Background Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a severe disease of paediatric population leading to there disability. 524 children with JIA are monitored in Chelyabinsk region. Approximately 15% of patients with inadequate response to methotrexate require treatment with biologics. Among them often Abatacept, an inhibitor of co-stimulation of T-lymphocytes Abatacept, which is registered for use in Russia in children from 6 years, occurs to be the drug of choice. Objectives 21 JIA patients (age 6-17 years, mean age 13.4 years, 3 M, 18 F) were included. Disease duration: from 2 to 14 years (mean 6 years). JIA was diagnosed according to ILAR criteria. 6 f with arthritis were RF-positive, RF-negative polyarthritis was reported in 11 children, oligo-arthritis - in 3 children, systemic (without active systemic manifestations) in 1 patient. 6 children had bilateral uveitis. 16 patients had high disease activity. 14 children had III-IV stage of disease on radiographs. All patients II or III class of functional disability. Methods All patients were administered 10 mg/kg of Abatacept intravenously according to the scheme: 0-2-4 week and then every 4 weeks. ACR Pedi criteria were used to evaluate the disease activity and treatment efficacy. Statistical evaluation was performed using STATISTICA 6.0 software. Non-parametric methods were used: descriptive statistics, (median, 25-th and 75-th percentiles). Wilcoxon's criterion was used for assessment of difference in two dependent variables. Results All patients had high disease activity before Abatacept initiation. Mean number of joints affected by severe arthritis was 11,8 [4, 20] ([25; 75%]), joints with limited motion - 12,6 [4, 18], mean ESR (as measured by Panchenkov's method) was 22,8 [15, 28] mm/h, C-RP level - 15,2 [7, 18] g/l. Functional activity index (CHAQ) was 1,3 [0.75; 2.0], disease activity assessed by investigator (VAS) was 65 [50, 70] mm, patient/parents assessment of disease activity (VAS) - 65 [50, 80] mm. Prior to Abatacept treatment, including methotrexate (15 mg/m2) for at least 3 months failed to be effective in all children. However, we usually started Abatacept in patients with long-term disease. In two patients Abatacept was the second biological drug after TNF-inhibitors failure, others received Abatacept as the first biological drug. All parents signed informed consent prior to treatment initiation. Treatment with Abatacept occurred to be effective in 19 patients (90%). Clinical remission (ACR pedi criteria ≥90%) was reported in 6 patients within 6-12 months of treatment. Disease activity decreased in 13 patients (ACR pedi criteria 30% in 2 pts, 50% - in 4 and 70% - in 6 pts). We observed improvement of the following signs: mean number of joints affected by severe arthritis decreased to 4,9 [0, 10, joints with limited motion to 7,7 [1, 12], and lowering of mean ESR (9,3 [3, 6] mm/h) and C-RP (5,5 [0, 6.0] g/l) counts. Functional activity index (CHAQ) decreased to 0,625 [0.125; 0,5], disease activity assessed by investigator (VAS) – to 30 [20, 30]. Conclusions Treatment of patients with JIA, including uveitis manifestation, Abatacept appeared to be very effective and safe biological treatment. 1/3 of children achieved clinical remission. Disease activity decreased in 90% of patients. Serious adverse event developed only in 1 patient. Disclosure of Interest None declared


1A 0535+262 is a Be X-ray binary pulsar and one of the only galactic pulsar systems to show radio jet emission. Characterizing the very high energy emission (VHE, >100 GeV) in these extreme microquasars is critical to understanding their contribution to the origin of galactic cosmic rays. The 2020 giant outburst of this system, where X-ray fluxes exceeded 12 Crab, marked a rare opportunity to investigate the gamma-ray and rapid optical variability of these transient systems while in such an extreme state. This month of activity marked the brightest flare measured in this system. VERITAS's developing optical capabilities in tandem with the ability to measure TeV gamma rays allowed for a unique campaign to be undertaken. VERITAS's observations of this system during the outburst will be presented in the context of observations at lower energies and previous observations of this system by imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes.


Abstract Background and Objectives In the United States, Latino adults are a growing segment of the aging population who will need research-informed interventions to help them age successfully. Arguably, how Latino older adults and service providers understand "positive aging" serves as an important precursor for the cultivation of such interventions. This investigation explored whether Latino older adults' conceptualizations of positive aging aligned with those of service providers. Research Design and Methods We compared how Latino older adults (n = 93) and service providers (n = 45) rated 85 positive aging statements produced by Latino older adults. These 85 items were used to generate a concept map, which displays those items thematically by clusters and overarching regions of meaning. Results We found divergences at each level of the map—statements, clusters, and regions—which illuminate differences between how service providers and Latino older adults think about Latino positive aging. For example, whereas Latino older adults prioritized the cluster containing items related to internal well-being, service providers rated it seventh of 11 clusters. The region comprising clusters related to relationships garnered the highest agreement between groups, but also a notable departure; compared to Latino older adults, service providers rated community and social involvement as less important. Discussion and Implications Understanding such differences can help providers tailor services consistent with the interests of Latino older adults. Future studies should examine the extent to which stakeholders believe various aspects of positive aging are modifiable.


Oil and gas exploration and production activities (OGEPA) can produce surface disturbances created by the construction of roads, well pads, oil wells, pipelines, production facilities and storage pits. These alterations can range from landscape conversion to transformation depending on location, regulations and enforcement, environmental best practices and state vs. multinational management. Though not known as a major oil and gas state, Florida is ranked 23rd in gas and 24th in oil production nationally. Jay oilfield, located in West Florida's panhandle region, is the largest and top producer in the state. Though production peaked in 1979, a nationwide upsurge is taking place that could affect Florida. The accounting from above approach proposed here is well suited to understand the role that the infrastructure surface footprint has on West Florida's landscape and how to monitor potential changes underway. It involves remote sensing, GIS techniques and landscape ecology metrics to quantify surface disturbance in Santa Rosa County's six oilfields and then ranks each field based on environmental performance (sustainability). Findings suggest that agricultural conversion is the leading driver of land-use and land-cover (LULC) change, while OGEPA have created small-scale surface alterations. This paper's approach can help oil companies, land managers and local government authorities understand the spatial extent of OGEPA onshore alterations and plan future scenarios, particularly as drilling and production increase in the current shale revolution occurring throughout the US, as well as expanded drilling planned for Florida.


The steroidogenic potential of granulosa cells harvested from human Graafian follicles containing varying concentrations of pituitary and steroid hormones was examined. The mitotic activity and production of progesterone by granulosa cells in vitro was found to be correlated with their hormonal environment at the time of harvesting. Only cells from follicles containing some FSH and high concentrations of oestradiol underwent spontaneous mitosis in vitro. However, mitosis could be induced by adding FSH and high concentrations of oestradiol to the culture, provided that the concentration of LH was low. Cells harvested from follicles containing LH, FSH and high concentrations of oestradiol secreted significantly more progesterone than cells from follicles which did not contain all three hormones. It is suggested that after the initiation of follicular development by FSH, a long period of exposure (8-10 Days) to both FSH and oestradiol is necessary before the maximum biosynthetic capacity of granulosa cells is achieved; this synthetic potential is then only realized under the influence of LH and prolactin. Premature exposure to LH inhibits both the mitotic activity and the steroidogenic potential of these cells.


Although the Chinese have been exposed to Western psychotherapies since the 1950s, the practice of counseling is a relatively new phenomenon. In this article, we trace the development of counseling in China, examine its cultural and practical relevance, and review recent advances in training and practice. Although heavily influenced by Western models, contemporary Chinese approaches to counseling reflect the philosophical traditions, cultural history, and indigenous help-seeking practices of a rapidly modernizing society. The increasing popularization of psychotherapy in China is analyzed in the context of the changing social and economic climate and the crises and opportunities that accompany Chinese life in the 21st century.


Geochemical characteristics of hydrocarbons from the South Liberty field, Liberty County, Texas, were integrated with local stratigraphy, pressure, temperature, seismic data, and formation water chemistry to determine the source, maturity, and migration pathways of hydrocarbons associated with the salt dome in the southeast Texas Gulf Coast. Fourteen crude oil samples from the soft-geopressured Cook Mountain and Yegua (both Eocene) and Frio (Oligocene) reservoirs (989–2886 m [3245–9469 ft]) were analyzed by whole-oil high-resolution gas chromatography (GC) and GC–mass spectrometry. Pressure and temperature data from 36 wells were used to model the thermal maturation history in the vicinity of the dome. South Liberty oils were found to belong to a single genetic family, sourced from rocks with a similar level of maturity. Biomarkers indicate they were formed in a marginal marine environment with notable terrestrial input from a likely lower Tertiary source rock (probably the downdip lower Claiborne and/or Wilcox Group). Oils were generated within the peak oil window (vitrinite reflectance, ~0.6–0.9%) at expulsion temperatures of 125 to 130C. Thermal modeling indicates the lower Claiborne and/or upper Wilcox beds attained optimum maturity in and around the dome between 8 to 20 Ma and 18 to 31 Ma, respectively. Oil migration toward the structure probably occurred through faults breaching the deep-seated lower Claiborne/upper Wilcox source. Two severely biodegraded samples were found, and these were associated with cooler formation water (50 to 55C) with a greater meteoric water component (48–60%). Comparison with Brazoria County oils (100 km [62 mi] to the southwest) indicates that the South Liberty oils belong to the same genetic family, with minor differences resulting from a greater input from terrestrial kerogen.


ZNF509 is unique among POK family proteins in that four isoforms are generated by alternative splicing. Short ZNF509 (ZNF509S1, -S2 and -S3) isoforms contain one or two out of the seven zinc-fingers contained in long ZNF509 (ZNF509L). Here, we investigated the functions of ZNF509 isoforms in response to DNA damage, showing isoforms to be induced by p53. Intriguingly, to inhibit proliferation of HCT116 and HEK293 cells, we found that ZNF509L activates p21/CDKN1A transcription, while ZNF509S1 induces RB. ZNF509L binds to the p21/CDKN1A promoter either alone or by interacting with MIZ-1 to recruit the co-activator p300 to activate p21/CDKN1A transcription. In contrast, ZNF509S1 binds to the distal RB promoter to interact and interfere with the MIZF repressor, resulting in derepression and transcription of RB. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that ZNF509 is highly expressed in normal epithelial cells, but was completely repressed in tumor tissues of the colon, lung and skin, indicating a possible role as a tumor suppressor.


Does innovation boost or fall with more competition when innovation follows a memory process? This paper provides a theoretical model which analyzes the innovation and competition relationship assuming that innovation follows a short-memory process. I find innovation increases with more product market competition, even under unpriced spillovers. Assuming the probability to innovate increases with past innovations; a follower firm has large incentives to innovate, even in a highly competitive environment, since the memory obtained after innovating increases its probability to innovate again and become a leader. Therefore, industries will be most of the time neck-and-neck where firms innovate to escape from competition. Using the same dataset of Aghion et al. (2005) I also find there is a positive empirical relationship between innovation and competition. In the case of memoryless industries, I show there is no significant relationship between innovation and competition. Keywords; innovation, R&D, competition, memory process


classifier combined with the MFCC features have been established as speaker verification benchmarks. Although highly efficient, these systems suffer from computational complexity and occasional convergence problems. In this study a search of alternative classification and feature extraction methods of similar classification efficiency but overcoming some of the problems of the classical methods was undertaken. Preliminary results obtained for two different classification methods: the classical GMM and the ITVQ and three different feature extraction methods: MFCC, IMFCC and the MFCC/IMFCC fusion are presented. The ITVQ did not show better results compare to the classical GMM classifier, however the EER increase in case for the ITVQ was only by 0.2%. The best feature extraction method was proven to be the MFCC/IMFCC fusion. Both the MFCC/IMFCC fusion and the IMFCC outperformed the classical MFCC method.


Temporary foreign workers have been employed – or simply used – throughout history. Their plights have gained some attention across the globe in recent decades. Canada as a major receiving country of these workers and the Philippines as a prolific sending country of workers are selected as case studies to examine whether measures taken internationally, nationally and locally are adequate to protect these workers, especially those in low-skilled occupations. Based on prior research on the workers' well-being, the answer is no in at least five areas: recruitment, matching of qualifications, abuse, housing, and family separation. Suggestions are made to address these specific areas. In addition, it is argued that, in order to protect the workers, civil society should also be involved and expanded rights should be given to the workers.


Macroradiography is a technique which employs geometric factors to produce magnified radiographic images. To reduce the amount of geometric unsharpness special x-ray tubes with small focal spot sizes have been employed. This type of equipment is expensive and has limited the use of macroradiography. This paper describes a method that uses standard x-ray equipment to produce macroradiographs. The effective focal spot size of the tube varies across the primary beam being smallest at the anode end of the beam. By angling the x-ray tube toward the cathode an effective focal spot sizes of 0.1 mm2 in the longitudinal direction can be achieved from a standard x-ray tube with an effective focal spot size of 0.6 mm2. A 0.6 mm2 tube can only produce quality macroradiographs of up to 1.5X magnification. By employing this x-ray tube orienting technique magnifications of up to 4X can be achieved. The aim of this paper is to describe the technique for clinical application. Further investigation is taking place into the characteristics of the beam and dosimetry. (author abstract)


Abstract Autistic children were assessed for their understanding of seeing and wanting. In Experiment 1, they judged whether a target was visible to each of two observers (a Level 1 task of visual perspective-taking) and which of two targets each observer would identify as "in front" (a Level 2 task). The autistic children performed as well as normal children of the same verbal mental age on both tasks. In Experiment 2, autistic children identified the emotion that familiar situations would elicit, expressed a selective preference or desire, and reidentified that desire despite an outcome that thwarted it. Their performance was similar to that of normal and retarded children equated for verbal mental age. An explanation is offered for autistic children's difficulty on some psychological tasks and their relative success on others.


Corticosteroid-21-aldehydes were reduced only at C-20 by 20 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (EC 184.108.40.206) of Streptomyces hydrogenans, and the reduction occurred by transfer of hydrogen from the B-side of NADH. A kinetic investigation of cortisol, cortisone, cortexolone, and the 21-aldehydes of each indicated: (a) the magnitude of the Michaelis constant for any substrate was independent of the second substrate concentration; (b) the 21-aldehydes had larger Michaelis constants (5- to 8-fold) and larger maximum velocities (16- to 40-fold) than the steroids from which they were synthesized; (c) the Michaelis constant for NADH, 29 muM, was independent of the steroid substrate. With cortisol and cortisol-21-aldehyde, product inhibition patterns showed only slope effects with steroid product and NAD+, suggesting a "random" mechanism. Inhibition studies with the "poor" substrate cortisol indicated that cortisol and cortisol-21-aldehyde were reduced at the same site. The inhibition constant (180 muM) agreed with the Michaelis constant of cortisol (140 muM). The steroid product, 20beta-hydroxyprogesterone, gives noncompetitive inhibition patterns with respect to NADH and cortisol-21-aldehyde, indicating a separate binding site exists on the enzyme for this inhibitor. The intrinsic protein fluorescence of 20beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was quenched by NADH (56%) with a dissociation constant of 16 muM. NAD" quenched the protein fluorescence somewhat less (31%) with a dissociation constant of 104 muM. The fluorescence of 2-p-toluidine-6-naphthalene sulfonate is enhanced in the presence of enzyme, and there is a blue shift in the emission wavelength maximum. The enzyme-enhanced 2-p-toluidine-6-naphthalene sulfonate fluorescence is quenched by NAD+ (32%) with a dissociation constant of 128 muM. Corticosteroids and their corresponding 21-aldehydes completely quench the enhanced 2-p-toluidine-6-naphthalene sulfonate fluorescence and this feature can be used to determine enzyme-steroid dissociation constants. Corticosteroid-21-aldehydes and NAD+ dissociation constants determined in this manner agree with values obtained in kinetic measurements. The dissociation constants determined for cortisol, cortisone, cortexolone, progesterone, and 20beta-hydroxyprogesterone were at least 1 order of magnitude greater than the corresponding kinetic constants, and these findings suggest the presence of a kinetically insignificant binding site.


This paper discusses the medium pulse repetition frequency (PRF) pulse doppler mode of the AN/APG-66, the multimode fire control radar for the F-16A/B aircraft. This radar is currently in production and as of January 1984 over 1700 have been delivered. Included is a discussion of the three PRF types: high, low, and medium PRF, leading to the conclusion that for an airborne, look-down application the medium PRF waveform is the best choice. System tradeoffs between a high peak power and a low peak power transmitter are discussed which show that when only a medium PRF waveform is required, the high peak power transmitter yields better performance. Some system design considerations concerning the PRF selection and sidelobe clutter are also included. Finally, the radar mechanization is presented. The AN/APG-66 radar in general, and its medium PRF mode in particular, have undergone extensive operational evaluation and the results have been excellent. The radar has met or exceeded its performance design specifications and the field reliability has been outstanding. For example, for the year 1983 the MTBF was 102.9 h based on 64 204 operating hours from two operational air bases.


BACKGROUND
People with psychiatric disorders have higher rates of obesity, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. These comorbidities are associated with the underlying psychopathology and drug therapy.

AIM
To determine the quality and quantity of carbohydrates and fatty acids in the diet and their association with anthropometric parameters in subjects with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
We studied 30 patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders in treatment with atypical antipsychotics or mood stabilizers. Three 24-hour recall dietary surveys were carried out. Glycemic index, intake of carbohydrates and fatty acids (g/day) were calculated, and the ratio of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids was determined. Body mass index, waist circumference (WC) and body fat percentage were evaluated.

RESULTS
The average intakes of carbohydrates and fatty acids were 295 ± 111 and 73 ± 38 g/day respectively. The mean glycemic index was 59% ± 5.4, while the ratio of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids was 2: 1.4: 0.6. No association between dietary and anthropometric variables was found. Patients using second-generation antipsychotics had a significantly higher waist circumference than those using mood stabilizing drugs.

CONCLUSIONS
We found no association between the amount and quality of carbohydrate or fatty acid dietary intake and anthropometric parameters.


Dengue Infection Presenting as Acute Liver FailureKAPIL DEV JAMWAL, SAJITH KG, GOEL A, UDAY Z, JEYAMANI R AND EAPEN CE.DEPARTMENT OF HEPATOLOGY, CHRISTIAN MEDICAL COLLEGE, VELLORE.Background Dengue infection is transmitted by Aedes and is endemic in certain regions of the world. The clinical manifestations of dengue infection may manifest from a clinically asymptomatic state to dengue shock syndrome and death. Dengue infections and its outcomes are regarded as poor when it involves multiple systems simultaneously especially involving Liver and central nervous system. Although liver involvement is atypical, but cases and case series have been reported in the literature.Case Report A 16 year old boy from Andhra Pradesh presented with fever for 3 days and jaundice with altered sensorium of two days duration. On admission he was conscious but disoriented with Grade II hepatic encephalopathy. His vitals were stable. He had icterus and skin exam was normal. His CNS examination was unremarkable including a fundoscopic examination. His per abdomen examination was normal with a normal liver span.His baseline investigations showed Complete hemogram Hb of 17 gm, PCV (hematocrit) of 53 and platelet count of 23,000mm3. His urea 44 and creatinine was 1.3 respectively (441.3 mgdl). His PTINR was 19.21.7 (control 10.2-12.41.1) and aPTT was 86.6(control upto 34). His liver functions - Total Bilirubin 15 Direct Bilirubin 12 Protein 6.3 Albumin 3.0 AST 1445 ALT 1654 SAP 195)The CECT brain was normal and an USG abdomen was also normal.During the subsequent days in hospital, his sensorium worsened and he developed epistaxis. A repeat platelet count was done and it was 7,000mm3. His LFT showed ASTALT 98653148 IUml and serum LDH and Serum fibrinogen were 10962 IUml and 59.7 mgdl respectively.His serum IgM HAV, IgM HEV and leptospira serology were negative. His dengue serology was positive.Conclusion Dengue infection can present as acute liver failure. The management is supportive and the recovery is uneventful usually.


We propose a simulation based algorithm, Empirical Policy Iteration (EPI) algorithm, for finding the optimal policy function of an MDP with infinite horizon discounted cost criteria when the transition kernels are unknown. Unlike simulation based algorithms using stochastic approximation techniques which give only asymptotic convergence results, we give provable, non-asymptotic performance guarantees in terms of sample complexity results: given ε > 0 and δ > 0 we specify the minimum number of simulation samples n(ε, δ) needed in each iteration and the minimum number of iterations k(ε, δ) that are sufficient for the EPI to yield, with a probability at least 1-δ, an approximate value function that is at least ε close to the optimal value function.


1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) has been used for the simultaneous and individual determination of palladium and cobalt at trace levels. PAN complexes of palladium and cobalt at neutral pH form green-color neutral complexes, which are soluble in aqueous SDS micellar media. Under optimum conditions, calibration graphs for individual determinations by zero and first-derivative spectrophotometry, and also for simultaneous determinations by second-derivative spectrophotometry were obtained. A zero-crossing method using second-derivative spectrophotometry at 628 or 578 and 614 nm, respectively, for cobalt and palladium was used for simultaneous determinations. The method is able to determine the cobalt-to-palladium ratio, 5:1 to 1:10 (Wt/Wt), accurately. The accuracy and reproducibility of the determination method for various known amounts of cobalt and palladium in their binary mixtures were tested. The effects of diverse ions on the determination of cobalt and palladium to investigate the selectivity of the method were also studied. The recommended procedures were applied to a synthetic binary alloy, cobalt in vitamin B_12 and B-complex ampoules, a Co_2O_3-Co_3O_4 laboratorial chemical mixture, some synthetic palladium alloys.


Crowd density counting obtained popularity in recent years with COVID-19 and the social separation constraints that have to be enforced in public areas. Many methods and techniques can be utilized for crowd density counting. However, these techniques depend on expensive equipment and massive deployment of different sensors in the targeted area. In this work, a simple crowd density counting framework based on measuring the received signal strength (RSS) of IEEE802.11, known as, WIFI in closed areas is leveraged. An access point (AP) and a Raspberry PI kit has been located in a closed area to harvest the RSS value when people pass through the area. K-NN machine learning algorithm has been trained with different features extracted from the RSS to predict the number of people in the area. Finally, an Android smartphone App has been written to monitor the counted number to enforce the counting constraint in the closed areas. The model has been deployed in the engineering faculty. Our results show that K-NN with RSS features for passively crowd density counting achieved 88% accuracy. However, this accuracy dropped to 75% with people running scenario.


Information image of a university in social services on the Internet is a mass-available information about a university on WWW websites and specialized services that provide the possibility of broad public discussion, modification and creation of new information directly at the location. In the article the process of creating information image in social services on the Internet (II SSI) is researched and three stages are distinguished: 1. Activity of the information source; 2. Activity of the information generator; 3. Image generating activity based on generator's materials. If each stage is carried out without external controlling actions, it is a natural unmanaged process of creating II SSI. However, in practice for large universities such processes are subject to be under control, though, not always with positive intentions regarding the university. It was established that control on behalf of the university can be maintained at each of the stages, but absolute control aimed at obtaining significant effect should be maintained continuously at all stages.


In this paper, we present a clustering approach, MK-SOM, that carries out cluster-dependent feature selection, and partitions images with multiple feature representations into clusters. This work is motivated by the observations that human visual systems (HVS) can receive various kinds of visual cues for interpreting the world. Images identified by HVS as the same category are typically coherent to each other in certain crucial visual cues, but the crucial cues vary from category to category. To account for this observation and bridge the semantic gap, the proposed MK-SOM integrates multiple kernel learning (MKL) into the training process of self-organizing map (SOM), and associates each cluster with a learnable, ensemble kernel. Hence, it can leverage information captured by various image descriptors, and discoveries the cluster-specific characteristics via learning the per-cluster ensemble kernels. Through the optimization iterations, cluster structures are gradually revealed via the features specified by the learned ensemble kernels, while the quality of these ensemble kernels is progressively improved owing to the coherent clusters by enforcing SOM. Besides, MK-SOM allows the introduction of side information to improve performance, and it hence provides a new perspective of applying MKL to address both unsupervised and semi-supervised clustering tasks. Our approach is comprehensively evaluated in the two applications. The superior and promising results manifest its effectiveness.


Impacting a significant portion of the world's population with increasing incidence in minorities, the young, and the physically active, diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications affect approximately 20 million individuals in the United States and over 100 million individuals worldwide. In particular, vascular disease from DM may lead to some of the most serious complications that can extend into both the cardiac and nervous systems. Unique strategies that can prevent endothelial cell (EC) demise and elucidate novel cellular mechanisms for vascular cytoprotection become vital for the prevention and treatment of vascular DM complications. Here, we demonstrate that erythropoietin (EPO), an agent that has recently been shown to extend cell viability in a number of systems extending beyond hematopoietic cells, prevents EC injury and apoptotic nuclear DNA degradation during elevated glucose exposure. More importantly, EPO employs Wnt1, a cysteine-rich glycosylated protein involved in gene expression, cell differentiation, and cell apoptosis, to confer EC cytoprotection and maintains the integrity of Wnt1 expression during elevated glucose exposure. In addition, application of anti-Wnt1 neutralizing antibody abrogates the protective capacity of both EPO and Wnt1, illustrating that Wnt1 is an important component in the cytoprotection of ECs during elevated glucose exposure. Intimately linked to this cytoprotection is the downstream Wnt1 pathway of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3beta) that requires phosphorylation of GSK-3beta and inhibition of its activity by EPO. Interestingly, inhibition of GSK-3beta activity during elevated glucose leads to enhanced EC survival, but does not synergistically improve protection by EPO or Wnt1, suggesting that EPO and Wnt1 are closely tied to the blockade of GSK-3beta activity. Our work exemplifies an exciting potential application for EPO in regards to the treatment of DM vascular disease complications and highlights a previously unrecognized role for Wnt1 and the modulation of the downstream pathway of GSK-3beta to promote vascular cell viability during DM.


This paper discusses the effects of global change in African mountains, with the example of Mount Kenya. The geographical focus is the northwestern, semi-arid foot zone of the mountain (Laikipia District). Over the past 50 years, this area has experienced rapid and profound transformation, the respective processes of which are all linked to global change. The main driving forces behind these processes have been political and economic in nature. To these an environmental change factor has been added in recent years – climate change. After introducing the area of research, the paper presents three dimensions of global change that are manifested in the region and largely shape its development: Socio-political change, economic change, environmental change. For the regions northwest of Mount Kenya, climate models predict important changes in rainfall distribution that will have a profound impact on freshwater availability and management. The results presented here are based on research undertaken northwest of Mount Kenya within the framework of a series of long-term Kenyan-Swiss research programmes that began in the early 1980s.


Regulation of Na-K-ATPase by cAMP-dependent protein kinase occurs in a variety of tissues. Phosphorylation of the enzyme's catalytic subunit at a classical phosphorylation consensus motif has been observed with purified enzyme. Demonstration of phosphorylation at the same site in normal living cells or tissues has been more difficult, however, making it uncertain that the Na-K-ATPase is a direct physiological substrate of the kinase. Recently, the structure of the homologous sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA1a) has been determined at 2.6 A resolution (Toyoshima C, Nakasako M, Nomura H, and Ogawa H. Nature 405: 647-655, 2000.), and the Na-K- ATPase should have the same fold. Here, the Na-K-ATPase sequence has been aligned with the Ca-ATPase structure to examine the predicted disposition of the phosphorylation site. The location is close to the membrane and partially buried by adjacent loops, and the site is unlikely to be accessible to the kinase in this conformation. Conditions that may expose the site or further bury it are discussed to highlight the issues facing future research on regulation of Na-K-ATPase by cAMP-dependent pathways.


BACKGROUND
The present study was designed to investigate the possible association between infertility of male uremic patients and expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein in their sperm.

METHODS
Semen was collected and analyzed. Serum levels of FSH, LH and testosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay. The sperm CFTR expressions of 21 uremic patients and 15 renal transplant patients were measured and compared with those of 32 healthy and 33 infertile men.

RESULTS
Only 9 ± 5.9% of sperm from uremic patients expressed CFTR, significantly less than those of the renal transplant patients (29 ± 14.3%, P< 0.001), the infertile men (42 ± 20.7%, P< 0.001) and the healthy men (51 ± 20.5%, P< 0.001). Furthermore, significantly fewer sperm from renal transplant patients expressed CFTR than those of the infertile men (P< 0.05) and the healthy men (P< 0.01). LH levels in uremic patients were significantly higher than in all other groups, whereas FSH levels in uremic patients were only significantly higher than in infertile and healthy men. There was no significant difference in testosterone level among the four categories.

CONCLUSIONS
Sperm CFTR expression is depressed in uremic patients but recovers to some degree after renal transplant along with some improvement in fertility, indicating a 'reversible' change. These results suggest that the CFTR expression rate in sperm is correlated with the decline of uremic patients' fertility, and may be considered as a potential marker to assess the fertility of male uremic patients.


In international business international technology transfer is an important part. It involves several modes. Product or process technologies can be transferred to a host country within a multinational company. Other modes include sale or licensing of technology. In these cases a company other than the technology owner takes technology to a host country. International technology transfer involves many matters such as transfer mode, government trade policies, risk of losing technology and influence of industry associations. In this chapter I report a longitudinal case study (1950–1980) of the diffusion of new manufacturing technology, suspension preheating, within the U.S. cement industry. Here I employ concepts from the literature on international technology transfer. Based on this analysis I identify what impact international technology transfer literature has on dominant design theory. Here I address in more detail the era of ferment of the most recent technology adoption (that is innovation).The U.S. cement industry was included in the original development of the dominant design model. However, technology adoption or innovation was defined as the first commercial introduction of a product made by a new manufacturing technology or process in the United States. This domestic definition of technology adoption neglects all aspects of international technology transfer mentioned earlier.While comparing the results of these two studies of the U.S. cement industry I found differences in the adoption time of technology and inconsistence in the introduction of the technology in the United States. I found that the length of the era of ferment was 29 years – contrary to the seven years reported in the development of dominant design model. This time difference has naturally impacted on the analysis of diffusion. It seems that the international business and international technology transfer literature have impacted on the dominant design model and theory.


In this paper, the variation transmission model is introduced to build the key quality characteristics identifying model in multistage manufacturing process. Then the PLSR (Partial Least Squares Regression) method is used to solve the multicollinearity problem of the quality characteristics, make model analyzing and identify the key quality characteris- tics. At last, the aircraft parts manufacturing process is taken as an example to present the application of this method. The result shows that this method can show the variation transmission relationship of each quality characteristics in every stages and its impaction on the final product quality, and then identify the key quality characteristics, provide the direction for implementing quality control and improvement..


OBJECTIVE
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is traditionally performed on an awake patient with intraoperative recordings and test stimulation. DBS performed under general anesthesia with intraoperative MRI (iMRI) has demonstrated high target accuracy, reduced operative time, direct confirmation of target placement, and the ability to place electrodes without cessation of medications. The authors describe their initial experience with using iMRI to perform asleep DBS and discuss the procedural and radiological outcomes of this procedure.

METHODS
All DBS electrodes were implanted under general anesthesia by a single surgeon by using a neuronavigation system with 3-T iMRI guidance. Clinical outcomes, operative duration, complications, and accuracy were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS
In total, 103 patients treated from 2015 to 2019 were included, and all but 1 patient underwent bilateral implantation. Indications included Parkinson's disease (PD) (65% of patients), essential tremor (ET) (29%), dystonia (5%), and refractory epilepsy (1%). Targets included the globus pallidus pars internus (12.62% of patients), subthalamic nucleus (56.31%), ventral intermedius nucleus of the thalamus (30%), and anterior nucleus of the thalamus (1%). Technically accurate lead placement (radial error ≤ 1 mm) was obtained for 98% of leads, with a mean (95% CI) radial error of 0.50 (0.46-0.54) mm; all leads were placed with a single pass. Predicted radial error was an excellent predictor of real radial error, underestimating real error by only a mean (95% CI) of 0.16 (0.12-0.20) mm. Accuracy remained high irrespective of surgeon experience, but procedure time decreased significantly with increasing institutional and surgeon experience (p = 0.007), with a mean procedure duration of 3.65 hours. Complications included 1 case of intracranial hemorrhage (asymptomatic) and 1 case of venous infarction (symptomatic), and 2 patients had infection at the internal pulse generator site. The mean ± SD voltage was 2.92 ± 0.83 V bilaterally at 1-year follow-up. Analysis of long-term clinical efficacy demonstrated consistent postoperative improvement in clinical symptoms, as well as decreased drug doses across all indications and follow-up time points, including mean decrease in levodopa-equivalent daily dose by 53.57% (p < 0.0001) in PD patients and mean decrease in primidone dose by 61.33% (p < 0.032) in ET patients at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS
A total of 205 leads were placed in 103 patients by a single surgeon under iMRI guidance with few operative complications. Operative time trended downward with increasing institutional experience, and technical accuracy of radiographic lead placement was consistently high. Asleep DBS implantation with iMRI appears to be a safe and effective alternative to standard awake procedures.


Oilseed rape is one of the most important sources of vegetable oil in the world. The nutrient demand of oilseed rape is considerably higher than that of cereals. Compared to cereals, winter oilseed rape requires more available nitrogen and this element is an important component with a strong effect on seed yield and quality, but it also affects the reduction of oil content. Winter oliseed rape hybrids with high yield potential might have high nitrogen requirements. On the other hand, the vigor of those plants might also be expressed as improved nitrogen uptake by a vigorous rooting system. In many cases, N fertilisation requirement does not take into account varietal types for Brassica napus L . Furthermore, it is based on fertiliser norm, with corrections according to environmental conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate preliminary results of the influence of nitrogen top dressing on the yield and yield components of 8 winter oil rape hybrids and 2 winter oil rape cultivars. A field trial was carried out in village Gluvo (near Skopje) in 2010/2011. The experimental design was a split-plot with 3 replications and 3 nitrogen regimes as main factors. Fertiliser treatments were: N, N+120 kg N/ha, N + 120 + 70 kg N/ha. N treatment as a base fertiliser corresponded to 70 kg of N/ha. Two ammonium nitrate dressings were broadcast, first on 25 February and then on 15 March. It can be concluded from the results we obtained that twice applied top dressing had statistically significant differences (P = 0.05) on the yield of the hybrids/varieties, number of seed/pods and length of a pod (compared to one application and without top dressing), but did not significantly influence the height of a plant and number of primary branches/plant. On a hybrid/variety level, Hybrirock (KWS), Rohan (NPZ-Lembke) and Albatros (Limagrin) may be considered as the most promising for the Skopje region.


Three distinctly different microstructures of silica (as quartz and crystobalite), alumina, enstatite, and celsian, were found to develop in a 60SiO2–20MgO–10Al2O3–10BaO glass ceramic. At 1010°C, growth of wormy fibrillar crystals was observed, indicating that crystal growth was diffusion controlled. At the intermediate temperature of 1080°C, a coarse cellular microstructure developed with multiple spherical particles nucleated on their surfaces and in the surrounding glass. At 1200°C, the glass crystallizes in a denderitic morphology but the dendrites were actually fragmented into multiple cube-shaped enstatite crystals, indicating a transition to interface-controlled growth. The crystals coarsen with time but maintain their order along the dendrite skeletons.


Transition assignments to all the satellites of L beta 1 spectra reported in the literature have been presented using the HFS data on two-hole atomic state energies. The agreement between the calculated and measured energies and consideration of the relative probabilities of all the 2p-13l-1-3l-13d-1 transitions have been used as the basis for deciding the origin of a satellite. All four satellites observed in this region of the X-ray spectra of various elements are mainly emitted by 2p-13d-1-3d-2 transitions.


We find the Husimi distribution for the linear rigid rotator. The Husimi function can be viewed in a variety of ways. In particular, we obtain it as the expectation value of the density operator in a suitable basis of coherent states. We employ the Schwinger's oscillator model for the construction of the angular momentum coherent states.


A method for teaching foreign languages through the use of ten hypnotic sessions was developed. The method included the preparation of taped material for home application. The use of this method was analyzed in 153 subjects in Czechoslovakia, Russia and Italy. Preliminary analysis indicates that the method facilitates the learning of a foreign language.


This paper presents a brief introduction to multi-objective genetic algorithms and FPGAs[5][9]. In this paper we have discussed that how test pattern generation method can be formulated in terms of CNF form [2]and this CNF form can be used to generate test patterns using genetic algorithm. We have proposed that by applying a multi-objective genetic algorithm on this CNF form we can increase number of instances to satisfy boolean equation.


Aims: Shrublands are one of the most important ecosystems in Taihang Mountains region of China. Shrub communities play an important role in maintaining biodiversity, providing ecosystem services, and promoting ecological security in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Methods: We explored differences in community assembly and associated environmental factors for two of the most representative shrub communities in the region, Vitex negundo var . heterophylla and Spiraea trilobata , by assessing their net relatedness index (NRI) and using multiple regression. We further used principal coordinates of phylogenetic structure (PCPS) to determine the key phylogenetic nodes giving rise to the community phylogenetic structure. Results: We found that the phylogenetic structures of these two shrub communities were significantly different despite no detectable difference in their species diversity. The S. trilobata community showed significant phylogenetic overdispersion, whereas the V. negundo var . heterophylla community showed no significant phylogenetic structure, despite exhibiting a greater degree of clustering degree than S. trilobata community. Community assembly of S. trilobata shrubs was driven by niche differentiation. By contrast, habitat filtering together with niche differentiation drove community assembly of V. negundo var . heterophylla shrubs. Habitat filtering related to drought stress was the main reason for the increase in phylogenetic clustering of V. negundo var . heterophylla shrubs. The PCPS two-dimensional ranking results showed that the phylogenetic clustering trend of the V. negundo var . heterophylla shrub community was mainly attributed to the lack of distantly related groups, such as Rosales and Fagales, while the species comprising the S. trilobata shrub community contained more phylogenetic clades. Conclusion: Our results suggest that habitat filtering was not a major driver of shrub community assembly in the Taihang Mountains region and that water limitation was an important factor in determining regional community phylogenetic structure of shrubland ecosystems.


Cooking methods have been linked with the presence of PAHs in some foods. Mud fish is one of the major components of delicacies in Western part of Nigeria. It is either cooked or smoked for consumption. Not much study has been carried out to determine the effect of methods of preparation on the level of PAHs concentration in mud fish. Fresh mud fish was purchased in Ogbomoso and smoked for 1, 2, 3 and 4h respectively at a temperature range of 200 o C – 210 o C with the use of Azadirachta indica wood and charcoal. A representative portion of about 10 g of sample was taken from the homogenized sample and extracted with ultrasonicator using three solvent systems: methanol, methanol: dichloromethane (1:1v/v) and dichloromethane. The aromatic and the free fatty acid fractions were subsequently analyzed with Gas Chromatography (GC/FID). PAHs and FFA were quantified and used to monitor the impact of the type of biomass used in smoking the mud fish. The result showed that 24 PAHs were detected in all the samples except in firewood smoked mud fish (FSMF) 1hr and charcoal smoked mud fish (CSMF) 1h – 4h where benzo[j]fluoranthene was below detection limit.  The total PAHs found in all smoked mud fish in this study were higher than what was found in fresh [control] fish.  Amount of PAHs in samples smoked with wood was significantly different from samples smoked with charcoal. The main compounds of free fatty acids present in the samples were myritic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and linoleic acid. The concentration of PAHs with 2 – 3 rings were less than the PAHs with 4 – 6 rings, with pyrene, benzo[c]phenanthrene and indeno(1,2,3 – cd) pyrene being the most abundant compounds. The phenanthrene/anthracene ratio for FSMF ranged from 0.27 – 9.02 and 0.72 – 1.66 for CSMF which suggests the source of the PAHs was pyrolitic. Also, Fluoranthene/fluoranthene + pyrene ratio ranged from 0.00 – 0.54 in FSMF and 0.01 – 0.99 for CSMF samples which equally suggests a pyrolytic source. From the proximate analysis results, the crude protein for the UPMF is 28.27 which increases gradually to 47.7 % in FSMF 4h and increased to 65.94 % in CSMF 4h. The crude fiber of all the samples both processed and unprocessed were generally low than expected. The percentage composition of fat increased from 1.01 % in fresh sample to 6.04 % in CSMF 4h.


This study investigated the effects of different aging methods on the changes in the concentrations of aroma volatiles of beef. One half (n = 15) of the beef strip loins were dry-aged, and the other half were wet-aged, and both aging processes continued for 28 days. The aroma volatiles from dry- and wet-aged samples were analyzed at seven-day intervals (n = 3 for each aging period). As the aging period increased, dry-aged beef showed higher concentrations of volatile compounds than those in wet-aged beef (p < 0.05). Most changes in the concentrations of aroma volatiles of dry-aged beef were associated with propanal, 2-methylbutanal, 2-methylpropanal, 1-butanamine, trimethylamine, 2-methyl-2-propanethiol, and ethyl propanoate, which were mainly produced by lipid oxidation and/or microbial activity (e.g., proteolysis and lipolysis) during the dry aging period. Therefore, we suggest that the differences in aroma between dry- and wet-aged beef could result from increased lipid oxidation and microbial activity in dry-aged beef possibly owing to its ambient exposure to oxygen.


In this paper, we address an adaptive detection of range-spread targets or targets embedded in Gaussian noise with unknown covariance matrix by the generalized detector (GD) based on the generalized approach to signal processing (GASP) in noise. We assume that cells or secondary data that are free of signal components are available. Those secondary data are supposed to process either the same covariance matrix or the same structure of the covariance matrix of the cells under test. In this context, under designing GD we use a two-step procedure. The criteria lead to receivers ensuring the constant false alarm rate (CFAR) property with respect to unknown quantities. A thorough performance assessment of the proposed detection strategies highlights that the two-step design procedure of decision-making rule in accordance with GASP is to be preferred with respect to the plain one. In fact, the proposed design procedure leads to GD that achieves significant improvement in detection performance under several situation of practical interest. For estimation purposes, we resort to a set of secondary data. In addition to the classical homogeneous scenario, we consider the case wherein the power value of primary and secondary data vectors is not the same. The design of adaptive detection algorithms based on GASP in the case of mismatch is a problem of primary concern for radar applications. We demonstrate that two-step design procedure based on GASP ensures minimal loss.


Silver ions have been diffused into single crystals of β-BaB2O4 (commonly referred to as BBO). The crystals were wrapped in silver foil and then held in air at 760°C for periods of time ranging from 1 to 7 h. This treatment resulted in Ag+ ions occupying both Ba2+ sites and interstitial sites within the crystal. After the diffusion, the crystal was irradiated at room temperature with 60 kV x-rays. Three distinct paramagnetic defects, one holelike and two electronlike, were produced by the x-rays and observed with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) at temperatures between 15 and 80 K. The Ag+ ions substituting for Ba2+ ions trapped radiation-induced holes and became paramagnetic Ag2+ ions. At the same time, interstitial Ag+ ions trapped electrons and became paramagnetic Ag0 atoms. There are two distinct versions of these latter centres. The EPR spectra of the Ag0 atoms show resolved hyperfine from the 107,109Ag isotopes, as well as from a neighbouring nucleus (possibly a Na+ impurity substituting for a Ba2+ ion). All the radiation-induced EPR signals were stable at room temperature for hours.


Purpose of the Study. To evaluate analysis of T-cell development as a potential population-screening method for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Study Population. Twenty-three infants with SCID, 2 patients without SCID, 245 randomly selected infants, and several healthy adults. Methods. DNA was extracted from dried blood spots on standard newborn screening (Guthrie) cards. The DNA was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify and quantitate the number of T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs), a marker of T-cell development in the thymus. For comparison, the β-actin gene was also amplified by PCR. Results. None of the SCID patients' blood spots contained detectable TRECs, whereas the infants without SCID had normal TRECs. Healthy adults had normal TRECs, and intentional depletion of T cells led to the disappearance of TRECs in simulated blood spots. Approximately 3% of randomly collected blood spots did not contain measurable TRECs but did contain β-actin. Conclusions. Measurement of TRECs by PCR can accurately identify infants with SCID. The relatively high percentage (3%) of screened spots having the SCID profile indicates the need for further refinement of the method before a larger population study. Reviewer Comments. Newborn screening for SCID is desirable because of the rapidly fatal nature of this disease and because of the good outcomes that may be obtained with the earliest possible diagnosis. The minimum estimate of the incidence of SCID is >1 per 100 000 births, comparable to other diseases that are already part of newborn screening programs. Almost all patients with SCID lack detectable TRECs. The ability to accurately measure them in dried blood spots represents a tremendous advance toward the possibility of effective newborn screening for this genetically very heterogeneous group of disorders. If the specificity of the analysis can be improved, this may soon be implemented in newborn screening programs.


Three genotypes of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill.] were evaluated for seed quality as affected by different time of harvesting. The studied revealed that the physiological maturity was associated with 20% green, 77% yellow/pale yellow and 2–3% dry leaves, 23.66% green pods and 91.33% yellow and pale yellow seeds and only 8.66% green seed. Seeds moisture content at this stage was 33–34%. The seed collected at the time of physiological maturity were found to be high in germination than those collected from prior and after physiological maturity. Delayed harvesting badly affect the seed quality due to seed subjected to field weathering under high atmospheric humidity and pod shattering in the field, as seed moisture content reduced down to 13%.


Grid interconnection standards facilitate safe and reliable grid integration of distributed energy resources (DERs). Evolution of a standard for DERs is expected to capture and accommodate widely different characteristics of DER and minimize unique grid integration challenges. This makes development of a uniform grid interconnection standard for all types of DERs a challenging and an ever-evolving consideration. This paper presents a detailed timeline of evolution, from the early 2000s to 2018, of DER interconnection standards and the research that informed their development. This is followed by a review of the research topics being considered in the grid integration of Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) which are expected to have the most significant growth amongst all DER types. These help in highlighting the need for a new standard to accommodate the unique characteristics of ESSs, and where the existing DER interconnection standard frameworks may be leveraged.


This paper presents a parametric frequency domain identification algorithm for autoregressive moving average (ARMA) processes that does not suffer from spectral leakage errors. It is based on an extended transfer function model that takes into account the begin and end effect of the finite data record. The relationship with the one step ahead prediction error method is established. The advantages of the proposed method are easy prefiltering and leakage free spectral representation of the raw data.


The transformation of existing power grids into Smart Grids (SGs) aims to facilitate grid energy automation for a better quality of service by providing fault tolerance and integrating renewable energy resources in the power market. This evolution towards a smarter electricity grid requires the ability to transmit in real time a maximum of data on the network usage. A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) distributed across the power grid is a promising solution, given the reduced cost and ease of deployment of such networks. These advantages come up against the unstable radio links and limited resources of WSN. In order to reduce the amount of data sent over the network, and thus reduce energy consumption, data prediction is a potent solution of data reduction. It consists on predicting the values sensed by sensor nodes within certain error threshold, and resides both at the sensors and at the sink. The raw data is sent only if the desired accuracy is not satisfied, thereby reducing data transmission. We focus on time series estimation with Least Mean Square (LMS) for data prediction in WSN, in a Smart Grid context, where several applications with different data types and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements will exist on the same network. LMS proved its simplicity and robustness for a wide variety of applications, but the parameters selection (step size and filter length) can directly affect its global performance, choosing the right ones is then crucial. Having no clear and robust method on how to optimize these parameters for a variety of applications, we propose a modification of the original LMS that consists of training the filter for a certain time with the data itself in order to customize the aforementioned parameters. We consider different types of real data traces for the photo voltaic cells monitoring. Our simulation results provide a better data prediction while minimizing the mean square error compared to an existing solution in literature.


1 Abstract. Today most applications operate on backends with application specific data models. In contrast to this, we suggest modelling application specific information structures at the level of content, and not at the level of the data model. We demonstrate our approach with a publicly accessible web application. Based on a domain ontology, and a set of knowledge models all content for the example application was mapped into a Topic Map. A Topic Maps web frontend renders interface structures, and knowledge-oriented access paths to the highly networked information space of its backend, and also provides relational tables as if it was based on an application specific data model. This approach provides flexible storage layers for applications, and allows using a single data model for different applications. Moreover, applying subject-orientation from high level ontological concepts down to the data level of property values changes accessing content from navigating data-oriented application specific frontends to navigating knowledge-maps.


Resurgence is the increase in a previously reinforced and then extinguished target response due to changes in reinforcement conditions for an alternative response, including reductions in the rate or magnitude of reinforcement for the alternative response. Research with nonhumans suggests that reductions in both alternative-reinforcer rate and magnitude produce resurgence, but the present study was the first to examine effects of downshifts in alternative-reinforcer magnitude on humans' resurgence. Moreover, it was the first to evaluate whether the quantitative framework, resurgence as choice in context (RaC2 ), could account for those effects. Consistent with predictions of RaC2 , resurgence of a target button press occurred with reductions in point gain for an alternative response, with greater reductions producing higher levels of resurgence. However, the model consistently underpredicted and then overpredicted resurgence during tests with low-magnitude reinforcement and extinction. Systematic deviations in model predictions of alternative responding were also evident and consistent with previous fits of RaC2 to nonhuman data. Overall, our findings suggest that RaC2 could be a useful quantitative theoretical framework for understanding processes contributing to resurgence in humans, but further theoretical development is needed to account for the apparent divergent effects of extinction versus downshifts in reinforcer magnitude.


This paper is based on the development and experimental analysis of a DCM Boost interleaved converter suitable for application in traction systems of electrical vehicles pulled by electrical motors (Trolleybus), which are powered by urban DC or AC distribution networks. This front-end structure is capable of providing significant improvements in trolleybuses systems and in the urban distribution network costs, and efficiency. The architecture of proposed converter is composed by five boost power cells in interleaving connection, operating in discontinuous conduction mode. Furthermore, the converter can operate as AC-DC converter, or as DC-DC converter providing the proper DC output voltage range required by DC or AC adjustable speed drivers. Therefore, when supplied by single-phase AC distribution networks, and operating as AC-DC converter, it is capable to provide high power factor, reduced harmonic distortion in the input current, complying with the restrictions imposed by the IEC 61000-3-4 standards. The digital controller has been implemented using a low cost FPGA and developed totally using a hardware description language VHDL and fixed point arithmetic. Thus, two control strategies are evaluated considering the compliance with input current restrictions imposed by IEC 61000-3-4 standards, the regular PWM modulation and a current correction PWM modulation. In order to verify the feasibility and performance of the proposed system, experimental results from a 15 kW low power scale prototype are presented, operating in DC and AC conditions.


Background: This study compares the sensitivity of continuous ultrasonographic scanning and ultrasonographic inching in the localisation of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow to diagnose the two common entrapment sites: retroepicondylar groove and cubital tunnel. Methods: The charts of 30 patients who were diagnosed with ulnar neuropathy of the elbow and underwent ultrasonographic examinations using the inching and the continuous technique between April 2015 and September 2019 were reviewed. Sensitivities of ultrasonographic inching and continuous scanning were compared. Results: A total of 34 elbows from 30 patients were examined. The sensitivities of continuous ultrasonographic scanning method and ultrasonographic inching were 85% and 71%, respectively, but this was not significant (p = 0.06). The maximum cross-sectional areas (CSAs) in continuous scanning were mainly found within the area from the medial epicondyle to the 2-cm distal point in the cubital tunnel entrapment, while a majority of the largest CSAs in ultrasonographic inching was observed at the medial epicondyle level in both entrapment sites. The mean of the maximum CSAs in continuous scanning (17.04 ± 6.75 mm2) was higher than that in ultrasonographic inching (14.13 ± 6.63 mm2), although this difference remained non-significant (p = 0.08). However, continuous scanning differed more significantly (p < 0.0001) from the cut-off value than the ultrasonographic inching (p < 0.0066). Conclusions: Continuous scanning might be more suitable than ultrasonographic inching to localise ulnar neuropathy, which inherently has variations in the cubital tunnel anatomy and its entrapment points, when selecting optimal treatment based on the entrapment site. Level of Evidence: Level III (Diagnostic).


Wastewater management is of considerable economic and environmental importance for the dyeing industry. Digital textile printing (DTP), which is based on sublimation transfer and does not generate wastewater, is currently being explored as an inkjet-based method of printing colorants onto fabric. It finds wide industrial applications with most poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and nylon fibers. However, for additional industrial applications, it is necessary to use natural fibers, such as cotton. Therefore, to expand the applicability of DTP, it is essential to develop a novel reactive disperse dye that can interact with the fabric. In this study, we introduced a blocked isocyanate functional group into the dye to enhance binding to the fabric. The effect of sublimation transfer on fabrics as a function of temperature was compared using the newly synthesized reactive disperse dyes with different blocking groups based on pyrazole derivatives, such as pyrazole (Py), di-methylpyrazole (DMPy), and di-tert-butylpyrazole (DtBPy). Fabrics coated with the new reactive disperse dyes, including PET, nylon, and cotton, were printed at 190 °C, 200 °C, and 210 °C using thermal transfer equipment. In the case of the synthesized DHP-A dye on cotton at 210 °C, the color strength was 2.1, which was higher than that of commercial dyes and other synthesized dyes, such as DMP-A and DTP-A. The fastness values of the synthesized DHP-A were measured on cotton, and it was found that the washing and light fastness values on cotton are higher than those of commercial dyes. This study confirmed the possibility of introducing isocyanate groups into reactive disperse dyes.


The influence of wettability on the formation of a single air bubble at a submerged orifice has been investigated using computational fluid dynamic simulations in two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometries. The detachment times of the bubbles were observed. The bubble sizes were compared to those from experiments and those predicted from force balances. The simulations were able to predict the experimental results with an average deviation of less than 10%. The wettability of the orifice was varied in the simulations by varying the static contact angle of the orifice material for an air–water system. For hydrophobic orifice materials, the bubble size increases with increasing contact angle. The reason for this is that the gas entering through the orifice spreads partially along the wall, resulting in a larger force of adhesion as well as a larger area for the formation of the bubble.


Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA

Background

With the recent improvements in genomic analysis tools, research groups all over the world are intensively deep-sequencing different tumor entities, including malignant melanomas. However, most of these studies are using only a single biopsy per patient, providing only limited insights into genomic tumor evolution. In this study, we performed genomic profiling of sorted clonal tumor populations from several specimens per patient in order to infer genomic heterogeneity in malignant melanomas and genomic evolution during tumor progression.

Methods

A multi-parameter sorting approach was used to flow-sort multiple biopsies from individual melanoma patients. Therefore nuclei were extracted from frozen and FFPE tissues and sorted according to DNA ploidy. SOX10 was used as an additional melanoma parameter to ensure sorting of pure tumor populations. Resulting clonal tumor populations were genomically characterized by usage of high resolution aCGH and deep-sequencing with NGS technologies.

Results

Array CGH and NGS performed on flow-sorted clonal tumor populations (DNA and SOX10) revealed the clonal relationship between multiple tumor biopsies from individual patients. The tumor marker SOX10 allowed us to uncover and sort pure tumor populations, excluding the risk of contribution of non-neoplastic cells in downstream analysis with aCGH and NGS. Taken together the information of ploidy, aCGH and NGS data, we were able to detect chromosome imbalances and allelic frequencies from these populations. Our approach allows us to track the evolution of clonal populations across time and organs and in the context of therapeutic interventions.

Conclusions

Human malignant melanomas are composed of different clonal populations with population-specific genomic aberrations and mutations. The use of SOX10 allowed unraveling of pure tumor populations within the diploid peaks, which would have been obscured by the use of DNA content alone. NGS and aCGH helped to characterize these sorted clonal tumor populations. Further bioinformatic analyses of these sorted clonal tumor populations are fundamental for the understanding of the clonal relationship and genomic heterogeneity and their potential impact on metastasis and therapy response in malignant melanoma.

Citation Format: Thomas Lorber, Tanja Dietsche, Valeria Perrina, Michael Barret, Kathrin Glatz, Christian Ruiz, Lukas Bubendorf. Deciphering the genomic heterogeneity and evolution in malignant melanoma by genomic profiling of clonal tumor populations. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3424. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3424


Weed seed viability is an important parameter to assess the efficacy of soil disinfestation methods like fumigation and steam. In field experiments, seed samples are commonly placed in permeable bags and buried at several depths in soil before the application of soil disinfestation treatments. The seed samples are recovered several days to weeks after treatment and then seed viability is determined in the laboratory. The process of sample installation and recovery is time consuming and may expose personnel to hazardous conditions such as heat or fumigants. Described is a custom soil probe system, developed to simplify installation and recovery of weed seeds from soil. Each soil probe is capable of holding weed seed samples at three different depths up to 30 cm. The following hypothesis was tested: viability of weed seeds is similarly affected by soil disinfestation treatments whether the seeds were contained in the soil probe system or seed bag assays. Two different soil disinfestation trials were conducted: (1) a repeated micro-plot study (USDA Salinas, 1m-2), using steam as a soil disinfestation treatment and (2) a field study in a commercial strawberry field with 1,3-dicloropropene plus chloropicrin (Pic-Clor 60) as soil disinfestation method. In both studies, seed viability of burning nettle, common knotweed, and common purslane (tetrazolium assay) and germination rates of yellow nutsedge tubers were assessed. Results indicate that the soil probe system can be used as an alternative to the seed bag assay to assess weed control efficacy of described soil disinfestation methods. Nomenclature: 1,3-Dicloropropene; chloropicrin; burning nettle, Urtica urens L.; common knotweed, Polygonum arenastrum Boreau; common purslane, Portulaca oleracea L.; yellow nutsedge Cyperus esculentus L.


I recently read an advertisement with the headline 'Goodbye job, hello career'. Although it was for an accountancy course, the same message could easily apply to nursing.


Suppose B is a unital algebra which is an algebraic product of full matrix algebras over an index set X. A bijection is set up between the equivalence classes of irreducible representations of B as operators on a Banach space and the sigma -complete ultrafilters on X (Theorem 2.6). Therefore, if X has less than measurable cardinality (e.g. accessible), the equivalence classes of the irreducible representations of B are labeled by points of X, and all representations of B are described (Theorem 3.3).


Abstract We present a pediatric case of a retrochiasmatic craniopharyngioma in the suprasellar region with third ventricular extension that was resected through a purely endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) via the transplanum transtuberculum corridor. The patient is a 12-year-old boy who presented with progressive visual loss and panhypopituitarism. The EEA allows direct visualization of the undersurface of the optic chiasm and hypothalamus so that safe and meticulous tumor dissection can be performed to preserve these critical neurovascular structures. This video atlas demonstrates the operative technique and surgical nuances of the endoscopic skull base approach, microdissection of the tumor from the critical neurovascular structures, and multilayered reconstruction of the skull base defect with a nasoseptal flap. A gross total resection was achieved, and the patient was neurologically intact with improved visual acuity and visual fields. In summary, the EEA via the transplanum transtuberculum corridor is an important strategy in the armamentarium for surgical management of pediatric craniopharyngiomas. The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/bmgO_PMRHPk.


We study the feasibility and safety of human lung hyperpolarized (HP) 129 Xe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). There is no significant change in physiological parameters before and after the examinations of all subjects. Compared with computed tomography, HP 129 Xe MRI is sensitive to earlier and smaller ventilation defects. The distribution of the HP 129 Xe MRI signal reflects the pulmonary compliance with the gravity gradient. This is the first application of HP 129 Xe MRI ventilation imaging in China, and this technology is expected to provide more useful information for clinical practice.


Humeral fractures have an incidence of 3-5% and a bimodal age distribution. They may occur in young patients after highenergy traumas or in elderly osteoporotic patients after low-energy injuries. In nondisplaced fractures or in elderly patients, humeral fractures are treated by conservative methods. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) should be the treatment of choice in case of multi-fragmentary fractures associated with radial nerve palsy or not. ORIF is usually regarded as the gold standard treatment, but, depending on the different types of fracture, the surgical approach can change. In this review, we compare results and complication rates between lateral and posterior surgical approaches in the management of extraarticular distal humeral shaft fractures. An internet-based literature research was performed on Pubmed, Google Scholars and Cochrane Library. 265 patients were enrolled: 148 were treated by lateral or antero-lateral approach, while 117 by posterior or postero-lateral approach. The literature shows that no differences between the posterior and lateral approach exist. Certainly, the posterior approach offers undoubted advantages in terms of exposure of the fracture and visualization of the radial nerve. In our opinion, the posterior approach may also allow better management of complex and multi-fragmentary fractures.


An ammonium iodide salt can perform selective organic oxidation reactions and replace more toxic metal catalysts. Chirality—literally handedness—refers to the mirror-image, or left-right asymmetry of objects like shoes and gloves. Like our hands, many chemical compounds (and most biomolecules) exist as enantiomers, which, relative to each other, have mirror-image arrangements of substituents around an atom (typically carbon or nitrogen). In many cases, pharmaceuticals must have a specific chirality in order to be active, but making pure chiral compounds is difficult and costly. Traditionally, chemists have relied on reagents for controlling chirality that contain heavy metals (1), the presence of which can lead to toxicity issues. A relatively new alternative is the use of nonmetal catalysts called organocatalysts. On page 1376 of this issue, Uyanik et al. (2) report a more "green" organocatalytic reaction that also uses an iodine reagent to closes rings in a molecule during an oxidation step.


We present an analysis of volcanic threat of Nisyros island (Greece) based on a catalogue of questions compiled for the USGS National Volcano Early Warning System (NVEWS). We find that the score puts Nisyros in the league of volcanoes posing a very high threat. US volcanoes with a comparable threat level include Mt. St. Helens, Augustine and the Long Valley caldera.


Older people often suffer from comorbidity, or several chronic conditions simultaneously. Disability rises rapidly as the number of chronic conditions grows, although very ill people who acquire another condition experience attenuated increases. High prevalence conditions such as arthritis tend to have a low or occasionally moderate impact for community residents, while low prevalence ones such as osteoporosis have a high impact; paired conditions sometimes give extra propulsion to disability, as when cerebrovascular disease and hip fracture co-occur. Further research is needed to pin-point combinations of conditions posing great risks and to identify demographic segments in which comorbidity has elevated effects.


The trend toward the use of composite materials and digital electronics has renewed the need to quantify the effects of lightning strikes to airplanes, since composite structures do not provide shielding equivalent to that of metal aircraft, and digital systems are potentially more susceptible to upset by electrical transients than are analog electronic systems. A research program, called the Storm Hazards Program, has been run by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the past eight years and has provided the first statistically significant measurements of the electromagnetic interaction between lightning and aircraft. A NASA-owned F-106B airplane has been flown through thunderstorms about 1500 times at altitudes between 5000 and 40000 feet (1500 to 12000 meters). The airplane, lightning-hardened and outfitted with special instruments, was hit by lightning 714 times. The types of measurements made and the results are described. The Storm Hazards Program has concluded, and interpretation of the data gathered is underway.<<ETX>>


The concentration and the isotopic composition of the redox-active essential elements Cu and Fe were investigated in blood plasma and specific brain regions (hippocampus, cortex, brain stem and cerebellum) of mice to assess potential alterations associated with sepsis-associated encephalopathy induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Samples were collected from young (16–22 weeks) and aged (44–65 weeks) mice after intraperitoneal injection of the LPS, an endotoxin inducing neuroinflammation, and from age- and sex-matched controls, injected with phosphate-buffered saline solution. Sector-field single-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was relied upon for elemental analysis and multi-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for isotopic analysis. Significant variations were observed for the Cu concentration and for the Cu and Fe isotope ratios in the blood plasma. Concentrations and isotope ratios of Cu and Fe also varied across the brain tissues. An age- and an inflammatory-related effect was found affecting the isotopic compositions of blood plasma Cu and cerebellum Fe, whereas a regional Cu isotopic redistribution was found within the brain tissues. These findings demonstrate that isotopic analysis of essential mineral elements picks up metabolic changes not revealed by element quantification, making the two approaches complementary.


The performance of water and sanitation utility companies varies greatly, but many are underperforming. This is due mainly to systemic issues, which can include weak governance, lack of accountability, poor management, inadequate or aging infrastructure, and insufficient funds for operations and maintenance. In many cases the public sector water and sanitation service providers seek support to overcome the challenges. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can be an important option for implementing sector reform strategies and can address the key challenges to providing universal and sustainable service access. As a partner, the private sector can bring technical and management skills and experience, commercial discipline, and private finance to help tackle such challenges in a structured and contractually binding manner. The objective of this guidance note is to offer practical, experience-based guidance to those considering or currently engaging in PPP in the water sector, and to provide a basic understanding of water PPPs and the PPP cycle to better inform dialogue with governments that are considering PPP arrangements. It builds on the experience of water and sanitation program (WSP) in supporting PPP reforms in developing countries, especially through the domestic private sector. This note outlines a rationale and approach for launching a water sector PPP so that government leaders and private sector providers can have informed discussions about the path forward should they choose to explore this approach in their countries.


Abstract A typical ceilometer record during rainfall is examined and certain regular and recurring oscillations beginning uniformly at an angle of elevation of 48° and decreasing gradually with elevation are noted. These features are explained physically as "rainbow" effects. The angle of elevation of maximum oscillation is shown to be about 49° regardless of base-line length; the tapering off above is discussed. Possible "secondary rainbow" effects at lower elevation angles are mentioned. Finally, methods of differentiating between the rainbow effects and cloud layers are suggested.


[1] Global mapping of intermediate-size (100–200 m) polygonal troughs occurring mainly in impact crater floors was carried out using high-resolution images from spacecraft currently orbiting Mars. Earlier works have classified these polygonal networks as periglacial features on account of their apparent occurrence at higher latitudes and morphological similarities to thermal contraction polygons (TCPs). Crater floor polygons (CFPs) have diameters ranging from 15 to 350 m. They morphologically resemble terrestrial TCPs and desiccation cracks. Their size distribution, however, is significantly different from that of TCPs that are ubiquitous in the high latitudes. An analytical model based on fracture mechanics reveals that under current climatic conditions, the maximum fracture spacing attainable by thermal stresses alone is 75 m at the most. More reasonable values fall within 18 and 22 m, which is the range for TCPs on Mars. As a result, we propose desiccation to be a dominant mechanism for the formation of CFPs without ruling out thermal contraction as a possible contributor in some cases. This implies that lakes or water-rich sediments occupied the craters in the past. Many such aqueous environments have no apparent external source of water, and thus, hydrothermal processes occurring shortly after the impact event may be viable explanations for the observed evidence. The association of features, which correspond to terrestrial lakes such as sedimentary deposits, mounds, and shorelines, corroborates lake formation and their eventual desiccation to form CFPs. The variation of CFP sizes with location can be indicative of different hydrologic environments.


It has great significance to investigate the degradation of aromatic contaminants as they are highly carcinogenic and nondegradable pollutants in drinking water. In this paper, the mineralization orders of the representative nitro/chloro/methyl/amino-aromatic contaminants with oxidants (·OH, H2O2, ·O−, O2,O3) in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are investigated based on the calculated standard molar Gibbs free energy changes of reaction (ΔrGm0) and the results are consistent with those from previous experimental results, electrophilic substitution orientation rules of the Hammett equation, and predicted results with a quantitative structure−activity relationship (QSAR). In addition, the quantitative function relationship between the degradation rate (r) of the aromatic contaminants and the thermodynamic driving force (ΔrGm0) is analyzed in order to investigate the degradation kinetics more rigorously.


Bone mineral content was measured by photon absorption densitometry in 25 patients with rheumatic diseases receiving glucocorticoids on an alternate day treatment schedule, and in 25 age-, sex-, and race-matched patients receiving daily steroid therapy. Mean values for cortical (diaphyseal) mass, trabecular (metaphyseal) mass, and the cortical/trabecular mass ratios were not different in the two groups. Steroid-induced osteopenia, defined as an elevated ratio of cortical to trabecular mass, occurred in both therapeutic regimens (8 of 25 on alternate day; 11 of 25 on daily). Therefore, bone loss was demonstrable in individuals on alternate day regimens. Serum levels of calcium, ionized calcium, alkaline phosphatase, and parathyroid hormone were similar in the two groups.


The study concerns about the development of the attachment between the adolescent mother and her baby. Its objectives are to know the adolescent's experience as a mother; to recognize the manifestations of attachment between mother/baby and to know the factors that facilitate and/or interfere the development of the attachment. It is a longitudinal study with a qualitative approach, realized with six adolescent mothers, between thirteen and nineteen years old, and their babies, linked to the Family Health Program (FHP) from Vila Pinto, a popular class comunity in Porto Alegre/RS. The collection of the information was realized through semi-structered interviews and participatory observations. For the analysis of the information, an analysis of the content was used, from where the following cathegories emerged: satisfaction with the maternity; bonding-attachment; familiar support and interrupted project of life. The results indicate that the familiar and the partener's support are the bonding facilitating factors, since youngesters have this support, show an affectionate relationship with their babies, but we can not to say that others adolescents whose don't have this support, don't development of the attachment with your sons.


BACKGROUND
Doctor-patient communication is an important part of safe and effective medication use. There is a lot of evidence about good communication and recognition of several key features that are important when discussing medications.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to provide evidence-based guidance for general practitioner (GP) communication with patients about starting, reviewing or stopping oral medication.

DISCUSSION
Communication involves listening and asking, as well as imparting information. Creating space for discussions and encouraging patient involvement by asking questions are important. Doctors should deliver core content about why to take medication and actionable messages about how to do so. Regular summing-up and checks of patient understanding are important. Communicating benefits and harms can be facilitated by including numbers, if done carefully (include time periods, natural frequencies, absolute figures). Scheduling extra time, using written resources and enlisting support of pharmacist colleagues can assist with effective communication and help patients navigate the sometimes-confusing world of medications.


In this paper the active control of beam deflection through heating and cooling of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wires is examined. A phenomenological constitutive law for SMA wires is coupled with beam theory to provide predictions of beam shape upon temperature change in the SMA actuator. Both the linear and nonlinear beam theory are presented, enabling calculation of large deflections. Examples for a single wire attached at the tip of a uniform beam are given, but the procedure can easily be generalized for other configurations and utilized in control algorithms. Issues of design constraints for shape control with shape memory wires are addressed and the model is qualitatively verified by experiments.


Designing ligands with efficient actinide (An(III))/lanthanide (Ln(III)) separation performance is still one of the key issues for the disposal of accumulated radioactive waste and the recovery of minor actinides. Recently, the hydrophilic ligands as promising extractants in the innovative Selective ActiNide Extraction (i-SANEX) process show excellent selectivity for Am(III) over Eu(III), such as hydroxylated-based ligands. In this work, we investigated the selective back-extraction toward Am(III) over Eu(III) with three hydrophilic hydroxylated triazolyl-based ligands (the skeleton of pyridine La, bipyridine Lb, and phenanthroline Lc) using scalar-relativistic density functional theory. The properties of three hydrophilic hydroxylated ligands and the coordination structures, bonding nature, and thermodynamic properties of the Am(III) and Eu(III) complexes with three ligands have been evaluated using multiple theoretical methods. The results of molecular orbitals (MOs), quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIMs), and natural bond orbital (NBO) reveal that Am-N bonds possess more covalent character compared to Eu-N bonds. The thermodynamic results indicate that the complexing ability of Lb and Lc with metal ions is almost the same, which is stronger than that of La. However, La has the best Am(III)/Eu(III) selectivity among three ligands, which is attributed to the largest difference in covalency between Am-Ntrzl and Eu-Ntrzl bonds in MLa(NO3)3. This work provides an in-depth understanding of the preferential selectivity of the hydrophilic hydroxylated ligands with An(III) over Ln(III) and also provides theoretical support for designing potential hydrophilic ligands with excellent separation performance of Am(III)/Eu(III).


We consider the problem of testing for seasonal unit roots in monthly panel data. To this aim, we generalize the quarterly CHEGY test to the monthly case. This parametric test is contrasted with a new nonparametric test, which is the panel counterpart to the univariate RURS test that relies on counting extrema in time series. All methods are applied to an empirical data set on tourism in Austrian provinces. The power properties of the tests are evaluated in simulation experiments that are tuned to the tourism data.


The fungus Pisolithus microcarpus establishes an ectomycorrhiza with Eucalyptus globulus. This symbiosis involves a fungal synthesis and secretion of hypaphorine, an indolic compound. Previous studies have shown that hypaphorine induces an alteration in the actin cytoskeleton of elongating root hairs and inhibits hair elongation. Using an alternative approved method, we analyzed the effects of hypaphorine on the E. globulus root hair cyto-architecture and actin configuration in more detail and provide new results. One mM hypaphorine stops root hair elongation within 20 min, and changes the hair cyto-architecture. Semi-quantitative analysis of the actin cytoskeleton before and after treatment with hypaphorine shows that hypaphorine induces a shift from fine F-actin to F-actin bundles in the sub-apex of the hair, which occurs first in the mid-plane of the cell. This creates a sub-apical cell centre free of filamentous actin, an actin configuration that differs from that during developmental growth arrest. The mechanism of action of hypaphorine is discussed.


Acute myocardial infarction is a serious diagnosis. Both the patient and the loved ones experience an immediate uncertainty. To be able to emotionally support the patient´s spouse, the nurse in the coronary care unit must be prepared to also encounter the world of the spouse. The aim of this study was from a nursing perspective to illuminate how life was experienced during the first two months by the spouse of someone, who was stricken by a first time acute myocardial infarction. Interviews with six spouses were conducted. The methodological approach was phenomenological-hermeneutic, based on the French philosopher Paul Riceour. The result of the qualitative text analysis showed four themes: To lose one´s foothold, To be exposed to the medical and nursing staff, To get a changed relationship to one´s partner, To wish to make the most of one´s life. The first theme highlighted the spouse's strong feelings of uncertainty concerning the outcome of the patient. The second theme showed the spouse's confidence in the medical care. It also showed the spouse's sense of being insulted by the nurses, who did not acknowledge the spouses´ need of obtaining information and emotional support. The third theme demonstrated how the partner cared for and felt responsible for observing the former patient´s health condition. The fourth theme showed that the spouse realized that life has to come to an end and therefore wanted to realize his/her plans for the future before it was too late. The findings from this study emphasize the importance of the medical and nursing staff to show interest in the spouses´ experiences. Thereby the spouses can experience a support in congruence with their needs, and their life situation might thereby be improved. It would be of great interest to study how nurses regard the spouses´ life situation during the patients´ stay in hospital. Further research could also highlight which factors could minimize the sufferings of partners to seriously sick patients, regardless of the patients´ diagnosis.


We address the issue of precisely estimating small parameters encoded in a general linear transformation of the modes of a bosonic quantum field. Such Bogoliubov transformations frequently appear in the context of quantum optics. We provide a set of instructions for computing the quantum Fisher information for arbitrary pure initial states. We show that the maximally achievable precision of estimation is inversely proportional to the squared average particle number and that such Heisenberg scaling requires nonclassical but not necessarily entangled states. Our method further allows us to quantify losses in precision arising from being able to monitor only finitely many modes, for which we identify a lower bound.


Introduction Neck pain is the leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide and it accounts for high economic and societal burden. Altered activation of the neck muscles is a common musculoskeletal impairment presented by patients with neck pain. The craniocervical flexion test with pressure biofeedback unit has been widely used in clinical practice to assess function of deep neck flexor muscles. This systematic review will assess the measurement properties of the craniocervical flexion test for assessing deep cervical flexor muscles. Methods and analysis This is a protocol for a systematic review that will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis statement. MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, PEDro, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus and Science Direct will be systematically searched from inception. Studies of any design that have investigated and reported at least one measurement property of the craniocervical flexion test for assessing the deep cervical flexor muscles will be included. All measurement properties will be considered as outcomes. Two reviewers will independently rate the risk of bias of individual studies using the updated COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments risk of bias checklist. A structured narrative synthesis will be used for data analysis. Quantitative findings for each measurement property will be summarised. The overall rating for a measurement property will be classified as 'positive', 'indeterminate' or 'negative'. The overall rating will be accompanied with a level of evidence. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval and patient consent are not required since this is a systematic review based on published studies. Findings will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. PROSPERO registration number CRD42017062175.


Although serial murder has been recorded for centuries, limited academic attention has been given to this important topic. Scholars have attempted to examine the causality and motivations behind the rare phenomenon of serial murder. However, scant research exists which delves into the childhood characteristics of serial murderers. Using social learning theory, some of these studies present supporting evidence for a link between childhood animal cruelty and adult aggression toward humans. Based on five case studies of serial murderers, we contribute to the existing literature by exploring the possible link between childhood cruelty toward animals and serial murder with the application of the graduation hypothesis.