PURPOSE
To compare the multifocal electroretinogram (ERG) system to conventional ganzfeld and focal ERGs obtained from patients with known retinal diseases to assess its clinical applicability.

METHODS
A multi-input system analysis was used to explore the field topography of ERG responses to local luminance modulation in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, pericentral pigmentary retinal dystrophy, branch retinal arterial occlusion, or idiopathic macular hole.

RESULTS
The dysfunctional areas measured by multifocal ERG were compatible with those assumed by combined findings of ganzfeld and focal ERGs. However, the wave shapes of multifocal ERG in the retina with arterial occlusion differed from those of conventional focal ERG, suggesting that the negative and positive deflections shown in the first-order kernel of multifocal ERG may not correspond to conventional a- and b-waves of ERG.

CONCLUSIONS
The multifocal ERG system is available for electroretinographic field mapping at the clinical level.


A two-channel flow-injection (FI) method is reported for the determination of iodide and iodine by its enhancement effect on the Ru(bpy)(3)(3+)-NADH chemiluminescence (CL) system. The limit of detection (3 s of blank) was 1.0 x 10(-9) mol/L iodide/iodine, with a sample throughput of 60/h. The calibration graphs over the range 1.0-50 x 10(-8) mol/L gave correlation coefficients of 0.9994 and 0.999 (n = 5) with relative standard deviations (RSD; n = 4) of 1.0-2.5%, respectively. The effects of interfering cations, anions and some organic compounds were also studied. The method was applied to iodized salts and pharmaceutical samples and the results obtained were in good agreement with the value quoted. The CL method developed was compared with spectrophotometric method.


In recent years many suicidologists have based their epidemiological studies on suicide on theories assuming that people born within the same period of time will follow the same suicidal patterns throughout their lives, and that variations in the annual rate of suicide will, therefore, reflect systematic differences between cohorts. Cohort analysis carried out on Danish data showed, however, that although some differences could be found as to the course of events during the life span of the cohorts and also when the material was adjusted for sex, no significant differences could be found between various birth cohorts in the total rates of suicide. The authors argue that the reason for this is that a cohort effect is only one of three dimensions of an analytical tool, namely, Age-Period-Cohort (APC) analysis, and that the balance between the three effects changes over time.


Simple Summary Cannabinoids are mainly used for recreational purposes but find their way into oncology due to ongoing legalization efforts and anti-cancerous hints in the scientific literature. The goal of this study was to elucidate the mode of action of a clinically used cannabis medication in metastatic melanoma as well as its clinical value in combination with targeted therapy. By cell viability and apoptosis assays, we could demonstrate that cannabinoids mediate their apoptotic effect in a caspase-mediated fashion by disturbing mitochondrial integrity. With in vivo experiments, we could demonstrate that clinically used cannabinoid medication does not interfere with the commonly used anti-cancerous drug trametinib. Our results suggest that cannabinoids are effective in metastatic melanoma and pave the way for further clinical trials. Abstract Background: Cannabinoids are mainly used for recreational purposes, but also made their way into oncology, since these substances can be taken to increase appetite in tumour cachexia. Since there are some hints in the literature that cannabinoids might have some anti-cancerous effects, the aim of this study was to study if and how cannabinoids mediate pro-apoptotic effects in metastatic melanoma in vivo and in vitro and its value besides conventional targeted therapy in vivo. Methods: Several melanoma cell lines were treated with different concentrations of cannabinoids, and anti-cancerous efficacy was assessed by proliferation and apoptosis assays. Subsequent pathway analysis was performed using apoptosis, proliferation, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy data. The efficacy of cannabinoids in combination with trametinib was studied in NSG mice in vivo. Results: Cannabinoids reduced cell viability in multiple melanoma cell lines in a dose-dependent way. The effect was mediated by CB1, TRPV1 and PPARα receptors, whereby pharmacological blockade of all three receptors protected from cannabinoid-induced apoptosis. Cannabinoids initiated apoptosis by mitochondrial cytochrome c release with consecutive activation of different caspases. Essentially, cannabinoids significantly decreased tumour growth in vivo and were as potent as the MEK inhibitor trametinib. Conclusions: We could demonstrate that cannabinoids reduce cell viability in several melanoma cell lines, initiate apoptosis via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by cytochrome c release and caspase activation and do not interfere with commonly used targeted therapy.


We integrated for the first time a novel dye-intercalated DNA dendrimer probe (G3SG) with the electrospun nanofibers (NFs) to create an amplified fluorescent sensing platform for the detection of nucleic acids, proteins, and cancer cells. The sensing platform is constructed based on the formation of the NF-capture/target/reporter-G3SG sandwich-type nanocomplex on the NF membrane surface, leading to large fluorescence signal amplification. Taking advantage of the dual-amplification of both the strong emission intensity of G3SG and the large surface area-to-volume ratio of NFs, this platform enables highly sensitive detection of 20 pM of a β-thalassemia gene fragment. Furthermore, by easily altering the correlative capture and reporter sequences, the proposed sensing platform can also be applied to detect various targets including thrombin and HeLa cells with high sensitivity and selectivity. This work would provide a simple and versatile strategy for detecting disease-related species in biological samples.


Pleckstrin homology-like domain family A member 2 (PHLDA2), a homolog of the mouse TDAG51 gene, was the first apoptosis-related gene shown to be imprinted and expressed from the maternal allele in normal development. It is located within the tumor suppressor region of 11p15, and its expression was reported to be suppressed in several cases of malignant tumors. But, the apoptotic regulatory mechanism and its role is not fully known in gastric cancer. The purpose of the this study is to identify of function of PHLDA2 associated with apoptosis in gastric cancer. We used cell culture, western blotting, RT-PCR, MTT assays, PHLDA2 knock-down with short hairpin RNA (shRNA). First, we confirmed that the expression level of PHLDA2 was up-regulated by HGF(hepatocyte growth factor). To identify associated pathway of HGF-induced LCN2, the cells were treated with PI3-kinase inhibitor (LY294002) or MEK inhibitor(PD098059) or p38 inhibitor(SB203580) and then analyzed by Western blotting. The HGF-mediated PHLDA2 protein level was only decreased with LY294002. The role for PHLDA2 with was determined by knock down cell of PHLDA2. PHLDA2-sh RNA cells showed a decreased level of P53 and a increased level of pAKT. We also examined to confirm the role of HGF-mediated PHLDA2. HGF-mediated cell proliferation and in vitro invasion was increased in PHLDA2 knock down cell. Also, HGF-mediated cell apoptosis decreased in PHLDA2 knock down cell. Our study showed that PHLDA2 upregulated HGF is regulated through PI3K/AKT pathway in gastric cancer, and PHLDA2 have a role in cell apoptosis in gastric cancer, which may be a possible target for developing gastric cancer therapy. Citation Format: Sung Ae Koh, Kyung Hee Lee, Jae Ryong Kim, Sang Woon Kim. HGF mediated upregulation of PHLDA2 is associated with apoptosis in gastric cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 523. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-523


The Surface Tension Driven Convection Experiment is a Space Transportation System flight experiment to study both transient and steady thermocapillary fluid flows aboard the USML-1 Spacelab mission planned for March 1992. Hardware is under development to establish the experimental conditions and to perform the specified measurements for both ground-based research and the flight experiment in a Spacelab single rack. Major development areas include an infrared thermal imaging system for surface temperature measurement, a CO2 laser and control system for surface heating, and, for flow visualization, a He-Ne laser and optical system in conjunction with an intensifed video camera. For ground-based work, the components of each system have been individually purchased or designed and tested. The three systems will be interfaced with the balance of the experimental hardware and will constitute a working engineering model.


Afterglow (AG), thermoluminescence (TL) and photoluminescence efficiencies in KCl:Eu were investigated in samples annealed at 773 K with high Eu–vc dipole concentration, samples aged at 373 K with high aggregate concentration and plastically deformed samples enriched with dislocations. AG and TL efficiencies increase significantly for samples with high concentration of aggregates. Plastically deformed samples show a greater efficiency of AG and TL compared to undeformed samples. However, the formation of aggregates during the ageing procedure is strongly reduced in deformed samples. Furthermore, the low temperature peaks in the TL glow curve are absent in deformed and aged samples. We interpret these results as evidence for the participation of dislocations in the AG process and ascribe the relatively high AG efficiency of aggregates to a preferential formation of aggregates along dislocations.


Background: Pytoproptosis has been verified to participate in various malignancies. However, studies on pyroptosis-related lncRNAs in breast cancer and its effects on tumor immune micro-environment are still limited. Consequently, it was aimed in this study to construct a pyroptosis-related lncRNAs signature for prognostic prediction and explore the effect of the pyroptosis-related LncRNAs on tumor immune microenvironment through LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network. Methods: The pyroptosis-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were discovered using differential expression analysis. The differentially expressed LncRNAs (DELncRNAs) associated with DEGs were discovered using correlation analysis. The function of DEGs was analyed using GO and KEGG analyses. The LncRNAs signature used as the prognostic model of breast cancer was constructed using univariate and multivariate Cox analysis, and the effectiveness was verified by K-M analysis and ROC curve. The risk score calculated using the prognostic model was proved as an independent factor by univariate Cox analysis, multivariate Cox analysis and PCA analysis, and used to predict patient prognosis through nomogram. The pathyways enriched in High risk group and Low risk group were analyzed by GSEA. The differences in immune cell distribution (B cell memory, T cell CD4+, T cell CD8+ among others) were analyzed using ssGSEA. The immune function (type I/II IFN response among others), immune checkpoint (ADORA2A among others) and m6A-related protein expression (FTO among others) of High risk group and Low risk group were compared. The regulatory network of pyroptosis-related LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA was constructed and the core network was extracted. The functions of the target genes of miRNA associated with DELncRNAs were explored using GO and KEGG analysis. Results: A 9 LncRNAs signature (LMNTD2-AS1, AL589765.4, AC079298.3, U62317.3, LINC02446, AL645608.7, HSD11B1-AS1, AC009119.1, AC087239.1) was constructed as the prognostic model of breast cancer. Significant differences were discovered in immune cell distribution, immune function, immune checkpointand m6A-related protein expression between High risk group and Low risk group. The regulatory network of LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA was constructed and found to participate in the crosstalk among apoptosis, pyroptosis and necroptosis of breast cancer. Conclusions: The 9 lncRNAs signature was valuable for predicting breast cancer prognosis, and the pyroptosis-related lncRNAs influenced tumor immune microenvironment of breast cancer through the LncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network.


Cholesterol regulates the signaling of µ-opioid receptor in cell models, but it has not been demonstrated in mice or humans. Whether cholesterol regulates the signaling by mechanisms other than supporting the entirety of lipid raft microdomains is still unknown. By modulating cholesterol-enriched lipid raft microdomains and/or total cellular cholesterol contents in human embryonic kidney cells stably expressing µ-opioid receptor, we concluded that cholesterol stabilized opioid signaling both by supporting the lipid raft's entirety and by facilitating G protein coupling. Similar phenomena were observed in the primary rat hippocampal neurons. In addition, reducing the brain cholesterol level with simvastatin impaired the analgesic effect of opioids in mice, whereas the opioid analgesic effect was enhanced in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet. Furthermore, when the records of patients were analyzed, an inverse correlation between cholesterol levels and fentanyl doses used for anesthesia was identified, which suggested the mechanisms above could also be applicable to humans. Our results identified the interaction between opioids and cholesterol, which should be considered in clinics as a probable route for drug-drug interaction. Our studies also suggested that a low cholesterol level could lead to clinical issues, such as the observed impairment in opioid functions.


Abstract For an exact category having enough projective objects, we establish a bijection between thick subcategories containing the projective objects and thick subcategories of the stable derived category. Using this bijection, we classify thick subcategories of finitely generated modules over strict local complete intersections and produce generators for the category of coherent sheaves on a separated Noetherian scheme with an ample family of line bundles.


bjective: To establish a HPLC method for the determination of biflavones from herbs of Selaginella Spring. Methods: The column was Elite - ODS (5μm, 150 mm ×4. 6 mm) ; the mobile phase consisted of methanol and phosphate buffer, the gradient condition was 0→6 min, methanol 47. 5%→70. 0% ; the column temperature was 40℃ ; the flow rate was 1. 5 mL · min-1 and the detection was done at 330 nm. Results: The average recoveries of amentoflavone, hinokiflavone and ginkgetin were 97. 05% , 98. 45% and 96. 88% ( RSD = 2. 1% , 2. 8% , 2. 3% , n =3) respectively. Amentoflavone was a common component and its contents from 12 species of Selaginella Spring were markedly different. It also showed from HPLC the difference in distributions and contents of hinokiflavone and ginkgetin from Selaginella Spring. Conclusion: This method was simple, sensitive and rapid and was very suitable for the determination of biflavones.


A resource guide for mental health practitioners working with Latino victims of collective trauma was developed based on a review of the literature. The development of the resource was also informed by two structured interviews with experts in the field of collective trauma within the Latino population. Review of the literature and structured interviews were used to develop culturally sensitive treatment approaches for victims of collective trauma from Latin America. The resource guide offers clinicians culturally adapted interventions, including PTSD measures, a table to identify culture bound syndromes, PTSD psychoeducation handouts (provided in Spanish and English), relaxation skills (e.g. breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation, the use of music, meditation), interoceptive exposure protocols, and tools to help clients live a life of meaning as well as restore their roles in the community and within their family. An additional two experts in the field evaluated the resource guide for validity, content, and applicability to the Latino population. Feedback from the evaluators will be used for future versions of the resource guide. Results indicated that the resource guide may be advantageous for Latino victims of collective trauma and may therefore serve as an adjunct to current treatment protocols. The resource guide may assist mental health practitioners in modifying their approach to treatment as well as offer culturally appropriate interventions in order to enhance cultural sensitivity, thus leading to a stronger therapeutic alliance.


Significance
 However, mining companies are warning that bills before Congress and possible changes under a new constitution to be drawn up by a recently elected constitutional convention could raise doubts over these plans.

 Impacts
 As Chile's copper mines age, efficiency gains will be ever more important for the industry's ongoing international competitiveness.
 As countries seek to decarbonise, 'clean' copper will command an increasing price premium.
 In the constitutional convention, left-wing sectors will argue against extractivism as a manifestation of neoliberalism.


Introduction: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the β2 -adrenergic receptor (β2 -AR) gene have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. This study evaluated two β2 -AR SNPs in association with myocardial infarction (MI), namely arginine-glycine (G16R) substitution at codon 16 and glutamine-glutamic (Q27E) substitution at condon 27.
 Objectives: Therefore, our main objective was to determine the association of these two SNPs among patients with MI with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D).
 Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 201 MI patients with and without diabetes and from 115 controls and the β2 -AR gene polymorphisms at codon 16 and codon 27 were assessed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. The χ2 test was used to compare differences between groups.
 Results: The SNPs did not deviate significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the control population. The allele and genotype frequencies of the β2 -AR gene polymorphism at codon 16 (G16R) was significantly different between MI cases and controls (χ2 = 10.495, P < 0.05 and χ2 = 8.849, P < 0.05, respectively). No significant difference in genotype and allele frequencies at codon 27 was shown between these two groups (χ2 = 2.661, P ≥ 0.05 and χ2 = 1.587, P ≥ 0.05, respectively). When the MI patients with and without T2D were pooled together, genotype distribution was different between cases and controls at codon 16 (χ2 = 4.631, P = 0.099) and codon 27 (χ2 = 7.247, P = 0.027). However, no significant differences were found in allele frequencies for codon 16 and codon 27 between the two groups (χ2 = 0.628, P = 0.428; χ2 = 0.33, P = 0.565, respectively).
 Conclusion: Our findings indicate a moderate association of the β2 -AR G16R gene polymorphism with MI suggesting that this gene plays a universal role in the development of MI across ethnicities. However, there was no association of β2 -AR G16R gene polymorphism with diabetic patients with MI.


OBJECTIVES
We evaluated the effect of functional bracing on union and functional results in the conservative treatment of humeral diaphyseal fractures.

METHODS
The study included 38 patients (21 males, 17 females; mean age 34.8 years; range 20 to 63 years) who were treated with functional bracing for humeral diaphyseal fractures. The fractures were in the right in 23 patients, and in the left in 15 patients. Radial paralysis was detected in eight patients. Two patients had open fractures (Gustilo IIIA). According to the AO system, there were 12 AO type A1 (31.6%), 11 type A2 (29.0%), 13 type A3 (34.2%), and two type B1 (5.3%) fractures. Functional bracing was applied after a mean of 2.4 weeks of fixation of the shoulder and elbow. The radiographic and functional results were assessed using the scoring system of Kwasny et al. The mean follow-up was 48 months (range 16 to 64 months).

RESULTS
Complete union was achieved in all the patients in a mean of 11.4 weeks (range 10 to 16 weeks). Radiographic and functional results were very good in 31 patients (81.6%) and good in seven patients (18.4%). A mean of 0.8 cm (range 0 to 1.8 cm) shortness developed after union. In none of the patients angulation exceeded 20 degrees in the anteroposterior plane and 10 degrees in the lateral plane. Complete healing was obtained in patients with radial paralysis within three months. No complications were encountered pertaining to functional bracing.

CONCLUSION
When choosing conservative methods, functional bracing should be primarily considered in the treatment of humeral diaphyseal fractures because of low complication but very high success rates.


We examine the effects of linear amplification and attenuation on the quantum-mechanical phase properties of light for fields with mean photon numbers of at least the order of 10. The phase probability density is found to satisfy a diffusion equation for both phase-insensitive and phase-sensitive amplifiers and attenuators. The solution is a convolution of the initial phase probability density with an infinite series of expanding Gaussians which clearly illustrates the diffusion of the phase. In particular, we find that for phase-insensitive amplification the phase of the field undergoes time-dependent uniform diffusion. In the limit of large amplification the diffusion ceases and the phase variance of the amplified light is given by the input phase variance plus an extra term which is equal to the phase variance of a coherent state of the same intensity as the initial field. We show that the reduced phase variance of phase-optimized states (relative to coherent states of the same intensity) is lost for power gains greater than the photon-cloning value of 2. In contrast, phase-sensitive amplifiers give rise to time-dependent nonuni form phase diffusion. The amount of phase diffusion depends on the relative phase angle between the light and the amplifier. If the peak of a relatively narrow phase probability density is near a minimum in the phase diffusion coefficient, then the phase noise added by the amplifier will be less than that found for a phase-insensitive amplifier. Further squeezing of the amplifier reduces the added phase noise proportionally. We find that it is possible, using phase-sensitive amplifiers, to amplify phaseoptimized states by power gains considerably larger than 2 and still retain a reduced phase variance.


Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses and often presents with rhinitis or a runny nose. Both sinusitis and rhinitis may be caused by allergies, occurring when the immune system reacts to particles in the air causing nasal symptoms.


ABSTRACT Engineering accreditation bodies express a strong consensus that in addition to technical and scientific skills, engineering education also needs to promote the development of professional skills. In general, team-based projects are considered to be valuable approaches to develop such skills and have been extensively added to engineering curricula. Yet, it remains unclear which skills and to what extent students learn from these interventions. The challenge of assessing the development of those skills is an important factor in this gap. In this paper, we used a standardised self-reporting questionnaire to evaluate the development of students' self-efficacy beliefs through in-course and capstone projects. Results suggest that students only marginally develop these skills when they are not explicitly addressed as part of the project, showing ways to more effectively support student learning of professional skills. The questionnaire also proved to be an effective and scalable way to assess large classes.


The room-temperature tensile testing of silicon carbide fiber reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride (SiC/RBSN) composite specimens was monitored by using in-situ X-ray film radiography. Radiographic evaluation before, during, and after loading provided data on the effect of preexisting volume flaws (high density impurities, and local density variations) on the fracture behavior of composites. Results from (O)1, (O)3, (O)5, and (O)8 composite specimens showed that X-ray film radiography can monitor damage accumulations during tensile loading. Matrix cracking, fiber-matrix debonding, and fiber pullout were imaged throughout the tensile loading history of the specimens. Further, in-situ film radiography was found to be a helpful and practical technique for estimating interfacial shear strength between the SiC fiber and the RBSN matrix by the matrix crack spacing method. It is concluded that pretest, in-situ, and post-test radiography can provide for a greater understanding of ceramic matrix composite mechanical behavior, a verification of related experimental procedures, and a validation and development of related analytical models. 14 refs.


Cognitive dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), yet the magnitude of change on objective neuropsychological (NP) tests that is clinically meaningful is unclear. We endeavored to determine NP markers of the transition from employment to work disability in MS, as indicated by degree of decline on individual tests. Participants were 97 employed MS patients followed over 41.3 ± 17.6 months with a NP battery covering six domains of cognitive function. Deterioration at follow-up was designated as documented and paid disability benefits (conservative definition) or a reduction in hours/work responsibilities (liberal definition). Using the conservative definition, 28.9% reported deteriorated employment status and for the liberal definition, 45.4%. The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and California Verbal Learning Test, Total Learning (CVLT2-TL) measures distinguished employed and disabled patients at follow-up. Controlling for demographic and MS characteristics, the odds ratio of a deterioration based on a change of 2.0 on the CVLT2-TL was 3.7 (95% CI 1.2–11.4 and SDMT by 4.0 was 4.2 (95% CI 1.2–14.8), accounting for 86.7% of the area under the ROC curve. We conclude that decline on NP testing over time is predictive of deterioration in vocational status, establishing a magnitude of decline on NP tests that is clinically meaningful.


Our findings underlined the need of paying attention to COVID-19 patients suffering gastrointestinal symptoms and liver injury, which may inspire the development of new drugs The effect of Chinese herbal medicine on digestive system and liver functions should not be n Shihua Shi, Fei Wang, Jiang Li, Yulong Li, Weihao Li, Xiaoping Wu, Shuo Kou, Yongcan Wu, Xiao Gastrointestinal symptoms and liver injury are not uncommon in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) The effect of Chinese herbal medicine on digestive system and liver functions should not be neglected in COVID-19: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis [Extracted from the article] Copyright of IUBMB Life is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use This abstract may be abridged No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract (Copyright applies to all Abstracts )


An androgen receptor (AR) is an intensively studied treatment target for castration-resistant prostate cancer that is irresponsive to conventional antiandrogen therapeutics. Binding function 3 (BF3) inhibitors with alternative modes of action have emerged as a promising approach to overcoming antiandrogen resistance. However, how these BF3 inhibitors modulate AR function remains elusive, hindering the development of BF3-targeting agents. Here, we performed an integrated computational study to interrogate the binding mechanism of several known BF3 inhibitors with ARs. Our results show that the inhibitory effect of the BF3 antagonists arises from their allosteric modulation of the activation function (AF2) site, which alters the dynamic coupling between the BF3 and AF2 sites as well as the AF2-coactivator (SRC2-3) interaction. Moreover, the per-residue binding energy analyses reveal the "anchor" role of the linker connecting the phenyl ring and benzimidazole/indole in these BF3 inhibitors. Furthermore, the allosteric driver-interacting residues are found to include both "positive", e.g., Phe673 and Asn833, and "negative" ones, e.g., Phe826, and the differential interactions with these residues provide an explanation why stronger binding does not necessarily result in higher inhibitory activities. Finally, our allosteric communication pathway analyses delineate how the allosteric signals triggered by BF3 binding are propagated to the AF2 pocket through multiple short- and/or long-ranged transmission pathways. Collectively, our combined computational study provides a comprehensive structural mechanism underlying how the selected set of BF3 inhibitors modulate AR function, which will help guide future development of BF3 antagonists.


Open-pit mining has affected landscapes and ecosystem balances immensely. The effects are including altered soil surface, decreased soil productivity, soil compaction, erosion and sedimentation, declined biodiversity, as well as deteriorated hydrological, hydrogeological, and atmospheric function of the surrounding area. Reclamation is one of the environmental restoration efforts that could be taken to improve these conditions. Physical and chemical properties of soil are the indicators of soil damage level as well as the success indicator of the reclamation program. This study aims to analyze the changes in post-mining soil characteristics after 5 years and 10 years of revegetation. The sample was selected by the purposive sampling method based on the age of plants and the vegetation density. The physical properties of post-coal soil after 5 years of revegetation are characterized by high soil acidity, low in organic matter (OM)/soil organic carbon (SOC), very low total N (nitrogen), moderate P availability, extremely high K2O, and moderate CEC. Whilst, the post-coal mining soil after 10 years of revegetation is found to be acidic (low pH), with moderate SOC, low total N, low P, very high K2O, and moderate CEC. Heavy metal (Fe, Mn, Al) contents in ex-coal mining reclamation area after 5 years and 10 years revegetation found to be in the high category.


The supplementation of dairy cows with yeast culture may increase diet digestibility, plasma niacin concentration, heat dissipation, and lactation performance. Our objective was to evaluate the response of Holstein cows in late lactation (234 ± 131 d in milk) to dead yeast culture (YC, 15 g/d, Factor SC, GRASP, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) during Brazilian summer (temperature-humidity index >68 for 92.2% of the time). Thirty-two cows were individually fed a standard total mixed ration for 14 d and control (CTL) or YC treatments for 35 d, in a covariate adjusted complete randomized block design. Response was evaluated in wk 5 or as repeated measures over time. Cows were milked 3 times per day and treatments (YC or placebo) were orally dosed to each cow before each milking. Plasma niacin was 1.50 for CTL and 1.66 µg/mL for YC. The YC reduced rectal temperature, respiration rate, and skin temperature, whereas it tended to increase sweating rate. The proportion of cows with rectal temperature ≥39.2°C on CTL and YC was, respectively, 8 and 0% at 0730 h, 52 and 25% at 1500 h, and 35 and 26% at 2200 h. Plasma glucose was increased by YC. The total-tract apparent digestibility of nutrients, plasma urea N concentration, molar proportion of ruminal VFA, and urinary allantoin excretion were not affected by YC. Cows fed YC were less selective against feed particles >19 mm in the morning, in the afternoon were more selective against long feed particles and in favor of particles <8 mm, and refused short particles at night. Milk yield was not different (30.5 kg/d for CTL and 30.2 kg/d for YC). Feeding YC reduced dry matter intake (20.3 vs. 19.4 kg/d) and the digestible organic matter intake (15.6 vs. 13.9 kg/d). The inclusion of YC increased the ratios of milk to dry matter intake (1.50 vs. 1.64) and energy-corrected milk to dry matter intake (1.81 vs. 1.98). The covariate adjusted body weight (648 kg) and body condition score (3.0) did not differ. Milk solids yields and concentrations, linear somatic cell count, and milk urea N were also similar. The supplementation of YC increased plasma niacin concentration, body heat loss, and feed efficiency of late lactation dairy cows by reducing intake at similar milk yield.


Due to a worldwide increasing number of cephalosporin resistant Streptococcus (S) pneumoniae strains, it appears necessary to modify the current treatment of pneumococcal meningitis. The authors recommend an initial antimicrobial regimen associating cefotaxime or ceftriaxone to vancomycin in any case of bacterial meningitis in which S pneumoniae appears to be involved (Gram positive cocci on direct examination of the CSF and/or presence of soluble bacterial antigen). There is also a need for a reappraisal of the duration of the treatment which, in any case, should not be shorter than 10 days. In the case of meningitis due to a penicillin resistant S pneumoniae, lumbar puncture must be repeated until sterilisation of the CSF.


Abstract: Retrospective analysis of detailed patient and tumour factors associated with a complete response to combination inductive chemotherapy with CDDP-5FU (96 or 120 hour continuous infusion) was performed using data from 147 patients with a previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx or pharyngo-larynx following completion of two (29 patients) or three (118 patients) cycles. Adverse reactions to chemotherapy were documented for all 164 patients included in the study. Eight drug-related deaths occurred due to: acute myocardial infarction (five patients), peptic ulcer disease (two patients) and severe neutropenia with sepsis (one patient). Severe non-lethal complications included marrow depletion (14 patients), peptic ulcer (two patients), thrombophlebitis (seven patients), angina pectoris (two patients), stroke (one patient), pulmonary oedema (one patient) and convulsions (one patient). Six patients refused further treatment because of untoward side effects and tumoral progression was observed in three cases. Separate response rates for the primary site and nodes were determined and analysis of respective predictive factors of response was performed. Complete response was obtained in 31 per cent at the primary site versus 18 per cent for the nodes (p<0.05). The combined (primary site + nodes) overall complete response rate was 22 per cent. Among 11 factors studied (age, sex, performance status, primary site, tumour differentiation, initial resectability, 5FU dosage per cycle, number of cycles, T, N and TN stages), only performance status, N stage, resectability and number of cycles were associated with a combined complete response. Multivariate analysis showed performance status, N stage, TN stage and resectability to be significant predictive factors of a combined complete response. Optimum use of inductive chemotherapy will ultimately rely upon a better knowledge of predictive factors in order to avoid drug-related complications in patients not expected to respond.


The present system of social partnership in Ireland is in its twentieth year. A range of explanations have been put forward to explain why social partnership has been so durable even though it does not possess the institutional endowments often considered necessary to sustain tripartite industrial relations arrangements. Although these accounts are considered to have merits, this article suggests that they also suffer from a range of weaknesses. The article suggests that the longevity of the social partnership regime is a result of it being part of an unorthodox system of institutional complementarities that triggered a spectacular period of economic and employment growth.


Popular social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have become important tools in fostering relationships between companies and customers. When using social media sites, organisations are often keen to maximise engagements from their target audiences. Companies tend to create posts to which their audience will reply, retweet, comment, share and like. However, different types of contents from posts can impact on three interaction metrics: likes, comments and shares. In this paper, we investigate the factors that characterise the posts with which an audience engages. The results showed that media and content type of posts have a positive significant impact on customer engagement. The study also demonstrated the importance of an active online participation and communication among consumers will ultimately impact their purchase behaviour in reality. Keywords: Social Media Sites, customer engagement, Facebook, content post, media post


While the very low thrombogenicity without anticoagulant therapy and generally good durability of the lonescu-Shiley bioprosthesis has been demonstrated, further hemodynamic assessment is necessary. The present study assessed cardiac function and heterograft performance during right and left heart catheterization at rest and exercise (three to six months postoperation) of eight patients with severe mitral stenosis and/or regurgitation prior to surgery. We found, comparing pre- and postoperative resting values, that mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased (32 +/- 2.7 to 22 +/- 3.5 mm Hg; P < 0.02), cardiac index increased (2.1 +/- 0.09 to 2.5 +/- 0.13 liters/min/m2; P < 0.01), pulmonary wedge pressure decreased (21 +/- 2.3 to 13 +/- 1.8 mm Hg; P < 0.01), and the clinical status (NYHA) improved markedly. Mean diastolic gradient across the pericardial xenograft was 6.1 +/- 1.1 mm Hg at rest and 14.6 +/- 2.3 mm Hg on exercise. The calculated xenograft surface area was 1.7 cm2 at rest and 2.0 cm2 during exercise. No regurgitation was detected in seven of eight patients. Thus, mitral lonescu-Shiley bioprosthesis provide excellent heterograft function.


The knowledge of the evapotranspiration (ETc) and crop coefficient (Kc) is fundamental to plan and to manage the irrigation of any crop. The aim of this study was to determine the daily and hourly evapotranspiration of drip irrigated watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus, var. Crimson Sweet) and crop coefficient (Kc) in each crop development phase. The experiment was carried out in an experimental area of 1.27 ha of Embrapa Mid-North, localized in Parnaiba (02°54'S, 41°47'W and 46 m above of sea), State of Piaui, Brazil, from September to November, 2006. Electronic weighing lysimeters of 1.5 m x 1.5 m wide and long and 1.0 m deep were used to obtain the evapotranspiration. The plants were drip irrigated with a lateral row per plant row and drippers spaced 0.5 m from each other. The reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was estimated using the Penman-Monteith equation from the climatic data obtained by electronic sensors. The total evapotranspiration during the watermelon crop cycle cultivated in the state of Piaui was 233.87 mm, with mean values of 3.7 mm day-1, minimum of 1.18 and maximum of 8.14 mm day-1. The Kc of the drip irrigated watermelon was 0.18 in the initial stage of crop growth; 0.18 to 1.3, in crop development stage; 1.3 in the intermediate stage and 0.43 in the final stage.


Previous theoretical studies on the interaction of excitatory and inhibitory neurons proposed to model this cortical microcircuit motif as a so-called Winner-Take-All (WTA) circuit. A recent modeling study however found that the WTA model is not adequate for data-based softer forms of divisive inhibition as found in a microcircuit motif in cortical layer 2/3. We investigate here through theoretical analysis the role of such softer divisive inhibition for the emergence of computational operations and neural codes under spike-timing dependent plasticity (STDP). We show that in contrast to WTA models - where the network activity has been interpreted as probabilistic inference in a generative mixture distribution - this network dynamics approximates inference in a noisy-OR-like generative model that explains the network input based on multiple hidden causes. Furthermore, we show that STDP optimizes the parameters of this model by approximating online the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. This theoretical analysis corroborates a preceding modelling study which suggested that the learning dynamics of this layer 2/3 microcircuit motif extracts a specific modular representation of the input and thus performs blind source separation on the input statistics.


Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is a multifunctional protein that has been implicated in breast tumor biology. Breast cancers commonly express PTHrP, and when such tumors are grown in bone in murine models, PTHrP results in enhanced osteolysis. Whilst clinical studies have determined that PTHrP expression by primary breast cancers was an independent predictor of improved prognosis (Henderson et al., 2006). Thus, the action of PTHrP upon breast cancers directly remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to assess the interaction of PTHrP with molecules associated with cell survival and cell death pathways, such as Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). TRAIL is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family of cytokines that induces apoptosis in a wide range of transformed cells but not in normal cells. To understand the role of PTHrP in relation to TRAIL in breast cancer cells, PTHrP was overexpressed in two breast cancer cell lines; MDA-MB-231 (TRAIL-sensitive) and MCF-7 (TRAIL-resistant), and functional assays were performed. Over-expression of PTHrP in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells enhanced cell cycle progression and cell growth rate in comparison to parental and vector controls. However, treatment of PTHrP overexpressing breast cancer cells with TRAIL resulted in an enhancement of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in the TRAIL sensitive cell line, MDA-MB-231, and a sensitisation to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in the TRAIL-resistant cell line, MCF-7. Western blot showed decreased levels of Caspase-10, Caspase-9, Caspase-6, Capase-7 precursor proteins and increased PARP cleavage levels in PTHrP overexpressing cells treated with TRAIL when compared to controls. There was no change observed in levels of Caspase-8 percursor protein, suggesting that the apoptosis signal is acting via the intrinsic pathway in PTHrP overexpressing cells. To determine TRAIL sensitivity in MCF-7 cells overexpressing PTHrP, TRAIL receptor mRNA and protein expression was assessed by qRT-PCR and FACS analysis. TRAIL receptors; DR4, DR5, DcR1 and DcR2, mRNA expression was not altered in PTHrP overexpressing cells. However, flow cytometric analysis demonstrated an increase in cell surface expression of both death receptors (DR4 and DR5) in cells overexpressing PTHrP. To determine whether TRAIL-induced apoptosis in PTHrP overexpressing cells was signaling either through DR4, DR5 or a combination of both death receptors, antagonistic antibodies against DR4 or DR5 were used. Pre-incubation of PTHrP overexpressing cells with DR5 antagonistic antibody attenuated TRAIL-induced apoptosis. This demonstrated that TRAIL preferentially signals through DR5 in the PTHrP overexpressing cells to activate the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. In conclusion, these results demonstrate a new function for PTHrP in breast cancer and may provide utility when TRAIL is used as a treatment for breast cancer.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4886. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4886


The electrooxidation of benzo[b]thiophene and 2-methyl- and 3-methyl-benzo[b]thiophene was carried out in methanol containing sodium cyanide at a Pt anode in a divided cell. In all instances, heterocyclic ring-substitution products were obtained, together with minor amounts of addition products. With methylbenzo[b]thiophene, a small amount of side-chain-methoxylation product was also formed as a by-product.


An important area of anti-crisis public administration is the development of small businesses. They are an important part of the economy of developed and developing countries, provide employment for a significant part of the population and tax revenues to budgets, and contribute to increased competition and the development of entrepreneurial abilities of citizens. Therefore, the primary task of the state Federal and regional policy is to reduce administrative barriers and risks, time and resources spent on opening and developing small businesses, problems with small businesses ' access to Bank capital [8], etc. Despite the loud statements of officials, administrative barriers to the development of small businesses in trade and public catering are constantly increasing, including during the 2014-2016 crisis.


Summary
A 17-year-old Appaloosa mare presented to the emergency service for acute, traumatic, partial amputation of the tail at the level of the ninth coccygeal vertebra. The patient did not have tail or anal tone and did not respond to sharp stimulation of skin in the perineal region. Two grade 1 rectal tears were found during rectal palpation. Radiographs revealed dislocation of the second (Cd2) and third (Cd3) caudal vertebrae. The patient was treated with antibiotics, an anti-inflammatory drug and stall confinement. The ninth caudal vertebra was surgically removed to facilitate closure of skin over the wound. When the mare was discharged after 7 days of hospitalisation, she had regained partial sensation of the perineum and partial function of the internal and external anal sphincters. At re-evaluation one year following injury, the mare was able to move her tail laterally and had regained sensation of her perineum and tail; however, she still was unable to lift her tail.


Urapidil is a vasodilator acting on peripheral vessels by alpha-1 adrenoceptor blockade, and on central nervous system by alphaadrenoceptor blockade on the tractus solitarius nuclei and stimulation of serotoninergic receptors. Its hepatic metabolism and central action explain the absence of rebound effect when treatment is stopped. Urapidil is an arterial and venous vasodilator in systemic and pulmonary circulation. Therefore urapidil decreases systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures and left and right ventricular preload. These effects are accompanied by moderate effects on heart rate, and increased cardiac output in patients with heart failure. Some adverse effects observed with other vasodilators are absent (increased intracranial pressure and intrapulmonary shunt, negative inotropic effect, tachycardia). IV urapidil is used to treat systemic arterial hypertension perioperatively and hypertensive emergencies. Moreover urapidil has been administered to treat pulmonary artery hypertension in chronic pulmonary disease. Its haemodynamic effects seem proportional to the basal activity of alpha-adrenoceptors. Therefore, wide individual variations in active doses are observed from 12.5 to 50 mg as i.v. bolus in adults. Thereafter i.v. continuous administration or oral treatment may be necessary, depending on the cause of hypertension.


Terrorism is the most dehumanizing factor in the present world. Pakistan among top five most affected countries lost 22,191 civilians and 6,887 law enforcement officials by acts of terrorism from 2003 to December 2017 (South Asia Terrorism Portal, 2017). This is the first study of its kind in the country that aims to explore the victims' experiences on their needs and provided services in order to propose a comprehensive policy framework to improve the conditions of victims. The findings are based on semi-structured interviews conducted with 230 victims of terrorism in seven regions of Pakistan. It was observed that diversity, relativity and complexity were three major characteristics of victims' needs. The different stakeholders including government, international bodies, non-governmental institutions and local community provided insufficient services to the victims of terrorism. The recommended policy framework is based on principles of multidisciplinarity, problem solving and normativity. Terrorvictimity has multiple causations and consequences. No single quick-fix formula can be proposed as a remedy but answer lies in plurality of responses by all concerned institutions. The study recommends establishing an elaborate victims services infrastructure, victims' databases, separate victim laws ensuring victim rights for effective participation and a mechanism for timely information to the victims in addition to compliance of Pakistan to international instruments on victims of terrorism


Various factors determine the quality of basketball and the overall result. The game consists of different situations – three-point shots, rebounds, and many more. In intense games, free throws play a decisive role in determining the winning team. The player has the opportunity to prepare for their performance. Due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, many basketball games occur without spectators and, therefore, without additional noise. The study's authors analyzed the statistics of free throws in Euroleague and National Basketball Association games – with and without spectators. The study's authors emphasize significant trends in exploring the world's strongest leagues. The accuracy of tree throws better in games when the presence of visitors is not allowed. The presented free throw statistics confirm that the players could take a free throw better without additional psychological stress. A pilot study with ten respondents was also conducted. As part of this, the basketball players took free throw shots with and without an additional external sound effect. The presented results showed that it is possible to take a free throw more accurately without sound. The statistical data collection method and the performance of basketball free throw tests were used within the research framework. Data was compiled with the Microsoft Exel program.


Every large or small enterprise needs to have financial liquidity and to be able to generate profits to develop. It is not important in which sector it operates, whether it is a private or public one, but profits and safety are two elements every enterprise is not able to function without. The low performance of these two measures can cause a number of difficulties for managers. To avoid this, leading companies, especially the smallest ones, should optimize the trade credit management policy. Most often, SMEs' (small and medium-sized enterprises) owners try to work together as part of a group purchasing organization, which positively affects trade credit management. The aim of the paper is to present the trade credit management strategy in Polish group purchasing organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study uses data on the construction sector because it is one of the most important segments of the Polish economy, which is financed to a large extent with trade credit. The paper indicates the mechanisms whose applications allowed SMEs operating in purchasing groups to change trade credit management strategies in such a way that these units could operate calmly and safely in the market. These changes could be observed in purchasing goods with a large reserve, strictly controlling all receivables, switching to cash sales or limiting sales on long-term trade credit. The analysis showed that enterprises changed trade credit management strategies from moderately conservative to highly conservative.


Design for the Forgotten: Eliminating the stigma of Affordable Housing conducts an architectural analysis of Pruitt-Igoe housing development in St. Louis, Missouri while comparing other affordable communities and their design strategies in an effort to eliminate the stigma of affordable housing. This book takes a look at the development of the affordable housing communities in the United States. The research explores the history of segregation in America and the development of communities in inner cities. Where stratification is most noticeable is in the housing industry, where the disparity between the architecture of the inner-city is often inferior in comparison to that market rate design and construction. The research conducts an architectural analysis of various affordable housing communities across the United States, using a myriad of lessons learned from the analysis to better design an affordable housing community.The conclusion is a summary of the various strategies used in the design application combined with social and structural consideration which should be incorporated into the design process when focusing on affordable housing communities.


Weak optical fields cause less damage to active cells and are easier to realize than traditional and tightly focused optical fields. While these fields are promising for biomedical science and particle manipulation applications, they lack a method for precise particle diffusion measurement because the weak fields cause the small changes in particle motion caused by weak fields. In this paper, we present a coaxial differential dynamic microscopy (CDDM) technique that uses a differential dynamic microscopy system, combined with an adjustable optical field. We use this technique to study Brownian motion of colloidal particles in weak optical fields. CDDM can quantitatively measure both the intensity and the pattern of the weak optical field and the diffusion coefficient of the particles. While the light paths of both the weak optical field and the illumination are coaxially incident on the sample cell, they remain independent. The optical field can be designed to have any pattern and adjusted to any intensity, while the measurements' sample illumination requirements are also satisfied. To verify the accuracy of the technique, we measured particle diffusion in weak Gaussian optical fields of different strengths. The diffusion coefficient was found to decrease with increasing field strength. These experimental results agree well with those results predicted using the Fokker-Planck equation and Euler algorithm simulations. This technique is expected to provide an efficient tool for research into particle manipulation by using weak optical fields, particularly for delicate systems, such as colloidal particles and biological cells.


Background/Objectives: This research was conducted to examine cultural competence and to verify variables related to cultural competence, as well as the factors contributing to cultural competence in nursing students in Korea. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were calculated, including the frequency, mean, standard deviation, and rank. T-test and ANOVA were used to compare the differences in cultural competence according to general characteristics. A person's coefficient was used to analyze the correlation among variables. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to identify the influence of empathy and cultural experience on the cultural competence. Findings: The results showed an average cultural competence score of 3.37. There was a positive correlation between cultural competence and empathic ability. Factors influencing cultural competence included empathic concern, a need for cultural education, fantasy, and multicultural contact in school activities. Therefore, the development of a program for cultural competence is required to increase empathic concern and fantasy as well as to expand cultural education in order to enhance the cultural competence of undergraduate nursing students. Improvements/Applications: This research would be beneficial to develop an educational program for improving empathic concern and to provide opportunities that promote multicultural acceptance for nursing students to acquire cultural competence


Primary cartilaginous lesions of the larynx are relatively uncommon. We present a case of bilaterally pseudocystic lesion of the thyroid cartilage that demonstrated progressive calcification. Pathologic analysis showed features suggesting a dystrophic lesion with no evidence of malignancy. We hypothesize that repetitive microtrauma related to muscular overuse probably led to inflammatory changes at tendinous insertions on the laryngeal cartilage and resulted in dystrophic ossification of the laryngeal cartilage.


The formate dehydrogenase from the yeast Pichia pastoris IFP 206 was purified to homogeneity. The protein showed a molecular weight of 68,000 daltons and was composed of two identical subunits. Its amino acid composition was similar to those of other formate dehydrogenases and was characterized by a high content of acidic residues. The N-terminal end of the molecule was probably blocked.The enzyme activity was NAD+ dependent (NADP+ could not replace NAD+). Its optimum temperature was 47°C and the activation energy 10.8 kcal/mol. The enzyme was active from pH 3.5 to 10.5 with a maximum at pH 7.5. The Michaelis constant for NAD+ and formate were respectively 0.27 and 15mM. The purified enzyme had no S-formylglutathione hydrolase activity, strongly suggesting that the true substrate was formate. NADH, cyanide and azide were strong inhibitors of the enzyme.


Questions of how ancient books were produced, how they were valued and what they represented in particular contexts, and how they interacted with the texts inscribed on them have been increasingly to the fore in recent years. This article will focus on the last of these questions, firstly examining the local role of material inscription in a single poem of Propertius, and then moving on to consider issues pertaining to the structure of the collection and how approaches to the poetry book are conditioned by and interact with its materiality. Central to this analysis is a conception of the book not as a neutral purveyor of meanings which exist outside it, but as a part of the processes by which meaning is created and maintained.


Selye, H. (Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada), B. Tuchweber, and L. Bertók. Effect of lead acetate on susceptibility of rats to bacterial endotoxins. J. Bacteriol. 91:884–890. 1966.—A single, normally well-tolerated, intravenous injection of lead acetate increases the sensitivity of the rat to the endotoxins of various gram-negative bacteria about 100,000 times above normal. Under the conditions of these experiments, the mortality and organ changes normally produced by the intravenous injection of 100 μg of Escherichia coli endotoxin were essentially the same as those obtained by use of 1 nanogram in lead-sensitized rats. The sensitizing effect of lead acetate for E. coli endotoxin is greatest when the two agents are given simultaneously. However, considerable sensitization is still detectable when endotoxin is injected up to 1 hr before or 7 hr after sensitization with lead. No sensitization was noted when the endotoxin was administered 24 hr before or after lead acetate. Under our experimental conditions, the minimal dose of lead acetate which could still induce significant sensitization to E. coli endotoxin was 1 mg per 100 g of body weight. Although lead acetate induces a high degree of susceptibility to various endotoxins, other reticuloendothelial blocking agents did not acquire unusual toxicity after pretreatment with lead. Finally, none of the other metals or reticuloendothelial blocking agents tested could duplicate the pronounced decrease in endotoxin resistance induced by lead acetate.


For active volcanoes, knowledge about probabilities of eruption and impacted areas becomes valuable information for decision-makers to develop short- and long-term emergency plans, for which probabilistic volcanic hazard assessment (PVHA) is needed. High-resolution or spatially extended PVHA requires extreme-scale high-performance computing systems. Within the framework of ChEESE (Center of Excellence for Exascale in Solid Earth; www.cheese-coe.eu), an effort was made to generate exascale-suitable codes and workflows to collect and process in some hours the large amount of data that a quality PVHA requires. To this end, we created an optimized HPC-based workflow coined PVHA_HPC-WF to develop PVHA for a volcano. This tool uses the Bayesian event tree methodology to calculate eruption probabilities, vent-opening location(s), and eruptive source parameters (ESPs) based on volcano history, monitoring system data, and meteorological conditions. Then, the tool interacts with the chosen hazard model, performing a simulation for each ESP set or volcanic scenario (VS). Finally, the resulting information is processed by proof-of-concept-subjected high-performance data analytics (HPDA) scripts, producing the hazard maps which describe the probability over time of exceeding critical thresholds at each location in the investigated geographical domain. Although PVHA_HPC-WF can be adapted to other hazards, we focus here on tephra (i.e., lapilli and ash) transport and deposition. As an application, we performed PVHA for Campi Flegrei (CF), Italy, an active volcano located in one of the most densely inhabited areas in Europe and under busy air traffic routes. CF is currently in unrest, classified as being in an attention level by the Italian Civil Protection. We consider an approximate 2,000 × 2,000 × 40 km computational domain with 2 km grid resolution in the horizontal and 40 vertical levels, centered in CF. To explore the natural variability and uncertainty of the eruptive conditions, we consider a large number of VSs allowing us to include those of low probability but high impact, and simulations of tephra dispersal are performed for each of them using the FALL3D model. Results show the potential of HPC to timely execute a vast range of simulations of complex numerical models in large high-resolution computational domains and analyze great volumes of data to obtain quality hazard maps.


Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) has been one of the active research areas in robotic research community for the past few years. When a robot is placed in an unknown environment a SLAM solution attempts to build a perfect map of the environment while localising the robot with respect to this map simultaneously. Traditionally SLAM utilised endogenous sensor data in the process. Successful SLAM implementations using laser (Guivant and Nebot, 2002), sonar and radar (Clark and Dissanayake, 1999) can be found in the literature, which prove the possibility of using SLAM for extended periods of time in indoor and outdoor environments with well bounded results. Recent extensions to the general SLAM problem has looked in to the possibility of using 3-dimensional features and the use of alternative sensors to traditionally used lasers and radars. Cameras are competitive alternatives owing to the low cost and rich information content they provide. Despite the recent developments in camera sensors and computing, there are still formidable challenges to be resolved before successful vision based SLAM implementations are realised in realistic scenarios. Monocular camera based SLAM is widely researched (Davison et al., 2004; Kwok et al., 2005), however, binocular camera based SLAM is mostly overlooked. Some of the noted stereo implementations can be found in (Davison and Murray, 2002) and recently in (Jung, 2004). Lack of enthusiasm for research in this direction could possibly be attributed to the misconception that range and bearing information provided by the stereo vision system is directly utilizable providing a simplistic solution to SLAM which is academically less appealing or the apparent success in single camera SLAM implementations. However, after rigorous analysis and sensor modelling, we found that the standard extended Kalman filter (EKF) based SLAM with small base line stereo vision systems can easily become inconsistent (Herath et al., 2006a) . This chapter attempts to provide readers with an understanding of the SLAM problem and its solutions in the context of stereo vision. The chapter introduces the Extended Kalman Filter as applied to the generic SLAM Problem. Then, while identifying the prevailing issues inherent in solutions to the SLAM problem in stereo vision context, our solutions are presented with simulated and experimental evaluations. Several components of the stereo


We clarify the nature of coupling between surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) and transmitted light in metallic nanoslit structures. The coupling strength is found to be the product of the geometric opening ratio, the aperture momentum, and the Fabry-Perot factor. We determine the effective coupling, which includes corrections due to other SPPs, and show that this effective coupling causes enhanced transmission with redshifted or blueshifted transmission peaks. Without coupling, SPP is proven to suppress transmission due to the equipartition of diffraction orders. These results show good agreement with experiment.


This article presents a strategic analysis Cluster Logistics Services to identify the segment most appropriate market that contributes to increasing the competitiveness of companies and propose a roadmap that can build capacity among companies belonging to the cluster through plans action and management models that strengthen productivity thereof. For this methodology was applied competitive routes in a cluster of logistics services to identify challenges, new strategy and action plans that favor the competitiveness of enterprises.


Cartoons are among the most consumed media products by children, especially those at a young age. While branded food placements are not allowed in animated series, non-branded food placements are prevalent. However, little is known about the effects that these food placements might have on children's eating preferences. In an experimental study with 124 children (51.6% girls, age range: 7–11, Mage = 9.24, and SD = 1.19), 62 children in the experimental condition were exposed to 16 food placements in cartoons, whereas children in the control condition were exposed to cartoon scenes without foods. The healthiness of the placed foods (low nutritional value foods versus high nutritional value foods) as well as the modality of food placements (unimodal versus bimodal) were manipulated. After watching the cartoon scenes, children completed a choice task where each placed food appeared on a separate choice card. Our results indicate that non-branded low nutritional value foods placed in cartoons are an effective strategy in modifying children's food choices when children are under age 9. We suggest that policy makers, particularly those involved in the content design of cartoons, take these results into account when placing low nutritional value foods in cartoons, especially for an animated series that targets young child audiences.


ABSTRACT Characterizing density patterns of fish and crustaceans across estuarine habitat types can provide useful information regarding their relative value. The oyster reef complex within Sabine Lake Estuary is the largest known in the United States with no record of commercial harvest, and it presents a unique opportunity to understand the habitat value of an unfished reef system in comparison with adjacent estuarine habitats. High abundances of relatively large oysters with complex formations were observed throughout the 2-y study period. Average densities of fish and crustaceans were 6 times greater at the marsh edge than the nonvegetated shallow habitats, and 40 times greater than both the oyster reef and nonvegetated deep habitats. Low faunal densities observed in the oyster reef habitat may be the result of spatial configuration and connectivity to surrounding habitats, collection limitation resulting from its large vertical relief (>1 m) and complex 3-dimensional structure, or habitat selection resulting from water depth. Because the majority of crustaceans and resident and transient fish were observed within the marsh edge and nonvegetated shallow habitats, it is difficult to determine whether oyster reefs within Sabine Lake Estuary provide essential habitats for these species. Although low densities of organisms were observed in the oyster reef habitat, multivariate analysis indicates that the unfished reef supports a unique community of fish and crustaceans. Results provide a valuable baseline for future conservation, restoration, and management actions as we seek to understand more completely and to protect important estuarine habitat types.


The aim of this research is to use medium ammonia concentrated latex mixed in mortar for developing the strength and thermal insulation properties. The concentrated latex to cement ratios (P/C) are fixed at 0.000, 0.025, 0.050, 0.075, 0.100, 0.125 and 0.150 by weight. Cement to sand ratio is maintained at 1: 2.75. Water to cement ratio is 0.50 (not include water content in concentrated latex). The mortar samples are cast for testing the properties followed the ASTM standard. From the results, it is found that the increase of concentrated latex affects in decreasing of density, elongation, compressive strength, bending strength and coefficient of thermal conductivity. For rate of water absorption, it decreases considerably when the concentrated latex is added at small amount but it becomes higher values when adding the concentrated latex reaches at some amount. In the future, this indicates that the use of concentrated latex at some suitable amount can develop the concrete having the properties of waterproof and thermal insulation.


Semiconducting oxides of NiO and TiO2 have been deposited as 30–50 nm thin films on either the positive (+) or negative (–) polar LiNbO3 ferroelectric surface, and the polarization field effects of the support upon the adsorptive properties of the combined oxides have been studied. Thermal desorption spectra show that the activation energy for desorption, Ed, varies as a function of the direction of polarization depending on the ferroelectric support, the effects of which are reversed for p- and n-type semiconducting oxides; Ed for O2 desorption was 102 kJ mol–1 for NiO/(+) and 157 kJ mol–1 for NiO/(–), whereas Ed for H2 desorption was 51 kJ mol–1 for TiO2/(+) and 37 kJ mol–1 for TiO2/(–). When hydrogen was adsorbed on TiO2/LiNbO3 surfaces, the changes in the surface electrical conductivity were larger by a factor of 40 for the positive than for the negative support, which was opposite to the polarization-direction effects observed previously for O2 adsorption on NiO/LiNbO3 surfaces. The different adsorptive properties are accounted for in terms of the effects of band-bending induced in thin semiconducting oxides in contact with the polar ferroelectric surfaces, and it is suggested that the use of ferroelectrics as a support is effective in modifying the adsorptive properties of semiconducting oxide surfaces.


BF3·OEt2 catalyzed 1,6-conjugate addition of tert-butyl isocyanide to para-quinone methides and fuchsones for the synthesis of α-diaryl and α-triaryl nitriles has been reported. This protocol allows α-diaryl- and α-triaryl nitriles to be accessed in good to excellent yields and with a broad substrate scope, which could be further functionalized to give a versatile set of products. This is the first example wherein tert-butyl isocyanide has been used as a cyanide source for the 1,6-conjugate addition.


Cross-modal retrieval learns the relationship between the two types of data in a common space so that an input from one modality can retrieve data from a different modality. We focus on modeling the relationship between two highly diverse data, music and real-world videos. We learn crossmodal embeddings using a two-stream network trained with music-video pairs. Each branch takes one modality as the input and it is constrained with emotion tags. Then the constraints allow the cross-modal embeddings to be learned with significantly fewer music-video pairs. To retrieve music for an input video, the trained model ranks tracks in the music database by cross-modal distances to the query video. Quantitative evaluations show high accuracy of audio/video emotion tagging when evaluated on each branch independently and high performance for cross-modal music retrieval. We also present crossmodal music retrieval experiments on Spotify music using user-generated videos from Instagram and Youtube as queries, and subjective evaluations show that the proposed model can retrieve relevant music. We present the music retrieval results at: http://www.ece.rochester. edu/~bli23/projects/query.html.


Objective: Weight restoration is an integral part of managing anorexia nervosa patients and has been found to be associated with electrolyte and fluid abnormalities gathered under the umbrella term refeeding syndrome, which has led to cautious initiation of caloric regimes. This study looks at how a sample of severe anorexia nervosa patients were managed using higher rates of refeeding than the ones currently recommended. Design: retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with severe eating disorders admitted to an UK specialist tertiary centre. The treatment programme uses a weight restoration regime starting at 1000 kcal/day, increased to 1500 kcal/day after two days and to 2000 kcal/day after seven days. The main outcome was the rate of hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia within the first two weeks of weight restoration. The secondary outcomes included rate of weight gain and tendency of electrolyte shift. Results: 83% of the patient sample were categorised as extreme anorexia nervosa (BMI <15). 11.3% of patients developed hypophosphatemia, 11.3% had hypomagnesemia, 42% had hypokalaemia. The lowest levels were found between the 5-6 days after starting refeeding. The vast majority of electrolyte abnormalities fell into the mild category. Electrolyte abnormalities were easily corrected by oral supplementation, and only 5% required iv replacement. The only significant predictor for hypophosphatemia was a BMI below 13. Conclusions: The majority of extremely ill patients with anorexia nervosa tolerate refeeding starting at 25-30kcal/kg. Oral supplementation is effective, so overcautious refeeding is unnecessary, provided that the patient is carefully monitored.


PURPOSE
To evaluate microstructural changes in the white matter of patients who were exposed to lead and to compare differences in fractional anisotropy (FA) between these patients and control subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Institutional review board approval and subject informed consent were obtained for this HIPAA-compliant study. Nineteen factory workers who had been exposed to lead and 18 healthy volunteers who had not were enrolled. FA values and T2-weighted fluid-attenuation inversion-recovery magnetic resonance images were obtained at several regions of interest (the bilateral parietal, frontal, occipital, and temporal white matter and the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum). Lead levels were measured in the blood, midtibia, and patella. The Student t test was used to compare the difference in continuous variables between the two groups. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess the association between two variables.

RESULTS
There were no significant differences in sex, age, body mass index, smoking history, betel nut consumption, or alcohol consumption between the factory workers and the volunteers. The number of milk drinkers among factory workers was significantly higher than that among volunteers (P < .001). The factory workers had significantly higher blood (P < .001), patella (P < .001), and midtibia (P = .005) lead levels than did the volunteers. Mean FA in the factory workers was lower than that in the volunteers at the same anatomic location; significant differences between the groups were noted bilaterally in the parietal, frontal, occipital, and temporal white matter. There was no significant difference in mean diffusivity values and mean T2 ratios between the factory workers and the volunteers.

CONCLUSION
Decreased FA was associated with exposure to lead. Negative correlations between FA and blood, midtibia, and patella lead levels suggest that FA may be a useful index of early white matter damage.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/2522080653/DC1.


A four-way waveguide RF power distribution system for testing the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) multicavity cryomodule to investigate the collective behavior has been developed. A single klystron operating at 805MHz for 1.3 msec at 60Hz powers the 4-way waveguide splitter to deliver up to 400 kW to individual cavities. Each cavity is fed through a combination of waveguide splitters and vector modulators (VM) to provide independent magnitude and phase controls. The waveguide vector modulator consists of two quadrature hybrids and two motorized waveguide phase shifters. The phase shifters and the assembled waveguide vector modulators were individually tested and characterized for low power and high RF power in the SNS RF test facility. Precise calibrations of magnitude and phase were performed to generate the look up tables (LUTs) to provide operational references during the cryomodule test. An I-Q demodulator module was developed and utilized to measure relative phases in pulsed high RF power operation. PLC units were developed for mechanical control of the phase shifters. Initial low/high power measurements were made using LabVIEW. An operation algorithm has been implemented into EPICS control for the cryomodule test stand.


The Great Fire of 1666 devastated the centre of London, with a loss of old St Paul's and 86 parish churches. Sir Christopher Wren, working with Commissioners appointed by Parliament, was responsible for rebuilding the cathedral and 51 of the parish churches, although the immediate need to start rebuilding made his design for an overall replanning of the City impossible. The work was funded by a tax on coals brought into the City of London. Much has been written about Wren's rebuilding of St Paul's, far less about the other City churches, the principal subject of this book: this is indeed the first modern book to examine them as a whole. Paul Jeffery describes how and when the churches were built, exploring the respective contributions of Wren and of his two principal assistants, Robert Hooke and Nicholas Hawksmoor. Working from the surviving drawings and records and from the evidence of the churches, he explains the principal features common to the churches and their individual features. The result of the work was a unique set of contemporary churches. While all are not of the standard of Wren's masterpieces, such as St Stephen Walbrook and St Bride's, none is without architectural merit and interest. The second part of the book is a gazetteer of all the churches, including those that no longer exist. The book is heavily illustrated and provides a visual record of all the churches. Since they were built the Wren churches have suffered steady losses. St Christopher-le-Stocks was demolished in 1782 to make way for the Bank of England. Others, such as St Dionis Backchurch and St Antholin Budge Row, were lost to Victorian parish rationalization. Many were destroyed or badly damaged in the Second World War. Only 23 of the original 51 remain. These are now under threat again, with the Templeman Report's proposal that only four of the existing churches (none by Wren) should be retained as parish churches. They provide a test case of conservation, sitting as they do in the middle of the City of London. "The City Churches of Sir Christopher Wren" presents a clear case both for their importance and for their preservation.


Background/Aims: Oxidative stress often occurs in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. The objective of our study was to investigate the interrelationship between oxidative stress and the degree of renal anemia. Methods: In 107 consecutive HD patients, serum concentrations of two major aldehydic lipid peroxidation (LPO) products, 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and of protein carbonyls were analyzed as parameters of oxidative stress and related to the degree of renal anemia. Additionally, in 76 patients treated with epoetin long-term changes in the serum levels of aldehydic LPO products were observed. Results: In HD patients, serum levels of HNE, MDA, and protein carbonyls are increased in comparison to controls. The lower the hemoglobin, i.e. the stronger the degree of renal anemia, the higher the serum concentrations of HNE, MDA, and protein carbonyls. The HNE and MDA levels decreased during HD. Long-term studies on the correction of renal anemia by epoetin demonstrated a mitigation of oxidative stress during this therapy. During periods of 1 and 2 years, it was observed that the serum levels of HNE and MDA could be reduced. Conclusion: Chronic renal failure is connected with oxidative stress which correlates with the degree of renal anemia, and the serum levels of aldehydic LPO products could be reduced during correction of renal anemia by epoetin.


After it had been shown that the phenyl ether of ethylene glycol possessed antibacterial properties against Pseudomonas aerunosa (Berry, 1944) the antimicrobial and pharmacological activities of a number of related compounds were evaluated. Two of the compounds investigated in this connection have found clinical usefulness. These are mephenesin,3-o-toloxy-1, 2propanediol, widely used as a muscle relaxant (Berger and Bradley, 1946) and chlorophenesin, 3-p-chlorophenoxy-1 ,2-propanediol, used in the treatment of fungus infections of the skin (Hartley, 1947). The object of the investigation reported here was to study the antibacterial and antifungal action, the toxicity and other biological properties of some simple methylated and chlorinated phenyl ethers of glycerol, propylene glycol and trimethylene glycol and to attempt to relate these properties with the chemical structure and physical properties of the compounds. This study has brought to light several compounds with substantially higher antibacterial and antifungal action than chlorophenesin.


The latest research in WSNs (Wireless Sensor Network) has been exploring Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks (UASNs). As the name suggests, these networks aim at providing effective communication underwater by addressing the challenges prevalent in this network. Underwater communication has found a lot of applications in ocean monitoring and underwater contamination monitoring. The issue of routing underwater is a major concern as it has to address a lot of challenges. Creating an effective routing protocol has been a constant topic of research in UASNs. We have focused on a Secure Cross-Layer Routing Protocol (SCLRP) in UASNs using Fuzzy Logic and Enhanced Algebra Homomorphic Encryption. This protocol aims at providing secure data transmission using optimized nodes that are selected from the neighboring nodes of the source node. The optimal nodes are selected by applying fuzzy rules to the available input. The selected nodes will then forward the packets to the next hop till the packet reaches the destination. The proposed protocol is an Energy Efficient Secure Fuzzy Logic based Cross –Layer design routing protocol. Our proposed protocol ensures safe transmission of data, which is the main objective of a routing protocol used in a wireless network. The routing protocol will ensure better QoS, by using a reliable encryption technique to reinforce secure routing. The protocol incorporates an enhanced Algebra Homomorphic encryption technique to help with managing the security of the transmitted data. QoS is further improved by using a cross-layer design wherein, the proposed protocol will not be expected to adjust as the data travels the different layers of the network so the protocol will be free from the confines of the standards and protocols followed in each of the layer. This flexibility will help in making our protocol perform better than the existing techniques. The SCLRP protocol is analyzed with the performance of NADIR and EEMCCP schemes to analyze its performance.


To improve technical communication education, educators and internship providers need to find ways to revise internship experiences so that educators, internship providers, and students/interns can use internship experiences in a way that benefits all three parties. This article uses a stakeholder education approach to propose two new kinds of internship processes to benefit all three groups. The first approach—colloquia—allows all three parties to interact via the same scheduled event. The second approach—student publications groups—shifts internship from a workplace to a school activity. By including such approaches into their curricula, technical communication programs can both improve their relationships with local internship providers and improve the training received by their students.


We present a robust approach to estimating the redshift of galaxies using Pan-STARRS1 photometric data. Our approach is an application of the algorithm proposed for the SDSS Data Release 12. It uses a training set of 2 313 724 galaxies for which the spectroscopic redshift is obtained from SDSS, and magnitudes and colours are obtained from the Pan-STARRS1 Data Release 2 survey. The photometric redshift of a galaxy is then estimated by means of a local linear regression in a 5D magnitude and colour space. Our approach achieves an average bias of Δ̅z̅n̅o̅r̅m̅ = −1.92 × 10−4, a standard deviation of σ(Δznorm) = 0.0299, and an outlier rate of Po = 4.30% when cross-validating the training set. Even though the relation between each of the Pan-STARRS1 colours and the spectroscopic redshifts is noisier than for SDSS colours, the results obtained by our approach are very close to those yielded by SDSS data. The proposed approach has the additional advantage of allowing the estimation of photometric redshifts on a larger portion of the sky (∼3/4 vs ∼1/3). The training set and the code implementing this approach are publicly available at the project website.


This guide provides an overview for those doing research related to the intersection of psychology, psychiatry, and the law at the University of Connecticut School of Law Library. Materials discussed are in both print and electronic format.


Cell shape in vitro can be directed by geometrically-defined micropatterned adhesion substrates. However conventional methods are limited by the fixed micropattern design, which can not recapitulate the dynamic changes of the cell's microenvironment. Here, we manipulate the shape of living cells in real time by using scanned and tightly focused pulsed laser to introduce additional geometrically-defined adhesion sites. The sub-micrometer resolution of the laser patterning allowed us to identify the critical distances between cell adhesion sites required for cell shape extension and contraction. This easy-to-handle method allows a precise control of specific actin-based structures that regulate cell architecture. Actin filament bundles or branched meshworks were induced, displaced or removed in response to specific dynamic modifications of cell adhesion pattern. Isotropic branched actin meshworks could be forced to assemble locally new stress fibers and polarise in response to specific geometrical cues.


The low-density equation of state of a fluid along its critical isotherm is considered. An asymptotically consistent approximant is formed having the correct leading-order scaling behavior near the vapor-liquid critical point, while retaining the correct low-density behavior as expressed by the virial equation of state. The formulation is demonstrated for the Lennard–Jones fluid, and models for helium, water, and n-alkanes. The ability of the approximant to augment virial series predictions of critical properties is explored, both in conjunction with and in the absence of critical-property data obtained by other means. Given estimates of the critical point from molecular simulation or experiment, the approximant can refine the critical pressure or density by ensuring that the critical isotherm remains well-behaved from low density to the critical region. Alternatively, when applied in the absence of other data, the approximant remedies a consistent underestimation of the critical density when computed from the virial series alone. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3336–3349, 2014


Drinking responses to salinity change in the larvae of herring ( Clupea harengus L.), plaice ( Pleuronectes platessa L.) and cod ( Gadus morhua L.) were measured from the time course of uptake of dextran labelled with tritium, following immersion in solutions of 32‰ and 16‰ sea water. The yolk sac and first feeding larval stages of all three species drink in both salinities. Furthermore, post-yolk sac stages appear to adjust their drinking rates to compensate for different salinities in a manner similar to that of the adults. Drinking rates in 32‰ sea water are approximately double those in 16‰. Mass-related drinking rates of larvae are higher than those in adults, but the differences do not match the differences in surface area to mass ratios, suggesting that larval skin is less permeable to water than is adult gill epithelium. Water absorption is indicated by the evidence of concentration of dextran in the gut. The estimates of drinking rates from tritiated dextran uptake are supported by epifluorescence microscopical measurements of the uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran.


Monitoring and managing urban air pollution is a significant challenge for the sustainability of our environment. We quickly survey the air pollution modeling problem, introduce a new dataset of mobile air quality measurements in Zurich, and discuss the challenges of making sense of these data.


In this paper, the technology described Assimilation, based on a particle filter to correct the prediction of the coordinates of the Lorenz attractor. As the part of the implementation of the assessment of the quality of the implementation of the forecast and the impact of the choice of parameters on the results of the implementation of the forecasts with the arrival of various influencing errors. Advantages and disadvantages of the movement of methods are described. Data assimilation, as well as approaches to achieving the best results when solving these methods. Purpose of the work is to conduct a quality analysis of the correction of the forecast of the Lorenz attractor behavior using particle filter and EnKF methods. The analysis was carried out on the basis of mathematical modeling of the Lorenz attractor (observed values) and Data Assimilation methods. The parameters of the Lorenz attractor are given in such a way that its behavior is chaotic. The point hit on any lobe of the attractor is equally probable.


The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of different  proportion of Ameja (Hypericum quartinanum) leaf (AL) and Noug (Guizotia abyssinica) seed cake (NSC) on digestibility and  feed  intake of Menz sheep. Twenty five yearling male Menz lambs were divided based on their initial body weight (BW) and randomly assigned to treatments. Treatments were natural pasture hay (NPH) ad libitum + 150 g/day oats grain alone (T1) or with 344 g/day AL (T2), 230 g/day AL + 50 g/day NSC (T3), 112 g/day AL + 100 g/day NSC (T4) and 150 g/day NSC (T5). The supplements from AL and NSC were on iso-nitrogenous basis. The crude protein (CP) content of NPH, NSC, AL and oat grain was 6.5, 35.6, 15.1 and 9.8%, respectively. Total dry matter (DM) intake was greater for T3, T4, and T5 as compared to T1. There was significant difference among treatments in CP  intake and its digestibility differed (P < 0.001) among the  treatments but not for DM and other nutrients. Thus it is advisable to use Noug seed cake alone or Ameja/Noug seed cake combination at 67:33 proportion as protein supplement, whenever Noug seed cake is available. However, when Noug seed cake is unavailable or expensive, Ameja leaf can be used as a sole protein supplement. Keywords : Menz Sheep, Intake, Digestibility, Ameja, Noug, Crud protein.


Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) refers specifically to musculoskeletal pain localised to the pelvic ring and can be present at its anterior and/or posterior aspects. Causes such as trauma, infection and pregnancy have been well-established, while patients with hypermobile joints are at greater risk of developing PGP. Research exploring this association is limited and of varying quality. In the present study we report on the incidence, pathophysiology, diagnostic and treatment modalities for PGP in patients suffering from Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) and Hypermobility-Type Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). Recommendations are made for clinical practice by elaborating on screening, diagnosis and management of such patients to provide a holistic approach to their care. It appears that this cohort of patients are at greater risk particularly of mental health issues. Moreover over, they may require a multidisciplinary approach for their management. Ongoing research is still required to expand our understanding of the relationship between PGP, HSD and hEDS by appropriately diagnosing patients using the latest updated terminologies and by conducting randomised control trials to compare outcomes of interventions using standardised patient reported outcome measures.


Multicell converters were introduced ten years ago and, over this period, their properties have been thoroughly analyzed. Since then, this concept has lead to some other innovative topologies which are briefly presented in this paper. Different ways to introduce soft switching in multicell converters are investigated. The concept of distributing power over several switches, giving more degrees of freedom and using less passive components, is extended further with the stacked multicell topology. Finally, direct AC-AC converters using the multicell approach are described.


Uterine fibroids are the most common benign tumors of the female genital tract. Steroid hormones, especially estradiol and progesterone, play an important role in the pathobiology of this frequent disease. Recent studies suggested that both expression levels and polymorphisms of estrogen receptor (ER) α and β might affect development of uterine fibroids. In this study, we tested whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter of estrogen receptor β gene (ESR2) are associated with susceptibility to uterine fibroids. For this purpose, we compared the frequency of three SNPs in the promoter region of ESR2 gene (rs2987983, rs3020450 and rs3020449) in 101 women with uterine fibroids and 102 healthy women serving as controls by means of allele-specific tetra-primer polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Regarding allele frequency, allele positivity, genotype and haplotype frequencies of these SNPs we did not observe any significant difference between healthy women and women with uterine fibroids. In conclusion, our data clearly suggest that the tested SNPs in the promotor region of human ESR2 gene are not associated with the development of uterine fibroids.


Thin films of a fluorinated polyimide derived from 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride and 2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine have been obtained by spin-coating a solution of polyimide powder dissolved in chloroform. The synthesized polyimide has been characterized by a variety of techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, solubility tests, optical transmission spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Changes in the intensity, peak shape, and position of the intrinsic fluorescence features as observed under exposure to ethanol and water vapors have been correlated to specific chemical interactions between the analytes and the macromolecules. Interactions stronger than dipole-dipole forces such as hydrogen bonds, evidenced by FTIR, are thought to play an important role in the changes of the fluorescence features. Single-wavelength fluorescence versus time measurements have also been performed by exposing the samples to alternating pulses of N 2 and different organic-vapor concentrations in order to evaluate the response and recovery times and the quantitative determination capability of the material. The polymer proved to be sensitive to both the tested analytes, with response and recovery times in the order of the tens of seconds


To attract the viewers into paying to see full movie, the creation of movie trailers is an essential part of movie industry. Action scene is the main factor of a movie trailer. In this paper, we propose an automatic action scene extraction algorithm using finite state machine based on analyzing audio-visual features. The input video is first decomposed into shot. Then audio features compute and applied to support vector machine in order to determine whether it is speech, silence or music. Extracted Audiovisual features are to feed into finite state machine in order to determine action scene classification from others scene. Keywords— vedio-audio content analysis; shot change detection, finite state machine; support vector machine;