Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ) is a central regulator of the microenvironment in both normal tissues and tumors. TGFβ resides in the extracellular matrix as a latent complex that requires activation prior to binding to ubiquitous cell surface receptors to initiate a signaling cascade culminating in nuclear Smad activation of transcription. Most cancer cells are no longer responsive to TGFβ growth suppression, yet maintain a partially intact signaling pathway. Why? Surprisingly, we found that either Tgfb1 genetic deletion in mouse cells or TGFβ inhibition in human cells compromises the execution of the molecular cascade in response to DNA damage. Irradiated epithelial cells exhibit decreased ATM kinase activity and autophosphorylation, reduced phosphorylation of critical DNA damage transducers, and abrogation of cell cycle blockade and apoptosis, which together result in increased radiosensitivity. The ability of exogenous TGFβ to restore these responses indicates that the effect is both cell intrinsic and distal to TGFβ signaling. Recent studies suggest that TGFβ regulates multiple components of the DNA damage response, supporting the conclusion that extrinsic TGFβ is necessary for efficient execution of the intrinsic DNA damage response. TGFβ may thus provide a survival advantage in tumors, which are a source of exuberant TGFβ activity, provides an unexpected avenue for in cancer treatment. Both ionizing radiation and chemotherapy actually elicit TGFβ activity via redox- and integrin-mediated activation. We tested the translational potential of the requirement for TGFβ in the genotoxic stress program during radiotherapy using TGFβ neutralizing antibodies and small molecule inhibitors of the TGFβ type I receptor kinase in experimental models of breast, lung and brain cancer in vivo and in vitro. TGFβ inhibition prior to radiation increased the radiosensitivity of 10 of 12 human cancer cell lines as measured by clonogenic assay and decreased γH2AX phosphorylation. Notably, glioma stem cells were preferentially protected from DNA damage by high levels of TGFβ, which also promoted self-renewal, both of which were compromised by TGFβ inhibition. Administration of TGFβ neutralizing antibody in vivo increased tumor growth delay following single or multiple radiation fractions and also reduced metastasis. We anticipate that use of TGFβ inhibitors in the context of radiotherapy will increase radiosensitivity and impair the protective tumor microenvironment, providing both local and systemic benefit. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr SY11-02. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-SY11-02


Objectives To assess the relative contributions and quality of practice-based evidence (PBE) and research-based evidence (RBE) in The Guide to Community Preventive Services (The Community Guide). Methods We developed operational definitions for PBE and RBE in which the main distinguishing feature was whether allocation of participants to intervention and comparison conditions was under the control of researchers (RBE) or not (PBE). We conceptualized a continuum between RBE and PBE. We then categorized 3656 studies in 202 reviews completed since The Community Guide began in 1996. Results Fifty-four percent of studies were PBE and 46% RBE. Community-based and policy reviews had more PBE. Health care system and programmatic reviews had more RBE. The majority of both PBE and RBE studies were of high quality according to Community Guide scoring methods. Conclusions The inclusion of substantial PBE in Community Guide reviews suggests that evidence of adequate rigor to inform practice is being produced. This should increase stakeholders' confidence that The Community Guide provides recommendations with real-world relevance. Limitations in some PBE studies suggest a need for strengthening practice-relevant designs and external validity reporting standards.


This paper studies the factors that influence the CEO succession decision in family firms whose incumbent CEO is a member of the controlling family. The sample includes all such firms from France, Germany and the UK. We propose a new measure of directors' independence, which adjusts for various links with the controlling family. While we find that conventionally defined directors' independence has no impact on the CEO succession decision, our corrected measure reduces the likelihood of the successor being another family member. There is also evidence that firms from France that are cross-listed in the UK or USA are less likely to appoint another family CEO.


Recombinant human granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) is used to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells for both autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The recombinant products clinically available are lenograstim and filgrastim, which differ from a biologic point of view as well as from their economical impact. In this regard, some studies have shown different in vitro activities although clinical studies comparing both drugs in the allogeneic transplant setting are scanty.


This paper examines the levels of economic assimilation in the coastal areas of Mexico. Firstly, the theoretical assumptions and quantitative criteria to define specific features of both population and economic activities are presented. Afteiwards, the regianai differences resuiting from the various types of econamic assimilation found in this study are examined


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

Cutaneous malignant melanoma is considered one of the most deadly human cancers, based upon both its penchant for metastatic spread and its typical resistance to currently available therapy. Long known to harbor oncogenic NRAS mutations, melanomas were more recently reported to be frequent bearers of activating mutations in BRAF, one of the effectors situated downstream of wildtype NRAS. RAS gene products (HRas, KRas and NRas) are 21kd G-proteins that serve as molecular switches converting cell-surface kinase activation events to nuclear events, thus influencing cell behavior. The major downstream effectors of Ras are the Rafs (ARaf, BRaf and CRaf), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and the Ral guanine exchange factors (RalGEF). NRAS and BRAF mutations are rarely found in the same melanoma, suggesting that they may possess important overlapping oncogenic activities. Here we compare and contrast the oncogenic roles of the three major NRas downstream effectors, Raf, PI3K and RalGEF, using genetically engineered Arf-deficient immortalized mouse melanocytes as a model system. Activation of each of the three major downstream pathways of NRas has overt phenotypic effects on immortalized mouse melanocytes, many distinct. Our data indicate a prominent role for BRaf and PI3K in melanocyte senescence and invasiveness, respectively. More surprisingly, we found that constitutively activated RalGEF stimulated melanocyte invasiveness and anchorage-independent growth almost as impressively as NRasQ61K. The suppressive effects of expression of a dominant negative Ral corroborated the role of the RalGEF-Ral pathway in anchorage-independent growth. Although no single downstream pathway could recapitulate all of the consequences of oncogenic NRas expression, melanocytes expressing constitutively activated mutants of all three NRas downstream factors (RLF-CAAX plus p110α-CAAX plus BRafV600E) achieved soft agar colony forming efficiency that was fully comparable to those expressing NRasQ61K alone. In conclusion, our data suggested a distinct function for all three NRas downstream pathways - Raf, PI3K and Ral in melanocyte senescence, invasiveness and transformation, respectively. Importantly, our finding that constitutive RalGEF activation confers malignant phenotypes in melanocytes, particularly anchorage-independent growth, indicates that this often overlooked pathway should be more carefully evaluated as a possible therapeutic target.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5076.


The influence in primary mixed lymphocyte culture reaction (MLR) of a primed lymphocyte typing (PLT) defined non-HLA-D/DR determinant, EP1, was investigated. In primary MLR between HLA-D/DR compatible lymphocytes, the response of the lymphocytes from 14 EP1-negative HLA-D/DR heterozygous individuals towards two EP1-positive homozygous typing cells (HTCs) was on an average approximately 35% higher than the response towards two EP1-negative HTCs (P less than 0.01). The strength of the MLR between lymphocytes from 25 EP1-negative and 10 EP1-positive individuals matched for two HLA-D/DR antigens was investigated. The average responses of EP1-negative lymphocytes against EP1-positive lymphocytes were approximately 40% higher than the average responses against EP1-negative lymphocytes (P less than 0.01). These data indicate that the PLT defined determinant EP1 causes stimulation in primary MLR.


The Svalbard region faces drastic environmental changes, including sea-ice loss and "Atlantification" of Arctic waters, caused primarily by climate warming. These changes result in shifts in the sea-ice-associated (sympagic) community structure, with consequences for the sympagic food web and carbon cycling. To evaluate the role of sympagic biota as a source, sink, and transmitter of carbon, we sampled pack ice and under-ice water (0–2 m) north of Svalbard in spring 2015 by sea-ice coring and under-ice trawling. We estimated biomass and primary production of ice algae and under-ice phytoplankton as well as biomass, carbon demand, and secondary production of sea-ice meiofauna (>10 µm) and under-ice fauna (>300 µm). Sea-ice meiofauna biomass (0.1–2.8 mg C m–2) was dominated by harpacticoid copepods (92%), nauplii (4%), and Ciliophora (3%). Under-ice fauna biomass (3.2–62.7 mg C m–2) was dominated by Calanus copepods (54%). Appendicularia contributed 23% through their high abundance at one station. Herbivorous sympagic fauna dominated the carbon demand across the study area, estimated at 2 mg C m–2 day–1 for ice algae and 4 mg C m–2 day–1 for phytoplankton. This demand was covered by the mean primary production of ice algae (11 mg C m–2 day–1) and phytoplankton (30 mg C m–2 day–1). Hence, potentially 35 mg C m–2 day–1 of algal material could sink from the sympagic realm to deeper layers. The demand of carnivorous under-ice fauna (0.3 mg C m–2 day–1) was barely covered by sympagic secondary production (0.3 mg C m–2 day–1). Our study emphasizes the importance of under-ice fauna for the carbon flux from sea ice to pelagic and benthic habitats and provides a baseline for future comparisons in the context of climate change.


During my 10 years as an experiential education director, I have come to resolutely believe that students learn best using a holistic approach of both content and learning environment—in other words, experience is essential. I opted to "track-in" to the doctor of pharmacy program at a university with the option of obtaining a 5-year bachelor's degree as an entry to pharmacy practice. I thought the additional experience would prepare me and make me more marketable for the changing pharmacy workforce. Fast-forward twenty years, I have completed 2 residency programs and a master's degree.

As a faculty member, I participated in the curricular revision in 2008 that increased the preprofessional pharmacy program from 2 to 3 years. Similar to other schools across the country, the school moved some of the basic science courses that had been historically taught for decades by pharmacy faculty members into the preprofessional curriculum. This transition was initiated because we wanted to maintain a strong science background but needed to increase credit hour space for more experiential education in the professional program, as required by the 2007 ACPE Standards and Guidelines. As an experiential education director, this was a move I strongly supported. We discussed the option of requiring a bachelor's degree at the time but thought that might hinder competition with neighboring pharmacy schools for recruits.

My colleague Adam Pate makes a valid argument in this Point/Counterpoint that pharmacy education is entering another era of evolution. I would assert, however, that now is not the time for us to reduce preprofessional requirements but instead to augment them and potentially require a bachelor's degree prior to entry into the professional pharmacy program. I believe this is the right path for 4 primary reasons: (1) obtaining a bachelor's degree is a predictor of academic success in pharmacy school; (2) this move would be consistent with other health care professions; (3) this change could facilitate implementation and assessment of new standards in pharmacy education that focus on enhanced personal and professional development skills; and (4) this would create uniformity among programs, decreasing competition for admissions and potentially uniting us more in pharmacy education and as a health care profession.

First, students who enter pharmacy school with bachelor's degrees are more academically successful than those without. Almost 20 years ago, Chisholm and colleagues reported that a bachelor's degree was one of the most important predictors of academic success in first-year students,1 and more recently, Houglum and colleagues also found that prior attainment of a bachelor's degree was a predictor of success.2 McCall et al reported that completing advanced biology courses and a bachelor of science degree correlated significantly with higher grade point average,3 and Renzi et al reported that students with a bachelor's degree performed better academically, particularly in the first professional year.4

Based on their research, Boyce and Lawson suggested that the preprofessional program should consist of at least 6 semesters. Further, they proposed, "the completion of the baccalaureate degree is likely to enhance the student's general abilities, but will also enhance their maturity and demonstrate their ability to complete a program."5 In that vein, there has been a significant increase in programs that require 3 years of prepharmacy training or bachelor's degrees.6 Nine schools require bachelor's degrees, and several others give preference to applicants with bachelor's degrees in admissions formulas.7 As of fall 2014, 50% of students entering US doctor of pharmacy programs had bachelor's degrees.8

Second, a baccalaureate degree requirement in pharmacy would be consistent with other health care professions' entry requirements. To enter medical school, almost all students have a prior bachelor's degree, the type of which does not matter in terms of predicting success.9,10 The majority of physical therapy programs require applicants to earn a bachelor's degree prior to what is now the terminal doctor of physical therapy program.11 Nurse practitioners at a minimum must have a bachelor's of nursing plus 2 years of additional professional training, and the trend is now to move towards a doctoral program.12 Physician assistant programs perhaps vary the most across the nation, but they, too, mostly require bachelor's degrees for admission and will require a terminal master's degree beginning in 2020.13 The length of professional programs vary, but an overwhelming majority of these health care professionals, with whom student pharmacists will interact, will possess bachelor's degrees in addition to their professional degrees.

Third, requiring a bachelor's degree will increase the likelihood that those who enter a pharmacy program will have had exposure to enhanced personal and professional development prior to admission. The latest iteration of the Center for the Advancement of Pharmaceutical Education (CAPE) Outcomes and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Standards 2016 emphasize the importance of personal and professional development and focus on individual characteristics such as leadership, self-awareness, empathy, motivation, attention, and interest.14,15 While no specific evidence suggests that an individual with a degree will have more of those characteristics, the maturity level of these students is higher, and they generally have a broader perspective and educational level.4,6 Obtaining more education may correlate with 2 important psychological factors—that of perseverance and passion for long-term goals, which has been defined by Duckworth et al as "grit."16 Their research demonstrated that those with more education had more grit compared to those of same age with less education.

I firmly believe that a solid basic science foundation is essential for every entering student pharmacist. Perhaps it is time, though, to determine which science and math courses are most critical, and whether we should consider requiring other nonmath and nonscience courses. If we consider medical school and other prerequisite models, some programs require humanities courses. Students with a greater background in the humanities tend to be more adept than those without this background at empathy, professionalism, and self-care.17 This exposure may also provide the background needed for areas of increased focus and expertise in the health care realm, such as health literacy and cultural competency. If we require a bachelor's degree that includes more humanities courses, this might facilitate the implementation and assessment of Domain 4 of the CAPE Outcomes (personal and professional development), allowing us to more easily identify those students in need of enhanced skill development.

Lastly, the most important reason to require a bachelor's degree is, as Boyce and Lawson suggest, the need for consistency.5 We have debated and wrestled with preprofessional curriculum requirements for years. Likewise, competition among schools has also long existed, but has escalated over the past few years. We need to to consider if our competition for the best and brightest students has become unhealthy, or even flawed. If the preprofessional requirements were more unified, this would decrease competitiveness and provide a more standardized preparation and entry into the profession.

DeLander suggested more than 10 years ago that we should rigorously examine preprofessional requirements.18 Five years later, Kirschenbaum called for the same.19 The 2011-2012 Argus Commission recommended that requirements be minimized in favor of better assessment and admission tools.20 Perhaps if we required a degree, it would help unite the academy, who could then focus more on the advancement of our professional programs.

Challenges would need to be addressed if we transitioned to a required bachelor's degree. Academic fatigue and increased costs are legitimate concerns. However, our profession needs more grit, and we need to strengthen and maintain a reputation of training that aligns with other health care professions. Student debt is another likely concern, but pharmacists remain among the highest paid health care professionals. With change, there would be significant implications for 0-6 and other programs that would require careful consideration. The supply and demand of pharmacists in the workforce and number of applicants will also need to be closely monitored, especially in light of the most recent Pharmacist Workforce Survey, which revealed 15% of male and 6% of female pharmacists plan to retire by 2017.21

Dr. Pate and I agree on 2 things: the future of pharmacy is bright, and it is imperative that the academy answer this lingering question. We differ, however, on what that answer should be regarding preprofessional curriculum requirements. The focus on preprofessional curriculum quantity should be put to rest. Instead, we should determine how to unite as a profession and focus on the quality of our curricula and on the care we'll provide to our awaiting patients.


This research is focused on two representative plans that overlap , ie the personality and the communication staff. Communication is one who intercedes the educational phenomenon achievement as a whole, and teaching communication appears as a particular form, compulsory circulation of content determined specific act of systematic learning. We gave a wide space personality, for the following reasons: 1) adaptation of the relational style of the teacher 's age and individual peculiarities of the pupil / student requires knowledge of these features; 2) self-knowledge of the pupil / student is not only prerequisite to self-improvement , and information source for the knowledge of the teacher; 3) by default , we want to stimulate the teacher concern himself for knowing their own personalities. If we assume that the effect of educational action depends on the quality of staff , educator and educated, and the relationship between  them,  the  sources  related  bottlenecks  occurring  mostly  teacher-student relationship (aversive control , bias in the appreciation, lack of student's personality, discipline ensured only by prohibitions and requests) then can act knowingly in order to prevent bottlenecks that unlock information flow and influence formative professor- pupil/student constructive relationship.


The present study is designed to improve understanding of personal and situational effects on academic performance. This study examines relationship between flexible assessment system and academic performance mediated by self-regulation and academic motivation. This study also investigates moderated gender as a variable on the relationship models. A sample of 326 students of economics and business program were participated in the current study. The results indicate that academic motivational construct is a strong predictor of students' self-regulation in learning and academic performance. Self-regulation mediates relationship between students' academic motivation and students' academic performance. Academic motivation and self-regulation also mediate the relationship between flexible assessment system and self regulation. The results also indicate that flexible assessment system does not have a direct relation with performance. These results are discussed with regard to the relevance of flexible assessment system, academic motivation, and self-regulation in increasing academic performance.


Methyl jasmonate is an important signaling molecule involved in plant defense as well as in the regulation of plant growth and development. Despite its various functions in plants, its effects on animal cells have not been widely studied and no report has been issued on the molecular aspects of its anti-inflammatory effect. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro anti-inflammatory properties of methyl jasmonate in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methyl jasmonate treatment effectively inhibited LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators (nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6) in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, it attenuated the LPS-induced activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) by suppressing the degradation of the inhibitor of κB-α (IκB-α). Additionally, methyl jasmonate dose-dependently blocked the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), i.e., p38 kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), in these cells. These results suggest that methyl jasmonate attenuated the LPS-induced release of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines by suppressing the activation of MAPK (JNK, ERK and p38) and NF-κB signaling. This study not only demonstrated that methyl jasmonate exerts anti-inflammatory activities in macrophages but also revealed its potential as a candidate for the treatment of various inflammation-associated diseases.


We propose a simplest detector of harmonic vibrations with micro amplitudes and low frequencies, i.e. a detector consisting of one atomic beam. Here, the atomic beam is induced by a plane harmonic wave and has classical collective harmonic vibrations, whose vibrant directions are perpendicular to the wave vectors of the atomic beam. Compared with a detector consisting of an atomic Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the new detector has two advantages: (1) it is suitable for the detection of harmonic vibrations induced either by a longitudinal plane harmonic wave or by using a transverse plane harmonic wave: (2) the quantum noise fluctuation of the atomic beam is exactly zero. We present the principle for detecting classical harmonic vibrations with micro amplitudes and low frequencies by using the new detector. The frequency of a classical harmonic vibration with a micro amplitude can be evaluated by measuring the variations in the mean numbers of atoms arriving at the atomic detector.


The main aim of this paper is to detect, indicate and protect the 3 phase induction motor from various faults using some technique. The circuit will control the 3 phase induction motor and it will first detect faults of motor like over voltage, under voltage, over current, under current and after circuit will indicate that faults and at least it will protect induction motor from faults. These also protect induction motor from temperature imbalances i.e. overheating of motor and after that circuit will switch on motor under safe condition. There is microcontroller used for control of circuit and it will detect and indicate voltage and current of 3-phases as well as faults occur in IM. If fault occurs it will cut off power to motor and switch off motor until they are normal.


We propose an experimentally feasible scheme to generate a superposition of travelling field coherent states using an extremely small Kerr effect and an ancilla which could be a single photon or two entangled twin photons. The scheme contains ingredients which are all within the current state of the art and is robust against the main sources of errors which can be identified in our setups.


In the existing system, several precautions should be taken in using pharmaceutical drugs, for both healthcare experts, who prescribe and administer drugs, and for drug purchasers. In the proposed gadget, side effects and effectiveness, relies upon on traits of patients, which include age, gender, existence, and genetic profiles. Our intention is to offer a device to help experts and consumers in locating and selecting pills. To reap this intention, we broaden an approach that lets in a person to query for pills that satisfy a fixed of situations based on drug residences, inclusive of drug symptoms, facet outcomes, and drug interactions, and additionally takes into account affected person profiles. The amendment paintings is the combination of big information and android primarily based input user with the aid of any consumer for smooth facts evaluation method. We also analyze the disease and satisfactory drug cautioned to that precise affected person via large facts analysis. Use can put up the query thru gadget or via android application additionally. We also set up appointment to the fine physician for the consultation based on person feedbacks.


Coinage metals (Au, Cu and Ag) are state-of-the-art electrocatalysts for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). Size-dependent CO2RR activity of Au and Cu has been studied, and increased H2 evolution reaction (HER) activity is expected for small catalyst particles with high population of undercoordinated corner sites. A similar consensus is still lacking for Ag catalysts because the ligands and stabilizers typically used to control particle synthesis can block specific active sites and mask inherent structure-property trends. This knowledge gap is problematic because increased performance and catalyst utilization are still needed to improve economic viability. We combined density functional theory, microkinetic modeling, and experiment to demonstrate a strong size-dependence for pristine Ag particles in the sub-10 nm range. Small diameter particles with a high population of Ag edge sites were predicted to favor HER, whereas CO2RR selectivity increased towards that of bulk Ag for larger diameter particles as the population of Ag(100) surface sites grew. Experimental results validated these predictions and we identified an optimal particle diameter of 8-10 nm that balanced selectivity and activity. Particles below this diameter suffered from poor selectivity, while larger particles demonstrated bulk-like activity and reduced catalyst utilization. These results demonstrate the size-dependent CO2RR activity of pristine Ag catalysts and will help guide future development efforts.


In this work, we present a novel frame-level Rate Control algorithm for Multiview Video Coding encoder that adopts the Model Predictive Control technique in order to provide low bitrate fluctuation and high video quality. Our Model Predictive Rate Control (MPRC) predicts the bitrate for a frame by employing (i) inter-view inter-GOP (Group of Pictures) phase-based bitrate prediction, and (ii) temporal (intra-GOP) target bitrate linear weighting. Moreover, the MPRC also defines an optimal control action through frame-level QP value selection. Experimental results demonstrate that our MPRC bitrate prediction incurs a Mean Bit Estimation Error (MBEE) of 1.13% compared to 2.46% provided by single view-based Rate Control and 1.61% provided by the state-of-the-art MVC Rate Control. Our solution also provides on average 0.876dB BD-PSNR increase and 28.92% BD-Bitrate reduction while providing smoother quality and bitrate variations when compared to state-of-the-art.


Forced convection heat transfer coefficient and friction factor are determined for flow of water and nanofluid in a vertical packed bed column. The analysis is undertaken in the laminar and transition Reynolds number range. The column is filled with spherical glass beads as the bed material. The heat transfer coefficients with Al2O3 nanofluid increased by 12 to 15% with the increase of volume concentration from 0.02 to 0.5% compared to water. The experimental values of axial temperature are in good agreement with NTU-? method proposed by Schumann's model.


Treethrow pits and mounds in sandy Spodosols were examined to determine their internal soil horizonation. Treethrow mounds were found to contain either (1) nearly intact, yet inverted soil profiles above otherwise undisturbed soil horizon sequences, or (2) more typical mixed and random horizonation. Soil profile inversion, emphasized here for the first time, is initiated by treethrow on steep slopes which produces overhanging root plates. Subsequent fire burns the trunk, eliminating all support and allowing the plate to overturn. Charcoal within buried A horizons of mounds supports this hypothesis. On gentle slopes, soil slumps off a more vertically-inclined root mass, resulting in a haphazard arrangement of horizons. This arrangement occurs regardless of the presence or absence of fire, and results in the typical contorted horizonation often reported for treethrow mounds. [Key words: Spodosols, treethrow, pedoturbation, fire, Michigan.]


A 24-year-old male presented with a metastatic germinoma in the thoracic vertebra 7 years after irradiation of a pineal germinoma. Combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide was highly effective. No recurrence has appeared in the 2 years since chemotherapy.


In the current investigation, the removal efficiency regarding a cationic dye, methylene blue (MB), from three graphene-based materials was investigated. The materials' characterization process involved instrumental methods such as XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, FTIR, and nitrogen adsorption at 77 K. The survey examined how various process factors influenced the ability of the studied materials to adsorb cationic dyes. These parameters encompassed contact time, initial dye concentrations, solution pH, and temperature. The adsorption procedure was effectively explained through the application of pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models. The maximum adsorption capacity for the best adsorbent at 293 K was found to be 49.4 mg g−1. In addition, the study also determined the entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy values associated with the removal of MB and showed that the adsorption of MB is endothermic, feasible, and spontaneous. The results also revealed that the studied materials are suitable adsorbents for the removal of cationic dyes.


ABSTRACT Poor performance in subjects such as mathematics and physical science in basic education is the theme of much discussion. This study explored the use of mother-tongue (in this case Sesotho) subtitling of English language videos on selected themes in the Grade 12 physical science curriculum as a possible vehicle to enhance learning. An empirical investigation was conducted to determine if and how mother-tongue subtitling (of English language videos) affected the comprehension of Grade 12 learners from two former Department of Education and Training (DET) schools. Grade 12 physical science content material was divided into six videos and shown to two groups of participants. One of the two groups (control group) watched the material without subtitles while the second group (experimental group) watched the same material subtitled in Sesotho over a six-week period. The results of the comprehension test that was written after this period indicates statistically significant improvement in the marks of the experimental group.


Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a B-cell malignancy characterized by a wide range of tumor-induced alterations, which affect both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response, and accumulate during disease progression. In recent years, the development of targeted therapies, such as the B-cell receptor signaling inhibitors and the Bcl-2 protein inhibitor venetoclax, has dramatically changed the treatment landscape of CLL. Despite their remarkable anti-tumor activity, targeted agents have some limitations, which include the development of drug resistance mechanisms and the inferior efficacy observed in high-risk patients. Therefore, additional treatments are necessary to obtain deeper responses and overcome drug resistance. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which exploits immune-mediated graft-versus-leukemia effect to eradicate tumor cells, currently represents the only potentially curative therapeutic option for CLL patients. However, due to its potential toxicities, HSCT can be offered only to a restricted number of younger and fit patients. The growing understanding of the complex interplay between tumor cells and the immune system, which is responsible for immune escape mechanisms and tumor progression, has paved the way for the development of novel immune-based strategies. Despite promising preclinical observations, results from pilot clinical studies exploring the safety and efficacy of novel immune-based therapies have been sometimes suboptimal in terms of long-term tumor control. Therefore, further advances to improve their efficacy are needed. In this context, possible approaches include an earlier timing of immunotherapy within the treatment sequencing, as well as the possibility to improve the efficacy of immunotherapeutic agents by administering them in combination with other anti-tumor drugs. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive overview of main immune defects affecting patients with CLL, also describing the complex networks leading to immune evasion and tumor progression. From the therapeutic standpoint, we will go through the evolution of immune-based therapeutic approaches over time, including i) agents with broad immunomodulatory effects, such as immunomodulatory drugs, ii) currently approved and next-generation monoclonal antibodies, and iii) immunotherapeutic strategies aiming at activating or administering immune effector cells specifically targeting leukemic cells (e.g. bi-or tri-specific antibodies, tumor vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, and checkpoint inhibitors).


Within Pollenia Robineau-Desvoidy, a vagabunda species-group is defined and described. It consists of three species new to science: P. bezziana sp. n., P. stigi sp. n. and P. verneri sp. n. and two redescribed species: P. contempta Robineau-Desvoidy and P. vagabunda (Meigen). It is monophyletic on the basis of synapomorphies in the male cerci and the number of the inner posthumeral setae. Its sister-group is believed to be the viatica species-group. A key is provided and terminalia of both sexes illustrated for all species as far as these are known. A neotype is designated for Pollenia contempta Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830. A lectotype is designated for Pollenia hasei Seguy, 1928b. P. contempta is widely distributed in the western Mediterranean region and is the sister species of P. vagabunda with a much wider distribution in Europe. P. vagabunda is also reported from the U.S.A. for the first time. P. bezziana is described from Italy, P. verneri from Spain and Portugal, and P. stigi from high altitude in the Moyen Atlas mountains of Morocco. Musca varians Meigen in Morge (1975), nomen nudum, is established as a new synonym of Musca vagabunda Meigen, 1826.


Hemocytes of 2- to 3-d-old female Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann are described by morphology, cytochemistry, and functional criteria. Supplemented Grace's insect medium in a modified Foley's perfusion method was used to obtain hemolymph from An. albimanus. Morphological analysis indicated 3 types of hemocytes were present, prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, and granular cells. Prohemocytes were small round cells with a high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio. Plasmatocytes were the most abundant cell types in the hemolymph, and appeared as small to large and spindle-shaped cells with round or elongate nucleus, variable number of vacuoles, small granules, and pseudopodia. Granular cells were small to large and round with a large number of cytoplasmic granules, vacuoles, and numerous filopodia. Ultrastructurally, prohemocytes were undifferentiated with abundant free ribosomes and with few small electron-dense granules. Plasmatocytes were rich in mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes, small electron-dense granules, numerous peripheral vacuoles and with an important organelle polarization. Granular cells contained numerous large electron-dense granular inclusions and vacuoles. Cytochemical studies showed that plasmatocytes and granular cells have cationic bactericidal proteins. Only granular cells showed phenoloxidase and probably lysosomal activities. In vitro functional studies demonstrated that both plasmatocytes and granular cells were able to attach to glass slides, and only plasmatocyte had phagocytic activity and motility. These results characterize the hemocytes of An. albimanus and suggest that plasmatocytes and granular cells may have a role in defense responses to foreign organisms.


The ability of the adult brain to undergo plastic changes is of particular interest in medicine, especially regarding recovery from injuries or improving learning and cognition. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been associated with juvenile experience-dependent primary visual cortex (V1) plasticity, yet little is known about their role in this process in the adult V1. Activation of MMPs is a crucial step facilitating structural changes in a healthy brain; however, upon brain injury, upregulated MMPs promote the spread of a lesion and impair recovery. To clarify these seemingly opposing outcomes of MMP-activation, we examined the effects of MMP-inhibition on experience-induced plasticity in healthy and stoke-affected adult mice. In healthy animals, 7-day application of MMP-inhibitor prevented visual plasticity. Additionally, treatment with MMP-inhibitor once but not twice following stroke rescued plasticity, normally lost under these conditions. Our data imply that an optimal level of MMP-activity is crucial for adult visual plasticity to occur. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.11290.001


Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in dentistry as analgesics and antipyretics. In the vast majority of emergencies, dental pain can be controlled with paracetemol, aspirin and ibuprofen, there are various levels of toothache ranging from occasional discomfort caused by early tooth decay, or periodontal disease, to the more severe, constant pain caused by advanced tooth decay and dental abscesses. Ibuprofen has been frequently and widely employed as analgesic and as anti-inflammatory agent in dental patients. Ibuprofen relieves pain and reduces fever and inflammation. The liver eliminates ibuprofen from the body. The process may work too slowly in some people, or liver enzymes may be altered, by high doses of ibuprofen, mainly: glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), that catalyzes the transfer of an amino group from alanine to a-ketoglutarate, the products of this reversible transamination reaction being pyruvate and glutamate. Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT)that facilitates the conversion of aspartate and alpha-ketoglutarate to oxaloacetate and glutamate, and vice-versa. Both enzymes are normally present in liver and heart cells. They are released into blood when the liver or heart is damaged, thus levels are elevated with liver damage (viral hepatitis) or with an insult to the heart (heart attack). Some medications can also raise SGOTand SGPT levels. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)is hydrolase enzyme in the cells lining the biliary ducts of the liver as well as in bone and placental tissue, the enzyme is responsible for removing phosphate groups from many types of molecules, including nucleotides, proteins, and alkaloids. ALP levels in plasma will rise with large bile duct obstruction, intrahepatic cholestasis or infiltrative diseases of the liver and active bone formation occurring as ALP is a byproduct of osteoblast activity (such as the case in Paget's disease of bone), as well as in people with untreated coeliac disease. The purpose of the study was to identify toxic effects of ibuprofen for short term-therapy (not less than 5days) on liver function by assessment of hepatic SGPT, SGOT and ALP in intact people, who are under dental procedures, as well as in medically compromised dental patients. About 57 patients are investigated and were given several doses of ibuprofen. The main finding is an increase in ALP, as well as moderate to high elevation of SGPT and SGOT hepatic enzymes, but they remain around their normal ranges.


Earlier work has shown that there is a relation between the character of the pebble in rayon crêpe and the untwisting torque exerted by the yarn when wetted. In the present paper the torsional internal energy in twisted viscose yarn is investigated in detail. The torque released when thrown and set yarn is wetted is found to be independent of the commercial variation in filament number and twist. In twisting a parallel filament yam the resisting torque due solely to internal stresses is directly proportional to the turns twist, and the corresponding torsional internal energy increases as the square of the twist. The relaxation of torque follows a simple law, the same for both the dry and wet conditions except for the conslants of the equations. The torque falls Off directly as the logarithm of the time. An explanation for the formation of kinks is given.


Background: Today, the application of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and alga for enhancing cashing crops growth has been increased. A wide-spectrum ranges of microorganisms have been isolated from rhizosphere, phyllosphere, soils and mines that showed potential benefits for enhancing plant production. These microorganisms are effective beneficial, symbiont and plant stimulator that could provide a considerable amount of essential nutrient for plant roots, protect plants from stresses and finally affected the total yield of plants. The selection of proper bacteria or fungus species for introducing into the agricultural soils that used for cultivation of economic and strategic plants such as cereals, oil-yielding trees and commercial seeds, depend on various factors such as target hosts, the population of soil microorganisms, environmental tensions and survival potential of introduced bacteria. Various microbiological methods such as engineering the bacterial genome, introduction of exotic genes into bacterial/fungal strains, enhancing metabolic pathways of microorganism and something like that have been followed to improve the interaction between strategic plant roots and nearby microorganisms. Results: The accumulating body of evidence speculates that any modification in the genome sequence of PGPRs could affect their potential to produce plant growth stimulants. In this regard, studies suggested that over-expression of genes involved in plants yield and regulation of them could relatively support stronger interaction of soil microorganisms with plant roots. Microbiological engineering of soil could also effectively change nutrient recycle around plant roots provided higher level of nutritional elements for plant growth. Therefore, any changes in the population of beneficial soil microbiota are associated with higher growth of plants and their sustainable development in zero-element soils. Conclusion: Because the inappropriate application of plant-growth-enhancing microbiota may show injudicious effects on native soil microorganism, the utilization of novel and practical microbial biotechnology methods can overcome this problem for long-term application of bacterium/fungal-based biofertilizers for agricultural goals.


ABSTRACT Straumann presents a grand narrative: Roman constitutionalism in the West from the age of Cicero to the American Founding Fathers. His project is forensic, mounting a case framed in terms of a dichotomy between the Greek ethical and political tradition of Plato and Aristotle which emphasizes civic virtue (Pocock's classical republicanism), and the Roman-law based constitutionalism of Cicero (Skinner's version). But this is too easy. Cicero was heavily influenced by Aristotle; and the very survival of Western civilization depended on translation movements, Greek into Arabic and Arabic into Latin, under the Abbasid and Cordoba Caliphates, which preserved the classical Greek texts on which it rests, and recirculated them back to Europe. This had important implications for Islamic jurisprudence, which was the progenitor of medieval European jurisprudence and scholastic dialectic. Justinian's recovery of Roman Law and subsequent medieval codifications are related to the impetus for the Islamic translation movement and Islamic jurisprudence at one remove. Why are the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire (which saw a continuation of Hellenic culture), the Islamic empires (which saw a continuation of Hellenistic culture), and the Holy Roman Empire of the Germanic Peoples (which saw the recovery of Roman Law), missing from this account?


The generation of echoes in the electric dipole moment of a Rydberg wavepacket precessing in an external electric field by reversal of the field is described. When the wavepacket experiences reversible dephasing, large echoes are observed pointing to strong refocusing of the wavepacket. The presence of irreversible dephasing leads to a reduction in the size of the echoes. The effect of irreversible dynamics on echoes is investigated using artificially synthesized noise. Methods to determine the decoherence rate are discussed.


The FDA has been charged by the 2010 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) with improving food safety in the United States. The four large regulations analyzed in this paper do not appear able to accomplish that mission. Part of the reason for this failure is that Congress has narrowly prescribed some of the reforms that must be in these regulations. In addition to those requirements, however, the FDA is proposing even more expansionist regulations. There are two problems with these regulations and the expansions proposed in the FSMA: either they do not address an actual food safety risk in the areas they cover, or, where there is a significant risk, analysis shows that they will not effectively reduce that risk. Either way, the costs of these rules exceed the benefits, in some cases by a great deal.


Background: Attitudes toward technology may impact the levels of technology acceptance and training willingness among nursing students. Nurse acceptance and effective utilization of technology are critical to improving patient care and safety. Purpose: The aims of this cross-sectional study were to measurethe attitude of nursing students toward technology and to determine if demographic characteristics affect their attitudinal measures. Furthermore, the amount of formal education provided on the use of technology applications is explored. Methods: A convenience sample of nursing students attending a public university in Jordan was recruited, and a technology attitude scale designed to measure the attitude of nursing students toward technology was used. Scales designed to gather data on participant demographics, self-reported technology skills, and level of formal technology education were also used. Results: The results showed that participants held a positive attitude toward technology. Students who reported a high level of technology skill had the most positive attitude toward technology. The impact years of formal education on the use of technology applications were low, whereas academic level had a significant impact on technology attitudes. Senior student participants had the highest level of technology education, likely because of their exposure to relatively more educational opportunities, and the most positive attitude toward technology. Conclusions: Despite the positive attitude of nursing students toward technology, the problem of minimal technology education should be addressed in future nursing programs to further enhance positive attitudes toward technology.


A medium-term unit commitment program is critical to the power operation group of a typical power utility. For the Arizona Public Service Company (APS) this means: a 2-to-5 day study period; up to 40 generators; and up to 20 sales/purchases. The original resource commitment system (RES) was envisioned to run on the real time energy management system computer. For many reasons the package was better suited to the corporate mainframe. As overall corporate computer demand was growing at a faster pace than the capability of the corporate mainframe, so turn-around times for typical RES runs were getting longer. APS decided to move RES to a PC platform. To accomplish this, the decision was made to migrate to an OS/2 platform using IBM PS/2, some 80286 and some 80486 based, connected using an Ethernet local area network. The new RES program, the user interface, the conversion of the source code to C, and the conversion of the database are discussed.<<ETX>>


Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm (ITPN) is a recently recognized rare variant of intraductal neoplasms of the pancreas. Molecular aberrations underlying the neoplasm remain unknown. We investigated somatic mutations in PIK3CA, PTEN, AKT1, KRAS, and BRAF. We also investigated aberrant expressions of phosphorylated AKT, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), tumor protein 53 (TP53), SMAD4, and CTNNB1 in 11 cases of ITPNs and compared these data with those of 50 cases of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), another distinct variant of pancreatic intraductal neoplasms. Mutations in PIK3CA were found in 3 of 11 ITPNs but not in IPMNs (P=0.005; Fisher exact test). In contrast, mutations in KRAS were found in none of the ITPNs but were found in 26 of the 50 IPMNs (P=0.001; Fisher exact test). PIK3CA mutations were associated with strong expression of phosphorylated AKT (P<0.001; the Mann-Whitney U test). Moreover, the expression of phosphorylated AKT was apparent in most ITPNs but only in a few IPMNs (P<0.001; the Mann-Whitney U test). Aberrant expressions of TP53, SMAD4, and CTNNB1 were not statistically different between these neoplasms. Mutations in PIK3CA and the expression of phosphorylated AKT were not associated with age, sex, tissue invasion, and patients' prognosis in ITPNs. These results indicate that activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway may play a crucial role in ITPNs but not in IPMNs. In contrast, the mutation in KRAS seems to play a major role in IPMNs but not in ITPNs. The activated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway may be a potential target for molecular diagnosis and therapy of ITPNs.


The application of a nonlinear control law for vibration damping on a typical nanopositioning system is investigated. The nonlinear control law is an augmentation of the linear integral force feedback scheme, where the constant gain used in integral force feedback, is replaced by a passive nonlinear operator. The nonlinear control law improves the performance of integral force feedback as it provides more rapid suppression of large disturbances, while maintaining low noise sensitivity. L2-stability for the control law is established. Experimental results are presented, showing improved performance when applying the nonlinear augmentation of the integral force feedback scheme, compared to the original linear integral force feedback scheme.


The effect of segregation of different species of participate material (e.g. microorganisms) on biofilm performance is discussed with the aid of analytical and numerical model predictions. Based on two case studies it appears that segregation is an important aspect of biofilm behaviour and cannot a priori be neglected as is frequently the case in biofilm modelling. In order to improve the reliability of deterministic biofilm models, experiments are required to define the significance of segregation in biofilms.


Few investigations have been made on the impact of elevated ozone (O3) concentration on methane (CH4) emission from rice paddies. Using open‐top chambers in situ with different O3 treatments, CH4 emissions were measured in a rice paddy in Yangtze River Delta, China in 2007 and 2008. There were four treatments applied: charcoal‐filtered air (CF), nonfiltered air (NF), and charcoal‐filtered air with different O3 additions (O3‐1 and O3‐2). The mean O3 concentrations during the O3 fumigation were 19.7, 22.6, 69.6 and 118.6 ppb in 2007 and 7.0, 17.4, 82.2 and 138.3 ppb in 2008 for treatments CF, NF, O3‐1 and O3‐2, respectively. The rice yields, as compared with CF, were reduced by 32.8% and 37.1%, 58.3% and 52.1% in treatments O3‐1 and O3‐2 in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The diurnal patterns of CH4 emission varied temporally with treatments and there was inconsistence in diurnal variations in CH4 emissions from the paddy field. The daily mean CH4 emissions were significantly lower in treatments O3‐1 and O3‐2 than those in treatments CF and NF. Compared with CF treatment, CH4 emissions from the paddy field were decreased to 46.5% and 38.3%, 50.6% and 46.8% under treatments O3‐1 and O3‐2 in the whole growing seasons of 2007 and 2008, respectively. The seasonal mean CH4 emissions were negatively related with AOT40 (accumulative O3 concentration above 40 ppb; P < 0.01 in both years), but positively related to the relative rice yield (reference to CF; P < 0.01 in 2007 and P < 0.001 in 2008), aboveground biomass (P < 0.01 in both years) and underground biomass (P < 0.01 in 2007 and P < 0.05 in 2008). The decreased CH4 emission from the rice paddy due to an increased O3 exposure might partially mitigate the global warming potential induced by soil carbon loss under elevated O3 concentrations.


Waste sector has been a target of abatement policies by the most governments, even though its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission is not so high, since it is related to almost of other sectors. This study propose new GHG calculation equations which resolves logical contradiction of IPCC GL (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Guideline) equations by including waste-to-energy effects. According to two GHG calculation equations, GHG emission inventory and BAU by the year 2050 have been computed. And GHG abatement potential and marginal cost for the five abatement policies carefully selected from the previous researches have been calculated for the year 2020. The policy that makes solid fuel like RDF from flammable wastes and uses them as combustion fuel of electricity generations has been found to be the most efficient and effective one among five policies. The cumulative abatement amount when five policies not mutually exclusive are applied sequentially has been reckoned.


A review of the theory of field behavior near a dielectric wedge is presented. An overview of the static results is given, and it is shown that the series of Meixner for the dynamic case in general is nonexisting. Numerical results for scattering by a dielectric cylinder of square cross section indicate that the static results give an accurate account for the rate of growth of the fields in the singular cases, but some disagreement in nonsingular cases.


ABSTRACT Chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) progresses with parasite persistence, fibrosis, and electrical alterations associated with an unbalanced immune response such as high plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and nitric oxide (NO). Presently, the available treatments only mitigate the symptoms of CCC. To improve CCC prognosis, we interfered with the parasite load and unbalanced immune response using the trypanocidal drug benznidazole (Bz) and the immunoregulator pentoxifylline (PTX). C57BL/6 mice chronically infected with the Colombian strain of Trypanosoma cruzi and with signs of CCC were treated for 30 days with a suboptimal dose of Bz (25 mg/kg of body weight), PTX (20 mg/kg), or their combination (Bz plus PTX) and analyzed for electrocardiographic, histopathological, and immunological changes. Bz (76%) and Bz-plus-PTX (79%) therapies decreased parasite loads. Although the three therapies reduced myocarditis and fibrosis and ameliorated electrical alterations, only Bz plus PTX restored normal heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) intervals. Bz-plus-PTX-treated mice presented complementary effects of Bz and PTX, which reduced TNF expression (37%) in heart tissue and restored normal TNF receptor 1 expression on CD8+ T cells, respectively. Bz (85%) and PTX (70%) therapies reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS/NOS2) in heart tissue, but only Bz (58%) reduced NO levels in serum. These effects were more pronounced after Bz-plus-PTX therapy. Moreover, 30 to 50 days after treatment cessation, reductions of the prolonged QTc and QRS intervals were sustained in Bz-plus-PTX-treated mice. Our findings support the importance of interfering with the etiological agent and immunological abnormalities to improve CCC prognosis, opening an opportunity for a better quality of life for Chagas' disease (CD) patients.


Due to the content of pathogenic organisms, including fungi, sewage sludge land application poses risks to both human health and the environment. One of the ways for reducing pathogens in sludge is liming. This study aims to determine the effect of sludge liming on the composition of keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi in model experiments. The fungi were examined using the hair baiting method and the dilution method with incubation on a Wiegand medium supplemented with chloramphenicol (100 mg/L) and actidione (500 mg/L). The sludge liming considerably decreased the number of actidione-resistant fungi propagules and eliminated many fungal species, including Pseudallescheria boydii. The influence of this process on hair-baited fungi was that the liming eliminated keratinolytic and keratinophilic fungi at 37 o C. In the range of 23-33 o C, the liming considerably restricted the growth of keratinolytic fungi, including Microsporum gypseum, but only slightly affected keratinophilic fungi, including Pseudallescheria boydii. The sludge liming decreases the risk posed by geophilic dermatophytes and other keratinolytic fungi, as well as by keratinophilic fungi to humans and the environment. The process affected more keratinolytic fungi than keratinophilic ones.


Niphargus enslini Karaman, 1932 was collected only once in 1905 from the Falkensteiner Höhle (Baden-Württemberg, Germany). Two years after its description, the species was synonymized with Niphargus virei and not studied any more. During recent surveys on German niphargids, further samples collected in this cave did not yield N. enslini specimens, but this species was collected in the Blätterteighöhle and in the Schwarzer Brunnen, two caves located in Baden-Württemberg and intercepting the same karstic aquifer feeding Falkensteiner Höhle. In an integrative taxonomic approach, we carefully studied the morphology of the newly collected specimens and sequenced two molecular markers (fragments of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and of the nuclear 28S rRNA gene) to test for possible conspecificity of N. enslini with N. virei. Morphological analysis confirmed that N. enslini is distinct from the N. virei species complex. We provide a redescription of newly collected material, together with new drawings of a more than 100 years old topotypic female. We briefly discuss the putative origin of N. enslini and the age of its split from the N. virei species complex.


As the fabrication technology node shrinks down to 90nm or below, high standby power becomes one of the major critical issues for CMOS high-speed computing circuits (e.g. logic and cache memory) due to the high leakage currents. A number of non-volatile storage technologies such as FeRAM, MRAM, PCRAM and RRAM and so on, are under investigation to bring the non-volatility into the logic circuits and then eliminate completely the standby power issue. Thanks to its infinite endurance, high switching/sensing speed and easy 3D integration after CMOS process, MRAM is considered as the most promising one. Numerous logic circuits based on MRAM technology have been proposed and prototyped in the last years. In this paper, we present an overview and current status of these logic circuits and discuss their potential applications in the future from both the physics and architecture points of view.


The paper is devoted to empirical research of representations of Chinese students about the «typical Russian person» and the «typical Chinese person». The participants are Chinese students who take a four year term of studies in the Far Eastern Federal University. To study the representations of Chinese students used the method of semantic differential, i.e. unipolar 64-bar graph semantic differential developed A.G. Shmelev to assess personal traits. The results were subjected to factor analysis procedures and calculation of semantic universals method by E.Yu. Artemieva and V.P. Serkin. Factor structures were compared with the content and structure of universals. Factor structure of representations of Chinese students about the «typical Russian person» and the «typical Chinese person» were interpreted, defined, and their common and specific features were identified. In this paper, a comparative analysis of structural and content characteristics of semantic universals, i.e. a «typical Russian person» and a «typical Chinese person», are identified. The research reveals that the factor structure of the estimated features of a «typical Chinese person» and a «typical Russian person» are similar. The group of common factors is reconstructed: evaluation, tact, diplomacy; ease-of hypocrisy (pandering); attractiveness (beauty); activity; perseverance; volitional characteristics; intellectual performance. Summing up, Chinese students mainly used the same criteria for evaluating themselves and Russian people among whom they live and study.The overall view of Chinese students about Russians is positive. This proves their success of their adaptation in Russia. Despite the obvious difficulties Chinese students chose the Far Eastern Federal University for getting higher education and were quite successful to get with Russians, and generally adapt to the Russian culture. They have a positive attitude to Russian, which is a good prerequisite for further personal and working relationships, and also positive attitude to Russia.The results can be applied in the development of adaptation programs of foreign students in the Russian cultural environment and used in further research of semantic representations of expats in Russia.


Background

In the era of high-speed internet, using the internet regardless of platform might be considered a part of everyone's daily activities. A number of factors have been demonstrated to be associated with internet addiction, which is mostly concerned with psychological problems such as loneliness. This study aimed to examine how and in what way loneliness has influenced internet addiction. Specifically, we proposed and tested interpersonal problems and motivation for the internet as intervening variables of the relationship between loneliness and internet addiction.
Methods

Self-report measurement on loneliness, internet addiction test (IAT) and interpersonal problems consisting of domineering, vindictive, cold, socially inhibited, nonassertive, overly accommodating, self-sacrificing and intrusive, were administered to 318 medical students (57% females); mean age was 20.88 (SD, 1.8), to test whether interpersonal problems mediated the relationship between loneliness and internet addiction in the mediation model. In addition, motivation for internet use was added to the mediation model and tested whether it was the second mediator (serial mediation model) or a moderator (moderated mediation model).
Results

After controlling for sex and age, socially inhibited problems exhibited full mediation whereas the remainder had partial mediation effect, with the exception that intrusive and cold interpersonal problems had no mediating role. Negative motivation and motivation for being accepted had mediation effects for all styles of interpersonal problems. Motivation for working was found to be a significant mediator and moderator of the most interpersonal problems. Intrusive and cold styles became a mediator only when some motivation variables were added to the model, implying that not only psychological problems should be included when analysis internet addiction, but also other variables such motivation for internet use. The percent of variance explained, by IAT score, increased from 13% by the mediation model to 33% by the moderated mediation model, and 43% by the serial mediation model.
Conclusion

The study suggested the crucial role of loneliness and interpersonal problems on internet addiction, for which motivation for the internet use explained how each interpersonal problem would be associated. This may provide some insight regarding the pathological characteristics of those using the internet as a coping strategy. Intervention to help students experiencing loneliness to avoid excessive use of the internet is possible when their interpersonal problems and various types of motivation are identified.


Formulating accurate and robust classification strategies is a key challenge of developing diagnostic and antibody tests. Methods that do not explicitly account for disease prevalence and uncertainty therein can lead to significant classification errors. We present a novel method that leverages optimal decision theory to address this problem. As a preliminary step, we develop an analysis that uses an assumed prevalence and conditional probability models of diagnostic measurement outcomes to define optimal (in the sense of minimizing rates of false positives and false negatives) classification domains. Critically, we demonstrate how this strategy can be generalized to a setting in which the prevalence is unknown by either (i) defining a third class of hold-out samples that require further testing or (ii) using an adaptive algorithm to estimate prevalence prior to defining classification domains. We also provide examples for a recently published SARS-CoV-2 serology test and discuss how measurement uncertainty (e.g. associated with instrumentation) can be incorporated into the analysis. We find that our new strategy decreases classification error by up to a decade relative to more traditional methods based on confidence intervals. Moreover, it establishes a theoretical foundation for generalizing techniques such as receiver operating characteristics by connecting them to the broader field of optimization.


Simulations for thermal characterization of electronic packages for silicon-based integrated circuit (IC) components typically assume one of the two uniform heat generation conditions. They are: (1) an isoflux condition in which heat generation is uniformly distributed over the active surface of the die, or (2) a uniform heat generation over the entire (or active) volume of the die. The use of these models may be justified due to high thermal conductivity of silicon, size of the devices on the die, and their relatively uniform spatial distribution over the entire surface of the die in the traditional silicon technologies. However, the current and future technologies are migrating towards embedded systems solutions, such as system-on-chip, and in traditional applications devices are brought in close proximity to each other for improved on-chip electrical performance. These trends result in localized regions of power dissipation on the die that would invalidate the use of traditional uniform generation models in the thermal characterization.
 The present study examines the effect of discrete heat sources (as opposed to uniformly distributed sources) on the die on thermal performance and characterization of the electronic packages. For this purpose, a conjugate heat transfer problem of a memory chip in a 119 I/O flip chip ceramic and plastic ball grid array (FC-C & PBGA) package under natural and forced convection conditions. First the model is validated against experimentally measured thermal data on a 119 I/O FC-C & P BGA daisy-chain test packages with a thermal test die with uniformly distributed resistive heat source. Junction-to-ambient temperature difference predictions from the simulations are within 10% of the measurements for the uniform heating case. The validated model is then suitably modified to account for discrete heat sources and actual substrates. Results from the discrete heat sources study show a 15–20% increase in predicted junction-to-ambient temperature difference and a larger (a 10–15 °C) temperature variation across the active face of the die than for with a uniform heat source. These results call for the use of discrete heat sources in the thermal characterization of new generation of embedded silicon technologies. They also point to the need for development of test die and characterization methodologies for these technologies with discrete heat sources.


Carrie Chapman Catt's engagement of race remains controversial. This article argues that there are two elements to Catt's career-long use of evolutionary arguments to map questions of sex and race. For Catt, evolutionary change instantiated (macroevolutionary) progress, but this progress depended on sex and race as linked categories of (microevolutionary) differentiation. In her arguments, the sexes always participate together in the same trajectory of evolutionary progress. Race, however, is a contingent category: different races can, but also may not, participate together in the progress narrative. Women of color thus had a doubly contingent position in her rhetoric.


Abstract A detailed multiple-scattering model has been employed to investigate the sensitivity of radiation profiles and flux divergences to changes in macrostructure and microstructure of basic water cloud types. The study has been performed on a range of cloud types including variable distributions of liquid water content (LWC) and drop-size distributions. Total shortwave heating rates vary from 1 to 5°C h−1 and are larger in higher clouds. IR cooling rates in the upper regions of cloud also increase with increasing elevation and are dominated by the atmospheric window contribution. Thus the typical instrument discriminating the IR radiation between 7 and 14,μm will measure almost the entire IR radiative cooling or heating of low-level water clouds. Both shortwave heating and IR cooling within cloud layers are primarily dependent on LWC and its vertical distribution and are more or less independent of drop-size distribution. Cloud albedo does vary with drop-size distribution but is virtually independent...


A novel flower-like 3D ZnO superstructure with high uniformity was fabricated on a large scale through a facile aqueous solution route at room temperature. The as-prepared ZnO superstructures with a diameter of about 3 μm are assembled by large amounts of interleaving nanosheets, which have a uniform thickness of about 15 nm and a well-crystalline structure with {100} planes as basal facets. The hierarchical microstructures, which were formed via a two-stage nucleation–growth process, highly depend on the concentration of NaOH and trisodium citrate dihydrate. The photoluminescence result indicates that the ZnO superstructures possess a relatively strong UV emission. The photodecomposition of methyl orange indicates that such ZnO superstructures possess excellent photocatalytic activity.


We applied genome-wide allele-specific expression analysis of monocytes from 188 samples. Monocytes were purified from white blood cells of healthy blood donors to detect cis-acting genetic variation that regulates the expression of long non-coding RNAs. We analysed 8929 regions harboring genes for potential long non-coding RNA that were retrieved from data from the ENCODE project. Of these regions, 60% were annotated as intergenic, which implies that they do not overlap with protein-coding genes. Focusing on the intergenic regions, and using stringent analysis of the allele-specific expression data, we detected robust cis-regulatory SNPs in 258 out of 489 informative intergenic regions included in the analysis. The cis-regulatory SNPs that were significantly associated with allele-specific expression of long non-coding RNAs were enriched to enhancer regions marked for active or bivalent, poised chromatin by histone modifications. Out of the lncRNA regions regulated by cis-acting regulatory SNPs, 20% (n = 52) were co-regulated with the closest protein coding gene. We compared the identified cis-regulatory SNPs with those in the catalog of SNPs identified by genome-wide association studies of human diseases and traits. This comparison identified 32 SNPs in loci from genome-wide association studies that displayed a strong association signal with allele-specific expression of non-coding RNAs in monocytes, with p-values ranging from 6.7×10−7 to 9.5×10−89. The identified cis-regulatory SNPs are associated with diseases of the immune system, like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.


This paper is an attempt to describe and understand a certain type of defence that I shall call a 'power cut' because of its crippling and anti-relational nature. I will take extracts from a baby observation to show how this type of defence can be adopted from the beginning of life, followed by vignettes from my work with a young child and an adult patient which addresses the particular kind of difficulty the analyst has to face with patients who resort to such a defence. I am arguing that while defending from another, the patient is able to destabilize not only the connection between himself and this other, the analyst, but also that between the analyst and the analyst's internal world. I understand this as the violent re-enactment of the patient's uncontained and split off primitive experience. I see recovery from 'power cuts' as the main challenge for the analyst who is helping the patient to recover from an early failure in containment which has led to defective splitting. Only when the unthinkable experience of 'power cut' can become an experience that can be lived through and converted into a deintegrate, may integration be achieved.


In a recent paper Y. Hidaka and A. Yamamoto [Phys. Rev. D 87 (2013) 094502] claim -- using both analytical and numerical approaches -- that the charged rho mesons cannot condense in the vacuum subjected to a strong magnetic field. In this Comment we point out that both analytical and numerical results of this paper are consistent with the inhomogeneous rho-meson condensation. Furthermore, we show that the numerical results of the paper support the presence of the expected (in quenched lattice QCD) crossover transition driven by the rho-meson condensation. Finally, we stress that the inhomogeneous rho-meson condensation is consistent with both Vafa-Witten and Elitzur theorems.


This paper has proposed a new baseline deep learning model of more benefits for image classification. Different from the convolutional neural network(CNN) practice where filters are trained by back propagation to represent different patterns of an image, we are inspired by a method called "PCANet" in "PCANet: A Simple Deep Learning Baseline for Image Classification?" to choose filter vectors from basis vectors in frequency domain like Fourier coefficients or wavelets without back propagation. Researchers have demonstrated that those basis in frequency domain can usually provide physical insights, which adds to the interpretability of the model by analyzing the frequencies selected. Besides, the training process will also be more time efficient, mathematically clear and interpretable compared with the "black-box" training process of CNN.


A multi-residue method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 18 β-agonist residues (clenbuterol, ractopamine, penbutolol, tulobuterol, etc) in feed by using QuEChERS sample preparation and high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The feed samples were dispersed by water, then the analytes were extracted with acetonitrile containing 4% (v/v) ammonia and cleaned up by QuEChERS method with 25 mg octadecylsilyl (C18) and 50 mg primary secondary amine (PSA) adsorbents. The separation of compounds was carried on an Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C,8 column (50 mm x 4. 6 mm, 1. 8 μm) by a gradient elution using methanol-0. 1% (v/v) formic acid aqueous solution as mobile phase. The analytes were detected by tandem mass spectrometry under multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with positive electrospray ionization (ESI+) and quantified by the matrix-matched external standard method. The results showed that the calibration curves of the 18 β-agonists were linear in the range of 5 - 200 μg/L with correlation coefficients of 0. 9912-0. 9995. The average recoveries of the 18 analytes at three spiked levels of 0.05, 0.1 and 0. 5 mg/kg ranged from 78. 4% to 107. 1% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3.5%-12.3%. The limit of quantification (LOQ, S/N≥10) was 0. 05 mg/kg for each analyte. The developed method is simple and sensitive, and can be applied as a screen and confirmatory method for the analysis of β-agonists in feed.


This paper presents a novel non-native speech synthesis technique that preserves the individuality of a non-native speaker. Cross-lingual speech synthesis based on voice conversion or HMM-based speech synthesis, which synthesizes foreign language speech of a specific non-native speaker reflecting the speaker-dependent acoustic characteristics extracted from the speaker's natural speech in his/her mother tongue, tends to cause a degradation of speaker individuality in synthetic speech compared to intra-lingual speech synthesis. This paper proposes a new approach to cross-lingual speech synthesis that preserves speaker individuality by explicitly using non-native speech spoken by the target speaker. Although the use of nonnative speech makes it possible to preserve the speaker individuality in the synthesized target speech, naturalness is significantly degraded as the speech is directly affected by unnatural prosody and pronunciation often caused by differences in the linguistic systems of the source and target languages. To improve naturalness while preserving speaker individuality, we propose (1) a prosodic correction method based on model adaptation, and (2) a phonetic correction method based on spectrum replacement for unvoiced consonants. The experimental results demonstrate that these proposed methods are capable of significantly improving naturalness while preserving the speaker individuality in synthetic speech.


movement was not completely denied: the alternation of night and day, the course of the sun and the moon, the succession of the seasons and life and death clearly involved changes, but this ' movement was part of the established order of creation'—it was a ' rhythmic movement contained within an unchanging whole '. By far the most important change admitted by the Egyptians was the creation of the universe, which made ' the difference between the nothingness of chaos and the fullness of the present which has emerged as a result of that unique act', but even this change was chiefly significant because it marked the occasion on which the divine order (maat)— itself unchangeable—was established.


The total synthesis of dysoxylactam A, a novel 17-membered macrolactam with potent multi-drug-resistant reversing activities, has been achieved, starting from 4-pentene-1-al in a longest linear sequence of 17 steps and 9.5% overall yield. The key transformations consist of iterative aldol and ring-closing metathesis reactions for the construction of the stereochemically enriched polypropionate scaffold and the macrocycle, respectively.


Parous goats were sham operated (6 goats), bilaterally fitted with IUDs (7 goats), or unilaterally fitted with an IUD isilateral (6 goats) or contralateral (5 goats) to the corpus luteum (CL). Autopsy was on Day 3 or Day 5 of the second or third estrus. The cycle length of IUD-fitted goats was shorter than in controls (6.2 days vs. 16.7 days, p less than .05). Mean CL weight in the contralateral group, 164.8 mg, exceeded mean weight of the ipsilateral group, 92.4 mg (P less than .01). The concentration of total cholesterol was higher in the ipsilateral group than in the contralateral group (3.16 vs. 2.12 mg/gm CL, p less than .01). The protein concentration in CL from the control, unilateral and bilateral groups was 14.4, 12.2, and 23.9 mg, respectively, p less than .05. The content and concentration of progesterone, and total and free cholesterol was higher in sham operated controls than in IUD-fitted goats (not significant). Protein, RNA, and DNA increased considerably in IUD-fitted goats (not significant), indicating a derangement of a luteotrophic rather than luteomorphic mechanism in CL from IUD-fitted goats.


The formation of common industrial markets of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in the energy sector is not just a task to fulfill the terms of the Treaty on the EAEU, but a necessary condition for expanding integration interaction between partner countries, a necessary resource platform for developing competitive potential in the industrial sector of the EAEU member countries and a factor for ensuring energy security The formation of common industrial markets of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in the energy sector is not just a task to fulfill the terms of the Treaty on the EAEU, but a necessary condition for expanding integration interaction between partner countries. It's a necessary resource platform for developing competitive potential in the industrial sector of the EAEU member countries and a factor for ensuring energy security The authors examine in the article the world experience in applying various models for integrating energy markets, in particular electricity and gas, taking into account the specifics of the functioning of the sectoral national systems of the EAEU countries, their resource potential, the level of development of competition and monopolization, and the possibilities of transit of electricity and gas. The potential of creating and developing a common electricity market on the basis of the signed agreements in the EAEU was studied in the context of differences in the institutional and legal bases, the degree of development of competition in the national industrial electricity markets, and their liberalization levels. The revealed differences in the models of the national electricity markets of the EAEU countries cause a long transition period for the formation of a common market with a gradual decrease in the number of seizures in generation / production, transmission and ensuring the security of energy supply to countries. It is noted, that the coordinated model of the transition period does not contribute to the rapid obtaining of significant synergistic effects and the solution of energy redundancy problems. The need to develop a coordinated industrial policy of the EAEU countries to expand the use of resource potential and export of energy resources to third countries is noted. It requires an integrated approach to creating common markets, primarily electricity and gas. (можно дать одним предложением The need to develop a coordinated industrial policy of the EAEU countries to expand the use of resource potential and export of energy resources to third countries is noted, which requires an integrated approach to creating common markets, primarily electricity and gas., а можно оставить и так)The current level of the institutional and legal basis for the formation of the gas market does not allow to overcome the differences in the degree of liberalization of national gas markets, their monopolization and, accordingly, pricing, and determines the acceleration of integration rapprochement. The formation of common markets actualizes the format of exchange trading, the institutionalization of which on the electricity market is already provided for in the EAEU interstate agreements, and on the common gas market requires coordination and implementation of electronic trading mechanisms, drawing on Russian experience.


We consider a model where firms open vacancies and post and commit to a wage mechanism. Search is costly and workers simultaneously apply to multiple jobs. Firms can be connected to multiple workers and workers to multiple firms. We use a new method to derive the expected maximum number of matches in a large market as a function of the number of applications and market tightness. We also derive the conditions under which firm entry, worker participation, and search intensity are socially efficient. Finally, we show that a sequential auction under incomplete information can establish the social optimum and discuss some alternative mechanisms that can, under complete information of the entire network, also deliver social efficiency.


This paper describes the first design run and measured results of a SiGe phase and amplitude controlling circuit for use in phased-array radar applications. The circuit was designed as a GaAs replacement study and results show that standard silicon germanium processes have sufficient performance to comply with radar requirements. MCM cost was the initial driver for this work and the possibility to integrate digital functions may prove to be the number one key factor to reduce this compared to GaAs based solutions.


The 2dF QSO Redshift Survey (2QZ) has obtained redshifts for in excess of 23 000 QSOs selected by their u � , bJ, r colours using the 2-degree Field (2dF) facility at the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT). In this paper, we describe the creation of the input catalogue from UK Schmidt photographic plates. All the plate materials used are described along with the techniques developed for flat-fielding variations in the photometric response of photographic emulsions. The selection criteria used for the survey are defined and their rationale discussed. Finally, several simple astrometric and photometric tests are performed. These demonstrate that, over the majority of the parameter space covered by this survey (18.25 < bJ 20.85, 0.3 z 2.2), the pairwise rms error in the astrometry is 0.4 arcsec (implying independent position errors of ∼ 0.3 arcsec) with no evidence of systematic errors greater than 0.3 arcsec. The photometry is found to be better than 0.15 mag rms over most of the survey and is at worst � 0.2 mag rms. The completeness with respect to previous QSO surveys is at least 90 per cent. All photometric and astrometric data for the catalogue are now publicly available. We also make available the full u � , bJ, r catalogue of three million 16 bJ 22 stellar sources from which the 2QZ catalogue was derived. Both this and the 2QZ input catalogue are available from http://www.2dfquasar.org/. Ke yw ords: surveys ‐ galaxies: active ‐ quasars: general.


The absence of women from top management was long attributed to the traditional "ball and chain" of family responsibilities. The fundamental reason for women's slow progress in the realms of power may lie elsewhere. Recent research has sought to identify the elements which constitute an invisible barrier - or glass ceiling - which continues to keep women from top positions. How far does the organization, as an institution, contribute through its culture to this exclusion? In this paper a comparative study of two firms will suggest to what extent the organizational culture models the professional identity of women and their subsequent relationship with power.


THIS NOTICE IS BEING PROVIDED TO MEET THE SPIRIT OF THE SUNSHINE LAW TO INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT COMMISSIONERS MAY BE PRESENT AT THESE DISCUSSIONS. PURSUANT TO SECTION 286.0105, FLORIDA STATUTES STATES THAT IF A PERSON DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY A BOARD AGENCY, OR COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT A MEETING OR HEARING, HE OR SHE WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, AND THAT, FOR SUCH PURPOSE, HE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.


Teaching that takes into account the increasing range of differences between pupils is often called 'inclusive education'. The practice of inclusive education in The Netherlands is informed by educational research that has mainly produced 'recipes' for effective education with a view to academic success. This research has tended to reduce differences between pupils to a limited number of characteristics and to reduce educational outcomes to academic success in the basics. Inspired by ethnic and gender studies, it is argued for an approach to inclusive education in which social-cultural outcomes as well as academic excellence are taken seriously and diversity is not restricted to a few standard characteristics of pupils. With reference to the authors' own research, it will be shown that the development of this broad interpretation of inclusive education demands educational research that does not merely produce recipes for dealing with certain characteristics of pupils. Research should help teachers to reflect on how diversity is manifested in their own classroom practice and suggest alternative forms of action and behaviour to achieve inclusive education.


In this paper, we propose a metalevel coordination strategy to implement an adaptive organization for reactive cooperative planning. The adaptive organization changes its organizational scheme adaptively as a means of coping with the dynamic problem spaces. Preliminary experiments shows that an adaptive organization can be made to the increase efficiency in dynamic problem spaces. The reason for this works is that reducing the degree of freedom in the problem space, while increasing the degree of interaction, demands greater coordination. However, if the number of effective local plans decrease, it would seem likely that if the agents were to have a better metaleve] strategy, they would be better able to search this reduced space efficiently. The metalevel coordination incorporates an agent-wide metalevel heuristic function. In designing the metalevel coordination strategy, we take three aspects of reactive cooperative planning into account. These aspects include: the difference in the degree of achievement in successive turns; the certainty of shared information; and the degree of freedom of choice for agent's behavior. The adaptive organization works efficiently in cases where the communication cost is relatively expensive.


The admission of a baby to the neonatal unit is stressful for the family. Despite the drive to provide family-centred care, research into the impact has focused on the parents, in particular the mother. Most UK neonatal units do not provide organised sibling support, with some restricting sibling visits citing infection as a reason. Parents often struggle to manage their older children in addition to coping with their newborn, making this challenging time harder for the whole family. During a travel scholarship to the USA, activities were observed that allowed siblings to feel special and to voice concerns. Run by child life specialists, social workers and charities, these included support groups and individual preparation. Anecdotally, this work has identified benefits to the family, although there is limited empirical work to support it. This article considers information gleaned on the trip that can help define the need for, and inform, development of provision in the UK.


INTRODUCTION
Effective hypoxia-related mishap prevention relies upon aircrew rapid recognition of hypoxia symptoms. The objectives of this experiment were twofold: to compare the effectiveness of a forehead-mounted reflectance oximeter and finger-mounted pulse oximeter for application in a hypoxia early warning detection system, and to determine whether the forehead-mounted sensor could be placed within an aviation helmet.

METHODS
Subjects donned an aviation flight mask and were instrumented with a forehead reflectance oximeter, a finger pulse oximeter, a blood pressure cuff, and a skin temperature sensor. Following instrumentation, subjects breathed ambient air for 10 min through the Reduced Oxygen Breathing Device (ROBD) to allow for acclimation. The baseline period was followed by one of two counterbalanced ascent profiles used to model rapid exposures to altitude. Data were collected at 1 Hz from both sensors for the duration of the protocol.

RESULTS
Analyses indicated an exceptionally strong agreement between the forehead and finger sensors at all ranges of desaturation. The sensitivity data revealed that the forehead sensor was significantly faster when responding to rapid changes in SpO2 than the finger. The sensor was successfully integrated inside the helmet; however, once donned by the subject, there was considerable artifact due to pressure fluctuations.

DISCUSSION
While these data may seem to suggest that the forehead sensor is accurate and sensitive to altitude induced changes in SpO2, major drawbacks exist for the technology utilized in the current study. Significant improvements aimed at diminishing noise, curbing motion artifact, and improving reliability are required to reduce errant measurements.


Fossil fuels have been used for several decades and have resulted in increased greenhouse gases and pollutants. Currently, clean and renewable energy is in demand. Hydrogen appears to be a good candidate for clean energy because the only product of its reaction with oxygen is water. Water splitting by solar energy is a potential method for the generation of hydrogen in future applications. This study investigates the use of a CdTe quantum-dot-sensitized ZnO:N nanowire arrays for water splitting. The proposed method resulted in considerably enhanced photocurrent and stability. The electronic structures of the ZnO:N materials are also determined by O K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The incorporation of nitrogen into the ZnO nanostructure is determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Zn K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy; the nitrogen incorporation changes the electronic state and, thus, increases the water-splitting performance.


Falling rule lists are classification models consisting of an ordered list of if-then rules, where (i) the order of rules determines which example should be classified by each rule, and (ii) the estimated probability of success decreases monotonically down the list. These kinds of rule lists are inspired by healthcare applications where patients would be stratified into risk sets and the highest at-risk patients should be considered first. We provide a Bayesian framework for learning falling rule lists that does not rely on traditional greedy decision tree learning methods.


Empirical research was conducted in twelve service organisations to understand the impact of internal strategic fit on business performance. The findings suggest that the approach used to create fit has a more significant than the level of fit it creates. A review of the high performing companies showed they used 'strategic frameworks' in stable price-sensitive markets, 'service/product-based teams' in stable design-led markets, 'flexible resources' in unstable price-sensitive markets and 'customer-based teams' in unstable design-led markets.


The morphology of Schistosoma mansoni adult male worms from three strains which have been maintained in albino mice for several generations, was compared to a strain that has been isolated from the natural host Nectomys squamipes (Rodentia:Muridae) captured in Sumidouro (Rio de Janeiro State) and have been maintained in the same sylvatic rodent under laboratory conditions. Total length of specimens, distance between suckers, the number of testes and extention of testes grouping were the taxonomic characters analysed. The worms recovered from N. squamipes showed expressive differences (p < 0.01) compared to the other strains regarding the considered morphological characters. The strains that were maintained in mice presented statistical differences (p < 0.01) in several characters. Some adult worms besides the normal position of the testes also showed an atypical arrangement of these glands. It can be concluded that the morphology of adult worms may be used to distinguish S. mansoni strains and that morphological changes in adult worms are not induced by successive inoculations of a strain in mice.