INTRODUCTION
Itch can be reduced by pain. Activation of sleeping nociceptors (CMi) is a crucial mechanism for the peripheral component of intense and long-lasting pain. Thus, activation of CMi might be especially effective in itch reduction. Electrical stimulation using sinusoidal pulses activates CMi with tolerable pain intensity, whereas short rectangular pulses with low intensity do not. In humans, histaminergic itch is mediated by histamine-sensitive CMi, whereas other pruritogens activate polymodal nociceptors (CM).

METHODS
In a psychophysical approach in a balanced crossover repeated-measures design in healthy volunteers, we activated nociceptors by two different electrical stimulation paradigms via a matrix electrode: 4 Hz sinusoidal pulses that activate C-nociceptors including CMi or 4 Hz rectangular stimuli to activate nociceptors excluding CMi. After 5-min stimulation, itch was induced by either histamine iontophoresis or application of cowhage spicules. Itch ratings were assessed via a numerical rating scale (NRS).

RESULTS
Electrical 4 Hz sine wave stimulation (0.1 mA) with low pain ratings of 1.5 (NRS; 0-10) induced an axon reflex erythema (3 cm2 ), indicating activation of CMi, whereas rectangular 0.2 ms pulses (average 0.91 mA) with the same pain rating did not. Both electrical stimulation paradigms reduced itch magnitude over time evoked by either histamine or cowhage to a similar extent. Peak maximum itch evoked by histamine was reduced by both stimulation paradigms, but not cowhage maximum itch.

DISCUSSION
Since electrical stimulation with the rectangular pulse paradigm reduces itch to a similar extent as the sine wave stimulation paradigm, the input of CMi is not necessarily required for itch suppression. The input of A-fibres and polymodal nociceptors, similarly, as also achieved by scratching, seems to be sufficient for both forms of chemically evoked itch.

SIGNIFICANCE
Since activation of CMi does not provide additional benefit for itch suppression, spinal pain pathways transmitted via CM versus CMi have differential effects on itch-processing circuits. This is important knowledge for using electrical matrix stimulation as itch suppressor since activation of sleeping nociceptors either requires significantly painful stimulation paradigms or specialized stimulation paradigms as sinusoidal pulses. An alternative approach using half-sine wave pulses with low pain intensity activating specifically polymodal nociceptors to suppress itch via matrix electrode stimulation may be considered.


This article sets out to illustrate possible applications of electronic corpora in the translation classroom. Starting with a survey of corpus use within corpus-based translation studies, the didactic value of corpora in the translation classroom and their epistemic value in translation teaching and practice will be elaborated. A typology of translation practice-oriented corpora will be presented, and the use of corpora in translation will be positioned within two general models of translation competence. Special consideration will then be given to the design and application of so-called Do-it-yourself (DIY) corpora, which are compiled ad hoc with the aim of completing a specific translation task. In this context, possible sources for retrieving corpus texts will be presented and evaluated and it will be argued that, owing to time and availability constraints in real-life translation, the Internet should be used as a major source of corpus data. After a brief discussion of possible Internet research techniques for targeted and quality-focused corpus compilation, the possible use of the Internet itself as a macro-corpus will be elaborated. The article concludes with a brief presentation of corpus use in translation teaching in the MA in Specialised Translation Programme offered at Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Germany.


The author proposes that both psychological and linguistic regression are integral to the process of learning a second language. Forty college students of second-year French wrote compositions in English and French on "A Visit to the Doctor or Dentist." The texts were analyzed for demonstrations of regressive phenomena. The French texts displayed a more primitive level of functioning, with the writers describing themselves as passive, needy, and narcissistic. Students rarely mobilized ego defenses against sexuality and aggression as they did in English, where they frequently used higher level defenses of intellectualization, rationalization, and humor. Students also displayed childish thought processes and modes of expression in French that did not derive solely from a limited knowledge of the language. Piagets descriptions of children's thought–egocentrism, lack of direction, concrete thinking, and metonymic distortion–were found regularly in the French texts. Drawing on psychological and linguistic literature, the author suggests several theoretical explanations for all these regressive phenomena and points out their implications for language teachers.


The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for exercising human muscles. It uses the electrically stimulated antagonist muscle force to resist the voluntary contracting agonist muscle. This method induas both eccentric contraction of antagonist muscle and concentric contraction of agonist muscle, which has been referred to as "closedkinetic-chain exercise". It allows a person to receive closed-kinetic-chanin exercise at a comfortable posture and prevents osteoporosis.This study was performed to determine the electrical stimulated antagonist muscle force as a resistance of the voluntary contracting agonist muscle. Maximum electrically stimulated muscle force indicated 26% to voluntary muscle force with knee flexion, and the force ratio of antagonist muscle to agonist muscle varies according to the combination of muscles and knee joint angle.


Int J Exerc Sci 4(1) : 4-12, 2011. This study examined the effects of elliptical cross training on VO2max in recently trained runners. 12 female and 8 male participants (mean ± SD; age = 23.70 ± 6.33 years, body mass index = 24.85 ± 5.89 kg/m2) completed an initial four-week run training program, exercising four days/week, 30 minutes/day, at 80% maximal heart rate. VO2max was predicted based on the duration of a Bruce graded-maximal treadmill test (GXT) prior to and after the run training. After initial training phase and post-test, subjects volunteered for the detrain group (n = 6) or were assigned to the run (n = 7) or elliptical (n = 7) based on a matchedpair design. Elliptical and run groups exercised three weeks under same prescription as initial program. GXT again performed after mode-specific training phase. VO2max (ml/kg/min) increased (p < 0.001) from the pre-training (39.89 ± 10.74) to post-training (41.66 ± 10.90) after the initial run training program. Although not statistically significant, VO2max declined (0.8% running, 1.5% elliptical, and 4.8% detraining) for all groups following the additional modespecific program. Despite declines, repeated measures ANOVA showed no significant differences within or between groups before and after the mode-specific training phase. However, dependent sample t-test did reveal a decline (p < 0.05) in GXT time (minutes) for the detrain group from before (11.01 ± 2.80) and after (10.54 ± 2.72) their detrain phase. Future research should determine if elliptical exercise maintains VO2max when away from running for longer periods.


BI01 Intravenous cidofovir treatment of severe giant molluscum contagiosum presenting with myiasis D. Rutkowski, S.J.J. Touyz, L. Motta, S. El-Khalifa and T. Ling Departments of Dermatology, Histopathology and Immunology, Salford Royal Foundation Trust, Salford, UK; and University of Manchester, Manchester, UK We present a case of a 35-year-old woman who presented to the Accident and Emergency department with an acute presentation of myiasis. On examination, she had giant molluscum contagiosum (MC) with areas of necrosis affecting 80–90% of her scalp in addition to extensive MC affecting the rest of her body. Approximately 30–40 maggots were infesting several necrotic nodules. Acute management of her infestation included manual suction, oral ivermectin and topical white soft paraffin to asphyxiate any residual maggots. Histology of three nodules exhibited Henderson-Patterson bodies and was consistent with MC. The patient had a complex medical history, including persistent T-cell lymphopenia, attributed – in part – to iatrogenic removal of her thymus following surgical correction of the transposition of the great arteries in 1987. She subsequently developed Hodgkin lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva, requiring various forms of complex immunomodulating treatments. The patient informed us that she had suffered from debilitating MC for approximately 9 years. Previous treatments included Aldara and surgical debridement with limited efficacy. She was lost to follow-up over the last 3 years; in the interim, her MC had severely deteriorated. Her condition was severely affecting her quality of life and she was actively avoiding social interactions. Following an extensive literature review, several case reports highlighted the potential off-license efficacy of intravenous (IV) cidofovir, mostly in males with HIV suffering from severe and refractory MC. An individual funding request to commence IV cidofovir for our patient was approved based on the severity of her condition. To date, she has had 10 infusions with subjective evidence of clinical improvement and is due another four infusions. This case highlights the use of IV cidofovir in patients with refractory MC, and presents the first case of using IV cidofovir in an immunocompromised, HIV-negative woman with severe and recalcitrant MC. BI02 Melanized (dematiaceous) fungal infections simulating skin cancer in African organ transplant recipients P. Tookey, J. Gale, A. Kazmi, M. Ligaj, M. Hawthorne, S. Jeetle, C. Nic Fhogartaigh, M. Stodell, G. Moir, M. Khurram and C. Harwood The Royal London Hospital, London, UK Fungi are the most frequent skin infections in organ transplant recipients (OTRs) and usually present as superficial mycoses. Deeper infections are much less common, potentially more serious and the incidence is higher in the first few months post-transplant. We report two African OTRs with deep fungal infections caused by dematiaceous (melanized, pigmented or black) fungi, who both presented with suspected skin malignancies. A 60-year-old Nigerian man developed a painful, ulcerated, amelanotic, bleeding nodule on his right fourth toe 2 months after renal transplantation. Clinical differential diagnoses included Kaposi sarcoma (KS), amelanotic acral melanoma and subungual squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, histology showed pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, extensive mixed inflammation, multinucleated giant cells and pigmented septate hyphae with rounded 'budding' forms. Periodic acid–Schiff, Grocott and Masson-Fontana stains were positive, and Alcian blue stain was negative, consistent with infection by a dematiaceous fungus. Fungal 18S polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive and culture identified Nigrograna mackinnonii. Treatment with oral itraconazole was supervised virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. After 6 months there was minimal response and he opted for amputation of the digit. A 61-year-old Nigerian man presented 2 months after renal transplantation with a 2-cm diameter nodule on his left thigh at the site of a previous burn. This failed to respond to antibiotics. Magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of possible malignancy, but surgery was deferred because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two months later the lesion was 5 cm in diameter and verrucous with an 8-cm sessile, purplish plaque on his right forearm. Atypical KS, lymphoma and chronic burns-associated SCC were all considered. However, histology from both lesions was similar to the first patient. Fungal culture and 18S PCR confirmed infection with the dematiaceous fungus Alternaria alternata. At his request, the right thigh lesion was excised. The lesion on his forearm has partially responded to 8 months of ongoing oral itraconazole. In our African OTR cohort, KS is more common than deep fungal infection. However, despite this suspicion of skin malignancy, both patients had phaeohyphomycoses caused by dematiaceous fungi. Characterized by the presence of melanin in their cell walls, > 130 species of these plant pathogens and soil saprophytes are implicated in human disease, particularly


A sandstone (Hildesheimer Rhätsandstein) wayside shrine in Algermissen, Germany, had to be restored. The stone under the painting required both a strengthening and a hydrophobic treatment and two polyurethane-based products, hydrophobic strengtheners, were considered for this purpose. The aim of the research described in this paper was to select the most appropriate product. For this purpose, measurements on treated and untreated samples of the sandstone were carried out. Water related properties, such as water uptake and hydric expansion, as well as mechanical properties like flexural bending strength, were measured on both treated and untreated samples. The paper describes the minimalist approach developed that allowed selecting the suitable product for the conservation of a rather small object with limiting funding.


We describe here a general approach for rare itemset mining. While mining literature has been almost exclusively focused on frequent itemsets, in many practical situations rare ones are of higher interest (e.g., in medical databases, rare combinations of symptoms might provide useful insights for the physicians). Based on an examination of the relevant substructures of the mining space, our approach splits the rare itemset mining task into two steps, i.e., frequent itemset part traversal and rare itemset listing. We propose two algorithms for step one, a naive and an optimized one, respectively, and another algorithm for step two. We also provide some empirical evidence about the performance gains due to the optimized traversal.


Threshold Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) values were determined by regression analysis of WBS force values and trained sensory panel overall tenderness ratings of beef top loin steaks from A- and B-maturity carcasses (n = 678). Guidelines for retail and foodservice beef were based on 50 and 68% confidence levels, respectively, for overall tenderness ratings of "slightly tender." Due to the extreme variation in tenderness that exists in the current U.S. beef population, more stringent confidence levels were not practical. Threshold WBS values for retail and foodservice beef were 4.6 and 3.9 kg, respectively. When these values were tested against the population of beef in the National Consumer Retail Beef Study, the 4.6 kg value was 88.6% accurate at determining whether or not a steak would be rated less than "slightly tender"by consumers.


Purpose: This study was designed to examine the association of dosage and effects of Sound Production Treatment (SPT) for acquired apraxia of speech.Method: Treatment logs and probe data from 20 speakers with apraxia of speech and aphasia were submitted to a retrospective analysis. The number of treatment sessions and teaching episodes was examined relative to (a) change in articulation accuracy above baseline performance, (b) mastery of production, and (c) maintenance. The impact of practice schedule (SPT-Blocked vs. SPT-Random) was also examined.Results: The average number of treatment sessions conducted prior to change was 5.4 for SPT-Blocked and 3.9 for SPT-Random. The mean number of teaching episodes preceding change was 334 for SPT-Blocked and 179 for SPT-Random. Mastery occurred within an average of 13.7 sessions (1,252 teaching episodes) and 12.4 sessions (1,082 teaching episodes) for SPT-Blocked and SPT-Random, respectively. Comparisons of dosage metric values across practice schedules did not reveal substantial differences. Significant negative correlations were found between follow-up probe performance and the dosage metrics.Conclusions: Only a few treatment sessions were needed to achieve initial positive changes in articulation, with mastery occurring within 12–14 sessions for the majority of participants. Earlier occurrence of change or mastery was associated with better follow-up performance.Supplemental Material S1. Summary data and statistics for individual participants.Supplemental Material S2. Supplemental figures.Wambaugh, J., L., Kallhoff, L., & Nesller, C. (2020). Sound production treatment for acquired apraxia of speech: An examination of dosage in relation to probe performance. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_AJSLP-19-00110Publisher Note: This article is part of the Special Issue: Select Papers From the 49th Clinical Aphasiology Conference.


Autophagy is a highly regulated catabolic process in which superfluous, damaged organelles and other cytoplasmic constituents are delivered to the lysosome for clearance and the generation of macromolecule substrates during basal or stressed conditions. Autophagy is a bimodal process with a context dependent role in the initiation and the development of cancers. For instance, autophagy provides an adaptive response to cancer stem cells to survive metabolic stresses, by influencing disease propagation via modulation of essential signaling pathways or by promoting resistance to chemotherapeutics. Autophagy has been implicated in a cross talk with apoptosis. Understanding the complex interactions provides an opportunity to improve cancer therapy and the clinical outcome for the cancer patients. In this review, we provide a comprehensive view on the current knowledge on autophagy and its role in cancer cells with a particular focus on cancer stem cell homeostasis.


The work shows the development of an Open Edu- cational Resource, licensed for Creative Commons, for the learning of the reading in braille. The literacy braille system is based on an array of six dots arranged in two parallel columns of three dots each, which combined together form letters of the alphabet, punc- tuation and numbers. People with visual disabilities slide the fingertips on matrices, achieving determine the symbols, however, people without disabilities should be able to observe the matrices, determine each symbol and form words. The OER teach Braille to university teaching, in order to facilitate communi- cation with their blind learners. Additionally the OER for guiding possess intelligent user learning behavior more efficiently. In addition the system has to guide learning intelligent user behavior more efficiently. The Resource was developed by adapting a tecnoped- agogic methodology and open source software tools.


Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the increase in the width of attached gingiva (AG) in single/multiple adjacent teeth using variation of modified apically repositioned flap (MARF). Materials and Methods: A total of 20 systemically healthy controls with inadequate width of AG were recruited for the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. In all the individuals, variation of MARF technique was performed to increase the width of AG. Outcomes of the surgical techniques were measured in terms of probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, width of AG, and width of keratinized gingiva (KG). The results were followed up at 3 months and continued till 9 months to confirm the stability of results. Results: Treatment with this procedure resulted in a significant increase in the width of the KG and AG. The increase in KG ranged from baseline (2.0 mm) to 3.85 mm at 3rd month and the results were stable till 9th month (P < 0.001), and the increase in AG ranged from baseline (1.0 mm) to 2.85 mm at 3rd month and the results were stable till 9th month (P < 0.001). Conclusion: MARF is an effective technique in increasing the width of the keratinized tissue and AG around teeth and also offers considerable advantages over other mucogingival surgery techniques.


PURPOSE
Previous studies have indicated that memory complaints may predict cognitive decline and dementia among the elderly. The present study was therefore conducted to clarify memory complaint characteristics among elderly dwelling in an urban community in Japan.

METHOD
The participants analyzed in the present study were 453 men and 385 women aged 70 to 84 years living in an urban Japanese community. Data on problems related to memory complaints, cognitive decline (below 24 points on Mini-Mental State Examination), depression (measured by Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview), hearing and vision problems, I-ADL (measured by TMIG Index of Competence), self-rated health, age, sex, and years of education were collected at a comprehensive mass health examination for the elderly ("Otasha-kenshin").

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Twenty-seven percent of male respondents and 32% of female respondents reported having current trouble remembering things (reported as "frequently" or "sometimes"). We collected specific descriptions of the memory complaint difficulties the subjects were experiencing. A quarter of the responses indicated problems with forgetting persons' names, a fifth with forgetting where things had been left, 15% with leaving things behind, and a quarter with prospective memory failure. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis to explore correlates showed that in men self-rated health and cognitive decline, and in women hearing problems and self-rated health were significantly and independently related to the memory complaint. These findings suggest that in addition to cognitive decline, self-rated health and hearing problems may influence memory complaints, and that memory complaints in men may be a reliable, simple indicator of cognitive decline. We now need to carry out a longitudinal study to clarify predictive validity.


In this paper, we present the characterization of soft pneumatic actuators currently under development for active soft orthotics. The actuators are tested statically and dynamically to characterize force and displacement properties needed for use in system design. They are shown to demonstrate remarkably repeatable performance, and very predictable behavior as actuator size (initial length) is varied to adjust total actuation. The results of the characterization are then used to inform design rules for selecting the size and number of actuators for a soft leg orthotic that can produce the force/moment/velocity properties required for a target wearer. The device was tested on a silicone model with inner frame and articulated ankle. Additionally, a portable pneumatic system was developed and characterized, that can actuate the pneumatic actuator over 800 times before refilling the gas supply.


Purpose. To assess the effectiveness of Ir-192 interstitial brachytherapy as an adjunct to wide local excision as a functionsaving strategy for soft tissue sarcomas. Subjects and methods. From September 1993 to April 1998, 20 consecutive patients diagnosed with soft tissue sarcomas were treated with a combination of wide local excision and interstitial brachytherapy. In 16 patients brachytherapy was done as an intraoperative procedure, while in four, the implant was performed post-operatively under local anesthesia. Eleven of the 20 patients also received external beam radiotherapy following the implant. Results. After a mean follow-up of 27 months (4–54) the local control rate for all 20 patients was 85% (17/20). In the 16 patients who had an intra-operative implant, local control was 94% (15/16). In the four patients who underwent a post-operative implant, local control was 50% (2/4). Actuarial 5-year survival was 90%. There were three cases (15%) of severe local complications. Conclusions. Wide local excision followed by low dose rate intersitital brachytherapy have yielded a 85% local control rate in 20 patients with soft tissue sarcomas. Local control rates were higher when the implants were done as an intra-operative procedure than as a post-operative one.


Monopropellants consisting of liquid nitromethane and high-surface-area particles of silicon- and aluminum-based oxides were examined to determine the effects of low concentrations of nanostructured materials on deflagration processes. The combustion rates were characterized by measuring linear burning rates in a large pressure vessel filled with argon. Results showed that nitromethane burning rates may be increased at lower pressures with dilute additions of particles. Increases in nitromethane burning rates of greater than 50 % were found with less than 1.0 wt% of particle addition at a nominal pressure of 5.24 MPa. The particle additions were estimated to have only small effects on the equilibrium flame temperatures, density, viscosity, and specific heat. Nitromethane with particle additives displayed a lower burning-rate equation pressure exponent (i.e., reduced pressure sensitivity), which was inversely proportional to particle concentration. Above a pressure of approximately 9 MPa, up to the maximum test pressure (∼14 MPa), the particle additives did not affect the nitromethane burning rate. Condensed-phase temperature profiles of the deflagrating fluid, surface tension, and fluid thermal conductivities were measured in order to elucidate some of the mechanisms causing enhanced burning rates at lower pressures.


Introduction Magnitude and variation in energy balance (EB) components over an athletic season are largely unknown. Purpose We investigated the longitudinal changes in EB over one season and explored the association between EB variation and change in the main fat-free mass (FFM) components in highly trained athletes. Methods Eighty athletes (54 males; handball, volleyball, basketball, triathlete, and swimming) were evaluated from the beginning of the season to the main competition stage. Resting and total energy expenditure (REE and TEE, respectively) were assessed by indirect calorimetry and doubly labeled water, respectively. Physical activity energy expenditure was calculated as TEE − 0.1 TEE − REE. Fat mass (FM), FFM, and bone mineral were evaluated with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; changed body energy stores were calculated as 1.0(&Dgr;FFM/&Dgr;time) + 9.5(&Dgr;FM/&Dgr;time). Total-body water (TBW) and its compartments were assessed through dilution techniques, and total-body protein was calculated from a four-compartment model, with body volume assessed by air displacement plethysmography. Results Although a negative EB of −17.4 ± 72.7 kcal·d−1 was observed (P < 0.05), EB varied widely among sports and across sex groups resulting in a net weight increase (0.7 ± 2.3 kg) that is attributable to significant changes in FFM (1.2 ± 1.6 kg) and FM (−0.7 ± 1.5 kg) (P < 0.05). EB was related with TBW and intracellular water (r = 0.354, r = 0.257, P < 0.05, respectively), regardless of sex, sports, and age. Conclusions The mean negative EB observed over the season resulted from the rate of FM use and FFM accretion, but with a large variation by sex and sports. TBW, but not total-body protein or mineral balance, explained the magnitude of EB, which means that athletes under a positive or a negative EB showed a TBW expansion or shrinkage, respectively, specifically within the cells, over one athletic season.


Emergence of mobile communications devices capable of acquiring high-resolution images and sensor devices with communication capabilities contributes to the increasing feasibility of remote screening of various medical and environmental conditions. In this work we present a system that supports remote acquisition of images and similarity retrieval from a centralized database after automatic content analysis. The system supports remote image acquisition by a device such as a smart phone, wireless PDA or digital camera, and communication via the Internet. While the system architecture is generic to accommodate various uses, we have implemented a prototype for the remote screening of skin lesion images. Accordingly, the system incorporates content analysis modules such as a segmentation module, shape analyzers and a shape-feature based similarity computation module. The whole process is automated: clients use a Web interface to submit a query image, which goes through an automated analysis procedure and produces an interactive report containing similar images and a risk analysis report. Immediate application areas include distributed detection and monitoring of environmental hazards, recognition of biochemical security threats and medical conditions.


Abstract The genus Polistes Latreille 1802 is the only cosmopolitan genus in the social Vespidae. In this paper, a new species of the genus is described, Polistes (Epicnemius) orlandoi Somavilla & Carpenter sp. n., collected in Amazonas State, Brazil. The male genitalia are described and comparative remarks are given.


Abstract : Two-dimensional photoelasticity is used to determine the distribution of stresses at the ends of a transverse slot symmetrically located in the uniform field of a thin birefringent strip subjected to tension. The ends of the slot are ellipses with different axes ratios, ranging from a flat ellipse to a semi-circle. The stress concentration factors are found for different ratios of the transverse width of the slot to the total width of the tensile specimen. Optimum shapes are given for each ratio of the transverse width of the slot to the total width of the tensile specimen. The results obtained may prove useful in the design of solid propellant grains. (Author)


Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2)-apatite composite layers were formed on anodically oxidized titanium screws to improve bone-screw interface strength and to reduce pin tract infection rate through enhanced skin tissue healing in external fixation. A calcium-containing solution supplemented with FGF-2, a phosphate-containing solution, and a sodium bicarbonate solution were mixed at a Ca/P molar ratio of 2.0 to prepare a calcium phosphate solution supersaturated with respect to calcium phosphates. Screws were individually immersed in 10 mL of the calcium phosphate solution at 37 degrees C for 2 days. Low-crystalline apatite layers incorporating FGF-2 were formed on the screw surface at FGF-2 concentrations in the supersaturated calcium phosphate solution equal to or lower than 10 mug/mL. The amounts of FGF-2 immobilized on the screws ranged from 2.3- to 2.4-mug per screw. The immobilized FGF-2 retained biological activity, as demonstrated by NIH3T3 cell proliferation. Titanium screws with the composite layer were percutaneously implanted into the bilateral proximal tibial metaphyses in rabbits for 4 weeks. The titanium screws with the composite layer formed at the optimum FGF-2 concentration showed a significantly higher bone-screw interface strength and a lower pin tract infection rate than those without the composite layer: the extraction torque and infection rates were respectively 0.230 +/- 0.073 Nm and 43.8% for the screws with the composite layer, and 0.170 +/- 0.056 Nm and 93.8% for those without the composite layer. Therefore, titanium screws with the FGF-2-apatite composite layer are useful for improving bone-screw interface strength and infection resistance in external skeletal fixation.


ABSTRACT Inheriting a dualistic value system, Europeans often perceived the people they encountered on their voyages of exploration in terms of Manichean polarities of good and evil. Thus, the concepts of the noble and ignoble savage were born. Stereotypes of the ignoble savage dominated writing about southern Africa for much of the colonial period and even later. However, the French explorer and disciple of Rousseau, François le Vaillant, in the last quarter of the eighteenth century temporarily overturned the dominant notion by depicting black subjects beyond the colonial borders as being inherently noble, despite some contradictions in his work. Others, such as the liberal-minded Thomas Pringle, followed his example of portraying indigenous inhabitants positively, but by the 1840s the tradition had largely died out owing to ideological pressures required to justify increased imperial domination of the subcontinent. Only with the revival of Liberalism by writers such as William Plomer in the 1920s, did the enlightened legacy of le Vaillant again begin to assume an important role in South African literature.


108 ulnae from the cadavers of 50 men and 6 women were fractured in four positions with a tension testing machine with electronic measurement of force. Stress-strain-diagrams were registered, and the values of breaking load, breaking energy, breaking stress and ultimate deflection were correlated to the areas of cross sections of compacta and medulla. Breaking load and breaking energy decrease distally: medium breaking load in the upper portion of the ulna about 320 kp, in the lower portion about 100 kp; breaking energy in the upper portion about 65 kpcm, in the lower about 20 kpcm. Breaking stress is greatest in the middle portion of the ulna (19 kp/mm-2 in contrast to 11-14 kp/mm-2 near the joints). With increasing age the cross sections of the medulla increase significantly, but breaking load, breaking energy, breaking stress and area of cross section of the compacta decrease significantly. Ulnae from females are less resistant than those from males. Intact periosteum rises resistance to breaking and ultimate deflection. Experimental data agree with clinical observations.


Recent Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) solutions, such as Amazon's EC2 cloud, provide virtualized on-demand computing resources on a pay-per-use model. From the user point of view, the cloud provides an inexhaustible supply of resources, which can be dynamically claimed and released. In the context of independent tasks, the main pricing model of EC2 promises two exciting features that drastically change the problem of resource provisioning and job scheduling. We call them free elasticity and free CPU power. Indeed, the price of CPU cycles is constant whatever the type of CPU and the amount of resources leased. Consequently, as soon as a user is able to keep its resources busy, the cost of one computation is the same using a lot of powerful resources or few slow ones. In this article, we study if these features can be exploited to execute bags of tasks, and what efforts are required to reach this goal. Efforts might be put on implementation, with complex provisioning and scheduling strategies, and in terms of performance, with the acceptance of execution delays. Using real workloads, we show that: (1) Most of the users can benefit from free elasticity with few efforts; (2) Free CPU power is difficult to achieve; (3) Using adapted provisioning and scheduling strategies can improve the results for a significant number of users; And (4) the outcomes of these efforts is difficult to predict.


In ten owl monkey eyes (Aotus trivirgatus) the location of pressure-induced (perfusion pressure 35 mmHg) axonal transport abnormalities was determined by the examination of serial step cross-section tissue radio autographs from the optic nerve head. The degree of the local transport interruption did not correlate with the fiber bundle cross-section area, the shape of the laminar pores or the density of the inter-bundle septa in that region.


The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between levels of physical activity, psychosocial and perceived environmental factors in adolescents from Northeastern Brazil. A cross-sectional epidemiologic study was conducted with 2,859 adolescents enrolled in secondary schools (57.8% females; mean = 16.5 years; SD = 1.2) in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba State, Brazil. The following physical activity correlates were measured: attitude, self-efficacy, social support from friends and parents, and perceived environmental characteristics. Physical activity was measured using a questionnaire. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression with proportional odds model analysis showed that the following factors are positively related to physical activity levels in adolescents: attitude, self-efficacy, as well as social support from parents and friends. Physical activity intervention programs should increase self-efficacy and social support from parents and friends, as well as a positive attitude toward physical activity.


ABSTRACT Cephalosporins are the first-line therapy antibiotics used in the treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections. However, high prevalence of cephalosporins resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli has been reported worldwide. Studies conducted in Uganda reported high incidences of cephalosporin resistance (CR). Successive studies at Mulago National Referral Hospital indicated a decline in the resistance levels pointing to the need for regular antibiotic resistance surveillance. Therefore, this study carried out molecular characterization of CR determinants in E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolated from patients attending Kampala International University Teaching Hospital (KIU-TH). A retrospective study using E. coli and K. pnuemoniae samples previously obtained from surgical wounds and urinary tract infections among patients treated at KIU-TH between September 2016 and August 2018 was conducted. Biochemical assays were used to confirm the identity of the samples. Combined disc and boronic acid assays were used to determine the cephalosporine resistance profile of the isolates. Multiplex PCR amplification was used to characterize the extended spectrum beta-lactmase (ESBL) encoding genes. The study revealed that E. coli (130/81.2%) isolates were more predominant than K. pneumoniae (30/18.8%) among the archived samples. K. pneumoniae showed the highest phenotypic resistance with a mean prevalence of 90.6% but comparable to that of E. coli (89.3%). Of the 160 isolates screened, 105 (65.6%) were ESBL producers. Multiplex PCR revealed that the most predominant ESBL encoding gene was bla SHV at a prevalence of 42.0%, followed by bla TEM at 27.3%, bla CTX-M at 22.4% and bla CTX-M-15 at 8.4%. The incidence of phenotypic resistance and distribution of ESBL genes were significantly higher in patients of Ishaka division. Our study reports a high prevalence of cephalosporin-resistant E. coli and K. pnuemoniae isolated from patients attending KIU-TH and highlights the need for routine screening of antimicrobial resistance in health-care facilities so as to guide clinicians on the rational prescription of antibiotics. List of abbreviations: ATCC: American Type Culture Collection; ESBL: extended spectrum beta-lactmases; AmpC: aminopenicillin cephalosporinase; CTX-M: cephotaxime (M-first detected in Munich) hydrolyzing capabilities; CTX-M-U: cephotaxime hydrolyzing capabilities gene Universal primer; SHV: sulfhydryl variables (variant-2); CMY-2: cephamycins (variant-2); TEM: temoneira; ACT-1: AmpC type (variant-1); Bla: Beta lactam; DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; PCR: Polymerase chain reaction; MNRH: Mulago National Referral Hospital; MRRH: Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital; KRRH: Kabale Regional Referral Hospital (KRRH); KIU-TH: Kampala International University Teaching Hospital; CDL: Central Diagnostic Laboratory; CoVAB: College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity; CR: cephalosporin resistance


The objective of this work was to propose a new methodology for mapping coffee cropping areas that includes multitemporal data as input parameters in the classification process, by using the Landsat TM NDVI time series, together with an object-oriented classification approach. The algorithm BFAST was used to analyze coffee, pasture, and native vegetation temporal profiles, allied to a geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) for mapping. The following multitemporal variables derived from the R package greenbrown were used for classification: mean, trend, and seasonality. The results showed that coffee, pasture, and native vegetation have different temporal behaviors, which corroborates the use of these data as input variables for mapping. The classifications using temporal variables, associated with spectral data, achieved high-global accuracy rates with 93% hit. When using only temporal data, ratings also showed a hit percentage above 80% accuracy. Data derived from Landsat TM time series are efficient for mapping coffee cropping areas, reducing confusion between targets and making the classification process more accurate, contributing to a correct characterization and mapping of objects derived from a RapidEye image, with a high spatial solution.


making references to the Revised Common Lectionary, Limburg's approach is more homiletic than Davidson, and he emphasizes that the psalms have a way of refusing to be locked up in a book. They originated in real-life situations and continue to appear in the midst of life. They can be read each on its own, or can be set in the canonical context of the whole book. Less rigorous than Davidson, and readier to offer easy answer to difficulties, many preachers will probably value its spiritual openness. 'To write a commentary which is confined to chs. 2 and 3 of a book with 12 chapters would seem to be a curious undertaking; yet that could be one description of what is attempted here.' So Richard J. Coggins begins the Introduction to his commentary on Joel and Amos (New Century Bible Commentary. Sheffield Academic Press. 2000, ~10.95/$16.95. pp. xii + 170, ISBN 1-84127-0954). He explains why recent scholarship has questioned the older critical approach to the prophets which treated them separately, set in their historical context, and then presents his own approach. Joel is a product of the Second Temple period. Amos contains older traditional


Abstract In this paper we have provided sufficient conditions to study semilocal and local convergence of the Stirling's method. The method is used to find fixed points of nonlinear operator equation. We assume Lipschtiz continuity type conditions on the first Fréchet derivative of the operator but no contractive conditions as in earlier works. This way expand the applicability of this method. Here we introduce a new type of majorizing sequences instead of usual majorizing sequences and recurrence relations. Finally the paper will be concluded with numerical examples and a favorable comparison with known results.


Abstract : Details of the design and performance of a wide band, high intensity, acoustic test facility are presented. The wide band siren, horn network, sound isolation room, noise measurement and analysis instrumentation, input power requirements, and measured performance characteristics of the facility are described. The problem of the presence of several discrete frequency peaks in the spectrum of the original siren configuration is discussed along with techniques which were investigated to improve the spectrum. Frequency modulation fo the rotor speeks is shown to result in a relatively smooth, continous random spectrum. The limited spectrum shaping capabilities of the siren are discussed. Recommendations are made for improvements that could be incorporated into future design of sirens of this type. (Author)


AbstractFundamental to Sir Karl Popper's oeuvre was the insight that humans err — and that we can learn from our mistakes. Critique is therefore valuable in all human endeavours. Although this stance is most famously seen in Popper's claim that to be scientific a theory or hypothesis has to be falsifiable, Popper adopted a critical approach extensively in his work towards whatever crossed his path. Yet he never developed or suggested a general method of criticism. In this paper we present and explain a method of criticism consistent with Popper's approach and applicable to every rationally accessible part of human life including management theory and practice.Managers of course already know the importance of learning from mistakes. But what we propose here in our Model of Rational Criticism places the emphasis on learning before we actually make the mistakes by seeking to eradicate errors of reasoning, thus reducing the chance of costly errors in implementation. We conclude by exploring some of the implications of our model for managers.


In order to enhance the capacity and stability of a supercapacitor electrode at high current density, a carbon–molybdenum sulfide (C–MoS2) nanosphere is prepared in a one-pot synthesis using a co-growth mechanism. With the help of the co-growth mechanism, part of the MoS2 is embedded in a carbon supporter, which makes two components well blended. Besides an increase in the stability, the carbon supporter also helps to decrease the impedance of the composite electrode. As the result, the composite materials show high specific capacitance (1000 F g−1 at 1 A g−1) and excellent stability (capacity retention rate of 93%) at a large current density (20 A g−1) for a long cycle life (20 000 cycles). When the C–MoS2//AC–ASC is fabricated, it demonstrates a high energy density of 32 W h kg−1 when the power density reaches 224.58 W kg−1, revealing its viability and potential for practical applications.


The major surface glycoprotein (Msg) of Pneumocystis jiroveci (P. jiroveci) is important in the immunopathogenesis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP), but is difficult to study in humans. We generated 3 overlapping recombinant Msg fragments (MsgA, MsgB and MsgC), and analyzed their reactivity with serum samples from 95 healthy blood donors and 94 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons. Reactivity to the Msg fragments varied with HIV infection and prior episodes of PcP but not with geographic origin. Recognition of MsgA was lower-and recognition of MsgB was significantly lower-in HIV(+) serum compared with donor serum. Serum samples from HIV-positive patients with prior PcP recognized MsgC more frequently than did serum samples from those without PcP. None of the serum samples drawn from 9 patients before they had developed PcP recognized MsgC. These data suggest that these novel recombinant proteins are useful for the analysis of antibody responses to Msg.


The present essay is concerned with the question of whether analytic theology can be properly phenomenological. Both analytic theology and phenomenology are defined by reference to leading practitioners of both, and responses are given to objections to both approaches. The critique of analytic theology recently proposed by Martin Westerholm is considered, as well the objections to phenomenology brought forth by Tom Sparrow. The compatibility of analytic theology and phenomenology is argued on the basis of the definitions provided. Four brief arguments are given for establishing why an analytic theologian might consider adopting a phenomenological method. The essay concludes with a demonstration of a properly phenomenological analytic-theological treatment of the question of the relationship between Scripture and ecclesial tradition in dialog with the canonical sola scriptura of Kevin Vanhoozer and John Peckham.


Anodic bonding process has been quantitatively evaluated based on the Taguchi analysis of the interfacial fracture toughness, measured at the interface of anodically bonded silicon-glass bimorphs. A new test specimen with a pre-inserted blade has been devised for interfacial fracture toughness measurement. A set of 81 different anodic bonding conditions has been generated based on the three different conditions for four different process parameters of bonding load, bonding temperature, anodic voltage and voltage supply time. Taguchi method has been used to reduce the number of experiments required for the bonding strength evaluation, thus obtaining nine independent cases out of the 81 possible combinations. The interfacial fracture toughness has been measured for the nine cases in the range of 0.03∼6.12 J/㎡. Among the four process parameters, the bonding temperature causes the most dominant influence to the bonding strength with the influence factor of 67.7%. The influence factors of other process parameters, such as anodic voltage and voltage supply time, bonding load, are evaluated as 18%, 12% and 2.3%, respectively. The maximum bonding strength of 7.23 J/㎡ has been achieved at the bonding temperature of 460 with the bonding load of 45gf/㎠, the applied voltage of 600v and the voltage supply time of 25minites.


Determination of seed physiological maturity allows predicting the most appropriate time for harvest, aiming to obtain seeds with high physiological potential. Physalis angulata (Solanaceae) has pharmacological and agro-industrial potential, but there is little information on its reproductive phenology. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the physiological maturity of P. angulata seeds according to fruit age. Fruits were harvested at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after anthesis (DAA) and the following evaluations were conducted: fruit weight and diameter, seed moisture content, 100-seed dry weight, 1000seed weight, electrical conductivity, germination, germination first count, emergence, and seedling dry weight and length. The experimental design was completely randomized. Fruit weight and diameter increased until 35 DAA and seed dry weight increased until 21 DAA. Highest seed physiological potential occurred at 35 DAA, with highest germination percentage (97%). The results allow concluding that P. angulata seeds become physiologically viable from 21 DAA, with highest physiological potential at 35 DAA. However, harvest should be carried out around 28 DAA, before fruits fall.


OBJECTIVE Experimental clamp studies have suggested that hypoglycemia evokes a reduction of cardiac vagal control in patients with type 1 diabetes. However, there are limited data on the influence of spontaneous nocturnal hypoglycemia on cardiac autonomic regulation. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Adults with type 1 diabetes (n = 37) underwent continuous glucose monitoring via a subcutaneous sensor as well as recording of R-R interval or electrocardiogram for 3 nights. Heart rate (HR) variability was analyzed during periods of hypoglycemia (glucose <3.5 mmol/L) (minimum length of 20 min) and a control nonhypoglycemic period (glucose >3.9 mmol/L) of equal duration and at the same time of night. RESULTS The duration of hypoglycemic and control episodes (n = 18) ranged from 20 to 190 min (mean 71 min). HR (62 ± 7 vs. 63 ± 9 beats per min; P = 0.30) or the high-frequency component of HR power spectrum (2,002 ± 1,965 vs. 1,336 ± 1,506 ms2; P = 0.26) did not change during hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia resulted in a significant decrease in the low-frequency component of HR variability (2,134 ± 1,635 vs. 1,169 ± 1,029 ms2, respectively; P = 0.006). The decline in the glucose concentration displayed a significant positive correlation with the decrease of the low-frequency component of HR variability (r = 0.48; P = 0.04). The latter was closely related to an increase in muscle sympathetic nerve activity recorded in 10 subjects during controlled sympathetic activation. CONCLUSIONS Spontaneous nocturnal hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes results in a reduction of the low-frequency component of HR, which is best explained by excessive sympathetic activation without a concomitant withdrawal of vagal outflow.


Three collegiate athletes tested positive for morphine after a championship competition; however, all three denied narcotic use. The medical team was stumped until the coach suggested a food source. Reviewing the literature and recreating the scenario helped identify the cause.


Sampling China's Shenyin & Wanguo Sectoral Indices for 28 industries and 3,272 listed firms included in those indices, and using industry- and firm-level daily data up to December 31, 2020, this paper empirically examined the short- and long-run impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on stock return volatility. The results of the event study and univariate graphic analysis suggested that the market volatilities of the 28 industries were affected by COVID-19 events at various levels and that the events increased the volatility continuously for up to 6 days. The results of the panel data regression models revealed that the COVID-19-related daily new confirmed cases, daily new deaths, and cumulative cured cases were associated with higher volatility for all industries, although the impact levels were small; the daily deaths impacted volatility more than confirmed and cured cases. Finally, positive and significant effects of firm-specific variables such as total assets, turnover ratio and trading volume were recorded, indicating that fundamental aspects of the company and investors' behaviour also made great sense.


The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) regulates target gene expression by binding to a consensus DNA sequence within the promoter of the target genes. The constitutive activation of STAT3 has been shown to contribute to tumorigenesis in ovarian cancer and it has been reported to be a key factor for drug resistance in ovarian cancer. STAT3-specific decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) (STAT3 decoy ODNs) that contain a consensus DNA sequence inhibit the transcriptional activity of STAT3, leading to cancer cell death. However, their mechanisms of action are unclear and little information is available as to the effects and the toxicity of STAT3 decoy ODNs in vivo. In this study, we established subcutaneous xenografts of SKOV3 human ovarian cancer cells in nude mice, evaluated the antitumor effects of STAT3 decoy ODNs on xenografted nude mice, and investigated the mechanisms behind the antitumor effects of STAT3 decoy ODNs targeting the STAT3 signaling pathway in vivo. The results revealed that the STAT3 decoy ODN inhibited ovarian cancer cell growth and promoted ovarian cancer cell apoptosis in vivo. Western blot analysis indicated that the STAT3 decoy ODN downregulated the protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 and Bcl-2, and upregulated the protein expression levels of caspase-3 in vivo. H&E staining was used to detect the side-effects of the STAT3 decoy ODN in the vital organs of the nude mice. We found that there were no significant abnormalities in the vital organs of the nude mice apart from slight inflammation and necrosis in parts of the hepatic lobule. The data from the present study suggest that decoy ODNs targeting STAT3 may be an effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of ovarian cancer in vivo.


N-tuple networks have been successfully used as position evaluation functions for board games such as Othello or Connect Four. The effectiveness of such networks depends on their architecture, which is determined by the placement of constituent n-tuples, sequences of board locations, providing input to the network. The most popular method of placing n-tuples consists in randomly generating a small number of long, snake-shaped board location sequences. In comparison, we show that learning n-tuple networks is significantly more effective if they involve a large number of systematically placed, short, straight n-tuples. Moreover, we demonstrate that in order to obtain the best performance and the steepest learning curve for Othello it is enough to use n-tuples of size just 2, yielding a network consisting of only 288 weights. The best such network evolved in this study has been evaluated in the online Othello League, obtaining the performance of nearly 96% --- more than any other player to date.


The availability of high resolution topography from LIDAR offers new opportunities for objectively extracting the channels directly from a DEM using local topographic information, instead of inferring them indirectly based on global criteria, such as area or area‐slope threshold relationships. Here we introduce the use of wavelet filtering to delineate threshold curvatures for defining valleys and threshold slope‐direction‐change for defining probable channeled portions of the valleys. This approach exploits the topographic signatures uniquely found in high resolution topography, and reveals the fuzzy topographic transition in which local weakly convergent areas lie at the transition between hillslopes and valleys.


Drug-based intervention is used in the treatment of mental disorders with the objective of ameliorating symptoms, acting through the central nervous system. Mood stabilizers and antidepressants have side effects relating to excess weight gain. Faced with this fi nding, objective of this study is to assess the body composition of people on this class of drugs. The study population consisted of individuals on treatment, 10 men and 10 women, intentionally selected by psychotropic drug use for at least 6 months. Quantity and distribution of fat was determined using BMI, the waist/hip ratio, the body fat percentage according to anthropometric methods and by bioimpedance. Data related to calorie intake and the practice of physical activity were obtained from the treatment team. Data were represented with descriptive statistics in mean, minimum and maximum values with standard deviations, the t test to detect differences between groups, and one-way ANOVA to compare equations. The signifi cance level adopted was p<0.05. The results indicate a clear relationship between alterations in morphological composition and excessive body fat and the topography of adipose tissues in individuals that take antidepressants and mood stabilizers.


A Question of Method examines the current circumstances and possible future of higher education in the former Soviet Union, to see whether beyond the obvious changes brought about by the collapse of the Communist states in Asia and Europe, there have been deeper and longer-lasting transformations – of the way university teaching and learning is looked at and thought about, of the student audience, and of the academy's relationship to the market and the state. It asks whether such shifts amount to a fundamental change in the higher education system itself.


Abstract In recent decades, changes in meadows maintenance have reduced the populations of endangered butterfly species Phengaris nausithous (Bergsträsser, 1779) and P. teleius (Bergsträsser, 1779). Currently, meadows are either abandoned or intensively used. Unfortunately, both these managements are considered unfavourable for grassland butterfly species. In this study, the effect of suitable meadow management on population sizes of both the above mentioned Phengaris species was investigated. The experiment was performed at the locality Dolní Labe (Děčín, Czech Republic). The most suitable models, based on the lowest values of Akaike's information criterion corrected for small sample sizes, were selected using MARK statistical software. The results were subsequently compared with data obtained from this locality prior to the management application. Unexpectedly, no significant positive effects were found. To reach the desirable status, suitable management practices should be applied for long-term. To verify the management effect on the population size, the meadows were divided into three groups: (i) application of favourable management, (ii) mowing in inappropriate term, (iii) without management. Based on the statistical evaluation, the management application proved to be the most favourable option for both studied butterflies species.


Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC

Although radiation is an effective therapy, it has several adverse effects, including the induction of secondary (new) tumor within the irradiated field. Several studies have reported this effect with medulloblastoma despite effective radiotherapy during the initial stages. Here, we attempt to capitalize on the radiation-induced aggressive behavior of medulloblastoma cells by examining migration, cell adhesion and matrigel invasion properties. Comparison at the mRNA levels between the matrigel-invading and non-invading cells (with and without radiation) clearly demonstrates the aggressiveness of irradiated medulloblastoma cells. RT-PCR analysis confirmed the increased expression of uPA, uPAR, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), N-Cadherin, and integrins like α3, α5, β1 and β6 in irradiated cells. Increased expression of uPAR and integrin β-1 in irradiated cells was also confirmed by immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays. The interaction between uPAR and integrin β-1 and subsequent downstream signaling is a key process in malignant progression and metastasis and has been recently reported in mediating resistance to radiation. With this view, we aimed to study the effect of siRNA-mediated knockdown of uPAR on cell migration and adhesion in irradiated and non-irradiated medulloblastoma cells. Downregulation of uPAR not only reduced cell migration and adhesion, but also reduced the increased migration and adhesiveness associated with irradiated cells. Apart from specific knockdown of uPAR in siRNA-transfected cells, the increased expression of uPAR and integrin β-1 upon radiation were also reduced both at the transcript and protein levels. Studies of the uPAR/integrin β-1 downstream signaling cascade have shown that uPAR knockdown reduces both the expression and phosphorylation of FAK, paxillin, p130Cas and Rac-1, which are known to be actively involved in coordinating tyrosine kinase based signaling related to cell migration and adhesion. Our in vitro results demonstrate that targeting uPAR might sensitize the radiation-induced aggressiveness of medulloblastoma cells by affecting the uPAR/integrin β-1 signaling pathway.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1322.


No ONE WILL DENY THE GREAT STIMULUS that the development of the science of genetics gave to physical anthropology. The theme of this lecture is the potential debt in the reverse direction. I hope to show that the physical anthropologist is a partner without whom field genetic data cannot be fully interpreted by the geneticist, a partner moreover who on his own account is able to make appreciable contributions to general genetic theory. This does not refer to the several cases where the inheritance of a character, rare or absent in European populations, is elucidated through studies in other populations where it is more frequent, nor to the now classic case of the abnormal haemoglobins, where an anthropological phase of study proved to be the commencement of a chain of investigations that gave new impetus to the polymorphic concept. Instead I have in mind population genetics, where the investigator of human populations has at his disposal a wealth of information-and for purpose of the present discussion I refer particularly to demographic, i.e. numerical, information-that is not available for any other free-living species. In its absence, geneticists have used a number of assumptions, which have been translated direct into human genetics. It is the purpose of this lecture to examine the validity of some of these assumptions and of others occasionally met in the anthropological literature.


Subacute paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (SPCD) is a cerebellar syndrome associated with an identifiable or occult carcinoma without direct involvement of the nervous system by the cancer. This subacute syndrome is due to an extensive Purkinje cell destruction by anti-Purkinje cells autoantibodies. Some of them are specific for example "anti-YO" antibodies in gynecologic cancer situations. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman who presented an ovarien carcinoma revealed by a SPCD associated to an anti-Purkinje cell autoantibody "anti-YO" and to another unidentified autoantibody. Despite the treatment of the carcinoma, the invaliding SPCD did not regress. The diagnosis of SPCD requires identification and early treatment of the carcinoma, giving the patient the best chances for cure and avoiding major neurologic effects.


Heart failure (HF) is the final common pathway of many cardiovascular diseases and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Natural history of HF patients can be improved when early diagnosis is achieved, and a timely treatment is initiated. Circulating biomarkers, reflecting pathophysiological pathways involved in HF development and progression, help clinicians diagnose and manage patients with HF. Natriuretic peptides are cardioprotective hormones released by cardiomyocytes in response to pressure/volume overload. B-type natriuretic peptides, namely B-type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, have been widely validated as tools for diagnosis and risk stratification of HF, and their use appears promising also for screening the population at risk and as a guide for preventive measures halting progression towards HF. Conversely, there is conflicting evidence regarding their role as a guidance for HF therapy.


A water-soluble crude extract prepared from Ornithogalum caudatum Ait. (OCA) showing a high immunomodulating activitiy was isolated and characterized by virtue of get filtration and column chromatography. The presence of the monosaccharides has been established by the chemical analysis. The quantitative analysis of the alditol acetate derivatives of them showed the ratios of the monosaccharides analyzed by means of GC respectively. The concentrations of protein(280 nm) and carbohydrate (496 nm) were detected respectively. The information of the molecular weight from the pure polysaccharide was obtained by several standard Dextrans from the Sephadex chromatography.


Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main constituent of black seed (Nigella sativa, spp) essential oil which shows promising in vitro and in vivo anti-neoplastic activities in different tumor cell lines. However, to date there are only a few reports regarding the apoptotic effects of TQ on cervical cancer cells. Here, we report that TQ stimulated distinct apoptotic pathways in two human cervical cell lines, Siha and C33A. TQ markedly induced apoptosis as demonstrated by cell cycle analysis in both cell lines. Moreover, quantitative PCR revealed that TQ induced apoptosis in Siha cells through p53-dependent pathway as shown by elevated level of p53-mediated apoptosis target genes, whereas apoptosis in C33A cells was mainly associated with the activation of caspase-3. These results support previous findings on TQ as a potential therapeutic agent for human cervical cancer.


Given a snapshot of a social network, can we infer which new interactions among its members are likely to occur in the near future? We formalize this question as the link prediction problem, and develop approaches to link prediction based on measures the "proximity" of nodes in a network. Experiments on large co-authorship networks suggest that information about future interactions can be extracted from network topology alone, and that fairly subtle measures for detecting node proximity can outperform more direct measures.


[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to implement combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercises to examine the effects of combined exercises on functional ankle instability. [Subjects and Methods] Experiments were conducted with 30 adult males and females. The study subjects were randomly assigned to either a control group (Group A), a muscle strengthening exercise group (Group B), or a combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercise group (Group C) consisting of 10 subjects each. In Group A, measurements were only conducted before and after the experiment without any intervention, whereas the exercise programs for Group B and Group C were implemented three days per week for four weeks. [Results] Muscle strength showed significant increases in Groups B and C compared with the control group during plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion. The Cumberland ankle instability tool showed significant increases in Group B and Group C compared with Group A and significant increases in Group C compared with Group B. [Conclusion] Applying combined muscle strengthening and proprioceptive exercises to those who have functional ankle instability is more effective than applying only muscle strengthening exercises.


Experiments in which the numerical apertures of the objective and condenser of an ordinary microscope are reduced progressively and alternately in a systematic manner are described as regards contrast in the images of nonabsorbing particles that differ slightly from their surrounding medium in optical path. The observed contrast remains poor as the numerical apertures of the objective and condenser are reduced by means of variable diaphragms such that the ratio s of the numerical aperture of the condenser to that of the objective is held at unity. The observed contrast in the images of platelike particles tends toward similarity for a given value of s as the size of particle is increased. The various observations are interpreted theoretically and found to be in qualitative agreement with theory. Conditions under which distributions of irradiance in the images of different platelike particles become similar are formulated for in-focus and out-of-focus image planes. Knowledge of these conditions leads to improved understanding of the effects of numerical aperture on contrast in the image.


The synthetic hormone, 17-α-methyltestosterone (MT), is used in fish hatcheries to induce male monosex. Androgenic effects on various fish species have been reported; however, few studies have assessed possible genotoxic effects, although there are concerns about such effects in target and non-target species. We evaluated genotoxic and gonadal effects of MT in adult tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and Astyanax bimaculatus (a common native non-target fish in Brazil). Fish were fed for 28 days with ration containing MT (60 mg/L), a normal dose used in fish farming. Evaluation of MT genotoxicity was carried out through micronucleus test, nuclear abnormality, and comet assay analyses on peripheral erythrocyte cells collected by cardiac puncture. There were no significant differences in micronucleus frequencies and DNA damage in both species; however, MT caused cytogenetic toxicity in the non-target species, A. bimaculatus, with significantly increased erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities. Histopathological analyses of the female gonads of O. niloticus revealed that MT significantly inhibited the development of mature oocytes, while in A. bimaculatus it provoked significant inhibition of spermatozoa production. We concluded that discharge of fish-hatcheries water onto the surface of aquatic ecosystems should be avoided due to risks to reproduction of native species.


Aiming to assess the environmental effects on the dipole moments and polarizabilities of electronically excited-states, we have applied a combined Polarizable Continuum Model/Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (PCM/TD-DFT) approach on six representative chromophores. For the first time, we compare polarizabilities obtained with gas phase, linear-response and corrected linear response continuum models and we also investigate the relative importance of direct (electronic) and indirect (geometric) environmental contributions for these properties. It is shown that the solvent effects on excited-state polarizabilities tend to be large and can often, but not always, be captured with the computationally efficient linear-response formalism.


This paper presents an active sensing process for the efficient reconstruction of a real world environment using multiple views of a scene captured by a laser range finder onboard a mobile robot. To resolve the ambiguities caused by occlusions there is the need to acquire multiple range views at different viewpoints. A strategy for optimising the selection of the next sensing position and orientation based on previously detected occlusions is proposed. No a priori knowledge about the scene is used for planning the next views. The system evaluates the set of capture points from which all the necessary data can be acquired aiming at minimising its number. Among these points it then selects the one(s) maximising the occluded areas to be resolved.


We give a complete classification of analytic equivalence of germs of parametric families of systems of complex linear differential equations unfolding a generic resonant singularity of Poincare rank 1 in dimension $n = 2$ whose leading matrix is a Jordan bloc. The moduli space of analytic equivalence classes is described in terms of a tuple of formal invariants and a single analytic invariant obtained from the trace of monodromy, and analytic normal forms are given. We also explain the underlying phenomena of confluence of two simple singularities and of a turning point, the associated Stokes geometry, and the change of order of Borel summability of formal solutions in dependence on a complex parameter.


The present research was conducted at Plaza Sukaramai Pekanbaru, a Gold Sales Center in Pekanbaru. The study needs to find out the effect of product attribute, price and culture on the buying behaviors of the Pekanbaru consumers. The sample consisted of 160 buyers who were selected using the combination of cluster and purposive sampling technique. The variables are the product attribute, prices and culture as the independent variables, and the buying behavior as the dependent one. The data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The study reveals that product attribute has a positive and significant effect on the buying behavior. The price has a positive and significant effect on the buying behavior. Culture has a positive but insignificant effect on buying behavior.


Two systems of intracellular tubules which open to the extraccllular environment have been described in striated muscle fibers of crustaceans: the T or A tubules, which form diadic contacts with the sarcoplasmic reticulum, usually near the ends of the A band; and the Z tubules, which have been reported to penetrate the fiber along the Z line (12, 13). Local stimulation experiments on crab fibers with an external current-passing microelectrode implicated the T tubules in excitation-contraction coupling. Local contractions were obtained only when the electrode was positioned along a sarcomere near the end of an A band, where the T tubules invaginate. No contraction was produced by local stimulation at the middle of a sarcomere or at the Z line (6, 12). Thus, the Z tubules apparently do not mediate excitation-contraction coupling, and their function is unknown. Since Huxley's and Peachey's original reports (6, 13), the existence of Z tubules in crustacean muscle fibers has been supported by some workers (5, 14), hut not by others (3). No mention of Z tubules in crayfish muscle fibers is made by Brandt et al. (3), although structures similar to Peachey's Z tubules can be seen in their pictures. They describe T tubules, which sometimes pass through the Z line from one sarcomere to another, and have an electron-opaque wall at the Z line. They also describe "radial tubules" and sarcolemmal invaginations, neither of which structure shows the distribution and properties of Peachey's Z tubules. Thus, there has been controversy over the existence of the Z tubules, and more observations are desirable. The stomach muscles of the spiny lobster (10, 11) have proven to be especially favorable for the study of the Z and T tubules. As the present report will show, the Z system is distinct and unmistakable in these muscles. In addition, the T system has a distribution not seen previously in skeletal muscles of crustaceans.


Proteases are excellent biomarkers for a variety of diseases, offer multiple opportunities for diagnostic applications and are valuable targets for therapy. From a chemistry-based perspective this review discusses and critiques the most recent advances in the field of substrate-based probes for the detection and analysis of proteolytic activity both in vitro and in vivo.


OBJECTIVES
This study was proposed to evaluate the reliability by 2005 Sasangin Diagnosis Questionnaire for Mongolian (05' SDQ-M).

DESIGN
Questions from the 05'SDQ were translated into Mongolian, and the 05'SDQ-M was constructed. The questionnaire was administered to 193 Mongolians and they were asked to complete the questionnaire again 2 weeks after the first administration. To evaluate the internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated. A reliability analysis for each individual question was conducted using the test-retest method to verify the independence and agreement between the questions. To verify independence, a chi(2) test with crosstabs analysis and p-values was used. The agreement verification was conducted by using the Cohen kappa coefficient. In addition, the constitutional variable was defined as the constitutional attribute of each question, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was confirmed after testing the scale.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
After testing the internal consistency of the scale, the consistency was shown to range from 0.59 to 0.67, suggesting that the questions on the questionnaire were reliable. The test-retest method showed that Pearson's correlation coefficients for the results of the two tests ranged from 0.65 to 0.80. The x(2) test results indicated that one independent item demanded close attention. Among the other 123 questions, the agreement test revealed that 80 questions (64.5%) showed common agreement.


Introduction: Currently we are facing the challenge to deal with the first generation of adolescents HIV+, infected by vertical transmission. This is new, and creates the need to improve attention to self-care and knowledge on sexual and reproductive health. Issues like the exercise of sexuality, contraception, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), are not enough debated among professionals, families and adolescents, despite their importance, concerning the affective and sexual discoveries typical of that age. Objective: To assess and compare the knowledge among adolescents HIV+ and HIV-, the guidance received on sexual and reproductive health and their sexual behavior, in order to better assist an integral health attention. Methods: A prospective, quali-quantitative, observational, analytical and cross-sectional study that took place during one year at the public hospital of an university in Curitiba, interviewing 61 adolescents HIV+ and 61 adolescents HIVafter their outpatient attendance. A questionnaire with objective multi-choice questions, as well as open-ended questions thought to stimulate free narratives was the base of data acquisition. Statistical analysis have considered the adolescents HIV+ and HIVmatched by age, gender and education. To evaluate differences on continuous variables, Student's t-test for normal distribution and Mann-Whitney test for asymmetric distribution were the tools. For categorical variables: Fisher exact tests and chi-square of Pearson. The analysis of answers for the openended questions was based on categorization of semantic equivalence. Significance level of 5% for all tests. Main variables of study in the amount enough to allow comparisons have driven the sample estimation, with less than 5% of significance level and minimum test power of 95%. Results: The study showed that adolescents don't have good enough knowledge about reproductive health in both groups (p=0.01). They have initiated sexual activity at about 15 years old, they report using condoms, but not the habit of picking them up. The group of HIV + have expressed more opinions about the sexual and reproductive rights, they have received less guidance on emergency contraception (p<0.001); they "hook-up" and dated less than HIVgroup. Conclusion: The lack of knowledge of adolescents on reproductive health is greater than about sexual health and both groups reported the habit of not getting condoms. The HIV+ group had more opinions about sexual and reproductive rights, received less guidance on emergency contraception, "hooked-up" and dated less than the HIVgroup. The knowledge about sexual rights and sexuality, and the guidance provided to both groups of teenagers, didn't seem to be adequate to make protective sexual attitudes preventing STD.


This study aimed to investigate the meanings attributed to the quality of life at work for healthcare professionals at a tertiary public hospital in northeastern Brazil, taking into account the new time in which we live, marked by hyper-accelerated lifestyles and by a hedonistic culture that worships immediate and ephemeral sensations. This is a qualitative study, carried out through field work, in the work environment where professionals perform their activities. Data were collected through participant observation and interviews with a semi-structured script. The methodology focus for the analysis of the thematic brief was guided by the following question: For you, what does the quality of working life mean? The method of the Discourse of the Collective Subject - DCS - as a tool for organizing and analyzing data enabled us to identify the meaning of quality of life at work related to the balance between work and personal life, socio-professional relations, reducing overload and occupational stress and a less accelerated way of life. The study results indicate that the hyper-accelerated lifestyles in contemporary society interfere decisively in the styles and quality of life of the worker, causing an imbalance between work and other spheres of life and thus compromising labor satisfaction.


This paper examines stability and change in land use and urban planning in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand. Inappropriate land use zoning, lack of enforcement of city planning, lack of public transportation and many unresolved problems (e.g. frequent floods, traffic congestion) are indicative of how current land use / urban planning practices have failed to lead to sustainable and desirable directions for urban development in Chiang Mai. In response, a heterogeneous coalition of actors representing various elements of strong and vibrant civil society groups have rallied around a series of issues and voice their desire for change. This has contributed to the construction of a protected space (niche) for thinking about alternative (more participatory) ways of planning with considerable momentum. This collective action has not been in vain and some of their ideas have been incorporated in the modified land use planning. In order to analyze these processes and to 'contextualize' the situation and ongoing land use issues in Chiang Mai, this paper uses a framework called the 'Multi-level Perspective' (MLP). This perspective is relatively new for the field of urban planning, but it proved to be useful for investigating stability and change in Chiang Mai city and it might be a promising framework for analyzing (sustainable) developments in urban planning and land use for other rapidly developing cities.


Dermal tissue loss in patients affected by critical limb ischemia represents a serious wound-healing problem, with high morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, and high patient care costs. Treatment of ischemic foot lesions requires limb revascularization by endovascular or open surgical intervention and individualized patient-specific wound care, including antibiotic therapy; devitalized/infected wound debridement; and advanced wound dressing. In selected patients, spinal cord stimulation, vacuum-assisted closure therapy, and bioengineered tissue or skin substitutes and growth factors have been shown to improve wound healing. In this study, we present our preliminary results on topical application of autologous platelet-rich plasma to enhance the process of wound healing after revascularization of lower limbs in patients affected by critical limb ischemia.


In this article, a blast furnace measurement and control system is introduced. It is based on the Labview development platform, and takes the ADAM4000 series data acquisition module of Advantech as the core. This system can replace the massive display instruments, finish monitoring the furnace conditions, and realize to manage the historical data.


This paper proposes a formal language to support and document argumentation, claims, decision and negotiation, and coordination in network-based organizations. The purpose of the language, once implemented in the organization's Intranet, is to promote communication using structured arguments, claims and justified decisions and to preserve this information as corporate memory. We contend that organization effectiveness can be achieved by continuous exchange of information, arguments, and joint agreements on actions with appropriate knowledge of the organizational decision-making context. As a mechanism for group decision and negotiation support and as an organizational repository, the proposed language is constructed based on supporting discussions that focus on the relationship between actions and the resources required to implement these actions.


We propose an optimized implementation of the Fourier-Motzkin (FM) algorithm for computing all nonnegative, minimal-support invariants of ordinary Petri nets. The FM algorithm is optimized by detecting the parallel place sets created during each of its iteration, and retaining just one member of each set while deleting the rest. The intermediate invariants obtained are then used to generate all minimal-support invariants using an optimized invariant generation process. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm is at least 2.2X faster in execution and requires at least 1.8x less memory than other comparable algorithms


1. Introduction: The Great Rebellion, Biswamoy Pati 2. 1857 and the Adivasis of Chotanagpur, Shashank S. Sinha 3. Remembering Gonoo: The Profile of an Adivasi Rebel of 1857, Sanjukta Dasgupta 4. Beyond Colonial Mapping: Common People, Fuzzy Boundaries and the Rebellion of 1857, Biswamoy Pati 5. Forests on Fire: The 1857 Rebellion in Tribal Andhra, B. Rama Chandra Reddy 6. Contested sites: The Prison, Penal Laws and the 1857 Revolt, Madhurima Sen 7. Courtesans and the 1857 Revolt: The Role of Azeezun in Kanpur, Lata Singh 8. Discourses of 'Gendered Loyalty': Constructing Indian Women in 'Mutiny' Fiction of the Nineteenth century, Indrani Sen 9. The 'Disposable' Brethren: European Marginals in Eastern India during the Great Rebellion, Sarmsitha De 10. Sanitizing Indigenous Memory: 1857 and Mughal Exile, Amar Farooqui 11. Ideas, Memories and Meanings: Adi Dravida Interpretations of the Impact of the 1857 Rebellion, Raj Shekhar Basu


A distinguishing sequence (DS) for a finite-state machine (FSM) is an input sequence that distinguishes every pair of states of the FSM. There are techniques that generate a test sequence with guaranteed fault detection power, and it has been found that shorter test sequences can be produced if DSs are used. Despite these benefits, however, until recently the only published DS generation algorithms have been for deterministic FSMs. This article develops a massively parallel algorithm, which can be used in Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) Computing, to generate DSs from partial observable non-deterministic FSMs. We also present the results of experiments using randomly generated FSMs and some benchmark FSMs. The results are promising and indicate that the proposed algorithm can derive DSs from partial observable non-deterministic FSMs with 32,000 states in an acceptable amount of time.


A comprehensive microbiological facility is being designed for use on board Space Station Freedom (SSF). Its purpose will be to conduct microbial surveillance of the SSF environment and to examine clinical specimens. Air, water, and internal surfaces will be periodically monitored to satisfy requirements for a safe environment. Crew health will remain a principle objective for every mission. This paper will review the Microbiology Subsystem capabilities planned for SSF application.


In their lifetime software systems usually need to be adapted in order to fit in a changing environment or to cover new required functionality. The effort necessary for implementing changes is related to the maintainability of the software system. Therefore, maintainability is an important quality aspect of software systems. Today Software Architecture plays an important role in achieving software quality goals. Therefore, it is useful to evaluate software architectures regarding their impact on the quality of the program. However, unlike other quality attributes, such as performance or reliability, there is relatively less work on the impact of the software architecture on maintainability in a quantitative manner. In particular, the cost of software evolution not only stems from software-development activities, such as reimplementation, but also from software management activities, such as re-deployment, upgrade installation, etc. Most metrics for software maintainability base on code of object-oriented designs, but not on architectures, and do not consider costs from software management activities. Likewise, existing current architectural maintainability evaluation techniques manually yield just qualitative (and often subjective) results and also do concentrate on software (re-)development costs. In this paper, we present KAMP, the Karlsruhe Architectural Maintainability Prediction Method, a quantitative approach to evaluate the maintainability of software architectures. Our approach estimates the costs of change requests for a given architecture and takes into account re-implementation costs as well as re-deployment and upgrade activities. We combine several strengths of existing approaches. First, our method evaluates maintainability for concrete change requests and makes use of explicit architecture models. Second, it estimates change efforts using semi-automatic derivation of work plans, bottom-up effort estimation, and guidance in investigation of estimation supports (e.g. design and code properties, team organization, development environment, and other influence factors).


It is shown that the off-shell behavior of the low energy two-nucleon T matrix, in the coupled S13−D13 state, can be characterized by a single parameter, which is the generalization from central to noncentral forces of the equivalent or off-shell length. An approximate linear relation between the square of the off-shell length and the intrinsic range, which holds for central forces, is shown to be also valid for noncentral forces. It is found that the approximate relation is exact for a separable potential of the Yamaguchi type, and hence for the unitary pole approximation.


Background
 DNA hypomethylating agents (HMAs), including azacytidine (AZA) have been established as key drugs for higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We and others have explored the role of mutation profile before AZA administration on predicting outcomes. Actually, we have previously identified mutated-TP53 as a marker associated with higher rate of achieving complete remission (CR). In addition, mutations in TP53 and DDX41 predicted reduced and prolonged survival after treatment, respectively. However, the clinical significance of evaluating clone size changes early after treatment has not been determined. In this study, we explored the role of post-treatment clone size in predicting outcomes of AZA treatment for MDS and related diseases.
 Methods
 We enrolled 290 AZA-treated cases, including 88 from a Japanese prospective study (JALSG MDS-212 trial), 149 from Karolinska Institute, and 53 from a retrospectively collected Japanese cases. The diagnoses were MDS (n=242), MDS/MPN (n=25), and AML-MRC (n=23). For all patients, tumor samples were collected both before and after AZA administration and were analyzed for mutations in 66 genes implicated in myeloid neoplasms using targeted-capture sequencing. The median cycles of AZA treatment before sampling was 4 (range 1-7). Clone size was calculated from variant allele frequency adjusted for ploidy or allelic imbalances.Survival was calculated with a Cox regression model.
 Results
 In post-treatment samples, we identified 870 mutations in 51 genes in 255 (88%) patients with a median of 3 mutations per sample, while 943 mutations were seen in 279 (96%) patients in the pre-treatment samples. Most frequently detected mutations in post-treatment samples were seen in TET2, TP53, RUNX1, and ASXL1. Germline DDX41 mutations were excluded from clone size evaluation. Median clone sizes were 0.63 and 0.54 for pre-treatment and post-treatment samples (P=.011), respectively. The largest clone sizes (max(VAF)) in post-treatment samples had a strong negative correlation with hematological response according to IWG criteria (P < .0001). We next explored whether max(VAF) in post-treatment samples provides a more precise estimation of long-term survival than IPSS-R. Max(VAF) further stratified each IPSS-R risk group in subgroups with discrete OS (P < .0001 for IPSS-R very high and P = .0004 for high risk group). Incorporating pre-treatment mutation data (mutations in TP53 and DDX41) and max(VAF) values in addition to IPSS-R scores and clinical response, we constructed a multivariate model and found that all these factors had an independent and significant impact on OS (Figure 1A). Next, we examined whether max(VAF) combined with IPSS-R and clinical response can improve the model. For this purpose, we randomly split the cohort into 75% training and 25% validation subsets and for each split, we constructed different models using the training set, performance of which was evaluated by calculating the concordance index (c-index) using the validation set. The mean c-index in 10,000 simulation sets increased by 0.025 by adding response data to IPSS-R score (I versus IR in Fig 1B). Further improvements were obtained by adding gene mutation and max(VAF), in which the c-index increased by 0.034 (IR versus IGR in Fig 1B) and 0.010 (IGR versus IGRP in Fig 1B), respectively. For the 53 patients who received allogeneic stem cell transplantation, the median post-transplant OS was 82.6 months (range, 36.3 to not reached). Notably, max(VAF) significantly stratified OS after allo-SCT (HR, 3.3; 95%CI, 1.3 to 8.3; P = .014).
 Conclusions
 Our study revealed that post-treatment clone size significantly correlated with clinical response and the evaluation of post-treatment clone size allows for more precise prognostication after AZA treatment compared with IPSS-R and clinical response alone.
 Table

 Naoe: NIPPON SHINYAKU CO.,LTD.: Speakers Bureau; Sysmex co.: Speakers Bureau; Eisai Co., Ltd.: Speakers Bureau; Astellas Pharma Inc.: Speakers Bureau; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Speakers Bureau. Miyazaki:Celgene: Honoraria; Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.: Honoraria; Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.: Honoraria; Novartis Pharma KK: Honoraria; NIPPON SHINYAKU CO.,LTD.: Honoraria; Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Honoraria; Astellas Pharma Inc.: Honoraria; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Honoraria. Papaemmanuil:Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Consultancy, Honoraria; Prime Oncology: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Illumina: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; MSKCC: Patents & Royalties; Isabl: Current equity holder in private company, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Ogawa:Eisai Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Chordia Therapeutics, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; KAN Research Institute, Inc.: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Research Funding; Asahi Genomics Co., Ltd.: Current equity holder in private company; Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.: Research Funding.


Immunohistochemical study for epidermal growth factor (EGF) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was performed on 222 specimens of gastric carcinoma. The authors placed each carcinoma into one of the following three groups: group 1, neither EGF nor EGFR was stained (123 cases); group 2, either EGF or EGFR was stained (64 cases); and group 3, both EGF and EGFR were stained (35 cases). Compared with the carcinomas in groups 1 and 2, those in group 3 had significantly higher rates of infiltrative gross type, microscopically infiltrative type, poorly differentiated type, scirrhous type, and deep invading type. These results suggest that carcinomas in group 3 may have more proliferative and invasive activity and thus may have an autocrine mechanism, that is, the ability of cancer cells to produce and respond to their own growth factor.


In Air Traffic Control a serious safety risk is represented by undetected simultaneous transmissions from different airplanes. In this paper, we approach this issue through a speech analysis algorithm, which combines traditional Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients extraction, a new two-stage normalization and widely used Dynamic Time Warping. In this way, we were able to extend the simultaneous speech detection capability in Voice Communication Systems of Air Traffic Control. The results prove that this implementation is suitable for practical applications.