Objective: The aim of this pilot study was to identify HIV/AIDS care delivery gaps from both caregiver and patient perspectives, in a high risk region of the Dominican Republic. Furthermore, the study hopes to establish baseline data on psychosocial issues of HIV/AIDS in the Dominican Republic. The study further analyzed these factors in the context of current national policies. Methods: The study, conducted at Boca Chica HIV/AIDS Clinic in the Dominican Republic, consisted of two parts: 1) a retrospective review of 300 patient clinical charts and 2) personal interviews with 52 patients, 15 physicians, 7 nurses, 5 social workers and 11 hospital administrators. Results: Major barriers to accessing care identified were patient education, training for healthcare professionals, lack of funds, transportation and inconvenient clinic hours. Over half of patients believed that supernatural means to healing could be utilized as a sole path to disease management. Only 21% indicated they had continuous access to medication. Although patients trusted the clinic in terms of confidentiality, 60% expressed a fear of inappropriate information. Social workers, physicians, and nurses identified stigmatization as a major healthcare barrier, but this view was held by only 17% of patients. Administrators identified documentation and equipment as major areas that need improvement. All 300 records were missing follow-up dates for appointments, medication histories, social histories, income information, or psychiatric histories, and 33% had no record of a physical exam. Only 62% of physicians, nurses, social workers, and medical administrators were aware of national programs that collect HIV/ AIDS information and how they function. Conclusion: Our results warrant new programs and development of a robust and coherent multidisciplinary approach to HIV/AIDS care delivery as a capacity-building national policy. Furthermore, our observations indicate that the lack of effective implementation programs add to the complexity of HIV/AIDS care services.


Abstract RNA synthesis by the Azotobacter vinelandii RNA polymerase is initiated with the incorporation of a ribonucleoside triphosphate to form the 5' terminus of the chain. The RNA chains synthesized in vitro are preferentially initiated by purine ribonucleoside triphosphates. The ratio of guanosine triphosphate to ATP termini is determined by the DNA used to direct the synthesis of RNA. When denatured DNA is used as the template, this ratio is shifted in favor of GTP termini.


Fe/N/C catalysts have been regarded as prospective electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). As reported, doping S into the Fe/N/C catalyst is an effective strategy to further enhance its ORR performance. Herein, a rational design is demonstrated to synthesize Fe/S/N/C catalysts with a flexible ratio of the doped Fe and S. Through atomic substitution and molecular confinement methods, Fe and S were incorporated into the ZIF-8 precursor, respectively. After further pyrolysis, the Fe/S/N/C catalyst was obtained with uniformly dispersed Fe-Nx, C-S-C active sites and high specific surface area. The Fe/S/N/C catalyst shows a high half-wave potential in alkaline medium, nearly 32 mV higher than the commercial Pt/C, owing to the strong synergistic effect from Fe-Nx and C-S-C active sites. Additionally, the Fe/S/N/C catalyst exhibits good long-term electrocatalytic durability and high endurance to methanol crossover, implying it is a suitable candidate to take the place of conventional Pt or Pt-based catalysts in electrochemical devices.


Percutaneous implants are widely used in clinical practice. However, infection is the main clinical problem of percutaneous implants. Titanium dioxide nanotubes are suitable for forming coatings on complex surfaces such as implants. HHC-36, a cationic antimicrobial peptide, has been identified to have a strong broad-spectrum antibacterial effect. In the present study, we use poly D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) and poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) coating to build HHC-36 sustained-release system on the surface of titanium dioxide nanotubes. The titanium specimens were anodized coated with HHC-36-PDLLA/PLGA. The morphology and surface elemental distribution of the specimens were evaluated. Besides, results in the present study demonstrated that with antibacterial peptide HHC-36 sustained-release coating, titanium dioxide nanotubes maintain effective drug release for 15 days in vitro, and show significant antibacterial activity. The proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus can be effectively inhibited by PDLLA/PLGA-HHC-36 coated titanium dioxide nanotube. In addition, PDLLA-HHC-36 and PLGA-HHC-36 coating was demonstrated to be biocompatible and antibacterial in vivo. These findings demonstrated that HHC-36 coated titanium nanotube could improve antibacterial potential of percutaneous implants, and indicated a novel and efficient strategy in preventing bacterial infection of percutaneous implants.


THE PURPOSE of this paper is to trace briefly the progress in the art of power development at Niagara Falls from its beginning to the present time, to describe more particularly the recent developments and those about to be undertaken under the recent license granted to The Niagara Falls Power Company by the Federal Power Commission, and to indicate the present and probable future functioning of Niagara power in the industrial development of the country.


Abstract. Clouds impact the radiative transfer of the Earth's atmosphere and strongly influence satellite measurements in the UV visible and IR spectral ranges. For satellite measurements of trace gases absorbing in the UV/vis spectral range, particularly clouds ultimately determine the vertical sensitivity profile, mainly by reducing the sensitivity for trace gas columns below the cloud. The Mainz Iterative Cloud Retrieval Utilities (MICRU) algorithm is specifically designed to reduce the error budget of trace gas retrievals, such as those for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which strongly depends on the accuracy of small cloud fractions (CF) in particular. The accuracy of MICRU is governed by an empirical parametrisation of the viewing geometry dependent background surface reflectivity taking instrumental and physical effects into account. Instrumental effects are mainly degradation and polarisation effects, physical effects are due to the anisotropy of the surface reflectivity, e.g. shadowing of plants and sun glitter. MICRU is applied to main science channel (MSC) and polarisation measuring device (PMD) data collected between April 2007 and June 2013 by the GOME-2A instrument onboard the MetOp-A satellite. CF are retrieved at different spectral bands between 374 and 758 nm. The MICRU results for MSC and PMD at different wavelengths are inter-compared to study CF precision and accuracy, which depend on wavelength and spatial correlation. Furthermore, MICRU results are compared to FRESCO (Fast Retrieval Scheme for Clouds from the Oxygen A band) and OCRA (Optical Cloud Recognition Algorithm) operational cloud products. We show that MICRU retrieves small CF with an accuracy of 0.04 or better for the entire 1920 km wide swath with a potential bias between −0.01 and −0.03. CF retrieved at shorter wavelengths are less affected by adverse surface heterogeneities. The comparison to the operational CF algorithms shows that MICRU significantly reduces the dependence on viewing angle, time, and sun glitter. Systematic effects along coasts are particularly small for MICRU due to its dedicated treatment of land and ocean surfaces. The MICRU algorithm is designed for spectroscopic instruments ranging from the GOME to TROPOMI/Sentinel-5P, but is also applicable to UV/vis imagers like, for example, AVHRR, MODIS, VIIRS, and Sentinel-2.


Archimedes Technology Group, Inc., is developing a plasma mass separator called the Archimedes Filter that separates waste oxide mixtures ion by ion into two mass groups: light and heavy. For the first time, it is feasible to separate large amounts of material atom by atom in a single pass device. Although vacuum ion based electromagnetic separations have been around for many decades, they have traditionally depended on ion beam manipulation. Neutral plasma devices, on the other hand, are much easier, less costly, and permit several orders of magnitude greater throughput. The Filter has many potential applications in areas where separation of species is otherwise difficult or expensive. In particular, radioactive waste sludges at Hanford have been a particularly difficult issue for pretreatment and immobilization. Over 75% of Hanford HLW oxide mass (excluding water, carbon, and nitrogen) has mass less than 59 g/mol. On the other hand, 99.9% of radionuclide activity has mass greater than 89 g/mol. Therefore, Filter mass separation tuned to this cutoff would have a dramatic effect on the amount of IHLW produced--in fact IHLW would be reduced by a factor of at least four. The Archimedes Filter is a brand new tool for the separations specialist's toolbox. In this paper, we show results that describe the extent to which the Filter separates ionized material. Such results provide estimates for the potential advantages of Filter tunability, both in cutoff mass (electric and magnetic fields) and in degree of ionization (plasma power). Archimedes is now engaged in design and fabrication of its Demonstration Filter separator and intends on performing a full-scale treatment of Hanford high-level waste surrogates. The status of the Demo project will be described.


OBJECTIVE
Men are less likely than women to engage with formal mental health services for suicidality. We describe the sources of support, barriers to service use, and coping strategies of men with past-year suicidal ideation who are not receiving formal mental health services.

METHOD
Australian men experiencing past-year suicidal ideation who also did not receive formal mental health services within the past year (n = 176) completed a survey that assessed help-seeking behaviors, coping strategies and styles, use of general services, barriers to service use, and individual-level characteristics. Analyses included descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses.

RESULTS
The most common type of support was self-help resources, and self-reliance was the most common barrier to formal mental health service use. Most participants had seen a GP for non-mental-health-related reasons in the past year. Men who did not seek any help for their suicidality experienced lower instrumental barriers and perceived need for support, and lower levels of certain coping styles. Limitations included a cross-sectional design and small sample size.

CONCLUSION
The current study provides insight into the help-seeking experiences of men with past-year suicidality and not receiving formal mental health services. The findings suggest it may be helpful to improve the linkage between online and informal sources of support and evidence-based interventions.HIGHLIGHTSOnline self-help, friends, and partners were the most commonly used sources of help.A subset of men (42%) with lower perceived need for help did not seek any support.Despite no past-year formal mental health service use, 80% of the men had seen a GP.


While collective bargaining processes centred on national actors remain the backbone of industrial relations systems, we see the emergence of new forms of collective bargaining within multinational corporations (MNCs), leading to the ratification of international framework agreements (IFAs). The growing importance of IFAs raises many questions regarding, first of all, the characteristics of the international trade union actions and negotiation processes leading to such agreements and also the relevant theoretical model for analysing them. In this regard, this article has a twofold objective: on an empirical level, to document a case involving a cross-border trade union alliance and the negotiation process, which led to one particular IFA, and, on a theoretical level, to evaluate, on the basis of this case study, the relevance of the classical theory of Walton and McKersie as a framework for analysing international collective bargaining processes.


A major issue in many mass litigation cases is how to notify interested parties of their right to file claims against the alleged defendant(s), a problem that arises not only in class action cases, but also in actions consolidated through the multidistrict litigation procedure in the federal courts and in cases in which a defendant has filed for protection under the federal bankruptcy act. In this paper I discuss some of the general issues involved in notification, and report on a pair of surveys that provide some insight into how a large scale public notification campaign worked in the Dalkon Shield litigation. The evidence from the surveys suggests that the notification campaign served to activate a largely preexisting awareness of the alleged hazards of the Shield rather than to educate the public concerning the existence of those hazards. These findings raise questions about how a public notification campaign modeled after that used in the this case might work if the level of public awareness was very...


Most existing clutter metrics are proposed based on fixed structural features and experienced weight measures. In this paper, we identify the clutter as selective visual attention effects and propose a type of clutter metric. First, adaptive structural features are extracted from the blocks with an edge-structure similarity to the target. Next, the confusing blocks are selected by the similarity threshold based on the attention guidance map. The clutter is estimated by quantifying the effects of confusing blocks on target acquisition performance. The comparative field experiments, with a Search_2 dataset, show that the proposed metric is consistent with the adaptability of the human visual system (HVS) and outperforms other metrics.


This paper focuses on the effect of the size of a transportation infrastructure system network on its level of performance when disrupted. The average shortest path distance forms the basic property by which this study is carried out, since it also constitutes the basic unit around which the adjacency matrix is developed. In this paper, the main system studied comprises critical infrastructures (namely the highways and bridges in Newcastle County, Delaware), which is then developed into a network using graph theory. Two case studies are analysed, each selected from two different regions of the county, under the effect of two node removal strategies representing the real-life disruptions of natural and intentional attacks. Based on Spearman's rank correlation and the calculated average shortest path distances, it was shown that the smaller the size of a network, the shorter the path lengths and the more efficient the system. The other considered properties include the network density, average vertex degree, clustering coefficient, node betweenness, link betweenness and network connectivity to determine whether they showed a direct relationship with efficiency. Only the average shortest path distances and betweenness centralities showed a direct relationship with network efficiency. However, this work investigates how the presence of short path distances in a system network affects its performance and develops working equations for computing efficiency using regression equations.


The pulmonary O2 uptake (V̇o2p) response to ramp-incremental (RI) exercise increases linearly with work rate (WR) after an early exponential phase, implying that a single time constant (τ) and gain (G) describe the response. However, variability in τ and G of V̇o2p kinetics to different step increments in WR is documented. We hypothesized that the "linear" V̇o2p-WR relationship during RI exercise results from the conflation between WR-dependent changes in τ and G. Nine men performed three or four repeats of RI exercise (30 W/min) and two step-incremental protocols consisting of four 60-W increments beginning from 20 W or 50 W. During testing, breath-by-breath V̇o2p was measured by mass spectrometry and volume turbine. For each individual, the V̇o2p RI response was characterized with exponential functions containing either constant or variable τ and G values. A relationship between τ and G vs. WR was determined from the step-incremental protocols to derive the variable model parameters. τ and G increased from 21 ± 5 to 98 ± 20 s and from 8.7 ± 0.6 to 12.0 ± 1.9 ml·min(-1)·W(-1) for WRs of 20-230 W, respectively, and were best described by a second-order (τ) and a first-order (G) polynomial function of WR (lowest Akaike information criterion score). The sum of squared residuals was not different (P > 0.05) when the V̇o2p RI response was characterized with either the constant or variable models, indicating that they described the response equally well. Results suggest that τ and G increase progressively with WR during RI exercise. Importantly, these relationships may conflate to produce a linear V̇o2p-WR response, emphasizing the influence of metabolic heterogeneity in determining the apparent V̇o2p-WR relationship during RI exercise.


We demonstrate an ultra-long cavity by which an all-fiber erbium-doped fiber laser is passively mode-locked by nonlinear polarization rotation. The length of the resonant cavity amounts to 466m, which can be achieved by incorporating a 420m highly nonlinear fiber. The laser generates stable mode-locked pulses with a 444 kHz fundamental repetition rate. A near transform-limited subpicosecond pulse is obtained without any dispersion compensation. The maximum average power of the output pulses is 5.16 mW, which corresponds to a per-pulse energy of 11.62 nJ.


The changing materiality of moving images and picture sources is a crucial aspect of the space in which screen stories are told. Technologies that capture and present moving images are responsible for our understanding of what we see as audiences; and as makers, how we create reality on screen.

The immersive cinematic experience is influenced by many factors, including, but not limited to, the production, narrative, technology and screening environment of the film. Since the introduction of digital cinema, directors have provided increased immersion through 3-D imagery and immersive 3-D sound technologies.

Despite excitement in the production industry, new immersive technologies are being introduced into the cinema exhibition space with caution. Cinema managers are not rushing to upgrade to new technologies despite increased production of 3-D and immersive sound films. The cost of upgrading equipment, and with many new technologies not yet standardised, makes any technological investment a costly risk. This risk also factors in audience (customer) demand. John Kellogg warns that the immersive technologies need to be affordable for theatre owners, if not they will invest in upgrading their chairs (Giardina 2014). This cautious approach to upgrading technology is reminiscent of the format war that occurred during the introduction of wide screen and Cinerama.

With 3-D introduced to bring the audience back to the cinema, how much of an attraction are immersive exhibition formats? Many are now stating that the 3-D experience is underwhelming, especially considering the premium price of tickets. In addition to changes in digital vision technologies, the digital soundtrack is also undergoing development with competing immersive sound formats vying for cinema standardisation.

During 2014, the author conducted an online survey with 201 participants to investigate audience awareness of contemporary and emerging cinema technologies. This paper analyses the results and identifies audience literacies of contemporary cinema technologies and formats. Although vendors are pushing the benefits of their new technologies, what influence does the audience have? Is the audience demanding more from the cinema? What is the technical literacy of the cinema audience? Does the cinema audience understand the differences in new immersive technologies, including the immersive sound formats, or is contemporary cinema exhibition adequate?


The three-dimensional distribution of temperature, thermal deformation, and thermal stress in a workpiece during table traverse cross-feed surface grinding is computed numerically, and the effects on the dimensional accuracy, the holding force of the magnetic chuck, and the grinding cracks in the workpiece are discussed. The temperature distribution is calculated by a finite-difference method, and the distribution of thermal deformation and thermal stress is determined by a numerical method developed from the relaxation method. From the results of the analysis, it is clear that the deformation of workpieces cannot be disregarded when considering dimensional accuracy, and that the magnetic chuck is not sufficient to counteract the thermal bending of the workpiece.


BackgroundCensuses are meant to provide a complete count and basic information about all households and individuals in a country. After decades of complacency, it has begun to be realised that this can no longer be guaranteed. Several of the presentations at the Edinburgh in March 2018 demonstrated methods which the ONS were developing to resolve many of the problems; but those methods do not solve the problem of those who, for a variety of reasons, cannot or do not want to be counted.
ObjectivesThis paper sets out to document the possible size of the 'hidden' populations in the UK and demonstrate that they are predominantly poor.
Methods (including data)Estimates of the numbers are provided (globally and in the UK) in difficult-to-reach categories: homeless/street children, care homes/hospitals, military, prisons, refugees and illegal immigrants, gypsies/travellers, urban slums.With the exception of the military, the majority in each group are poor.
FindingsThe paper then reviews approaches to counting and describing the various categories:

grosso modo, those in institutions can already be headcounted but apart from relevant institutional status, gender and perhaps age, we have no other information about them; but the main problem is that, in many cases, there is potential double counting with their (temporarily) broken household.
for both Refugees/ Illegal immigrants and Gypsy/ Traveller Population, the main problem is the reluctance of the former to complete forms or be interviewed and of the latter to acknowledge their own ethnic identity
in high rise blocks where lifts are not always working, there will certainly be some unsurveyed and uncensored people; and the Grenfell Towers experience shows that there is not always a secure count of the numbers

ConclusionsThe issue of 'hidden' or missing populations in the UK has to be taken much more seriously.


Mars today is much drier than the Earth, though they likely began with similar relative amounts of water. One potential cause for this discrepancy is hydrogen loss to space, which may have removed a large fraction of Mars' initial water. Here we demonstrate an order‐of‐magnitude change in the Martian hydrogen escape rate in 2007, inconsistent with established models for the source of escaping hydrogen. We analyze 121.6 nm (hydrogen Lyman‐α) airglow observations made by the ultraviolet spectrometer on the Mars Express spacecraft over the second half of 2007. The enhanced escape rates we observe may be due to lower atmospheric heating and overturn during the 2007 (Mars Year 28) global dust storm, suggesting that hydrogen escape from Mars during dust storms may dominate loss of the planet's water inventory. This scenario has major implications for reconstructing the total amount of water lost to space over Martian history.


Context. Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with infant morbidity and mortality. This is the first study of LBW in Kansas using vital statistics to determine maternal and health care system factors associated with LBW. Outcomes. Low birth weight. Objective. Determine if prenatal care, maternal socio-demographic or medical factors, or insurance status were associated with LBW. Methods. Birth certificate data were merged with Medicaid eligibility data and subjected to logistic regression analysis. Results. Of the 37,081 single vaginal births, LBW rates were 5.5% overall, 10.8% for African Americans, and 5% for White Americans. Lacking private insurance was associated with 34% more LBW infants (AOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.13–1.58), increased comorbidity, and late or less prenatal care. Low birth weight was associated with maternal medical comorbidity and with previous adverse birth outcomes. Conclusions. Insurance status, prenatal care, and maternal health during pregnancy are associated with LBW. Private insurance was consistently associated with more prenatal care and better outcomes. This study has important implications regarding health care reform.


Both user authentication and access control are required for data protection in computer systems. Recently, Ham and Lin proposed an access control scheme with integration of user authentication. In their scheme, the above two functions are combined together to prevent possible security threats between these two protection modules. This paper, argues that there are some redundant information and verification operations in their scheme. A more compact and efficient alternative, with the same security and characteristics, is presented. Also, a batch-type multiple-access request verification is suggested to improve the efficiency of the system and a password updating process is proposed to facilitate the dynamic operations.


This paper presents a solution to the reverse engineering case study of GraBaTs 2009 implemented using the AtlanMod Transformation Language (ATL), and the AtlanMod Model Management Architecture (AmmA). Two scalability approaches are presented: a classical one, as well as an optimization for multiple queries on the same model. The task showing the genericity of the transformation tool is also solved.


A study was conducted to determine the pathogenic effects of Fasciola gigantica infection on Yankasa sheep for a period of four months (April-July ,2010). Pathological lesions were observed in four Fasciola gigantica infected Yankasa sheep that died at the 10th, 11th and 12th week post-infection in an experimental infection at the Reproduction unit of the National Animal production Research institute, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria. The experiment involved twelve Yankasa sheep that were divided into two groups of infected and controls. The six animals in the infected group were each orally inoculated with 1200 Fasciola gigantica metacercariae and monitored for a period of 16 weeks. The pathogenic effects of the Fasciola gigantica infection began to manifest through death of four sheep among the infected group; with one death observed on the 10th week, two on the 11th and one on the 12th week post-infections respectively. The gross pathological lesions observed were hepatomegally, appearance of migratory tracts on the liver surface, appearance of puncture wounds through which protruded the anterior ends of the flukes to the liver surface as well as a fluid filled cavity with each having a fluid content of not less than 2.5 litres within the abdominal cavity. Other features observed grossly were marked distension of the gall bladder in which numerous flukes were present. The histopathological lesions were presented inform of intense hemorrhage both in the parenchyma and in the parasite tracts. There was fibrosis and distortion of the normal architecture of the hepatic cells. Observed clinical signs were inappetance, progressive anaemia and emaciation. There was a marked reduction in albumin and total plasma protein levels in the blood of the infected sheep compared to their controls. The findings of this study revealed that Fasciola gigantica is highly pathogenic to Yankasa sheep, therefore strategic control of the parasite and its intermediate host in the study area is recommended for improved sheep production. Keywords: Yankasa sheep, Liver, lesion


When setting up a lunar station, technologies for the use of locally available materials are crucial. Such technologies drastically reduce the need for transportation from Earth. We aim to provide proof of a key technology, namely Mobile Selective Laser Melting (M-SLM) for terrain modelling i.e. for building large structures such as launch/landing pads, but also building infrastructures like shelters protecting astronauts or equipment against radiation and micrometeorites on the Moon. The M-SLM technology has the advantage that only electrical energy and a moving system are required. For M-SLM, a mobile high power laser beam is directed on lunar regolith leading to its melting. Subsequently, the melt cools down and solid structures are generated. The MOONRISE instrument should serve in a short-term mission as a proof-of-principle experiment for the M-SLM technology on the lunar surface. In a first step, an Engineering Model (EM) of our MOONRISE instrument with a volume of 10 cm x 10 cm x 15 cm and a mass of about 2.7 kg has been built and thoroughly tested on ground. It could be accommodated on a rover or a robotic arm to move the laser spot in order to create 1D, 2D and even 3D regolith structures on the Moon. Recently, three new projects have been initiated in order to (1) develop the MOONRISE payload towards a Flight Model (FM) with accommodation on a commercial lunar lander, in order to (2) apply 2D laser beam deflection techniques for process scaling on a potential follow-on payload and in order to (3) investigate the detailed process of regolith laser melting under lunar gravity conditions in the Einstein-Elevator.


Background Assessment of functional (dis)ability in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is subject to patient judgment when appraising their ability to do daily activities. Objectives The aim of this analysis was to describe the impact of specific joint involvement on patient reported outcomes (PROs) - functional activity, pain and patient global assessment of disease activity (PtGA) - and to identify joints most resistant to treatment over time. Methods Biologic Treatment Registry Across Canada (BioTRAC) is an ongoing, prospective, registry of patients initiating treatment for RA, AS, or PsA with infliximab or golimumab as first biologics or after having been treated with a biologic for less than six months. In this analysis, data were included from RA patients treated with infliximab between 2002 and 2012 or with golimumab between 2010 and 2012. Based on joint involvement seven groups were created: shoulder(s), elbow(s), metacarpophalangeal (MCP), wrist(s), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), knee(s), and thumb(s). The impact of specific joints on patient outcomes was assessed with the independent-samples t-test. Linear regression was used in order to produce adjusted estimates. Results A total of 935 RA patients with 4,854 assessments were included. Swelling, tenderness, and swelling and/or tenderness in all joint groups were associated with significantly (P<0.001) higher HAQ-DI, PtGA, and pain. Upon adjusting for age, gender and the total number of swollen (SJC28) and tender (TJC28) joints, swelling in all joint groups but the thumb(s) had a significant impact on PtGA, pain and HAQ. Similarly, tenderness in all joints but PIP had a significant impact on these parameters. Overall, swelling and/or tenderness at specific joints - shoulders, wrists, knees and elbows - had the greatest impact on HAQ-DI, PtGA, and pain (P<0.001). Swollen and/or tender PIP(s) did not have a significant effect on any PRO. At baseline, the MCP joint(s) and the wrist(s) were the most commonly swollen (86.4% and 67.9% of patients, respectively) or tender (82.9% and 73.1%, respectively) joints. Upon 12 months of treatment, the MCP joints were the joints most resistant to treatment, still remaining affected. Conclusions Significant variability in PROs exists based on the presence of swelling and/or tenderness in specific joint groups. Swelling/tenderness of shoulders, wrists, knees and elbows were the main drivers of HAQ-DI, PtGA and pain. The results have important implications for the achievement of disease remission and suggest that the joint type in addition to the number of affected joints has unique impact on PROs. Disclosure of Interest R. Arendse: None declared, W. Bensen: None declared, A. Chow: None declared, J. Rodrigues: None declared, S. Dixit: None declared, D. Sholter: None declared, P. Baer: None declared, M. Baker: None declared, D. Choquette: None declared, I. Fortin: None declared, A. Jovaisas: None declared, E. Rampakakis: None declared, J. Sampalis: None declared, F. Nantel Employee of: Janssen Inc Canada, S. Otawa Employee of: Janssen Inc Canada, M. Shawi Employee of: Janssen Inc Canada, A. Lehman Employee of: Janssen Inc Canada DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.5185


Volatile oil components and the contents and types of amino acid in spica of Prunella vulgaris were analysed by GC-MS and amino acid analyzer. Esters, fatty acids, aromatic hydrocarbon, ketone and several alcohol compounds were identified by mass spectrum comparison. In these ingredients, beta-ionone smelled aroma of cedar, raspberry, nerolidol showed weak sweet soft orange blossom flavor, neroli tasted sweet and fresh, nerolidol tasted sweet with light aroma of wood, hexadecanal showed a weak aroma of flowers and wax, alpha-sinensal had rich and fresh sweet orange flavor. To some extent, these types of aromatic substances can affect the taste of herbal tea or decoction made of Spica Prunellae. Among amino acids detected, natural amino acids accounted for a larger proportion, and those natural amino acids showed bitterness, slight bitterness, sourness (freshness), sweetness, slight sweetness, sourness (slight freshness). The results indicated that bitter and slightly bitter amino acids have the greatest impacts on the sense of Spica Prunellae.


This paper describes a new formulation of magnetic nanoparticles coated by a novel polymer matrix-O-Carboxylmethylated Chitosan (O-CMC) as drug/gene carrier. The O-CMC magnetic nanoparticles were derivatized with a pepfide sequence from the HIV-tat protein and transferrin to improve the translocafional property and cellar uptake of the nanoparticles. To evaluate the O-MNPs-Tat-Tf as drug carriers, Methotrexate (MTX) was incorporated as a model drug and MTX-loaded O-MNPs-Tat-Tf with an average diameter of 75nm were prepared and characterized by TEM, AFM and VSM. The cytotoxicity of MTX-loaded O-MNPs-Tat-Tf was investigated with C6 cells. The results showed that the MTX-loaded O-MNPs-Tat-Tf retained significant anfitumor toxicity; additionally, sustained release of MTX from O-CMC nanoparticles was observed in vitro, suggesting that the O-MNPs-Tat-Tf could be a novel magnetic targeting carrier. We also studied the ability of O-MNPs-Tat-Tf crossing BBB in rats by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).


Non-pharmacological measures are recommended prior to use of hypnotics in the latest NICE guidance. This study investigated if non-pharmacological measures are utilised prior to hypnotic prescribing in a general adult psychiatry outpatient setting, and further reviewed patient's sleep quality following implementation of sleep hygiene education. Interviews were conducted with 85 patients, and poor adherence with NICE guidance was found among the 74 (87%) patients previously prescribed a hypnotic. Just five (6.8%) patients recalled use of non-pharmacological measures prior to hypnotic prescription, 47 (63.5%) indicated non-pharmacological measures had not been discussed, while a further 22 (29.7%) could not remember. Improvement in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores following implementation of sleep hygiene education was also noted (P = 0.03). These findings suggest that increased awareness of sleep hygiene education for clinicians may be beneficial.


The paper presents design process and numerical simulations of safety tests of the operator's protective structure of earth-moving machinery. It is connected with international code requirements according to design the protective structure of machines in the case of working environment with a danger of falling objects or situation of rolling-over. The discrete finite element numerical models and results of numerical simulation of codes required tests are presented. All finite element simulations were done using LS-DYNA software.


An empirical approach has been used to devise a simple relationship [eqn. (B)] between the activation energy for an elementary hydrogen-atom transfer reaction (A) and ground state properties A˙+ H–B → A–H + B˙(A), Ea=Eof+αΔH°(1–d)+βΔχAB2+γ(sA+sB)(B) of the reactants and products. The role of polar effects, which operate in the transition state, is emphasised and described quantitatively in terms of the difference in Mulliken electronegativities (ΔχAB) of the radicals A˙ and B˙. Eqn. (B) reproduces the activation energies for 65 reactions, taken from the literature, within a standard error of ±2.0 kJ mol –1 and with a correlation coefficient of 0.988. Reactions of widely differing types are included and no distinction is made between gas-phase reactions and those which take place in non-polar solvents. Examples of hydrogen-atom transfer reactions which are not treated satisfactorily by eqn. (B) are discussed.


We investigate the feasibility of a nonlinear model predictive tracking control (NMPTC) for autonomous helicopters. We formulate a NMPTC algorithm for planning paths under input and state constraints and tracking the generated position and heading trajectories, and implement an on-line optimization controller using a gradient-descent method. The proposed NMPTC algorithm demonstrates superior tracking performance over conventional multi-loop proportional-derivative (MLPD) controllers especially when nonlinearity and coupling dominate the vehicle dynamics. Furthermore, NMPTC shows outstanding robustness to parameter uncertainty, and input saturation and state constraints are easily incorporated. When the cost includes a potential function with a possibly moving obstacle or other agents' state information, the NMPTC can solve the trajectory planning and control problem in a single step. This constitutes a promising one-step solution for trajectory generation and regulation for RUAVs, which operate under various uncertainties and constraints arising from the vehicle dynamics and environmental contingencies.


The integration of climate policy concerns in other policy areas, where decisions are taken that determine greenhouse gas emissions, is a prerequisite for effectively mitigating climate change. There are particularly strong interlinkages between energy policy and climate policy as the major part of greenhouse gas emissions is related to energy supply and use. In this paper we initially compile a set of seven indicators for assessing climate policy integration (political commitment, actors, functional overlap, time perspective, weighting and resources, policy instruments, and emission impact). We then apply the criteria for an appraisal of climate policy integration in EU energy policy during the last decade, i.e., we focus on CPI from a horizontal perspective. The focus of our research lies on strategic energy policy documents, on the one hand, and on the comparison of four key energy policy documents in the context of the 2016 Winter Package to existing legislation, on the other. Our results show that mitigation of climate change is a key objective in all energy policy documents analysed. Furthermore, EU legislative processes ensure a comprehensive involvement of all stakeholders. The energy policy objectives regarding renewable energy and energy efficiency are synergetic and reinforcing with climate policy. It has to be noted, however, that other energy policy documents, like the Energy Security Strategy, contain conflicting issues and the proposed recasts of existing legislation reduce preferential treatment for renewables.


War games often try to simulate the characteristics of real weapons - their range, loading times and the bullets' caliber in order to create an authentic image of war. What they do not show is its authentic violence. Usually we do not see blood pixels and splatter orgies as in dungeon games in which the player has to fight monsters and zombies with eg. magic swords. Instead pictures of a clean war are presented in which civilians hardly ever appear and every weapon hits the target remote-controlled. Because of the simulation's naturalism gamers may believe that a genuine war looks like the one the screen - and, in fact, today's soldiers are not faced with the 'white in the eye of the enemy' any longer what they do see are symbols on the radar or abstract objects on a computer screen.
Accordingly, the real war more and more looks like a computer game while the computer game increasingly looks like reality.
Among the currently most popular war game genres are World War 2 games. They met their renaissance with the 1998 release of Stephen Spielberg's Hollywood movie "Saving Private Ryan". The film starts with an impressive staging of the battle following the landing at Omaha Beach in 1944 and subsequently a number of WW2 games were published in which gamers could re-enact the battle over and over on the internet. The respective gamers are organised in so called clans which often refer to historical divisions of Allied forces or German troops. Some of them even play under the names of well-known SS divisions such as "Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler".

Most of the other gamers in this community do not seem to object to SS-clans who argue that they were only re-enacting their idols' campaigns and did not share their biologist and racist world view. Thus, they try to promote the image of the bravely fighting SS-soldier in disregard of the war crimes committed by the Waffen-SS. Such arguments resemble the patterns used in speeches of the German Neo-Nazi party NPD.
In my article, I will analyse popular war games and the way they try to advance the image of the brave soldier and a intriguing weapon technology while neglecting the effects of violence and atrocities and how these games do not appear in the daily discussion about violence and are mostly elided by the protection of minors.


We generalize Kupisewska method to the three-dimensional system and another derivation of the Casimir effect between two dielectric plates is presented based on the explicit quantization of the electromagnetic field in the presence of dielectrics, where the physical meaning of ``evanescent mode'' is discussed. The Lifshitz's formula is rederived using all the vacuum mode functions, which include the contribution of the `evanescent modes'. Only in the case of the perfect metallic plates will the evanescent modes become unimportant.


Since the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is identical with kininase II, the reduction of its activity by an ACE-inhibitor such as captopril will not only decrease the concentration of angiotensin II but also elevate the levels of kinins. Although the slight increase of the latter will not contribute to the antihypertensive action of ACE-inhibitors, we are sure today that it exhibits local metabolic effects in cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue. These endogenous kinins have been shown to improve the utilisation of glucose in the human forearm, the whole organism and the isolated perfused rat heart and seem to exhibit their effects via prostaglandins. A cross-over plot of the glycolytic intermediates at the height of phosphofructokinase induced by bradykinin in rat heart and the activation of the purified enzyme from rabbit heart by PGE2 point to an enhanced glycolytic rate as their mode of action. From these findings similar effects under ACE-inhibitors can be assumed. This was investigated in ten non-insulin-dependent diabetics, whose glucose disposal rate was measured by the glucose clamp technique. After 25 mg of captopril their peripheral insulin resistance was significantly improved, which was found to be due to an accelerated rate of glucose uptake into their forearm muscle tissue. To evaluate the clinical relevance of these data, 15 mildly hypertensive, overweight type II-diabetic patients (mean age: 53 years; seven women) were hospitalized. After a seven-day wash-out period, the patients were given 25 mg of captopril twice daily for seven days. During the treatment, systemic kinin concentrations significantly increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


The basic selection ideas of the different representatives of evolutionary algorithms are sometimes quite diverse. The selection concept of Genetic Algorithms (GAs) and Genetic Programming (GP) is basically realised by the selection of above-average parents for reproduction, whereas Evolution Strategies (ES) use the fitness of newly evolved offspring as the basis for selection (survival of the fittest due to birth surplus). This contribution considers aspects of population genetics and ES in order to propose an enhanced and generic selection model for GAs which is able to preserve the alleles which are part of a high quality solution. Some selected aspects of these enhanced techniques are discussed exemplarily on the basis of the Travelling Salesman Benchmark (TSP) problem instances.


The only robust general-purpose numerical methods for approximating the solution to systems of nonlinear algebraic equations (NAEs) are based on Newton's method. Many variants of Newton's method exist in order to take advantage of problem structure; it is often computationally infeasible to solve a given problem without taking some advantage of this structure. It is generally impossible to know a priori which variant of Newton's method will be optimal for a given problem. In this paper, we describe an algorithm for automatically selecting a composite Newton method, i.e., a sequential combination of Newton variants, for solving NAEs. The algorithm is based on a greedy principle that updates the current state at regular intervals according to the best performing Newton variant. Preliminary results show that it is possible for composite Newton methods to outperform optimal classical implementations of Newton's method, i.e., ones that only use one Newton variant on a given problem.


Background: Heart failure (HF) is considered the clinical endpoint of all cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Although a large number of HF drugs and therapies have been developed, it is still need to find therapies with better clinical efficacy and fewer side effects. The purpose of this systematic evaluation is to assess the efficacy and safety of Danshen decoction on HF and the improvement of cardiac function (CF). Methods: Four databases will be searched to identify any eligible studies, and this protocol does not require ethics committee review as the research is based on published articles. There are no restrictions set for the language, publication date, or status of the study. The clinical effective rate (CER) of HF treatment is considered to be the main result. CF, various serum inflammatory factors, and adverse events were defined as secondary outcomes. When more than 1 article is used to study the changes and results of the same index, we will conduct a meta-analysis. If the heterogeneity is not statistically significant (P > .10 or I 2 < 50%), a fixed-effect model will be established to estimate the overall intervention effect. Otherwise, random effect models will be used to provide more conservative results. Results: The results of this meta-analysis will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. Conclusion: This study will provide reliable evidence-based basis for the clinical application of Danshen decoction in the treatment of HF.


T he development of Medium density fiberboard (MDF) made from renewable biomass of pineapple (Ananas comosus) leaf fiber and their suitability as a construction material has been investigated. Two different types of board with a target density of 0.8 gr/cm3 were manufactured. The board was prepared in three layers of about 1:1:1 weight ratio in unidirectional and cross-oriented board using low molecular weight (LM) PF resin type PL-3725 and high molecular weight (HM) PF resin type PL-2818 for impregnation and adhesive purposes. For comparison, boards with the same structure were prepared using high molecular weight PF resin only. The mechanical properties of the boards have been examined as well as their physical properties. The results shows that generally, mechanical properties, Modulus Of Elasticity (MOE), value was improved with mix PF resin as well as Modulus Of Rupture (MOR). Pineaplle leaf fiber resulted in significantly higher MOR, consistent with our observation during the test. This information is useful when a high MOR is required in application. Other mechanical properties such as internal bonding (IB) and screw-holding capacities (SH) improved as those of MOE and MOR. Fiber from agricultural residues such as pineapple leaf are longer than wood fiber. This might explain why screw-holding capacities increased since the failure in those tests is mainly due to tear force. Diffrences in the physical properties between the board types were caused by the presence of the low molecular weight PF resin for the impregnation of the fibers. As using of mix PF resin, thickness swelling (TS) properties improved as well. No significant difference was found for both mechanical and physical properties. The effect of the PF resin for impregnation was noted; however, fiber orientation had no effect on both physical and mechanical properties of the specimens.


Abstract The magnitude of antinociception elicited by intrathecal endomorphin 2 (EM2), an endogenous mu-opioid receptor (MOR) ligand, varies across the rat estrous cycle. We now report that phasic changes in analgesic responsiveness to spinal EM2 result from plastic interactions within a novel membrane-bound oligomer containing estrogen receptors (mERs), aromatase (aka estrogen synthase), metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1), and MOR. During diestrus, spinal mERs, activated by locally synthesized estrogens, act with mGluR1 to suppress spinal EM2/MOR antinociception. The emergence of robust spinal EM2 antinociception during proestrus results from the loss of mER-mGluR1 suppression, a consequence of altered interactions within the oligomer. The chemical pairing of aromatase with mERs within the oligomer containing MOR and mGluR1 allows estrogens to function as intracellular messengers whose synthesis and actions are confined to the same signaling oligomer. This form of estrogenic signaling, which we term "oligocrine," enables discrete, highly compartmentalized estrogen/mER-mGluR1 signaling to regulate MOR-mediated antinociception induced by EM2. Finally, spinal neurons were observed not only to coexpress MOR, mER&agr;, aromatase, and mGluR1 but also be apposed by EM2 varicosities. This suggests that modulation of spinal analgesic responsiveness to exogenous EM2 likely reflects changes in its endogenous analgesic activity. Analogous suppression of spinal EM2 antinociception in women (eg, around menses, comparable with diestrus in rats) as well as the (pathological) inability to transition out of that suppressed state at other menstrual cycle stages could underlie, at least in part, the much greater prevalence and severity of chronic pain in women than men.


ABSTRACT Many conditions present with periorbital edema and erythema, mimicking preseptal cellulitis. We report the unique case of a patient with relapsed monoblastic mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who presented with periorbital edema and erythema, unresponsive to antibiotics. Histopathology from punch biopsy was consistent with leukemia cutis. The patient responded rapidly to the initiation of enasidenib, a novel targeted inhibitor of mutant IDH2 enzymes. Our case highlights the importance of considering leukemia cutis in patients with a history of leukemia presenting with periorbital edema and erythema.


Summary Since the discovery and subsequent widespread use of antibiotics, a variety of bacterial species of human and animal origin have developed numerous mechanisms that render bacteria resistant to some, and in certain cases to nearly all antibiotics. There are many important pathogens that are resistant to multiple antibiotic classes, and infections caused by multidrug resistant (MDR) organisms are limiting treatment options and compromising effective therapy. So the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in bacterial populations is a relevant field of study in molecular and evolutionary biology, and in medical practice. There are two main aspects to the biology of antimicrobial resistance. One is concerned with the development, acquisition and spread of the resistance gene itself. The other is the specific biochemical mechanism conveyed by this resistance gene. In this review we present some recent data on molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance.


GERD is a common disorder. Symptoms of reflux, such as heartburn, are due to a combination of factors: relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, hypersecretion of gastric acid, and resulting burning of the esophageal mucosa. Symptoms are usually classified as classic, atypical, or complicated. Treatment approaches include dietary and lifestyle changes, reduction of acidity with use of H2 receptor antagonists, and reduction of acid secretion with use of proton pump inhibitors. Patient motivation is an important factor in the management of gastroesophageal reflux. In rare instances, patients do not respond to medical treatment and are candidates for antireflux surgery.


We present a case report of a middle-aged man, known diabetic on oral hypoglycaemics, who went fishing at the local fresh water lake 48hours before presenting in our Emergency Room (ER) with clinical features of toxicity of bacteraemia and a rapidly developing gas gangrene of the right leg. Early blood culture, culture of the aspirates from blebs, and subsequent culture of intraoperative specimens uniformly grew Aeromonas hydrophila. Urgent fasciotomy was carried out same day, and the patient was admitted into ICU for intensive monitoring and therapies. Second look procedures 48hours later showed turgid and oedematous gastrosoleus muscles. Repeat second look after another 48hours confirmed that the leg was unsalvageable. Above knee amputation surgery was carried out to save his life. He is a part time fisherman working full time at a waterworks


ABSTRACT While innovation should be about socioeconomic transformation of society, concerns have been raised about its negative externalities including growing disparities within and between regions. Arguably, Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) offers a potential solution to address these concerns. However, in theory, its conceptualization and operationalization remain ambiguous. Further, in practice, this makes its application to regional development difficult. Accordingly, this study first conducts a systematic literature review of conceptual papers on RRI. It identifies themes and categorizes them into four domains: drivers, tools, outcomes and barriers. Second, these domains are applied to regional innovation studies. The paper contributes to an increased understanding of RRI and its applications to sustainable regional development as well as how RRI and regional innovation studies can benefit from each other.


We present fully nonlinear dissipative fluid dynamics simulations of a trapped two-dimensional Fermi gas at unitarity using a Lattice Boltzmann algorithm. We are able to simulate non-harmonic trapping potentials, temperature-dependent viscosities as well as a discretized version of the ballistic (non-interacting) behavior. Our approach lends itself to direct comparison with experimental data, opening up the possibility of a precision determination of transport coefficients in the unitary Fermi gas. Furthermore, we predict the presence of a non-hydrodynamic component in the quadrupole mode, which should be observable experimentally.


Abstract:There is long-standing concern about the mechanisms that lead to differential accumulation of retirement resources. As defined contribution (DC) plans have become the most common employer pension for US workers over recent decades, economic resources later in life increasingly depend on participating in voluntary, contributory pension instruments during working life. Using the Survey of Income and Program Participation linked to W-2 tax records containing respondents' annual contributions to DC retirement plans, we examine how participation in and contributions to DC plans among eligible US workers differ by education. Our analysis clarifies two central pathways associated with educational disparities in DC retirement plans. First, we disentangle the effects of education that operate via a labor market pathway, showing that a worker's earnings level is, by far, the most influential labor market factor associated with participation and contribution amounts. Second, we show an important independent effect of education on not only the decision to participate, but also how much money to set aside when participating, net of earnings and structural position in labor markets. Supplementary analyses using data from the Survey of Consumer Finances corroborate the importance of non-labor-market mechanisms for understanding the education gap in workplace retirement savings plans. Together, our results bring to center stage the importance of education in the process of stratification in retirement wealth formation and long-term financial security. Less educated workers face multiple disadvantages in the accumulation of retirement resources in the context of growing income inequality and changing employment institutions.


To support the development of the Engineering workforce study, the Australian Workplace and Productivity Agency (AWPA) commissioned the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to conduct focus group consultations. The aim of the consultation was to investigate the participation of women and mature-aged workers in engineering occupations, and to examine ways to enhance the skills pipeline from schools into tertiary and vocational education and training (VET) and ultimately into engineering jobs. The report provides first-hand information about the experiences and attitudes of specific groups of people in relation to the engineering labour market. It also explores the views of the next generation of engineers, gathering information from school students about their perceptions of the engineering workforce.


We present a case study of low-level wind jets induced in sequence by orographic effects off the Pacific coast of northern Japan during 7–11 June 2003, and demonstrate that the transition of the wind jets causes areal differences of wave height variations along the coast. First, we describe evolution and structure of the wind jet by analyzing SeaWinds scatterometer wind measurements. Under the easterly wind, a strong wind jet formed after passing by Cape Erimo. As the wind shifted to the southeast, the wind jet started to decay. In turn, the southerly wind along the coast led to another wind jet in the lee of the easternmost tip of the Sanriku coast. We then identify onsets and decays of the wind jets from time series of wind speed at meteorological stations. Finally, we demonstrate that the transition of the wind jets has local impacts on wave height variations. Significant wave heights measured by altimeters were correlated positively with local wind energy, i.e., squares of wind speeds. Accompanying the wind jet formation/decline, significant differences of wave height variations became marked among wave observation stations located along the coast at intervals of up to 50 km.


We construct control policies that ensure bounded variance of a noisy marginally stable linear system in closed-loop. It is assumed that the noise sequence is a mutually independent sequence of random vectors, enters the dynamics affinely, and has bounded fourth moment. The magnitude of the control is required to be of the order of the first moment of the noise, and the policies we obtain are simple and computable.


The paper addresses the purposes and design decisions produced while developing a peer-topeer virtual world platform. The work is being done within the FP7 VirtualLife project. The purpose of the project is to create a safe, democratic and legally ruled collaboration environment. The novelty of the platform is mainly in the issues of security and trust and in the implementation of an in-world legal framework, which is real world compliant. The rule of law principle is extended to a virtual world. Such an extension advances the level of intelligence of an artifact. The approach accords with a trend in legal informatics "From norms in law to rules in artifact". In the paper the authors reflect on user needs and learning support in a university virtual campus, a potential scenario. Virtual worlds' opportunities in enhancing learning are discussed. A new paradigm of the content is characterized as interaction versus information.


We describe implementations of two closely related variants of dynamic rooted trees. These variants are similar to Sleator and Tarjan's dynamic trees, but instead of the operation of nding the minimum key on the path from a given node to the root, we consider the operation of nding the minimum key in the subtree of a given node (the rst variant) and the operation of nding a xed key value in the subtree of a given node (the second variant). The rst variant may provide support for edge deletions in the dynamic minimum spanning tree problem. The second variant arises in local search methods for the degree-constrained minimum spanning tree problem. Our implementations are based on Sleator and Tarjan's implementation of dynamic trees which uses splay trees. The preliminary experimental results suggests that in certain applications our implementations may be faster than more straightforward approaches.


Complex organization is found in many biological systems. For example, biopolymers could possess hierarchic structure, which provides their functional peculiarity. Artificially constructed biological networks are other common objects of statistical physics with rich functional properties. The aim of this thesis is to develop some methods for studying statistical systems of complex architecture with essential biological significance. The first part addresses to the statistical analysis of random biopolymers. Apart from the evolutionary context, our study covers more general problems of planar topology appeared in description of various systems, ranging from gauge theory to biophysics. In the second part of this work we focus our investigation on statistical properties of artificial and real networks. The importance of obtained results in applied biophysics is discussed. Also, the formation of stable patters of motifs in random networks under selective evolution in context of creation of islands of "superfamilies" is considered


African countries, The history of medicine in the, 31-41 African sculptures, goitre in two, 89-91 American Association for the History of Medicine, 94 American Institute of the History of Pharmacy, 415 Anaesthesia, session of history of, Fourth International Congress of Anaesthetists, 303 Anatomical fugitive sheets with superimposed flaps, 1538-1540, 403-7 Anatomical theatres, old, and what took place therein, 371-84 Arnstein, A. (revs.), 99-100, 211 Award of Honorary M.D. to Dr. F. N. L. Poynter, 413


Wnt5a has been shown to be involved in cancer progression in a variety of tumor types, and regulates multiple intracellular signaling cascades; it is a representative ligand that activates a noncanonical Wnt signaling pathway. The mechanism governing how Wnt5a determines the specificity of these pathways and the relationship with tumorigenesis is still unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the tumor suppressor role of Wnt5a in leukemogenesis. In particular, we focused on Ror2 functioning as a Wnt5a receptor to mediate noncanonical Wnt signaling, which inhibits canonical Wnt signaling in K562 cells. We found that up-regulation of Wnt5a expression increased Ror2 expression in K562 cells and Wnt5a and Ror2 were co-expressed in the cytoplasm. Also, Wnt5a induced the intrnalization of Ror2. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments were performed to determine whether Ror2 binds to Wnt5a, and inhibits Wnt5a binding with Frizzled4 and LRP5 in Wnt5a treated K562 cells. Wnt5a had no effect on total ß-catenin expression levels, but regulated tyrosine phosphorylation of ß-catenin and translocation of ß-catenin from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Furthermore, expression of Wnt5a was associated with suppression of ß-catenin/TCF-dependent transcriptional activity and down-regulated the expression of cyclin D1, a downstream target gene of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. We hypothesize that Wnt5a plays the role of a tumor suppressor in leukemogenesis through the Wnt5a/Ror2 noncanonical signaling pathway that inhibits Wnt canonical signaling.


. The HCI field has seen a growing body of qualitative research, making use of a wide range of activities and methods. Interviews and workshops are some of the main techniques used to help understand user needs and to conduct co-design activities with them. However, these methods might be conducted in various ways and have different advantage and disadvantages. An important aspect influencing the types of activities and methods used is the culture of research participants. This paper aims to compare the research methods conducted in the context of the Saudi Arabian culture. It provides a reflection on the methods used to understand user needs when designing social commerce platforms, including interviews, co-design workshops and critique design workshops. We found that each method has its positives and negatives in terms of user preferences, and can help to obtain useful information at different levels of detail. For example, conducting semi-structured interviews by text was preferred by participants who are at home with their families. However, they can be slower than other methods.


Service delivery centers are extremely dynamic environments in which large numbers of globally distributed system administrators (SAs) manage a vast number of IT systems on behalf of customers. SAs are under significant time pressure to efficiently resolve incoming customer requests, and may fall far short of accurately capturing the intricacies of technical problems, affecting the quality of ticket data. At the same time, various data stores and warehouses aggregating business insights about operations are only as reliable as their sources. Verifying such large data sets is a laborious and expensive task. In this paper we propose system h-IQ, which embeds a grading schema and an active learning mechanism, to identify most uncertain samples of data, and most suitable human expert(s) to validate them. Expert qualification is established based on server access logs and past tickets completed. We present the system and discuss the results of ticket data assessment process.


This study performs a comprehensive analysis of the effect of different environmental, demographic and vehicle variables on the severity of two-vehicle crashes. The limitations associated with previous studies have been addressed by using a large crash database, properly defining the independent variables, using an appropriate statistical model, and by considering the effect of factors normally unaccounted for such as crash type, DUI involvement, impact speed and height incompatibilities between the two vehicles. The use of a multinomial logit model provides the flexibility to evaluate variables that have opposing effects at different injury levels (such as airbag availability). An innovative linear crash cost model is also used to estimate the effect of the independent variables in terms of dollars. This simplification is particularly useful when discussing potential safety treatments with transportation officials, politicians and other decision makers. The findings from the two models are consistent and suggest that the type of crash has a great impact on severity. Age is the most significant demographic variable, with children and older occupants being least and most likely to be injured, respectively. Behavior also seems to be critical, as the use of seatbelts and alcohol involvement, greatly decrease or increase, respectively, the severity of the crash. Heavier vehicles increase the safety of its occupants but decrease the safety of occupants of the other vehicle. The effect of vehicle type is not as significant as weight, with the exception of pickups, which are both more crashworthy and more aggressive than passenger cars.


Brake judder is an undesirable phenomenon in passenger vehicles whereby disk thickness variations lead to brake torque variations (BTVs) during light braking events with a consequence of reduced braking performance and driver satisfaction. Most solutions involve passive approaches; however, in this study, a novel active brake judder attenuation strategy utilizing the capabilities of a prototype electromechanical brake (EMB) is proposed. Two attenuation algorithms with different sensor requirements are presented, where compensating clamp force commands are generated to cancel the judder causing BTV arises during light braking. The first approach is founded on the linear parameter-varying (LPV) control structure, which is designed using the output regulation theory and scheduled using wheel angular speed and acceleration. The second approach examines the adaptive feedforward compensation, where the compensator is scheduled using wheel angular position, speed, and acceleration. Experimental investigations showed favorable results for the LPV compensator, albeit with high sampling rate requirements. On the other hand, the adaptive compensator demonstrated lower sampling rate requirements with better BTV attenuation, but required wheel position measurements. These results highlight the applicability of EMB in judder reduction and the advantage of having wheel position measurements.


Eye infection is one of the temporary invalidity causes that can lead to blindness. The former antibacterial components of eye drops were polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride and polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate. Polyhexamethylene guanidine in the form of form of succinate with preserved activity and lover toxicity is described. The antibacterial activity spectra of polyhexamethylene guanidine succinate and polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride were comparatively estimated.


We studied the H-reflex recovery curve and reciprocal inhibition of the H-reflex bilaterally in the upper limb of 5 patients with generalized dystonia, 5 patients with blepharospasm, 10 patients with spasmodic torticollis, and 14 patients with writer's cramp. We compared the results with those obtained from a group of healthy volunteers. The recovery curve of the H-reflex was normal in patients with writer's cramp or blepharospasm, but showed an increase of the physiologic recovery at a 200 msec delay in patients with spasmodic torticollis or generalized dystonia. Reciprocal inhibition of the H-reflex showed a decrease in the amount of inhibition in all the patient groups and a facilitation of the H-reflex during the 3rd period of inhibition in the patients with spasmodic torticollis or generalized dystonia.


: It is shown that the LDL peroxide lipid products level is 1.6-4 times higher in patients with the ischemic heart diseases (IHD) than in normal subjects. At the same time the LDL uptake by macrophages was identical in case of normal subjects and of IHD patients. It is suggested that the LDL premodification in the blood flow in the IHD patients promotes the further modification of LDL particles after their penetration into the vessel wall.


This study investigated the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and physical fitness profile of socially disadvantaged South African boys. Three hundred and sixty boys between the aged 7-18 years were randomly selected from schools in an informal settlement in Cape Town to participate in the research. The participants were categorised into "under thirteen" and "thirteen and older" groups. These categories were used to establish whether differences existed in the relationships between anthropometric and fitness characteristics of pre- and post-pubescent boys. Twenty anthropometric measurements consisting of height, girths, skinfolds and breadths, were taken on each participant. Skinfold measurements were further used to determine body composition and somatotypes values. The following physical fitness components were included in the assessment: flexibility (sit-and-reach test), grip strength (hand grip dynamometer), leg power (standing long jump), speed (50m-sprint test), and cardiovascular endurance (3-minute step test). The relationship between anthropometric status and fitness characteristics was determined by means of a stepwise discriminant analysis. The analysis of the relationship between anthropometric and physical fitness showed that height and weight were strong predictors of fitness parameters, especially strength, speed and leg power. The results of this study confirm the influence of reduced body dimensions on the fitness of children, especially in developing countries.


The family Botryosphaeriaceae is species rich and includes pathogens, saprobes and endophytes of economically important agricultural crops and plants. As pathogens, Botryosphaeriaceae species employ evolving defensive and counter-defensive strategies that enable them to infect their hosts. Molecular genetic results showed high genetic variability among Botryosphaeriaceae species, which could be a key determinant to their differing environmental roles on hosts and differences in their virulence. Improved technologies such as whole genome re-sequencing, integrated RNA-Seq, comparative and ab initio approaches for molecular genetics and mutation analysis have revealed possible virulence factors that might be involved in the pathogenicity of these fungi. Several genes involved in the pathogenicity processes of botryosphaeriaceous fungi have been identified and characterized. There are numerous reports on the involvement of phytotoxic metabolites in the pathogenicity of these taxa. Availability of whole genomes, genetic transformation and transcriptome analysis of some botryosphaeriaceous species have contributed towards identifying the biological functions of many genes in a fast and accurate way, enabling these fungi to be used as model organism for molecular research of plant opportunistic fungal pathogens in woody plants. The research on botryosphaeriaceous species will provide understanding of the infection mechanisms, and with designing control strategies against diseases caused by opportunistic fungal pathogens.


Background: The exposure of skin to ultraviolet radiation and temperature differs significantly during the day. It is reasonable that biophysical parameters of human skin have periodic daily fluctuation. The objective of this study was to study the fluctuations of various biophysical characteristics of Middle Eastern skin in standardized experimental conditions. Materials and Methods: Seven biophysical parameters of skin including stratum corneum hydration, transepidermal water loss, pH, sebum, elasticity, skin color, and erythema index were measured at three time points (8 a.m., 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.) on the forearm of 12 healthy participants (mean age of 28.4 years) without any ongoing skin disease using the CK MPA 580 device in standard temperature and humidity conditions. Results: A significant difference was observed between means of skin color index at 8 a.m. (175.42 ± 13.92) and 4 p.m. (164.44 ± 13.72, P = 0.025), between the pH at 8 a.m. (5.72 ± 0.48) and 4 p.m. (5.33 ± 0.55, P = 0.001) and pH at 12 p.m. (5.60 ± 0.48) and 4 p.m. (5.33 ± 0.55, P = 0.001). Other comparisons between the means of these parameters at different time points resulted in nonsignificant P values. Conclusion: There are daytime changes in skin color index and pH. Skin color index might be higher and cutaneous pH more basic in the early morning compared to later of the day.


Size and shape of sample units are fundamental for the observation of spatial continuity in native forests and important to characterize patterns structured in space by different scales. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the spatial continuity of number of trees and basal area, evaluating the influence of size and shape of sample units in a mixed ombrophilous forest in Parana State, Brazil. An area of 25 hectares was divided in 50 m x 50 m and 25 m x 25 m square sample units, and also in 10 m x 50 m and 20m x 50m rectangular sample units. In these samples, the number of trees (n.ha-1) and the basal area (m².ha-1) were determined in each of them, with the possible spatial continuity analyzed by geostatistics analysis. The influence of size and shape of sample units on the spatial continuity structure was analyzed. Also, adjusted semivariograms were used to observe that the correlation between neighboring sample units for number of trees was stronger than for the basal area. However, due to the similarity of the semiovariograms, both sizes and shapes can be used to describe the spatial structure of number of trees, while the square sample units were more appropriate to describe basal area.


We theoretically investigate the dust charging in the sheath of an electronegative plasma, by using a single dust grain model based on a previous sheath structure [Chin. Phys. Lett 20 (2003) 1537] in which cold positive ions and hot negative ions have been assumed. It is found that dust grains are first charged negatively at the sheath edge and then begin to be charged positively in the sheath. Moreover, both the temperature ratio of electrons to negative ions and the density ratio of negative ions to positive ions have effects on the neutral point of the dust charge.


The data analysis could be a very time consuming process during the hardware design on FPGA platforms. The verification process of designed modules is important at each step of a design process. In some cases standard methods for data analysis are insufficient, especially when the data representation are taken into assessment methods. In image processing systems based on FPGA there are various methods to support engineers in development of desired architecture. Some of them are based on scoping hardware signals in running device. It is also possible to scope signals in a simulation environment. In addition there are also high-level abstraction layer of data analysis methods based on Matlab, Python and similar tools. The unique image processing architecture developed by authors could not be upgraded with support of existing co-design methods. This is why stage-oriented, mixed design methodology was performed to support FPGA hardware development for faster prototyping and debugging with Vivado simulator tool and Python language. Presented approach was used to improve image processing design operating with ultra high resolution images (from 5 Mpix up to 70 Mpix).


The dynamics of solid bodies in protoplanetary disks are subject to the properties of any underlying gas turbulence. Turbulence driven by disk self-gravity shows features distinct from those driven by the magnetorotational instability (MRI). We study the dynamics of solids in gravito-turbulent disks with two-dimensional (in the disk plane), hybrid (particle and gas) simulations. Gravito-turbulent disks can exhibit stronger gravitational stirring than MRI-active disks, resulting in greater radial diffusion and larger eccentricities and relative speeds for large particles (those with dimensionless stopping times $t_{stop} \Omega > 1$, where $\Omega$ is the orbital frequency). The agglomeration of large particles into planetesimals by pairwise collisions is therefore disfavored in gravito-turbulent disks. However, the relative speeds of intermediate-size particles $t_{stop} \Omega \sim 1$ are significantly reduced as such particles are collected by gas drag and gas gravity into coherent filament-like structures with densities high enough to trigger gravitational collapse. First-generation planetesimals may form via gravitational instability of dust in marginally gravitationally unstable gas disks.


Drinking water consumed by population is generally from piped water to the house,
public pipe or standpipes, boreholes, protected dug wells, protected springs and
rainwater collection. Population in Pasir Mas use tap water as the main source of
drinking water. Even the water sources has been treated before distributed to
consumers, drinking water is still contaminated by heavy metal due to less efficient
treatment system or leach out from plumbing systems. The first objective of this study
was to ascertain the level of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding heavy
metal contamination of Pasir Mas drinking water. The second objective was to
determine the concentration of heavy metals (Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Cd) in
drinking water and toenail from Pasir Mas. The third objective was to identify potential
sources of heavy metal in drinking water from Pasir Mas. The next objective was to
investigate correlation between heavy metal (Fe, Cu and Pb) concentration in drinking
water and toenail. This study also identified the associations of confounders with
heavy metal in toenail. Finally, this study evaluated health risks for heavy metal
exposure via drinking water among respondents from Pasir Mas District. Stratified
random sampling was used to select 214 respondents in Pasir Mas. A set of modified
questionnaire were administered to the respondents to achieve the first objective. Then,
analysis of heavy metal in drinking water were carried out using Graphite Furnace
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (GF-AAS) and heavy metal in toenail were
analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical
analysis involved in this study were cluster analysis and Mann-Whitney U test for the
third objective. Spearman correlation analysis was carried out to investigate
correlation between heavy metal (Fe, Cu and Pb) concentration in drinking water and
toenail. Lastly, Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) was carried out to identify the
associations of confounders with heavy metal in toenail. Pasir Mas population has
good knowledge (80%), less positive attitude (93%), and good practice (81%) towards
heavy metal contamination in drinking water. Heavy metal (Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn,
and Cd) analysed in this study was found to be under the permissible limit of drinking water quality set by the Malaysian Ministry of Health. Concentrations of heavy metal
in toenail from Pasir Mas population were 35.29 ± 39.22 μg/g (Fe), 3.89 ± 2.08 μg/g
(Cu) and 0.30 ± 0.34 μg/g (Pb). Cluster analysis (CA) was performed to classify the
heavy metal on the basis of the similarities of their physical and chemical properties
into clusters for purposes of source apportionment. Cluster analysis of heavy metal in
drinking water showed three clusters which were Ni, Pb and Cr (C1), Cu, Zn and Fe
(C2) and Al (C3). Thus, the cluster analysis indicated three main possible sources of
heavy metal in drinking water. Cluster 1 (Ni, Pb and Cr) might originate from heavy
metal leaching from galvanised iron and mild steel pipeline. Cluster 2 (Cu, Zn and Fe)
might originate from corrosion of pipeline and occurrence of the heavy metal in
Kelantan river water which were affected by agricultural run-off. Cluster 3 (Al) was
likely to originate from usage of alum in conventional water treatment system. Mann-
Whitney U test has shown that heavy metal concentration of Pb, Fe, Cu and Zn were
significantly (p<0.05) different at house and distribution tanks which indicated that
plumbing material were the source of the heavy metal in drinking water sample from
Pasir Mas District. This study also showed no significant correlation between heavy
metal (Fe, Cu and Pb) in drinking water and toenail. This study found confounder
associated with heavy metal in toenail is dietary intake (cockles, sandwich bread and
marine fish). A total of 17.5% variation in Fe concentration in toenail was explained
by Cu in toenail and dietary intakes of cockles and sandwich bread. Model for Cu
showed Fe concentration in toenail and cockles intake had accounted to 13.5%
variation in Cu concentration in toenail. Dietary intakes of sandwich bread and marine
fishes had 14.2% of variance for Pb concentration in toenail. Health Risk Assessment
conducted in this study showed no potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks
from the intake of heavy metal through drinking water. In conclusion, this study
provided information on KAP of the Pasir Mas population towards heavy metal in
drinking water. Output of this study provided information that conventional treatment
system is adequate to treat the Kelantan river water to be used as drinking water. This
study also showed that pipeline material of galvanised pipes, mild steel and PVC could
be the source of heavy metal in treated drinking water supplied to population in Pasir
Mas. Output of this study provided evidence that toenail was a less efficient biomarker
to reflect heavy metal (Fe, Cu and Pb) exposure through drinking water ingestion
pathway. Lastly, this study provided information to fulfil the knowledge gap on health
risk assessment (HRA) regarding heavy metal exposure through ingestion of drinking
water. This information could be beneficial for decision makers and authorities to
improve drinking water quality and management in the future.


An exact two-soliton solution of cubic Schrodinger equation is derived by using the inverse scattering method, where the transmission coefficient has one pole of second order instead of two simple poles. This solution describes such a process that two infinitely separated solitons approach and then pass through each other and keep straight on infinitely.


The conversion invitation process to the religion of Islam (Da`wah to Allah) today is contaminated by misconceptions and content manipulations out of its actual high purposes and into the swamp of the sectarianism and political parties' interests. It's necessary to search for contemporary language means to deliver a holistic curriculum that encompasses all of the divisions, but places the benefits of the society above the individual interests. After the observation and research, it's clear to the researcher that the curriculum of Habib Umar bin Hafiz encompasses all of those high values, far from hyperbole and extremism, appealing to a lot of people's hearts, in which he follows the moderation in both his methods and speech. This research focuses on the concept of the Islam invitation (Da`wah to Allah) from Habib Umar's perspectives, and analyzing his speech and his opinions in these areas. The researcher depends on descriptive analytical methods and field data analysis to eventually obtain results and important recommendations for scholars and advocates to adopt and use to highlight the global applicability of Islam that encompasses all of the divisions. Key Words: Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Da`wah to Allah, global applicability of Islam


The presence of glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs) in enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) plants can seriously deteriorate the biological P-removal by out-competing the polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs). In this study, uncultured putative GAOs (the GB group, belonging to the Gammaproteobacteria) were investigated in detail in 12 full-scale EBPR plants. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed that the biovolume of the GB bacteria constituted 2-6% of total bacterial biovolume. At least six different subgroups of the GB bacteria were found, and the number of dominant subgroups present in each plant varied between one and five. Ecophysiological investigations using microautoradiography in combination with FISH showed that, under aerobic or anaerobic conditions, all subgroups of the GB bacteria could take up acetate, pyruvate, propionate and some amino acids, while some subgroups in addition could take up formate and thymidine. Glucose, ethanol, butyrate and several other organic substrates were not taken up. Glycolysis was essential for the anaerobic uptake of organic substrates. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) but not polyphosphate (polyP) granules were detected in all GB bacterial cells. Polyhydroxyalkanoate formation after anaerobic uptake of acetate was confirmed by measuring the increase in fluorescence intensity of PHA granules inside GB bacterial cells after Nile blue staining. One GB subgroup was possibly able to denitrify, and several others were able to reduce nitrate to nitrite. PAOs were also enumerated by FISH in the same treatment plants. Rhodocyclus-related PAOs and Actinobacteria-related PAOs constituted up to 7% and 29% of total bacterial biovolume respectively. Rhodocyclus-related PAOs always coexisted with the GB bacteria and showed many physiological similarities. Factors of importance for the competition between the three groups of important bacteria in EBPR plants are discussed.


The metastatic disease which leads to cancer patients' mortality results from a multi-step process of tumor progression caused by gene alteration and cooperation. Accordingly, it was recently demonstrated that alteration level of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) are associated with the risk of cancer related death in several human malignancies including breast cancer. On the other hand, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is described as a crucial event in cancer progression and metastasis. Herein, we discuss the association between IGF-1, IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio, EMT, and breast cancer mortality.


The metabolism of three tetrachlorobenzene isomers (TeCB) was investigated in the squirrel monkey. The animals were administered orally 6 single doses of 14C-labeled 1,2,3,4-, 1,2,4,5-, or 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene over a 3-wk period at levels ranging from 50 to 100 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) and kept in individual metabolism cages to collect urine and feces for radioassay. Approximately 38% (1,2,3,4-TeCB), 36% (1,2,3,5-TeCB), and 18% (1,2,4,5-TeCB) of the doses were excreted respectively in the feces 48 h postadministration. In monkeys dosed with 1,2,3,4-TeCB, unchanged compound accounted for 50% of the fecal radioactivity; its fecal metabolites were identified as 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorophenol (TeCP, 22%), N-acetyl-S-(2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenyl) cysteine (18%), 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenyl sulfinic acid (3%), 2,3,4-trichlorophenyl methyl sulfide (0.6%), and 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenyl methyl sulfide (0.2%). As was the case with 1,2,3,4-TeCB, unchanged compound accounted for more than 50% of the fecal radioactivity found in the monkeys dosed with 1,2,3,5-TeCB. The fecal metabolites of 1,2,3,5-TeCB consisted of 2,3,4,5-TeCP (2%), 2,3,4,6-TeCP (14%), 2,3,5,6-TeCP (9%), and 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorophenyl sulfinic acid (15%). No metabolites were detected in the feces of monkeys dosed with 1,2,4,5-TeCB. While the fecal route represented the major route of excretion for 1,2,3,4-TeCB, the other two isomers were eliminated exclusively in the feces. The above data in the squirrel monkey are different from those obtained with the rat and the rabbit, and demonstrate the different metabolic pathways for the isomers.


A lens consisting largely of calcite, microcline, vesuvianilg, quartz, diopside, calcic plagioclase, and wollastonite occws within calcite marble of the Central Metasedimentary Belt (CMB) of the Grenville hovince, in the Saint Jovite area of Quebec. This unusual assemblage exhibits a polygonal granoblastic texture and reflects high-grade phase equitbrium durilg a Grenvillian metamorphic event. The coarse grain-size of the calcite, microcline, vesuvianite and quaxtz in patchy zones within the lens is attributed to grail growth in macro-pressure shadows during shearing. There is no evidence for fluid infiltration, but water may have concentrated by solution-transfer into the patches. A T-X(CO) phase diagram constructed for 26 kbar total pressure suggests temperatues in the order of >750'C ard X(CO ) at -O.2.


To the Editor:

Detection of plasma Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)1 DNA is useful for screening and monitoring nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and other EBV-associated diseases (1–3). However, quantitative PCR requires complex and expensive instrumentation, restricting its use in point-of-care testing and remote regions (4). Thus, a simple, portable, and inexpensive EBV DNA detection assay is needed.

Prokaryotic clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated adaptive immune systems contain programmable endonucleases that can be used for CRISPR-based diagnostics (4, 5). Recently, the CRISPR effector Cas13a was combined with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) to establish a molecular detection platform, termed specific high-sensitivity enzymatic reporter unlocking (SHERLOCK), providing rapid and analytically sensitive nucleic acid detection (4, 5).

To establish a SHERLOCK platform for the detection of EBV DNA, we first purified Leptotrichia wadei Cas13a (LwCas13a) protein. According to a previous study (5), the SHERLOCK platform works at 37 °C. We optimized the RPA primers and occasionally observed that the SHERLOCK platform could work at 25 °C. …


Rubinstein (2007) has recently found that the frequency of (types of) decisions made in Internet experiments are related to the time taken for these decisions. Other authors have investigated this relationship by exerting some time pressure. In this paper, I report on an attempt to do the opposite, i.e., to enforce a longer reflection time. To ensure that subjects do not just wait but actually think for five minutes, they had to perform a five minutes focused free writing task. Free writing is a standard method adopted from creative writing courses; subjects are asked to write up everything that currently runs through their minds, without pausing. Enforced reflection significantly decreases the number chosen in beauty contest experiments, thus increasing the winning probability, and it increases the amount given in the solidarity game. For women, this increase is economically and statistically significant. The average amount offered in the ultimatum game is not higher for those who had performed the free writing task. However, after free writing, the share of 50:50 offers is significantly higher, which is in conflict with Rubinstein's conjecture that 50:50 offers take less time because they are instinctive (as opposed to cognitive).


A sample station modification previously described has been redesigned to provide greater flexibility and enhanced performance. The improved modification provides mixing and temperature regulation in a compact unit that mounts close to the nozzle holder for reduced transit times, allowing for addition of mediators to a sample in place on the flow cytometer, with observation of results in approximately 1 s. An electronic circuit activated at the time of injection generates full-scale pulses in the forward scatter channel. This provides the data with a time stamp for direct correlation of injection and cellular response. A detailed description of the modification, performance verification data, and practical applications in the measurements associated with cellular activation are presented.


Background: We aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with atelectasis caused by influenza A to provide a reference for reasonable clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: We included 79 pediatric patients with atelectasis caused by influenza A diagnosed at Xiamen Children's Hospital between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019. We analyzed their epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, imaging changes, diagnosis, treatment process, and outcomes. Results: Among the 79 included patients (males: 52; females: 27), 70 (88.61%) were > 6 years-old and 54 (68.35%) had atelectasis onset during winter. A majority experienced fever and cough. Among them, 44, 16, 21, 14, and 12 had normal/decreased white blood cells, elevated procalcitonin, abnormal hepatic function, abnormal myocardial enzyme spectrum, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, and Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, respectively. Seventy-nine patients presented different atelectasis degrees, including 16 and 29 with atelectasis in the right and left lung, respectively, while 34 had multiple consolidations and atelectasis lesions in both lungs. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy examination of 57 cases revealed mucus plug blockage in 6 cases; among them, 2 cases underwent bronchial cast removal. All patients received oseltamivir or peramivir for antiviral treatment and antibacterial treatment for complicated bacterial infection. All the patients recovered and were eventually discharged. Post-discharge follow-up showed that 77 cases were cured while 2 experienced recurrent respiratory tract infections and post-activity shortness of breath with chest computer tomography showing mosaic perfusion. Conclusion There is a high incidence of atelectasis caused by influenza A during winter among children aged < 6 years. The main manifestations are fever (mostly hyperpyrexia) and cough. Chest imaging shows consolidation and atelectasis occurring in any lung lobe. Some patients present multiple consolidations and atelectasis lesions complicated by mucus plugs or bronchial casts. Timely fiberoptic bronchoscopy and alveolar lavage could shorten the disease course and improve the prognosis.


A previously published study reported the seemingly paradoxical finding that men who have sex with men status was strongly protective and recent sexual abstinence strongly deleterious in relation to mortality prognosis. We explain why these results are entirely logical and that the counterintuitive direction of the effects derives from the comparison group implied by the study design.