the pathogenesis of stroke. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum S1P in acute stroke. Method: A total of 72 patients with ischemic stroke, 36 patients with hemorrhagic stroke, and 65 controls were enrolled. Serum S1P was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that serum S1P could discriminate ischemic stroke from hemorrhagic stroke in both total population and subgroup analyses of samples obtained within 24 h of symptom onset (subgroup < 24h) (area under curve, AUCTotal = 0.64, P = 0.017; AUCSubgroup < 24h = 0.91, P < 0.001) and controls (AUCTotal = 0.62, P = 0.013; AUCSubgroup <24h = 0.83, P < 0.001). Furthermore, S1P showed higher efficacy than high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in discriminating ischemic stroke from controls in the total population (PS1P = 0.013, PHDL−C = 0.366) and in the subgroup analysis (i.e., <24 h; PS1P < 0.001, PHDL−C = 0.081). Additionally, lower serum S1P was associated with cervical artery plaques (P = 0.021) in controls and with dyslipidemia (P = 0.036) and milder neurological impairment evaluated by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS, P = 0.047) in the ischemic stroke group. Conclusions: The present study preliminarily investigated the diagnostic value of serum S1P in acute stroke. Decreased serum S1P may become a potential biomarker for early acute ischemic stroke and can indicate disease severity.


An abnormality of chromosome 16 in an eight year-old male was associated with a multiple congenital anomalies syndrome characterized by myopathy, cataracts, blepharophimosis, microcephaly, failure to grow, profound mental retardation, moderate sensorineural hearing loss, grand mal seizures, bilateral inguinal hernia, and thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head demonstrated absence of the corpus callosum and extensive loss of brain parenchyma in the occipital regions. Chromosome analysis from peripheral blood of the patient showed a recombinant chromosome 16 [46, XY, rec (16), dup (p13.1----p13.3) del (q22----q24)]. The mother had a pericentric inversion of chromosome 16 [46, XX, inv(16) (p13.1;q22)]. Independent recombinant DNA studies have shown that the breakpoints of these chromosomal rearrangements flank the alpha-globin gene cluster locus.


We consider the regression model with errors-in-variables where we observe $n$ i.i.d. copies of $(Y,Z)$ satisfying $Y=f(X)+\xi, Z=X+\sigma\epsilon$, involving independent and unobserved random variables $X,\xi,\epsilon$. The density $g$ of $X$ is unknown, whereas the density of $\sigma\epsilon$ is completely known. Using the observations $(Y\_i, Z\_i)$, $i=1,...,n$, we propose an estimator of the regression function $f$, built as the ratio of two penalized minimum contrast estimators of $\ell=fg$ and $g$, without any prior knowledge on their smoothness. We prove that its $\mathbb{L}\_2$-risk on a compact set is bounded by the sum of the two $\mathbb{L}\_2(\mathbb{R})$-risks of the estimators of $\ell$ and $g$, and give the rate of convergence of such estimators for various smoothness classes for $\ell$ and $g$, when the errors $\epsilon$ are either ordinary smooth or super smooth. The resulting rate is optimal in a minimax sense in all cases where lower bounds are available.


This study was performed to investigate the repeated-dose toxicity of Leuconostoc citreum GR1 (Leuc. citreum GR1), a lactic acid bacterium isolated from kimchi, in male and female rats. Sprague-Dawley male and female rats were divided into four group (ten animals in each group) and Leuc. citreum GR1 was administered daily by gavage to rats at dosage levels of 0, 500, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg/day for four weeks. There were no bacterial- related deaths or abnormal clinical signs in either gender of rats during the observation period. Furthermore, no differences were found between the control and treatment groups in terms of body weight, food intake, and water consumption. Hematological parameters, serum biochemical analysis, and histopathological examination also showed insignificant dose-dependent alterations. There were also no alterations in organ weights upon administration of Leuc. citreum GR1 alone. These results suggest the oral application of Leuc. citreum GR1, up to a dosage level of 2,000 mg/kg, causes no adverse effects in both male and female rats.


Eighteen patients with progressive disseminated, platinum-resistant germ cell tumors were treated with epirubicin 135 mg/m2, every 3 weeks. One patient had stable disease, 17 developed progression. Myelosuppression was dose-limiting. One patient died of neutropenic septicemia. High-dose epirubicin is not active against platinum-resistant germ cell cancer.


Introduction Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is influenced by environmental and genetic factors which alters the gut microbiota. The human gut microbiota is involved in the maintenance of its host physiological functions and imbalance in the microbial population and its metabolic signatures may lead to disease activity and phenotype. We aimed to investigate the variations occurring in lipid metabolism between Crohn's disease (CD) vs. controls in serum and faeces by profiling using a metabonomic approach. Methods Serum and faeces were collected from moderate to severe Crohn's disease patients prior to commencement of anti- TNF. Sample preparation: Protein precipitation with isopropanol was implemented on serum and faeces samples and prepared by biphasic extraction.Lipid profiling: The method was performed on Waters Acquity UPLCTM combined with Waters Q-Tof PremierTM mass spectrometerData processing: OPLS-DA was carried out on the XCMS extracted intensities using SIMCA P+ v13 and Matlab.Lipids annotation was derived by searching m/z against online databases (METLIN, Lipidmaps and HMDB). Results Multivariate analyses between healthy and CD patients were performed to characterise lipid profile differences.Significant separation was observed in both serum and faeces between the two groups (Figure 1). Lipid metabolism is affected in CD patients compared to healthy controls. Correlation analysis showed that several triglyceride (TG) species were significantly associated with CD. TGs with medium to long chain fatty acid length and with saturations were identified at increased levels in CD patients (Figure 2). TGs with saturated fatty acids were prominent in faeces compare to serum. Moreover, TGs found in faeces were in higher concentration than in serum.Abstract PTU-066 Figure 1 Conclusion The metabonomic study showed profound variations in both serum and faeces of CD patients. These results highlight the association between the gut microbiota and mucosal barrier function which has downstream effect on lipid metabolism and inflammation in IBD. This metabonomic approach offers potential application in diagnosing CD. Disclosure of Interest None Declared