TIGHT glycemic control has been a topic of intense and sometimes heated discussion for the past 7 yr. The prospect of a low-cost, high-impact intervention has spawned a movement to define best practices and apply intensive insulin therapy to a wide variety of patients. Contrarily, skeptics are concerned about overstatement of benefit and inappropriate extrapolation, and have called for restraint. The concept that glycemic control might benefit certain tissues under certain circumstances is lost in the larger debate. The study by Blasi-Ibañez et al. in this month's ANESTHESIOLOGY refocuses attention on specific organ function, crosses the boundary between clinical and bench research, and raises new interesting questions. Cadaveric organ donation provides a unique set of circumstances under which biology and medicine might be studied in both an isolated model and a living patient. Although it is not completely clear which patient populations benefit most from tight glycemic control, one of the major suggested benefits has been a reduced incidence of renal dysfunction. It is therefore reasonable to wonder if tight glycemic control in kidney donors might be associated with improved graft function in the recipient. In rodent models of diabetes, a variety of specific mechanisms of injury to the kidneys have been described, including mesangial glycosylation, protein deposition, impaired vasoregulation, overfiltration, loss of membrane integrity, and proteinuria, some of which might be improved by glycemic control, insulin therapy, or both. The unique circumstances of cadaveric organ donation permit a thorough analysis of the mechanisms of renal injury to the point that phenomena in animals may now be studied in humans meta vivo. Blasi-Ibañez et al. collected demographic and clinical data, including 4512 glucose measurements, from 458 brain-dead organ donors. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that average serum glucose in the donor was the strongest predictor of serum creatinine and calculated glomerular filtration rate at organ procurement. Perhaps as importantly, greater variability in glucose level was also strongly associated with worse graft function. As with any retrospective study, the analysis by BlasiIbañez et al. is limited to available data, which did not include information about graft function in the kidney recipients. Readers of this study are intensely interested in whether glomerular filtration rate (or even more specific measures of renal physiology) at procurement predicts function in the recipient and whether proteinuria in the donor foreshadows proteinuria in the recipient, two critical questions unanswered in this study. As with all good studies, this paper is likely to stimulate further inquiry into the relationship between renal injury and hyperglycemia. Disentangling cause and effect is difficult in medicine, and extraordinarily difficult in retrospective studies. For example, in this study thrombocytopenia also correlated with decreased renal function in the donor. Thrombocytopenia, almost certainly a marker of severity of illness, could also cause renal injury. Thrombocytes produce prostaglandins, and this process is altered in diabetes; prostaglandins modulate renal blood flow. The correlation in this study does not clarify the mechanism of the finding. Another important consideration is the definition of glycemic control in this study. Glucose in the patients at intensive care unit admission was 205 81 mg/dL, rising to 241 68 mg/dL before organ procurement, and exceeding 200 mg/dL in 72% of donors. These values exceed levels in control groups in several major clinical trials of glycemic control. Protein glycosylation may be a relevant source of tissue damage at glucose levels 180 mg/dL, and osmotic diuresis at levels 200 mg/dl might strain the ratio of oxygen supply to demand in the renal medulla. It is tempting to speculate that even modest decrements in glucose levels might produce better outcomes. This intervention is the type of low-cost/high-benefit one that the proponents of tight glycemic control have hoped for. The hypothesis that glycemic control might improve the function of a transplanted kidney is particularly interesting because several controversies from the ongoing conversation about glycemic control are systematically different in the setting of organ donation. One such controversy is: What serum glucose should we seek? The answer is not obvious and remains incompletely informed by clinical studies thus far. Some argue that the goal for glycemic control should be matched to metabolic activity, gradually changing over the course of critical illness. In organ donors, resolution of illness is not a possibility; gradual progression of dysfunction is the norm. A second controversy is: What are the risks of glycemic control? Several critical outcomes (mortality and stroke) are no longer relevant in donors. The opportunity to study various strategies for glycemic control in brain-dead organ donors may substantially inform the discussion about management of gluThis Editorial View accompanies the following article: BlasiIbañez A, Hirose R, Feiner J, Freise C, Stock P, Roberts JP, Niemann CU: Predictors associated with terminal renal function in deceased organ donors in the intensive care unit. ANESTHESIOLOGY 2009; 110:333–41.


Carbohydrates play a pivotal role in a plethora of the
biological processes as they are ubiquitously present in all
cells in the variety of forms such as glycoproteins,
proteoglycans and glycolipids collectively called as
glyco-conjugates. Glyco-conjugates carry the necessary
information for cell-cell recognition1 and their function is
quite diverse and vital for the cell. These glyco-conjugates
are formed by the sequential action of glycosyltransferases
(GTase) which add saccharides onto proteins, lipids etc.2 Our
present study is focused on the exploring the reaction
mechanisms of O-GlcNAcylation process, where GlcNAc is
transferred to –OH group of Ser/Thr of the proteins. The aim of
the study is to find the most probable reaction pathways and
corresponding transition states. Several mechanisms for the OGT
glycosyltransferase are already proposed on similar systems
(Figure 1).3 The O-glycosylation reaction can utilize 1) HIS
aminoacid residue as catalytic base,3a 2) alpha-phosphate as
base,3b and 3) water molecule for shunting proton out of the
active site.3c The hybrid QM/MM method was used to model the
proposed GTase mechanisms using the CPMD software package. The
reaction events are being enhanced by the metadynamics
approach. The obtained results will be presented.


The model of population protocols is used to study distributed processes based on pairwise interactions between simple anonymous agents drawn from a large population of size n. The order in which agents meet in pairs is determined by the random scheduler, s.t., each consecutive pair is chosen uniformly at random. After each interaction the state of the relevant agents are amended according to the predefined transition function (the actual code of the algorithm) which governs the considered process. The state space of agents is often fixed and the size n is not known in advance, i.e., not hard-coded in the transition function. We assume that a population protocol starts in the predefined initial configuration of agents' states representing the input. And if successful, the protocol stabilises in a final configuration of states forming the output representing the solution to the considered problem. The time complexity of a population protocol refers to the number of interactions required to stabilise this protocol in a final configuration. We also define parallel time as the time complexity divided by n. Note that the parallel time of the system and the expected local time of each agent, i.e., the number of interactions observed by each agent, are correlated. Several mechanisms, known as phase clocks , have been developed to measure parallel time more accurately than counting local interactions. Most of the clocks target counting Θ(log n ) parallel time required to fully synchronise all agents in the population. There are leader (and junta) based phase clocks which utilise a fixed number of states [2, 4]. This type of clocks allows also counting any poly-logarithmic time while preserving fix state utilisation. The other type refers to leaderless clocks utilising Θ(log n ) states [1, 5]. This type allows approximate counting of parallel time as fixed resolution clocks [5] or oscillators [1]. Another clock type introduced recently in [3] enables counting Θ( n log n ) parallel time utilising a fixed number of states and either leaders or connections in the network constructor model. We also discuss parallel protocols operating in Θ(poly log n ) parallel time, we propose extensions of the population protocol model leading to further improvement in state and time utilisation, and we state some open problems.


Bertoin, Roynette et Yor \cite{bertion} described new connections between the class $\Bd$ of L\'evy-Laplace exponents $\Psi$ (also called the class (sub)critical branching mechanism) and the class of Bernstein functions ($\BF$) which are internal, i.e. those Bernstein functions $\phi$ s.t. $\Psi \circ \phi$ remains a Bernstein function for every $\Psi$. We complete their work and illustrate how the class f internal function is rich from the stochastic point of view. It is well known that every $\phi \in \BF$ corresponds univocally to: (i) a subordinator ${(X_t)}_{t\geq 0}$ (or equivalently to transition semigroups ${\big(\pr(X_t\in dx)\big)}_{t\geq 0}$; (ii) a L\'evy measure $\mu$ (which controls the jumps of the subordinator). It is also known that, on $\oi$, the measure $\pr(X_t \in dx)/t$ converges vaguely to $\dd \delta_0(dx)+ \mu(dx)$ as $t\to 0$, where $\dd$ is the drift term, but rare are the situations where we can compare the transition semigroups with the L\'evy measure. Our extensive investigations on the composition of L\'evy-Laplace exponents $\Psi$ with Bernstein functions show, for instance, this remarkable facts: $\phi$ is internal is equivalent to: (a) $\phi^2 \in \BF$ or to (b) $t\mu(dx) - \pr(X_t\in dx)$ is a positive measure on $\oi$. We also provide conditions on $\mu$ insuring that $\phi$ is internal. We also show L\'evy-Laplace exponents are closely connected to the class of Thorin Bernstein function and provide conditions on $\mu$ insuring that $\phi$ is internal.


Using an exact solution of two-dimensional Poisson's equation in cylindrical coordinates, a new analytical model comprising electrostatic potential, electric field, threshold voltage and subthreshold current for halo-doped surrounding-gate MOSFETs is developed. It is found that a new analytical model exhibits higher accuracy than that based on parabolic potential approximation when the thickness of the silicon channel is much larger than that of the oxide. It is also revealed that moderate halo doping concentration, thin gate oxide thickness and small silicon channel radius are needed to improve the threshold voltage characteristics. The derived analytical model agrees well with a three-dimensional numerical device simulator ISE.


Ito, Junko, and Armin Mester. 2001. Covert generalizations in Optimality Theory: the role of stratal faithfulness constraints. Studies in Phonetics, Phonology and Morphology 7.2. xxx-xxx. Is it possible for a phonological generalization to persist even when it has ceased to hold of the whole lexicon? We show how the basic architecture of Optimality Theory (OT) imposes a subset organization on lexical inventories, which manifests itself in lexically covert generalizations. The central predictions flow directly from the core tenets of OT, namely, that all grammatical constraints are ranked in a strict order of preference and are in principle violable, with violation always minimized in winning outputs. On the empirical side, we review the evidence for subset organization in the lexical inventories of real languages, focusing on grammar-induced entailment relations between nativization phenomena that other approaches fail to predict. On this foundation, we build a general optimality theoretic model of the phonological lexicon that accommodates the familiar differences between strata—including, but not limited to, the distinction between native words and loanwords—within a unitary constraint system and correctly predicts the existence of a core-periphery structure in the lexicon, without additional assumptions and mechanisms. Formally speaking, our proposal reduces to the claim that stratum-specific input-output faithfulness is both necessary and sufficient (i) to account for the stratal organization of a language's lexicon and (ii) to capture higher-level entailment relations between nativization effects. (University of California, Santa Cruz)


Wetland hydrology is important in understanding wetland systems, evaluating wetland functions and processes and assessing wetland conditions. Wetlands assimilate and transform pollutants and nutrients ensuring that quality water is discharged from the wetland into streams. The objective of this study was to characterise wetland hydrology and evaluate the water quality so as to determine the ecological functioning of the Khalong-la-Lithunya wetland. Wetland hydrology and water quality of the three sub-catchments were monitored from October 2015 to March 2016. Water levels in piezometers were recorded once a month and monthly water levels data for the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 previously recorded by the Millennium Challenge Account-Lesotho (MCA-L) project were integrated to this study's data. Rainfall, piezometer and stream water were similarly obtained once every month. These were analysed for δ2H and δ18O water stable isotopes and water quality parameters determined. The estimated overall hydro-period of Khalong-la-Lithunya from the years 2010 to 2016 was 11.4% of the sampled time. The wetland showed delayed response of piezometer water levels to rainfall and additional source of water to the wetland through sub-surface flow. The isotopic composition of piezometer and stream water showed that the water gets stored in the wetland before being discharged to the stream leading to a positive interaction between ground and surface water. Most water quality parameters (Na, pH, Mg, PO4 , COD, BOD, NO3, K, Ca, EC) were higher in streams than in piezometers and were mostly within WHO permissible limits. There was a poorer water quality index in streams (59.71) when compared to that of piezometers (53.67). The principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the parameters that were responsible for the variation in water quality were related to natural hydro-chemical processes, anthropogenic factors and geology and soil constituents. Temporally most parameters were highest during dry months. Due to a short hydro-period, a delayed interaction between surface and ground water and a poorer stream water quality index, it is concluded that the wetland was not in a good condition. Thus, it is not adequately performing its ecological function.


Elder Abuse is a national public health problem affecting one in ten older adults. It is estimated that only 4% of cases are reported to authorities. Latino populations that reside in the U.S. are less likely to report abuse, and language barriers may limit access to resources and prevent seeking help. There is a need for tools and services to not only be translated but culturally adapted to ensure the integrity and comprehension of the translated product. We conducted an extensive literature review that informed our multi-step language translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the VOICES digital health elder abuse intervention from English to Spanish. This process involved a team of independent translators for an iterative, step-by-step approach that included synthesis and review at each step of the process. Translations were individually rated by the review team based on a 7-point Likert scale. The review team found the translations appropriate and highly satisfactory. Comparison of separate versions of translated items highlighted key linguistic variations and issues that informed the team when producing the final translated product. Challenges found during the translation process were categorized as a posteriori. Examples are included. Following a multi-step, iterative framework for the translation and cultural adaptation provided a highly accurate product. Involving multiple translators from varying backgrounds reduced the risk for translation bias and flagged cultural nuances that allowed the research team to identify areas that needed more attention and care. The product will be further culturally adapted with the help of the community via cognitive interviews with Spanish-speaking individuals relevant to the intervention's intended target population before following up with a study to compare with the original findings of the intervention's parent study.


[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify the influence of the isometric contraction of the quadriceps (ICQ) with low intensity on the circulation in the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP). [Participants and Methods] The participants were 7 males and 5 females, with an average age of 21.5 ± 1.4 years. IFP hardness was measured using shear wave ultrasound elastography and Biodex. Tissue oxygenation was measured via near-infrared spectroscopy using oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb), and total hemoglobin (cHb) as indices. The mean values were calculated for three periods: 1 min of rest immediately before the exercise task (before ICQ), the lower limit of the 10 sets during the exercise task (during ICQ), and 3–4 min after the exercise task (after ICQ). IFP hardness was compared between resting conditions and ICQ, and tissue oxygenation was compared before, during, and after ICQ. [Results] ICQ significantly increased IFP hardness. Tissue hemoglobin, O2Hb, and cHb decreased significantly during ICQ and increased after ICQ compared to that before ICQ. HHb decreased during ICQ and recovered significantly after ICQ. [Conclusion] In healthy participants, low-intensity ICQ increases the hardness and oxygenation of the IFP. This study may partly explain the unknown pain relief mechanism of exercise therapy.


Abstract Mass health screenings for the elderly have been undertaken in Kuopio since 1983. Three different age groups, 65, 70 and 75 years old are called for examination so that each group is examined at 5‐year intervals. In 1989 an ophthalmologic examination was included in the protocol for those born in 1914 and 1924. A total number of 1133 persons were recruited, 833 (73.5%) of which actually participated in the study. Cataract was found to be the most frequent visual handicapper. Of participants with visual acuity < 0.3 at least in one eye, cataract was observed in 41.7% of the younger and in 91.1% of the older group. Age‐dependent macular degeneration and glaucoma were less frequent than cataract. Visual acuity of less than 0.3 in the better eye was observed in 5.5% of the older group.


Automated detection of the clinically relevant image planes in a three-dimensional echocardiographic (3-DE) data set has potential applications for diagnosis of pediatric congenital heart disease. We propose a method based on template matching to au- tomatically detect the four-chamber image plane (4CIP) in a 3-DE data set. First, a normal four-chamber image is chosen as the tem- plate. Second, to find the 4CIP in a 3-D volume, a series of cross sections are extracted from this volume. Then, a coarse-to-fine re- trieval is applied to the stack of slices and the image most similar to the template is proposed as the 4CIP of this volume. We tested the method on 28 data sets of normal children and 22 data sets of children suffering from congenital heart disease, and the error rates are 7 and 9%, respectively. As will be shown, the autodetection algorithm can be straightforwardly implemented, has low computa- tional complexity, and is robust to noise. © 2008 SPIE and


Objectives: The purpose of the study was to validate a measurement scale to assess self-perceived digital competencies of Mexican university students who have migrated from a mixed school-digital system to a fully digitalized educational environment because of COVID-19 confinement. The instrument was based on the European Union Digital Competence Framework. Method: 1,118 participants aged between 18 and 47 years completed the assessment. This included 677 females (60.6%) and 429 males (38.4%). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess scale structure. Results: Results of the CFA showed an excellent fit to the data, C2/df = 3.27, p = .01, comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.97, root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.05. Cronbach's a values for the scale and subscales ranged from .78 to .83. Three of the four subscales predicted number of assignments completed and submitted, a measure of predictive validity. Conclusions: The Digital Competence Scale for Online Migration is a valid scale for Mexican students and demonstrates predictive validity. Implication for Theory and/or Practice: The scale may be useful in planning activities for the reinforcement of digital competencies and to identify difficulties and support specific pedagogy for online teaching/learning processes.


Red fruits were suggested to be tolerant to cold. To understand cold-storage tolerance of red mango fruit that were subjected to sunlight at the orchard, mango cv. Shelly from inside (green fruit) or outside (red fruit) the tree canopy was stored for 3 weeks at 5, 8 or 12 °C and examined for flavonoids, antioxidant, volatiles and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stress. Red fruit from the outer canopy showed significant increases in total anthocyanin and flavonoids, and antioxidant activity. Ripening parameters for red and green mango fruit were similar at harvest and during storage. However, red fruit with high anthocyanin and flavonoid contents were more tolerant to biotic and abiotic stresses. After 3 weeks of suboptimal cold storage, green fruit showed significantly more lipid peroxidation and developed significantly more chilling-injury symptoms—black spots and pitting—than red fruit. Volatiles of red and green peels revealed significant modulations in response to cold-storage. Moreover, red fruit were more tolerant to biotic stress and had reduced general decay incidence. However, during long storage at 10 °C for 4, 5 or 6 weeks, red fruit showed a non-significant reduction in decay and chilling injuries. These results suggest new approaches to avoiding chilling injury during cold storage.


Abstract Objective: This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework of the process of food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) implementation and analyse Brazil's employed measures to implement dietary guidelines for the Brazilian population (2014). Design: Qualitative research. Setting: Aiming to develop the conceptual framework, a literature review on FBDG implementation was carried out. Both documents scoped within the macropolitical sphere and scientific articles were reviewed. In the case study, measures took in Brazil were identified through a search on institutional websites and technical management reports of government sectors were responsible for FBDG implementation in the country. Participants: This study does not involve humans. Results: The new conceptual framework frames FBDG implementation as a part of a larger set of intersectoral public policies to promote healthy eating and highlights two main implementation ways: educational materials and public policies. Brazil has a range of policies to promote healthy eating guided by the perspective of food as a right. Most of the implemented measures focussed on the concept of 'FBDG as educational materials,' although the recommendations have also been implemented in public policies. Conclusion: The FBDG implementation should be carried out in an integrated manner with multi-sector involvement. The Brazilian's case analysis can be helpful to decision makers in food policy across the globe be inspired by the Brazilian efforts, considering that the Brazilian FBDG was one of the firsts to have adopted a multidimensional paradigm of healthy eating, including diet sustainability.


n engl j med 369;17 nejm.org october 24, 2013 1664 tion, the mice have normal body weight, adiposity, locomotor activity, and glucose homeostasis, similar to the findings in the patient. The data from these transgenic mice support the authors' supposition that nonclassical regulation of estrogen receptor α is sufficient to protect against the obesity–metabolic syndrome phenotype associated with a total loss of activity of estrogen receptor α but is not sufficient to rescue the infertility phenotype. We offer the murine findings as support of the authors' initial claims, and we believe these findings further implicate a differential role for classical versus nonclassical activity of estrogen receptor α in the regulation of energy and reproductive homeostasis.


The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of inclusion of lipid residue of biodiesel originated in the processing of palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) in the diet on the digestibility of feedlot lambs. Twenty-five crossbred male castrated lambs, weighing 20±1.61 kg, were distributed in randomized blocks with five treatments and five replications. The experimental period lasted 22 days; 15 for diet adaptation, 2 for the adaptation to the indicator LIPE (lignin from Eucalyptus grandis isolated, purified and enriched, UFMG, Minas Gerais) and 5 for fecal sampling. Diets were formulated with 64% concentrate based on corn and soybean meal, 31% Massai grass (Panicum maximum cv. Massai) hay and 5% lipid supplementation from increasing levels of substitution of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of palm oil for biodiesel oil from palm residue. The lambs were offered two meals a day, at 7h00 and 16h00. There was linear effect of inclusion of the residue from palm oil biodiesel on dry matter intake. There was no change in digestibility of nutrients except for ether extract. The use of biodiesel from palm oil residue up to 100% replacement for the lipid supplementation of sheep positively influences the consumption without altering the digestibility of nutrients.


This paper shows that the usual multiplicative synthesis of alternative priorities for benefits, opportunities, costs and risks, obtained from separate Analytic Hierarchy or Network models, can be ambiguous. The ratio of benefit and opportunity priorities to cost and risk priorities can be misleading when assessing the profitability of a project. The same holds for their additive synthesis, although advocated by AHP/ANP. A quotient of these priorities with weights as coefficients, not powers, will however produce sound results, provided that the four separate models are properly related to each other by weights that make the priorities on the four factors commensurate and are obtained from magnitude comparisons.


 Abstract — Nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms, particularly those founded on swarm intelligence, have attracted much attention over the past decade. Firefly algorithm has appeared in approximately seven years ago, its literature has enlarged considerably with different applications. It is inspired by the behavior of fireflies. The aim of this paper is the application of firefly algorithm for solving a nonlinear algebraic system. This resolution is needed to study the Selective Harmonic Eliminated Pulse Width Modulation strategy (SHEPWM) to eliminate the low order harmonics; results have been applied on multilevel inverters. The final results from simulations indicate the elimination of the low order harmonics as desired. Finally, experimental results are presented to confirm the simulation results and validate the efficaciousness of the proposed approach.


The environmental impact of locating two polluting sources of landfill (refuse dump) and petrochemicals on Alaba stream in Akure, Nigeria was assessed. This was due to the dependence of Alaba inhabitants and its environment on the stream for variety of uses. Twenty physio-chemical parameters were analyzed for wet and dry seasons respectively with three sampling points within 5m intervals from one another of the two polluting sources on the stream. The parameters included: colour, odour, taste, pH, temperature, turbidity, alkalinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5 ) and total solids (TS). Others were chloride (CL - ), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), lead (Pb), nitrate (NO 3 ), sulphate (SO 4 -2 ), oil and grease, E-coli and faecal coliform. Some of the parameters were determined in-situ while others were determined using APHA (2005) standard procedures and results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. All the samples investigated contained considerable degree of pollution which asserted the pollution of the stream. The results for dry and wet seasons indicated that the pH has 6.3±0.14 and 6.65±0.58, temperature, 29.8±3.18 and 25.7±1.75, Conductivity, 353.33±15.0 and 256.67±26.58, Alkalinity, 52.83±16.0 and 90.90±20.98, DO, 0.33±0.08 and 0.48±0.01, Turbidity, 57.22±7.15 and 8.10±1.70, BOD, 0.20±0.10 and 0.22±0.11, TS, 0.42±0.22 and 2.61±2.63, TSS, 0.26±0.20 and 2.64±2.91, TDS, 0.18±0.16 and 0.46±0.42. Oil and grease, 12.02±2.86 and 5.33±2.02, E-coli, 55.37±7.45 and 8.99±3.23. Faecal coliform, 241.50±11.64 and 129.83±35.06. Pb, 13.72±7.68 and 11.88±5.20 respectively. Others were Sulphate, 1298.33±422.52 and 1273.33±423.77, Nitrate, 6.40±0.96, Chloride, 0.33±0.12. Most of the values (with the exception of pH and alkalinity) were above maximum permissible levels of FAO, WHO and NSDWQ standards and parameters such as pH, turbidity, DO, BOD, Pb, E-coli and faecal coliform decreased as the distance from the polluting sources increased. Statistical analyses showed significant differences at specified confidence levels and liner correlations among parameters. Treatment of Alaba stream is required to achieve minimum acceptable level for domestic uses for the end-user while public awareness on the dangers inherent in polluting the stream should be embarked upon and enforcing strict compliance to avoid outbreak of water-borne diseases is suggested.


Using the combinatorics of non-crossing partitions, we construct a conditionally free analogue of the Voiculescu's S-transform. The result is applied to analytical description of conditionally free multiplicative convolution and characterization of infinite divisibility.


The housing crisis is a significant contemporary issue in New Zealand that is particularly contentious in areas of significant heritage value. While current heritage management systems in New Zealand present development as a threat to heritage, recent advancements in heritage management theory present an alternative perspective. The Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach is a theoretical and methodological framework that presents the urban landscape as a result of the layering of events and meanings imprinted on the environment over time, which collectively result in the environment experienced today. As such, heritage is considered an integral part of the urban landscape, and instrumental in guiding urban development towards a sustainable future, as opposed to being a barrier to it. This thesis presents the HUL approach as a viable solution to address the housing crisis in New Zealand.This research tests the effects of the Historic Urban Landscape approach on the housing and social needs of an urban community, by implementing an adaptation of the framework's recommended methodology within the inner-city suburb of Mount Cook, Wellington. As the HUL approach is primarily used by local governments as a long-term strategising tool, this thesis develops a master plan, subsequent Character guides and finally a conceptual architectural intervention on a key site in the suburb, to exemplify how HUL could be implemented within a New Zealand context, and what the effects of this might be in the urban environment. The research found that the implementation of the Historic Urban Landscape approach is a viable option for meeting the housing and social needs of urban communities throughout New Zealand. It guides the development of housing and other amenities within the historic urban landscape in a way that is simultaneously sympathetic to the site and addresses the needs of the community, in a way that comprehensively and sensitively responds to the unique contexts of the historic urban landscape in question.


Background: Feedback provided to learners' writing is a construct of identifying a learner's performance, and it can be identified and trifurcated as grammatical form, location in the text, and pragmatic functions. Second language researchers worldwide consider written corrective feedback (WCF) as a vital and valuable teaching tool that enables learners to improve accuracy in L2 writing.
Purpose: In this context, there exists a plethora of studies that examine the efficacy of WCF on L2 learners' writing accuracy.  However, literature is replete with research that looks into the effectiveness of unfocused WCF on L2 learners' writing accuracy especially concerning learners' belief of the feedback type. Not much research is available demonstrating unfocused WCF's efficacy on L2 learners' writing accuracy.
Methods: Using a quasi-experimental design, three intact classes were recruited and were randomly placed into two experimental groups: indirect corrective feedback, direct corrective feedback, and one control group. The participants completed three narrative writings, one each at pre-test, post-test, and delayed post-test.
Results: The results of the study unveiled that the WCF enabled the treatment group learners to produce text with fewer errors than the control group participants. The study also reported no relationship between the learners' beliefs and the efficacy of WCF, meaning that the preference of learners for a particular type of feedback did not influence the efficacy of WCF.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the case study, important pedagogical implications for ESL/EFL instructors are provided


ABSTRACT: Scutellera perplexa (Westwood) was observed as a serious sucking pest of Jatropha curcas L. from Delhi and adjoining areas. As details were not previously available on its bionomics, studies were done between April 2007 and August 2009 under laboratory and field conditions. It remained active throughout the year and severe damage to foliage and developing fruits was observed between July and March. Population density was highest between September and November. The life cycle takes about 63.3±3.07 days: egg period lasted for 6.67±0.87 days with 98.87±2.24 per cent hatchability and nymphal durations of I, II, III, IV and V instar were 5.33±0.82, 7.95±0.68, 6.15±0.91, 7.54±0.76 and 9.69±1.18 days, respectively. A key to the identification of different instars is given.


BACKGROUND/AIMS
This study was conducted to assess the usefulness of multi-slice CT (MDCT) and diffusion weighted MR images (DWI-MRI) for diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) in biliary carcinomas.

METHODOLOGY
Eighteen patients with biliary carcinomas (total 121 LNs) underwent surgical resection were included. In MDCT, the following criteria were measured: the maximum diameter, the enhanced value and the long and short axis (L/S) ratio. In DWI-MRI, the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were measured from ADC maps.

RESULTS
In ROC analysis, the maximum diameter has the highest diagnostic power with area under curves of 0.903. And when the maximum diameter 8 mm and L/S ratio is less than 2, the accuracy was improved with a sensitivity of 81%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 45%. In DWI-MRI, ADCs values of metastatic LNs significantly lower than that of non-metastatic LNs (mean: 1.65 vs. 2.11 x10 3mm2/s). When the ADC value of 1.8 x10(-3) was used as a cut-off value, the best results were obtained with sensitivity of 75%, PPV of 82%.

CONCLUSIONS
Using MDCT, diagnosis of LNs metastasis should be more than 8mm diameter and less than 2 of L/S ratio. In addition, DWI-MRI is more useful modality for diagnosis of LNs metastasis.


Network reconstruction has become particularly important in systems biology, and is now expected to deliver information on causality. Systems in nature are inherently nonlinear. However, for nonlinear dynamical systems with hidden states, how to give a useful definition of dynamic networks is still an open question. This paper presents a useful definition of Boolean dynamic networks for a large class of nonlinear systems. Moreover, a robust inference method is provided. The well-known Millar-10 model in systems biology is used as a numerical example, which provides the ground truth of causal networks for key mRNAs involved in eukaryotic circadian clocks. In addition, as second contribution of this paper, we suggest definitions of linear network identifiability, which helps to unify the available work on network identifiability.


Adequateness is one of the most important issues in knowledge representation and reasoning. Roughly speaking, a reasoning system is adequate if it solves simpler problems faster than more diicult ones, where simplicity is measured with respect to all available reasoning systems. It has been shown recently that adequateness implies massive parallelism and, hence, we should be interested in reasoning problems which admit an optimal or eecient parallel computational model. Such problems must be in P and must not be the hardest problems in P unless P = NC. Terminological reasoning systems were developed to provide fast and tractable reasoning services and, in particular, to compute the subsumption relation between concept descriptions or, equivalently, to determine the unsatissability of a concept description. In this paper we develop an eecient parallel algorithm for checking unsatissability for the AL concept language and prove its correctness and completeness.


Demonstration of the oral Path of Infection with Anaplasma Marginale in Calves.
By means of experimental infections with Anaplasma marginale special attention was paid to the various possibilities of transmission apart from the clinical course of the illness. In several strings of experiment anaplasmosis could be transmitted by intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous infection.
During the experiment 2 calves which had not been infected fell ill with anaplasmosis. The assumption presented itself that these two animals had infected themselves by oral intake of contagious blood. As a result, 4 calves were experimentally infected per os, while 2 calves served as controls. After an average incubation period of 30 days all 4 animals presented anaplasmosis in blood films as well as positive CFT-titers.
Poster in German, French and English summaries on PDF.


The use of Grade 91 steel for high-temperature power plant applications can result in substantial reductions in component thickness compared to weaker alloys, resulting in reduced thermal stresses and improved service life. Although Grade 91 offers superior resistance to thermal fatigue and creep to other grades used in the industry, this is dependent on the creation and maintenance of a specific microstructure, which can be altered through routine component fabrication, installation and maintenance. Electromagnetic inspection has the potential to assess the level of degradation in steel components through in-situ measurements. In this work, correlations are drawn between microstructural changes in heat treated Grade 91 samples and electromagnetic properties including incremental and differential permeability and Barkhausen noise. These correlations are first established by examining machined samples using a closed magnetic loop, lab-based system, and then transferred to open magnetic loop measurement of tube samples. The results demonstrate the potential viability of electromagnetic methods for inspection of power station tubes in-situ.


This investigation assessed psychological correlates of reported physical activity in a sample of 381 normal-weight and obese adults who were enrolled in a 4-year, prospective, natural history study. The psychological measures included the Eating Self-Efficacy Scale, the General Well-Being Schedule, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Reported Physical Activity was defined as a composite measure of reported recreational physical activity and perceived importance of activity in health and recreation. Physical activity was correlated with a more positive psychological profile in obese subjects at both year 1 and year 5. Increases in reported physical activity over the four years were associated with improvements in depression and well-being in normal-weight subjects, and with improvements in eating self-efficacy and well-being in obese subjects.


Random access code (RAC), a primitive for many information processing protocols, enables one party to encode a n-bit string into one bit of message such that another party can retrieve partial information of that string. We introduce the multiparty version of RAC in which the n-bit string is distributed among many parties. For this task, we consider two distinct quantum communication scenarios: one allows shared quantum entanglement among the parties with classical communication, and the other allows communication through a quantum channel. We present several multiparty quantum RAC protocols that outclass its classical counterpart in both the aforementioned scenarios.


Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate how management attention and supply chain complexity affect the decision-making process and cost estimation accuracy of supply chain design (SCD) decisions.

Design/methodology/approach
The research follows an embedded case study design. Through the lens of the behavioural theory of the firm, the SCD decision process and realised outcomes are investigated through longitudinal data collection across ten embedded cases with varying degrees of supply chain decision-making complexity and management attention.

Findings
The findings suggest that as supply chain decision-making complexity increases, cost estimation accuracy decreases. The extent to which supply chain decision-making complexity is readily recognised influences the selection of strategies for information search and analysis and, thus, impacts resulting cost estimation errors. The paper further shows the importance of management attention for cost estimation accuracy, especially management attention based on conflicting goals induce behaviours that improve estimation ability.

Research limitations/implications
A framework proposing a balance between supply chain decision-making complexity and management attention in SCD decisions is proposed. However, as an embedded case study the research would benefit from replication to externally validate results.

Originality/value
The method used in this study can identify how supply chain complexity is related to cost estimation errors and how management attention is associated with behaviours that improve cost estimation accuracy, indicating the importance of management attention in complex supply chain decision-making.


The literature suggests that knowledge production intensity depends upon the geographic proximity of knowledge and information sources. On the other hand, there have been arguments that the rapid development of communication technologies would reduce the importance of proximity to the production of knowledge. That is, distance would not matter. In this paper, we propose a measure for university knowledge spillovers as a gauge for the importance of proximity to knowledge creation. Using a cross-section of 3110 United States counties in recent years - 2009 to 2011 - we empirically test the relationship between knowledge spillovers and innovative activities as measured by patent filings. We use university research and development (R&D) expenditures in STEM fields as the foundation for our metric of knowledge spillovers and a decay function to reflect the diminishing influence of those expenditures as the distance from the university increases. Using patent counts to measure the local technological innovation as our dependent variable, we test knowledge spillovers as spherical scores of university R&D expenditures as our explanatory variables of interest using three distance thresholds - 50, 100 and 250 miles. We also control for the private R&D intensity and regional social and economic characteristics, including a county's employment density, educational attainment, proprietorship rates and venture capital inflows. We find that the influence of university knowledge spillovers can reach as far as 250 miles, but evidence that spillovers decline with distance is not unambiguous. Research intensive counties exhibit different spillover effects from counties without research anchor institutions. We find evidence that counties with higher concentrations of R&D expenditures and concentrations of science and engineering programs will exhibit higher patent rates.


The aim of the present article is to analyse and discuss how teachers speak about goals and content of food literacy in teaching about food and health in Home Economics (HE). More specific, what different constructions of food literacy can be identified in teachers' talk about the drive and content of teaching food and health? Six focus group discussions were held in four different cities with a total of 27 HE teachers. Different visions of scientific literacy are used as a framework to analyse and discuss food literacy in education. Three different categories were identified, including different visions regarding students' opportunities to develop awareness of how food influences health. Food literacy in HE includes disciplinary learning of specific knowledge and skills. Teaching HE is a multidisciplinary task, in which a number of disciplines are involved. The article examines what each vision refers to and what overarching purpose is expected to motivate a student to learn and to develop in a specific direction. Each vision therefore provides altered constructions of educational orientation in terms of meaning-making.


The power systems operated by the utilities in developing countries suffer from a large gap between demand and generation, inadequate transmission capacity, and nonuniform location of the load centers and generating stations. Occurrences of faults in such systems, in most of the cases, end up with the worst consequences, i. e., complete blackout. This paper illustrates the way a blackout can be prevented in real-time through controlled segregation of a system into a number of viable islands together with generation and/or load shedding. The nature and location of any fault that warrants such islanding can be ascertained in real-time through monitoring the active power (MW) flows at both ends of a number of prespecified lines. The blackout of 20 June 1998 in the Bangladesh Power Development Board system is used as an example. The philosophy of the proposed islanding scheme may be considered for implementation in other power systems also.


Cells resistant to colchicine in the parental line of mouse hepatoma XXIIa could be revealed with a frequency of 4-4.5 per 10(5) cells when selected at the drug concentration as high as 0.05 mkg/ml. MNNG as a mutagene was shown to increase the number of resistant cells by 5-6 times. 6 clones of independent origin differed in the level of resistance and in the stability to retain it under non-selective conditions. Multistep selection from the stable clones via 0.25, 1.0, 4.0, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 mkg/ml resulted in the appearance of some highly resistant subclones. Stable clones of all the steps of selection appeared to be resistant to ethidium bromide. Genetical polymorphism of colchicine-resistance is suggested in the line of mouse hepatoma XXIIa.


In the nineteenth century, a school known as "The Unity System of Couples Nationality" stated the idea that women should acquire the nationality of their husbands after marriage. In other words, the nationality of men should be imposed on women. However, in the 20th century, a movement known as feminism emerged which led to the formation of a school named "System of Nationality Independence". This school advocated the separation of marriage and nationality and believed that women's nationality should not change the following marriage. The aforementioned legal schools have had different manifestations in the positive laws of different countries and sometimes it is hard to classify them into a single legal school.   The legal systems of countries can be classified into two groups: legal systems advocating the imposition of husbands' nationality on wives; legal systems opposing the imposition of husbands' nationality on wives.


AI has played a huge role in image formation and recognition, but all built on the supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms the learning agents follow. Neural networks have also a role in bionic eyes integration but it is not discussed thoroughly in this paper. The chip to be implanted, which is a robotic device that applies methods developed in machine learning, consists of large scale algorithms for feature learning to construct classifiers for object detection and recognition, to input in the chip system. The challenge however is in identifying a complex image, which may require combined processes of learning features algorithms. In this paper an experimented approaches are stated for individual case of concentration of objects to obtain a high recognition outcome. Each approach may influence one angle, and a suggested non-experimented approach may give a better visual aid for bionic recognition and identification, using more learning and testing methods. The paper discusses the different approached of kernel and convolutional methods to classify objects, in addition to a proposed model to extract a maximized optimization of object formation and recognition. The proposed model combines variety of algorithms that have been experimented in differed related works and uses different learning approaches to handle large datasets in training.


A case is argued for considering Stratiotes aloides L. (Water-soldier) (Hydrocharitaceae) of native status in Co. Fermanagh (v.c. H33), and possibly elsewhere in Ireland. The case is circumstantial in the absence of fossil evidence from the current interglacial, and consists of early 19th century discovery, long persistence in natural water bodies, rare and scattered occurrence, and lack of the "boom and bust" dynamics of many introduced aquatic species. No new stations have been found for over 100 years which strongly suggests that either S. aloides is not much used in Irish water gardens, or it does not readily escape into the wild. The species complement of two vegetation communities involving S. aloides in Upper Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh is strikingly similar to communities described in the Norfolk Broads, where the species has long been considered native. Conservation arguments for sites frequently revolve around the occurrence of rare indigenous species, making the question of status more than a purely academic matter.


The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of Demodex in the hair follicles of eyelashes and their potential participation in the aetiology of chalazion in patients in Poland. The study of the correlation between the presence of Demodex spp. and chalazion has never been performed in patients in Europe. There is, therefore, a justified necessity to check whether Demodex mites can be a potential risk factor in the development of chalazion in the European population. The samples were examined by light microscope, using standard parasitological methods. A positive result was assumed in the presence of Demodex spp. Demodex was detected in 91.67% of patients with a chalazion. The presence of Demodex was found in subjects from all examined age groups. The results of statistical analysis unambiguously determined the existence of an interrelationship between the presence of Demodex and chalazion. Our results clearly indicate the existence of a correlation between the occurrence of Demodex spp. and chalazion. Confirmation of the positive correlation between Demodex and chalazion in a European population provides further evidence for the pathogenic role of Demodex in the development of eye diseases.


The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are a family of enzymes involved in the process of translation, more specifically, ligating amino acids to their cognate tRNA molecules. Recent evidence suggests that aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are capable of aminoacylating proteins, some of which are involved in the autophagy pathway. Here, we test the conditions under which E. coli and human threonyl-tRNA synthetases, as well as hisidyl-tRNA synthetase aminoacylate themselves. These reactions are ATP dependent, stimulated by Mg, and are inhibited by increasing cognate tRNA concentrations. These data represent the foundation for future aminoacylation experiments, specifically delving into the relationship between the autophagy pathway and the aminoacylation of proteins. Additionally, we provide evidence of the inhibitory abilities of the anti-bacterial β-lactone obafluorin on both E. coli and human threonyl-tRNA synthetases. Further, we also show that the benzoate obafluorin analog EHTS-1 significantly inhibits E. coli threonyl-tRNA synthetase but not the human enzyme. These data could be useful in determining the potential for obafluorin and EHTS-1 as anti-bacterial and possibly antiangiogenic drugs.


Ships are a mode of transportation that is often used by the community as a link between the islands. People generally use the ferry as a mode of crossing in addition to the economical price but also comfort is still preferred. But in recent years, researchers have often heard cases of shipwrecks. Especially ship crossing accidents caused by overturned ships. Based on this, prevention is needed to reduce the number of ship accidents in the future. One of the keys that can be taken is to improve the technical analysis before the ship is designed. One such analysis related to the ship is seakeeping ship. The method used in this study is to use strip – theory method through OSM program. This method is one of the commonly used methods because it calculates the 3D model into 2D. The results showed the effect of the use of Bilge keel on the ferry Ro-Ro tested with conditions x0, x1, x2, and x3 on the condition of the stationary ship with a wave height of 1.5 m and heading 90 deg. The addition of Bilge keel is able to reduce the resonance of roll motion up to 58% in conditions of variation x1, 61% in variation x2, and 67% in conditions of variation x2. Therefore the installation of bilge keel has a significant effect on the rolling of ferry Ro-Ro.

Keywords: Roll Motion, Bilge Keel, OSM.


This paper describes the observation of pulse shortening in an 11.4-GHz magnicon amplifier due to competition with a parasitic gyrotron mode. This effect was observed following the installation of a new electron beam collector. The parasitic mode occurred only at high operating powers, when the beam transverse momentum was high, and the growth of the parasitic mode caused the power in the output pulse to drop substantially. We analyze the competition between the gyrotron and magnicon modes in the output cavity using a time-dependent multimode gyrotron simulation code that has been specially modified to model competition between synchronous magnicon and nonsynchronous gyrotron interactions, and compare the results to experimental observations. We also analyze the effect due to the change in the collector.


Purpose

Analysis of the organizational issues of the diagnosis of glaucoma in Kazakhstan and State programs for health care system: "Salamatty Kazakhstan" and "Densaulyk".

Methods

The state of screening for glaucoma was included increased intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and pachymetry, which was used for the corneal thickness examination. Although the IOP can be increased or be in the normal ranges, thin central cornea thickness generally was ignored by ophthalmologists. In this regard, the indications for examination for glaucoma with systemic hypotension during screening were expanded, and pachymetry was one of the essential diagnostic tool in the clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma as a mandatory research method.

Results

Sufficiency and effectiveness of the screening program was confirmed by the trend in the number of identified patients with glaucoma depending on age. Correlation between suspected glaucoma and age groups was exposed.

The number of registered glaucoma patients was 43,337 patients in 2010. In contrast, after the screening program the figures raised to 68,195 people in 2016. Moreover, there was the increase of newly identified glaucoma cases by 49%: from 70.8 per 100 thousand populations in 2010 to 124 per 100 thousand populations in 2016.

Conclusions

State programs for health care system development in Republic of Kazakhstan "Salamatty Kazakhstan" (2011-2015) and "Densaulyk" (2016 – 2019) were the initial steps for the prevention of the irreversible blindness and disability due to glaucoma. Screening programs allow to timely and adequate diagnosis of the disease over 40 years of age.


In the course of attempts to grow the jaagsiekte retrovirus in cell culture, a typical lentivirus was isolated for the first time in South Africa from adenomatous lungs. Morphologically the virus could not be distinguished from other lentiviruses, but serologically it was shown to be more closely related to visna virus than to caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus. However, a preliminary restriction enzyme analysis of the linear proviral DNA of this new lentivirus (SA-DMVV) revealed that it is significantly district from visna virus and CAEV and therefore may represent a third type of lentivirus. Antibodies to the virus were demonstrated in a number of sheep in various parts of the country, but a direct link to a disease condition was not found. Attempts to produce lung lesions by intratracheal injection of the virus have been unsuccessful to date but a transient arthritis was produced by intraarticular inoculation. Viral replication seems to be enhanced in jaagsiekte lungs.


This research is focused on determining the relationships of body traits in Araucano Criollo Horse. For this purpose, a principal component analysis was carried out on 52 adult males, in which the studied body characters were the following 20: chest circumference, longitudinal diameter, back-sternal diameter, height at the withers, transverse chest width, height of the substernal bone, chest width, perimeter of the anterior cannon, head length, head width, skull length, skull width, face length, face width, head depth, height at the rump, rump length, rump width, height to the birth of the tail and up to the hock. Possible morphological differences from four Araucan farms were also analyzed. It can be concluded that this local horse, though fairly uniform, presents morphological differences depending on the area that the animals come from and these differences lay in the overall appearance rather than focus on specific body regions.


This article evaluates an expansion of employer-mandated sick leave from 80 to 100 percent of forgone gross wages in Germany. We employ and compare parametric difference-in-difference (DID), matching DID, and mixed approaches. Overall workplace attendance decreased by at least 10 percent or 1 day per worker per year. We show that taking partial compliance into account increases coefficient estimates. Further, heterogeneity in response behavior was of great importance. There is no evidence that the increase in sick leave improved employee health, a finding that supports a shirking explanation. Finally, we provide evidence on potential labor market adjustments to the reform.


Social media is continuously used as a platform for marketing and advertising. Firms have spent a lot of seasons, cash and property on Social media ads. However, it is all the time stimulating how Firms can prepare Social media advertising to fortunately engage and inspire a consumer to purchase their brands. The purpose of this research is consequently to describe and check the key elements of Social media advertising that force anticipate the buy intention. The theoretical model was expected on the foundation of three factors from the expansion of the Unified Theory Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) (Performance expectancy, Hedonic motivation and Habit) along with Interactivity, Informativeness and Perceived relevance. The data was composed using a questionnaire survey of 260 participants. The most important results of structural equation modelling (SEM) mainly sustained the validity of the current model and the significant impact of Performance expectancy, Hedonic motivation and Interactivity, Informativeness, and Perceived relevance on purchase intentions. Confidently, this study will produce a set of theoretical and practical instruction on how marketers can successfully plan and apply their ads through Social media platforms.


In the article the theoretical bases of modeling a technology of cargo transportation on the basis of determining the dependence of expenses on cargo transportation time are suggested.


Hypothalamic obesity (HO) is a relatively rare cause of obesity within the population as a whole, but studies of patients with hypothalamic damage show there is a significant prevalence of obesity within the patient group. Additionally, the obesity is difficult to prevent and manage and increases morbidity and mortality in an already at risk patient group. The work of this thesis had two main objectives. Firstly, to examine the prevalence of obesity and associated morbidities in patients with acquired, structural hypothalamic damage with a descriptive cohort study (n=110). A separate descriptive study quantified obesity and metabolic risk factors in young patients with pituitary tumours, with or without hypothalamic damage (n=41), as they were also identified as a possible at risk group during clinical observations. The second objective was to investigate the underlying pathophysiology of HO using various complementary techniques to study patients with hypothalamic damage who remained weight-stable (HWS), patients with HO and age- and BMI-matched controls. These cross-sectional case-control studies used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI; 9 HO, 7 HWS, 20 controls), the universal eating monitor (UEM; 6 HO, 6 HWS, 9 obese controls [OC], 10 non-obese controls [NOC]), Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ; 8 HO, 6 HWS, 9 OC, 11 NOC) and three-day food diaries (6 HO, 7 HWS, 8 OC, 11 NOC) to assess eating behaviour. The first descriptive study included 110 adults with tumours causing hypothalamic damage attending a specialist neuroendocrine clinic. There was a significant prevalence of weight gain and obesity; 81.8% were overweight/heavier, 56.4% obese and 13.6% morbidly obese, despite proactive assessment and treatment during routine clinic visits. Hypertension (30.9%), dyslipidaemia (54.5%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (14.5%) and cardiovascular disease (9.1%) were also prevalent. In 41 patients with childhood/adolescent-onset pituitary adenomas there was also a relatively high prevalence of obesity (39.0%) and cardiovascular risk factors (2 receiving antihypertensive medications, 2 with T2DM and 4 with treated dyslipidaemia), despite the majority of tumours being microadenomas (i.e. too small to cause hypothalamic damage and indicating the need for long-term follow-up of these patients. The first study into the pathophysiology of HO involved the use of functional MRI in 9 patients with HO, 7 HWS and 20 age- and BMI-matched controls. Participants underwent fMRI scans in a fasted state, as well as one hour and three hours following a fixed-load breakfast (25% of their calculated basal metabolic rate [BMR]). At each scan session participants viewed alternating blocks of photographs of high- or low-calorie food, with non-food photographs also viewed to use as a baseline comparison, to allow purely visual activation to be subtracted from any BOLD signal differences which occurred. Whole-brain statistical analysis revealed significantly lower BOLD signal in HWS participants compared to HO (and to controls) in the food motivation and reward-related brain regions of the posterior insula and lingual gyrus (p=0.001) when viewing high-calorie food photographs (compared to non-food photographs). These differences in reward-related brain regions may be implicated in the development of HO/the ability to remain weight-stable despite hypothalamic damage. Eating behaviour studies were undertaken on a separate study day where participants were asked to eat an unlimited pasta meal until adequately full, while seated at the UEM. This allowed monitoring of total intake, eating duration, eating rate and intra-meal on-screen ratings of hunger, fullness and meal pleasantness using visual analogue scales. Additionally Three Factor Eating Questionnaires (TFEQs) and three-day MRC-Human Nutrition Research diaries were completed at home to assess more long-term real-world eating habits. None of the eating behaviour studies identified significant statistical differences between HO and HWS, but this may have been due to lack of statistical power. There was however an unusual pattern of eating rate in those with HO on visual ascription. This involved an initial tendency towards a higher eating rate, followed by a reduction in rate, with a further increase towards the end of the meal. Further investigation of this pattern with larger numbers of participants would be important to determine whether it is a significant finding or merely an anomaly due to the small group size. Interestingly controls ate significantly more at the UEM (even when intake was adjusted according to fat-free mass or as a proportion of the estimated BMR) and for significantly longer than participants with hypothalamic damage, who reported lower hunger at the start of the meal, but there was no difference between obese and non-obese participants. In keeping with previously published research disinhibition scores measured using the TFEQ were higher in participants with simple obesity [1], with no evidence of increased disinhibition in HO participants [2], although the small numbers studied should be noted. Finally, during both of the study days blood sampling was undertaken to look for biochemical/hormonal variances between the groups. Fasting and area under the curve (AUC) active ghrelin concentrations were significantly higher in controls than in patients, in keeping with some (but not all) previous studies [2-4]. Consistent with previously published research leptin concentrations were significantly higher in obese compared to non-obese participants The small size of this study was a significant limitation and limits the generalisability of the findings, particularly in the eating behaviour studies. This was due in part to the rarity of the condition - the occurrence of acquired, structural hypothalamic damage is relatively rare and the number of individuals with hypothalamic damage who remain weight stable is small, leading to particular difficulty in recruiting patients for the HWS group. Whilst there were some interesting findings further larger studies should enable greater clarification and would allow correlation between clinical and biochemical findings. Further studies in larger cohorts could explore the unusual eating pattern seen in those with HO when studied using the UEM and the apparent lack of disinhibition seen in this group. Although this research provides some preliminary novel evidence to support differences in BOLD signal in reward-related regions of the brain as a possible driver of HO, the mechanisms through which these differences exert their effects to contribute to the development of HO require further elucidation and further study with larger numbers of patients is needed.


Managing weeds in herbicide-tolerant GM maize for biological control enhancement. Ramon Albajes, Belén Lumbierres, Xavier Pons ...........................................................1-8 Abstract: Deployment of transgenic herbicide-tolerant maize that allows post-emergence treatment with broad-spectrum herbicides may lead to changes in the composition and abundance of weed flora. The consequences of these changes on maize arthropods and particularly on insect pest natural enemies are studied in this work. Weeds, insect herbivores and their natural enemies were monitored in maize plots treated twice with glyphosate (V4 and V8) in comparison with plots treated once with conventional pre-emergence herbicides. Plots were sampled by visual observation, pitfall and yellow sticky traps during two consecutive years (2007 and 2008). In spite of the significant differences recorded in weed abundance between the two herbicide treatments, there were very few significant differences in the arthropod groups monitored, in contrast with results of a previous study comparing plots with two glyphosate treatments (as in the present work) and with no herbicide treatment in order to identify the most responsive arthropod to weed abundance alteration. It seems that when maize weed abundance is not drastically altered, populations of arthropod herbivores and natural enemies are not greatly affected. However, more studies are needed to determine the potential impacts of modifying herbicide use on arthropods and particularly on conservation biological pest control.


Three pellet injector designs developed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are planned for the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) to reach the goal of a tritium pellet injector by 1988. These are the Repeating Pneumatic Injector (RPI), the Deuterium Pellet Injector (DPI) and the Tritium Pellet Injector (TPI). Each of the pellet injector designs have similar performance characteristics in that they deliver up to 4-mm-dia pellets at velocities up to 1500 m/s with a dsign goal to 2000 m/s. Similar techniques are utilized to freeze and extrude the pellet material. The injector systems incorporate three gun concepts which differ in the number of gun barrels and the method of forming and chambering the pellets. The RPI, a single barrel repeating design, has been operational on TFTR since April 1985. Fabrication and assembly are essentially complete for DPI, and TPI is presently on hold after completing about 80% of the design. The TFTR pellet injector program is described, and each of the injector systems is described briefly. Design details are discussed in other papers at this symposium.


This article examines debates between Bulgaria, Greece and Yugoslavia concerning the post-Second World War Balkan borders in preparation for the Paris Peace Conference of 1946. While for most of the twentieth century Greece and Yugoslavia were close allies united in their position against revisionist Bulgaria, after 1944 the communist affiliations of the new Bulgarian and Yugoslav governments determined the rapprochement between the latter two states. As various proposals for border revisions and the possibility of a Balkan Federation were discussed, the Balkans became a prime battlefield in the emerging Cold War split between the Soviet Union, Britain and the United States. By examining a period of extreme political fluidity between 1944 and 1947, this article explores how the legacy of long-standing national tensions combined with the new political realities after the Second World War created the current borders of Bulgaria, Greece and the (former Yugoslav) Republic of Macedonia.


Beauville and Laszlo give an interpretation of the affine Grassmannian for Gl_n over a field k as a moduli space of, loosely speaking, vector bundles over a projective curve together with a trivialization over the complement of a fixed closed point. In order to establish this correspondence, they have to show that descent for vector bundles holds in a situation which is not a classical fpqc-descent situation. They prove this as a consequence of an abstract descent lemma. It turns out, however, that one can avoid this descent lemma by using a simple approximation-argument, which leads to a more direct prove of the above mentioned correspondence.


Formins drive actin filament assembly for diverse cellular processes including motility, establishing polarity, and cell division. To investigate the mechanism of contractile ring assembly in animal cells, we directly compared the actin assembly properties of formins required for cytokinesis in the nematode worm early embryo (CYK-1) and fission yeast (Cdc12p). Like Cdc12p and most other formins, CYK-1 nucleates actin filament assembly and remains processively associated with the elongating barbed end while facilitating the addition of profilin-actin above the theoretical diffusion-limited rate. However, specific properties differ significantly between Cdc12p and CYK-1. Cdc12p efficiently nucleates filaments that in the presence of profilin elongate at approximately the same rate as control filaments without formin (∼10.0 subunits/s). CYK-1 is an inefficient nucleator but allows filaments to elongate profilin-actin 6-fold faster than Cdc12p (∼60 subunits/s). Both Cdc12p and CYK-1 bind to pre-assembled actin filaments with low nanomolar affinity, but CYK-1 dissociates 2 orders of magnitude more quickly. However, CYK-1 rapidly re-associates with free barbed ends. Cdc12p allows barbed ends to elongate in the presence of excess capping protein, whereas capping protein inhibits CYK-1-mediated actin assembly. Therefore, these evolutionarily diverse formins can drive contractile ring assembly by a generally similar mechanism, but cells with unique dimensions and physical parameters might require proteins with carefully tuned actin assembly properties.


Introduction: Non-small cell carcinomas (NSLC) accounts for 80% of all lung cancers. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is frequently overexpressed in NSLC and it plays a significant role in tumour cell proliferation and progression. The correlation of EGFR expression with radiological features may reveal their possible relationship. Aim: To evaluate EGFR expression in NSLC and correlate with their radiological features. Material and method: Twenty -two cases of NSLC were histologically subcategorized based on WHO classification of lung carcinomas. Immunostaining for TTF-1, p63 and EGFR were performed on paraffin embedded tissue sections and their expression evaluated. Chest tomography was reviewed to assess for tumour location, diameter, contours, margins, cavitation and lymph node enlargement. Findings of radio-imaging and EGFR immunoexpression were correlated. Results: Fourteen cases of adenocarcinoma and 8 cases of squamous cell carcinoma were identified. Epidermal growth factor receptor expression was noted in 86.3% of tumours. About 92.8% of adenocarcinomas and 75% of squamous cell carcinomas were EGFR positive. On radiology, mean diameter of lesion was found to be 36.4mm and 6.1mm in EGFR positive and negative tumours respectively. Fourteen EGFR positive cases were well defined and five poorly defined. Each of all the eight cases with pleural effusion and regional lymphadenopathy were EGFR positive. Conclusion: Major percentage of NSLC showed EGFR expression reinforcing its utility for targeted therapy. A positive EGFR correlation was noted with tumour size, regional lymphnode enlargement and pleural effusion which reflect biologically aggressive property of EGFR positive tumours.


Finland is widely considered a frontrunner in the European basic income debate, primarily because of the decision by Juha Sipilä's centre-right coalition government to design and conduct the first national basic income experiment (2017–2018). The Finnish basic income experiment builds on several decades of public and policy debate around the merits and problems of basic income, with the framing of basic income over time changing to fit the shift of the Nordic welfare state to embrace the activation paradigm. Underlying this discursive layer, however, we find several discrete, relatively small and unintended institutional developments that have arguably aligned the design of Finnish unemployment security closer to a partial basic income scheme. While the latter may suggest Finland has important stepping stones in place, important stumbling blocks remain and the jury is very much out on whether Finland would be the first European country to fully institute a basic income.


The technique of gyrochronology uses the observed relationship between rotation period, stellar color, and age to date old field stars based on two key assumptions: 1) that all targets can be treated as single main sequence stars that spin down as a function of time, and 2) that the relations can be calibrated on systems of solar age and younger and extrapolated to old stars, where data has traditionally been sparse. With Kepler we have the opportunity to test both assumptions. Spot modulation periods for several thousand stars and asteroseismic ages for several hundred make it possible to examine gyrochronology in the hitherto untested old field star populations. We show that stellar samples that include both subgiants and stars above 6250 K fail to reproduce the literature gyrochronology relationships, and highlight the importance of contaminating stellar populations (hot stars, evolved stars, blends, and binaries) in the interpretation of stellar rotation periods. However, we also find that sample composed only of of MS dwarfs follows the expected empirical relationship between period and age. We examine the importance of metallicity in this period-age relationship, and critically evaluate the performance of gyrochronology extrapolations against the actual behavior of stars at late times.


This paper reports extensive experimental study done to compare workability and bond strength of five different types of polymer-based bonding agents for reinforcing bars in pinning retrofit. In pinning retrofit, steel pins of 6 to 10 mm diameters are inserted into holes drilled diagonally from mortar joints. This technique is superior to other techniques especially in retrofitting historic masonry constructions because it does not change the appearance of constructions. With an ordinary cement paste as bonding agent, it is very difficult to insert reinforcing bars at larger open times due to poor workability and very thin clearance available. Here, open time represents the time interval between the injection of bonding agent and the insertion of reinforcing bars. Use of polymer-cement paste (PCP), as bonding agent, is proposed in this study, with investigation on workability and bond strengths of various PCPs in brick masonry, at open times up to 10 minutes, which is unavoidable in practice. Corresponding nonlinear finite element models are developed to simulate the experimental observations. From the experimental and analytical study, the Styrene-Butadiene Rubber polymer-cement paste (SBR-PCP) with prior pretreatments of drilled holes showed strong bond with minimum strength variation at larger open times.


Free radicals and related species have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. Oxidative stress has been considered a major contributory factor to the diseases. They are mainly derived from oxygen (reactive oxygen species (ROS)) and nitrogen (reactive nitrogen species (RNS)) and are generated in our body by various endogenous systems and exposure to different physicochemical conditions or pathophysi-ological states. Free radical damage to protein can result in loss of enzyme activity. There are epidemiological evidences correlating higher intake of components/foods with antioxidant abilities to lower incidence of various human morbidities or mor-talities. The sources and origin of antioxidants which include fruits and vegetables, meats, poultry, and fish were treated in this study. The classification and characteristics of antioxidant, its measurements and level in food and free radicals, were also documented. The chemistry of antioxidants which includes chain reactions, molecular structures, food antioxidants and reaction mechanisms, biochemical activity, therapeutic properties, and future choice of antioxidants was reported in this review.


This paper introduces a model-free and reference-free decentralized sensor fault identification algorithm ideally suited for wireless sensor networks. Since wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are adopted in many large-scale applications, fault detection of sensors becomes an important subject, especially for low-cost nodes. The common energy-limited characteristic of WSNs, however, makes centralized or complex fault detection algorithms unfavorable. We developed an energy efficient algorithm based on pair-wise comparison. The linear relationship between the outputs of sensor pairs is used to reveal the faulty sensors. The input of the system and knowledge of reference sensors are not required for this method. We also present how to pair sensors in order to minimize power consumption. The performance and limitations of the algorithm are discussed and verified by simulations. Results show that even when error power is comparable to the output signal power and the observation noise level is high, the algorithm is still able to detect most of the faults. Moreover, the decentralized approach reduces the power consumption of the WSN significantly when compared with the traditional centralized method.


This research is set out to determine the effect of welfare distribution the respect to import duty on the government revenue, consumer expenditures, producer revenues, and efficiency losses (in production, in consumption and net effect), and the level of competitiveness of cane sugar in Indonesia by calculating the Domestic Resource Cost (DRC). The research used secondary data from related preceding researches and other references such as magazines, journals, bulletins and the like. The research result showed that the government revenue, change of consumer surplus, producer surplus, economic net loss in production and consumption and exchange gain economization, are influenced by the import tariff and elasticity price toward supply and demand. It also showed that sugar product competitiveness in Indonesia is higher than the same product from other countries as the value of DRC is less than one. Key word: Sugar, Welfare Distribution, Domestic Resource Cost (DRC), Import tariff.


In 2011, the Department of Human Biosciences introduced two physiology capstone subjects as part of the Design for Learning Project at La Trobe University. Consistent with the project, the aims of these subjects were to provide an effective culmination point for the Bachelor of Health Science course and to offer students orientation to opportunities for further study, employment and career development. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the skills-related assessment tasks of the newly introduced capstone program and an evaluation of the capstone program based on student performance and feedback scores in conjunction with staff perceptions. The skills-related assessment tasks were designed to facilitate the development of research skills and graduate capabilities such as writing, speaking, creative problem-solving, inquiry/research and team work. Student performance determined by mean scores on the skills-based assessment tasks ranged from A to C. Final grades were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in 2011 when compared with final grades in 2010 and 2009. Students reported that the skills-based assessments contributed to their learning and skill development and satisfaction level was high. Staff noted a higher degree of student-centred learning, a vastly increased workload and a greater need for infrastructure services and support staff. Universities and departments should therefore consider staff and resource requirements when implementing curriculum that has a student-centred approach. In conclusion, the revised curriculum successfully promoted the development of research skills and graduate capabilities, thereby leading to work-readiness and/or entry to graduate studies in the Health and Biological Sciences.


This paper discusses the application of Lagrange multipliers to restore field continuity across nonconforming surfaces in 3-D problems. The method makes it in particular possible to implement the relative motion of stator and rotor without remeshing in the 3-D Finite Element (FE) modeling of electrical machines. The choice of a special set of biorthogonal shape functions for the Lagrange multiplier makes it possible to preserve the positive definiteness of the FE system. It is shown that such a biorthogonal basis cannot be constructed canonically for a 3-D magnetic vector potential formulation. For a 3-D magnetic scalar potential formulation, however, the situation is different and a biorthogonal basis can be found.


The implementation of inclusive education has obstacles. One of them is inadequate sources. It leads to the arrangement of learning program is not appropriate yet with the characteristic of learners. Ultimately, it causes learning purposes are not achieved in optimum. The elementary school of Anak Saleh Malang is one of inclusive schools with 16 children with special needs. They attends with their disabilities variety. Therefore, research is needed to develop planning, implementation, and process of individual learning evaluation for children with special needs. This evaluation should be appropriate with individual learning program. The purpose is to describe the planning, the implementation, and the evaluation of learning for children with special needs and to describe obstacles and efforts conducted by schools.
 This study used qualitative approach and descriptive study. It is conducted in second semester of 2019. Data sources were obtained from vice principal of inclusion curriculum, teachers for special children, and classroom teacher. Instruments to collect data are observation, interview guidance, and documentation. Data validity used source triangulation, technique triangulation, group review with colleague, and field note.
Result of the study shows that (1) planning of school learning has no initial assessment and identification to children that furthermore, it modifies competence and analyze the result of assessment from the third party and arrange the individual learning program for children. (2) The learning process is in regular class and in inclusion class by using media. It is conducted based on arranged individual learning program. (3) Precious teachers conducted learning evaluation for children with special needs and standard for children with special needs is 75 by suitable description of children capability. (4) Obstacles and efforts had by teachers and school. There are five obstacles faced by school. The conclusion is the planning and the implementation of individual learning program is not appropriate because there are no team and evaluation for the program is appropriate, as it is suitable for children capability. Suggestion for individual learning program of PDBK at inclusive school is improvement. Initially, the school needs to have cooperation with other school and department to have intensive socialization for schools and prints detail guidance. The schools cooperate with teachers and finding funds to develop their facilities. In arranging and implementing individual learning program, the school should involve team that the learning purposes achieved in maximum. Teachers and parents could conduct coordination for once a week as the form of cooperation. For dependent children with special needs, they need services from teachers and team.


Article history: Received 21 June 2018 Received in revised form 31 August 2018 Accepted 2 September 2018 Available online 10 September 2018 Effective wind-driven cross ventilation requires a well-designed opening, such as a window, to allow sufficient exchange between indoor and outdoor air, especially when the building is surrounded by other buildings. Using computational fluid dynamics, the present study investigated the effect of different opening positions on wind-driven ventilation in a building in an area with a packing density of 25%. The renormalizationgroup κ–ε turbulence model, a type of Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) model, was used to characterize the airflow in cubical building blocks arranged in a square array. Nine different configurations of aligned cross openings and nine configurations with non-aligned outlet positions were tested. The ventilation rates obtained for the aligned cross openings showed that openings positioned at the uppermost of the windward and leeward façade provided highest ventilation rate. The ventilation rate was reduced by 75% when the openings were positioned at the bottom of the façade. As for the fixed inlet in the centre, the ventilation rate was 100% higher when the outlet is at the top of the leeward façade compared to the bottom of the façade. The outcomes of this study show that opening position is imperative in providing effective wind-driven cross ventilation in urban areas.


of hysteria, and W. H. Walshe (Brome calls him "Walsh") is described as having studied with Laennec (he was fourteen years old when Laennec died). The publishers seem to have a limited amount of type with umlauts, so "fur" usually becomes "fur". I tired of noting misprints at about page 100, but in one notable paragraph of ten lines (p. 225), Cranefield became "Cranfield", Helmholtz became "Hemholtz", Bricke became "Brucke", and du BoisReymond became "de Bois-Reymond". W. F. Bynum Wellcome Institute


Twenty-three subjects with angiographically documented coronary heart disease were studied by means of arterial and coronary sinus catheterization before and one year after internal mammary artery implantations. The pre- and postoperative patterns of lactate extraction at rest and after isoproterenol stress have been determined and correlated with clinical improvement and angiographic patency of the implant. In group I 13 subjects had implants that were angiographically seen to fill some portion of the coronary circulation. Eight of 11 who produced lactate preoperatively reverted to normal lactate extraction. Two extracted lactate at both studies. All but two had clinical improvement. No deaths occurred over a mean follow-up period of 40 months (range 20 to 64). In group II ten subjects bad implants with no visible connection to the coronary circulation. Only one subject had reversion of lactate production to extraction and two from extraction to production. Seven of ten did not improve clinically. Three deaths occurred over a mean follow-up period of 39 months (range 17 to 53). Agreement has been found between reversion to normal lactate metabolism, angiographic patency, and clinical improvement following internal mammary artery implantation.


OBJECTIVES
Elevated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) may cause widespread organ dysfunction (abdominal compartment syndrome) through effects on the respiratory, cardiac, renal and gastro-intestinal systems. The aim of this study was to document IAP following aneurysm surgery, and to determine the effect of IAH on outcome.

DESIGN
Prospective observational study.

SETTING
University Hospital.

SUBJECTS
The patient cohort comprised 75 patients undergoing infra-renal aneurysm repair (53 non-ruptured [40 conventional--1 death, 13 endovascular] and 22 conventionally repaired ruptured AAA--8 deaths). IAP was quantified by bladder manometry at the termination of the procedure and at 24 h intervals in patients who remained intubated. Physiological indices of organ function were recorded. Statistical analysis utilized the unpaired t-test, Fischer's exact test and Pearson's correlation.

RESULTS
IAP was significantly higher at abdominal closure following ruptured aneurysm repair (15.4 mmHg [SE 1.6]) than conventional (10.5 [0.89]) or endovascular elective repair (6.4 [1.0]) of non-ruptured AAA. The sensitivity and specificity of IAP to predict subsequent mortality was analysed using a receiver characteristic operating curve. This analysis demonstrated that a cut off of 15 mmHg was the most useful for indicating patients at risk (sensitivity 0.66, specificity 0.79). Physiological indices of organ dysfunction (pH[P = 0.027], base excess [p = 0.005], peak inspiratory pressure [p = 0.0015], CVP and urine output [p = 0.0029]) were significantly impaired in patients with IAP > or = 15 mmHg, in comparison to patients with lower pressures. IAP correlated significantly with indices of cardiac (CVP p = 0.038), respiratory (PaO2/FiO2, p = 0.026), and renal function (urine output p = 0.046).

CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that the management of IAH may have a role following repair of ruptured AAA. High intra-abdominal pressures rarely complicate elective or endovascular aneurysm repair.


OBJECTIVE
To identify circulating proteins influencing type 1 diabetes susceptibility using Mendelian randomization (MR).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
We used a large-scale two-sample MR study, using cis genetic determinants (protein quantitative trait loci [pQTL]) of up to 1,611 circulating proteins from five large genome-wide association studies, to screen for causal associations of these proteins with type 1 diabetes risk in 9,684 case subjects with type 1 diabetes and 15,743 control subjects. Further, pleiotropy-robust MR methods were used in sensitivity analyses using both cis and trans-pQTL.

RESULTS
We found that a genetically predicted SD increase in signal regulatory protein γ (SIRPG) level was associated with increased risk of type 1 diabetes risk (MR odds ratio [OR] 1.66 [95% 1.36-2.03]; P = 7.1 × 10-7). The risk of type 1 diabetes increased almost twofold per genetically predicted standard deviation (SD) increase in interleukin-27 Epstein-Barr virus-induced 3 (IL27-EBI3) protein levels (MR OR 1.97 [95% CI 1.48-2.62]; P = 3.7 × 10-6). However, an SD increase in chymotrypsinogen B1 (CTRB1) was associated with decreased risk of type 1 diabetes (MR OR 0.84 [95% CI 0.77-0.90]; P = 6.1 × 10-6). Sensitivity analyses using MR methods testing for pleiotropy while including trans-pQTL showed similar results. While the MR-Egger suggested no pleotropic effect (P value MR-Egger intercept = 0.31), there was evidence of pleiotropy in MR-PRESSO (P value global test = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS
We identified three novel circulating protein biomarkers associated with type 1 diabetes risk using an MR approach. These biomarkers are promising targets for development of drugs and/or of screening tools for early prediction of type 1 diabetes.


Spanish Islamic military architecture shows an attempt at the systematization of works, techniques, and defensive elements, commencing in the era of the Umayyad Emirate and Caliphate up to the North African Empires (Almoravids and Almohads). This article presents an analysis of the constructive techniques and systems employed in the fortified architecture in al-Ṭagr al-Awsaṯ; that is, the Medium Frontier Territory of al-Andalus, called Marca Media, between the 8th and 13th centuries. The fortification of the borders was an objective of the Umayyad Emirate and Caliphate, as well as of the new kingdoms of Taifas and the Almoravid and Almohad Empires. The buildings were designed not only to defend a territory but also as a way of demonstrating the political power, and thus they were used as "state propaganda". The triumph of the Islamic State over different groups, the advance of the Christian conquest, the decline of the Caliphate, and the invasion of the Almoravids and Almohads were situations that modified the definition of borders, the strategies of defense, and the organization of cities and territories. Therefore, the construction of fortifications acted as a mirror reflecting the social, political, and economic circumstances, whose changes depended on the real possibilities, knowledge, celerity, or technological evolution of the time. As such, these constructions permit an analysis of not only the building techniques, but also the people who carried them out, showing in their remains the social implications and organization of work from the master builders down to the quarry workers. This article presents the organization and technical knowledge of construction through a selection of cases studies, including watchtowers, castles, city walls, and fortresses.


We report the study of an experimental granular Brownian motor, inspired by the one published in Eshuis et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 248001 (2010)], but different in some ingredients. As in that previous work, the motor is constituted by a rotating blade, the surfaces of which break the rotation-inversion symmetry through alternated patches of different inelasticity, immersed in a gas of granular particles. The main difference of our experimental setup is in the orientation of the main axis, which is parallel to the (vertical) direction of shaking of the granular fluid, guaranteeing an isotropic distribution for the velocities of colliding grains, characterized by a variance v(0)(2). We also keep the granular system diluted, in order to compare with Boltzmann-equation-based kinetic theory. In agreement with theory, we observe the crucial role of Coulomb friction which induces two main regimes: (i) rare collisions, with an average angular velocity ~v(0)(3), and (ii) frequent collisions (FC), with ~v(0). We also study the fluctuations of the angle spanned in a large-time interval Δθ, which in the FC regime is proportional to the work done upon the motor. We observe that the fluctuation relation is satisfied with a slope which weakly depends on the relative collision frequency.


Skin reactivity to tuberculin has been studied during the course of experimental leptospirosis in guinea pigs. A depression of the delayed hypersensitivity to tuberculin was demonstrated in the infected animals. The depression was most pronounced when icterus had developed. The depression was not correlated with the amount of infectious units administered or with the demonstration of live leptospirae in the peritoneal cavity. In the infected animals there was no correlation between the initial and the final skin tests which is in contrast to findings in the control group.