In 2006 the "Advancing Women's Leadership and Advocacy for AIDS Action" initiative was launched to equip and empower a cadre of women from around the world with the knowledge and skills to strengthen and lead the global response to AIDS. Implemented by a consortium led by the Centre for Development and Population Activities and including the International Center for Research on Women the International Community of Women Living with HIV / AIDS and the National Minority AIDS Council the initiative consisted of six global regional and national workshops designed to enhance participants' confidence and self-efficacy strengthen their program management skills and expand their professional networks. This publication profiles seven extraordinary women who passed through the program. From civil war-torn northern Uganda to the edge of the Rocky Mountains in the United States these women leaders share their struggles their evolution and the passion they have for empowering those around them.


An enhanced multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) filtered-x least mean square (FXLMS) algorithm using improved virtual secondary path is proposed as the basis for an active noise control (ANC) system for treating vehicle powertrain noise. This new algorithm is developed to overcome the limitation caused by the frequency-dependent property of the standard FXLMS algorithm and to reduce the variation of convergence speed inherent in multiple-channel cases, in order to improve the overall performance of the control system. In this study, the convergence property of the proposed algorithm is analyzed in the frequency domain in order to yield a better understanding of the physical meaning of the virtual secondary path. In practice, because of the arrangement and sensitivities of the actuators (speakers), transducers (microphones), and physical environment, the magnitude response of the main secondary paths can be very different from each other. This difference will cause difficulty in the overall convergence of the algorithm, which will result in minimal attenuation at some of the channels. The proposed channel equalized (CE) virtual secondary path algorithm is designed to tackle this difficulty by equalizing the mean magnitude level of the main secondary paths and by adjusting other secondary paths correspondingly to keep the coupling effects among the control channels unchanged. The performance of the proposed algorithm is validated by analyzing a twoinput two-output active powertrain noise control system. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4023815]


A retrospective review of all 115 infants less than 1 year of age with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) entered on a consecutive series of recent Children's Cancer Study Group (CCSG) leukemia protocols was undertaken to examine in detail the outcome and clinical course of a large group of similarly treated infants. In comparison to the 4,392 children older than 1 year, entered on the same studies, infants had a significantly (P = .0001) increased incidence of leukocytosis, hepatosplenomegaly, meningeal leukemia at presentation, hypogammaglobulinemia, and failure to achieve complete remission (CR) status by day 14 of induction therapy. In contrast, lymphadenopathy, non-L1 French-American-British (FAB) morphology, mediastinal mass, and T cell leukemia were not more frequently observed. Ninety percent of these infants successfully completed the induction phase of therapy. With a median follow-up of 35 months, life table estimate of disease-free survival is only 23% at 4 years. Identical disease-free survival rates for infants were observed in each of the individual studies reviewed. Excessive toxicity resulting in limitation of therapy delivered was not a causative factor for the disappointing outcome of these patients. Rather, early disease recurrence, characterized by bone marrow relapse (55%) and CNS (22%) relapse, was the major factor responsible for the extremely poor prognosis of this patient group. Identical CNS relapse rates were observed in those patients who received cranial irradiation as part of CNS prophylaxis (21.8%) and in those patients who did not receive cranial radiotherapy (24%). Results of salvage therapy for patients who experienced systemic or extramedullary relapse were dismal. Debilitating neuropsychologic sequellae, presumably related to CNS irradiation, have been observed in 50% of the small number of long-term survivors. Infants less than 1 year of age with ALL present with a constellation of features which predict a poor outcome and constitute the group of children with ALL at greatest risk for treatment failure.


Introduction: The hydraulic jump happens when flow transfers from supercritical regime to subcritical regime. The hydraulic jump on smooth bed is called the classic hydraulic jump. One way to increase the energy dissipation in a hydraulic jump is to roughen the bed. Elements including stabilizers and baffle blocks are commonly used as the energy dissipators in stilling basins to stabilize the location and decrease the length and conjugate depths of the hydraulic jumps. If roughness elements are placed uniformly on the bed and orthogonal to the flow direction, the formed jump is addressed as the hydraulic jump on rough bed. Recently, implementing short energy dissipaters and environment friendly rough beds have attracted attention and justify more research in these fields. Recent studies have addressed hydraulic jump on rough beds ([14], [5], and [12]). Relative roughness parameter first defined by Rajaratnam to investigate the jump characteristics and other researchers then used this parameter to investigate the characteristics of jump on rough bed. In this research, similar experiments to Pagliara et al (5) are designed to study continuous and natural rough beds.
Materials and Methods: All the experiments have been arranged and carried out in the hydraulic laboratory of Ferdowsi University, Mashhad Iran. Hydraulic jump characteristicswere measured in a horizontal rectangular flume, 0.30 m wide, 0.50 m deep, and 11 m long, with smooth glass side walls.The rough bed was simulated by gluing a layer of uniform gravel material with middle diameter 3.5mm and 11mm on a glass plate which was placed on the flume, throughout its length .In the physical model, to simulate a supercritical flow with three constant initial depths including , 1.5 and ,a steel sluice gate is installed. Furthermore, to stabilize the location ofhydraulic jump and create a free-surface jump, a sharp-crested weir with the same width as the channel width is installed at the end of the flume. Water contraction usually occurs after the sluice gate is avoided by a steel plate welded on the sluice gate. So, the initial depth equals the gate opening. According to the experimental procedure, after placing theuniform roughness heights on channel bed, the pump runs and water flows slowly into the flume. Then, discharge increases to reach the desired value and the sluice gate opening is set up to have the hydraulic jump formed at a distance of ahead of the gate. These circumstances maintain enough for data recording. The parameter of gravel particles considered as the most sensible characteristic. The subcritical depth y2 was measured from the profile survey, where the water surface began to be essentially level.
Results and discussions: In the smooth and rough beds experiments show that variation in initial depth does not have any effect on decreasing the conjugate depths ratio. The conjugate depths ratio decreases as the roughness increases. The difference between conjugate depths ratio of rough beds with middle diameter 3.5mm (B) and 11mm (C) appears when the Froude number exceeds 7.5 and for Froude numbers greater than 10, a significant drop can be observed in the conjugate depths ratio diagrams from rough bed B to C. The horizontal distance between the beginning and end point of a hydraulic jump is considered as the length of the hydraulic jump. Dimensionless length of the hydraulic jump is presented as which is usually considered as a function of . For Froude number greater than 10, the dimensionless length of the hydraulic jump is nearly constant. Then, the ratio of for Froude numbers greater than 10 seems to be independent of supercritical Froude number and is just a function of roughness. In all experiments the length of the hydraulic jump decreases compared with the smooth bed under conditions that bed roughness is not subjected to water jet.
Conclusions: Experiments demonstrated that in the rough bed by increasing roughness, the conjugated depths ratio decreased compared with the classical hydraulic jump. The variation of initial depth of flow does not have any effect on reducing conjugate depths ratio and dimensionless length of the hydraulic jump. The length of the hydraulic jump in rough beds on average reduced between 28.5% and 47% with respect to the classical hydraulic jump which causes reduction in length of the stilling basin without bed roughness.


Endometriosis and adenomyosis show a high prevalence and can be regarded as different symptoms of a unique disease - the dislocation of basal endometrium. Diagnostic methods for detecting adenomyosis are transvaginal sonography (TVS) or T-2-weighed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients with endometriosis show a significant impairment of utero-tubal sperm transport capacity, which is even increased the stronger the adenomyotic component of the disease is. Adenomyosis can be regarded as a cause for infertility especially in minor and mild forms of endometriosis and is therefore often followed by IVF/ICSI-treatment. Infertility patients with endometriosis should be counselled for intensive infertility treatment. Without a current wish for conception, fertility potential should be preserved by hormonal suppression of uterine peristalsis in order to avoid progression of the disease.


Classification of dental caries is important for the diagnosis and treatment planning of the dental disease, which has been affecting a very large population throughout the globe. It is also helpful for conducting detailed study and investigations about the nature of the dental disease. Classification of dental diseases is decided on the basis of certain criteria, such as based on whether the lesion is within the enamel, dentin or whether it touches the pulp. Dental caries are, clearly visible in the x-ray changes and it can be detected from the caries lesion present in the radiographs. In this paper we propose to show how image processing techniques willhelp check the x-ray and examine the extent to which the caries lesion is present and then classify the type of caries present in the dental radiograph.


Diabetic retinopathy (DR) caused by diabetes occurs as a result of changes in the retinal vessels and causes visual impairment. Microaneurysms (MAs) are the early clinical signs of DR, whose timely diagnosis can help detecting DR in the early stages of its development. It has been observed that MAs are more common in the inner retinal layers compared to the outer retinal layers in eyes suffering from DR. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging technique that provides a cross-sectional view of the retina, and it has been used in recent years to diagnose many eye diseases. As a result, this paper attempts to identify areas with MA from normal areas of the retina using OCT images. This work is done using the dataset collected from FA and OCT images of 20 patients with DR. In this regard, firstly fluorescein angiography (FA) and OCT images were registered. Then, the MA and normal areas were separated, and the features of each of these areas were extracted using the Bag of Features (BOF) approach with the Speeded-Up Robust Feature (SURF) descriptor. Finally, the classification process was performed using a multilayer perceptron network. For each of the criteria of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and precision, the obtained results were 96.33%, 97.33%, 95.4%, and 95.28%, respectively. Utilizing OCT images to detect MAs automatically is a new idea, and the results obtained as preliminary research in this field are promising.


3C-SiC epilayers grown on Si-face nominally on-axis 4H-SiC substrate are characterized with X-ray diffraction techniques. The aim was to investigate if these 3C-SiC epilayers were grown by single domain growth. The results show that all samples start by having several nucleation centers all over the substrate surface and the growth continues with two domain formations. As the growth proceeds one domain overtakes the growth and single domain crystal growth occurs. This single domain was further investigated and the results show that it seems to contain many sub-domains with same lattice constant but slightly tilted.


Sunroof is getting widely used in automobiles since it maintains, compare to window, better air circulation as well as less noise while driving in high speed. In this study, we consider an electronic control type spoiler sunroof which slides backward after tilting a rear part of a glass. Installing a wind deflector on the sunroof reduces noise much more effectively. The height of the wind deflector is designed using a boundary theory related to incompressible air layer. The developed wind deflector is investigated experimentally by measuring a wind noise. When the height of the wind deflector is designed by a fixed type, the sunroof maintains a very quiet interior noise over a certain driving speed, nevertheless it produces relatively loud noise in low driving speed.


A novel multiannual land-cover-classification scheme for classifying hypertemporal image data is suggested, which is based on a supervised decision fusion (DF) approach. This DF approach comprises two steps: First, separate support vector machines (SVMs) are trained for normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) time-series and mean annual temperature values of three consecutive years. In the second step, the information of the preliminary continuous SVM outputs, which represent posterior probabilities of the class assignments, is fused using a second-level SVM classifier. We tested the approach using the 10-day maximum-value NDVI composites from the ldquoMediterranean Extended Daily One-km Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer Data Setrdquo (MEDOKADS). The approach increases the classification accuracy and robustness compared with another DF method (simple majority voting) and with a single SVM expert that is trained for the same multiannual periods. The results clearly demonstrate that DF is a reliable technique for large-area mapping using hypertemporal data sets.


Diacetyl derivative of hecogenin 1 was oxidized to unsaturated ketone 5 via allylic alcohol 3 when it reacted with dimethyldioxirane (DMDO). The structure of 3 was confirmed by X-ray crystal analysis and the highly regioselectivity of DMDO to different olefin bonds was also observed when diosgenin derivative 6 was treated with DMDO.


We theoretically investigate topological properties of the one-dimensional superlattice anyon-Hubbard model, which can be mapped to a superlattice bose-Hubbard model with an occupation-dependent phase factor by fractional Jordan-Wigner transformation. The topological anyon-Mott insulator is identified by topological invariant and edge modes using exact diagonalization and density-matrix renormalization-group algorithm. When only the statistical angle is varied and all other parameters are fixed, a statistically induced topological phase transition can be realized, which provides new insights into the topological phase transitions. What's more, we give an explanation of the statistically induced topological phase transition. The topological anyon-Mott phases can also appear in a variety of superlattice anyon-Hubbard model.


Primary peritonitis accounts for 1 to 2 per cent of all paediatric abdominal emergencies and for about 15 per cent of diffuse peritoneal sepsis. The condition is still mainly seen in infants and in mid-childhood years, Most frequently in children four to eight years of age, with females outnumbering the males except among neonates where the males predominate. The mortality rate is about 50 per cent for infants, but drops to 10 to 15 per cent in older children. The origin of the infecting organism may be a haematogenous spread or ascension through the female genital tract, but transdiaphragmatic lymphatics and transmural migration through the gut wall may also be possible sources. The incidence of primary peritonitis is increased in children with nephrotic syndrome, postnecrotic cirrhosis with ascites and immunologic deficiency. Practically all kinds of pathogenic organisms are found, but a relative increase in staphylococcal and gram-negative infections has been noted.


Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a rare disease distinguished by the presence of circulating ANCA along with inflammation and destruction of primarily small blood vessels. AAV includes granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Overall, AAV occurs more frequently in Caucasian populations with an approximate incidence of 20 per million per year in Europe and North America. This report presents a case of a 70-year-old female with a history of interstitial lung disease who was hospitalized due to markedly reduced renal function and eGFR within the range of end-stage renal disease on admission. The patient tested positive for perinuclear (p)-ANCA, also known as myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA. The patient was subsequently started on hemodialysis and induction therapy of cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone for glomerulonephritis secondary to p-ANCA vasculitis. The patient was discharged with improved renal function, and she was expected to follow up with nephrology for maintenance therapy to prevent future relapse. This report demonstrates a case of p-ANCA-positive glomerulonephritis treated with cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone and discusses the current treatment guidelines for glomerulonephritis secondary to p-ANCA vasculitis.


Introuction: Meningiomas represent the most common primary brain tumor and comprise 3 World Health Organization (WHO) grades, the most frequent being WHO grade I (90%). In this study, we aim to investigate the prevalence and features of peri-tumoral edema of these lesions on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and their relationship with progesterone receptor (PR). Methods: From August 2011 to December 2017, we have enrolled 281 patients diagnosed with meningiomas of central nervous system, who underwent thorough imaging evaluation of diameter, size, volume and peri-tumoral edema on MRI. Of these patients, 187 patients were candidates of either surgical resection of biopsy, who were evaluated for PR by histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry (IHC) study after surgical removal. Results: Authors have found that meningiomas with higher PR positivity, represents lower volumes and also they appear as less aggressive lesions on neuroimaging. Also, we have found that meningiomas with higher PR positivity in IHC study, represents lower peri-tumoral edema on T1- and T2-weighted MRIs. On the other hand, our surgical experience showed that patients with more PR positive meningiomas, exhibit prolonged disease, with lower rate of hemorrhages. Conclusion: In this study, we have found that meningiomas with higher PR positivity, represents lower peri-tumoral edema and thus lower neurological complications; However, more advanced histopathological examination for other receptors may improve prognosis determination.


Nutrition programs and family planning programs have a mutual impact on each other and nutrition and family planning services can be provided in an integrated program; however, an integrated approach is not absolutely necessary as individual programs can also be beneficial. Reductions in population growth and family size can contribute toward inproving nutritional standards by increasing the available per capita food supply. Nutritional programs can promote family planning by reducing infant and child mortality. The proportion of the population in developing countries suffering from malnutrition ranges from 25%-75%. Major nutritional problems are anemia caused by iron and folate deficiency, goiter caused by iodine deficiency, and blindness caused by Vitamin A deficiency. Severe clinical malnutrition gives rise to pellegra, beriberi, and other serious disease which can be easily recognized and diagnosed. Only 2-3% of a poorly fed population suffers from severe clinical malnutrition. Most of the individuals in a poorly fed population suffer milder forms of malnutrition which are harder to diagnose. During the 1st stage of malnutrition body stores of needed materials decline. There are no outward clinical manifestations of this decline and the problem can be detected only through biochemical measurement. During later stages as organ dysfunction, tissue damage, and irreversible damage occurs the clinical signs become increasing apparent. The effects of poor nutrition on children include 1) reduced growth rates; 2) impairment of the body's defense system for fighting infection; and 3) mental retardation. The effects of poor nutrition on adults are more difficult to identify, but a number of studies indicate that work output is significantly decreased by malnutrition.


Abstract Over recent decades, there has been a shift in the perception of the purpose of universities, and this has been accompanied by substantial cultural, academic and management change. In Australian universities, the discarding of the old view of 'The University' can be given a date, more-or-less. The Australian Commonwealth Government's policy document of 1988, the White Paper1, foreshadowed many changes in universities. The ideas in the White Paper had been around for some time and can be traced back to the sixties. Pressures for change came from business and from economic and cultural changes in society. New technologies contributed to change and to the need for people trained to deal with a greater complexity in society.


Panniculitis is a recognized but unusual complication of a severe deficiency of 1 -antitrypsin (AAT), with fewer than 100 cases described to date. Like the pathogenesis of emphysema in severe PiZZ deficiency of AAT, panniculitis has been hypothesized to be an inflammatory process, possibly related to Z AAT polymer formation and to an unopposed anti-inflammatory screen in the context of deficient serum levels of AAT. The current report presents a 31-year-old woman with PiZZ AAT deficiency-associated panniculitis. Our case extends current knowledge of AAT-associated panniculitis in 2 ways: (1) we demonstrate Z-type AAT polymers in the skin, which supports the inflammatory pathogenesis of panniculitis and the potential pro-inflammatory role of polymers; (2) we show that a high dose and long-term use of intravenous augmentation therapy (90 mg/kg body weight once weekly during 3 years) can ameliorate the frequency and severity of panniculitis associated with AAT deficiency. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel Received: August 22, 2008 Accepted after revision: November 21, 2008 Published online: February 16, 2009 Dr. Sabina Janciauskiene Lund University, Department of Clinical Sciences Wallenberg Laboratory, Entrance 46, 2nd Floor Malmö University Hospital, SE–205 02 Malmö (Sweden) Tel. +46 40 336 155, Fax +46 40 337 041, E-Mail firstname.lastname@example.com © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel 1018–8665/09/2184–0370$26.00/0 Accessible online at: www.karger.com/drm cent reports suggest that there are as many as 116 million carriers of deficiency alleles (PiMZ and PiMS) and 3.4 million individuals with deficient allele combinations (PiSZ, PiSS and PiZZ) worldwide [6] . 1 -Antitrypsin genes are inherited as co-dominant alleles (as products of both genes can be found in the circulation) [7] . Individuals with plasma AAT values below 11 M (50–80 mg/dl, depending on the assay) are considered to be AAT deficient. In this context, individuals heterozygous for the Z allele (i.e. PiMZ heterozygotes) have serum AAT levels that are 30–40% of normal, whereas individuals homozygous for the Z allele (PiZZ) have serum levels that are only 10–15% of the normal levels found in PiMM individuals [8] . The cause of deficient serum levels in PiZZ individuals (Glu342Lys) is accumulation of Z polymers within the hepatocyte (in a process called loop-sheet polymerization), precluding AAT secretion into the blood [9, 10] . The retained AAT polymers within the endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes can cause liver damage with a variable J.K.S. has served as a consultant to Talecris Biotherapeutics and CSL Behring, and has been supported in lectures delivered by Talecris Biotherapeutics, Grifols, Baxter Healthcare and CSL Behring.


Persistent cloaca is a rare presentation wherein the urethra, vagina, and rectum converge into a common channel with a single perineal opening. Fetal hydrometrocolpos can result if fluid accumulates behind an obstruction of this common channel. A 29‐year‐old woman (G4P1021) was referred at 36 2/7 weeks of gestation for evaluation of a fetal abdominal cystic mass. Detailed ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging showed two symmetric cystic masses, bilateral hydronephrosis, and oligohydramnios. Elective cesarean delivery was performed at 37 0/7 weeks; the baby weighed 4043 g with Apgar scores of 5 and 6 at 1 and 5 min. Intubation was performed for respiratory distress, and the infant was noted to have an imperforate anus; persistent cloaca was diagnosed. Drainage of the hydrometrocolpos improved the infant's breathing remarkably, and extubation was achieved. This child's imaging findings are among the largest ever reported, and resulted in neonatal respiratory distress.


This paper investigates generalized thermodynamic relationships in physical systems where relevant macroscopic variables are determined by the exponential Kolmogorov–Nagumo average. We show that while the thermodynamic entropy of such systems is naturally described by Rényi's entropy with parameter γ, an ordinary Boltzmann distribution still describes their statistics under equilibrium thermodynamics. Our results show that systems described by exponential Kolmogorov–Nagumo averages can be interpreted as systems originally in thermal equilibrium with a heat reservoir with inverse temperature β that are suddenly quenched to another heat reservoir with inverse temperature β′=(1−γ)β . Furthermore, we show the connection with multifractal thermodynamics. For the non-equilibrium case, we show that the dynamics of systems described by exponential Kolmogorov–Nagumo averages still observe a second law of thermodynamics and the H-theorem. We further discuss the applications of stochastic thermodynamics in those systems—namely, the validity of fluctuation theorems—and the connection with thermodynamic length.


The fourteenth session of the Economic and Social Council met at United Nations headquarters in New York from May 20 to August 1, 1952. Mr. S. Amjad Ali (Pakistan) was elected president, Mr. Jiri Nosek (Czechoslovakia), first vice-president and Mr. Raymond Scheyven (Belgium), second vice-president. After a proposal by the United States that discussion of a Soviet motion to seat the representative of the Central Government of the People's Republic of China be adjourned for the duration of the session had been adopted by a vote of 14 to 4, the Council turned to consideration of an agenda containing some 46 separate items.


Background: While cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended for all patients after an acute cardiac event, limitations exist in reach. Objective: The purpose of the current study was to develop and pilot a flexible online CR program based on self-management principles "Help Yourself Online." Methods: The program was designed as an alternative to group-based CR as well as to complement traditional CR. The program was based on existing self-management resources developed previously by the Heart Research Centre. Twenty-one patients admitted to Cabrini Health for an acute cardiac event were recruited to test the program. The program was evaluated using qualitative and quantitative methods. Results: Quantitative results demonstrated that patients believed the program would assist them in their self-management. Qualitative evaluation, using focus group and interview methods with 15 patients, showed that patients perceived the online CR approach to be a useful instrument for self-management. Conclusions: Broader implications of the data include the acceptability of the intervention, timing of intervention delivery, and patients' desire for additional online community support.


Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and International Code Council (ICC) standards for accessible buildings and facilities affect design and construction of all new and renovated buildings throughout the United States, and form the basis for compliance with the ADA. While these standards may result in acceptable accessibility for people who are fully blind, they fall far short of what they could and should accomplish for those with low vision. In this article I critique the standards, detailing their lack of evidence base and other shortcomings. I suggest that simply making existing requirements stricter (e.g., by mandating larger letter size or higher contrasts) will not ensure visual accessibility and therefore cannot act as a valid basis for compliance with the law. I propose two remedies. First, requirements for visual characteristics of signs intended to improve access for those with low vision should be expressed not in terms of physical features, such as character height and contrast, but rather in terms of the distance at which a sign can be read by someone with nominally normal (20/20) visual acuity under expected lighting conditions for the installed environment. This would give sign designers greater choice in design parameters but place on them the burden of ensuring legibility. Second, mounting of directional signs, which are critical for effective and efficient wayfinding, should be required to be in consistent and approachable locations so that those with reduced acuity may view them at close distance.


Aflatoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that contaminate agricultural commodities and can cause sickness or death in humans and animals. Risk of aflatoxin contamination of food and feed in Africa is increased due to environmental, agronomic and socio-economic factors. Temperature, food substrate, strain of the mould and other environmental factors are some parameters that effect mycotoxin production. Preventing mycotoxin production at farm level is the best way to control mycotoxin contamination. Advances in molecular techniques and other decontamination methods such as gamma-irradiation and microwave heating could help to deal with these issues. Mycotoxins could be used as an energy source for a group of aerobic microorganisms, which are suitable to mycotoxin biodegradation. Several protocols have been provided to biodegrade mycotoxins in food and feed using potential bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. However, there are varieties of responses between different microorganisms against mycotoxins. For example, Bacillus brevis were not affected by high concentrations of trichothecene. Application of microorganisms needs to be evaluated from a safety point of view. Application of microorganisms on mycotoxin degradation, food and feed materials also need to be investigated. Further studies need to be conducted to address the seasonal variation of aflatoxin contamination in food and feed. Understanding the seasonal variation could help demonstrate and develop more effective decontamination methods. For example, it is postulated that mycotoxin issues due to monsoons in Hungary could possibly be concluded to technical difficulties in pre- and post-harvest operations. Application of advanced methods such as DNA biosensors and infrared spectroscopy for rapid and accurate detection of mycotoxin and related fungi is increasing dramatically. Application of new and advanced detection techniques could enable the agricultural industry to deal more effectively with the occurrence of aflatoxin contamination.


This article deals with the question why experts quite frequently arrive at totally opposite judgements in clinical psychotraumatological expert opinions. This often leads to intense controversially conducted arguments resulting in lengthy proceedings. The reasons for this will be presented for two cases taken from expert opinions issued for the "Soziales Entschädigungs- und Ausländerrecht" (Laws for Social Reparations and Foreigners). A brief synopsis on the legal background will be given and solutions suggested.


Contemporary Cuban children's and young adult literature is little known beyond the shores of the country.A few authors are published in Spanishspeaking countries, but hardly anything has been translated and thus shared with readers outside the Hispanic world.This isolation makes the present book all the more important and interesting. It presents 24 interviews with Cuban children's authors that Enrique Pérez Díaz, Cuban children's book expert and himself the author of many books for young readers, conducted over a period of two decades.The portraits, ordered chronologically by year of birth, range from Dora Alonso (1910–2000), the grande dame of Cuban children's literature, to Eldys Baratute Benavides, born in 1983. Díaz's colleagues and comrades talk about their life and work and reflect on the autobiographical dimension of their creations.The various interviews, whether they explore the creative process or personal experiences and difficulties, all gravitate around the question of what it means and takes to write for children.They also shed light on current developments and trends in Cuban children's literature and allow readers to situate this isolated production within the broader international context. Even though important names are missing, this informative and stimulating volume gives a colourful overview of Cuban literature and introduces the interested reader to some of Cuba's most prominent children's writers of the last decades. Jochen Weber


Salazar's Estado Novo dictatorial regime in Portugal was the object of particular attention in many European countries, especially in its early stage, between the new Constitution of 1933 and the end of World War II in 1945. In Ireland, Salazar's early recipes were then widely considered as a potential panacea that had allegedly contributed to putting the country back on track after years of political and economic crisis following the demise of the Republic in 1926. On 4 December 1941, at a time when both Ireland and Portugal were maintaining their neutrality during World War II, and as Dublin was about to open its first diplomatic representation in Lisbon (2) (Meneses 2005: 16), Eamon de Valera, then Taoiseach for almost a decade, made the following statement in the Dail (Irish Parliament): Portugal is a neighbouring country. In certain respects, her geographical situation and her attitude in relation to the present conflict are similar to our own and, no doubt, the problems which confront the two countries, particularly at the present time, have also many points of resemblance. We have all heard of the great advance which Portugal has made under the leadership of her present Premier, Dr. Salazar. The progressive and Christian manner in which the Portuguese Government is handling its economic and other domestic problems has attracted attention and admiration throughout the world and not least, I think, in this country. (3) With these words, de Valera was not so much reaffirming his own respect and admiration for the Portuguese leader, with whom he shared many characteristics (Meneses 2009: 354), as echoing the general praise of Salazar's handling of Portugal and of the alleged "Christian manner" of the Estado Novo expressed in Irish nationalist newspapers throughout the 1930s (Mercereau 2013: 144, 145). However, from the mid-1940s onwards, Ireland gradually lost interest in the Portuguese situation to such an extent that, when Portugal's colonial wars eventually broke out in the early 1960s, de Valera's Ireland and Salazar's Portugal, despite their numerous common characteristics, had been drifting apart for over a decade and were left with very little in common. More importantly, Portugal's determination to cling to its colonies went against what Ireland largely stood for since it had become a member of the United Nations in 1955, and would remain at the heart of growingly irreconcilable differences between both countries through the following decade. This article, which is part of a wider research project about Ireland's views on Salazar's Estado Novo dictatorship in Portugal (1928-1974), focuses on the later years of the dictatorship. Although there have been studies comparing the Portuguese Estado Novo in the 1930s with other European countries then governed by dictatorial regimes (particularly Franco's Spain, Hitler's Germany or Mussolini's Italy), few studies have focused on the relationship between Ireland and Portugal throughout the four decades of Salazar's reign, with the notable exception of Filipe Ribeiro de Meneses's Correspondencia Diplomatica Irlandesa sobre Portugal, o Estado Novo e Salazar in 2005. The main objective of the present article is not to review Ireland's external policy throughout the 1960s but to analyse how Ireland's main national newspapers presented Portugal's Estado Novo regime in Portugal between the early 1960s and the fall of the regime in 1974, particularly as far as its colonial policy is concerned. With that goal in mind, it consists in trying to determine to what extent their representation of the nature of the regime, and particularly its colonial policy, is biased by their own identities and positions amid the Irish political debate. In order to do so, while all articles with significant reference to Portugal's regime published by Ireland's three main national newspapers, (4) the Irish Press, Irish Independent and Irish Times, have been considered, special interest has been given to the newspapers' editorials as indication of each title's own commitment and opinion. …


Twenty-four gravel-bed rivers in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado were selected for a detailed investigation of bed-material mobility and hydraulic geometry. The criteria for choosing the study reaches were: a nonbraided channel with self-formed bed and banks, evidence of quasi-equilibrium, minimal flow regulation, and a streamflow-gaging station record of at least ten years. In each river reach, several cross sections and longitudinal profiles of the riverbed, water surface, and bankfull elevation were surveyed. Samples of bed surface and subsurface material were collected for size analysis. The median diameter of the bed-material surface ranged from 23 mm to 120 mm. Bankfull discharges ranged from 0.70 m 3 /sec to 255 m 3 /sec. Computed values of the dimensionless shear stress (τ*) showed that the threshold of particle motion was exceeded at flows slightly less than bankfull. The average value of τ* at bankfull was 0.046. Bankfull discharges were equaled or exceeded on an average of 8.1 days per year. The averaged computed value of τ* for the 100-yr flood discharges was only 0.068. Consequently, transport of bed-material particles is a relatively frequent occurrence. Large bed-material transport rates, however, are extremely rare. Empirical evidence obtained at these and other streams indicates that a stable, self-formed gravel-bed channel cannot be maintained at a dimensionless shear stress greater than about 0.080. The 24 river reaches were divided into 2 groups, depending upon bank stability as indicated by bank vegetation. Separately determined bankfull hydraulic-geometry equations for each group were found to have the same exponents, but slightly different coefficients. An analysis of variance determined that 67% of the observations were within ± 15% to 20% of the predicted values for most hydraulic variables. The bankfull hydraulic-geometry equations for the Colorado rivers studied were compared with those of British gravel-bed rivers that had been similarly divided according to the extent of bank vegetation. No significant difference between the hydraulic geometries of Colorado and British gravel-bed rivers with thick bank vegetation was found. The comparison of hydraulic-geometry equations for those rivers with thin bank vegetation determined that there was no difference in the width-versus-discharge relations. No significant difference was found for the exponents of the depth, velocity, and slope equations; however, the coefficient values were slightly different.


Traffic accident prediction in driving videos aims to provide an early warning of the accident occurrence, and supports the decision making of safe driving systems. Previous works usually concentrate on the spatial-temporal correlation of object-level context, while they do not fit the inherent long-tailed data distribution well and are vulnerable to severe environmental change. In this work, we propose a Cognitive Accident Prediction (CAP) method that explicitly leverages human-inspired cognition of text description on the visual observation and the driver attention to facilitate model training. In particular, the text description provides a dense semantic description guidance for the primary context of the traffic scene, while the driver attention provides a traction to focus on the critical region closely correlating with safe driving. CAP is formulated by an attentive text-to-vision shift fusion module, an attentive scene context transfer module, and the driver attention guided accident prediction module. We leverage the attention mechanism in these modules to explore the core semantic cues for accident prediction. In order to train CAP, we extend an existing self-collected DADA-2000 dataset (with annotated driver attention for each frame) with further factual text descriptions for the visual observations before the accidents. Besides, we construct a new large-scale benchmark consisting of 11,727 in-the-wild accident videos with over 2.19 million frames (named as CAP-DATA) together with labeled fact-effect-reason-introspection description and temporal accident frame label. Based on extensive experiments, the superiority of CAP is validated compared with state-of-the-art approaches. The code, CAP-DATA, and all results will be released in \url{https://github.com/JWFanggit/LOTVS-CAP}.


Developmental morphology and anatomy of Botrychium s.l. were studied to clarify rhizome ontogeny and patterns of tissue maturation that can be used to test the hypothesis that ferns of the Ophioglossales may represent living progymnosperms. Serial anatomical sections of the rhizomes of B. virginianum and B. dissectum reveal that apical meristematic activity and vascular tissue maturation occur over an extended period of several years and then stop. Most of the xylem consists of radial rows of tracheids and interspersed ray-like xylem parenchyma cells that are similar in these respects to secondary xylem, but pits occur on all tracheid walls as is characteristic of primary xylem. No vascular cambium is initiated in mature primary tissues, nor is there secondary phloem. Radial rows of xylem cells are produced by the direct continuation of divisions that begin at the shoot apical meristem, forming a cylinder of radially aligned procambial cells before the differentiation of protoxylem. Continuing divisions over a period of several years increase the number of thin-walled cells and tracheids in each radial row back to about one internode behind where the current year's frond trace diverges from the rhizome stele. At more proximal levels of the rhizome, procambial cell divisions cease and there is no additional tracheid differentiation. These data reveal that the rhizome matures over an exceedingly long period of several years, but that growth is ultimately determinate, thus supporting hypotheses that the Ophioglossales is more closely related to other groups of living ferns than to progymnosperms and seed plants.


Resistive fuses are key elements in weak string filters, which smooth out noise while detecting step edges inherent in original data. A resistive fuse is implemented by two pairs of floating-gate metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors in a chip by a standard double poly complementary MOS process.


. We study the consequences of spatial coordinate transformation in multi-field inflation. Among the spontaneously broken de Sitter isometries, only dilatation in the comoving gauge preserves the form of the metric and thus results in quantum-protected Slavnov-Taylor identities. We derive the corresponding consistency relations between correlation functions of cosmological perturbations in two different ways, by the connected and one-particle-irreducible Green's functions. The lowest-order consistency relations are explicitly given, and we find that even in multi-field inflation the consistency relations in the soft limit are independent of the detail of the matter sector.


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: 4D PCMRI can be used to quantify pulsatile hemodynamics in multiple cerebral arteries. The aim of this study was to compare 4D PCMRI and 2D PCMRI for assessments of pulsatile hemodynamics in major cerebral arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We scanned the internal carotid artery, the anterior cerebral artery, the basilar artery, and the middle cerebral artery in 10 subjects with a single 4D and multiple 2D PCMRI acquisitions by use of a 3T system and a 32-channel head coil. We assessed the agreement regarding net flow and the volume of arterial pulsatility (ΔV) for all vessels. RESULTS: 2D and 4D PCMRI produced highly correlated results, with r = 0.86 and r = 0.95 for ΔV and net flow, respectively (n = 69 vessels). These values increased to r = 0.93 and r = 0.97, respectively, during investigation of a subset of measurements with <5% variation in heart rate between the 4D and 2D acquisition (n = 31 vessels). Significant differences were found for ICA and MCA net flow (P = .004 and P < .001, respectively) and MCA ΔV (P = .006). However, these differences were attenuated and no longer significant when the subset with stable heart rate (n = 31 vessels) was analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: 4D PCMRI provides a powerful methodology to measure pulsatility of the larger cerebral arteries from a single acquisition. A large part of differences between measurements was attributed to physiologic variations. The results were consistent with 2D PCMRI.


Ependymomas arise from ependymal cells and can grow at any site in the central nervous system (CNS), as well as in some locations outside of the CNS. The latter is rare, contributing to the frequent misdiagnoses of such cases. Herein, we present the case of a 54-year-old man with a history of lower limb weakness and numbness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extradural, heterogeneously enhanced solid lesion with a regular and well-defined border in the posterior mediastinum. A post-resection histopathological examination revealed tumor-forming perivascular pseudo-rosettes that showed immunoreactivity against glial fibrillary acidic protein, epithelial membrane antigen, and vimentin, as well as a high Ki-67 labeling index. Based on pathological features, a diagnosis of anaplastic ependymoma was established.


Experimental studies have shown that IL-12 plays an important role in the activation of the anticancer immune defenses. Unfortunately, at present the behavior of IL-12 secretion in human neoplasms remain to be established. In an attempt to draw some preliminary data about IL-12 secretion in human cancer, in the present study we have evaluated serum levels of IL-12 in a group of non-metastatic and metastatic solid tumor patients in relation to the survival time, and their changes in surgically treated cancer patients and in metastatic patients undergoing immunotherapy with IL-2. Mean serum levels of IL-12 were significantly higher metastatic patients (n = 40) than in those with locally limited solid neoplasm (n = 16). Moreover, within the metastatic group, the percent of 1-year survival was significantly higher in patients with abnormally elevated blood concentrations of IL-12 than in those with normal values. In the group of 10 patients surgically treated for gastrointestinal tract tumors, the surgical operation induced a significant decline in IL-12 mean serum levels. Finally, in a group of 23 metastatic renal cell cancer patients treated with IL-12 immunotherapy (6 million IU/day S.C. for 6 days/week for 4 weeks), the treatment was associated with a significant and progressive increase in IL-12 mean values. Moreover, serum mean levels of IL-12 observed in therapy in patients with response or stable disease were significantly higher than those found in progressing patients. This preliminary study seems to suggest that the evidence of high levels of IL-12 may have a favourable prognostic significance in solid tumor patients, either in baseline conditions or in response to IL-2 cancer immunotherapy.


Semantic web applications are integrating data from more and more different types of sources about events. However, most data annotation frameworks do not translate well to semantic web. We describe the grounded annotation framework (GAF), a two-layered framework that aims to build a bridge between mentions of events in a data source such as a text document and their formal representation as instances. By choosing a two-layered approach, neither the mention layer, nor the semantic layer needs to compromise on what can be represented. We demonstrate the strengths of GAF in flexibility and reasoning through a use case on earthquakes in Southeast Asia.


A multichannel dual-mixer time difference (DMTD) system has been developed by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) for a measurement system to generate the UTC(NICT) time scale based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). This system measures time differences between a reference signal and 24 device under test (DUT) signals, simultaneously. We have confirmed that this system has enough accuracy to measure hydrogen maser and cesium clocks at an averaging time of 1 s.


Abstract.
 While researchers have made great progress investigating the molt of temperate-zone birds, few studies have examined the molt of tropical birds. We carried out this study in 2009 and 2010 in the cerrado biome, Distrito Federal, Brazil. On the basis of 334 birds captured with mist nets, we describe the timing, duration, and intensity of the flight-feather molt in eight species. Molt scores indicated the direction of replacement and points where molt series started and ended. The innermost primary usually was the first flight feather to drop, and primaries were replaced proximal to distal. Secondaries were replaced in two series, and S6 or S5 typically was the last remex to complete growth. Rectrices were replaced in a single series on each side, from R1 (central) to R6 (lateral). All species replaced their primaries according to the rules followed by most passerines. The White-eared Puffbird (Nystalus chacuru: Galbuliformes) was an exception; it replaced primaries in two molt series and possibly does not molt its secondaries completely every year. In comparison to similar temperate-zone birds, whose molts take 42–105 days tropical birds seem to have a slower metabolism, with molt having an average duration of 122 days and intensity of 3.1 feathers growing simultaneously. Larger species required more time to molt. In four species we found overlap of molt and breeding.


Abstract Background High job demands, low job control, and their combination (job strain) may increase workers' risk of depression. Previous research is limited by small populations, not controlling for previous depression, and relying on the same informant for reporting exposure and outcome. This study aims to examine the relationship between objectively measured workplace factors and the risk of developing clinical depression among the Swedish working population while controlling for previous psychiatric diagnoses and sociodemographic factors. Methods Control, demands, and job strain were measured using the Swedish Job Exposure Matrix (JEM) measuring psychosocial workload linked to around 3 million individuals based on their occupational titles in 2005. Cox regression models were built to estimate associations between these factors and diagnoses of depression recorded in patient registers. Results Lower job control was associated with an increased risk of developing depression (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.39–1.48 and HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.24–1.30 for men and women with the lowest control, respectively), and this showed a dose–response relationship among men. Having high job demands was associated with a slight decrease in depression risk for men and women. High strain and passive jobs (both low control jobs) were associated with an increased risk of depression among men, and passive jobs were associated with an increased risk among women. Conclusion High job control appears important for reducing the risk of developing depression even when accounting for previous psychiatric diagnoses and sociodemographic factors. This is an important finding concerning strategies to improve occupational and in turn mental health.


It is well-established that reference points are a feature of decision making under risk. In this paper we report an experiment, in which we investigate which of three potential reference points: (1) a status quo payoff level, (2) the average expected earnings of peers, and (3) a stated expectation of the experimenter, best describes behavior in a decontextualized risky decision making task. We find heterogeneity among individuals in the reference points they employ. The status quo level is the modal reference point, followed by the experimenter's stated expectation of participant earnings, and in turn by the average expected earnings of peers. A sizeable share of individuals show multiple reference points simultaneously. Reference points can be affected by a change in the income level.


Piper gaudichaudianum Kunth (Piperaceae) is widely used in Brazil as medicinal and ritualistic. In this study, chemophenetic patterns were evaluated based on leaves' essential oils (EOs) chemical composition. Several collections were performed to accomplish circadian rhythm and seasonal studies. Besides, a predictive methodology was developed and submitted to Proof of Concept (PoC) to determine the metabolism pattern and evaluate the reduction-oxidation of complex mixtures: Weighted Average Redox Standard (SRO) and General Mixture Redox Index (GMOR). Fresh leaves EOs obtained by hydrodistillation were analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. The main identified compounds were sesquiterpenes. Nineteen terpene skeletons were registered. There was chemical composition variation at different phenological stages. EOs varied more between day and night than seasonally. Nine chemotypes are proposed based on our results and those from literature. SRO and GMRO analyzes highlighted a possible redox balance throughout day and night. Compounds per carbon skeleton diversification in EOs are matched by an increase in compounds SRO. We also report for the first time high chemical phenotype plasticity based on EOs analysis and its implications for P. gaudichaudianum chemophenetics, chemosystematics and ecology.


tasks was compared between before and after escitalopram administration. Methods: subjects depressive outpatients (40.2 ± 7.6 years old) attending Kurume University Hospital. HAM-D was used to evaluate symptoms. Oxy-Hb value during the tasks were measured at bilateral recording points (22 on each side) using a multi-channel NIRS system. The subjects were instructed to phonate "a-i-u-e-o" for 12 seconds as a resting condition, and performed a verbal production task (VPT) or shiritori task (saying a word starting with the last syllable). The shiritori task involved two task patterns, i.e., standard shiritori (VST) and living creatures shiritori (VLT). From the data obtained at each measurement point during the 20 trials, an averaged waveform was prepared, and peak values of waveform were calculated and analyzed. These tasks were performed before escitalopram administration (session 1(S1)) and 3.6 (S2) and 8.5 (S3) months after initiation of escitalopram administration. Results: When HAM-D was compared between before and after escitalopram administration, it significantly decreased in S2 and S3. No significant difference was noted in the number of words in the verbal task between before and after administration. Oxy-Hb value was significantly increased in the bilateral middle frontal regions in S3 of VLT compared with those before administration (S1). In the left frontal pole region, Oxy-Hb value significantly increased in the VST and VLT. A significant inverse correlation was observed between HAM-D and oxy-Hb value in the left middle frontal region. Discussion: Escitalopram effective, and oxy-Hb value Abstract Objective: Lower heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of auto-nomic function, has been noted in depression and linked with cardiovascular disease risk. Evidence suggests that some anti-depressants, such as tricyclics and SNRIs, adversely impact HRV (Terhardt et al., 2013) while SSRIs appear to have no influence on HRV (Kemp et al., 2010). Desvenlafaxine is a newer SNRI used to treat depression, but there are no published studies on its benefits in chronic depression, or its influence on measure of HRV. The objectives of this pilot investigation were to investigate these issues. Methods: Twenty-three patients with persistent depressive disorder, who were enrolled in an open-label 8-week trial of monotherapy with desvenlafaxine, were included in this study. HRV was measured at baseline and post-treatment. Differences in HRV parameters were assessed pre-post treatment, as well as between those who responded to treatment (n=15) vs. non-responders (n=8). Results: Across the sample, HRV measures of time-and fre-quency-domains significantly decreased over the course of treatment, including SDNN (p<.01), RMSSD (p=.05), RR triangular index (p=.03), as well as total Power (p<.01) and LF/HF Power (p=.03). Significant increases in frequency-domain measures such as HF power (p=.04) were also noted. Further, comparisons between responders and non-responders revealed significant differences in time-domain measures (TINN, p=.04), and overall estimates of HRV (RR triangular index) (p=.02) post-treatment. Conclusions: The results suggest that treatment response to desvenlafaxine is associated with normalization of sympatho-vagal balance (HRV). Limitations of this study include small sample size and absence of a control group. Additional investi-gations are warranted. Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to detect specific psychophysiological response to interpersonal stimulus in dysthymic patients, using a newly-designed interpersonal conditioning experiment, and to elucidate the impact of their clinical characteristics and prescribed medications on the response. Method: Twenty female dysthymic subjects underwent fear conditioning and extinction experiments in response to two types of stimuli: an aversive sound, and pictures of an actors' face with recorded unpleasant verbal messages to cause interpersonal conflicts. Conditioned response was quantified by differential skin conductance response (SCR) between CS[+] and CS[-]. Regression analysis was performed to examine the effects of emotion regulation strategy measured by the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and prescribed medications on the differential SCR. Result: Mean± ± sound interpersonal subjects Abstract Objectives: Venlafaxine is metabolized by CYP2D6 to O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) and by CYP3A4 to N-desmethylvenlafaxine (NDV). CYP2C19 is also involved in the formation of ODV. The PPIs omeprazole and pantoprazole inhibit CYP2C19 to a different extent. Aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of both PPIs on serum levels of VEN and ODV. Methods: From a therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) database, serum concentrations of VEN, ODV and the active moiety (VEN + ODV), were analyzed. Data from 120 patients were available and splitted into three groups: patients without PPI [noPPI], with pantoprazole [PANTO] or with omeprazole [OMEP] (n=40 each). The ratio of (ODV/VEN) was calculated as a marker of the metab-olizer status. Results: Median test detected no differences regarding the median daily dosage of VEN between the three groups (p=0.995); the mean daily doses for VEN were 207.6mg/d, SD=79.96 in the control-group, 209.06mg/d, SD=78.24 for the pantoprazole group and 203.43mg/d, SD=91.41 for omeprazole group. Plasma concentrations for VEN + ODVEN in the PANTO group were significantly higher than in the control group (p=0.019 for Mann-Whitney U Test). Plasma concentrations for ODVEN and VEN + ODVEN in the OMEP group were significantly higher than in the control group (p=0.001 and p=0.017 for Mann-Whitney U Test) Conclusion: Both, omeprazole and pantoprazole led to a vary-ing extent in increases of the serum concentrations of the active moiety (sum of VEN+ODV). The increase is driven by significantly higher levels of ODV in the OMEP group. This might be due to distinct CYP2C19 blocking properties of both PPIs, hindering the 2C19 mediated metabolization of VEN to N-desmethylvenlafaxine (NDV). Abstract Purpose: This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of mirtazapine (MIR) and its hydroxylated metabolite in Japanese psychiatric patients. Patients and Methods: The subjects were 59 Japanese patients treated with racemic MIR. The steady-state plasma concentrations of MIR and N-desmethylmirtazapine (DMIR), 8-hydroxy-MIR (8-OH-MIR) were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. CYP2D6 genotypes were determined by poly-merase chain reaction. Three subjects whose plasma levels of MIR and DMIR were below the limit of detection were regarded as non-adherent and excluded. Multiple regression analysis (stepwise method) was performed to analyze the relationship between subject-independent variables (gender, age, smoking status and number of mutated CYP2D6 alleles) and subject-dependent variables such as plasma concentrations of MIR, DMIR, 8-OH-MIR (ng/ml/mg/kg; all corrected for dose and body weight) and 8-OH-MIR/MIR ratio. Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed that smoking (p=0.016) and gender (p=0.041) Abstract KYN pathway (KP) is activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and can produce pro-oxidative metabolites in the brain of depressed patients. Antidepressant treatment reverses oxidative stress in animal models, we can hypothesize that In an animal model of "chronic stress induced depression" in mice, we previously showed that TRP/ KYN pathway activa-tion produced glutamatergic and pro-oxidative metabolites (3-HK), suggesting that chronic stress accelerates glutamatergic excitotoxicity and oxidative stress. We show here that a chronic treatment with the IDO (indole dioxygenase) inhibitor 1-methyl-tryptophan (1MT) or antidepressant fluoxetine were able to reverse TRP/KYN abnormalities caused by chronic stress. These data suggest that TRP/KYN pathway would play a central role in the pathophysiology of stress-induced bio-behavioural abnormalities. Methods: Mice were confronting the unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) procedure and brain KP metabolites were ana-lysed in relevant brain structures and in the periphery, in saline, 1-MT and fluoxetine treated animals. Results: 1-MT and FLX reverse most of UCMS-induced behav-ioural abnormalities induced by UCMS and reverse various metabolic alterations of the KP (peripherally and centrally). Conclusions: Our results show that inhibition of the KP by 1MT is as effective as fluoxetine as an antidepressant treatment in the UCMS mice. They show that inhibiting KP subsequently reduces the production of pro-oxidative /neurotoxic metabolic substrates in relevant structures. They suggest that KP would play a central role in the link between neuroinflammation and oxidative stress abnormalities in chronic stress induced mood disorders.


Existing literature on Philippine languages is rife with references to Chavacano, the hypernym for Spanish-based
 creoles spoken in various parts of the archipelago. Variants of Chavacano are characterised in historical accounts as 'a corrupt
 Spanish dialect' with depreciative labels such as español de tienda 'hawker Spanish' or español de
 cocina 'kitchen Spanish'. The concerted assertion of this creole's degeneracy is a legacy of colonial knowledge
 production. Since the genesis of the Philippine creoles, much has changed as to their usage both from a linguistic and a social
 viewpoint. It is in this social dimension that we locate the present study. Of the three main varieties of Chavacano, spoken in
 Cavite City, Ternate, and Zamboanga respectively, this paper zeroes in on the third as the Mindanaoan variety is the healthiest to
 date. We wish to interrogate the trajectory of its social status, from its characterisation as a degenerate variant of Spanish to
 its privileged position in contemporary Zamboanga City as a Hispanic identity marker (Chavacano un poquito
 español 'Chavacano slightly Spanish'). Nuancing the role played in language preservation efforts by Zamboangueño
 elites, this study highlights the singularity of a creolophone community, who, through the politicisation of heritage, has
 subverted the ideological marginality of their Creole mother tongue and appropriated it to be the hallmark of their ethnic
 identity.


We report a case of intestinal perforation in a 20 month old girl following the ingestion of 2 small magnets. Ingestion of multiple magnets constitutes a unique problem. Magnets in adjacent intestinal loops may forcefully attract each other and produce pressure necrosis of the bowel wall, leading to perforation, fistula formation or intestinal obstruction. Therefore, these children should be observed carefully. Early surgical intervention should be considered when clinical symptoms develop, especially when, on sequential abdominal radiographs, there is no change in the magnets' location. Since toys with small magnets are ubiquitous, efforts should be made to increase parents' awareness on the one hand, and to alert toy manufacturers on the other hand.


Abstract The implications of effectiveness research are far-reaching. Thus, the specification of a broad research agenda and the soundness of the underlying research methodologies and data bases are critical. This article discusses the quality of administrative data and the infrastructure supporting an ongoing effectiveness research effort.


Of course, as is always true in a survey, it would be easy to find fault with particular points of emphasis or lack thereof. In the view of this reader, the primary weakness is inherent in its brevity; for instance, there are occasional examples of ideas or groups mentioned without explanation. Since the work is clearly intended for novices, this type of shortcoming is particularly troublesome. The footnotes and bibliographies at the end of each chapter indicate that much of the work is based on secondary sources. Whi le the quality of printing in the reviewer's copy is uneven, the judicious use of illustrations and maps adds to the attractiveness of the book.


Elizabeth the first, of England, has fascinated many historians. Various enigmas have served as the theme of speculation and wonder. British subjects feel a subtle mixture of awe, reverence, and love for their rulers which makes the royal sovereign occupy a position of respect and fealty for which we in the United States have no counterpart and no substitute. But this sacrosanct state has tended to be an inhibiting influence on historians and biographers who set about peering into the inner secrets of such a marvelous and complex person as the first Elizabeth. Some years ago, after I had met Sir Arthur MacNalty, he sent me a copy of his delightful book, Henry VIII: A Difficult Patient . Though the emphasis in the Queen's biography is found in the subtitle, The Lonely Queen , he might perhaps equally well have said a Difficult Person. We all marvel at the virtuosity of the


mu-Opioid receptors mediate such opioid effects as analgesia, euphoria, and immunomodulation. Gene expression of mu-opioid receptors can be modulated by various substances, including cytokines, hormones, and drugs. Some of these stimuli (e.g., IL-1beta and cocaine) have been shown to activate members of the AP-1 transcription factor family. In addition, transcription of the mu-opioid receptor gene is induced by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C, which in turn is an activator of AP-1 transcription factors. This indicates that signaling pathways involving protein kinase C and activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factors are important for the specific expression pattern of the mu-opioid receptor gene. In this report, we show that TPA activates AP-1 as well as the transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) in the mu-opioid receptor expressing neuroblastoma cell line SH SY5Y. In transfection experiments performed in these cells, both factors trans-activate expression of reporter gene constructs containing the human mu-opioid receptor gene promoter. By excluding the effects of TPA on NFkappaB with the specific NFkappaB inhibitor sulfasalazine, AP-1 regulatory elements were localized. Two AP-1 elements, which differ in one nucleotide each from the classic AP-1 binding site, were delineated to positions -2388 and -1434 of the promoter. Independent of their orientation, these elements conferred TPA responsiveness on the heterologous thymidine kinase promoter. AP-1 binding to these elements was confirmed using electrophoretic mobility shift and immunoshift assays.


Although it's customary to design hydronic circuits with target temperature drops of 20oF under design load conditions, there is nothing magical about the number 20. Many systems can be designed to operate with higher temperature drops. The greater the circuit temperature drop, the lower the flow rate needed for a given rate of heat transport. Lowered flow rates often lead to reduced tube sizes and smaller circulators.


Water buffaloes are very important dairy animals in many developing countries, for example India. One of the greatest problems with buffalo milk production is the poor reproduction efficiency. Silent heat is common among buffaloes, which means that ovulation occurs without any visual heat signs. This makes it hard to detect heat and causes economical losses for the farmers. One method used for heat detection in cattle is measurements of the physical activity.

The aim with this study was to document if activity tags (measurements of the physical activity) can be useful in water buffaloes. The milk production and behaviour during heat were followed to see if deviation in those could be used for heat detection as well.

Eight Murrah buffaloes were selected for the heat study. Four of them were expected to come in heat during the experimental period and four were induced to heat with hormonal treatment. The heat induced buffaloes were also followed during their next natural heat. Altogether thirteen heats were followed. In addition to this two control groups with five pregnant buffaloes and three pregnant cows were selected. All animals were equipped with activity tags (DeLaval, Sweden) during the entire study time. The animals in the control groups were not exposed to any other observations than the activity measurements. The animals were kept indoors in a lose housing system and were milked twice daily. The activity and milk yield were recorded daily by ALPRO®. The strip yield was measured with a measuring cylinder and milk samples were taken every milking to determine fat content in the strip yield. Milk samples were taken once daily to determine progesterone concentration. The fat was removed before running RIA (radioimmunoassay). Five days before expected heat and until the heat had passed the buffaloes were examined with ultra sound (7.5 Mhz) to see when ovulation occurred. At the same time the external genitalia were checked for heat signs (congestion, relaxation and swelling). The behaviour study started as well five days before expected heat with two 30-minutes observations daily (before milking in the morning and the evening). Three days before expected heat the study increased with two more observations, at 14.30 and 22.30.

The ultrasound measurement together with heat signs expression in the external genitalia determined the actual heat dates. Statistical evaluations of the activity data showed that it was only possible to correctly detect one heat in one buffalo. This buffalo had a significant high activity during the heat day. The other buffaloes in the study had too many false alarms and the heat day would not have been possible to distinguish. The progesterone analysis was not useful in this study due to inefficient fat removal. A trend in decreased morning milk yield and increased evening strip yield during heat was observed. The behaviour observations showed that the buffaloes spent more time standing and less time standing eating roughage before morning milking during heat. This might be indications of restlessness and decreased appetite. There were no differences in numbers of social interactions during heat. There were no expressions of the heat signs standing when mounted by herd mates and no attempts to mount herd mates.

The conclusion with this study is that the today's activity meter system is not useful for heat detection in buffaloes, but there were indications that activity meters can be useful after adjustments and further improvement.


Background Radical resection remains the most effective treatment for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA). However, due to the complex anatomy of the hilar region, the tumor is prone to invade portal vein and hepatic arteries, making the surgical treatment of HCCA particularly difficult. Successful laparoscopic radical resection of HCCA(IIIA, IIIB) requires excellent surgical skills and rich experience. Furthermore, the safety and effectiveness of this operation are still controversial. Aim To retrospectively analyze and compare the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic and open surgery for patients with HCCA. Methods Clinical imaging and postoperative pathological data of 89 patients diagnosed with HCCA (IIIA, IIIB) and undergoing radical resection in our center from January 2018 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 6 patients (4 were lost to follow-up and 2 were pathologically confirmed to have other diseases after surgery) were ruled out, and clinical data was collected from the remaining 83 patients for statistical analysis. These patients were divided into an open surgery group (n=62) and a laparoscopic surgery group (n=21) according to the surgical methods used, and after 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM), 32 and 16 patients respectively in the open surgery group and laparoscopic surgery group were remained. The demographic data, Bismuth type, perioperative data, intraoperative data, postoperative complications, pathological findings, and long-term survivals were compared between these two groups. Results After 1:2 PSM, 32 patients in the open surgery group and 16 patients in the laparoscopic surgery group were included for further analysis. Baseline characteristics and pathological outcomes were comparable between the two groups. Statistically significant differences between the two groups were observed in intraoperative blood loss and operative time, as it were 400-800 mL vs 200-400 mL (P=0.012) and (407.97 ± 76.06) min vs (489.69 ± 79.17) min (P=0.001) in the open surgery group and laparoscopic surgery group, respectively. The R0 resection rate of the open group was 28 cases (87.5%), and the R0 resection rate of the laparoscopic group was 15 cases (93.75%). The two groups showed no significant difference in terms of surgical approach, intraoperative blood transfusion, incidence of postoperative complications, and short- and long-term efficacy (P>0.05). Conclusions Laparoscopic radical resection of HCCA has comparable perioperative safety compared to open surgery group, as it has less bleeding and shorter operation time. Although it is a promising procedure with the improvement of surgical skills and further accumulation of experience, further investigations are warranted before its wider application.


The aim of this paper is to develop a post-Keynesian macroeconomic model that takes into account a non-linearity in the interest rate rule. We assume that the monetary authority considers, in the practice of monetary policy, an interaction between inflation rates and the rate of capacity utilization, so that the sensitivity of the interest rate rule to the gap of inflation in relation to target varies according to the economic cycle. The macroeconomic policy framework proposed here allows the monetary authority to be sensitive to the inflation and to the output without, losing sight of the anchoring role of the inflation target.


Photoaging, the primary cause of exogenous skin aging and predominantly caused by ultraviolet radiation, is an essential type of skin aging characterized by chronic skin inflammation. Recent studies have shown that oxidative stress, inflammation, skin barrier homeostasis, collagen denaturation and pigmentation are the main contributors to it. As a composite tissue rich in matrix and vascular components, adipose tissue derivatives have been recently gaining attention as potential therapeutic agents for various human diseases with fat-processing technology upgrades. This review analyzes both 'minimally treated' and 'nonminimally treated' fat derivatives to give an overview of the preclinical and clinical relevance of adipose tissue derivatives for antiphotoaging application, highlighting their good clinical prospects as well as discussing their safety and potential risks.


George Box was fascinated with how we make discoveries. His path-breaking contributions to experimental design made statistics an active partner in the process of discovery. Box introduced us to response surface methods, evolutionary operation, resolution and rotatability, projective properties and design robustness. He developed popular experimental plans like the central composite and Box-Behnken designs. He explored the consequences of imperfect models and derived D-optimal designs for experiments to estimate mechanistic models. Box's ideas grew from close collaborations with scientists and engineers and have been applied successfully in a wide range of disciplines. He has left an indelible stamp on the field of experimental design and on the practice of scientific investigation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) have been approved in recent years to treat patients infected by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The DAAs treatment is well tolerated and increases sustained virological responses, but there is no consensus about the neuropsychological functioning related to the treatment. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the recent findings exploring the cognitive effects of DAAs treatment in patients with HCV. After a systematic search on PubMed, Embase, Scopus and LILACS, studies that assessed neuropsychological data related to DAAs treatment were included. We found nine articles, considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three other manuscripts were included after searching for the references listed in the previously mentioned articles. We observed methodological heterogeneity in terms of neuropsychological tests used, cognitive domain explored and the sample characteristic presented between the studies. Studies presented data from HCV subjects monoinfected with or without cirrhosis, advanced liver disease and post‐transplant patients; and HCV subjects coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Most results from the 12 studies that explored the effect of DAAs treatment in HCV subjects' neurocognitive functioning demonstrated cognitive improvement following treatment. In general, HCV and HCV/HIV subjects improved processing speed, verbal fluency and verbal/visual episodic memory. The DAAs treatment is effective for neurocognitive functioning in HCV monoinfected and coinfected subjects, with or without advanced liver disease, since neuropsychological scores increased after treatment. Further studies, however, are needed to confirm these findings.


This chapter traces the history and provides a critical review of the extant literature on women's participation in expatriation. It begins by reviewing the literature from the 1980s, examining Nancy J. Adler's seminal work and how her three key 'myths' (relating to supply and demand, namely that women do not want international careers, organizational reluctance to send women abroad and presumed lack of host country acceptance of women expatriates) provide explanations for their minimal expatriate representation (just 3 per cent in the early 1980s) and set the scene for over three decades of female expatriate research. The following three sections examine the female expatriate literature on these themes in depth and in so doing provide analysis at the individual, organizational and societal levels. They preview evidence concerning the individual choices that women make and the effect of family constraints upon these; organizational decision-making, particularly in relation to expatriate selection; and the effects of societal cultures (at home and abroad) on women's expatriate participation. These issues are framed theoretically, set within the global context, and within women's participation in international management, more generally.

While women's expatriate representation has increased over the years, they still remain in the minority, comprising around one-fifth of the expatriate population today (Brookfield, 2012). This proportion has changed little over the last decade, suggesting that this may represent the limit of female international assignment participation. Men dominate expatriation in countries such as Japan. Although firms based in the Asia-Pacific are beginning to send more women on assignment (Anon, 2007), where considerable participation by Japanese and other Asian organizations is included in survey data, for example ORC Worldwide (2007), female expatriate participation is lower (Thang, MacLachlan and Goda, 2002). By comparison, Asia-Pacific headquarters-based organizations comprise only a small percentage of respondents in Brookfield's (2012) survey which records higher female expatriation. The academic research into women's expatriation reflects the predominance of Western women from North America, Europe and Australasia going on assignment (Shortland and HUTCHINGS 9781781955024 (M3343) (G).indd 18 15/01/2014 11:08 Women expatriates: A research history 19 Altman, 2011) and hence the experiences of female expatriates from these regions form the main focus of this chapter. However, moving beyond Adler's themes, this chapter also examines institutional factors and their impact on women's entry into, and support within, expatriate roles. The chapter concludes with a critical review of what we actually know about women expatriates (surprisingly little after 30 years) (Shortland and Altman, 2011). It includes the effects of organizational interventions, the changing nature of expatriate assignments and gendered issues that potentially hinder or alternatively facilitate women's international mobility, ending with a call for theoretically framed further research.


A novel series of antiinflammatory agents, N-isoxazolyl-3-carboxamides of 4-hydroxy-2H-1,2-benzothiazine 1,1-dioxide, was synthesized and evaluated as antiinflammatory agents in the carrageenin-induced rat paw edema (CIRPE) assay and adjuvant-induced polyarthritis (AIP) assay. Several analogues were found to be equipotent or more potent than aspirin and phenylbutazone. Structure-activity relationships are discussed. One of the compounds, 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(5-methyl-3-isoxazolyl)-2H-1,2-benzothiazine 3-carboxamide 1,1-dioxide (3a; isoxicam), was found to be 3 times as potent as phenylbutazone in the CIRPE and in the therapeutic AIP assays. Isoxicam (3a) is presently undergoing phase III clinical trial as an antiarthritic drug.


Although protein-nucleic acid interactions exhibit dramatic dependences on both ion concentration and type in vitro, large variations in intracellular ion concentrations can occur in Escherichia coli and other organisms without apparent effects on gene expression in vivo. E. coli accumulates K+ and glutamate as cytoplasmic osmolytes. The cytoplasmic K+ concentration in E. coli varies from less than 0.2 to greater than 0.9 m as a function of external osmolarity; corresponding cytoplasmic glutamate concentrations range from less than 0.03 to greater than 0.25 m. Only low levels of chloride occur in the cytoplasm of E. coli at all osmotic conditions. Since most in vitro studies have been performed in chloride salts, whereas glutamate is the more relevant physiological anion, we have measured the effects of the substitution of potassium glutamate (KGlu) for KCl on the kinetics and equilibria of a variety of site-specific protein-DNA interactions in vitro. Both the interaction of E. coli RNA polymerase with two phage lambda promoters and the interactions of various restriction enzymes with their DNA cleavage sites are enhanced by this substitution. Using the abortive initiation assay, we find a greater than 30-fold increase in the second-order rate constant for open complex formation at the lambda PR promoter and a 10-fold increase at the lambda PR' promoter, when KGlu is substituted for KCl. Replacement of KCl by KGlu does not affect the strong salt dependences of these interactions; increasing either KCl or KGlu concentrations decreases both reaction rates and extents. Substitution of glutamate for chloride does, however, shift the range of salt concentrations over which these interactions are observable to higher K+ concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


:  There exists a growing literature on the geographical aspects of neoliberalism and neoliberalisation. In this paper I focus on how the neoliberalisation process is articulated at the scale of the local state in Durban, South Africa. I examine the neoliberalisation process through the lens of the water sector. This paper contributes to the body of literature showing how private sector governance techniques are being used in the public sector effecting its neoliberalisation. I show how pricing structures are neoliberal and in turn how they are deployed and contribute to the neoliberalisation of the local state in Durban. I show that accounting strategies, tariff structures, and cost recovery measures are central to the neoliberalisation process in Durban.


A number of European projects – ELAN (2006), Dylan (2006-2011), CELAN (2011-2013) – have confirmed the importance of multilingualism in the workplace. They provide evidence that a multilingual environment increases the diversity and the quality of projects, while monolingualism can mean a loss of markets. Since the '80s, English as a lingua franca (ELF) has been accepted as the international business language. Although English is not considered a threat to multilingualism (House, 2002, 2003), tensions exist between these two forms of communication: ELF and multilingualism. In this paper, I present an analysis of Airbus employee interviews using argument formulas (Anscombre, Ducrot, 1983). The initial analysis of what is said before and after the connector "but/pero/aber/mais" within interviews in four languages indicates tensions between the use of English and multilingual exchanges in daily work activities. The combination of "enunciation frames" (Charolles, 1997) and the role of personal pronouns (Benveniste, 1974) shows that the employees adapt their communication according to workplace structures: they tend to use English at an executive or a departmental level, while at team and face-to-face levels their communication benefits from multilingual skills.


A 70-year-old left-handed woman reported 2–3 years of word-finding difficulties, impaired verbal comprehension, and unimpaired hearing. She independently performed daily living activities and did not meet dementia criteria (Montreal Cognitive Assessment 23). Examination revealed hesitant speech, mild anomia without word/object knowledge loss, and a normal writing sample. Written command–following ability was preserved with verbal command–following impaired. Spared environmental sound recognition vs difficulty with spoken words indicated auditory verbal agnosia/pure-word deafness.1 Neuroimaging revealed β-amyloid–positive PET, focal atrophy on MRI, and focal flortaucipir uptake indicating tau accumulation in primary auditory cortex (Brodmann areas 41/42) known as the Heschl gyrus (Figure).


The identification of bifidobacteria to the genus level is important for the differentiation of these bacteria from other bacteria occurring in the animal and human intestine. The detection of fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase (F6PPK-test) is used traditionally for the identification of Bifidobacterium sp. The original procedure is time consuming and therefore it was modified several times recently. The aim of the present work was to compare the following methods for the genus identification of bifidobacteria: F6PPK-test, F6PPK-test modified by the addition of triton X-100, F6PPK-test modified by the addition of cetridium bromide (F6PPK-CTAB-test), and PCR using genus specific primers. Bifidobacteria isolated from fermented milk products (3 strains), human faeces (6 strains), and animal intestinal tract (2 strains) were tested. All the methods tested proved to be reliable tests for the genus identification of bifidobacteria. The F6PPK-CTAB-test gave the best results. This procedure is quick and does not require any special laboratory equipment.


Background Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an immune-mediated condition characterized by dense IgG4+ plasmacytic infiltration of diverse organs, fibrosis, tumefactive lesions and eosinophilia. Salivary and lacrimal glands are frequent targets that can present with enlargement and severe hypofunction. The diagnosis of IgG4-RD is challenging because of its serological and histopathological overlaps with other diseases, in particular, a differential diagnosis with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) can sometimes be achieved only on the basis of a labial salivary gland biopsy. Objectives In this study we evaluated whether some of the patients with sicca symptoms not fulfilling SS classification criteria, were in fact affected by IgG4-RD. Methods A total of 81 Sicca and 50 SS patients were retrospectively evaluated for IgG4-RD-associated signs and symptoms. Additionally, IgG4 and total-IgG staining was performed on lip gland biopsies from all patients while IgG4 serum levels were evaluated on the Italian cohort. Results Only 2 of the Sicca patients had positive IgG4 staining but did not fulfil the diagnostic criteria. The serum analysis found 3 sicca patients with raised IgG4 (≥1.35 g/L) but none had a concomitant positive histology nor IgG4-RD related symptoms. Conclusions In our cohort of patients with sicca symptoms not fulfilling SS criteria no case could be accounted as an undiagnosed IgG4-RD based upon IgG4 staining on labial salivary gland biopsies. This study also suggests that in the absence of a clear clinical suspicious of an IgG4-RD, a routine IgG4 staining on labial salivary gland biopsies is not of clinical utility. References Yamamoto M, Harada S, Ohara M, Suzuki C, Naishiro Y, Yamamoto H, et al. Clinical and pathological differences between Mikulicz's disease and Sjogren's syndrome. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2005 Feb;44(2):227-34. PubMed PMID: 15509627. Umehara H, Okazaki K, Masaki Y, Kawano M, Yamamoto M, Saeki T, et al. Comprehensive diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD), 2011. Mod Rheumatol. 2012 Feb;22(1):21-30. PubMed PMID: 22218969. Disclosure of Interest None declared


We propose a new class of vortex lattices supported by the parametric conversion of polaritons in wide aperture semiconductor microcavities operating in the strong coupling regime and pumped by a coherent beam. We present numerical and analytical results confirming the existence and robustness of the polaritonic vortex lattices in practically relevant settings and discuss their melting scenarios.


Kava-kava (Piper methysticum), a shrub which grows on the islands of the Pacific Ocean, contains the so-called kavapyrones as active substances; these have been pharmacologically investigated in detail and are comparable with the benzodiazepine tranquilizers with regard to their mode and strength of action. The good tolerance and absence of both the soporific effect and risk of dependence should be emphasized. The present article describes the origin and history of the kava plant as well as its pharmacology, action, possibilities for therapeutic use, and significance in medical practice. Also discussed are the advantages of the standardized kavapyrone complex of active substances as a modern phyto-anxiolytic and daily tranquilizer for nervous anxiety, tension, and agitation states.