Syndecan-1 is an integral membrane proteoglycan involved in the interaction of cells with extracellular matrix proteins and growth factors. It is transiently expressed in several condensing mesenchymal tissues after epithelial induction. In this study we evaluated the expression of syndecan-1 during skeletal muscle differentiation. The expression of syndecan-1 as determined by Northern blot analyses and immunofluorescence microscopy is down-regulated during differentiation. The transcriptional activity of a syndecan-1 promoter construct is also down-regulated in differentiating muscle cells. The decrease in syndecan-1 gene expression is not dependent on the presence of E-boxes, binding sites for the MyoD family of transcription factors in the promoter region, or myogenin expression. Deletion of the region containing the E-boxes or treatment of differentiating cells with sodium butyrate, an inhibitor of myogenin expression, had no effect on syndecan-1 expression. Basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor type β, which are inhibitors of myogenesis, had little effect on syndecan-1 expression. When added together, however, they induced syndecan-1 expression. Retinoic acid, an inducer of myogenesis, inhibited syndecan-1 expression and abolished the effect of the growth factors. These results indicate that syndecan-1 expression is down-regulated during myogenesis and that growth factors and retinoic acid modulate syndecan-1 expression by a mechanism that is independent of myogenin.


Introduction: Noninfectious posterior uveitis is a leading cause of visual impairment. Although conventional immunosuppressive agents have been successfully used, these are nonspecific and their long-term use may induce significant adverse effects. The purpose of this article is to identify recent advances and future therapeutic options in noninfectious posterior uveitis. Areas covered: A MEDLINE database search was conducted through May 2014 using the terms: uveitis, treatment, intravitreal and corticosteroid, biological. To provide ongoing and future perspectives in treatment options, also clinical trials as registered at ClinicalTrials.gov were included. Expert opinion: For individuals who do not respond to conventional immunotherapy, two major lines of treatments can be identified as focus in recent years: i) the intraocular application of anti-inflammatory drugs and ii) the introduction of new agents, for example, biologicals and small-molecule inhibitors. Whereas intravitreal treatments have the beauty of avoiding systemic side effects, new agents are gaining increased importance because of their highly targeted molecular effects. Even when current treatment strategies are still hampered by the paucity of randomized controlled trials, promising progress and continuous efforts are undertaken to close this gap. Still, a critical evaluation of new agents has to be made because 'new' agents are almost exclusively based on experience in other autoimmune disorders.


Cloud Computing (CC) as a concept and business opportunity is likely to see many organisations experiencing the 'credit crunch', embrace the relatively low cost option of CC to ensure continued business viability and sustainability. The pay-as-you-go structure of the CC business model is typically suited to SME's who do not have the resources to completely fulfil their IT requirements. Private end users will also look to utilise the colossal pool of resources that CC offers in an attempt to provide mobile freedom of information. However, as with many opportunities that offer legitimate users enormous benefits, unscrupulous and criminal users will also look to use CC to exploit the loopholes that may exist within this new concept, design and business model. This paper will outline the tasks that the authors undertook for the CLOIDIFIN project and highlight where the Impact of CC will diversely effect digital forensic investigations.


ABSTRACT Question: Interacting disturbance effects from Dendroctonus frontalis outbreaks and wildfire are thought to maintain Pinus spp. composition in the southeastern U.S. Our objective was to assess forest composition, structure, and succession following the interaction of two frequently occurring disturbance events in southern Pinus spp. forests: cut-and-leave suppression, a commonly used means for managing D. frontalis outbreaks, and wildfire. Location: Western Gulf Coastal Plain, Louisiana, USA. Method: Pinus taeda stands with cut-and-leave suppression and subsequent wildfire were compared to stands undisturbed by D. frontalis but with the same wildfire events twenty years after Pinus spp. mortality. The woody plant community was assessed in three different size classes and used to predict future forest types with the Forest Vegetation Simulator (50 years). Results: P. taeda is the most abundant (> 50%) species of saw- and poletimber-sizes following cut-and-leave suppression with wildfire and in stands only with fire. Using canonical correspondence analysis, vegetation assemblages were primarily explained by slope position and elevation (7.6% variation explained). Fire intensity and stand age also accounted for variance in the ordination (4.4% and 3.1%, respectively). Dominant and co-dominant P. taeda forest types were predicted by the model to be the most abundant forest types in each disturbance regime. In addition, new regeneration represents high hazard for future mortality from D. frontalis. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that cut-and-leave suppression with additional wildfire disturbance maintains P. taeda composition, and does not alter forest composition differently from stands receiving only wildfire. As a result, predicted Pinus spp. basal area under both disturbances is great enough to facilitate future bark beetle disturbance. Nomenclature: USDA NRCS (Anon. 2005).


This paper develops an approach to equilibrium selection in game theory based on studying the equilibriating process through which equilibrium is achieved. The differential equations derived from models of interactive learning typically have stationary states that are not isolated. Instead, Nash equilibria that specify the same behavior on the equilibrium path, but different out-of-equilibrium behavior, appear in connected components of stationary states. The stability properties of these components often depend critically on the perturbations to which the system is subjected. We argue that it is then important to incorporate such drift into the model. A sufficient condition is provided for drift to create stationary states with strong stability properties near a component of equilibria. This result is used to derive comparative static predictions concerning common questions raised in the literature on refinements of Nash equlibrium.


Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effects of varying nitrogen sources and concentrations upon glutamine synthetase and protease activities in Prevotella ruminicola strain B14. Based on growth response it appears that ammonium chloride or pepticase limited P. ruminicola becomes nitrogen limited when nitrogen concentration is at 0.5 mM. However, when casein was provided as the sole source of nitrogen P. ruminicola becomes nitrogen limited at 2.5 mM. Glutamine synthetase activity was measured from mid‐log phase cells grown in either nitrogen‐limited or non‐limited conditions. No activity was detectable in the non‐limited treatments. However, in the N‐ limited treatments, pepticase had the highest activity (20.76 units), followed by ammonium chloride (18.72 units) and casein (14.42 units). Protease activity assays indicated that nitrogen‐limited cultures had higher proteolytic activity than non‐limited cultures. Moreover, these activities appeared to follow the same response pattern as the previously observed glutamine synthetase activities. The results of this study indicate that P. ruminicola strain B, 4 protease activity may be influenced by nitrogen concentration such that activity increases when nitrogen availability decreases.


Focused on the rainfall characteristics and the reality of agricultural production in the loess ta-bleland, and based on previous results, new patterns for dryland winter wheat production, in which the em-phasis was put on the film mulch with obvious water-preserving advantage, were designed to make effective useof rainfall. The results showed that the technique of the double mulch of film plus straw in summer fallow pe-riod can collect the rainfall in this period to the utmost extent and over 73.2 % of it can be stored in the soil,which is 108.4 mm more than that of conventional tillage. Furthermore, it can not only preserve water storedin soil in summer fallow, but also collect the rainfall in the growth period as much as possible by using thetechnique of making ridges plus film mulching and furrow sowing. So the patterns, which can greatly increaseboth the soil moisture and wheat yield, are the best choice for making full utilization of the rainfall and achie-ving a high and stable yield in the dryland wheat production of the loess tableland.


Background: Decentralization of surgical services to first-level hospitals is an essential step towards achieving universal health coverage. However, the surgical capacity of first-level hospitals can vary greatly, with some having limited or no surgical capacity. This study aimed to identify the proportion of 6 essential operations performed at each hospital level within a South African health district, with a focus on the contribution of first-level hospitals as a proxy for their surgical capacity.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Cape Metro West health district in Cape Town, South Africa. The number and volume of 6 essential operations: abscess drainage, appendectomy, hernia repair, cholecystectomy, emergency laparotomy, and lower extremity amputation, were described from 1 April 2015 through 31 March 2016 at 7 government hospitals. First-level hospitals were stratified into large metropolitan facilities and small facilities.
Results: The majority of the 6 essential operations were performed at large metropolitan first-level hospitals (48.4%), while small first-level hospitals performed only 11 operations (0.2%), conducting no appendectomies, cholecystectomies, or lower extremity amputations during the study period. Second- and third-level hospitals conducted close to one-fifth (18.6%) and one-third (32.9%) of these procedures, respectively.
Conclusions: While the majority of "first-level" essential operations were performed at large metropolitan first-level hospitals, smaller first-level hospitals performed very few of the selected essential operations. In contrast, third-level hospitals conducted one-third of these procedures, which limits resources for more complex surgical conditions. There is an urgent need to upskill nonspecialists and address other barriers to increasing surgical capacity at smaller first-level hospitals.


Bioaerosols are well‐known immune‐active particles that exacerbate respiratory diseases. Human exposures to bioaerosols and their resultant health impacts depend on their ambient concentrations, seasonal and spatial variation, and copollutants, which are not yet widely characterized. In this study, chemical and biological tracers of bioaerosols were quantified in respirable particulate matter (PM10) collected at three urban and three background sites in the Midwestern United States across four seasons in 2012. Endotoxins from Gram‐negative bacteria (and a few Gram‐positive bacteria), water‐soluble proteins, and tracers for fungal spores (fungal glucans, arabitol, and mannitol) were ubiquitous and showed significant seasonal variation and dependence on temperature. Fungal spores were elevated in spring and peaked in summer, following the seasonal growing cycle, while endotoxins peaked in autumn during the row crop harvesting season. Paired comparisons of bioaerosols in urban and background sites revealed significant urban enhancements in PM10, fungal glucans, endotoxins, and water‐soluble proteins relative to background locations, such that urban populations have a greater outdoor exposure to bioaerosols. These bioaerosols contribute, in part, to the urban excesses in PM10. Higher bioaerosol mass fractions in urban areas relative to background sites indicate that urban areas serve as a source of bioaerosols. Similar urban enhancements in water‐soluble calcium and its correlation with bioaerosol tracers point toward windblown soil as an important source of bioaerosols in urban areas.


A new self calibrating optical 3D measurement system using fringe projection technique named "kolibri 1500" is presented. It can be utilised to acquire the all around shape of large objects. The basic measuring principle is the phasogrammetric approach introduced by the authors /1, 2/. The "kolibri 1500" consists of a stationary system with a translation unit for handling of objects. Automatic whole body measurement is achieved by using sensor head rotation and changeable object position, which can be done completely computer controlled. Multi-view measurement is realised by using the concept of virtual reference points. In this way no matching procedures or markers are necessary for the registration of the different images. This makes the system very flexible to realise different measurement tasks. Furthermore, due to self calibrating principle mechanical alterations are compensated. Typical parameters of the system are: the measurement volume extends from 400 mm up to 1500 mm max. length, the measurement time is between 2 min for 12 images up to 20 min for 36 images and the measurement accuracy is below 50μm.The flexibility makes the measurement system useful for a wide range of applications such as quality control, rapid prototyping, design and CAD/CAM which will be shown in the paper.


Abstract. This work examines the origin of atmospheric water vapor arriving to the North American Monsoon (NAM) region over a 34-yr period (1981–2014) by using a Lagrangian diagnosis method. This methodology computes budgets of evaporation minus precipitation by calculating changes in the specific humidity of thousands of air particles advected into the study area by the observed winds. During the NAM wet season, on average the recycling process is the main water vapor source, followed by the supply of moisture from the Gulf of California. However, the water vapor transport that generates synoptic-scale rainfall comes primarily from the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and terrestrial eastern Mexico. An additional moisture source over the southwestern US is also identified in association with synoptic rainfall events over the NAM region. A high (low) moisture supply from the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico from 4 to 6 days before precipitation events is responsible for high (low) rainfall intensity on synoptic scales during the monsoon peak. Westward propagating mid to upper level inverted troughs (IVs) seem to favor these water vapor fluxes. A 200 % increase in the moisture flux from the Caribbean Sea is related to the occurrence of heavy precipitation in the NAM area, accompanied by a decrease in water vapor advection from the Gulf of California.


Due to recent proposals to construct and operate petroleum coke-based energy-generating plants in Victoria, at Point Comfort and throughout the State of Texas, residents of South Texas have become concerned about the potential for environmental and health impacts from air and water pollution generated by these plants. This paper examines the issues associated with integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology and the use of petroleum coke as fuel at electricity production facilities, reports on the search for evidence of impacts in communities surrounding existing IGCC plants, and applies the results to provide a picture of the implications of these proposals. Geographical and temporal scale issues, however, indicate that the greater concern ought to probably be placed on the long-term and global impacts of new commitments to fossil-fuel energy production in this age of global climate change. This paper concludes with a discussion of the ethical and intellectual debates that ought to determine social acceptability of future energy production in South Texas.


Although VRLEs (virtual reality learning environments) place the learner of a pedagogical situation in a virtual reality environment, they are dependent on a particular field or context and do not allow teachers to define or adapt their models of scenario. To help teachers in designing and generating VRLE adapted to their needs, we aim at defining a process for the design and production of VRLE and a scenario's model. We develop an editor allowing the specification of scenarios and pedagogical activities based on VR-oriented pedagogical objects.


We find strong econometric support for a break in the relationship between perceived and HICP inflation in the euro area, triggered by the introduction of euro notes and coins in January 2002. The break is fairly homogeneous across individuals with different socio-economic characteristics. We found no support for the thesis according to which perceptions are systematically formed by frequently purchased products. A similar break is found when national CPIs instead of HICPs are used as benchmarks. The role of the non-inclusion of owner-occupied housing in the HICP was negligible. Therefore the credibility of the HICP per se is not at stake.


Published literature has shown that learners conceptualise and approach learning in different ways. The research reported in this paper explores postgraduate pharmacy students' perceptions of learning and their understanding of the learning strategies employed whilst undertaking a postgraduate prescribing course. Twenty-six individuals, who had been registered on Keele University's Supplementary Prescribing Course, participated in focus groups and individual interviews. Data are presented relating to one of the eight key themes that emerged, that is, traditional, academic learning and non-traditional, reflective learning. Participants clearly perceived, and had experience of, approaches to learning which they articulated as being of qualitatively different types. They perceived reflective learning to be analogous with a deep learning approach. Participants indicated a synergistic relationship between knowledge accumulation and reflective learning, resulting in higher levels of learning. Further, the findings show that behaviourist and constructivist orientations to education appear to be compatible, despite contrary views in the published literature. The authors describe the complexities of learning through the development of a model that articulates a re-conceptualisation of deep, reflective learning for professional practice.


This paper presents a service-oriented architecture that allows a more efficient distribution of resources and functionalities. The architecture has been used to develop a multi-agent system aimed at enhancing the assistance and healthcare for Alzheimer patients living in geriatric residences. Most of the system functionalities have been modelled as independent and distributed services, including reasoning, planning and security mechanisms. The results obtained after testing the architecture in a real healthcare scenario demonstrate that a service-oriented approach is far more robust and has better performance than a centralised one.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study is to examine the accuracy of the Brazilian versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) to screen for mild cognitive impairment (PDMCI) and dementia (PDD) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHOD
Both scales were administered to a final convenience sample of 79 patients with PD. Patients were evaluated by a neurologist, a psychiatrist and a neuropsychologist using UPDRS, Hoehn and Yahr and Schwab and England scales, global deterioration scale, a psychiatric structured interview, Mattis Dementia Rating Scale and other cognitive tests.

RESULTS
There were 32 patients with PDMCI and 17 patients with PDD. The MoCA and the ACE-R were able to discriminate patients with PDD from the others.

CONCLUSION
Both scales showed to be useful to screen for dementia but not for mild cognitive impairment in patients with PD.


Mild hypothermia (34–35 °C) increases peri‐operative blood loss. We have previously demonstrated the beneficial effect of in vitro desmopressin on impairment of primary haemostasis associated with hypothermia. This study evaluated subcutaneous desmopressin in 52 healthy volunteers, randomly assigned to receive either normal saline or desmopressin 1.5, 5 or 15 μg (with 13 in each group). Blood samples were collected before and 2 h after drug administration and incubated at 32 and 37 °C. Platelet function analyser PFA‐100® closure times were measured. Hypothermia at 32 °C prolonged mean (95% CI) closure times (for adenosine diphosphate/collagen by 11.3% (7.5–15.2%) and for adrenaline/collagen by 16.2% (11.3–21.2%); these changes were reversed by desmopressin. A very small dose was found to be effective (1.5 μg); this dose did not significantly change closure times at 37 °C, but fully prevented its prolongation at 32 °C. Subcutaneous desmopressin prevents the development of hypothermia‐induced impairment of primary haemostasis.


The general purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Behavioural Parent Training Program (BPTP) in reducing symptoms among ADHD children and Parental Stress. Specifically, the study examined the effectiveness of BPTP in reducing selected symptoms of ADHD which included: (i) inattention, (ii) hyperactivity, (iii)
 hyperactivity-impulsivity, (iv) hyperactivity-impulsivity-inattention as total symptoms and (v) Parental Stress. Using an Experiemntal Randomized Pre-test Post-test Control
 Group Design, sixty parents of ADHD children from an ADHD centre for children with behavioural and emotional disorders in Kermanshah City, Iran, were randomly assigned
 to experimental and control groups. Each group consisted of 15 pairs of parents. The parenting programme developed by Barkley (1997), was administered in nine 90-minutes sessions over nine weeks with a one-month follow-up session. Treatment outcomes were evaluated by using ADHD Rating Scale-IV: Home Version (DuPaul,1998) and Parental Stress Index /Short Form (PSI/SF) (Abidin, 1995). Additionally,Conners' Parent Rating Scales-Revised: Short Form (CPRS-R: SF, 1997) was used to evaluate ADHD symptoms not covered by the ADHD Rating Scale-IV. The instruments
 were completed by the parents in four scheduled administrations, namely at: (i) preintervention,
 (ii) post-intervention 1, (iii) post-intervention 2, and (iv) follow-up.
 The results of an independent t-test on ADHD Rating Scale-IV, CPRS-R, and Parental Stress Index (PSI/SF) show no significant differences between the experimental and the
 control groups at the pre-intervention stage. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA investigating the significance of differences within and between groups of the subscales
 of the instruments across the four scheduled administrations showed a significant reduction in all four combinations of ADHD symptoms as well as reduction in parental stress as measured by the abovementioned instruments. The results imply that BPTP can be effective in reducing ADHD symptoms in children, reducing parental stress and also other behavioural problems related to ADHD which were also measured by the instruments. The outcome of the study could benefit family counselors, and
 psychologists, specifically in conducting psycho-educational interventions as a single treatment for parental management of ADHD children.


For hearing people, structure given to orthographic information may be influenced by phonological structures that develop with experience of spoken language. In this study we examine whether profoundly deaf individuals structure orthographic representation differently. We ask "Would deaf students who are advanced readers show effects of syllable structure despite their altered experience of spoken language, or would they, because of reduced influence from speech, organize their orthographic knowledge according to groupings defined by letter frequency?" We used a task introduced by Prinzmetal (Prinzmetal, Treiman, & Rho, 1986) in which participants were asked to judge the colour of letters in briefly presented words. As with hearing participants, the number of errors made by deaf participants was influenced by syllable structure (Prinzmetal et al., 1986; Rapp, 1992). This effect could not be accounted for by letter frequency. Furthermore, there was no correlation between the strength of syllable effects and residual speech or hearing. Our results support the view that the syllable is a unit of linguistic organization that is abstract enough to apply to both spoken and written language.


The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of early child social intelligence based on the dominant mother pattern in the family. This research is very important to know the social development of early childhood as a whole. Social intelligence is enough to determine the ability of early childhood to foster self-concept and control emotions in order to adjust themselves in the social environment. The development of social intelligence is also strongly influenced by the upbringing and encouragement of the mother, the extent to which the success of mother's upbringing is the extent of mother's involvement and role in the lives of her children. Each mother has her own way of helping her children grow. The formulation of the research problem is how the influence of mother care pattern toward social intelligence of early child in Kenanga Kindergarten of West Bandung Regency. The research method used is qualitative research method by using observation and interview instruments, while data analysis using data reduction phase, data model, and conclusion. The results obtained that mother care pattern to educate children in kindergarten Kenanga is democratic and permissive parenting in developing social intelligence early childhood in West Bandung Regency.


In this paper, a novel and easy-to-implement approach to the harmonic-balance finite-element modeling of electromagnetic devices is presented. The governing system of nonlinear algebraic equations is derived assuming an arbitrary (anisotropic) magnetic constitutive law. It is solved by means of the Newton-Raphson (NR) method, the elaboration of which is very simple thanks to the introduction of the differential reluctivity tensor. The method is validated by applying it to a three-dimensional and a two-dimensional voltage-driven model of a three-phase inductor. The convergence of the NR scheme and the accuracy of the obtained harmonic-balance current waveforms are studied.


Dermatology or skin disease is one of the popular diseases among other diseases these days. The features similarities between different types of skin diseases make diagnosis of skin diseases very complex. A patient needs dermatologist that has a sound and vast good experience in skin diseases in order to give precise results at the right time. This paper elaborates a prototype with back propagation neural network (BPNN) to assist the dermatologist. This prototype improves expert diagnosis method in term of time efficiency and diagnosis accuracy. The use of two feature selection methods namely Correlation Feature Selection (CFS) and Fast Correlation-based Filter (FCBF) help by providing a smaller number of features with greater accuracy and faster response time. The adjustment of parameter in BPNN gives good performance. The findings show that FCBF method offers the shortest elapsed time and highest result compared to CFS method and the full features with an accuracy of 91.2%.


Campus democracy is useful for creating a condition that allows all groups within the university (students, rectors, teaching staff, employees, and workers) to have equal rights in formulating policies, and the orientation of the implementation of education in tertiary institutions. However, implementing democracy in educational contexts, particularly in Indonesia, is still hindered by obstacles visible through the presence of some issues with democratic principles being violated. The purpose of this study was to examine and provide an overview of university student perspectives on collective action through social-media activity on campus democracy. This study utilizes qualitative research methods by deploying questionnaires, and uses documentation as data collection techniques. It studies the students of one university in Lampung as the subject of the research. The data collection was performed at different time intervals since depth comprehension through questionnaires is required in this study. The results indicated the importance of social media for students in campus democracy, one of which is to cultivate the student's critical awareness of events that occur on campus. This refers to not only political collective action but also social collective action as well. Given the limitations of this study which only used students from one department on one campus, the researchers hope that further research with a similar topic in the future can expand this type of research to not only include students, but also intra-community interactions, and not only on a scale of one room.
Keywords: Campus' Democracy, Collective Action, Students' Perspectives, Social Media


We studied the processing of amyloid beta-peptides (Abetas) including Abeta(1-40), Abeta(1-42) and pAbeta(3-42) by rat neutral cysteine protease bleomycin hydrolase (BH) according to the methods of SDS-PAGE, HPLC and matrix-assisted laser desorption/inonization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). BH significantly processed them by novel features of its diverse activities. It initially cleaved at two sites, His(14)-Gln(15) and Phe(19)-Phe(20) degraded to short intermediates then to amino acids by aminopeptidase and/or carboxypeptidase activities. Also, full-length Abetas were clipped at the carboxyl(C)-terminal region. On the other hand, BH cleaved at only the His(14)-Gln(15) bond in pbetaA(3-42) within a short period of the reaction by endopeptidase activity, and processed the intermediates in order by carboxypeptidase activity. On processing by BH, it found that both fibrillar Abeta(1-40) and Abeta(1-42) were more resistant than non-fibrillar peptides. These results indicate that the processing specificity of BH depends upon the structure and sequence of Abetas.


Biomass has great potential as a clean, renewable feedstock for producing modern energy carriers. This paper focuses on the process of biomass wastes gasification, where the synthesis gas may subsequently be used for the production of electricity, fuels and chemicals. The gasification process is one of the least-efficient operations in the whole biomass-to-energy technology chain and an analysis of the efficiency of the gasifier alone can substantially contribute to the efficiency improvement of this chain. In this work, biomass wastes from canneries (peach pits) and wine industry (marcs and stalks) used for the syngas production are investigated. Thermodynamic indicators of process performance based on the second law (exergy analysis) was utilized in order to evaluate the effect of different operational parameters (temperature, supply air/stechiometric air, supply steam/carbon ratio and moisture feed). The exergetic efficiency of the gasification process decreases when the all considered operational parameters increase. The gasification of peach pits shows the maximum values of the exergetic efficiency in all conditions.


A comparative reliability analysis of a 2- and 3- level inverter based Power Conditioning System (PCS) is presented for a grid connected Photovoltaic (PV) applications. The PCSs examined are: an intermediate boost converter integrated with a 2- and 3-level inverter connected to a PV module. The reliability analysis reveals that the MTBF of the 3- level system is 10 years, while the 2-level system is 6 years. Afterwards, the reliability is compared for one year and over time for both systems. It has been found that a 3-level system remains more reliable than the 2-level system and over time it exhibits the same higher nature of reliability in contrast to the 2-level system. The investigation is further enhanced to identify the least reliable component of the system and it is shown that the boost converter has the dominant effect on the system reliability as compared to inverter. This research indicates that a 3-level power conditioning system is an optimum choice for grid connected PV applications.


The emerging field of precision medicine considers the patient9s individual genetic make up, environment, and lifestyle to arrive at individualized treatment. For cancer patients, analysis of the tumour genome can reveal actionable alterations, including mutations (e.g., BRAF mutation in melanoma), translocations (e.g., t(9;22)(q34;q11) in CML) and copy number changes (e.g., HER2 amplification in breast cancer). Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) biopsy or surgical pathology samples are often the only materials available for analysis, highlighting the need for genomic analysis techniques that perform reliably with such materials. We present a complete pipeline for DNA copy number profiling by sequencing called quantitative DNA sequencing (QDNAseq), which offers a cost effective procedure for genome-wide DNA copy number analysis, facilitates correct biological interpretations from samples with a varying range of quality and is suitable for routine pathology diagnostics from fresh, frozen and FFPE materials. QDNAseq is implemented in R and made available through BioConductor and Galaxy. The pipeline requires as little as ∼0.1× genome coverage (∼6 million single-end 50nt reads per sample) and utilizes a depth of coverage (DOC) approach. A two-dimensional LOESS correction is applied for GC content and mappability and data from the 1000 genomes project are used to compile a blacklist of problematic genome regions. Downstream analyses have been included in QDNAseq by adapting algorithms previously developed for segmentation (DNAcopy) and the calling of gains and losses (CGHcall). QDNAseq is able to produce profiles with noise levels near the probabilistic lower limit imposed by read counting and yields a higher resolution than is available from microarrays. Some samples, however, have variances clearly above the probabilistic lower limit and are characterized by a wave pattern. This pattern originates in the sample, as it is reproducible, both in magnitude and in shape along the genome. Much of this wave bias can be reduced by regression with profiles from matched normal FFPE DNA samples using the algorithm implemented in NoWaves. The QDNAseq procedure is highly cost effective and robust. We have processed over 1500 clinical samples obtained from the FFPE archives of more than 25 institutions from Europe and North America. Citation Format: Daoud Sie, Ilari Scheinin, Stef Lieshout, van, Martijn Cordes, Daniel Pinkel, Donna G. Albertson, Mark A. Wiel, van de, Bauke Ylstra. QDNAseq: A bioinformatics pipeline for DNA copy number analysis from shallow whole genome sequencing with noise levels near the probabilistic lower limit imposed by read counting. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Integrating Clinical Genomics and Cancer Therapy; Jun 13-16, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(1_Suppl):Abstract nr 52.


Background Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) disproportionately affect hospitalized patients due to the combination of comorbidities, frequent antimicrobial use, and in-hospital MDRO transmission. Identification of MDRO transmission by hospital microbiology laboratories is difficult due to limitations of existing typing methods. Methods We conducted a prospective multicenter genomics implementation study (8 hospitals, 2800 beds) from 24th April to 18th June 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. Clinical and screening isolates from hospital inpatients were collected for six MDROs (vanA VRE, MRSA, ESBL E. coli [ESBL-Ec] and Klebsiella pneumoniae [ESBL-Kp], and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa [CRPa] and Acinetobacter baumannii [CRAb]), sequenced (Illumina NextSeq) and analyzed using open-source tools. MDRO transmission was assessed by genomics (core SNP phylogeny, grouped by species and ST) and compared to epidemiologic data. Results 408 isolates were collected from 358 patients; 47.5% were screening isolates. ESBL-Ec was most common (52.5%), then MRSA (21.6%), vanA VRE (15.7%) and ESBL-Kp (7.6%). We define the transmission rate for each MDRO by genomics and epidemiology; 31.6% of all study patients had potential genomic links to other study isolates; 86% of these were confirmed by epidemiologic links (probable or possible transmission). The highest transmission rates occurred with vanA VRE (88.4% of patients). Conclusions Combining genomics with high-quality epidemiologic data gives substantial insights into the burden and distribution of critical MDROs in hospitals, including in-hospital transmission. By defining transmission rates by genomics, we hope to enable comparisons over time and between sites, and introduce this as a new outcome measure to assess the efficacy of infection control interventions.


A study in Suffolk Down and Precocious Merino sheep was done from birth to five and half, years old. The morphologic characteristics of the incisors considerad were: eruption, wearing and fall of temporary incisors, eruption, wearing and complete wearing of permanents incisors. The results of the incisors morphological characteristics studied in both breeds not showed significant differences. Rule is propesed for age determinacion in regard to sheep carcasses classification. Key words: age, incisors, ovines. Palabras claves: edad, incisivos, ovinos.


Fifty-three patients having erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), with elevated levels of prophyrins in blood and feces and with photosensitivity after exposure to sunlight or artificial light, were treated with β-carotene given orally in dosages ranging from 15 to 180 mg/day. After treatment, 46 patients increased by fourfold or more the time they could tolerate exposure to sunlight without discomfort, and three have doubled their exposure time. Three patients were doubtful that any improvement had occurred and one had no improvement. No untoward side effects were noted in toxicity studies of the patients. There was no evidence of hypervitaminosis A or of leukopenia. Thus, the oral administration of high doses of β-carotene is a safe and effective method of ameliorating in most patients the photosensitivity that occurs in EPP. ( JAMA 228:1004-1008, 1974)


The authors present a critical comparison of three dithering algorithms, ordered dither, error diffusion and dot diffusion, that are based on the multichannel model of the human visual system. The techniques are analyzed and compared quantitatively with particular emphasis on finding a suitable criterion to measure the performance. It is found that all the algorithms well preserve the power spectra of the original images in the low-frequency regions. The ordered dither and dot diffusion methods generate grid patterns in the frequency domain leading to undesirable texture and moire patterns in the spatial domain. In contrast, grid patterns are absent in the error diffusion method. This perhaps explains why the error diffusion algorithm in general produces better dithered images than the others. This analysis approach provides a useful framework for a better understanding and further development of dithering techniques.<<ETX>>


The incidence of oral cancer is rising in Ireland. The aim of this study is to assess the level of awareness of oral cancer amongst non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) in Ireland, so any knowledge deficits can be identified and addressed. Data was collected by means of an anonymous online questionnaire, which was distributed via a private social media page for NCHDs in Ireland. It was completed by 221 participants, of which over 80% recorded that they do not regularly examine patients' oral mucosa. Sixty percent were 'unsure', and 21%, 'very unsure', about diagnosing oral cancer based on clinical appearance. Nor were respondents able to identify confidently the various potential risk factors for oral cancer. Eighty-four percent of NCHDs requested further education on the topic. The response rate of the study was low, and further investigation is required to determine if the findings of this study are representative of the wider NCHD community. The chief recommendation of this paper is to provide more education about oral cancer, at both medical undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and to increase awareness of the condition amongst hospital doctors.


Hemangioblastomas (HBs) are highly vascular tumors whose resection can be associated with significant bleeding. Angioembolization has been used as an adjunct to surgical therapy, but particle embolization of cerebellar HBs has been associated with hemorrhage and resultant morbidity and mortality. We present a case of successful n-BCA embolization of an HB of the cerebellum.


The book provides an outline and modern overview of the classification of the finite simple groups. It primarily covers the "even case", where the main groups arising are Lie-type (matrix) groups over a field of characteristic 2. The book thus completes a project begun by Daniel Gorenstein's 1983 book, which outlined the classification of groups of "noncharacteristic 2 type". However, this book provides much more. Chapter 0 is a modern overview of the logical structure of the entire classification. Chapter 1 is a concise but complete outline of the "odd case" with updated references, while Chapter 2 sets the stage for the remainder of the book with a similar outline of the "even case". The remaining six chapters describe in detail the fundamental results whose union completes the proof of the classification theorem. Several important subsidiary results are also discussed. In addition, there is a comprehensive listing of the large number of papers referenced from the literature. Appendices provide a brief but valuable modern introduction to many key ideas and techniques of the proof. Some improved arguments are developed, along with indications of new approaches to the entire classification--such as the second and third generation projects--although there is no attempt to cover them comprehensively. The work should appeal to a broad range of mathematicians--from those who just want an overview of the main ideas of the classification, to those who want a reader's guide to help navigate some of the major papers, and to those who may wish to improve the existing proofs.


Several bright and massive galaxy candidates at high redshifts have been recently observed by the James Webb Space Telescope. Such early massive galaxies seem difficult to reconcile with standard Λ Cold Dark Matter model predictions. We discuss under which circumstances such observed massive galaxy candidates can be explained by introducing primordial non-Gaussianity in the initial conditions of the cosmological perturbations.


Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydatid cysts and microbial agents on the acute-phase response in cattle. Twenty-seven cattle with hydatid cysts and eight apparently healthy cattle comprised the study and control groups, respectively. Parasitological, microbiological, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations of the liver and lungs were undertaken, and 49 of these organs were infected with cysts. In 14 of 31 (45.1%) livers and 10 of 18 (55.5%) lungs microbial growth was observed. The most frequent species occurring in the liver were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium spp. and Campylobacter spp., whereas in the lungs the most common species was Candida spp., followed by Streptococcus spp., Mannheimia haemolytica, Corynebacterium spp., Micrococcus spp. and S. aureus. The concentration of serum interleukin (IL-6) in infected cattle, 455.35 ± 39.68 pg/ml, was significantly higher than that of 83.02 ± 17.87 pg/ml in the control group (P< 0.001). The serum amyloid A (SAA) level of infected cattle was 7.51 ± 0.41 μg/ml, and 4.84 ± 0.51 μg/ml in the control group (P< 0.001). The serum haptoglobin level of infected cattle was found to be 2.08 ± 0.65 ng/ml, while that of the control group was determined as 3.87 ± 0.91 ng/ml (P>0.05). The highest concentrations of IL-6 were detected in serum of the cattle where microbial growth had been detected, followed by cattle infected with bacteria + Trichostrongylus sp. (P< 0.001). Consequently, SAA showed an important increase in the group infected with hydatid cysts, whereas haptoglobin level decreased. It was noticed that IL-6, like SAA, had a significant role in hydatid cyst infection. Therefore IL-6 and SAA appear to be major markers in the detection of infection of cattle with hydatid cysts.


This paper argues that the fractured nature of the governance of foreign direct investment ("FDI") has given rise to a two-faceted "global adversarial legalism." One facet of this global adversarial legalism, already much debated, is the concern that investment arbitration tribunals exercise an overly broad and perhaps illegitimate form of "global administrative review" of State measures. This paper focuses on the other side of this global adversarial legalism that has not received sufficient scholarly attention: the advent of FDI-impacted individuals and communities alleging violations of voluntary transnational norms espoused by corporate actors involved in regimes of global private regulation. The primary example of this more recent phenomenon is the emergence of the Equator Principles, a regime of private global governance created by investment banks. The EPs standardize the banks' environmental and social risk management of their investments in large infrastructure projects developed in host states whose weak regulatory capacities fail to prevent or mitigate project impacts. Just as arbitral clauses in public contracts can internationalize a dispute for resolution by a transnational arbitral tribunal, the EPs' application to a project loan expands the substantive criteria applicable to project review and creates additional layers of review of corporate compliance with national and international norms. This interaction also creates a complicated dynamic with regard to State sovereignty and decision making related to national development agendas. By creating a global standard, the private regime empowers civil society actors and others not party to the underlying contracts to intervene in national debates and inter-governmental branch dialogue concerning project review and approval, thereby instantiating a quasiadministrative review that has powerful effects in the court of public opinion, even though—unlike traditional treaty-based transnational legal processes—the States have not themselves consented either to the substantive norms nor to the 'jurisdiction' of these processes. The paper also addresses the challenging normative implications of such adversarial legalism: how the protection of marginalized communities and ecosystems can impose broader societal transaction costs on national economic development. [8/20/2012 Draft] GLOBAL ADVERSARIAL LEGALISM


Nutritional composition, including total phenolics, tannins and nutrient components, of acorns of Q. actissima, Q. serrata, Q. variabilis and Q. mongolica were analyzed. Acorns were collected from each tree species, which were grown in a seed orchard. Contents of both total phenolics and tannins in acorns of Q. serrata were higher than those of Q. actissima (p < 0.05). Interestingly, Q. serrata contained the highest amount of water soluble tannins (71 ㎎/g dw) and the lowest levels of water insoluble tannins (8.1 ㎎/g dw) among 4 oak species, resulting that acorns of Q. serrata had the lowest proportion of insoluble tannins. Among 4 oak species tested, Q. mongolicav acorns contained the highest levels of both total dietary fiber (TDF) and ascorbic acid, while the content of beta-carotene in Q. mongolicav was 52-fold lower than that in Q. variabilis (520 ㎍/100 g). Our result showed that nutritional composition of acoms was significantly different between oak species, indicating that tastes or nutritional values might be different as well among major oak species in Korea.


A global blocking climatology published by this group for events that occurred during the late 20th century examined the comprehensive list of characteristics that included block intensity. In addition to confirming the results of other published climatologies, they found that Northern Hemisphere blocking was stronger than Southern Hemisphere events and winter events are stronger than summer ones. This work also examined the interannual variability of blocking as related to El Nino. Since this time, there is evidence that the occurrence of blocking has increased globally. A comparison of blocking characteristics during the first part of the 21st century to those in the late 20th century shows that the number of blocking events and their duration have increased in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. The intensity of blocking has decreased by about nine percent in the Northern Hemisphere, but there was little change in the intensity of Southern Hemisphere events. Additionally, there is little or no change in the genesis regions of blocking. An examination of variability related to El Nino and Southern Oscillation reveals that the variability found in the earlier work has reversed. This could either be the result of interdecadal variability or a change in the climate.  Additionally, a more detailed investigation of seasonal and regional characteristics are examined.


This paper offers a new perspective on the issue of urban sustainability. Starting from a positive perspective on city life, it makes a typology of critical roles of the city that are to be considered with a view to urban sustainability. Next, it is argued that a sine qua non for a structured view on sustainable cities is the use of a more integrated perspective, as offered inter alia by cosmonomic philosophy. Then the paper argues that the use and choice of indicators in multicriteria analysis for urban sustainability may usefully be based on this integrative methodology.


It is the tragedy of Sri Lanka that its Sinhala majority can never agree on a common platform to deal with the Tamil issue. The LTTE is of course in a happy position. For if the peace process collapses it will have been proved right in doubting the government's commitment to keeping the process alive.


The absence of sharp structures in the Auger line shapes of partially filled bands has severely limited the use of electron spectroscopy in magnetic crystals and other correlated materials. By a novel interplay of experimental and theoretical techniques we achieve a combined understanding of the photoelectron, Auger, and Auger-photoelectron coincidence spectra (APECS) of the antiferromagnetic CoO. A recently discovered dichroic effect in angle resolved (DEAR) APECS reveals a complex pattern in the Auger line shape, which is here explained in detail, labeling the final states by their total spin. Since the dichroic effect exists in the antiferromagnetic state but vanishes at the Néel temperature, the DEAR-APECS technique detects the phase transition from its local effects, thus providing a unique tool to observe and understand magnetic correlations where the usual methods are not applicable.


In previous work we showed that on photolysis of Escherichia coli ribosomes in the presence of [3H]tetracycline (TC) the major protein labeled is S7, and we presented strong evidence that such labeling takes place from a high-affinity site related to the inhibitory action of TC [Goldman, R. A., Hasan, T., Hall, C. C., Strycharz, W. A., & Cooperman, B. S. (1983) Biochemistry 22, 359-368]. In this work we use single protein omission reconstitution (SPORE) experiments to identify those proteins that are important for high-affinity TC binding to the 30S subunit, as measured by both cosedimentation and filter binding assays. With respect to both sedimentation coefficients and relative Phe-tRNAPhe binding, the properties of the SPORE particles we obtain parallel very closely those measured earlier [Nomura, M., Mizushima, S., Ozaki, M., Traub, P., & Lowry, C. V. (1969) Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 34, 49-61], with the exception of the SPORE particle lacking S13. A total of five proteins, S3, S7, S8, S14, and S19, are shown to be important for TC binding, with the largest effects seen on omission of proteins S7 and S14. Determination of the protein compositions of the corresponding SPORE particles demonstrates that the observed effects are, for the most part, directly attributable to the omission of the given protein rather than reflecting an indirect effect of omitting one protein on the uptake of another. A large body of evidence supports the notion that four of these proteins, S3, S7, S14, and S19, are included, along with 16S rRNA bases 920-1396, in one of the major domains of the 30S subunit.


The hallmarks of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), an active and regulated process involving the creation of calcium nodules, lipoprotein accumulation, and chronic inflammation, are the significant changes that occur in the composition, organization, and mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the aortic valve (AV). Most research regarding CAVD is based on experiments using two-dimensional (2D) cell culture or artificially created three-dimensional (3D) environments of valvular interstitial cells (VICs). Because the valvular ECM has a powerful influence in regulating pathological events, we developed an in vitro AV tissue culture model, which is more closely able to mimic natural conditions to study cellular responses underlying CAVD. AV leaflets, isolated from the hearts of 6–8-month-old sheep, were fixed with needles on silicon rubber rings to achieve passive tension and treated in vitro under pro-degenerative and pro-calcifying conditions. The degeneration of AV leaflets progressed over time, commencing with the first visible calcified domains after 14 d and winding up with the distinct formation of calcium nodules, heightened stiffness, and clear disruption of the ECM after 56 d. Both the expression of pro-degenerative genes and the myofibroblastic differentiation of VICs were altered in AV leaflets compared to that in VIC cultures. In this study, we have established an easily applicable, reproducible, and cost-effective in vitro AV tissue culture model to study pathological mechanisms underlying CAVD. The valvular ECM and realistic VIC–VEC interactions mimic natural conditions more closely than VIC cultures or 3D environments. The application of various culture conditions enables the examination of different pathological mechanisms underlying CAVD and could lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that lead to VIC degeneration and AS. Our model provides a valuable tool to study the complex pathobiology of CAVD and can be used to identify potential therapeutic targets for slowing disease progression.


Background: The precise relationships among quality of life, depression, fatigue and cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) are complex and poorly understood. Objective: To assess the effects of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a on quality of life, depression and fatigue over 3 years in the COGIMUS study, and to examine the relationship between these outcomes and baseline cognitive status. Methods: COGIMUS was an observational 3-year trial assessing cognitive function in 459 patients with relapsing–remitting MS treated with subcutaneous interferon beta-1a. Results: In total, 331 patients completed the study (168 received interferon beta-1a, 44 µg subcutaneously three times weekly, and 163 received interferon beta-1a, 22 µg subcutaneously three times weekly). Mean MS Quality of Life-54 (MSQoL-54) composite scores did not change over time. There were no significant differences between groups in MSQoL-54 composite scores when patients were grouped by treatment dose and baseline cognitive status. Mean (standard deviation) Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score decreased from 6.8 (4.9) at baseline to 5.8 (5.9) at year 3. Mean total Fatigue Impact Scale scores were low (<30) at all time points. Conclusion: Quality of life, depression and fatigue remained largely stable over 3 years; no effects of treatment dose or baseline cognitive status were found.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the appearances of colorectal liver metastases on diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) and to compare these appearances with histopathology.

METHODS
43 patients with colorectal liver metastases were evaluated using breath-hold DW-MRI (b-values 0, 150 and 500 s mm(-2)). The b=500 s mm(-2) DW-MRI were reviewed consensually for lesion size and appearance by two readers. 18/43 patients underwent surgery allowing radiological-pathological comparison. Tissue sections were reviewed by a pathologist, who classified metastases histologically as cellular, fibrotic, necrotic or mixed. The frequency of DW-MRI findings and histological features were compared using the χ(2) test.

RESULTS
84 metastases were found in 43 patients. On b=500 s mm(-2) DW-MRI, metastases showed three high signal intensity patterns: rim (55/84), uniform (23/84) and variegate (6/84). Of the 55 metastases showing rim pattern, 54 were >1 cm in diameter (p<0.01, χ(2) test). 25/84 metastases were surgically resected. Of these, 11/22 metastases >1 cm in diameter showed rim pattern and demonstrated central necrosis at histopathology (p=0.04, χ(2) test). No definite relationship was found between uniform and variegate patterns with histology.

CONCLUSION
Rim high signal intensity was the most common appearance of colorectal liver metastases >1 cm diameter on DW-MRI at b-values of 500 s mm(-2), a finding attributable to central necrosis.


Objective Large pneumothorax is a rare but dangerous complication following thoracic and lumbar tumor surgery. There is little discussion about the features of large pneumothorax following spinal tumor surgery. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of postoperative pneumothorax, identify factors related to large pneumothorax, and propose a management algorithm for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods Included in this retrospective study were 118 patients who developed pneumothorax after receiving thoracic and lumbar tumor surgery between January 2015 and October 2021. A measurement of lung compression ≥20% on chest CT or x-ray was defined as large pneumothorax, and potential risk factors for large pneumothorax were identified by univariate analysis. Results Spinal tumor history and intraoperative blood loss were risk factors for large pneumothorax. The common symptoms of postoperative pneumothorax were chest pain, chest tightness and dyspnea. The mean longest transverse diameter of tumors was 6.63 ± 2.4 cm. En bloc resection was performed in 70 patients, with a mean operation time of 6.9 ± 2.5 h and mean intraoperative blood loss of 1771 ± 1387 ml. The most common pathologies were chondrosarcoma, giant cell tumors of bone, and neurogenic tumors. Conclusion During surgery, an artificial dura mater patch and a prolene suture can be used to repair the pleural and lung defects. We recommend chest CT as the preferred method for identifying postoperative pneumothorax. If a patient presents severe dyspnea, a large pneumothorax or concurrent pleural effusion, application of chest drainage is strongly recommended.


In any circumstances people showing inability to continue in the environment he/she experiences stress. The paper contemplated to highlight adverse effect of stress on physical health in the light of previous researches, its causes and management to overcome its ill effect.  Despite fast economic growth, availability of all sorts of comforts and convenience a sizeable portion of urban population in present scenario are experiencing stress, depending upon environmental, organizational and individual factors. Though not only high degree of stress even moderate level of stress persist for  longer period in different spheres of life adversely affect the health of people in every walk of their life. In fact stress is inevitable to everyone but need certain ameliorative measures to cope and manage the level of stress to maintain their health. Finally, there is need of more empirical research recommended in future to probe the facts.


The writers describe briefly the geology of the new Richland Parish as field of Louisiana, and the petrography of nepheline basalt discovered in the drilling. Gas was first encountered in this field in a well of the Gulf Refining Company in October, 1926. Development has proved a structure 14 miles long and 8 miles wide, with 150 feet of closure. Production comes presumably from the Glen Rose Trinity at depths ranging from 2,300 feet to 2,400 feet. An igneous rock was encountered in a well on the south flank of the structure, just below the Midway. It is a true nepheline basalt, of surficial type. Its age is probably late Cretaceous.


In content-based communication, information flows towards interested hosts rather than towards specifically set destinations. This new style of communication perfectly fits the needs of applications dedicated to information sharing, news distribution, service advertisement and discovery, etc. In this paper we address the problem of supporting content-based communication in partially or intermittently connected mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). The protocol we designed leverages on the concepts of opportunistic networking and delay-tolerant networking in order to account for the absence of end-to-end connectivity in disconnected MANETs. The paper provides an overview of the protocol, as well as simulation results that show how this protocol can perform in realistic conditions.


This paper reports on the findings from research that uses a tool to help educators assess their e-learning environment. The Online Learning Environment Survey (OLES) instrument was developed using online technologies, including a web-based survey format and an SQL database where the data is instantly captured, analysed and viewed via the data screen or the charting screen. This makes the instrument very easy to use and the results can be viewed immediately providing educators using e-learning with a mechanism to adjust their teaching and enhance the learning environment. The OLES survey was administered during 2004 and 2005 and the data from three case study classes using e-learning in Hong Kong and Australia are presented. Qualitative data from the interviews was used to verify the data gathered and are discussed with regard to the support needed by educators who are developing and teaching in e-learning environments as a method to improve the quality of the e-learning environment through constructive solutions.


As with other carnivals around the world, the history of the Venetian Carnival sheds light on the complex dialectic between festivity and politics and more particularly on the growing need for political authorities to control the urban environment. This article provides a longue durée approach to carnival in Venice and unpacks the meaning of its successive metamorphoses. During the Middle Ages, Venetians used carnival as a defense strategy for their city, intended to ensure the cohesion of its various neighborhoods around a common destiny. In the fifteenth century, the legacy of public festivals for both rich and poor gave way to a more official celebration, which allowed Venice to outdo its European rivals. The civilized and policed expressions that were elaborated from the Renaissance until the eighteenth century gradually set Venetian Carnival apart from the exuberance and invertibility displayed by rustic carnivals in other parts of Europe. However watered-down and commodified present-day Venetian Carnival may seem, it continues to raise eminently political issues, most of which have to do with the appropriation of public space by private interests and the recreation of traditions for mass consumption.


ABSTRACT Global warming has reduced the extent of permafrost, increased permafrost temperatures, and deepened the active layer across the Arctic. Permafrost degradation has detrimental effects on infrastructure and negative impacts on ecosystem services for many Arctic communities. This study examines the adaptive capacity for managing permafrost degradation in Northwest Greenland. The methods are based on questionnaire and interview data from fieldwork, frozen ground temperature records and published data forecasting the deepening of the active layer. Results illustrate the impact of permafrost degradation on the physical environment, hunting and harvesting, housing, and the economy in Northwest Greenland. House owners are mending damage caused by ground movement, and local institutions are concerned with the maintenance of roads and other public infrastructure impacted by permafrost. The scientific knowledge needed to inform decision-making is useful for identifying overall changes, but existing data sources are scarce, and more detailed permafrost maps are needed for long-term town planning. The study concludes that many individuals and institutions engage in autonomous adaptation on an ad hoc basis, rather than pursuing an overall strategy to increase the adaptive capacity in advance of future permafrost degradation in Northwest Greenland.


Abstract In this study we examine glaciogenic rhythmites from the Late Palaeozoic Itararé Group, Paraná Basin, Brazil. We conduct spectral analysis on lithological cycle ('couplet') thickness series, and declination of maximum axis of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility ellipsoidal tensor (K1) data. We tested the efficiency of K1 as a palaeoclimatic proxy. To constrain the timescale of harmonic features in the data, we analysed the couplet thickness spectra, converting the spectra to the time domain using an astronomical calibration based on Milankovitch frequency ratios. Comparison of the two rhythmites provides insights into their sedimentation rate evolution and cyclicity. Millennial-scale mechanisms of climatic origin influenced the deposition of both rhythmites, generating the lithological couplets, and are consistent with millennial-scale variations recognized as triggers for large-scale climatic changes during the Late Pleistocene. The common harmonic features in the couplet thickness and K1 spectra support the view that the azimuth of the K1 axis in sedimentary fabric is a useful palaeoclimatic proxy, reflecting sedimentation processes that were directly influenced by flow-induced, sediment transport, which is linked to external climate factors.


Erosional and depositional features in upper Meramecian and lower Chesterian (Mississippian) carbonate rocks of south-central and east-central Kentucky suggest the influence of coeval structural activity. The study area, which extends from Pulaski County northeastward into Powell County, is underlain by (1) the Greenwood Anomaly, a large north-trending gravity anomaly, which probably represents part of a Precambrian rift system, and (2) the western part of the Rome Trough, an east-trending graben-like structure, which represents a Late Precambrian to Cambrian continental rift zone. The study focused on the St. Louis Limestone and lower Monteagle Limestone of south-central Kentucky and correlative carbonate rocks of the Slade Formation in east-central Kentucky. Several lines of evidence suggest Mississippian reactivation of rift-related faults associated with the Greenwood Anomaly and the Grenville Front, which extends along the west side of the anomaly: (1) local subaerial exposure of St. Louis sediments, (2) local depositional thinning of lower Monteagle sediments, (3) relatively widespread erosion during early Monteagle time, and (4) thickness variation in Mississippian units across the anomaly. In east-central Kentucky, erosional and depositional features suggest Mississippian movement along the Locust Branch and Glencairn Faults of the Irvine-Paint Creek Fault System in the interior of the Rome Trough during deposition of the Slade Formation. Reactivation along the projected trend of the Locust Branch Fault in Estill and Jackson Counties apparently resulted in (1) abrupt thinning of the Renfro Member, (2) penecontemporaneous soft-sediment deformation of Big Sinking bed deposits, and (3) extensive erosion of the Burnside member. Movement along the Glencairn Fault in Powell and Wolfe Counties is indicated by more pronounced erosion of the Burnside member along the border of the upthrown side. Mississippian reactivation of faults apparently was caused by migration of lithospheric bulges through the area. Based on recent investigations that relate Mississippian depositional sequence to lithospheric flexure, passage of an east-migrating, relaxation-phase, Acadian bulge and a north-migrating Ouachita bulge seems to have been contemporaneous with the fault movements and may explain evidence of fault reactivation and its consequences on Mississippian carbonate deposition in the area.


OBJECTIVE
Dental clinic attendance is one of the indicators of health behaviour which will ultimately impact on the oral health. This study aimed at determining the patients' attendance pattern and the reasons for attendance at the Dental clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu.

METHODS
A retrospective study was done using the record book of the Oral Diagnosis unit of the Dental clinic in UNTH. Data on patients' age, gender, presenting complaint(s) at first visit were obtained from these books. Patients with incomplete records were omitted. The data were analysed statistically using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 15); frequencies of all relevant variables were generated and Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variablesatp < 0.05.

RESULTS
Data of 1663 patients with mean age of 33.2 +/- 18 years were obtained. Six hundred and eighty six (41.3%) were males while 977 (58.7%) were females; a statistically significant difference was found in the quarterly attendances of males and females (p < 0.05). The 20-29 and the 0-9 years age groups had 36.1% and 6.5% records respectively. Eight hundred and twenty five (49.2%) visited clinic because of pain, 7.6% for swellings in the mouth and 5.7% were without symptom but attended for routine check ups cum professional tooth cleaning.

CONCLUSION
Asymptomatic dental clinic attendance was not common in this report; attendances were mostly prompted by pain. More females than males attended clinic and the second quarter of the year witnessed the highest turn out of patients.


Genetic parameters for Absolute Growth Rate (AGR), Relative Growth Rate (RGR) and Absolute Maturing Rate (AMR) at various age interval from birth to maturity in N 'Dama beef cattle raised in the humid Tropics of Nigeria were estimated. Performance data used were accumulated between 1948 and 1964 at Fasola cattle ranch in Oyo, Nigeria and the number of records analysed ranged from 44 to 678. prewering (B - W) growth and maturing rates in N'Dama calves were 0.377 ± 0.009 kg/day (AGR), 0.643 ± 0.006 %/day (RGR) and 0.120 ± 0.003% A/day (AMR) and fluctuated subsequently, following the animals' state of development and certain physiological stress conditions.
At post weaning (W-12), these rates decreased to 0.249 ± 0.049 kg/day, 0.204 ± 0.029 %/day and 0.075 ± 0.014 % A/day for AGR, RGR and AMR respectively. Estimates of heritability at the various age intervals were considered low in these growth traits with values obtained ranging from 0.03 to 0.24 for AGR, 0.03 to 0.21 for RGR and 0.02 to 0.42 for AMR, with high standard errors. The low estimates though, consistent with literature reports were attributed to the poor standard of animal management and production environment at Fasola. It was evident from this study that selection of N'Dama calves based on post weaning (W-12) growth or maturing rates would yield substantial genetic progress. However, improved animal management and production environment on the ranch would not only improve precision of the genetic parameter estimates but would also enhance N 'Dama growth performance generally.


BACKGROUND
Multiple-micronutrient deficiencies often coexist in low- to middle-income countries. They are exacerbated in pregnancy due to the increased demands, leading to potentially adverse effects on the mother. Substantive evidence regarding the effectiveness of multiple-micronutrient supplements (MMS) during pregnancy is not available.

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the benefits to both mother and infant of multiple-micronutrient supplements in pregnancy and to assess the risk of adverse events as a result of supplementation.

SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (17 February 2012) and reference lists of retrieved articles and key reviews. We also contacted experts in the field for additional and ongoing trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA
All prospective randomised controlled trials evaluating multiple-micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy and its effects on the pregnancy outcome, irrespective of language or publication status of the trials. We included cluster-randomised trials but quasi-randomised trials were excluded.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and trial quality. Two review authors independently extracted the data. Data were checked for accuracy.

MAIN RESULTS
Twenty-three trials (involving 76,532 women) were identified as eligible for inclusion in this review but only 21 trials (involving 75,785 women) contributed data to the review.When compared with iron and folate supplementation, MMS resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the number of low birthweight babies (risk ratio (RR) 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.83 to 0.94) and small-for-gestational age (SGA) babies (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.81 to 0.95). No statistically significant differences were shown for other maternal and pregnancy outcomes: preterm births RR 0.99 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.02), miscarriage RR 0.90 (95% CI 0.79 to 1.02), maternal mortality RR 0.97 (95% CI 0.63 to 1.48), perinatal mortality RR 0.99 (95% CI 0.84 to 1.16), stillbirths RR 0.96 (95% CI 0.86 to 1.07) and neonatal mortality RR 1.01 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.15).A number of prespecified clinically important outcomes could not be assessed due to insufficient or non-available data. These include placental abruption, congenital anomalies including neural tube defects, premature rupture of membranes, neurodevelopmental delay, very preterm births, cost of supplementation, side-effects of supplements, maternal well being or satisfaction, and nutritional status of children.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Though multiple micronutrients have been found to have a significant beneficial impact on SGA and low birthweight babies, we still need more evidence to guide a universal policy change and to suggest replacement of routine iron and folate supplementation with a MMS. Future trials should be adequately powered to evaluate the effects on mortality and other morbidity outcomes. Trials should also assess the effect of variability between different combinations and dosages of micronutrients, keeping within the safe recommended levels. In regions with deficiency of a single micronutrient, evaluation of each micronutrient against a placebo in women already receiving iron with folic acid would be especially useful in justifying the inclusion of that micronutrient in routine antenatal care.


Cloud computing is considered a pattern for distributed and heterogeneous computing derived from many resources, and requests aim to share resources. Recently, cloud computing is graded among the top best technologies globally, which must be scheduled favorably to maximize providers' profit and improve service quality for their customers. Scheduling specifies how users' requests are assigned to virtual machines, and it plays a vital role in the efficiency and capability of the system. Its objective is to have a throughput or complete jobs in minimum time and the highest standard. Scheduling jobs in heterogeneous distributed systems is an NP-hard polynomial indecisive problem that is not solvable in polynomial time for real-time scheduling. The time complexity of jobs is growing exponentially, and this problem has a considerable effect on the quality of cloud services and providers' efficiencies. The optimization of scheduling-related parameters using heuristic and meta-heuristic algorithms can reduce the search space complexity and execution time. This study intends to represent a fitness function to minimize time and cost parameters. The proposed method uses a multi-purposed weighted genetic algorithm that provides six basic parameters: utility, task execution cost, response time, wait time, Makespan, and throughput to provide comprehensive optimization. The proposed approach improved response and wait times, throughput, Makespan, and utility 16, 9, 7, 8 percentages, respectively, by only a one cost unit reduction, which is dispensable. As a result, both providers and users will experience better services. The statistical tests show that the achieved improvement is valid for 94% of experiments.


Smart grids are increasingly proliferating all over the world to leverage electricity infrastructures with information technology. Smart metering, particularly Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), is an enabling technology for realizing smart grids by collecting and processing energy consumption logs and managing energy for customers and utility companies. Security is one of the main concerns of smart metering, and potential threats and attacks to this technology have been discussed since the early initiatives. Considering the unbounded and changing nature of security problems, especially in complex and critical cyber-physical systems, smart metering security concerns can not be always addressed at design time. Autonomic self-protection promises to address runtime security concerns in proactive and reactive ways. In this paper, we focus on the customer domain of smart metering, and investigate potential reactive self-protection scenarios by concentrating on requirements. To this aim, we analyze a sample set of published security requirements from the AMISEC forum [1] to derive self-protection requirements. Then we discuss how these requirements can be linked to the MAPE loop [2] in the autonomic computing architecture. Keywords-Self-protecting; Smart metering; Security requirements; Autonomic computing; Smart grid;


Obesity is a highly prevalent chronic disease with a significant effect on reproductive-age women. The clinical implications of obesity on fertility and pregnancy are well studied citing ovulatory dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, higher miscarriage rates, and increased maternal and neonatal risks. For this reason, many patients with obesity seek reproductive specialists to help build their families. Despite this literature base, the effect of weight loss interventions prior to assisted reproductive technology (ART) is lacking. This review aims to outline the impact of obesity on ART, specifically in vitro fertilization (IVF). Response differences to treatment protocols compared with normal weight counterparts, limitations of access to care, and the mixed results of weight-reduction strategies prior to fertility treatment will be addressed. The known data surrounding benefits of lifestyle modification, pharmacologic therapies, and surgical interventions for obesity prior to IVF are outlined and found to emphasize a need for further research to determine the optimal approach for infertility patients with obesity.


NG-641 is a modified variant of enadenotucirev (EnAd), an Ad11p/Ad3 chimeric group B adenovirus, which retains all the functional properties of enadenotucirev while also expressing transgenes designed to target breakdown of the stromal barrier and immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment. Enadenotucirev has potent and selective anti-tumor activity against a range of epithelial cancer cells, with a blood stability profile that enables systemic dosing; it has now been administered intravenously to over 100 cancer patients. As an approach to immunogene therapy targeting stromal rich tumors, we have created a transgene-modified variant of EnAd expressing a bi-specific T-cell activator molecule (FAP-TAc) recognizing fibroblast activating protein (FAP) on cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and CD3 on T-cells. Production of FAP-TAc by virus infected tumor cells should lead to T-cell mediated killing of CAFs and thus modification of the tumor microenvironment to drive effective anti-tumor immunity. This local production approach also bypasses potential delivery and safety issues associated with systemic dosing of such molecules. To enhance the activity of the FAP-TAc molecule, particularly in tumors with poor immune cell infiltration ("excluded" or "immune desert" phenotypes), NG-641 also encodes the transgenes CXCL9, CXCL10 and IFNα to recruit T-cells and enhance the overall immune response and cancer cell killing. Initial studies with different viruses expressing FAP-TAc alone showed that FAP-TAc activity generated by NG-641 infection was essentially the same as that with viruses bearing only the FAP-TAc transgene. Following infection of tumor cells with NG-641, the virus selectively secretes functional FAP-TAc molecules, as determined in cocultures of FAP+ fibroblasts and T cells. Production of CXCL9, CXCL10 and IFNα was confirmed by ELISA assays, with functionality evaluated by reporter cell, FACS and cell migration assays. T cell-activation mediated by FAP-TAc lead to cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity towards the fibroblasts, both of which were enhanced by expression of the IFNα transgene. Studies with primary human tumor samples (containing tumor cells, CAFs and infiltrated immune cells) also demonstrated potent activation of the endogenous T-cells, indicating that virus produced FAP-TAc is a potent T-cell activator despite suppressive influences of the tumor microenvironment. In conclusion, we have shown that CAFs can be effectively targeted for T-cell mediated destruction by NG-641, a tumor stroma targeting transgene-bearing oncolytic virus. This is associated with strong activation of endogenous T-cells to kill CAFs even in the presence of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Systemic dosing of such a virus to patients with stromal rich tumors may provide an effective approach for driving productive anti-tumor immunity. Citation Format: Brian R. Champion, Matthieu Besneux, Marilena Patsalidou, Ana Silva, Manuela Zonca, Nalini Marino, Gianfranco di Genova, Sam Illingworth, Stefania Fedele, Lorna Slater, Fred Lilley, Darren Plumb, Katy West, Paul Cockle, Alice Brown. NG-641: An oncolytic T-SIGn virus targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts in the stromal microenvironment of human carcinomas [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5013.


ABSTRACT: During the current coronavirus epidemic, personal protective equipment has become a vital issue. Depending on the procedure, the generation of aerosols increases the risk of infection for healthcare professionals. However, in dentistry, there is a high risk of contamination from blood or tissue fluids, generated in surgical procedures with ultrason ic and high-speed cutting devices. Thus, the creation of a prototype with a functional respiratory protection system offers filtered air at the entrance and exit of the circuit, also benefiting the patient. This experimental and unprecedented air purification system has 99.9 % high efficiency filters, positive and negative pressure control and also generates an internal balance of air flow; its purpose is to maintain the facial seal of the snorkel mask. The results showed that this air purificat ion system could be an option in environments contaminated by aerosol caused by rotary intruments in dentistry.


Supramolecular assembly of the title compound, C12H14ClFN2O, is primarily governed by N-H+...Cl- and C-H...O interactions, and a putative C-H...F interaction. The piperidine ring assumes a chair conformation, with the substituted benzisoxazole ring in an equatorial position.


The Australian telecommunications industry has reached its 160th anniversary this year measured from the completion of its first electrical telegraph network on 3 March 1854, linking Melbourne to Williamstown. The back story to the implementation of that first network suggests that Lieutenant Governor Charles La Trobe and the colony?s first General-Superintendent of Telegraphy, Samuel McGowan, should be celebrated as the founders of Australian telecommunications: the visionary and his appointee, the entrepreneurial project manager. A brief overview is given of how the Australian telecommunications industry has evolved to the present day, including the evolution of the Telecommunications Society of Australia (now TelSoc), a society of volunteers supporting the industry since 1874, i.e. for 140 years of the industry?s 160 years.


Introduction: Glioblastoma Multiform (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor. Early rehabilitation program is needed to increasing the independency and the quality of life.Methods: Case presentation of a woman, age 31 years, diagnosed with GBM. Subject has chronic headache by visual analog scale (VAS) was 5 to 6 and progressive of vision loss (0/0), short and intermediate memory loss, the average of limb strength by manual muscle test were four, and immobilization on bedsince one and half year. The first day after craniotomy, patient has Rehabilitation Program; cryotherapy for decreased the pain, therapeutic exercise, and cognitive stimulation exercise for 5 week.Results: After 5 weeks of rehabilitation program, patient has reduced the pain measured by VAS was 0, improved the memory, and be able to ambulationConclusion: Patient post GBM post craniotomy need to have comprehensive rehabilitation program to reduce pain, improve memory and ambulation.Keywords: Glioblastoma Multiform, Rehabilitation Medicine Program


In the paper, we present an analytical comparison for various modulation techniques that can be used in a digital communication system. Digital modulation offers more powerful security, information, quality communication, and great capacity. Therefore, digital modulation systems have a maximal and important role in their capacity to transfer bigger amounts of data than analogue ones. There are more types of digital modulation like multiple amplitudes, frequencies, and phase shift keys. The results examine the comparisons of modulation techniques and the benefits of each system to determine which would be the most suitable for a specific application. The paper also discusses the effectiveness of different bandwidth and power efficiency factors.


In this paper, the stability analysis for interval type-2 (IT2) polynomial fuzzy-model-based (PFMB) control system using the information of membership functions is investigated. To tackle uncertainties, IT2 membership functions are used in the IT2 polynomial fuzzy model and IT2 polynomial fuzzy controller. The stability of IT2 PFMB control system is investigated based on the Lyapunov stability theory and both sets of membership function independent (MFI) and membership function dependent (MFD) stability conditions are derived on the basis of the sum-of-squares (SOS) approach. To make the stability conditions MFD, the boundary information of IT2 membership functions is used in the stability analysis. To extract richer information of IT2 membership functions, the operating domain is partitioned into sub-domains. In each sub-domain, the boundary information of IT2 membership functions and those of the upper and lower membership function are obtained. Furthermore, to further relax the conservativeness, a switching polynomial fuzzy controller, together with the informations obtained in each sub-domain, is employed in investigating the stability analysis. Numerical examples and simulation results are given to demonstrate the validity of MFD and MFD switching methods.


In matters pertaining to the obligor, obligee and secondary obligee, a collection claim and an obligor's subrogation claim are systems that allow the obligor to directly pursue collection against the third obligee. Regarding money receivable, however, the two are different in that a collection claim is a procedure for exercising rights (Article 249, Civil Execution Law) wherein the obligor files a lawsuit for performance on the second receivable against the third obligee based on the collection rights obtained through seizure of the rights to the second receivable held by the obligee against the third obligee and using the means of executive title on the first receivable that already exists between the obligor and the obligee. On the other hand, an obligor's subrogation claim is a substantial law (Article 404, Civil Law) in which the obligor directly seeks the execution of the second receivable against the third obligee, regardless of the status of the executive title on the first receivable between the obligor and the obligee. In the precedents set by the Supreme Court, however, although the right to bring a lawsuit or the qualification to be a party is recognized for both the obligor and the obligee regarding the obligor's subrogation claim, only that of the collection obligor is recognized regarding the collection claim. If the obligee, who is in reality the obligor, cannot exercise the right to bring a lawsuit against the third obligee because the right to bring a lawsuit is not recognized for the obligee in a collection claim, then in case the collection obligor loses in a collection claim due to insufficient burden of proof, the damages must inevitably be sustained by the obligee due to the expanding efficacy of the judgment. Furthermore, if the obligee's right to bring a lawsuit is recognized even after the collection order, that is favorable to the collection obligor because the obligor can be invested with the succeeded execution clause and use the efficacy of that ruling to easily carry out a compulsory execution against the third obligee. The third obligee can also appeal the collection order and avoid the danger of a double payment. If there are double or duplicate lawsuits between the collection obligor and obligee, then it will be said that they can be processed by adhering to the rules of intervention or takeover of litigation, and that those cases do not have to be dismissed due to any lack of qualification to be a party. Accordingly, it would be valid for the Supreme Court's precedents to be changed, and for the qualification to be a party to be recognized for both the collection obligor and obligee in a collection claim, just as in an obligor's subrogation claim.


SIGNIFICANCE
Glutamate serves multi-faceted (patho)physiological functions in the central nervous system as the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter and under pathological conditions as a potent neurotoxin. Regarding the latter, elevated extracellular glutamate is known to play a central role in ischemic stroke brain injury.

RECENT ADVANCES
Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) has emerged as a new therapeutic target in protecting against ischemic stroke injury. Oxygen-sensitive induction of GOT expression and activity during ischemic stroke lowers glutamate levels at the stroke site while sustaining adenosine triphosphate levels in brain. The energy demands of the brain are among the highest of all organs underscoring the need to quickly mobilize alternative carbon skeletons for metabolism in the absence of glucose during ischemic stroke. Recent work builds on the important observation of Hans Krebs that GOT-mediated metabolism of glutamate generates tri-carboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates in brain tissue. Taken together, outcomes suggest GOT may enable the transformative switch of otherwise excitotoxic glutamate into life-sustaining TCA cycle intermediates during ischemic stroke.

CRITICAL ISSUES
Neuroprotective strategies that focus solely on blocking mechanisms of glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity have historically failed in clinical trials. That GOT can enable glutamate to assume the role of a survival factor represents a paradigm shift necessary to develop the overall significance of glutamate in stroke biology.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Ongoing efforts are focused to develop the therapeutic significance of GOT in stroke-affected brain. Small molecules that target induction of GOT expression and activity in the ischemic penumbra are the focus of ongoing studies.


This report describes a case of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) that followed a well-documented episode of acute Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) mononucleosis. All aetiological tests for chronic fatigue were found to be negative or normal, as were immunological tests. After 2 years of chronic fatigue following the acute illness, measurements of complement split products were performed to test for complement activation. These were positive and remained positive for 14 months, after which the patient then recovered from CFS.


The average standard values of erythrocytes osmotic fragility (EOF) were established to zebu cattle of Nellore, raised in State of São Paulo , by analyzing the influence of age, sex and breed lines (Standard Nelore, Lemgruber Nellore, Mocho Nellore and Kuleia Nellore). For this purpose, 230 samples of blood from healthy animals free from Leucosis, Brucellosis, and blood parasites, were collected and submitted to standard hematological techniques and the EOF test. Blood samples obtained from calves up to three months showed the lesser fragility to hypotonic saline (50% of hemolysis= 0,43±0,03g/dL NaCl). Groups older than three months to over 72 months (50%= 0,58±0,03 to 0,48±0,02 g/dL NaCl) showed EOF decrease. The EOF was statistically different between the varieties Mocho (50%=0,54±0,05 g/dL NaCl) and Kuleia (50%=0,48±0,06g/dL NaCl). Sex had no influence. The average standard values of the EOF in 50% of hemolysis to Zebu Nellore cattle were 0,51±0,04g/dL NaCl.


A donor program for procuring dogs and cats to meet the needs of anatomical instruction was initiated six years ago at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. The program was initiated in order to comply with state regulations that preclude the use of shelter animals and to satisfy ethical objections of students and faculty. The donor program has successfully met the animal needs for teaching gross anatomy and, in addition, provides opportunities to integrate clinical perspectives and ethics beginning from the first year of veterinary education.


Trends and patterns of rural-urban population redistribution in Western Asia are analyzed. The extent to which migration reclassification of localities and natural increase affect urban growth and population distribution is discussed and differences between areal units within each country and between countries of the region are examined. Policy options for regulating rural-urban distribution are considered. (ANNOTATION)


The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to describe the weekly acute workload (wAW), chronic workload (wCW), acute/chronic workload ratio (wACWR), training monotony (wTM), and strain (wTS) across the preparation season (PS), and (2) to analyze the variations of wAW, wCW, wACWR, wTM, and training strain (wTS) between periods of PS (early-, mid-, and end). Ten elite young wrestlers were monitored daily during the 32 weeks of the season. Internal loads were monitored using session rating of perceived exertion, and weekly workload measures of wACWR, wTM, and wTS were also calculated. Results revealed that the greatest differences were found between early- and mid-PS for wAW (p = 0.004, g = 0.34), wCW (p = 0.002, g = 0.90), wTM (p = 0.005, g = 0.39), and wTS (p = 0.009, g = −1.1), respectively. The wACWR showed significant differences between early- and end-PS (p ≤ 0.001, g = −0.30). We concluded that wAW, wCW, and wTM are slightly lower during the first weeks of the PS. The wTM remained relatively high during the entire season, while wAW and wCW remained balanced throughout the PS. The greatest workload changes seem to happen from the early to mid-PS season.


Let G=(V(G), E(G)) be a graph. A list assignment is an assignment of a set L(v) of integers to every vertex v of G. An L-colouring is an application C from V(G) into the set of integers such that C(v)L(v) for all v V(G) and C(u)C(v) if u and v are joined by an edge. A (k,k')-list assignment of a bipartite graph G with bipartition (A,B) is a list assignment L such that |L(v)|= k if vA and |L(v)|= k' if vB. A bipartite graph is (k,k')-choosable if it admits an L-colouring for every (k.k')-list assignment L. In this paper, we study the (k,k')-choosability of graphs. Alon and Tarsi proved in an algebraic and non-constructive way, that every bipartite graph with maximum degree is (/2 +1, /2 +1)-choosable. In this paper, we give an alternative and constructive proof to this result. We conjecture that this result is sharp (i.e. there is a bipartite graph with maximum degree that is not (/2 , /2 +1)-choosable) and prove it for 5. Moreover, for a fixed , we show that given a bipartite graph with maximum degree and a (/2 , /2)+1)-list assignment L, it is NP-complete to decide if G is L-colourable. At last, we give upper bounds for the minimum size n_3() of a non (3,3)-choosable bipartite graph with maximum degree : n_3(5)846 and n_3(6)128.


Product Recommendation involves suggesting prospective customers to purchase additional products by analyzing their purchase history, similarity of buying pattern with respect to other customers, and items in their shopping basket. This process of recommending products comes under the domain of "Market Basket Analysis" and "Data Mining". The proposed system will be handled by an e-commerce website admin, wherein the admin will input the name of a customer for whom the e-commerce site wants to recommend products based on similar customer behaviour using data mining.