We describe the induction of autoimmune diabetes, insulitis, and thyroiditis in athymic rats following injections of major histocompatibility complex compatible spleen cells. Lymphocytes with these capabilities were found in normal rats of the YOS, WAG, PVG, and diabetes-resistant BB strains, and in diabetes-prone BB rats. Adoptive transfer was facilitated by prior in vivo depletion of RT6.1+ regulatory T cells and in vitro mitogen activation of donor spleen cells. By RT6 depleting diabetes-resistant donors and using nude recipients, transfer of diabetes and thyroiditis was accomplished by using fresh, unstimulated spleen cells. The data suggest that organ-specific autoreactive cells may be present to various degrees but suppressed to a variable extent in many rat strains. The equilibrium between autoreactive and regulatory cells appears to determine the expression of autoimmunity.


Organisms can gain information about predation risks from their parents, their own personal experience, and their conspecifics and adjust their behavior to alleviate these risks. These different sources of information can, however, provide conflicting information due to spatial and temporal variation of the environment. This raises the question of how these cues are integrated to produce adaptive antipredator behavior. We investigated how common lizards (Zootoca vivipara) adjust the use of conspecific cues about predation risk depending on whether the information is maternally or personally acquired. We experimentally manipulated the presence of predator scent in gestating mothers and their offspring in a full-crossed design. We then tested the consequences for social information use by monitoring offspring social response to conspecifics previously exposed to predator cues or not. Lizards were more attracted to the scent of conspecifics having experienced predation cues when they had themselves no personal information about predation risk. In contrast, they were more repulsed by conspecific scent when they had personally obtained information about predation risk. However, the addition of maternal information about predation risk canceled out this interactive effect between personal and social information: lizards were slightly more attracted to conspecific scent when these two sources of information about predation risk were in agreement. A chemical analysis of lizard scent revealed that exposure to predator cues modified the chemical composition of lizard scents, a change that might underlie lizards' use of social information. Our results highlight the importance of considering multiple sources of information while studying antipredator defenses.


For 1D s=1/2 anisotropic XY model in transverse field with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction using Jordan-Wigner transformation the thermodynamical functions, static spin correlation functions, transverse dynamical spin correlation function and connected with it transverse dynamical susceptibility have been obtained. It has been shown that Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction essentially influences the calculated quantities.


Graphene oxide has shown great potential in drug delivery. In this study, we developed a novel tumor-targeting drug carrier based on aminopeptidase N (APN or CD13)-targeting peptide (NGR) functionalized graphene oxide (GP–cNGR/PVP). For the preparation, graphene oxide (GO) was functionalized using polyethylenimine (PEI) covalently linked with cyclic NGR (cNGR), and then the nanosheets were conjugated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) via non-covalent interactions. The results showed that an efficient loading of combretastatin A4 (CA4) on GP–cNGR/PVP (0.5630 ± 0.0132 mg mg−1) was obtained. In vitro cytotoxicity and cellular uptake studies using two tumor cells (HT-1080, MCF-7) indicated that the GP–cNGR/PVP nanosheets could recognize certain tumor cells and enhance the uptake by cells, especially for cells overexpressing CD13 receptors. These results demonstrate that GP–cNGR/PVP could be a potential vehicle to delivery anticancer agents for specific cancer therapy.


As an essential part of global nuclear non-proliferation effort, the RERTR program is developing low enriched U-Mo fuels (< 20% U-235) for use in research and test reactors that currently employ highly enriched uranium fuels. One type of fuel being developed is a dispersion fuel plate comprised of U-7Mo particles dispersed in Al alloy matrix. Recent TEM characterizations of the ATR irradiated U-7Mo dispersion fuel plates include the samples with a local fission densities of 4.5, 5.2, 5.6 and 6.3 E+21 fissions/cm3 and irradiation temperatures of 101-136?C. The development of the irradiated microstructure of the U-7Mo fuel particles consists of fission gas bubble superlattice, large gas bubbles, solid fission product precipitates and their association to the large gas bubbles, grain subdivision to tens or hundreds of nanometer size, collapse of bubble superlattice, and amorphisation. This presentation will describe the observed microstructures specifically focusing on the U-7Mo fuel particles. The impact of the observed microstructure on the fuel performance and the comparison of the relevant features with that of the high burn-up UO2 fuels will be discussed.


The high global vulnerability revealed by the current pandemic confirms the existence of a very threatening and disruptive environment. The development of new strategies is needed in response to the new shocking global disruptive crisis, analysing the use of new methodologies and digital tools for their early detection and prospective planning. This will allow the development of more proactive, effective, and efficient response plans, with minimal risks. The work considers the convenience of standardized use and optimisation of social welfare functions that integrate social, economic, and ecological variables and indicators, around the achievement of 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda, and 169 objectives associated with them.


The results of spatial and temporal distribution of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air surrounding the Hsinchu Science-Based Industrial Park (SBIP), Taiwan during February 2001 to November 2001 are presented. The sampling was performed at 13 different sites around the SBIP for 24 hrs once every month, and a total of 130 samples were collected. The effects of geographical and meteorological conditions and production volume of the SBIP on the variation of pollutant' s concentration were investigated. The spatial distribution shows that a comparatively higher concentration of VOCs was found at the sites, which are in the southwestern part of SBIP, downwind of or close to factories. When the wind velocity was low (i.e. below 2 m/s), the concentration of pollutant tended to increase and became uniformly distributed around the science park. The temporal distribution shows a decrease in ambient concentration of pollutants from February to June 2001, mainly due to the decline in the production volume of the SBIP in this period. During the whole period of investigation, the concentration of most of the compounds (except acetone and IPA) was found to be lower than the factory-surrounding air quality standard of Taiwan, but in some cases it was higher than the AALG (ambient air level goal).


This study examined the reading level of patient education materials commonly used by nurses in a local health department, a community health center, and a home health care agency, and it also examined the cultural and ethnically related information included in the content of the selected educational materials. Results showed that a ninth-grade reading level was required for these patient education materials. A commercially developed booklet on parenting skills for teenage parents required the lowest reading level (fifth grade). In contrast, graduate reading level was required for materials dealing with the patient's bill of rights. Culturally sensitive information was found in only 4 of the 47 materials. In the clinical settings in which these materials were used, more than 90 ethnic and cultural groups were served. The materials used to educate these groups failed to recognize cultural beliefs, values, languages, perceptions, and attitudes held by patients and families.


This article explores three fundamental aspects of text in the performance of Lao vocal music in the southern Lao province of Champasak: (1) the relationships between poetic structures and creativity; (2) extemporaneous composition of texts; and (3) repertory and its relationship to performance context. I aim to provide an overall insight into the creativity and repertory of Lao khaplam texts with an emphasis upon indigenous concepts of textual structures, compositional methods, and thematic conventions and their associated terminology. Before exploring textual aspects it is necessary to provide the reader with some contextual information. Firstly, a general overview of Lao vocal music in Laos today is provided, locating this study within a broader tradition of Lao vocal music, and secondly, musicological information pertinent to the performance of Lao vocal music to remind the reader that the central topic of textual composition takes place within a musical framework.


Seismic amplitude inversion has been routinely used throughout the industry to help assess the reservoir quality and derive reservoir properties such as porosity. In cases where interbed multiple contaminations interfere with the primary reflectivity, the inversion results are questionable unless interbed multiples can be simulated in the inversion procedure. In this study, we demonstrate the use of zero-offset modeling, to simulate interbed multiples, observed in a 3-D seismic dataset, acquired over the Shaybah oil field. We identified the interval from which interbed multiples were generated and produced a reasonable 3-D impedance model for use in the field's development drilling program.

A "layer-stripping" type modeling approach was used to identify the interval from which the interbed multiples were generated. Three key geologic intervals between the surface and the base of the reservoir were identified as candidates for the starting layer from which the interbed multiples were modeled. To begin, the shallowest formation of the three was designated as the starting layer. Synthetic traces with primary and interbed multiple reflections were generated and compared with the measured seismic data. This procedure was repeated for the deeper two consecutive formations. At the conclusion of this modeling exercise, it was determined that using the shallowest formation as the starting layer produced the best match between the synthetic and measured seismic data.

The inversion algorithm used a model-based method where the starting model was generated by interpolating known log impedances between existing well control based on the interpreted seismic time horizons. The initial model was then optimized by iteratively updating the impedance to minimize the error between the synthetic, generated from the model, and the seismic. The final inversion results were evaluated by matching the measured 3-D seismic data to the impedance logs at the wells. Comparison of seismic and inverted impedance volumes showed that the top of the reservoir was more clearly defined by the impedance volume; whereas the 3-D seismic signature for the top of the reservoir is poorly defined due to the presence of the multiple interference.


The purpose of this article is to examine halo effect and organizational commitment in relation to employees' job satisfaction and organizational supportive culture at universities in Taiwan. The study used a questionnaire to collect data from 210 female faculty members of Taiwanese universities. The conceptual model was tested mediating the effect of structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation. This study not only found the mediating role of halo effect and organizational commitment between supportive culture and job satisfaction, but also proved that a supportive culture in universities is directly and positively related to job satisfaction and that emotional and identification‐oriented organizational commitment may affect job satisfaction in a positive way among female faculty members. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Structured Peer Learning (SPL) is a form of peer-based supplemental instruction that focuses on mentoring, guidance, and development of technical, communication, and social skills in both the students receiving assistance and the students in teaching roles. This paper explores the methodology, efficacy, and reasoning behind the practical realization of a SPL program designed to increase student knowledge and success in undergraduate Computer Science courses. Students expressed an increased level of comfort when asking for help from student teachers versus traditional educational resources, historically showed an increased average grade in lower-level courses, and felt that the program positively impacted their desire to continue in or switch to a Computer major. Additionally, results indicated that advances in programming, analytical thinking, and abstract analysis skills were evident in not only the students but also the student teachers, suggesting a strong bidirectional flow of knowledge.


The development objective of the Irrigation System Enhancement Project for Armenia is: (i) to reduce the amount of energy used and to improve the irrigation conveyance efficiency in targeted irrigation schemes; and (ii) to improve the availability and reliability of important sector data and information for decision makers and other stakeholders. Some of the negative impacts and mitigation measures include: (i) remove topsoil prior to commencement of earth work and store it separately for the use at reinstatement stage; (ii) use of existing mines, waste disposal sites; (iii) minimize impacts on plants by planning and undertaking bulk of earth works beyond the active period of vegetation; (iv) border the areas to be cleaned of vegetation's and coordinate it with supervision consultant; (v) provide water supply and sanitation for construction camps and maintain these systems in good technical condition at all times; (vi) removal of hazardous substances strictly following terms of agreement, coordinated with the relevant institutions; (vii) proper storage of hazardous material such as oil, lubricants, fuel, and keeping at a special designed confined locations; (viii) keep vehicle and machinery fleet in adequate technical condition to avoid excessive exhaust; (ix) install warning signs and traffic regulation signs in the sections of roads where interference with local traffic is likely, Deploy flagmen as necessary; (x) keep vehicle and machinery fleet in adequate technical condition to avoid excessive noise; (xi) implementation of dust removal measures; and (xii) ensure that workers operating special machinery have got relevant training, hold respective licenses, and are insured.


Background The hospital has an important national role in the conduct of non-profit clinical trials. These represent 58% of the studies approved in 2012 and about 5% of them involve the use of lenalidomide Purpose To define the cost savings that conducting non-profit clinical trials could generate for the Hospital and the NHS, focusing on the evaluation of innovative high-cost medicines such as lenalidomide Materials and methods Five active trials involve the use of lenalidomide. A cost evaluation was conducted on these studies in terms of what it would cost the Hospital, comparing three different scenarios: if the patients were enrolled in a non-profit clinical trial treated off-label with lenalidomide given gold standard treatment Results It costs the hospital 23,500 € to treat the patients enrolled in the clinical trials considered. Lenalidomide is provided free by the pharmaceutical company. 3,963,409 € is the cost of lenalidomide that the company should claim for the enrolled patients. Such expenditure is supposed to be borne by the regional health system and then the hospital as the use is considered off-label. 2,288,646 € is the average cost of therapeutic alternatives suggested by NHS guidelines. The medicines used most and which would produce this increase in expenditure are thalidomide and bortezomib. Conclusions The analysis shows that in the first case the expense for patient treatment appears paltry compared to the other two scenarios. This result emphasises the importance of non-profit clinical trials, which may also represent a tool that can reduce the expense of high-cost medicines. This also allows patients to be treated according to innovative regimens, giving them new chances that would be denied had we followed NHS guidelines rigidly. No conflict of interest.


In 2005 the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction introduced the 'Hyogo Framework for Action' (HFA) aimed at mainstreaming disaster risk reduction. Subsequently, the 'Global Network for Disaster Reduction' (GNDR) was formed to support the implementation of the HFA. The GNDR initiated a country-based, international research project called 'Views from the Frontline' (VFL) in order to measure progress at local level in terms of compliance with the HFA. The VFL 2011 project focused on local risk governance, which is critical for effective implementation of policy and provision of resources at grassroots level. This article provides insight into the findings for South Africa. The project made use of quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was gathered by means of a survey and/or questionnaire consisting of 20 questions on 'indicators' which assessed progress toward the goals of the HFA. The surveys also provided for qualitative commentary. The target population for this research consisted of local government officials and community representatives. Based on the quantitative scores for all the different indicators, the research showed that South Africa could still improve significantly in terms of compliance with the HFA. More attention must be given to operationalise the HFA at local level, a culture of safety must be fostered, local actors and communities must be involved directly and consulted, indigenous knowledge must be recognised, and significant capacity development for disaster risk reduction is necessary.


An experimental study has been done to examine the performance and emission of a diesel engine using different blend ratios of Jatropha oil methyl ester at different engine speeds. At each speed, the engine was operated at no load, quarter, half, three quarters, and full load for different blending ratios. The performance parameters evaluated include Brake Power (BP), Brake Mean Effective Pressure (BMEP), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), air to fuel ratio (AFR), excess air factor, brake thermal efficiency, volumetric efficiency and the temperature of exhaust gas whereas exhaust emissions include specific emissions of O2, CO, CO2, and NOx. Biodiesel blends result in a decrease of brake power by 30.8 %, decreases in air to fuel ratio by 18 %, decreases in brake thermal efficiency by 21 %, decreases in volumetric efficiency by 10.7 % and increases in brake specific fuel consumption by 32.18 %. Specific emission of O2, CO, and NOx increases with increasing the percentage of biodiesel in fuel blends. Specific emission of CO2 decreases with increasing the rate of biodiesel in fuel blends. The results suggest that biodiesel obtained from non-edible oil like Jatropha could be a decent substitute to diesel fuel in the diesel engine.


Talar body osteonecrosis can be a devastating, painful condition that is difficult to manage surgically when conservative treatments have failed. With early disease, nonoperative treatments can prolong the need for operative correction in the young patient. Later stage disease with extensive involvement may require a tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis to retain functionality of the limb. This situation frequently requires a structural bone graft. Using the technique described in this article, the void resulting from collapse of the talar body is filled with talar allograft, which offers a more anatomic and structurally rigid construct than previously described methods using an allograft femoral head. We have found this technique to be more resilient and successful than other methods. Level of Evidence: Level V, expert opinion.


Parental dissatisfaction with special education services is a national problem. This article presents two districts that have undergone systemwide changes to decrease the dissatisfaction of families who have children with disabilities. Using qualitative inquiry, the authors analyzed documents and observed and interviewed 24 informants about the system problems and changes. Data analysis revealed three themes within the systems problems category: (a) lack of leadership, (b) not keeping up with the law, and (c) parents excluded. Systemwide changes were organized into seven themes: (a) new leadership, (b) partnerships, (c) creative use of resources, (d) updated educational practices, (e) relationship building, (f) teacher and parent support, and (g) alternative dispute resolution. Findings revealed effective leaders who focused on all levels of the system.


Abstract A model for predicting the borehole geometry for laser drilling is presented based on the calculation of a surface of constant absorbed fluence. It is applicable to helical drilling of through-holes with ultrashort laser pulses. The threshold fluence describing the borehole surface is fitted for best agreement with experimental data in the form of cross-sections of through-holes of different shapes and sizes in stainless steel samples. The fitted value is similar to ablation threshold fluence values reported for laser ablation models.


ABSTRACT A conventional nested PCR and a real-time LightCycler PCR assay for detection of Coccidioides posadasii DNA were designed and tested in 120 clinical strains. These had been isolated from 114 patients within 10 years in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, known to be endemic for coccidioidomycosis. The gene encoding the specific antigen 2/proline-rich antigen (Ag2/PRA) was used as a target. All strains were correctly identified, whereas DNA from related members of the family Onygenaceae remained negative. Melting curve analysis by LightCycler and sequencing of the 526-bp product of the first PCR demonstrated either 100% identity to the GenBank sequence of the Silveira strain, now known to be C. posadasii (accession number AF013256 ), or a single silent mutation at position 1228. Length determination of two microsatellite-containing loci (GAC and 621) identified all 120 isolates as C. posadasii. Specific DNA was amplified by conventional nested PCR from three microscopically spherule-positive paraffin-embedded tissue samples, whereas 20 human tissue samples positive for other dimorphic fungi remained negative. Additionally, the safety of each step of a modified commercially available DNA extraction procedure was evaluated by using 10 strains. At least three steps of the protocol were demonstrated to sufficiently kill arthroconidia. This safe procedure is applicable to cultures and to clinical specimens.


Abstract The complex relationships between recreational non-injection drug use and HIV sexual risk behaviors have been documented throughout the epidemic. The purpose of this study was to (1) assess the extent of non-injection recreational drug use among gay and bisexual men frequenting gay social venues, as well as to assess recent initiation of substance use, especially "club drugs" and (2) document the interaction between drug use and risky sexual practices. Street recruitment methods were used to administer a survey to 202 gay or bisexual men recruited at ten gay social venues in New York City. The majority of participants reported substance use, and more than half reported the use of drugs other than alcohol. Participation in gay social venues such as bars, dance clubs, and bathhouses was associated with more substance use. Polydrug use, participation in gay venues, and HIV status were found to be associated with unprotected behaviors while under the influence. In multivariate analyses, the use of inhalant nitrates and alcohol were found to be the two substances that best predicted unprotected oral and analsexual behaviors.


OBJECTIVES Four cases of spontaneous perirenal hemorrhage are reviewed, with special reference to the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment. METHODS/RESULTS Two were due to tumor (sarcomatoid carcinoma and angiomyolipoma) and the rest were secondary to renal lesions. All patients underwent nephrectomy due to hemodynamic instability. CONCLUSIONS Nephrectomy appears to be the best treatment since this condition may arise from a malignant tumor which, to date, cannot be determined by any diagnostic method.


Lipids are a broad group of naturally-occurring molecules which includes fatty acids, steroids, terpenes and glycerides, among others, with important biological functions. However, their presence is undesirable in some cases such as in the pulp and paper manufacturing process where they cause the so-called pitch deposits. An enzymatic method to control pitch using a hydrolytic enzyme (lipase) to treat the pulp has been successfully applied in softwood mechanical pulping, preventing triglyceride deposition. However, lipases are not useful when pitch originates from other lipids, such as steroids and terpenes. Recently, several studies have shown the high potential of oxidative enzymes for the removal of pulp lipids regardless the pulping process and the raw material used, which will be summarized here.


Two groups of bacteriophages (phages), one forming a clear plaque, and the other forming turbid plaque with a small holo zone in the middle were isolated from sewage using three different strains of Escherichia coli (TG1, ER2738 and BL21) as a host. All the phages were subjected to lysis study against phytopathogen bacterial wilt Ralstonia solanacearum and heart rot Erwinia chrysanthemi. These phages have very restricted host range and the application as an alternative biocontrol agent has recently gained wide interest. Thus, the present study was aimed to isolate novel phages against R. solanacearum and E. chrysanthemi, and to further evaluate their lytic characteristics. A total of 132 isolates of phages were obtained from sewage samples. Three phages (P45, P71 and P631) showed potential to lyse R. solanacearum with clear zone ratios of 3.34, 3.00 and 3.06 respectively. Only P621 formed a clear zone ratio of 3.26 against E. chrysanthemi. The other phages did not show any significant lysis activity. Even though these phages showed some promising results, more studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness of phage on the crop plants.

 Keywords: lysis activity; bacteriophage; Ralstonia solanacearum; Erwinia chrysanthemi


We examined the role of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) in inflammation initiated by the adoptive transfer of central nervous system (CNS)-specific Th1 cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a murine model of multiple sclerosis. This adoptive transfer paradigm eliminates the confounding effects of bacterial adjuvants in the analysis of inflammation. We found that although T cells could reach the meninges and perivascular space in the absence of TNFR1, recruitment of other inflammatory cells from the blood was dramatically reduced. The reduction in the recruitment of CD11b(hi) cells correlated with a dramatic reduction in the production of the chemokines CCL2 (MCP-1) and CXLC2 (MIP-2) in TNFR1-deficient hosts. Bone marrow chimera experiments demonstrated that TNF can be effectively supplied by either the hematopoietic system or the CNS, but the essential TNFR1-responsive cells reside in the CNS. Previous work has demonstrated that microglia produce CCL2, and here we demonstrate that astrocytes and endothelial cells produced CXCL2 in the early stages of inflammation. Therefore, productive inflammation results from a conversation, or mutually responding signals, between the initiating T cells and cells in the parenchyma of the spinal cord.


The combined R-matrix, complex-coordinate rotation method is extended, by incorporating a frame transformation, to allow the calculation of the near-threshold spectrum of a simple molecule, para-H2, in the presence of a laboratory strength magnetic field. The below-threshold photoabsorption spectrum obtained is in very good agreement with that from a previous calculation using a different method and the role of excited rotational states of the parent molecular ion in the above-threshold spectrum is identified.


Technical School Councils are chartered organizations responsible for the achievement of students' learning, and the identification of challenges that schools have to face to promote their improvement. Thus, this article aims to analyze, based on follow-up and evaluation, the performance of schools and what they have developed to guarantee an inclusive education. A participatory research-action proposal was designed in two stages to reach this aim. The first stage related to the preparation of a situational diagnostic with participants from different levels and modalities (which included basic education: primary and secondary schools), in the areas of educational quality, inclusion, and equity. The second one related to a pedagogic intervention proposal during the school year 2015-2016 in 214 technical school councils, selected among 1,222 schools in the state. In addition to imprecise strategies to avoid situations of risk and educational exclusion, the results obtained identified school planning, collaborative work, technical pedagogic counseling, and leadership as themes to be consolidated.


Discovery potentials for extra neutral interactions at the Large Hadron Collider in forthcoming experiments are analyzed in Drell-Yan. For this purpose we use high precision next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) determination of the mass invarian distributions and of the total cross sections in the kinematic region around 1 TeV. In this region we explore the possibility to make a preliminary distinction between different anomaly-free extentions of the Standard Model.


The invention relates to a dicing structures for semiconductor substrates and methods of fabrication thereof . The invention discloses a cutting structure for semiconductor substrates and a method for fabrication thereof. In one embodiment, a semiconductor wafer includes a first chip disposed in a substrate, a second chip disposed adjacent the first chip and disposed in the substrate, and a dicing street disposed between the first and the second chip. A first and a second metal level are disposed over the dicing street, wherein the second metal level is disposed above the first metal level. A first alignment mark is disposed in the first metal level above a first portion of the dicing street, and first metal features disposed in the second metal level above the first portion of the dicing street.


The occurrence of intestinal parasites in patients referred to the Parasitology Laboratory of the Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute (EHNRI), was recorded for four consecutive years, 1998-2001. Based on the stool appearance i.e. watery, loose, muciod and bloody, 442 diarrhoeal samples were particularly selected to allow diagnosis of intestinal parasites with emphasis on coccidian intestinal parasites. Wet saline mounts and formol ether concentration method with logul's iodine were performed for the detection of cysts, ova, trophozoites and larvae of intestinal parasites. Modified Ziehel Nelseen staining of stool smears was used to identify Cryptosporidum parvum and Isospora belli. The overall detection rate was 79.4% (351/442). The spectrum of positivity with any protozoa was 54.3% (240/442) and helminthes 25.1% (111/442). Cryptosporidium parvum was identified in 92/442 (20.8%). Isopora belli was identified among 35/442 (7.9%): Entamoeba histolytica/dispar scored second with positivity rate of 17.0% (75/442) and Giardia lamblia was found in 38/442 (8.6%) stool samples. As compared to protozoan parasites, detection rate with helminthes was very low. Among the helminthes. Strongyloides stercoralis was found in 38/442 (8.6%). This information strengthens the importance of intestinal protozoan parasites with recognition of the opportunistic parasites as major causes of diarrhoea. Their role in HIV/AIDS patients cannot be over-emphasized. Further awareness for the need of establishing different parasitological techniques at health service giving centers would enhance better understanding and management of diarrhoeal illness.


BACKGROUND/AIM
Increased levels of microRNAs in serum/plasma have been identified in various malignancies. We aimed to investigate serum levels of miR-26a-1 and miR-141 in patients undergoing prostate biopsy clinical suspicious for prostate cancer (PCA) in a prospective multi-center study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Pre-biopsy serum samples of 170 patients were collected in three different study Centres. Serum RNA was isolated, and microRNA lev-els were quantified using real-time PCR. Relative miR-26a -1 and miR-141 levels were determined using RNU1-4 and SNORD43 as reference genes.

RESULTS
After exclusion of pa-tients with metastatic prostate cancer (n=9) and isolation failures (n=28), 133 patients (prostate cancer n=54, non-malignant n=79) were used for further analysis. The levels of miR-26a-1 and miR-141 were similar in patients with positive and negative biopsies. We observed a significant increase of miR-141 in patients with higher Gleason Score.

CONCLUSION
The analysis of circulating microRNAs does not seem to help identify patients with cancer undergoing prostate biopsy. However, their levels may be useful to identify patients with high-risk prostate cancer.


The present study sought to investigate the MUSIC inventory reliability and structure validity. Previous research developed on various samples indicated that the instrument proved to be an instrument with good or excellent Cronbach's Alpha values for each scale and despite some higher correlation between these scales, its structure validity was considered acceptable. Considering these good results, the MUSIC inventory, due to its length (only 26 items) and simple way to get answers can be a useful instrument in any quantitative research preoccupied to determine motivational aspects in an academic setting. Because of these previous findings, MUSIC inventory was considered an instrument that could be translated and tested on a Romanian sample. The hypothesis was that the students' perceptions measured using MUSIC inventory would prove the reliability and construct validity of the translated version. The sample of this study consisted of a voluntary group of 28 students who studied the Psychology of education in the first year of the psycho-a cross-sectional design. The search of results for this study was accomplished through various types of statistical analyses: reliability analysis (Cronbach's Alpha), factor analysis and correlation analysis. Interpretation of results from this study suggested that the hypothesis of the study was only partially confirmed, reliability was proved by Cronbach Alpha coefficients are excellent (above 0.9 ) for Usefulness and Interest scales and good (between 0.7-0.9) for the remaining three scales, but, on the other hand, construct validity of the inventory was not confirmed by the results obtained in the present study.


The article discusses – on the basis of manuscript readings and the wider context – two musical examples from the Old organum (Musica enchiriadis 14 and Micrologus 19), both with respect to an occursus at the end of the melody. These examples were previously used by the author for the illustration of similar features in the κοινὴ ὁρμασία, but without the critical discussion given here. The discussion shows that the Micrologus example most probably must be renounced as an illustration for the sequence b♭-b and that the Musica enchiriadis example can serve as an illustration for parallel fourths, but that it remains ambiguous with respect to the occursus. In addition, a few further musical examples from the Musica enchiriadis and from an associated treatise (De organo, with the Alleluia/Benedicta) are discussed which may help us to understand the role of the tritone in Gaudentius and in some of the restored hormasia tables.


Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a health problem with an increasing incidence in many developed countries. The standard for examining mTBI is a CT scan, but it is costly, is not always available in all hospitals, and carries a risk of radiation. Meanwhile, S100β is a protein component produced by central nervous system cells. This study aims to determine the presence of changes in S100β protein in adult patients with mTBI during treatment as an alternative to examination. Methods: This research is an analytic observational quantitative study with a cross-sectional study approach to investigate changes in S100β protein levels in blood serum using the ELISA method of mTBI patients in the first 3 h posttrauma (pretest) and treatment on day 1 (27 h posttrauma/posttest). The research sample consisted of 22 people. This research was conducted in the Surgery Section, Sub-Division of Neurosurgery, Dr. Moewardi Public Hospital, during September–December 2019. The data were then analyzed using a discrimination test (comparing t-test means) and a nonparametric test (Wilcoxon). Results: There was a significant difference in mean S100β change between the pretest and posttest treatments. The S100β examination results at posttest decreased to 0.0223 + 0.0029 μg/l or decreased S100β by 21.7% after treatment. Previously, it was known that the mean of S100β at pretest was 0.0285 + 0.0137 μg/l. Conclusion: There was a significant change in S100β protein levels at each examination time. Changes in S100β levels that occurred were in the form of decreased levels from 3 h to 27 h posttrauma. Thus, S100β protein can be used as a parameter to assess the clinical development of adult patients with mTBI. Moreover, none of the patients with an S100β value >0.1 μg/l was found to be the cutoff value set by SNC in adult patients with mTBI for head CT scan.


Megasporogenesis and development of the embryo sac were investigated in F 1 and F 2 hybrids from crosses of Oe. hookeri and Oe. suaveolens . All hybrids form heteropolar and homopolar magaspore tetrads; the embryo sac, however, usually develops from the micropylar megaspore. Its development may occur immediately after degeneration of three other megaspores or after a period of competition between both apical megaspores. They develop simultaneously for a relatively short time, after which the growth of the chalazal megaspore is inhibited, although the latter does not degenerate. The micropylar megaspore as a rule develops without disturbances into the embryo sac, but in some ovules it is formed from the chalazal megaspore or double ones arise from both apical megaspores of the tetrad. The frequency of the micropylar embryo sac formation seems to be dependent above all on the hybrid plant genome and not on the haploid genome of the megaspore.


Community forest user groups (CFUGs) have been receiving different ecosystem services and facilities from the community forest, which are very crucial in their daily life activities. The present study is aimed at identifying the facilities and services received from the different plant species in the Janachana Community Forest, Rautahat district, Nepal. Altogether, 84 members of community forest groups participated in an interview using a semi-structured questionnaire. In total, 65 plants were identified in the study area for use as medicine, firewood, fodder, bedding, food, and other purposes. However, most plants were used as fodder for livestock. Altogether, fifty-eight plant species (89%) were used for multiple purposes (more than one use) and seven (11%) species were used for single purpose. Among the reported plant species, thirty species were used for medicinal purposes. Seeds and leaves were common parts of the plant used as medicine. Most of the plants were used to treat gastritis, cough, and blood clots, which seem to have high prevalence inthe study area. These results imply the various benefits taken by the CFUGs from the community forest in their daily life.


Oriented, descriptively, by recent liberal definitions of populism, this essay pursues a historical-materialist definition that grounds populist antagonisms in class struggles as 'crystallised' in the capitalist state. A critical assessment of Laclau's early equation of populism and socialism inaugurates the reading of Poulantzas's relational account of class and state as a nascent framework for a theory of populism, centred on the state and its ideological crystallisation of individualisation, the mental/manual-labour division and the 'people-nation'. This framework is then expanded to articulate the political-economic core of populist antagonisms, the specific character of 'neoliberal populism' today, and the potential, in relation to theories of 'popular politics' and a 'communist people', that left-wing populism might hold as a process of new political productions of class. This reading provides for a more expansive account of such movements' potentials, beyond a threat to or correction of pre-determined democratic or Marxist schemas.


An approach to proving paralel programs correct is presented. The steps are 1) model the paralel program, 2) prove partial correctness (proper synchronization), and 3) prove the absence of deadlock, livelock, and infinite loops. The parallel program model is based on KeUler's model. The main contributions of the paper are techniques for proving the absence of deadlock and livelock. A connection is made between Keler's work and Dijkstra's work with serial non-deterministic programs. It is shown how a variant function may be used to prove finite termination, even if the variant function is not strictly decreasing, and how finite termination can be used to prove the absence of livelock. Handling of the finite delay assumption is also discussed. The illustrative examples indude one which occurred in a commercial environment and a classic synchronization problem solved without the aid of special synchronization primitives.


Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common heterogeneous endocrine disorder and about 6% to 20% of women are affected in their reproductive age. Clinical manifestations arise during the early pubertal years, and it's characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, anovulation, acne, Oligomenorrhea/Amenorrhea, Hirsutism, and frequently infertility. Despite recent advancements in technologies in the scientific world pathophysiology of PCOS is still challenging and initially, most available clinical data communicated findings and outcomes is only in adult women. After that, the Rotterdam criteria are most accepted for adult women and adolescent girls. The diagnostic features for adolescent girls are based on classical tried e.g., menstrual irregularity, clinical hyperandrogenism, and/or hyperandrogenemia. Whereas findings of pelvic ultrasound are significant in adult women but least significant in adolescent girls. Mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder also occur more frequently in both adolescent girls and women with PCOS. Ayurveda gives prime importance to maintain the healthiness of women and literature provides many references related to signs and symptoms of PCOS in the same way and hence PCOS correlated with Artava kshaya. This review aims to display comprehensive knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of PCOS and Artava Kshaya. The efforts made here will enable earlier identification of girls and adult women with a high propensity to develop PCOS. The timely implementation of individualized therapeutic interventions will improve the overall management of PCOS, prevent associated comorbidities, and improve quality of life. This review emphasizes the various etiological aspects and screening recommendations currently in use to prevent and manages PCOS.


Background and aims: Erythropoietin (EPO) is the key regulator of red blood cell production. In response to hypoxia, EPO levels can increase 1000-fold and remain high for weeks to promote hematopoiesis. Therapeutically, the introduction of EPO and erythropoietic stimulating agents into clinical practice has revolutionized the treatment of anemia despite certain concerns regarding the safety of the therapy. Recent studies demonstrate that EPO has activities in addition to hematopoiesis, and modulates bone remodeling by increasing bone resorption and decreasing bone formation, leading to trabecular bone loss. In vitro, EPO directly inhibits murine osteoblast differentiation and mineralization at doses relatively lower than those shown to stimulate osteoclastogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the dose-response relationship between EPO dose, hemoglobin (Hgb) levels, and the extent of bone loss, as well as to examine the role of the monocytic and B cell EPO receptor (EPOR) in bone metabolism.
 Results: Treating mice for 2 weeks with escalating doses of EPO, ranging from 6-540 IU/week, led to a dose-dependent increase in Hgb accompanied by a more dramatic decrease in trabecular bone mass; regression slopes of Hgb and bone volume/total volume (BV/TV, a measure of bone density) were 0.009 vs -0.09, respectively (p<0.05). These effects were associated with a significant increase in the number of preosteoclasts (CD115+ cells) in the bone marrow (r=0.74, p<0.05). To assess whether the osteoclast lineage contributes to EPO-induced bone loss, we generated mice lacking EPOR in the monocytic lineage (LysM-cre+/+;EPORflox/flox, cKO). At steady state, these mice and their LysM+/+;EPORwt/wt controls exhibited similar levels of Hgb (16.7±0.57 and 16.8 ±0.25 g/dL, respectively) and BV/TV (2.73%± 0.73 and 3.10%±0.76, respectively). Although not completely abolished, the bone loss induced by high EPO doses (540 IU/week) was significantly attenuated in cKO compared to control mice (60%±4.7 reduction versus 40%±13.2 reduction, respectively). At the same time, the levels of osteoclast precursors (CD115+ cells) increased from 3.08%±1.12 to 4.67%±0.92 in EPO-treated control mice, although there was no change in bone marrow preosteoclasts and preosteoblasts (defined as CD11b-/ALP+) in EPO-treated cKO mice. This suggests that osteoclast EPOR is responsible, at least in part, for mediating the effect of EPO on bone mass. Adding to the complexity of EPO's osteoimmunological roles, new findings suggest that EPO also regulates bone resorption via EPOR signaling in B cells. EPO stimulated surface expression of the osteoclastogenic RANKL in B cells (MFI: 2.6%±0.1 to 3.13%±0.09 P<0.05) and we found a higher bone mass in mice with conditional EPOR KO in B cells (MB1-cre+/-;EPORflox/flox) (vBMD, 52.2±15.1 versus 40.8±8.8 mg HA/cm3 in MB1-Cre+/-;EPORwt/wt, p<0.05).
 Conclusions: Our data demonstrate the complexity of EPO-induced bone loss mediated at least partly by EPOR signaling in both myeloid and B cell lineages. Furthermore, since patients who require treatment with EPO are prone to osteoporosis, our data suggest that using the lowest effective EPO dose would not only decrease the risk of thromboembolic complications but also minimize adverse skeletal outcomes.
 SHB and AK - Equal contribution; YG and DN - Equal contribution
 Funded by the German Israel Foundation, Grant # 01021017 to YG, DN, MR and BW and the Israel Science Foundation, Grant # 343/17 to DN.

 No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Abstract The interactions between immune-endocrine and reproductive systems are heightened during pregnancy as an adaptive mechanism, and are regulated by a complex array of hormones and cytokines that control the survival of a semiallogeneic conceptus. GnRH can exert direct effects on the immune system via its receptor (GnRH-R) on lymphoid cells. In the present study, we employed in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo approaches to investigate the role of GnRH in the modulation of T helper cytokines in pregnant rats undergoing termination of pregnancy. Day 8 pregnant rats were infused with a GnRH agonist (GnRH-Ag) for 24 h using an osmotic minipump. Sham control rats were infused with the vehicle, saline. Lymphocytes were isolated from sham and treated rats and polyclonally stimulated with immobilized anti-CD3 antibody. The levels of the signature T helper 1 (Th-1) cytokines (interferon-γ [IFN-γ] and interleukin-2 [IL-2]) and Th-2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) were measured in culture supernatants. Using immunoflourescence confocal microscopy, we demonstrated for the first time the spatial localization of GnRH-R protein on the surface of lymphocytes. We observed a marked increase in IFN-γ and inhibition of IL-4 production from lymphocytes of pregnant rats treated in vitro with different doses of GnRH-Ag. Further, the responsiveness of lymphocytes to produce IFN-γ was markedly increased in cells cultured ex vivo from GnRH-Ag infused rats, whereas the capacity of lymphocytes to produce IL-4 was significantly inhibited. In addition, GnRH-Ag infusion in pregnant rats induced a shift toward Th-1 cytokines in the serum. We did not observe any significant difference in IL-2 and IL-10 production in response to GnRH-Ag. Our results suggest an additional function for GnRH as a Th-1 inducer and Th-2 inhibitor. GnRH can thus skew the cytokine balance to predominantly Th-1 type in pregnancy, leading to the termination of pregnancy in rats.


Controlled behavior requires response inhibition, which is a cognitive function that involves withholding action as goals change. Response inhibition is often assessed using the stop-signal paradigm, in which participants respond to most stimuli but periodically withhold their response when a subsequent stop signal occurs. The stop-signal paradigm rests on the theoretical foundation of the independent race model, which assumes a stop racer that races independently against a go racer; behavior is determined by which racer finishes first. We highlight work showing violations of the keystone independence assumption of existing stop models and discuss promising new models of response inhibition.


Objectives: Corticospinal tract (CST) is the most important tract in motor control. However, there was no study about the change of CST location with aging. In this study, using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT), we attempted to investigate the change of CST location at cortex, corona radiata (CR) and posterior limb of internal capsule (IC) level with aging in typically developing children. Methods: We recruited 76 healthy pediatric subjects (range; 0–19 years). According to the result of DTT, the location of CST at cortex level was classified as follows; prefrontal cortex (PFC), PFC with Premotor cortex (PMC), PMC, PMC with primary motor cortex (M1), M1, M1 with Primary sensory cortex (S1). Anterior-posterior location (%) of CSTs at CR and IC level was also assessed. Results: DTT results about CSTs of 152 hemispheres from 76 subjects were obtained. The most common location of CST projection was M1 area (58.6%) including PMC with M1 (25.7%), M1 (17.8%), and M1 with S1 (15.1%). The mean age of the projection of CST showed considerably younger at anterior cortex than posterior; (PFC; 4.12 years, PFC with PMC; 6.41 years, PMC; 6.72 years, PMC with M1; 9.75 years, M1; 9.85 years, M1 with S1; 12.99 years, S1; 13.75 years). Spearman correlation showed positive correlation between age and the location of CST from anterior to posterior brain cortex (r = 0.368). Conclusion: We demonstrated that the location of CST projection is different with aging. The result of this study can provide the scientific insight to the maturation study in human brain.


A sensitive single sweep polarographic peak, related to the nitrite concentration, appears in a slightly acidic solution containing nitrite and thiourea. The peak is ascribed to the reduction of formamidine disulfide (RSSR) resulting from the reaction between nitrite and thiourea. The reduction process involves a slow conversion of this disulfide to mercury sulfide, i.e. a preceding reaction mechanism. The method is used to determine trace concentrations of nitrite, with a detection limit of 5X 10-' mol/dm3. The sensitivity increases ten times when catholic stripping voltammetry is used at the static mercury electrode.


Objectives: To understand the relative contribution of gender, race (African-American vs. Caucasian), and rural residence on variations in drinking patterns, including past year abstinence, at-risk drinking, and recent drinking quantity and frequency for drinkers only. Methods: A brief health survey was administered by telephone to a probability sample of 11,529 residents of six southern states, over-sampling rural inhabitants. Results: Drinking patterns varied by gender, race, and rural residence in bivariate analysis. Gender effects were independent of rural residence, but race effects on abstinence and at-risk drinking were found only in urban residents and race differences in drinking quantity only in rural residents. Multivariate analysis, controlling for age and education, found gender and rural residence to be the strongest predictors, as well as being an African-American female. Conclusions: Female gender, African-American race, and rural residence appear protective for at-risk drinking but rural residence dominates racial differences.


The rate limiting step in a large-scale sequencing project is the generation of single-stranded DNA templates. We describe a fast, semiautomated procedure, using 96-well microtitre plates, in which 192 templates can be readily prepared in 1 day. The technique can be carried out manually or can be semiautomated using a robot pipetting device. We also provide evidence for the reliability and applicability of this method to a large-scale sequencing project.


Primary penile lymphoma presenting with priapism as the initial symptom is extremely rare. In total, <10 cases have been previously reported. The diagnosis can be difficult and patients often develop metastasis. The current study reports the case of a 48-year-old male, who presented with a one-month history of painless priapism. On admission to Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University (Yantai, China), examination revealed an erect penis, enlarged lymph nodes in the bilateral inguinal and swelling in the thighs. A biopsy was taken from the right inguinal lymph node and the pathological diagnosis confirmed a diffuse large B-cell type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, while an enhanced computed tomography scan of the chest revealed evidence of the invasion of malignant lymphoma cells. Priapism disappeared two days following the completion of the first cycle of chemotherapy with the E-CHOP regimen (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone, epirubicin and etoposide); however, evidence of brain metastases was observed one month later, which was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. The patient received cranial radiotheraphy and systemic treatment for cerebral edema. The patient did not respond well to treatment and succumbed to the disease three months following the initial diagnosis of lymphoma. Lymphoma may be difficult to diagnose, depending on the initial symptoms; therefore, the patient history must be carefully assessed so as to determine an early diagnosis and prevent metastasis, thus improving the prognostic outcome.


The present paper focuses on the prediction of violent recidivism among individuals convicted of politically motivated violence – terrorism. We argue that the assumptions of general violence prediction models, used in risk assessment procedures with other offenders, do not necessarily apply to terrorist offenders. Subsequently we discuss the assumption of general expertise in mental health professionals in such cases. Furthermore, we describe the role of professionals in this field, their expertise, and the use of psychological and psychiatric evidence. We are particularly concerned about the use of psychometric testing. Finally we make some recommendations about the approach to be used and the expertise required in assessing risk in politically motivated offenders.


Abstract
In deriving a new definition of disability, it was first necessary to examine disability from an independent perspective which, while it took into account previous medical and social definitions, did not start from the basis of either. Thus, disability was considered first as a generally purposive term, and then examined in its application to humans. In this application, though social factors and the thinking of the medical profession were addressed, it was concluded that disability was an intrinsic state of the self, which could be distinguished as independent from social interactions. This state was characterized by its effect upon the disabled person's ability to fulfil desires, both in terms of its direct preclusion of some desires, and its ability to make other desires require extra effort. The question of normality was then addressed, and it was concluded that disability could be defined organically as any involuntary state of a person's biological or psychological self that resulted in detrimental effects upon desire fulfilment as compared to other individuals in a similar environment.
The question of individuals with cognitive impairments and others unconscious of their disabled state was then addressed, and, though there has been comparatively little written about such individuals, their lives and ability to fulfil desires were examined in detail. It was concluded that people who are cognitively impaired should be considered as temporally impaired, and thus possessing the status of children when the definition was used to consider the fulfilment of their desires.
The desire based definition was then used to address several issues common to the practical experience of disability including accessibility: the use of environmental adaptations and non-human aids for the fulfilment of desires, human or animal assistance, and the problems inherent in the power relations between disabled and non-disabled individuals. The question of when desires could legitimately be modified to make their fulfilment possible under the conditions of disability was then also considered, which led finally into a discussion of social attitudes to disabled people;since, though according to the desire based definition disability was not identical with such attitudes, it could be heavily affected by them.
Some recommendations for the consideration and conduct of disabled and non-disabled individuals were suggested. These began with a discussion of a disabled individual's need to develop competency in dealing with their disability, and a corresponding problem of society's insistence upon perceiving disabled individuals as intrinsically different beings. It was suggested that the possible establishment of independent adjudication, in cases where the assessment of a disabled individual's capabilities was subject to bias, would help to alleviate this damaging social perception.
Finally, it was affirmed that disability, though a negative state, was not an uncommon one; it constituted a basic relationship between a person's involuntary physical or psychological makeup, their desires and the world, and one which most people would at some time experience. Thus it was recommended that the concept of disability needs to be considered as no longer a specialist one, but one that should be part of our usual, everyday relations to our environment, our desires and their fulfilment.

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Aren is one type of plant that has the potential to be developed because all parts of the plant can be used. Currently, the cultivation of sugar palm is still traditional and far less than other types of Arecaceae family. The research was conducted from August to October 2016 at the nursery site, and analysis of spore types and AMF colonization in the SEAMEO BIOTROP Bogor Silviculture Laboratory. This research was conducted on palm seedlings that were 19 months old. This study used a completely randomized design with 2 factors, namely P fertilization and AMF inoculation. The P fertilization factor has 2 levels, namely without P fertilization and given P fertilization. The inoculation factor for AMF consisted of 3 levels, namely without AMF inoculation, indigenous AMF, and my cover AMF. The results showed that P fertilization treatment and AMF inoculation did not significantly affect all observed variables, namely plants, number of leaf midribs, length of rachis, plant diameter, SPAD value, number of spores, and root colonization. There was 3 genus of spores, namely Acaulospora sp., Gigaspora sp., and Glomus sp., as well as 2 types of root infections in the form of hyphae and vesicles.


ABSTRACT 1. The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of equol (4ʹ,7-isoflavandiol; a bacterial polyphenol metabolite which is an isoflavandiol oestrogen metabolised from daidzein from plants) enriched eggs from free-range hens fed different pasture species. Four species were tested: red clover, white clover, ryegrass and chicory. 2. The study was conducted from June to September 2017 on eight free range, outdoor areas, each containing fifteen laying hens and sown with a single pasture species 3. Precursors of equol (daidzein, formononetin) were analysed every fortnight from the fresh pasture cover in each area, as well as equol and daidzein levels in eggs. 4. Daidzein and formononetin concentrations in the fresh pasture samples differed significantly according to species (P < 0.001), whereby red clover had the highest concentrations of daidzein and formononetin (85 and 996 µg/g DM, respectively). 5. Equol concentration in eggs differed according to pasture species (P < 0.001). Equol concentrations reached about 1,200 ng/g DM in eggs from hens with access to red clover. These eggs can represent a valuable source of equol in the human diet.


In theory, instrumental variable (IV) analysis, like randomized controlled trials, can adjust for measured and un‐ measured confounders. IVs need to meet the following three conditions: (i) they are associated with treatment assign‐ ment; (ii) they have no direct association with the outcome and are associated with the outcome exclusively through the treatment; and (iii) they are not associated with any of the measured confounders. Studies have presented several types of IV, including preferences of the facility or physician, differential distance, and days of the week. Two types of estimation method have been introduced: two-stage least squares and two-stage residual inclusion. The assumption of monotonicity limits the generalizability of estimates of causal effects in IV analysis because the target population of IV analysis is "compliers" (those who always comply with the assigned treatment). IV analysis using two or more IVs is feasible but requires the overidentifying restriction test. Despite several limitations, IV analysis is a feasible option that may be used for causal inference in comparative effectiveness studies using retrospective observational data. KeY WOrDS instrumental variable analysis, two-stage least squares, two-stage residual inclusion, monotonicity, causal inference


In this paper, we present a novel technique for industry classification. Leveraging EverString's API to construct a database of companies labeled with the industries to which they belong, we train a deep neural network to predict the industries of novel companies. We examine the capacity of our model to predict six-digit NAICS codes, as well as the ability of our model architecture to adapt to other industry segmentation schemas. Additionally, we investigate the ability of our model to generalize despite the presence of noise in the labels in our training set. Finally, we explore the possibility of increasing predictive precision by thresholding based on the confidence scores that our model outputs along with its predictions. We find that our approach yields six-digit NAICS code predictions that surpass the precision of gold-standard databases.


Policies have been developed to protect vulnerable populations in clinical research, including the US federal research regulations (45 Code of Federal Regulations 46 Subparts B, C, and D). These policies generally recognize vulnerable populations to include pregnant women, fetuses, neonates, children, prisoners, persons with physical handicaps or mental disabilities, and disadvantaged persons. The aim has been to protect these populations from harm, often by creating regulatory and ethical checks that may limit their participation in many clinical trials. The recent increase in pragmatic clinical trials raises at least two questions about this approach. First, is exclusion itself a harm to vulnerable populations, as these groups may be denied access to understanding how health interventions work for them in clinical settings? Second, are groups considered vulnerable in traditional clinical trials also vulnerable in pragmatic clinical trials? We argue first that excluding vulnerable subjects from participation in pragmatic clinical trials can be harmful by preventing acquisition of data to meaningfully inform clinical decision-making in the future. Second, we argue that protections for vulnerable subjects in traditional clinical trial settings may not be translatable, feasible, or even ethical to apply in pragmatic clinical trials. We conclude by offering specific recommendations for appropriately protecting vulnerable research subjects in pragmatic clinical trials, focusing on pregnant women, fetuses, neonates, children, prisoners, persons with physical handicaps or mental disabilities, and disadvantaged persons.


Vaccines are among the most effective measures to control and prevent infectious diseases. Yet, the topic of vaccination is difficult to communicate, as it bears upon individual versus common good. The efficacy and safety of vaccines can only be shown by the absence of undesired events, such as vaccine-preventable diseases or adverse events following immunization. The authors of this paper view accurate, transparent and timely vaccine-safety communication to the media and general public as a core responsibility of healthcare providers. The authors wish to explore potential difficulties faced by immunization specialists when talking to the media, and suggest how to successfully convey vaccination messages to the general public.


Inhalt: Classical optical networks have been widely used to explore a broad range of transfer phenomena based on coherent interference of waves, which relate to different disciplines in physics, information science, and even biological systems. At the quantum level, the quantized nature of light, this means the existence of photons and entangled states, gives rise to genuine quantum effects that can appear completely counter-intuitive. Yet, to date, quantum network experiments typically still remain rather limited in terms of the number of photons, reconfigurability and, maybe most importantly, network size and dimensionality. Photonic quantum systems, which comprise multiple optical modes as well as highly non-classical and sophisticated quantum states of light, have been investigated intensively in various theoretical pro¬posals over the last decades. However, their implementation requires advanced setups of high complexity, which poses a considerable challenge on the experimental side. The successful realization of controlled quantum network structures is key for many applications in quantum optics and quan¬tum information science. Here we present three different approaches to overcome current limitations for the experimental implementation of multi-dimensional quantum networks: non-linear integrated quantum optics, pulsed temporal modes and time-multiplexing. We present their applications in the framework of today's quantum technologies.


Four common traditional tibetan medicine prescription preparations "Anzhijinghuasan, Dangzuo, Renqingchangjue and Rannasangpei" in tibetan areas were selected as study objects in the present study. The purpose was to try to establish a kind of wet digestion and flow injection-hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-HAAS) associated analysis method for the content determinations of lead and arsenic in traditional tibetan medicine under optimized digestion and measurement conditions and determine their contents accurately. Under these optimum operating conditions, experimental results were as follows. The detection limits for lead and arsenic were 0.067 and 0.012 µg · mL(-1) respectively. The quantification limits for lead and arsenic were 0.22 and 0.041 µg · mL(-1) respectively. The linear ranges for lead and arsenic were 25-1,600 ng · mL(-1) (r = 0.9995) and 12.5-800 ng · mL(-1) (r = 0.9994) respectively. The degrees of precision(RSD) for lead and arsenic were 2.0% and 3.2% respectively. The recovery rates for lead and arsenic were 98.00%-99.98% and 96.67%-99.87% respectively. The content determination results of lead and arsenic in four traditional tibetan medicine prescription preparations were as fol- lows. The contents of lead and arsenic in Anzhijinghuasan are 0.63-0.67 µg · g(-1) and 0.32-0.33 µg · g(-1) in Anzhijinghua- san, 42.92-43.36 µg · g(-1) and 24.67-25.87 µg · g(-1) in Dangzuo, 1,611. 39-1,631.36 µg · g(-1) and 926.76-956.52 µg- g(-1) in Renqing Changjue, and 1,102.28-1,119.127 µg-g(-1) and 509.96-516.87 µg · g(-1) in Rannasangpei, respectively. This study established a method for content determination of lead and arsenic in traditional tibetan medicine, and determined the content levels of lead and arsenic in four tibetan medicine-prescription preparations accurately. In addition, these results also provide the basis for the safe and effective use of those medicines in clinic.


Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, but the molecular mechanism of this condition is still unclear. miR-196b, a hot research direction for the past few years, participates in the occurrence of various diseases but whether it plays a regulatory role in EP is still unclear. This research was set to investigate the expression and potential value of miR-196b in EP. qRT-PCR was utilized to determine the relative expression of miR-196b in peripheral blood of EP patients and to observe the expression changes of miR-196b before and after treatment. Correlation analysis of miR-196b with HCG and progesterone was performed. Logistic regression analysis was applied to independent risk factors affecting EP patients. TargetScan was utilized to predict the downstream target genes of miR-196b, and GO and KEGG analysis was carried out using the R language pack. qRT-PCR showed that miR-196b expression in peripheral blood of EP patients was lower than that of normal people. miR-196b expression in patients after treatment was notably higher than that before treatment. In addition, correlation analysis showed that miR-196b was positively correlated with the expression of HCG, progesterone, and estradiol. Risk factor analysis revealed that abortion history, pelvic inflammatory disease history, lower abdominal surgery history, and miR-196b were independent risk factors for EP, and the AUC of the combined ROC curve was 0.899. GO function enrichment and KEGG signal pathway enrichment found 10 potential functions and 2 potential signal pathways of miR-196b. miR-196b is expressed in EP patients, is differentially expressed according to the change in EP condition, and is expected to become a promising index for clinical diagnosis of EP.


The formation of the Systems Reliability Service (SRS) is discussed against a background of historical reliability development. This background extends to nearly twenty years ago when various methods of carrying out safety assessments of nuclear plant and systems were being formulated. The early deterministic methods relying to a great extent on subjective judgement have been developed into more generalised techniques involving probabilistic concepts. Subsequently, reliability assessments were extended to cover not just safety but also availability aspects. Earlier developed theoretical foundation gave rise to reliability technology. In order to apply this technology successfully, it has been found necessary to organise under one management multi-disciplinary groups covering computation and analysis, project assessment, research and development, and a wide ranging reliability data bank. The basic operation of the data bank is discussed as well as general applications of SRS techniques. These techniques, although developed primarily for nuclear plants, have also been found useful in their applications to non-nuclear plants and to systems in general.


HFE (Hidden Fields Equations) is a public key cryptosystem using polynomial operations over finite fields. It has been proposed by Jacques Patarin at Eurocrypt 96 following the ideas of Matsumoto and Imai. It has long been regarded as a very promising cryptosystem because it can be used to produce signatures as short as 128, 100 and even 80 bits. HFE gives the shortest (unbroken) signatures known except with the recent McEliece signature scheme. The idea of HFE is the following: a univariate polynomial $P(X)$ is chosen (the secret key). Next the univariate polynomial structure is hidden by replacing $x$ by $\sum_{i=0} x_i w^i$ where $w$ is a primitive root of $GF(2^n)$ and $f_i$ is the coefficient of $w^i$ in the previous expression. Now if $P$ is of hamming weight $2$ (resp. $d$) we obtain an algebraic system of degree $2$ (resp. $d$) (it is the public key): $$\{f_0=f_1=\cdots,f_{n-1}=0\}$$ More precisely if $y\in GF(2^n)$ is the original message then $z_i=f_i(y)$ is the encrypted message. Recover the original message knowing the secret key is easy since it is equivalent to find the roots of a univariate polynomial; on the other hand with only the public key it is a difficult problem since it is equivalent to solve the {\em polynomial system}: $z_i=f_i(x_1,\ldots,x_n)$. Hence to study HFE it is necessary to study and to solve polynomial system of equations. One of the most efficient tool for solving algebraic system is Grobner bases (Buchberger). By computing a Grobner basis of $$ V =\{(x_1,\ldots,x_n)\in GF(2)^n\,|\, f_1(x_1,\ldots,x_n)=\cdots=f_n(x_1,\ldots,x_n)\} $$ one can find the solutions of any system. More generally, in Cryptography (or even some decoding problems in Error-Correcting Codes): most of the cryptosystems can be rewritten into algebraic equations; thus it is necessary to evaluate theoretically and practically the complexity of computing Grobner bases over $GF(2)$. Note that this method («algebraic cryptanalysis») is completely automatic. Another example of this reduction to algebraic equations is nonlinear filter generators. In such a device, a pseudo random sequence is generated as a non linear function $f$ of the stages of a Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR). Thus, it is obvious that we can describe the generator by an algebraic system of $N$ equations of degree $d$ where $N$ is the size of the output sequence and $d$ the degree of the boolean function. In this talk we present several new results: \begin{itemize} \item we describe briefly a new efficient algorithm for computing computing Grobner bases over GF(2). This algorithm is several order of magnitude faster than any other algorithms. This is a fundamental tool for testing real size cryptosystems but also to derive useful theoretical bounds. \item by using this tool we can break the {\em first HFE Challenge} of Patarin (corresponding to n=80,d=96) in only two days of CPU time. We are also able to find {\em experimentally} the complexity for solving HFE: for instance, when $16 < d < 129$ (resp. $128


Corresponding author: Name: Adityo Darmawan Sudagung Email: firstname.lastname@example.com Abstract – This paper aimed to examine Indonesia's means in 2009-2014 to deal with Indonesian nationalism problem at West Kalimantan-Sarawak border. The means of it divided into two categories: securing the border and political nationalism. The disparity between Indonesian and Malaysian at West Borneo-Sarawak border became the cause of societal security problem. National identity problem showed with the rising problem of Indonesian people nationalism at the research site. The research method used in this paper was a qualitative method with a descriptive case study technic. Data collection did by interview and documentation study. Securing the border means was done by guarding the border area and state frontier. Added by the diplomacy toward Malaysia in border issues. Political nationalism means was done firstly by showing state attention and existence. This means was done by doing physical development and delivering aid. Secondly, by giving education and empowerment to the people. Indonesia has done some means to deal with nationalism problem. However, there were still some obstacles, such as coordination and communication problem, human resources quality, and the lack of commitment.


Prompting pre-trained language models leads to promising results across natural language processing tasks but is less effective when applied in low-resource domains, due to the domain gap between the pre-training data and the downstream task. In this work, we bridge this gap with a novel and lightweight prompting methodology called SwitchPrompt for the adaptation of language models trained on datasets from the general domain to diverse low-resource domains. Using domain-specific keywords with a trainable gated prompt, SwitchPrompt offers domain-oriented prompting, that is, effective guidance on the target domains for general-domain language models. Our few-shot experiments on three text classification benchmarks demonstrate the efficacy of the general-domain pre-trained language models when used with SwitchPrompt. They often even outperform their domain-specific counterparts trained with baseline state-of-the-art prompting methods by up to 10.7% performance increase in accuracy. This result indicates that SwitchPrompt effectively reduces the need for domain-specific language model pre-training.


We call a group $G$ nilpotently Jordan of class at most $c$ $(c\in\mathbb{N})$ if there exists a constant $J\in\mathbb{Z}^+$ such that every finite subgroup $H\leqq G$ contains a nilpotent subgroup $K\leqq H$ of class at most $c$ and index at most $J$. We show that the birational automorphism group of a $d$ dimensional variety over a field of characteristic zero is nilpotently Jordan of class at most $d$.


The aim was to compare, in vivo the pain perception of children to local anesthesia (LA) using 26 gauge and 30 gauge needles with different age, sex, and visits. A total sample of 30 children (16 boys and 14 girls) who were undergoing routine dental procedures was selected for the study. Children were assigned into two groups: Group A: 12 children aged 6-8 years Group B: 18 children aged 9-12 years. Informed consents were obtained from parents. The objective and subjective behavioral parameters were evaluated by student t-test and Chi-squared analyses, and significance was idealized at P < 0.05. The mean pain scores for 26 gauge needles was found to be 2.80 whereas for pain scores for 30 gauge needles were found to be 2.37. The mean difference was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.001). The mean pain score in first visit for patients who received LA with 30 gauge needles was found to be 2.00, whereas for second visit was found to be 2.61. The mean pain difference was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.01). No significance was seen in relation to age and gender. The pain due to injection penetration might be controlled by using thinner gauge needles in spite of difference in pain perceptions. During a child′s first dental visit, use of less pain provoking armamentarium would aid in relieving anxiety and desensitize the patient slowly.


A theoretical nonlinear analysis of tilting-pad journal bearings is presented for small and large unbalance loads under isothermal conditions. The radial displacements of internal pad surface due to pressure field are determined by a two-dimensional finite element method in order to define the actual film thickness. The influence of pad deformations on the journal orbit, on the minimum film thickness and on the maximum pressure is studied. The effects of pad displacements are to decrease the minimum film thickness and to increase the maximum pressure. The orbit amplitude is also increased by 70 percent for the large unbalance load compared to the one obtained for rigid pad


This Note compares the reverse engineering exception in the Directive with U.S. copyright law. Part I sets forth the background of copyright law for computer software, with emphasis on the act of reverse engineering. Part II charts the evolution of the reverse engineering exception in the Directive, and the debate that this exception has spurred. Part III compares the Directive's reverse engineering exception with the U.S. copyright law that is applicable to reverse engineering. Part IV argues that U.S. law prohibits reverse engineering, and that the Community could better serve the European software industry by similarly granting broad copyright protection without a reverse engineering exception. This Note concludes that the inclusion in the Directive of an exception permitting unauthorized reverse engineering is misguided. Instead, Community legislation should confer broad copyright protection to the rightholder THE EEC DIRECTIVE ON THE LEGAL PROTECTION OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS AND U.S. COPYRIGHT LAW: SHOULD COPYRIGHT LAW PERMIT REVERSE ENGINEERING OF COMPUTER PROGRAMS?


Creating and maintaining stable, happy intimate relationships is a right every individual has. Previous research has shown that people with disabilities are at risk of building unsatisfactory partner relationships. The aim of the study was to ascertain the beliefs of students with disabilities concerning their motives for starting families and, in regard to potential partners, their tolerance for risky life experiences and the personal qualities accepted. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 2847 university students in southeastern Poland. It was found that the following motives for entering into a permanent relationship were considered more important by students with disabilities than they were by students without disabilities: enhancement of self-esteem (p = 0.001), high economic potential of a partner (p = 0.007) and a shared system of values and interests (p = 0.036). Love (p = 0.031) and the mental qualities (p = 0.010) of a partner were considered less important by students with disabilities than they were by students without disabilities. Moreover, students with disabilities are far more likely than students without disabilities to accept disability (p < 0.001) in potential partners. They are also significantly more willing to enter into relationships with people who have risky life experiences, even in the form of violence against previous life partners (p < 0.015) and children (p = 0.001), addiction to alcohol (p < 0.001) or drugs (p = 0.01) and the resulting treatment, and those having served time in prison (p = 0.034). Educational and institutional support for students with disabilities should be intensified with regard to partner selection being satisfactory to both partners.


Purpose This study aimed to explore the role of sleep quality as a mediator in the activities of daily living (ADLs) and depression. Patients and Methods Participants (N=645; age≥60) were included in six nursing homes in Weifang, Shandong Province, using convenience sampling. Participants completed questionnaires to assess sleep quality, ADLs, and depression. Depression condition was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), ADLs was assessed by the Barthel Index (BI), and sleep quality was measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Mediation analysis was carried out by SPSS PROCESS. Results ADLs (r=0.449, P<0.01) and sleep quality (r=0.450, P<0.01) were found to be positively associated with depression among the elderly. Sleep quality plays a significant mediating role in the influence of ADLs on depression in the elderly in nursing homes (Bootstrap 95% CI [0.076, 0.139]), The pathway from ADLs to sleep quality to depression yielded a medium effect size of 20.23%. Conclusion ADLs help to explain how sleep quality partly mediates depression among the elderly in nursing homes. It is therefore recommended that timely detection and efficient interventions should focus on promoting physical function and improving sleep quality among the elderly in nursing homes.


1. Wagner SJ, Wagner KF, Friedman L1, Benade LF. Virucidal levelsof ozone-inducedhaemolysisand haemoglobindegradation. Transfusion 1991;31: 748-751. 2. Garber GE, Cameron OW,Hawley-Foss N, et al. The use of ozone-treated blood in thetherapyof HIVinfection and immune disease: a pilot studyof safetyand efficacy. AIDS 1991;5: 981984. 3. HookerMH,Gazzard BG.Ozone-treated blood in the treatment of HIVinfection.AIDS1992;6: 127-138.


The vibration is harmful noise for every moving machine. This paper describes vibration general sources. The paper also describes automobile vibration and their elimination. As researches found the frequencies of different domestics vibration sources is varies between 4 Hz to 220 Hz and in automobile it nearly about 30 Hz. This paper also describes the vibration absorbers for automobile application.


This paper presents an approach for modeling location-based profiles of social image media based on tagging information and collaborative geo-reference annotations. We utilize pattern mining techniques for obtaining sets of tags that are specific for the specified point, landmark, or region of interest. Next, we show how these candidate patterns can be presented and visualized for interactive exploration using a combination of general pattern mining visualizations and views specialized on geo-referenced tagging data. We present a case study using publicly available data from the Flickr photo sharing application.


Studying Macedonian culture, we can not help noticing the particular role of folklore ensembles in fostering traditional music and dances, with a view to cherishing the national characteristics. This process is directed by the highest political bodies, which have disseminated the idea in a few spheres. Firstly, by means of actualization of certain matrices in the national folk ensemble Tanec, which was the benchmark followed by amateur ensembles. On the other hand, state television and radio MRTV, started broadcasting performances of folk music ensembles and programs with specific contents, i.e. where folklore prevailed. Analyzing the situation with the folk dance ensemble Tanec, we can notice that its Statute, as well as its first director Mr Manuel Chuchkov (senior political official) emphasized application, promotion and actualization of folklore in the context of socio-ideological engagement. Several papers written by Chuchkov, consider the usage of folk dances by placing them in historical and ideological contents. Such are the examples of folk dances from this period, into which drama elements are imputed, giving the dances specific historical features and being supposed to encourage patriotic feelings. Folklore used to be used as a tool in the socialist period, but it is still being actualized, in Macedonia nowadays. KEY WORDS: Macedonia, Socialism, traditional dance, identity. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.15181/rh.v24i0.1921


A 61-year-old female was admitted to our hospital, presenting hypertension and giant negative T-wave (GNT) on an electrocardiogram (ECG). The ECG taken one year prior to the admission showed left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) without GNT. Hypertension had been poorly treated during the year previous to her admission. These had been almost no administration of antihypertensive drugs. Echocardiograms, left ventriculograms and magnetic resonance imaging revealed concentric and diffuse LVH. Endomyocardial biopsy of bilateral ventricles disclosed a degeneration of myocytes and their bizarre hypertrophy with disorganization. This pathologic finding was compatible with that of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Although GNT has frequently been noted in apical type of HCM, the alteration from normal T-wave to GNT within a year has rarely been reported. The present case exhibited GNT on an ECG which showed no apical hypertrophy. Since GNT had developed within a year while hypertension was poorly treated, the rapid development of GNT might have been precipitated by hypertension, which possibly altered the hypertrophic pattern of the left ventricle.


Microspheres of theophylline, with both ethylcellulose of high and low molecular weight and also their mixtures as a coating material, were prepared using the solvent evaporation technique. No permeability through intact isolated polymer films was found. Therefore, this study investigated the drug release dependence of structure and mechanical properties of the polymer matrix. In vitro dissolution studies exhibited the square-root of time (Higuchi model) release characteristics. The size distribution of microspheres was dependent on the ratio of ethylcellulose mixtures with high and low molecular weights.


The chapter explores whether pornographic works – intended as creative works consisting of the depiction of women and/or men as sexual beings - can be protected by copyright. After commenting on cases from various jurisdictions including US, UK and France, the authors discuss the critical arguments made both in support and against copyright protection for this controversial subject matter (which is considered by many as morally unacceptable). The chapter concludes that the overriding need to protect free speech makes the argument supporting the copyrightability of this category of works more persuasive and convincing.


BackgroundThe studies on psycho-oncology are growing rapidly, but there were no bibliometric studies regarding psycho-oncology. This study was to explore a bibliometric analysis of psycho-oncology in the past 21 years at a global level.MethodsThe literature was searched in Web of Science (WOS) by using subject terms. VOSviewer software was used for bibliometric analysis of the retrieval results.ResultsThe literature search yielded 1921 papers. After screening process, 968 papers were included, which came from 55 countries/regions, 1,452 organizations and 4,152 authors. The top three countries/regions, organizations and authors ranked by the number of published papers were the United States of America (USA) (286), Germany (143) and Australia (130); the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC) (New York, USA) (34), Newcastle University (Newcastle, Australia) (29) and McGill University (Montreal, Canada) (28); Luigi Grassi (University of Ferrara in Italy) (26), Tatsuo Akechi (Nagoya City University Hospital in Japan) (20) and Anja Mehnert (University of Leipzig in Germany) (18), respectively. Moreover, the 968 papers contained 1,768 author keywords, involved in 300 journals and cited 28,311 references. The top three co-occurrence author keywords, most-involved journals and most-cited references were "Quality-of-life", "Depression" and "Breast cancer"; Psycho-Oncology, Supportive Care in Cancer and Journal of Psychosocial Oncology; "Zigmond AS, 1983", "Zabora J, 2001" and "Mitchell AJ, 2011", respectively.ConclusionsThere was a growing trend in published papers related to psycho-oncology, with the organizations and authors from developed countries leading the field. "Quality-of-life", "Depression" and "Breast cancer" reflected the most hotspots, and the latest progress can be tracked in Psycho-Oncology.


We investigated the dynamics and morphology of dewetting of metastable polystyrene films (thickness 75–500 nm) cast on silicon substrates, upon exposure to vapors of a mixture of toluene, a good solvent, and ethanol, a nonsolvent. Adding more than 2 wt % ethanol to the saturated toluene environment resulted in a dramatic increase in dewetting rate, an increase in the contact angle of polymer droplets and hole rims on the substrate, and extensive fingering leading to droplet shedding. Films preannealed close to Tg before exposure to the solvent vapors showed markedly slower dewetting. We conclude that in the presence of a good/nonsolvent mixture the polymer chains transition to a globule conformation, which leads to larger interfacial slip, lower viscosity, and significant elastic stress. The slip length derived in the presence of ethanol vapor is close to the values obtained for polystyrene on hydrophobized silicon. As the dewetting process is so significantly boosted by exposure to mixed toluene/ethanol ...


To investigate the influence of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on biological response, we measured the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and granulocyte elastase (GEL) in 24 patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery and 32 patients who underwent elective gastroenterological surgery. All patients were alive. The serum level of GEL in cardiac patients was significantly higher than that in gastroenterological patients on the 1st and the 3rd postoperative day (P = 0.00008, P = 0.00097 respectively). In addition. there was a significant relationship between CPB time and the serum level of GEL immediately after CPB (r = 0.53, P = 0. 007). That is a reason why higher level of serum GEL in cardiac surgery is due to the bacterial translocation. TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were detected in only :3 patients who underwent over 250 minutes CPB. It is most important to shorten the CPB time in order to decrease the serum GEL and lessen the biological response surgery.


A discussion of the text or interpretation of passages from six plays by Euripides edited by the author for Oxford Classical Texts: Supplices, Electra, Heracles, Troades, Iphigenia in Tauris, Ion. In addition, if James Diggle has already discussed a passage from these plays in a published article, he has incorporated a reference to that discussion at the appropriate place, often adding new material. But the book is designed not only as a contribution to the amendment and interpretation of particular passages in these plays. Many of the notes are used as a basis for pursuing topics (whether linguistic or metrical) which are of general interest, and as a result the book will be of value to all future commentators on Greek tragedy.


This thesis proposes novel big data management techniques for periodic sensor networksembracing the limitations imposed by wsn and the nature of sensor data. First, we proposed anadaptive sampling approach for periodic data collection allowing each sensor node to adapt itssampling rates to the physical changing dynamics. It is based on the dependence of conditionalvariance of measurements over time. Then, we propose a multiple level activity model that usesbehavioral functions modeled by modified Bezier curves to define application classes and allowfor sampling adaptive rate. Moving forward, we shift gears to address the periodic dataaggregation on the level of sensor node data. For this purpose, we introduced two tree-based bilevelperiodic data aggregation techniques for periodic sensor networks. The first one look on aperiodic basis at each data measured at the first tier then, clean it periodically while conservingthe number of occurrences of each measure captured. Secondly, data aggregation is performedbetween groups of nodes on the level of the aggregator while preserving the quality of theinformation. We proposed a new data aggregation approach aiming to identify near duplicatenodes that generate similar sets of collected data in periodic applications. We suggested the prefixfiltering approach to optimize the computation of similarity values and we defined a new filteringtechnique based on the quality of information to overcome the data latency challenge. Last butnot least, we propose a new data mining method depending on the existing K-means clusteringalgorithm to mine the aggregated data and overcome the high computational cost. We developeda new multilevel optimized version of « k-means » based on prefix filtering technique. At the end,all the proposed approaches for data management in periodic sensor networks are validatedthrough simulation results based on real data generated by periodic wireless sensor network.


Flower-like molybdenum oxide@tungsten oxide (MoO3@WO3) composite microstructures were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal and impregnation methods. The fabricated samples were characterized by XRD, EDS, SEM and TEM, and the results show that the MoO3@WO3 composite is composed of crystallized nanosheets with a thickness of about 40 nm. The gas sensing properties of the MoO3@WO3 composite microstructures towards hydrogen sulfide (H2S) were investigated as a function of operating temperature and gas concentration. The gas sensors based on MoO3@WO3 composites show better sensing performances than that of a pure one. Moreover, the Mo6W-based gas sensor exhibits the highest response (28.5 towards 10 ppm H2S), fast response/recovery time (2 s/5 s), low detection limit (20 ppb) and good selectivity at optimum operating temperature (250 C). Such an excellent performance can be attributed to the heterojunction between MoO3 and WO3.


SUMMARY: The sonic disruption of spores of Bacillus cereus gives multi-hit kinetics. The first hit destroys the exosporium, which protects the spore body from destruction; the second hit destroys the spore body. Spores which have been stripped of their exosporia are still viable and heat resistant. From the rate of release during sonic treatment it appears that alanine racemase, adenosine deaminase and hexosamine are located in the exosporium while ribosidase is in the spore body. The rate of release of dipicolinic acid does not identify its location.