This study explored the inhibiting factors to the implementation of learning studies in Tanzania secondary schools. Three mathematics teachers formed a learning study to share their experiences on how to implement Learner-Centered Approach (LCA) in their school settings. Teachers were interview at the end of each intervention cycle on the prospects and challenges encountered in the course of implementing learning studies. Classroom observation notes were taken to supplement interview data. All of the qualitative data were analyzed using phenomenographic variation framework. The results show that isolative teachers' working culture, high workload, low remuneration, time consuming nature of learning studies, and school curriculum old recipes were factors that inhibit the implementation of learning studies. We conclude careful attention should be taken to urgently readdress inhibiting factors for successful and sustainable implementation of learning studies in developing countries.


Efficient characterization of highly entangled multi-particle systems is an outstanding challenge in quantum science. Recent developments have shown that a modest number of randomized measurements suffices to learn many properties of a quantum many-body system. However, implementing such measurements requires complete control over individual particles, which is unavailable in many experimental platforms. In this work, we present rigorous and efficient algorithms for learning quantum many-body states in systems with any degree of control over individual particles, including when every particle is subject to the same global field and no additional ancilla particles are available. We numerically demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithms for estimating energy densities in a U(1) lattice gauge theory and classifying topological order using very limited measurement capabilities.


This study explores the effect of hashtag type on consumer response via evaluations of SNS fashion influencer and information in the context of fashion product communication. The moderating effect of perceived fit between hashtag content and fashion product image on information evaluation was also investigated. An online survey was conducted, and responses from 152 Instagram users were collected. The results indicated that hashtag type (informative vs storytelling) affects the evaluations of influencer and information. First, the informative hashtag has a positive effect on influencer's expertise and usefulness of information. Meanwhile, storytelling type has a positive effect on the familiarity of the influencer. This study also verified the mediated paths from hashtag type to consumer response through the evaluations of SNS fashion influencer and information. The influencer's expertise and familiarity mediated the effect of hashtag type on consumer response. In the information evaluation, only the mediating effect of usefulness was significant. Finally, the high condition of the perceived fit between hashtag content and fashion product image was found to highly evaluate the trust of information. This study extends the scope of fashion communication research from various angles by examining the role of the hashtag as a new type of information source.


The variable proximity multi exposure technique in SR lithography is introduced. This technique provides to fabricate micro/nano gratings include Sub-wavelength gratings. The sub-wavelength gratings for antireflection were fabricated using this technique. Fresnel and Fraunhofer intensity distribution simulation for estimate the properly gap were performed. The simulation was done by the slit width of 150 nm and 250 nm, and the proximity gap was from 0 up to 100 mum. On the other hand, evaluation of proximity gap effect with conventional exposure was performed. We found the appropriate value of the gap for obtaining high contrast, and the gap for provide a taper. The experiment results were in agreement with the calculated result. T Then the multiple exposure with appropriate gap were performed and we were able to obtain the three dimensional sub-wavelength structures.


Objective: To assess the outcome of end to side Ileo-Ascending Colic anastomosis in patients undergoing emergency and elective Ileo-Caecal resection in non-malignant cases. Study Design: Cross Sectional Descriptive study. Setting: Department of Surgery at Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi. Period: January, 2018 to December, 2020. Material & Methods: A Total of 40 patients with ileo-caecal benign pathology presenting with generalized peritonitis and intestinal obstruction were studied. All patients underwent laparotomy either in emergency or as planned procedure. After dealing with the primary pathology an end to side ileo-ascending colic anastomosis was performed in all cases. Cases of ileo-caecal disease that required an ileostomy or underwent ileo-transverse colic anastomosis were excluded from the study. Anastomosis was performed in conventional two layers with vicryl 3/0. Variables studied were; indication for surgery, per-operative findings and post-operative complications like anastomotic leakage, surgical site infection, burst abdomen and systemic sepsis. Data was analyzed on SPSS (v 26). Results: There were 30 females (75%) and 10 male patients (25%). Age range was 18-72 years with mean age 43.62 years. Common clinical indication of surgery was intestinal obstruction 11 cases (27.5%) followed by generalized peritonitis 10 cases (25%) and trauma 9 cases (22.5%). Post-operative diagnosis in most patients was ileo-caecal tuberculosis 14 cases (35%) followed by trauma to ileo-caecal region 9 cases (22.5%). Anastomotic leakage occurred in 1 patient (2.5%) who underwent second look laparotomy and re-anastomosis. Surgical site infection occurred in 3 cases (7.5%). There was one fatality (2.5%) due to uncontrolled systemic sepsis. Conclusion: An end to side ileo- ascending colic anastomosis in conventional two layers is a safe and reliable procedure after emergency or planned ileo-caecal resection. It saves the patient from ileostomy, preserves colonic length and avoids formation of blind loop.


A mathematical morphology technique aids in interpreting satellite infrared images of the Gulf Stream region. The method delineates the North Wall clearly, with less smoothing than human analysts. Performance in locating warm-core eddies is comparable to that of humans and another automated procedure. A variation of the method finds cold-core eddies. >


This libguide is designed to help you go beyond the textbook to find innovative research and biotechnology in the field of human development.


We study quantum phase-slip (QPS) processes in a superconducting ring containing N Josephson junctions and threaded by an external static magnetic flux. In a such system, a QPS consists of a quantum tunneling event connecting two distinct classical states of the phases with different persistent currents [K. A. Matveev et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 096802 (2002)]. When the Josephson coupling energy EJ of the junctions is larger than the charging energy EC = e2/2C where C is the junction capacitance, the quantum amplitude for the QPS process is exponentially small in the ratio EJ/EC. At given magnetic flux each QPS can be described as the tunneling of the phase difference of a single junction of almost 2pi, accompanied by a small harmonic displacement of the phase difference of the other N-1 junctions. As a consequence the total QPS amplitude nu is a global property of the ring. Here we study the dependence of nu on the ring size N taking into account the effect of a finite capacitance C0 to ground which leads to the appearance of low-frequency dispersive modes. Josephson and charging effects compete and lead to a nonmonotonic dependence of the ring critical current on N. For N=infty, the system converges either towards a superconducting or an insulating state, depending on the ratio between the charging energy E0 = e2/2C0 and the Josephson coupling energy EJ.


Machine learning and software development share processes and methodologies for reliably delivering products to customers. This work proposes the use of a new teaming construct for forming machine learning teams for better combatting adversarial attackers. In cybersecurity, infrastructure uses these teams to protect their systems by using system builders and programmers to also offer more robustness to their platforms. Color teams provide clear responsibility to the individuals on each team for which part of the baseline (Yellow), attack (Red), and defense (Blue) breakout of the pipeline. Combining colors leads to additional knowledge shared across the team and more robust models built during development. The responsibilities of the new teams Orange, Green, and Purple will be outlined during this paper along with an overview of the necessary resources for these teams to be successful.


The effects of MK-801, a noncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and of LY 235959, a competitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor on the analgesic action and development of tolerance to the analgesic action of D-Ala2, Glu4 deltorphin II (deltorphin II), a delta 2-opioid receptor agonist were determined in mice. Tolerance to deltorphin II was induced in male Swiss-Webster mice by twice daily intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of the drug (20 micrograms/mouse) for 4 days. To determine the effects of NMDA receptor antagonists, the drugs were injected intraperitoneally in appropriate doses 10 min before each injection of deltorphin II. The doses of MK-801 were 0.01, 0.03 or 0.10 mg/kg whereas those of LY 235959 were 1, 2 or 4 mg/kg. Chronic administration of NMDA receptor antagonists by themselves did not alter the tail-flick latency or the analgesic effect of deltorphin II. MK-801 given concurrently with deltorphin II inhibited the development of tolerance to deltorphin II, the significant effects were observed at 0.03 and 0.10 mg/kg doses. Similar inhibitory effect of development of tolerance to deltorphin II were observed with LY 235959 at 4 mg/kg dose. MK-801 and LY 235959 also antagonized the analgesic action of deltorphin II. It is concluded that antagonism of NMDA receptors attenuates the analgesic action as well as development of tolerance to the analgesic action of delta 2-opioid receptor agonist in the mouse.


The problem of how to utilize some robot task flexibility characteristics efficiently is addressed. For a given set of robots and a set of tasks which can be accomplished through several alternative sequences of motions and operations, the robot task-sequencing planning problem is to determine the optimal sequence of paths for each robot such that all the tasks are executed with a total minimum cost (e.g. time). A framework and a classification for such types of problems are provided, and one class of problems is studied. The problems are solved according to the proposed decomposition scheme. Special considerations, such as the capacity of the robot end effector and coordination planning among several robots, are included in the algorithms. An example illustrates the problem and the solution. >


The growing number of users and development of applications that utilize the computer network or the internet has an impact on increasing amount of data transferred through the network. With this increasing data transfer results in the increase of traffic (flow) data. A monitoring system is needed to analyze computer network by capturing on the flow of network data packets. In this study, the monitoring system analyzed and identified types of flooding and packet loss using random early detection (RED) algorithm. RED method compares the packet's counter value by its type with a user defined threshold value. The monitoring and packet capturing system was implemented on the campus wireless LAN network at the University of Sumatra Utara during active hours. As the result of the system implementation performed for several consecutive days, it was found that the active packets included TCP, UDP, and Ethernet. For the most common intrusion mode was detected as TCP / SYN flooding and packet loss (97.04%) on TCP packets with loss percentage in the network was around 8.837%


A detailed investigation on 30-years old concrete specimens of 150 mm in diameter and 300 mm in height made with ordinary portland cement (OPC), high early strength portland cement (HES), moderate heat portland cement (MH), slag cement of type B (SCB), and alumina cement (AL) was carried out. In each specimen, steel bars were embedded at cover depths of 20, 40, and 70 mm. Mineralogy and microstructure of mortar portions at the inner and outer regions, coarse aggregate-mortar interface and steel-concrete interface were investigated. Carbonation depth, acid-soluble chloride contents, electro-chemical and corrosion condition of embedded steel bars were evaluated. It is concluded from the results that the microstructure of concrete at the outer region for SCB and AL becomes denser compared to the inner region. For AL, the inner region is relatively more porous and also a porous steel-concrete interface is found. Chloride ingress in concrete was lower for SCB and AL compared to OPC, HES and MH. However, more corrosion over the steel bars was found for AL. The surface condition of the steel bars embedded in concrete made with SCB remains as same as the initially polished condition. Utilization of SCB is concluded as one of the best choices to improve long-term durability of marine concrete structures.


Objective After a stroke event, stroke patients have a reduced ability of walking and their cardiorespiratory fitness, aerobic load and oxygen uptake (V̇O2 peak) is also lowered. A demand to be able to participate in society again for stroke patients is the ability to walk independently whereas these factors make it more difficult. Many studies have focused on walking on treadmills or on even surfaces whereas in daily life you often encounter obstacles during walking. Therefore this study will focus on the relative aerobic load that is used of stroke patients during walking with and without obstacles. The hypothesis is that the stroke patients will have a higher relative aerobic load during the obstacle walk than during the non-obstacle walk compared to abled bodied. Methods Twenty stroke patients and ten able-bodied individuals participated in this study and completed two experiments. One 5-minute walk with obstacles and one 5-minute walk without obstacles, both were executed at the participant's preferred walking speed (PWS). Prior to the experiments all participants underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). During both experiments and the CPET the participants wore a portable gas analyzer to measure the V̇O2. Furthermore the walking speed was calculated and the relative aerobic load was calculated from both experiments. Results A significant effect was found of the relative V̇O2 between walking with and without obstacles (p=0,045) and of the relative V̇O2 between the two groups (p=0.004). However, there was no significant interaction for the relative V̇O2 between the two groups and walking with and without obstacles. In addition, both groups had a slower PWS walking with obstacles compared to walking without obstacles. Conclusion During the obstacle walk the mean PWS decreased for both stroke patients as controls, while the relative aerobic load increased only for controls. The relative aerobic load stayed the same for stroke patients.


In this paper, we study the Lagrange-Sylvester interpolation of rational matrix functions which are analytic at infinity, and propose a new interpolation algorithm based on the recent subspace-based identification methods. The proposed algorithm is numerically efficient and delivers a minimal interpolant in state-space form. The solvability condition for the subspace-based algorithm is particularly simple and depends only on the total multiplicity of the interpolation nodes. As an application, we consider subspace-based system identification with interpolation constraints, which arises, for example, in the identification of continuous-time systems with a given relative degree.


Chromite and talc are two major gangue minerals in platinum bearing UG2 ore processed from the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. During flotation, talc is effectively depressed by the addition of depressants. Chromite, on the other hand, is considered to be hydrophilic, its recovery is believed to follow water recovery and therefore recovered by entrainment only. In certain cases it has been shown that chromite can be activated by the reagent suite and hence is made amenableto true flotation. The aim of the work was to investigate the effect of the addition of copper sulphate as anactivator and the effect of the depressant type and dosage on the recovery of chromite. The results of these experiments showed that copper sulphate, at higher dosages, activated the chromite. Low dosages of copper sulphate resulted in no chromite activation. This was observed at low depressant dosages of both IMP4 (guar gum)and KU5 (carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)). When the depressant dosages were increased, at higher copper sulphate dosages, it was observed that the activated chromite was depressed by IMP4, but that the activation was still significant with the use of KU5. The activation of the chromite is attributed to the form of the copper species present in the solution and on the mineral surfaces at pH = 9 enhancing collector adsorption and thereby increasing hydrophobicity. These species were not measured directly and it is recommended that this should be further investigated using surface mineral techniques.


Background The magnitude of unprotected sex to satisfy the desire for fertility among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) may rise more due to the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in most HIV-affected countries. This could, however, have the risk of passing on HIV to sexual partners and children. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the magnitude and factors associated with the fertility desire of reproductive-age PLHIV in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for research-based and timely actions. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out from April to June 2016 among 442 randomly selected, reproductive-age PLHIV who had been attending ART clinics in Addis Ababa. Twelve experienced and trained nurses collected the data. The questionnaire was pretested and interviewer-administered, and the interview was executed after obtaining voluntary consent from each study subject. The data were then cleaned and analyzed by using Epi Info version 3.5.4 and SPSS version 20.0, respectively. Binary logistic regression was done in order to describe the association of fertility desire with some sociodemographic and sexual behavior-related factors. Results Among the total 441 respondents, 54.6% reported the desire for fertility, 87% disclosed their HIV status, 24.3% had two or more sexual partners in the earlier year, and only 55.6% used a condom during their last sexual intercourse. In addition, current health status (AOR=2.03; 95% CI: 1.01–4.07) and partner being tested for HIV (AOR=6.31; 95% CI: 1.35–29.64) showed statistically significant associations with fertility desire during multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusion A considerable number of PLHIV in the study area reported a desire for having children. Current health status and partner being tested for HIV were found to be factors associated with the fertility desire among PLHIV. Thus, more efforts to effectively address the health concerns related to fertility desire and risky sexual behavior among HIV-infected people of reproductive age could play a significant role in prevention and control measures against HIV/AIDS epidemic.


A new bacterial disease was detected on mung bean crops in 1984 in central and southern Queensland. The symptoms were marginal and interveinal necrosis of the leaves with vascular browning in a small percentage of affected plants. No wilting was observed. The same symptoms were later detected on cowpeas in southern Queensland. Disease incidence in the commercial crops of mung bean and cowpea surveyed, ranged from leaf symptoms on an occasional plant to 5°/o-8°/o of the crop affected. However, disease incidence as high as 90% has been reported from other districts. The disease appeared to be most severe in rain-grown crops suffering from moisture stress. The pathogen was identified as Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens subsp. flaccumfaciens on biochemical tests and host pathogenicity. It was shown to be seed transmissible by artificial seed inoculation and pathogenic to soybean and French bean but not to tomato. A toxin was involved in pathogenesis.


Objectives Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare but well-described autoimmune disease, which is sometimes comorbid with psychiatric illness. There have been several case reports describing the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for the treatment of core psychopathology in the context of MG. We sought to review the available published data on ECT in MG and add another case example to the literature. Methods We performed a PubMed search for relevant articles or case reports in English describing ECT in MG and summarized findings. Results We identified 7 published cases meeting our inclusion criteria in varying detail with different psychiatric presentations and different anesthetic and ECT technique approaches. In addition, we add our own case. Conclusions Based on the literature and our own clinical experience, ECT seems to be a safe option for the treatment of core psychopathology with comorbid MG as long as appropriate precautions are in place, particularly when choosing an anesthetic approach.


Complex distributed software systems are built by connecting software components across a large number of physical or virtual machines. Deploying such systems reliably and efficiently is a difficult task that involves multiple actors. Coordination mechanisms and programming support are needed. In this paper, we introduce Madeus, a component-based model that allows efficient and highly parallel deployment procedures for distributed software through a declarative approach. We describe the formal model of Madeus, its performance prediction model, and its concrete language and prototype. We evaluated Madeus on a complex real-world use case, the deployment of OpenStack, and measured a deployment time reduced by up to 71% compared to existing solutions.


We discuss a new realistic interpretation of quantum mechanics based on discontinuous motion of particles. The historical and logical basis of discontinuous motion of particles is given. It proves that if there exists only one kind of physical reality--particles, then the realistic motion of particles described by quantum mechanics should be discontinuous motion. We further denote that protective measurement may provide a direct method to confirm the existence of discontinuous motion of particles.


In this paper, a unified framework for testing the adequancy of an estimated EGARCH model is presented. The tests are Lagrange multiplier or Lagrange multiplier type tests and include testing an EGARCH model against a higher-order one and testing parameter constancy. Furthermore, various existing ways of testing the EGARCH model against GARCH one are investigated as another check of model adequacy. This is done by size and power simulations. Small-sample properties of the other tests are also investigated by simulations.


With the improvement of the level of the technology, the safety of aircraft has received more and more attention. In order to better monitor the aircraft safety, a Beidou-based aircraft safety monitoring system was designed. The main factors affecting the safety of the aircraft were obtained through cluster analysis. The system used BMP180, MPU9250 HS-FS01 and DHT11 to monitor the air pressure, altitude, attitude angle, acceleration, wind speed, temperature and humidity of the aircraft's position. It used the GPS/BDS dual-mode positioning module to accurately and timely synchronize the space and time of the aircraft, using the fuzzy analysis to comprehensively assess the safety status of the aircraft, using WIFI/GSM/GPRS switchable wireless network to send the acquired information to the PC monitoring software. The hardware and software design of the system are studied, and the test results are given. The results show that the system can accurately monitor the status information of the aircraft and comprehensively evaluate the safe working coefficient of the aircraft.


We present the results obtained by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry, specific heat, and Mossbauer spectroscopy measurements carried out on Np2Ni17 polycrystalline samples. We show that long-range magnetic order, with a moment mu((2b)) similar to 2.25 mu(B), occurs below T-N = 17.5 K on the Np (2b) sites. A nontrivial situation is observed in that the other Np sites (2d) do not take part to the order transition and carry only an induced moment of about 0.2 mu(B) below T-N. A combined analysis of the different experimental data sets allowed us to determine key parameters associated with the electronic structure of the system. The experimental results are discussed against first-principles electronic structure calculations based on the spin-polarized local spin density approximation plus Hubbard interaction.


From Reclamation to Sustainability tells the story of four places in the West -- the Arkansas Valley and the Grand Valley of Colorado, the Truckee-Caarson basins of California and Nevada, and the Yakima Basin in Washington -- where development and use of water, primarily for irrigated agriculture, have been central to economic and social development. In these places (and many others), the reclamation vision that helped settle the West now competes with a vision of sustainable West.


This paper provides a presentation of the rule of law in the EU with regard to the Stability and Growth Pact. As there are different jurisprudential conceptions as to define law, the meaning of the rule of law is inexact. The concept is however generally understood to be an antithesis to the rule of men, which implies arbitrariness. The Stability and Growth Pact is a legal instrument, adopted in accordance with the EC Treaty, aiming to assure sound public finances in the EMU Member States by providing for sanctions against countries with excessive budget deficits. In November 2003, the Council of ministers of economy and finance (hereinafter the Ecofin Council) decided not to impose sanctions against France and Germany although they had excessive budget deficits, a decision that was contrary to EC law. In a subsequent ruling by the European Court of Justice in July 2004, the Ecofin Council decisions were annulled. This paper analyses the Ecofin Council's refusal to apply EC law and the subsequent ruling from the European Court of Justice by using two perspectives on the rule of law in the EU. From a public international law perspective, which assumes that the EU consists of essentially sovereign states, the rule of law functions imperfectly in the Union. The reason is that law and state are intimately linked. The authority of law depends on the coercive means to enforce it. In this regard, the question of the authority of law depends on the body that controls the state. In classical legal theory this idea is expressed in terms of sovereignty and coercive powers. Since EU has no real sanction possibilities at its disposal, the authority of EC law is weak. The reason the Ecofin Council refused to apply EC law is because the Stability and Growth Pact is an unfortunate legal instrument. It cannot be expected to work properly between essentially sovereign states, since its application is at the mercy of the very states it purports to control. From a public international law perspective, no criticism can be pointed towards the Member States for not implementing the Pact. Instead, criticism should be pointed towards the European Court of Justice that through its case law and different conception of the rule of law has extended its powers beyond what the Member States intended. The Ecofin Council decisions not to implement the Stability and Growth Pact is in this view explainable and even justifiable. The other perspective this paper presents is a constitutional perspective, which involves a conception of law that is held by the European Court of Justice. This view holds that the EU consists of not fully sovereign Member States and that it has several constitutional features. It assumes a rights-based conception of law that can be traced back to the constitutional theory of John Locke. The law of the constitution is in this view merely an expression and a consequence of natural rights. The function of law is to safeguard and promote these natural rights that exist independently of society. To break the law is, in Lockean terminology, comparable to rebellion. The task of the Court is to interpret a constitution, whose purpose is to uphold rights and not to create them. From this perspective, the Ecofin Council decisions constituted an unacceptable encroachment on EC law. The provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact are specific and clear, and the Ecofin Council decisions concerned mere application of law, as opposed to interpretation. Nevertheless, the Ecofin Council decided contrary to EC law. This situation might be explained by the active role of the Court in developing EC law. The Court might have anticipated this situation by its creative case law through which it has developed the material scope of EC law beyond the intentions of the Member States. Despite this, the judgement of the Court that annulled the Ecofin Council decisions is likely to be followed. The alternative would lead to a constitutional crisis, which is not in the interest of the Member States. Thus in the trial of strength between the Member States and the EU, the Ecofin Council decisions were probably enough a statement of the power of the Member States.


We report Raman spectroscopy measurements on Ge nanocrystals with average radii ranging from about 65 A down to 10 A (with a size dispersion lower than 20 %). Ge has been deposited by UHV evaporation on an amorphous substrate, kept at such a temperature as to produce the Ge nanodroplets nucleation in the liquid phase. A nanocrystalline size dependence of the Raman spectra has been observed and explained in the framework of a phonon confinement model. We have observed the softening of the TO Raman peak predicted by the theory when the dimensions of the particles are decreased. Moreover the observed inhomogeneous broadening of the Raman lines has been correlated with the size distribution of the particles in the samples. Our results provide a characterization of Ge nanoparticles exhibiting a good crystalline nature, down to about 10 A, and in conditions of substantial absence of perturbations of the environment.


In this paper, we estimate why some firms strongly react to avoidance incentives given by nonlinear taxes and regulations while others doni¯t. We measure avoidance using a kinkpoint in the French corporate income tax schedule and a notch in exposure to French labor regulation. We find that firm profitability is a strong predictor of avoidance: income tax elasticities are 30% bigger among firms in the top quintile of ROA than among firms in the bottom quintile; employment declines induced by the regulation notch are more than twice as big among the former group of firms as among the latter. Going further, we find that tax elasticities reflect in great part the speed of tax code learning by firms and that more profitable firms learn faster. We also find that firmsi¯ avoidance strategies are much more developed when management is more sophisticated and ownership structures are more concentrated. Overall, we conclude that a large part of firm heterogeneity in the strength of reaction to taxes and regulations reflects differences in the quality of governance rather than differences in firm technologies.


In this presentation, we propose a novel design of elastic metamaterial that possesses unique anisotropic mass density and hyperbolic dispersion, which enables subwavelength-scale flexural wave manipulation. The metamaterial unit cell is inspired by kirigami, an ancient art of paper cutting and folding. A three-dimensional kirigami microstructure can be obtained by simply cutting and folding a thin metallic plate. By attaching the resonant kirigami microstructures periodically on the top of a host plate, a hyperbolic metamaterial plate can be manufactured without any perforation that degrades the strength of the pristine plate. A theoretical model based on the classic plate theory and mass-spring model is developed to understand the working mechanism of the elastic metamaterial. Dispersion curves are obtained by using an extended plane wave expansion method. An anisotropic effective mass density tensor is retrieved based on effective medium theory, which explains the different couplings between the local resonance of kirigami microstructure and the global flexural wave propagations in the host plate along two in-plane principal directions. Finally, numerical simulation on an elastic hyperlens is conducted to demonstrate the subwavelength-scale flexural wave control and super-resolution imaging abilities. The advantages of the proposed kirigami-based elastic hyperbolic metamaterial are twofold: (i) simple manufacturing process without perforation in the pristine plate and (ii) subwavelength flexural wave manipulation providing a high signal-to-noise ratio in plate-like engineering structures. Therefore, the proposed elastic hyperbolic metamaterial could be highly promising for high resolution damage imaging in nondestructive evaluation and structural health monitoring.


The development of sustainable and durable ultra-low-power SoC calls for flexibility integration in the design flow. Reconfigurable logic circumvents the intrinsic low speed performances of software processing in microcontrollers but FPGA fabrics to be embedded suffer from a high power overhead compared to dedicated ASICs. We show that, by combining a power-oriented implementation using multi-VT, a careful repartition of different MOS flavors, and an aggressive scaling of core voltage, the dynamic power consumption can be reduced below 6μW/tile at 50MHz switching target and the leakage power consumption can be brought down below 0.5μW/tile. Simulation results show that a 16-bits multiplier, mapped onto the fabric developed with these techniques, is characterized by an energy per cycle as low as 2.5pJ.


IL-10 is a well-known immunosuppressive and/or anti-inflammatory cytokine. However, we report in vitro experimental studies in which IL-10 primed leukocytes and led to an enhanced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) upon further stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Monocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) prepared from whole blood maintained for 20 h at 37 degrees C in the presence of recombinant human IL-10 had an enhanced capacity to produce TNF in response to LPS. In addition to TNF, LPS-induced IL-6 and spontaneous IL-1ra production were also enhanced. When isolated PBMC were first cultured for 20 h in the presence of IL-10 on Teflon to prevent adherence, washed to remove IL-10 and then further cultured in plastic dishes for an additional 20 h in the presence of LPS or IL-1beta, an enhanced release of TNF was observed. This was not the case when PBMC were pre-cultured in plastic multidishes in the presence of IL-10. TNF mRNA expression induced by LPS was decreased when the pre-treatment of PBMC with IL-10 was performed on plastic, whereas this was not the case when cells were pre-cultured with IL-10 on Teflon. Furthermore, NFkappaB translocation following LPS activation was higher after IL-10 pre-treatment on Teflon than on plastic. Interestingly, an enhanced frequency of CD16 and CD68(+) cells among the CD14(+) cells was observed in the presence of IL-10, independently of the pre-culture conditions of the PBMC. Altogether, these results indicate that the IL-10-induced up-regulation of cytokine production depends on the prevention of monocyte adherence by red cells in the whole blood assays or by cultures of PBMC on Teflon. In contrast, the adherence parameter has no effect on the IL-10-induced modulation of some monocyte surface markers.


We propose in this article a functional semantics for non-prenex Quantified Boolean Formulae.

The proposed formalism is symmetrical for validity and non-validity and allows to give different interpretations to the quantifiers.

This formalism is also sufficiently flexible to allow the definition of a certificate for the search-based algorithms for non-prenex QBF.


Introduction. Optimization of the intraoperative fluid therapy is one of the elements of the ERAS program. The strategy of avoiding fluid overload has shown positive results in adults, but still remains unexplored in children. Fluid requirements in children are higher than in adults and they vary with age. It's still not clear whether it is possible or not to extrapolate the data of studies obtained in adults to children and to use similar recommendations. The aim of this study is to compare intraoperative fluid approaches from the point of view of surgical stress response in children undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Material and Methods: The study included 60 pediatric patients over 1 year of age who had undergone orthopaedic surgery. Рatients were stratified into two groups depending on the volume of intraoperative base crystalloid infusion. First group of patients received <7 ml/kg/h crystalloids, and the second group of patients received > 7 ml/kg/h. We evaluated intraoperatively changes of blood pressure, heart rate, urine output, Hb, Ht, blood glucose, acidbase status. After surgery we estimated lactate, insulin, insulin resistance index HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment) and insulin sensitivity index QUICKI. Mean data was compared with Mann-Whitney U-test. Results of the study: After stratification two groups were identified. The first group of patients (n=30) received 10.7 ± 3.03 ml/kg/h and the second one 2 (n=30) – 5.07 ± 1.15 ml/kg/h of intraoperative crystalloid fluids as a basic fluid therapy. We did not find significant changes in blood pressure, heart rate, Hb, Ht, acid-base status in both groups. But the urine output was decreased in the group 2 (0.43 ± 0.59 ml/kg/h) in comparison with the group 1 (1.16 ± 0.89, p=0.009). The concentration of blood glucose was insignificantly increased in both groups, but the level of insulin and HOMA-IR was significantly higher in group 2 (insulin 5.39 ± 3.93 vs 8.94 ± 6.15 mU/L, p=0.006; HOMAIR 1.30 ± 1.05 vs 2.39 ± 2.14, p=0.004), and index QUICKI was lower (0.39 ± 0.05 vs 0.35 ± 0.04, p=0.004). We also found the tendency to lactation increase in group 2 (1.46 ± 0.62 vs 1.90 ± 0.69, p=0.07), even though that was not significant. Conclusion: This study revealed the tendency to insulin resistance of tissues as one of the signs of a surgical stress response in children who were limited in intraoperative fluid therapy during orthopaedic surgery. Results of the study suggest that the limitation of intraoperative fluids is not applicable for children, and the volume of base crystalloids must be more than at least 7 ml/kg/h during paediatric orthopaedic surgery. Further research is necessary to determine what minimum volume is acceptable in other types of paediatric surgeries.


A new method for building 3D models of transformer substation based on mapping and 2D images is proposed in this paper. This method segments objects of equipment in 2D images by using k-means algorithm in determining the cluster centers dynamically to segment different shapes and then extracts feature parameters from the divided objects by using FFT and retrieves the similar objects from 3D databases and then builds 3D models by computing the mapping data. The method proposed in this paper can avoid the complex data collection and big workload by using 3D laser scanner. The example analysis shows the method can build coarse 3D models efficiently which can meet the requirements for hazardous area classification and constructions representations of transformer substation.


Inactive nuclei of chick erythrocyte resume RNA synthesis and increase in volume and dry mass in heterokaryons made by virus-induced fusion of human tumor cells (HeLa) with chick erythrocytes. Nuclear growth is due primarily to migration of human macromolecules into the chick nucleus. Human nucleoplasmic antigens were detected in the nucleoplasm and human nucleolar antigens were detected in the nucleoli of reactivated chick erythrocyte nuclei. After some time, chick-specific nucleolar antigens appear in the nucleoli of both the reactivated chick nuclei and the HeLa cellnuclei. The results suggest that human nuclear proteins play an important part in the reactivation of the chick genome.


The bonding in the highly homoatomic np pi-np pi (n > or = 3)-bonded S2I42+ (three sigma + two pi bonds), the Se-I pi-bonded Se2I42+ (four sigma + one pi bonds), and their higher-energy isomers have been studied using modern DFT and ab initio calculations and theoretical analysis methods: atoms in molecules (AIM), molecular orbital (MO), natural bond orbital (NBO), and valence bond (VB) analyses, giving their relative energies, theoretical bond orders, and atomic charges. The aim of this work was to seek theory-based answers to four main questions: (1) Are the previously proposed simple pi*-pi* bonding models valid for S2I42+ and Se2I42+? (2) What accounts for the difference in the structures of S2I42+ and Se2I42+? (3) Why are the classically bonded isolobal P2I4 and As2I4 structures not adopted? (4) Is the high experimentally observed S-S bond order supported by theoretical bond orders, and how does it relate to high bond orders between other heavier main group elements? The AIM analysis confirmed the high bond orders and established that the weak bonds observed in S2I42+ and Se2I42+ are real and the bonding in these cations is covalent in nature. The full MO analysis confirmed that S2I42+ contains three sigma and two pi bonds, that the positive charge is essentially equally distributed over all atoms, that the bonding between S2 and two I2+ units in S2I42+ is best described by two mutually perpendicular 4c2e pi*-pi* bonds, and that in Se2I42+, two SeI2+ moieties are joined by a 6c2e pi*-pi* bond, both in agreement with previously suggested models. The VB treatment provided a complementary approach to MO analysis and provided insight how the formation of the weak bonds affects the other bonds. The NBO analysis and the calculated AIM charges showed that the minimization of the electrostatic repulsion between EI2+ units (E = S, Se) and the delocalization of the positive charge are the main factors that explain why the nonclassical structures are favored for S2I42+ and Se2I42+. The difference in the structures of S2I42+ and Se2I42+ is related to the high strength of the S-S pi bond compared to the weak S-I sigma bond and the additional stabilization from increased delocalization of positive charge in the structure of S2I42+ compared to the structure of Se2I42+. The investigation of the E2X42+ series (E = S, Se, Te; X = Cl, Br, I) revealed that only S2I42+ adopts the highly np pi-np pi (n > or = 3)-bonded structure, while all other dications favor the pi-bonded Se2I42+ structure. Theoretical bond order calculations for S2I42+ confirm the previously presented experimentally based bond orders for S-S (2.1-2.3) and I-I (1.3-1.5) bonds. The S-S bond is determined to have the highest reported S-S bond order in an isolated compound and has a bond order that is either similar to or slightly less than the Si-Si bond order in the proposed triply bonded [(Me3Si)2CH]2(iPr)SiSi triple bond SiSi(iPr)[CH(SiMe3)2]2 depending on the definition of bond orders used.


Swimming microorganisms create flows that influence their mutual interactions and modify the rheology of their suspensions. While extensively studied theoretically, these flows have not been measured in detail around any freely-swimming microorganism. We report such measurements for the microphytes Volvox carteri and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The minute (∼0.3%) density excess of V. carteri over water leads to a strongly dominant Stokeslet contribution, with the widely-assumed stresslet flow only a correction to the subleading source dipole term. This implies that suspensions of V. carteri have features similar to suspensions of sedimenting particles. The flow in the region around C. reinhardtii where significant hydrodynamic interaction is likely to occur differs qualitatively from a puller stresslet, and can be described by a simple three-Stokeslet model.


Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) transmit arboviruses affecting wild and domestic ruminants such as bluetongue (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV). The sub‐adult development and lifespan of Culicoides obsoletus s.s. (Meigen), Culicoides circumscriptus Kieffer and Culicoides paolae Boorman were examined at three different temperatures under laboratory conditions. Insects were collected from field between spring and autumn 2015 in two livestock farms located in Majorca (Spain). Gravid females were held individually at 18, 25 or 30 °C. Low temperatures increased the adult lifespan, time to oviposit and rate of development, whereas high temperatures increased the number of eggs, successful pupation and adult emergence as well as the larvae growth rate. The results showed that C. obsoletus s.s. have optimum development at 18 °C, whereas the optimal rearing temperature for C. circumscriptus and C. paolae was under warmer conditions of 25–30 °C. Variations in temperature/humidity and assays with different materials and substrates for oviposition should be considered in future studies. Understanding the requirements of the different species of Culicoides optimizing the results should be of special interest for predicting environmental change effects on these species, in addition to determining the rearing conditions for candidate Culicoides vectors.


Vedolizumab is a humanized monoclonal integrin blocker with gut selective effects on lymphocyte trafficking. Its efficacy and safety for the treatment of moderate to severe Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis were demonstrated by phase III GEMINI studies (GEMINI 1 trial: Vedolizumab as Induction and Maintenance Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis; GEMINI 2 trial: Vedolizumab as Induction and Maintenance Therapy for Crohn's Disease). Post hoc analyses of the GEMINI studies further showed the potential benefit of vedolizumab for treating various extraintestinal manifestations, including arthralgias, pyoderma gangrenosum, erythema nodosum, and uveitis. However, findings lacked statistical significance highlighting the need for more clinical data describing vedolizumab's effects on extraintestinal manifestations. There are currently few case reports describing the effect of vedolizumab on pyoderma gangrenosum specifically. We report a Crohn's disease patient whose severe pyoderma gangrenosum of her legs, abdomen, and face have been inactive since starting vedolizumab.


Chromosome alignment at the spindle equator during metaphase is the most remarkable feature of mitosis, which promotes proper chromosome segregation and depends on the forces exerted at the plus end of kinetochore microtubules and polar ejection forces. However, forces arising from lateral mechanical coupling of kinetochore fibers with non-kinetochore microtubules play a role in chromosome alignment, but the mechanism is unclear. Here we develop a speckle microscopy assay to measure the poleward flux of individual microtubules in spindles of human cells and show that bridging microtubules slide apart and undergo poleward flux at a higher rate than kinetochore microtubules. Depletion of the microtubule coupler NuMa increased the difference in the flux velocity of kinetochore and bridging microtubules, suggesting that sliding forces from the bridging fiber are transmitted largely through NuMa onto the associated kinetochore fibers. Depletions of Kif18A/kinesin-8, Kif4A/kinesin-4, as well as double depletions of Kif18A together with Kif4A or Kif18A together with the crosslinker of antiparallel microtubules PRC1 increased the flux velocity of kinetochore fibers up to the velocity of bridging fibers, due to the increased coupling resulting from the extended antiparallel overlap regions. We found severe kinetochore misalignment after double Kif18A and Kif4A as well as Kif18A and PRC1 depletions compared to a single Kif18A depletion, suggesting that forces within the bridging fiber have a centering effect on the kinetochores. We propose that lateral length-dependent sliding forces that the bridging fiber exerts onto kinetochore fibers drive the movement of kinetochores towards the spindle center, thereby promoting chromosome alignment. . CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license made available under a (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is The copyright holder for this preprint this version posted January 1, 2021. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.30.424837 doi: bioRxiv preprint


Abstract Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the relation between existential attitudes and occupational burnout in nurses. Material and methods. The research sample consisted of 120 nurses. Life Attitudes Profile - Revised (the LAP-R) adapted by R. Klamut and Link Burnout Questionnaire (the LBQ) adapted by A. Jaworowska were used in the research. Results. Psycho-physical exhaustion and relationship deterioration correlate negatively with life goals, internal consistency, life control, death acceptance and positively with existential void and goal seeking. Sense of professional failure and disillusion present a conversely proportional relation with goal, coherence, life control as well as an inversely proportional relation with existential void and goal seeking. Conclusions. The analyses performed in the course of the research proved that existential attitudes accompany burnout in nurses. The obtained results of the authors' own research present cognitive value and can be used to develop both prevention and aid programs aimed at enhancing the quality of personal and professional functioning of nurses.


The case report and expert opinion commentary by Drs. Evans, Kirby, and Purdy on the numb chin syndrome thoroughly reviewed this uncommon sensory neuropathy and appropriately emphasized its ominous implications for the presence of an underlying or a recurrent malignancy. Although treatment is often appropriately focused on managing the underlying etiology, symptomatic therapy may be important, as pain in this syndrome can be severe. The authors seem to be reporting the first case of painful numb chin syndrome treated symptomatically with an agent targeting neuropathic pain. I saw a 15-year-old boy who presented with an acute right painful mental-nerve neuropathy in the context of a sickle cell crisis. Imaging of his maxillofacial structures was unremarkable, and the etiology was ascribed to mental-nerve infarction. His facial pain did not respond to narcotics and aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation. Similar to the case described by Evans et al, oral pregabalin was used to treat the patient symptomatically, mainly because of its efficacy in treating acute neuropathic pain in zoster, where benefit may be seen within 24 h. After 3 days of treatment with pregabalin 75 mg 3 times daily, his facial pain completely ceased, although the chin hypoesthesia remained. Pregabalin was tapered off after 5 days of treatment and the facial pain did not recur in the subsequent 2 weeks. Although the authors state that pain is uncommon in this syndrome, an interesting point for future review would be determining if the presence of pain in a mental-nerve neuropathy is predictive of etiology in a larger series of patients.


Striped patterns are known to bifurcate in reaction-diffusion systems with differential isotropic diffusions at a supercritical Turing instability. In this paper we study the impact of weak anisotropy by directional advection on the stability of stripes with respect to various lattice modes, and the role of quadratic terms therein. We focus on the generic form of planar reaction-diffusion systems with two components near such a bifurcation. Using centre manifold reduction we derive a rigorous parameter expansion for the critical eigenvalues for lattice mode perturbations, specifically nearly square and nearly hexagonal ones. This provides detailed formulae for the loci of stability boundaries under the influence of the advection and quadratic terms. In particular, the well known destabilising effect of quadratic terms can be counterbalanced by advection, which leads to intriguing arrangements of stability boundaries. We illustrate these results numerically by a specific example. Finally, we show numerical computations of these stability boundaries in the extended Klausmeier model for vegetation patterns and show stripes bifurcate stably in the presence of sufficiently strong advection.


Background and Introduction: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a disease of the proliferative trophoblastic allograft. Diagnosis and treatment of GTN in low resource-income countries is challenging due to numerous factors. The objective of this study was to review outcomes of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in women of low socioeconomic status with limited resources and social support. Methods: This study was performed at Gynecologic and Obstetric Clinic of Dakar Teaching Hospital, the reference Centre of Gestational trophoblastic diseases in Senegal from 2006 to 2015. Results: Out of 1088 patients followed for gestational trophoblastic disease during the study period, 108 patients were diagnosed and treated for GTN: 88 low-risk and 20 high-risk. Low-risk patients received an average of 6.9 cycles of initial single-agent chemotherapy. Twelve patients had persistent disease and were switched to a second line multi-agent chemotherapy. Finally 94.3% of low-risk patients achieved remission. All high-risk patients were initially treated with multi-agent chemotherapy, averaging 7 cycles. Five of the eighty-eight low-risk patients and twelve of the 20 high-risk patients died of disease. Conclusion and Global Health Implications: Early adequate treatment ensures an excellent prognosis for patients with GTN. In low-income countries, difficulties encountered in diagnosis and treatments worsen the prognosis of GTN patients. Clinical trials are needed to find out affordable schedules or drugs for a better treatment.


Natural and induced fractures and faults have strong impact on fluid flow in hydrocarbon formations and aquifers, governing flow paths and sweep efficiency. Recent reservoir simulations have shown significant changes in flow characteristics when accounting for dynamic fracture behaviour. These effects may be exploited for production optimization and improved hydrocarbon recovery. Modern fracture modelling techniques integrating seismic and well data are efficient in representation of actual fracture geometry and estimation/up-scaling of fracture properties for reservoir simulation. However, dynamic fracture behaviour has got limited attention so far. Experimental studies have shown that stress changes caused fracture closure and shear deformations. This leads to changes in fracture properties, particularly conductivity. Disregard of dynamic permeability in conventional pressure transient and production analyses motivated studies with focus on characterizing dynamic fractures. As a result new interpretation techniques have been developed to complement a workflow which takes well test, production and core data into account in estimating dynamic fracture impact on permeability in reservoir models. In this paper main stages of the workflow with some examples of a naturally fractured reservoir and prospects to characterize dynamic hydraulic fractures and faults are discussed. Potential areas for application of dynamic fracture characterization and simulation are considered.


On 20 April 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform killed 11 people, and the subsequent blowout of the deepwater wellhead sparked one of the most costly oil spills in history. In the days and months that followed, researchers and disaster response crews flocked to the Gulf of Mexico to study, assess, and guide cleanup operations. In the AGU monograph Monitoring and Modeling the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: A Record-Breaking Enterprise, editors Yonggang Liu, Amy MacFadyen, Zhen-Gang Ji, and Robert H. Weisberg pull together the results of the state-of-the-art rapid response research conducted during the Gulf oil spill. Here Eos talks to Yonggang Liu.


This study aimed at: 1) investigating what kinds of authentic materials are used  by the  English  teacher  of  SMP  Al-Islam  1  Surakarta;  2)  exploring  the reading activities that could be done using authentic material; 3) identifying the reading indicators that can be improved by using authentic material; 4) investigating the factors that influence teacher's decision in using authentic material as reading supplementary materials; and 5) identifying teachers' role in the use of authentic material in teaching reading.This study applied qualitative case study design conducted at SMP Al- Islam 1 Surakarta. The subjects of this study were chosen through purposive sampling, i.e. an English teacher and some eighth grade students of SMP Al-Islam 1 Surakarta. The data of this study were obtained from observation, interview, and documents analysis. Meanwhile, the analysis technique was adopted from the "bottom-up" approach designed by Creswell.The findings of this study are:  1) The authentic materials used by the eighth grade teacher of Al-Islam Junior High School are texts obtained from the internet, printed story book, videos, and pictures; 2) The reading activities conducted by the eighth grade teacher of Al-Islam Junior High School through the use of authentic materials as supplementary materials are reading aloud, walking gallery,  filling  in  blanks,  rearranging  jumbled  paragraphs,  doing  cloze  tasks, having short answer tasks, conducting information transfer, having text analysis, and doing some vocabulary ordering; 3) Through the use of authentic materials, students' vocabulary mastery and ability in understanding reading text improve; 4) The reasons for using authentic materials are demotivated students and unappealing English text book material, and also to create lively atmosphere in the classroom; and 5) The teacher's roles in the use of authentic materials in reading lessons are as a manager and a resource provider. The result of this study shows that authentic materials can help the teacher design various lively reading activities. Besides, the result of the study also indicates that students' vocabulary and text understanding can be improved through the use authentic materials in teaching reading.


This paper investigates the effect of user grasping position on the performance of haptic rendering. Two dynamic models, with seven and eleven parameters, respectively, have been used to characterize the PHANToM haptic interface and the user. The parameter variability analysis shows that user grasping position significantly affects system dynamics. This variation also influences the phase margin of the system, leading to different damping factors in response to contacts with rigid virtual objects. To compensate this effect, an adaptive haptic rendering has been developed and successfully implemented, imposing a similar damping factor in the transient responses for all grip positions.


Soil supporting foundations for infrastructural assets such as bridges are repeatedly subjected to dynamic loading from passing traffic. The load-displacement characteristics are nonlinear at even small to medium strains, however this effect is mostly modelled using secant stiffness models with effective linear stiffness. This simplification enables a pseudo linear model to encapsulate the effects of a nonlinear system with some accuracy. Linear models have a frequency related to the amplitude of the load used to specify the secant stiffness. Nonlinear models, however, have a range of frequencies due to the changing stiffness of the system resulting from the amplitude of the input load. There is growing uncertainty surrounding the response of foundation systems to damage effects. In particular scour erosion, which is the term used to describe removal of soil from around foundation elements by hydraulic action, presents a significant hazard to infrastructure and is becoming more prevalent with increased flooding risk due to climate change effects. This paper describes a numerical framework to incorporate a basis for nonlinearities in the load-displacement response modelling of pile foundations. The Newmark-Beta nonlinear integration solver is implemented in the study. A case study is presented of a pile foundation subjected to a range of load types and progressive scour damage, and the calculated response from the various conditions is evaluated. Periodic loads of varying amplitude are implemented. Effective linear models are developed based on the secant stiffness approach and compared to the nonlinear systems. The paper presents the numerical basis for the analysis, results of the case study and advice on modelling issues relevant to analyses of this nature.


Objective/Purpose: The study intended to clarify the restoring effects of an alcoholic seabuckthorn extract on the cell-mediated immunity in chickens with Gumboro disease. Material and Methods: Graft rejection was performed in vivo on healthy, Gumboro virus infected and convalescent chickens, by injecting 0.1 ml of a sheep lymphocyte suspension (5x106 cells/ml) mixed 1:1 with either saline or an alcoholic seabuckthorn extract. Wattle thickness was measured before and 24, 48 and 72 hours post injection and rejection indices were calculated. An in vitro blast transformation test was carried out on heparinized blood samples from the three groups. Blast transformation indices were calculated after 48 h at 37oC, for PHA M and seabuckthorn treated cultures, by glucose concentration measurements. The statistical significance of the differences was interpreted by Student's t-test. Results & Discussion: The wattle thickness decreased from 24 onwards in all categories, while seabuckthorn increased the wattle response the most in healthy (40 ± 0.43mm) and the least (19.03 ± 0.11) in diseased chickens (p<0.01-0.001), which also showed the strongest inhibitory activity during blast transformation (-1.5 ±2.7%). Conclusion: The in vivo cell-mediated immune response seemed more fit than the in vitro test to evaluate the immunological role of alcoholic seabuckthorn extracts.


Abstract: The present report describes use of nucleic acid sequence‐based amplification (NASBA) technology to detect pp67 mRNA of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in transplant patients in India. In our experience, pp67 mRNA assay was an accurate, rapid, and effective diagnostic tool to detect active CMV disease in 40.7% (50/123) of symptomatic transplant cases. This assay also allowed us to monitor CMV therapy. As part of the immunosuppressive regimen mycophenolate mofetil was found to increase the risk of developing CMV disease. All positive cases with this assay were subjected to antiviral therapy, with complete remission of the disease. At our center CMV NASBA assay has become the gold standard for the diagnosis of CMV disease in transplant patients.


Second-crop, mixed grass-legume forage was ensiled in four bunker silos either untreated or after application at the forage harvester of an enzyme mixture containing cellulase, xylanase, cellobiase, and glucose oxidase, a commercial inoculant, or both additives combined. Sixteen multiparous midlactation Holstein cows in a 4 x 4 Latin square design received each silage in a 50:50 forage: concentrate diet to determine effects of silage additives on milk production and composition. Enzyme treatment reduced silage pH, concentrations of xylose and total sugars, and concentration and proportion of cell-wall arabinose. Titratable acidity, buffering capacity, concentration of residual water-soluble carbohydrate, and digestibility of DM in vitro were increased, and levels of silage structural carbohydrates were reduced. Inoculation, both alone and in the combined treatment, reduced silage pH compared with control, but inoculation alone was more effective than the combination. Enzyme treatment increased DMI and production of milk, FCM, SCM, milk protein, and milk SNF. The two silage additives were antagonistic when combined and did not improve silage fermentation, nutritional value, or animal performance, and enzyme degradation of forage structural carbohydrates was reduced. Inoculation also reduced silage aerobic stability. Combination of enzyme systems with inoculants requires careful evaluation to avoid antagonistic interactions.


To the Editor:

Beare-Stevenson syndrome (BSS; OMIM 123790) is a rare craniosynostosis syndrome characterized by cutis gyrata, acanthosis nigricans, skin tags, anogenital anomalies and a prominent umbilicus. Two activating point mutations in FGFR2, p.Y375C and p.S372C, account for 50–60% of patients with BSS, and locus and/or allelic heterogeneity have been proposed. We present a novel deletion of 21 amino acids in the FGFR2 gene, c.859del63, in a patient with BSS. BSS results from a gain of FGFR2 function, and this deletion may act by altering the splicing of isoform IIIc, resulting in illegitimate expression and thus a gain of function of FGFR2b.

The propositus was delivered by cesarean for a dizygotic twin pregnancy at term to a 40-year-old, G3 P2-4 mother and a 48-year-old father. Birth parameters were weight 3,860 g (75–90th centile for a singleton male), length 51 cm (50–75th centile for a singleton male) and head circumference 36.5 cm (75–90th centile for a singleton male). Striking craniofacial features were present, including ocular proptosis with hypoplasia of the supraorbital ridges, hypertelorism with a divergent strabismus, deep creases below his eyes, a high nasal bridge, midface hypoplasia, complete atresia of the external ear canals with a left preauricular pit and bilateral ear creases. There were multiple neonatal teeth, gingival hyperplasia and a high-arched, narrow palate with a bifid uvula. Cutaneous features included cutis gyrata and acanthosis nigricans of the posterior scalp, small skin tags at the corners of the mouth, excess neck skin and a prominent umbilicus with redundant skin. A sacral tag, hypospadias and a prominent scrotal raphe were present. Examination of the hands and feet showed redundant palmar and plantar skin, slightly broad thumbs and halluces and mild skin syndactyly of the second and third toes with overlapping fourth toes. Investigations for a flat occiput and a prominent forehead at four months of age showed fusion of the posterior aspect of the sagittal and the proximal lambdoid sutures and cranial vault remodeling was performed at seven months. Bilateral choanal stenosis and a mild to moderate mixed hearing loss requiring hearing aids were present. Ophthalmological examination detected mild optic nerve hypoplasia and high myopia with astigmatism requiring corrective lenses. Obstructive sleep apnea was treated with a tracheostomy and a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed because of an Arnold-Chiari malformation with hydrocephalus. His length was 107 cm at age six years (3rd centile), but his other growth parameters were normal. He has had initial mild motor delays, but the propositus' neurodevelopmental progress was normal.

A clinical diagnosis of BSS was made shortly after birth. At that time, targeted re-sequencing for the two previously known FGFR2 mutations, p.Y375 C and p.S372 C [Przylepa et al., 1996], was performed on DNA extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes from the propositus, and was negative.

The diagnosis of a rhabdomyosarcoma in his twin when both were five years of age prompted further re-sequencing of FGFR2 in the propositus, and a de novo, intragenic deletion of 63 nucleotides starting in exon 8 of the gene, c.859del63, was detected (Fig. 2). This deletion predicts the loss of 21 amino acids from the FGFR2 protein. This mutation was considered to be pathogenic because of the classical BSS phenotype in the propositus and the location of the deletion in FGFR2. Table 1 summarizes the clinical features of BSS patients with known FGFR2 mutations, including this child. Both parents and his dizygotic twin brother were sequenced for the same mutation, and all were negative (data not shown). Neither his parents or twin brother showed any signs of BSS, and both parents have had normal health.

Fig. 2

Forward chromatogram showing the start of the deletion, c.859del63 (indicated by arrow) in FGFR2 in the propositus. Numbering is from first nucleotide of start codon (A) = 1. The deletion is exonic and results in the loss of amino acids 287–308 ...

Table I

Beare-Stevenson Syndrome Clinical Features Compared to the Propositus in this Report

The four fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) share similar organization, with an extracellular domain that has three immunoglobulin-like (Ig-like) domains (IgI, IgII, IgIII), a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic region containing a catalytic protein tyrosine kinase core and additional regulatory sequences. The Ig-like domains bind fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) resulting in the dimerization of adjacent FGFRs and phosphorylation and activation of the tyrosine kinase domain [Bochukova et al., 2008]. Three exons of FGFR2 (IgIIIa, b, and c) may be alternatively spliced to form either FGFR2b (IgIIIa and IgIIIb), which is expressed in ectoderm and binds FGF1, FGF3, FGF7 and FGF10, or FGFR2c (IgIIIa and IgIIIC), which is expressed in mesenchyme and does not bind FGF10 [Bochukova et al., 2008]. The deletion present in the propositus was located in exon 8 of FGFR2 that encodes the IgIIIa domain. Mutations in IgIIIa have previously been associated with Crouzon syndrome [OMIM123500], Pfeiffer syndrome [OMIM 101600] and Jackson-Weiss syndrome [OMIM123150]. In Crouzon syndrome, the mutations commonly create or destroy a cysteine residue, resulting in an unpaired cysteine that forms a disulphide bond and leads to constitutive activation of FGFR2 (gain of function) independent of ligand binding [Meyers et al., 1996; Lajeunie et al., 2006]. Similarly, the two previously identified BSS mutations, p.Y375C and p.S372C, have been hypothesized to affect both the BEK (FGFR2c) and KGFR (FGFR2b) isoforms of FGFR2 and cause disease by constitutive activation of these isoforms, although functional studies have not been performed [Przylepa et al., 1996]. Deletions of FGFR2 are exceedingly rare - a frameshift deletion of IIIc has been described (958_959delAC, causing p.T320GfsX5 in a family with Jackson-Weiss syndrome [Lajeunie et al., 2006]) and a 1.93 kb deletion removing IIIc has been described in Apert syndrome [Bochukova et al., 2008]. These deletions are thought to cause disease by altering the splicing of isoform IIIc, resulting in illegitimate expression (and thus a gain of function) of FGFR2b in fibroblasts, which are mesenchymally derived, and normally only express FGFR2c. A similar activating mechanism, although unproven, could be present in this child.

In summary, we present a novel FGFR2 deletion, c.859del63, in a male with some typical features of BSS, including a craniofacial appearance similar to Crouzon syndrome and additional dermatological findings of cutis gyrata, acanthosis nigricans, skin furrows with loose palmar and plantar skin, skin tags and a prominent umbilicus. His atypical findings for BSS, for example, neonatal teeth and external auditory canal atresia, add to the phenotypic information for this condition.


Serious traffic congestion is a major social problem in large cities. Inefficient setting of traffic signal cycles, especially, is one of the main causes of congestion. Green Wave is a method for controlling traffic signals which allows one-way traffic to pass through a series of intersections without being stopped by a red light. Green Wave was tested in several cities around the world, but the results were not satisfactory. Two of the problems with Green Wave are that it still stops the crossing traffic, and it forms congestion in the traffic turning into or out of the crossing streets. To solve these problems, we propose a method of controlling traffic signals, GreenSwirl, in combination with a route guidance method, GreenDrive. GreenSwirl controls traffic signals to enable a smooth flow of traffic through signals times to turn green in succession and through non-stop circular routes through the city. The GreenWave technology is extended thereby. We also use navigation systems to optimize the overall control of the city's traffic. We did a simulation using the traffic simulator SUMO and the road network of Manhattan Island in New York. We confirmed that our method shortens the average travel time by 10%-60%, even when not all cars on the road are equipped to use this system.


AtCAX4 is a member of the Ca 2+ /H + exchangers (CAX) family was cloned from cDNA library of Arabidopsis thaliana . AtCAX4 was expressed in all Arabidopsis plant organs, with the highest level in root under normal conditions by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The expression of AtCAX4 gene is response to Na + , Ca 2+ and Ba 2+ in both the leaves and roots of Arabidopsis . In addition, the pYES2- AtCAX4 transformants confers tolerance to Na + , Ca 2+ and Ba 2+ ions in yeast. These results suggest that AtCAX4 play important role in increasing the Na + , Ca 2+ or Ba 2+ tolerance of yeast.


Introduction. At present, the house-building industry, that produces timber structures, is in the process of sufficiently intensive development; however, high flammability of wood is the factor that restrains widespread use of timber in construction. The purpose of this work is to optimize the conditions of application of fire-retardant timber in the construction industry. The co-authors believe that the following problems are to be solved to attain this objective:● a comparative analysis of the fireproofing efficiency of several fire-proofing agents applied to different species of wood;● determination of the character of influence produced by fire proofing agents on fire retardant properties of wood.Methods of research. The fire proofing efficiency of sample compositions designated for wood was measured in compliance with the benchmark testing method specified in GOST R 53292 (p. 6.2). Experiments were launched pursuant to the methodology and with the help of measurement instruments specified in GOST 30244–94 (Method 2) to study the extent of the pine-tree timber flammability suppression. Critical values of thermal loads that may trigger inflammation and flame propagation in timber structures, that can be described using values of the critical surface density of the heat flow, were determined pursuant to GOST 30402–96 and GOST R 51032–97. The toxicity of combustion products and the smoke generation ability of fire-retardant pine-tree samples was assessed using standard methods and measurement instruments pursuant to GOST 12.1.044–89 (paragraphs 4.18 and 4.20).Research results and discussion. Biological flame retardants, integrated biological flame retardants that also ensure moisture protection, intumescent coatings, lacquers and varnishes that are ready for use and labelled as having group I and II fire-retardant efficiency pursuant to GOST R 53292, were studied in the course of this research project. The co-authors have identified that the mass loss by all fire-retardant compositions is below 9 %, if applied to samples of larch and oak-tree timber, same as if it were applied to standard samples of pine-tree timber.The findings of the experiment conducted to assess the flammability, ignitibility, flame propagation, smoke generation ability and toxicity of combustion products have proven the maximal efficiency of the composition designated for full-cell pressure impregnation of timber that ensures the properties of the material labelled as G1, V1, RP1, T2, D2.Conclusions. Hence, the research results have enabled the co-authors to assess the discrepancy between average mass loss values demonstrated by the samples of different species of timber (alder, linden, pine-tree, larch, and oak-tree).The comprehensive study of flammability properties of timber, treated by compositions that vary in their chemical composition and mode of action of the fire proofing agent, enabled the co-authors to identify the impact produced by versatile fire-proofing agents on different flammability properties of pine-tree timber with regard taken of the fire-safe use of construction materials and constructions of buildings and structures.


Previous research has identified that children and adolescents, typically males, with behaviour problems have poorer empathic skills than their nonbehaviour disordered peers (e.g. De Wied, Goudena & 'Matthys, 2005). Since increased empathy is positively associated with prosocial behaviour and negatively associated with aggression (Strayer & Roberts, 2004) investigating what factors might affect child empathy might be of value in developing proactive and reactive interventions. Chapter 1 aims to review the current knowledge-base and to highlight the variety of parental factors which may affect empathy development in the typically developing child. Limitations of the research and suggestions for future research are discussed. Understanding how empathy develops in the typically developing child is important in order to understand where and why empathy development goes wrong. ! Chapter 2 presents an empirical study investigating empathy in boys with behavioural problems. This study aimed to investigate whether empathy scores were dependant on the relationship between the observer and the observed person. The findings offer some support for the prediction that empathy scores are enhanced when participants empathise with someone they have ~ positive relationship with. The thesis concludes with a reflective paper (Chapter 3) which considers the controversy between reductionism and holism in research and practice.


This paper considers the role of theory in our understanding of economic phenomena. While theoretical findings are sometimes claimed to have direct, real world relevance, this is based on rhetoric rather than logic. Theory can and has been considered as analogy, metaphor or framing. These aspects are discussed, along with the suitability of theoretical formulations, in particular perfect competition, as a basis for real world decisions. The issue of consistency is considered in relation to theory. Alternative interpretations are illustrated using the Tversky and Kahneman life/death rational choice case. These suggest that insufficient attention may be given to simplifying assumptions, or to the possibility of alternative explanations that are also consistent with the evidence. The rhetoric of acceptance and rejection of theory is then considered, and results are placed in the context of group membership and perspectives.


The goal of this paper is to present the philosophies for the qualification and flow loop testing of FCD nozzles as well as the macroscopic implementation and operations of FCDs in SAGD producer wells. A quantitative methodology to evaluate FCD nozzles to choke back steam will be presented. Flow loop testing data will be shown to illustrate the qualification process. We will also discuss if sand control screens should be put on the tubing deployed inflow control devices. Some modeling and field examples will be shown. In the end, field data of the SAGD producer wells installed with the FCDs will be presented. Experience to manage and operate the wells will be shared.


In the present report, we have determined the gonadal free amino acid compositions in Oreochromis niloticus collected from three sites in Lake Mariut: SE basin (less polluted), main basin (moderately polluted) and SW basin (highly polluted), in an attempt to develop sensitive biomarker to evaluate pollution effects from multiple sources. Variations of free amino acids (FAAs) were apparent in the polluted sites; total FAAs in testes and ovaries exhibited significant increases as compared to the less polluted site. This increase was attributed to increases in all individual amino acids including essential and non-essential ones. ANOVA indicated significant changes in all testicular FAAs, excluding phenylalanine. Levels of non-essential amino acids showed obvious alterations in ovaries. However, the increase in most essential amino acids, although insignificant, yet it was quite observable. In addition, the ratio of essential to non-essential amino acids was insignificantly decreased in gonads. This may be indicative of changes in protein metabolism.


This paper analyzes the operation of the balance-of-payments (BoP) constraint on developing economies, with a special emphasis to the link between inflation targets, real-exchange-rate dynamics and growth in the short and in the long run. The analysis starts with a brief survey of the main models of the BoP constraint. Using a "canonical" BoP-constraint model, the paper investigates how inflation targets can influence growth in the long run through the impact of real exchange rates on the income elasticities of exports and imports. Based on Woo (2005) and Frenkel and Taylor (2006), the basic theoretical argument is that short-run inflation management may imply substantial and prolonged changes in real exchange rates, which in their turn may not only increase financial fragility, but also change the very own BoP constraint on growth in the long run. The main conclusion of the paper is that the real exchange rate can be an important instrument to foster growth and development through temporary but sufficiently long changes in the relative price between tradable and non-tradable goods.


Objective: To examine the characteristics of the digital subtraction angiography of inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) in elderly Chinese patients over 65 years old. Methods: Totally 64 cases who underwent angiography of IMA were selected from the Department of General Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, including 42 males and 22 females, aging (70.9±5.1) years (range: 60 to 88 years). The origin, diameter and trunk length of IMA were analyzed. The distribution of IMA branching and the relationship between LCA and IMV at the level of IMA opening position were revealed. Also, the range of IMA perfusion, Riolan arch and IMA occlusion were observed. Results: All 64 patients underwent IMA angiography successfully. The diameter of IMA was (3.2±0.5) mm (range: 2.6 to 4.4 mm), and the trunk length was (3.8±1.0) cm (range: 1.1 to 7.0 mm). According to IMA classification standard, there were 26 patients with type Ⅰ (40.6%), 24 patients with type Ⅱ (37.5%), 12 patients with type Ⅲ (18.8%), 2 patients with type Ⅳ(3.1%). The horizontal distance between IMV and LCA was less than 0.5 cm in 58 cases (90.6%) and more than 0.5 cm in 6 cases (9.4%). IMA perfusion was interrupted at the splenic flexure in elderly patients in 14 cases (21.9%), including 11 cases terminated at splenic flexure and 3 cases terminated at descending colon. Riolan arch was found in only 4 of 64 patients (6.2%). Two patients (3.1%) had IMA or its branch occlusion, the arterial perfusion were compensated by Drummond arch without Riolan arch. Conclusions: The anatomy of IMA should be taken attention seriously in laparoscopic left-colorectal cancer radical resection. IMA shape, type, blood supply range and the relationship between LCA and IMV could be considered by the angiography or other examination, which can help to determine the ligation position of blood vessels, which could optimize the operation strategy.


BACKGROUND
Autism is a widespread developmental disorder that occurs mostly among children. Children with autism are prone to problematic behaviors due to their deficiencies in language communication and social development. Thus, children with a high degree of autism suffer lower life satisfaction. Moreover, sensory integration dysfunction is closely related to autism. Therefore, the effect of Sensory Integration Training (SIT) on the behaviors and quality of life of children with autism was explored in this study.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS
From September 2017 to December 2018, 108 patients from Fuzhou Fourth Hospital and Xiangtan Fifth Hospital were included in the intervention group (group A) and the control group (group B), with 54 members in each group. The 54 members in group B, with an average age of 5.18±2.94, received routine treatment. In addition to the same routine treatment, the members in group B also received sensory integration training and physical exercise intervention, which lasted for three months. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) were used before and after the intervention experiment to evaluate the curative effect.

RESULTS
After the treatment, statistically significant differences were observed in the CARS and ABC scores (P<0.05); the total effective rate was 86.11% in group A and 64.10% in group B. The difference in the CARS score was statistically significant (P<0.05), whereas the difference in the ABC score was also statistically significant (P<0.05). In general, the difference in CARS is statistically significant. Specifically, group A is better than group B, t=3.492, df=73, and bilateral P=0.001<0.01.

CONCLUSIONS
SIT intervention had a certain effect on autism and is of great value for the future development of SIT courses or intervention programs for children with autism.


Clonal lines of immortal Syrian hamster cells were previously isolated that either suppressed (supB+) tumorigenicity in hybrids with a malignant hamster cell line (BP6T) or had lost this suppression ability (supB-). Neither line was tumorigenic or showed anchorage-independent growth in normal growth medium. SupB- cells, but not supB+ cells, grew in agar supplemented with the growth factors EGF, PDGF and insulin (EPI), providing a selective assay for the supB- phenotype. After treatment of supB+ cells with either N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (10-300 ng/ml) or 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (25-250 ng/ml), and an expression period of 4-8 weeks, a dose-dependent increase in altered cells that grew in agar supplemented with EPI was observed. Cell lines derived from colonies in agar showed persistent EPI-stimulated growth in agar, and decreased suppression of growth in agar for hybrids with BP6T cells. Thus, carcinogen-induced loss of the tumor suppressor phenotype has been demonstrated.


The discussion about mystical intuition, imagination and reason has been a main problem for philosophers and mystics and some discussions has been made about the limits of understanding and perception of each concept. Ibn Arabi is one of the biggest Islamic mystics and has remarkable views in this field and his works in the field of mystic are of great importance. Sad Aldin Shirazi, Iranian philosopher from the Safavi era, known as Mola Sadra, which is one of the illuminated philosophers, has done lots of research about Ibn Arabi's works. In this study, we compare the point of views of these two philosophers and their perception about the understanding the nature of God, while analyzing the opinions of them about reason, imagination and mystical intuition. We have concluded that Mola Sadra, as same as Ibn Arabi, considers reason the first being and the Mohhamadi truth and categorizes it and says that the reason of creatures is limited for understanding God. In his opinion, reason gets help from feeling and imagination to compensate for this flaw which helps it in the form of mystical intuition. Therefore, reason is not in contradiction with imagination and mystical intuition but mystical intuition grows with the help of reason and imagination.


Previous research has shown that aviation fuel pumps, which consist of a screw and centrifugal wheels are the most loaded units of the gas turbine engines. Thus a fuel pump is the key component that limits the reliability and endurance of the fuel system and, as a result, of the whole engine.This paper describes the results of CFD simulations of the process getting free gas to enter the combined pump. The CFD analysis has been used to calculate an unsteady three-dimensional viscous flow of multi-component fluid in the fuel pump. The calculations have been used to determine unsteady loads of fuel pump in different operating modes. To examine the efficiency of the CFD analysis, we conducted a series of experiments. The experimental results proved the accuracy of the numerical model. The results can help to develop measures for the reduction of dynamic loads in aviation fuel pumps in case where combined air is at entrance to pump.Copyright © 2014 by ASME


Background Many types of graft tissue have been used to reconstruct the posterior lamella of the eyelids in cases of full-thickness defect, lid retraction, and loss of lower lid stability. In this study, lower lateral cartilage of the nose was used for the reconstruction of posterior lamella of the eyelids, which mimics the tarsal plate in shape, thickness, and size. Material and Methods This study included 10 patients who underwent lid reconstruction to support tarsal plate strength and repair full-thickness defects of the eyelids due to tumor excision and trauma. While anterior lamella was reconstructed with local or regional flaps, posterior lamella was repaired by using either chondromucosal or chondral graft of the lower lateral cartilage of the nose. Graft harvesting was performed on the inner surface of the alar rim by turning it inside out. Results Cartilage grafts were sufficient to reconstruct the tarsal plate in all of the patients having eyelid defects of various sizes. In 3 patients, horizontal half of the eyelid was defective, in 3 patients 3/4, and in 2 patients 4/5 of the lids were missing. The inferior eyelid was totally reconstructed in 1 patient. Surgical outcomes provided good lid symmetry and esthetics, patient satisfaction, and proper lid function without any nasal deformity, incision scar, or discomfort. Conclusions Ala graft provides a thin, pliable, and curved cartilage for the eyelid reconstruction. It has a high similarity with the anatomy of the tarsal plate, making it adaptable to the convex surface of the eyeball, and making 3 dimensional repair possible.


BACKGROUND
We sought to determine the efficacy and specificity of a new c-myb antisense by inhibiting neointimal hyperplasia in a rat abdominal aorta injury model. Using c-myb antisense oligonucleotides, inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation has been reported.

METHODS
Sixty-six male Wistar rats had a de-endothelialization of the abdominal aorta. Following a double blind randomization protocol, F127 pluronic gel containing one of the five oligonucleotides or plain gel was applied around the aorta: 1) 18-mer c-myb antisense (AS18) with four contiguous guanosines (G-quartet); 2) 15-mer c-myb antisense (AS15) without G-quartet; 3) 1-bp mismatch AS15 without G-quartet (MM1); 4) an oligonucleotide with G-quartet (4G), whereas the other bases were chosen at random; 5) 1-bp mismatch 4G without G-quartet (MM2). After 21 days all rats were sacrificed and aortas harvested for histomorphometric evaluation. Four rats were given fluorescent-labeled oligonucleotides to study in vivo localization after local advential delivery.

RESULTS
Morphometric analysis showed significant suppression of neointimal hyperplasia in AS18 and 4G and MM2 groups compared with GEL, AS15 and MM1 groups (p<0.05). The oligonucleotide-labeled aortas showed penetration of the oligonucleotides into the media which increased with time.

CONCLUSIONS
Our findings pointed to the potential non specificity of the c-myb antisense oligonucleotide in vivo. Such results will minimize the importance of antisense strategy as a potential therapeutic for preventing neointimal hyperplasia. The two oligonucleotides with a G-quartet inhibited neointimal hyperplasia in our model. Exploring a non-antisense mechanism, G-quartet oligonucleotides as potential drugs to reduce neointimal hyperplasia is attractive.


In Europe, Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections in livestock have been reported in several countries, particularly in northern and central Europe, where the climate is temperate or cold. In these regions, the infection is most commonly observed in grazing animals, such as cattle and sheep, during the summer months. The prevalence of A. phagocytophilum infection in livestock can also vary within countries depending on the farming practices and management of the animals. Different studies report varying rates of infection in different countries and regions. In Europe, seroprevalence in livestock has been reported to range from 0% to 55%, with higher rates observed in regions with high tick densities. Molecular methods detect 0% to 85.71% (in animals with clinical symptoms) and 23.94% (using random selection) of A. phagocytophilum genetic material in farm animals. As the infections of Anaplasma spp. bacterium are often asymptomatic or clinical symptoms are not specific in some cases, we hypothesise that there are more anaplasmosis cases in Europe than expected. In this review we analysed scientific data excluding clinical cases, even though there are multiple cases described in different countries in the region of our review.


This study reports the results obtained through a stride to explore the type and extent of syntactic transfer in the early stages of adult L3 and L4 acquisition. Null-subject parameter (NSP) is a well-known and highly studied syntactic feature in generative studies on third language (L3) acquisition. Following a principles and parameters framework, the underlying principle of language is that languages have pronouns and the parametric variation is that Persian and Italian allow the pronouns to be dropped when in subject position. OV property of embedded clauses has also set itself as the basis of some formal studies on the realm of learning multiple languages. Whereas, the former set the languages with values of [+null-subject] and [-null-subject], the latter creates the language pairings as OV and non-OV languages. The syntactic licensing of null L3 and overt L4 pronominal subjects in declarative main clauses and the OV property in relative clauses were investigated to provide us with new insights on the true architecture of incipient multilingualism and, as such, to clarify the situation of a polyglot. The present instrumental case study was set to challenge the role of transfer during the acquisition of syntax in the initial state of adult L3 and L4. To quantify the cases of correct/incorrect suppliance of the features under investigation, the spontaneous, audio-recorded, productions of a Persian (L1)-speaking learner of L3 Italian and L4 German with advance L2 English proficiency were analyzed using obligatory occasion analysis and target like use analysis formulas. Based on the accuracy percentages generated via the formulas, the L2 status factor was consistently identified to play a significant role in the acquisition of L3 Italian and L4 German initial grammar.


Lower and upper bounds are established for the combinatorial problem of constructing minimal test sets for error detection in multiprocessor systems. The construction for detecting two errors produces minimal test sets, while that for three errors produces test sets whose size exceeds the lower bound by at most one. Also presented is a divide-and-conquer construction scheme for four or more errors. >


Ownership concentration as a governance mechanism has received considerable attention among academician, practitioners as well as policy makers because large-block shareholders are increasingly active in their demands that corporations adopt effective governance mechanisms to control managerial decisions, which include corporate debt policy. Earlier study on the agency model of the firm widely recognizes that the managerial ownership and external debt play an important role in mitigating agency conflicts and enhancing firm value. They also found that increase in the external monitors, for example the institutional investors, can actually play a useful role in limiting agency problems in the firm. This paper, using 100 Composite Index companies from Brusa Malaysia between 1998 to 2002 explores the impact of institutional holdings on managerial ownership and debt policy in an integrated framework by using a simultaneous equations estimation procedure (2SLS). The findings show that there is a significant impact of institutional ownership which serves effective control mechanism on managerial ownership and corporate debt policy as hypothesized. Findings of such evidence suggest that institutional holding thus have played an important role in managers' strategic management decision and reduce agency conflict. In addition, corporate debt policy too is governed by managerial ownership and exhibited a negative relation.


This article presents mEDA-2, an extension to PVM which provides Virtual Shared Memory, VSM, for intertask communication and synchronization. mEDA-2 consists of functions to access VSM and a daemon to manage parallel program termination. Access to VSM is based on the semantics of the EDA parallel programming model. The aim of developing mEDA-2 was to facilitate construction of parallel programs in PVM by providing a unified approach to message passing and shared memory models.


Four male outpatients, all on stable long-term hemodialysis, were by accident simultaneously exposed to hypotonic dialysate. Three of them developed increased serum amylase values and one died from the consequences of a fulminant pancreatitis, which had been verified by laparatomy.