The emerging field of astropedology is the study of ancient soils on Earth and other planetary bodies. Examination of the complex factors that control the preservation of organic matter and other biosignatures in ancient soils is a high priority for current and future missions to Mars. Though previously defined by biological activity, an updated definition of soil as planetary surfaces altered in place by biological, chemical or physical processes was adopted in 2017 by the Soil Science Society of America in response to mounting evidence of pedogenic-like features on Mars. Ancient (4.1–3.7 billion year old [Byr]) phyllosilicate-rich surface environments on Mars show evidence of sustained subaerial weathering of sediments with liquid water at circumneutral pH, which is a soil-forming process. The accumulation of buried, fossilized soils, or paleosols, has been widely observed on Earth, and recent investigations suggest paleosol-like features may be widespread across the surface of Mars. However, the complex array of preservation and degradation factors controlling the fate of biosignatures in paleosols remains unexplored. This paper identifies the dominant factors contributing to the preservation and degradation of organic carbon in paleosols through the geological record on Earth, and offers suggestions for prioritizing locations for in situ biosignature detection and Mars Sample Return across a diverse array of potential paleosols and paleoenvironments of early Mars. A compilation of previously published data and original research spanning a diverse suite of paleosols from the Pleistocene (1 Myr) to the Archean (3.7 Byr) show that redox state is the predominant control for the organic matter content of paleosols. Most notably, the chemically reduced surface horizons (layers) of Archean (2.3 Byr) paleosols have organic matter concentrations ranging from 0.014–0.25%. However, clay mineralogy, amorphous phase abundance, diagenetic alteration and sulfur content are all significant factors that influence the preservation of organic carbon. The surface layers of paleosols that formed under chemically reducing conditions with high amounts of iron/magnesium smectites and amorphous colloids should be considered high priority locations for biosignature investigation within subaerial paleoenvironments on Mars.


"The Star of David and the Stars Outside: The Poetics and Semiotics of Jewish Folklore and of Zionism" written in memory of Dov Noy by his disciple and successor, proposes the perspectives of folklore studies and semiotics as the basis for a critical reading of Gershom Scholem's essay "Magen David". The author of the present article reviews the various subsequent versions of Scholem's essay that was first published in 1947 in Hebrew in an annual literary supplement of the daily Haaretz. The essay stated Scholem's harsh criticism against the adoption of the Star of David as a Jewish national symbol by Zionist cultural and political institutions. Earlier scholarship has shown how "Magen David" digressed from the usual topics at the focus of Scholem's magisterial oeuvre, especially the texts of Jewish mysticism interpreted in the light of the phenomenology of religion and historical philology. The present author suggests that the methodological tools that Scholem had honed for reading historical texts on mysticism may not have the same pertinence for analyzing the historical evolvement and transformations of a symbol like the Star of David that has often appeared in contexts of everyday life, magic customs and visual culture. Scholem's strong rejection of the holistic picture of Jewish folk religion including mystical, magical and poetic expressions, isolating mysticism from all these as a separate, philosophical discourse and phenomenon, did not enable him to see the strong identification of Jews who practiced those more concrete forms of Jewish life sometimes using the symbol of Magen David. Scholem's choice to publish this essay in Hebrew and in a literary organ, is here interpreted as his attempt to take part in the shaping of Zionist poetical discourse. The relevance of the symbol that he chose for participating in the poetics of the era is demonstrated by an analysis of the focus on stars in the poetry of two dominant poets of Hebrew Zionist culture who were both active in the years before and after the publication of Scholem's "Magen David" essay, Natan Alterman and Haim Gouri.


In order to obtain direct information about vascular changes associated with pre-eclampsia, the morphological and functional characteristics of isolated omental resistance vessels from 11 women with pre-eclampsia, 10 normotensive pregnant women and eight normotensive non-pregnant women were determined. In vessels from the women with pre-eclampsia, the ratio of media thickness to lumen diameter was increased, compared with that in vessels from the other two groups. The vessels from the women with pre-eclampsia had an increased responsiveness to angiotensin II and a decreased rate of relaxation, but only when compared with the vessels from the normotensive pregnant women. However, no difference in responsiveness to noradrenaline was found between any of the groups. The angiotensin II responsiveness of the vessels from the women with pre-eclampsia and from the non-pregnant women were similar, suggesting that pre-eclampsia is associated with an absence of the change in vascular function which normally occurs during pregnancy. The study provides direct evidence for an involvement of vascular abnormalities in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.


Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) defines the metabolic derangements that occur with tumor breakdown following the initiation of cytotoxic therapy. TLS results from the rapid destruction of malignant cells and the abrupt release of intracellular materials and their metabolites into the extracellular space. The syndrome causes hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, secondary hypocalcemia and uremia. It can result in acute renal failure and be fatal. Early recognition of patient at risk and preventive measures are important. There is a high incidence of TLS in tumors with high proliferative rates and large burden such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia and Burkitt's lymphoma. It less commonly occurs in solid tumors such as testicular cancer, breast cancer and small cell lung cancer. There are only a few reports on TLS complicated in CML in blast crisis. So we report a 45-yr-old woman presenting with TLS associated with CML in lymphoblastic crisis after the initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy. (Korean J Hematol 2006;41:119-123.)


This article presents findings of a larger SHHRC-funded study (1998-2002) on competencies expected of and exhibited by educational and social professionals working with young children from socioeconomically disadvantaged environments. After describing the context of socioeducational interventions in early childhood education in Quebec, the authors present the duality and the potential complementarity of the values underlying this intervention by comparing the kindergarten classroom with day-care environments for children aged 4 and 5. Then, the authors present the findings of a survey based on a random sample of parents of young Quebecois children enrolled in or having attended day-care centers or kindergarten classrooms. The article highlights the differences in parents' expectations according to the types of pre-school environment and according to socioeconomic levels. These expectations are compared to the purposes of each environment as defined by their respective curriculum articulated in official policy. Finally, the issues resulting from the debate on the educational or non-educational nature of pre-school education are examined in light of the needs of society as reflected by Quebecois parents. Footnotes for this article are found after the text. Des apostilles pour cet article sont trouvees a la fin du texte.


Eight hundred and twenty-seven deliberate self-harm (DSH) patients admitted to medical wards were randomly allocated to either control or intervention (Green Card) groups. In addition to treatment as usual the intervention group was offered crisis telephone support. Analyses are presented on the way the telephone help-line was used as well as both groups' utilisation of primary and secondary healthcare services. Only a minority (17%) of subjects given a Green Card actually used it and most calls (85%) lasted 30 minutes or less. Subjects with no previous history of DSH were less likely to make calls than were those with a previous history. Intervention group subjects were offered fewer psychiatric out-patient appointments and fewer non-psychiatric in-patient admissions than controls. An urgent telephone consultation service for DSH patients is feasible to run and may result in a reduced requirement for other health-care services. On present evidence such a service should be confined to patients with no pre...


The lungs of 11 anesthetized dogs (with or without preexisting lung disease) were ventilated for 36 h by high-frequency, small-volume ventilation (HFV) to determine the effects of HFV on pulmonary gas exchange, mechanical properties of the respiratory system, and function of the cardiovascular system. For comparison, the lungs of 5 other anesthetized dogs without preexisting lung disease were ventilated with conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) for a similar period. All dogs without preexisting lung disease whose lungs were ventilated with either HFV or CMV maintained satisfactory respiratory and cardiovascular functions for the duration of the study. After 36 h of HFV, no evidence for changes in the mechanical behavior of the lungs was detected. Small amounts of transudates were observed in the pleural space of all dogs ventilated with HFV; no dog ventilated with CMV had pleural effusions.


Abstract Objective The present study aims to compare the maternal and fetal outcomes of parturients with and without a gestational diabetes diagnosis. Methods A case-control study including parturients with (cases) and without (control) a gestational diabetes diagnosis, who delivered at a teaching hospital in Southern Brazil, between May and August 2018. Primary and secondary data were used. Bivariate analysis and a backward conditional multivariate logistic regression were used to make comparisons between cases and controls, which were expressed by odds ratio (OR), with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) and a statistical significance level of 5%. Results The cases (n = 47) were more likely to be 35 years old or older compared with the controls (n = 93) (p < 0.001). The cases had 2.56 times greater chance of being overweight (p = 0.014), and a 2.57 times greater chance of having a positive family history of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.01). There was no significant difference regarding weight gain, presence of a previous history of gestational diabetes, height, or delivery route. The mean weight at birth was significantly higher in the infants of mothers diagnosed with diabetes (p = 0.01). There was a 4.7 times greater chance of macrosomia (p < 0.001) and a 5.4 times greater chance of neonatal hypoglycemia (p = 0.01) in the infants of mothers with gestational diabetes. Conclusion Therefore, maternal age, family history of type 2 diabetes, obesity and pregestational overweightness are important associated factors for a higher chance of developing gestational diabetes.


ABSTRACT A simplified stochastic control model for optimization of logistic dynamics with the control-dependent carrying capacity, which is motivated by a recent algae population management problem in the river environment, is presented. Solving the optimization problem reduces to finding a solution to a non-local first-order differential equation called tt–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation. It is shown that the HJB equation has a unique viscosity solution and that the solution can be approximated with a finite difference scheme. Asymptotic estimates of the solution and the optimal control are derived and compared with numerical solutions. Finally, parameter dependence of the optimal control is examined numerically with implications to river environmental management.


Abstract Residual malaria transmission is the actual maintained inoculation of Plasmodium, in spite of a well-designed and implemented vector control programs, and is of great concern for malaria elimination. Residual malaria transmission occurs under several possible circumstances, among which the presence of exophilic vector species, such as Anopheles dirus, or indoor- and outdoor-biting vectors, such as Anopheles nili, or specific behavior, such as feeding on humans indoors, then resting or leaving the house the same night (such as Anopheles moucheti) or also changes in behavior induced by insecticides applied inside houses, such as the well-known deterrent effect of permethrin-treated nets or the irritant effect of DDT. The use of insecticides may change the composition of local Anopheles populations, such as A. arabiensis taking up the place of A. gambiae in Senegal, A. aquasalis replacing A. darlingi in Guyana, or A. harrisoni superseding A. minimus in Vietnam. The change in behavior, such as biting activity earlier than usually reported—for example, Anopheles funestus after a large-scale distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets—or insecticide resistance, in particular the current spread of pyrethroid resistance, could hamper the efficacy of classic pyrethroid-treated long-lasting insecticidal nets and maintained transmission. These issues must be well documented in every situation to elaborate, implement, monitor, and evaluate tailored vector control programs, keeping in mind that they must be conceived as integrated programs with several well and appropriately coordinated approaches, combining entomological but also parasitological, clinical, and social methods and analyses. A successful integrated vector control program must then be designed to reduce transmission and incidence rates of malaria morbidity and overall mortality.


Resource specific competition between predators has typically been studied from their interactions at meso-herbivore carcasses, because such carcasses are abundant. Mega-carcasses like those of elephants are rare but unparalleled in the extent of carrion biomass they offer and the long durations they can persist. These rare resource bonanzas can thus provide unique opportunities to understand sympatric species interactions within likely relaxed competitive scenarios. Using remote cameras that were operational 24-h a day, we monitored two elephant carcasses in Tsavo, Kenya, from when they were discovered until they were completely consumed or became inaccessible. While we found high temporal overlaps in activity patterns between all predators, the terrestrial predator guild (lion/leopard/spotted hyena) was not observed to feed simultaneously, suggesting strong interference competition. Based on photo-analysis and video-evidence of exclusion from a carcass, interference competition within the terrestrial predator guild favored lions over hyenas, and hyenas over leopards. The carcass at the terrestrial-aquatic interface showed more simultaneous feeding bouts between predators (crocodile/spotted hyena), indicating either facilitation and/or higher coexistence between predators that typically occupy different niches. We also observed a hippopotamus scavenging from an elephant carcass, thereby documenting a rare instance of a megaherbivore feeding on a megaherbivore. Our results highlight the importance of monitoring such carcasses through remote cameras, which can significantly add to our existing understanding of food webs and carrion ecology.


To date, routine use of health literacy assessment in clinical settings is limited. The objective of this study was to explore if community pharmacy staff can identify patients with limited health literacy, how they identify patients and how they support patients to improve medication use. In addition, perceived barriers in providing care for patients with limited health literacy were assessed.


It is generally recognized that the EU accession process has profound effects on state transformation in the postcommunist applicant countries. A key problem of postcommunism has been a weak ability to implement public policy. This study explores how efforts to fulfill EU conditionality may influence implementing capacity. Firstly, it advances a theoretical framework for this purpose, focusing on how governments may respond to the demands of the accession and what effects this leaves on policy-making structures and hence on implementing capacity. The analysis of implementing capacity centers on the inter-organizational nature of policy-making. The study also investigates what changes of policy-making structures that are likely to be vital to enhance implementing capacity in the East Central European countries. It is argued that there is a potential conflict between measures needed to meet EU requirements and measures needed to strengthen implementing capacity.

Secondly, it applies the theoretical framework to an in-depth study of child protection in Romania. This subsector has been exposed to very strong EU conditionality, which provides an opportunity to study the process of influence. It is concluded that child protection has emerge as an "island of efficiency". Efficiency has been induced in specialized child protection entities at the national and local level. These have had intense exchanges with EU and other international actors, but have been isolated from the state at large. This has strengthened the ability to implement some specific policies (to close large-scale institutions for children and replace these with family-type care), but has impeded implementation of more complex child protection policies (e.g. to prevent child abandonment).

The dissertation advances ideas about when a conflict between EU adaptation and implementing capacity is likely to emerge and when, on the contrary, the first may lead to a strengthening of the latter. It is argued that negative effects are related to that decision-makers respond in a defensive manner to the demands of the accession and/or that they are forced to over-simplify policy-making procedures in order to carry out necessary policy changes. This can manifest itself in that actors whose resources and participation would have been needed for effective implementation are excluded and that channels of interaction are undermined. A similar development is most likely when a government has weak policy-making resources and the changes called for in a subsector are radical. Moreover, when EU demands concern formal changes but are vague about implementation and rapid compliance is required, it is more likely that responses will be negative from an implementation perspective. This implies among others that the countries or sectors that are the furthest behind are at the greatest risk of experience this type of adverse effects of EU adaptation. The study also shows at the importance of carefully targeted EU conditionality and that domestic accession strategies are linked to overall plans of the restructuring of the state machinery and capacity-building.


We review the recent results on development of vector models of spin and apply them to study the influence of spin-field interaction on the trajectory and precession of a spinning particle in external gravitational and electromagnetic fields. The formalism is developed starting from the Lagrangian variational problem, which implies both equations of motion and constraints which should be presented in a model of spinning particle. We present a detailed analysis of the resulting theory and show that it has reasonable properties on both classical and quantum level. We describe a number of applications and show how the vector model clarifies some issues presented in theoretical description of a relativistic spin: A) One-particle relativistic quantum mechanics with positive energies and its relation with the Dirac equation and with relativistic {\it Zitterbewegung}; B) Spin-induced non commutativity and the problem of covariant formalism; C) Three-dimensional acceleration consistent with coordinate-independence of the speed of light in general relativity and rainbow geometry seen by spinning particle; D) Paradoxical behavior of the Mathisson-Papapetrou-Tulczyjew-Dixon equations of a rotating body in ultra relativistic limit, and equations with improved behavior.


Software Distributed Shared Memory (DSM) systems have been proposed to provide the convenience of shared memory programming on clusters of workstations. Different research groups advocate specific design decisions in their implementations. In this paper we present an experimental comparison of the communication requirements of three different page based systems software DSM systems, CVM, Quarks and Strings. Programs from the SPLASH-2 benchmark suite and some computational kernels are used to evaluate these systems. This paper shows the effect of different design decisions used in each of the DSMs on the same evaluation environment, a cluster of symmetrical multiprocessors. It is seen that systems that allow multiple application threads, like Strings and CVM, require lower number of messages when compared to Quarks. CVM and Quarks use user level threads for implementing the runtime, and it seen that they cannot effectively exploit multiple processors on each node. The Strings DSM uses kernel level threads and shows the best overall performance in a majority of the applications examined.


Earthquake catalogs provide basic parameters such as the occurrence time of earthquakes, their hypocenter coordinates, and magnitudes, often complemented by information about damage or other effects. They are useful for studies in seismotectonics, seismicity, earthquake physics and hazard analysis (Woessner and Wiemer 2005). The data contained in earthquake catalogs are usually based on seismic recordings from spatially, temporally, and often also instrumentally heterogeneous networks of seismometers. Older analog records of usually low resolution in time and amplitude were analyzed manually, in contrast to current high-resolution digital records that are analyzed either interactively or fully automated with the help of software that is often, both for data analysts and users, a "black box" based on different assumptions and models. Therefore, catalog data are usually heterogeneous and sometimes even inconsistent in space and time. Long-term seismic hazard assessment, however, necessitates catalogs that are complete both with respect to the relative frequency of occurrence of events in a wide range of magnitudes and over as long as possible a time span; in addition, magnitudes, which characterize the differences in earthquake "size" or "strength," should be well defined and consistently determined, i.e. , unique and homogeneous. Historically measured data usually do not fulfill these requirements. Therefore, one has to select a "size" parameter that is best suited to serve as a general reference magnitude. The latter should grow linearly with the logarithms of either the rupture "size" ( e.g. , as expressed by the seismic moment M , which is proportional to the product of rupture area times average static fault slip) or the "strength" of the earthquake ( e.g. , as expressed by the released seismic energy ES ). Such a reference magnitude should show no saturation for the largest events (see Kanamori 1983). Saturation occurs when magnitudes are measured at periods much shorter …


Background Cervical cancer is caused by HR-HPV infection. Self-collection of genital specimens and HPV DNA testing are methods increasing screening rates. The GYNAUTO-CHAD study compared the acceptability and HPV DNA diagnostic accuracy of clinician-collected endocervical sample with swab (as reference collection) and genital self-collection method with veil (V-Veil-Up Gyn Collection Device, V-Veil-Up Pharma Ltd., Nicosia, Cyprus) in adult women living in N'Djamena, Chad. Methods Five of the 10 districts of N'Djamena were randomly selected for inclusion. Peer educators contacted women to participate to the survey by coming to the clinic for women's sexual health 'La Renaissance Plus'. A clinician performed pelvic examination and endocervical sampling using swab. Genital secretions were also obtained by self-collection using veil. Both clinician- and self-collected specimens were tested for HR-HPV DNA using Anyplex™ II HPV28 genotyping test (Seegene, Seoul, South Korea). Acceptability and accuracy of both collection methods were assessed. Results 253 women (mean, 35.0 years) were prospectively enrolled. HPV prevalence was 22.9%, including 68.9% of HR-HPV (total HR-HPV prevalence: 15.8%), with unusual HR-HPV genotypes distribution and preponderance (70%) of HR-HPV targeted by Gardasil-9® vaccine. Veil-based genital self-collection showed high acceptability (96%), feasibility and satisfaction. Self-collection by veil was non-inferior to clinician-based collection for HR-HPV DNA testing, with 'good' agreement between both methods, high sensitivity (95.0%; 95%CI: 88.3–100.0%) and specificity (88.2%; 95%CI: 83.9–92.6%). Remarkably, the rates of HPV DNA and HR-HPV DNA positivity were significantly higher (1.67- and 1.57- fold, respectively) when using veil-based collection than clinician-collection. Conclusion These observations highlight the unsuspected high burden of cervical oncogenic HR-HPV infection in Chadian women. Self-collection of genital secretions using the V-Veil-Up Gyn Collection Device constitutes a simple, highly acceptable and powerful tool to collect genital secretions for further molecular testing and screening of oncogenic HR-HPV that could be easily implemented in the national cervical cancer prevention program in Chad. Disclosure No significant relationships.


Mobile sensors networks are used in several domains to perform various tasks related to monitoring, recording, and affecting the conditions of an environment. Interacting with mobile sensor networks deployed in public networks requires an application capable of securely exchanging data in the network, generating mobile sensor network requests and processing mobile sensor network responses. Embedded communications devices are an ideal platform through which mobile sensor network applications could be implemented due to their portability and preexisting facilities to establish network connections. The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is a communications framework permitting the exchange of data from communications devices across divergent networks. No research has been performed combining embedded devices and mobile sensor networks using public network facilities like IMS. This paper proposes an architecture permitting end users to perform mobile sensor network operations using IMS and embedded communications devices. The architecture is based on a reconfigurable hardware implementation of SIP to exchange data through an IMS network to query mobile sensor data, publish data to valid subscribers and control nodes. SIP is used to manage the sessions in which data are accessed by arbitrary users registered with a sensor network service.


Morphological transition and iron metabolism are closely relevant to Candida albicans pathogenicity and virulence. In our previous study, we demonstrated that C. albicans Aft2 plays an important role in ferric reductase activity and virulence. Here, we further explored the roles of C. albicans Aft2 in numerous cellular processes. We found that C. albicans Aft2 exhibited an important role in iron metabolism through bi-directional regulation effects on iron-regulon expression. Deletion of AFT2 reduced cellular iron accumulation under iron-deficient conditions. Furthermore, both reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were remarkably increased in the aft2Δ/Δ mutant, which were thought to be responsible for the defective responses to oxidative stress. However, we found that over-expression of C. albicans AFT2 under the regulation of the strong PGK1 promoter could not effectively rescue Saccharomyces cerevisiae aft1Δ mutant defects in some cellular processes, such as cell-wall assembly, ion homeostasis and alkaline resistance, suggesting a possibility that C. albicans Aft2 weakened its functional role of regulating some cellular metabolism during the evolutionary process. Interestingly, deletion of AFT2 in C. albicans increased cell surface hydrophobicity, cell flocculation and the ability of adhesion to polystyrene surfaces. In addition, our results also revealed that C. albicans Aft2 played a dual role in regulating hypha-specific genes under solid and liquid hyphal inducing conditions. Deletion of AFT2 caused an impaired invasive growth in solid medium, but an increased filamentous aggregation and growth in liquid conditions. Moreover, iron deficiency and environmental cues induced nuclear import of Aft2, providing additional evidence for the roles of Aft2 in transcriptional regulation.


Purpose: To identify candidate genomic signatures for the early detection of ovarian cancer using whole bloodbased
 gene expression profiles.
Experimental Design: We performed Affymetrix U133Plus 2.0 GeneChip microarray analyses on whole blood
 RNA samples obtained from 14 ovarian cancer patients and 15 age-matched, healthy women. Genes differentially
 expressed were identified using a parametric Welch t-test. Real-time qRT-PCR analyses were performed on RNA
 prepared from 96 ovarian cancer patients and 83 age-matched healthy women, using primer sets specific for 14
 genes. A Mann Whitney U test assessed individual gene significance. CA125 levels were determined in the same set
 of samples. We used logistic regression analyses and cross validation to assess the ability of linear combinations of
 specific transcripts combined with CA125 to distinguish cancer from controls.
Results: Microarray analyses showed that 9583 probes were significantly different in blood gene expression
 profiles from healthy women as compared with those from ovarian cancer patients (p<0.05). Real-time RT-PCR
 analyses on the 96 cases and 83 controls validated 7 genes, which showed significantly different expression levels
 in cases and controls. Logistic regression analyses and cross validation identified an optimal panel of markers
 including CA125, BRCA1, and KIAA0562, that could improve the sensitivity of CA125 alone to over 90% at 98%
 specificity in the detection of early stage ovarian cancer.
Conclusion: Circulating blood gene expression profiles identified RNA markers that can improve the sensitivity
 of CA125 in the detection of early stage ovarian cancer. Further validation is warranted to confirm the clinical
 usefulness of these biomarkers.


About the Authors. Introduction. Why We Need a Strategy for Health and Wellbeing. Wellbeing in the Changing World. The True Cost of Employee Ill Health. Building a Strategy for Health. Organisational Health Dynamics. Improving Individual Health. Improving the Visible Health Issues ---- Managing Attendance. Improving the Hidden Health Issues. Introducing Wellbeing Initiatives. Making a Difference ---- From Strategy to Action. Bibliography and Further Reading. Index.


Beta agonists have been shown to change ventilation and chest wall activity in COPD (Chest 2010 137:558-65). We studied the new ultra long acting beta 2 agonist-steroid combination, vilanterol trifenatate/fluticasone furoate (Relvar, VFF) to determine its effects on breathing pattern, dyspnea and respiratory muscle function in severe COPD. We studied 6 subjects with severe COPD (mean FEV 1 0.68), very minimally reversible, implanted with fine-wire EMG in parasternal (PARA) muscles, at baseline and 2hr after 2 puffs VFF. We measured: breathing pattern, dyspnea scores (BORG), PARA activity, sniff inspiratory nasal pressure (SNIP), and pulmonary function tests. Minute ventilation, frequency and mean inspiratory flow decreased (pl0.01). This breathing pattern was associated with much lower dyspnea scores (pl0.01). Mean PARA also decreased after VFF, while SNIP increased (pl0.01). We conclude that inhaled vilanterol trifenatate/fluticasone furoate (Relvar) induces a significant change in breathing pattern, which is associated with less dyspnea and increased global respiratory muscle function.


AIM
To assess the effect of child growth status on academic achievement and the association between child growth and academic standing.

METHOD
The heights of 722 middle-school children were measured using standard procedures and height-for-age z (HAZ) scores were calculated based on an international reference. Academic performance was assessed by an adaptation of the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT3) composed of Reading, Arithmetic and Spelling.

RESULTS
Children in the group with higher HAZ scores performed better than children in the group with lower HAZ scores only on the Arithmetic subtest. This finding was confirmed by a multiple regression model analysis of the data. In addition, only performance on the Arithmetic subtest was positively associated with HAZ.

CONCLUSION
These results indicate that growth retardation impacts specifically on the development of arithmetic (numeracy) skills and are consistent with a three-fold model of life course influences on health including latency, cumulative and pathway effects.


Graph signal processing is an emerging area that has a wide variety of applications, e.g. energy networks, transportation networks and neuronal networks. Narang and Ortega (2012) proposed the critically sampled two-channel filter bank for signals on undirected graphs using spectral graph theory. The design of graph QMF (Quadrature-Mirror-Filters) by Narang and Ortega (2012) is based on the Chebyshev polynomial approximation of the ideal Meyer function. The reconstruction error using this method can be quite large especially for low degree filters and the high-pass filters suffer from DC leakage. A simple method that is analytically based is presented here for the design of the graph QMF without DC leakage and with low reconstruction error. The filters have flat spectral response at the DC and aliasing frequencies.


Asparagus virus 1 (AV‐1) infects Asparagus officinalis L. (Asparagaceae) in the field worldwide. However, various wild relatives of A. officinalis are resistant to AV‐1. Here we study the behavior of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on 19 AV‐1‐resistant wild relatives of A. officinalis. We focus on behavior that is associated with regular cell penetration, relevant for inoculation of AV‐1, and sieve element penetration to check for vector resistance and its potential influence on AV‐1 transmission. Parameters, relevant for the transmission of non‐persistent viruses and host plant acceptance, were obtained by the electrical penetration graph technique. Furthermore, phylloclade architecture of A. officinalis and its wild relatives was examined to study its influence on aphid behavior. Behavior of M. persicae displays many cell penetrations and long ingestion periods on A. officinalis, compared to the generally shorter cell penetrations (reduced potential for virus transmission) and reduced or no ingestion (phloem‐located aphid resistance) on wild relatives. Because effects on aphid behavior are not consistent throughout the group of the tested wild relatives of A. officinalis, with some wild relatives being susceptible to M. persicae, a common genetic background for AV‐1 and aphid resistance appears to be unlikely. However, the reduced potential of virus transmission as well as aphid resistance shown by some wild relatives may be useful for future breeding programs.


Body image may be defined as the perception or attitude one has regarding the appearance of his or her body. Body image concerns are not only central to the diagnostic criteria of eating disorders, but also create distress for nonclinical populations. Females (n = 167) from three universities participated in a study by completing the Eating Disorder Inventory - 2 (Garner, 1991) and the Figure Rating Scale (Stunkard, Sorenson, & Schulsinger, 1983); watching a video; and then completing the instruments again. Subjects in the treatment group (n = 89) viewed a video designed to increase awareness of unrealistic body sizes and shapes seen in the media (Kilbourne, 1995). Subjects in the comparison group (n = 77) viewed a video unrelated to female body image.


Blade atrial septostomy (BAS) for pulmonary hypertension has increased long-term survival and is an effective and palliative preliminary to heart and/or lung transplantation. We treated an 18-year-old woman with severe pulmonary primary hypertension whose symptoms had worsened as a resulted low cardiac output. The patient's right ventricular pressure was 150/23 mmHg, cardiac index (CI) 1.0 L/min per m2, and she showed signs and symptoms of severe primary pulmonary hypertension. We performed BAS successfully, paying particular attention to the following points. To maintain pulmonary blood flow after creating an atrial right-to-left shunt, the patient was infused intravenously with packed red blood cells and volume expander. Oxygen delivery was also increased by the transfusion of packed red blood cells. To avoid unacceptable hypoxemia immediately after the procedure, the atrial septum was initially incised with a very small-blade catheter. Nine months after the BAS, catheterization revealed a decrease in mean pulmonary arterial pressure to 73 mmHg and an increase in CI to 2.5 L/min per m2. Thirteen months after the BAS, the patient died as a result of progressive worsening of right-sided heart failure. We concluded that BAS could be successful in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension providing attention is paid to the patient's condition and that BAS is an effective therapy for prolonging survival.


In this review, I consider the quantitative consequences of the diffusion of free NO in determining its biological actions. Several studies have measured the extent to which NO diffuses away from an NO-producing cell, and the distance of its diffusion is quite large, on the order of 100-200 microm. This wide diffusibility is consistent also with the high value for its diffusion constant, 3300 microm2/s. Mathematical simulations based on this wide diffusibility suggest that, within spatial limits of approximately 0.3-0.4 mm, the actions of free NO are dictated by the total number of NO-producing cells within this location as opposed to where the NO-producing cells are located within this space. These results suggest that the actions of NO are surprisingly long range and the diffusion of NO is an important determinant of its biological actions. Thus, the effects of NO on individual target cells may be determined more by each cell's preprogrammed characteristic response to NO than by proximity to an NO source. In addition, scavenging of NO by hemoglobin in blood vessels should represent a significant sink for its scavenging, posing difficulty for the postulate that only free NO functions as EDRF.


Effective treatment for fibromyalgia (FM) is lacking and further treatment options are needed. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) represents one potential treatment option. Whilst favourable findings have been reported using localised PBMT, no investigations have established the value of whole-body PBMT for the complete set of symptom domains in FM. A single-arm feasibility study was conducted in accordance to CONSORT guidelines. A non-probability sampling method was used to access individuals with FM. The primary outcome measure was identified as the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR). Forty-nine participants were screened and 21 trial participants entered the trial. Nineteen participants completed the intervention (18 whole-body PBMT sessions over approximately six weeks). Descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis was undertaken to represent feasibility outcomes. Acceptability of the trial device and processes were established. Outcome measures towards efficacy data were guided by core and peripheral OMERACT domains, utilising a combination of participant-reported and performance-based outcome measures. Positive changes were observed for FM-specific quality of life, pain, tenderness, stiffness, fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression and cognitive impairment. Patient global assessment revealed improvements at 6 weeks, with continued effect at 24 weeks. FM-specific quality of life at 24 weeks remained improved compared with baseline scores. Data for the embedded qualitative component of the trial were captured by participant-reported experience measures and audio-recorded semi-structured interviews. Findings provide evidence to support a full-scale trial and shows promise regarding potential efficacy of this novel non-invasive treatment in an FM population.


After two years of experimenting, hospitals and physicians participating in the Medicare bundled-payment CABG project are enthusiastic. Their effort may offer a model for future collaboration.


This paper is a comparative study of two major elements of worship from two major religions: African traditional religion and Christianity. The comparative method of investigation is, therefore, employed to study the relationship between the Igbo kola nut and the Christian Holy Communion. It strongly asserts that the Igbo kola nut, having been studied alongside the Christian Holy communion, is the Igbo Holy Communion in Igbo traditional religion. While it does not in any way equate the Igbo kola nut with the Holy Communion, it believes that the Igbo kola nut can be understood within the parameters of a typology of the Christian Holy Communion given to Ndi'gbo as a preparation for the gospel message. As already indicated, the method of research employed in this work is the comparative method of investigation, with an ascension theory, which heavily emphasizes that for evangelization to be fruitful, pastoral agents need to begin from what the people know to what they do not know. In this case, from the kola nut as a 'type', a 'copy', a 'shadow' to the Holy Communion as its fullness.


INTRODUCTION: The development of bioactive surgical additives to regulate the inflammation and increase the speed of the healing processis one of the greatest challenges in clinical research. Various materials and techniques have been developed to enhance the process of fracturebone healing and to fasten it.Numerous techniques using autologous platelet concentrates have been developed and applied; platelet rich fibrin [PRF] being one of them,one that is completely autogenous in nature, simple and relatively inexpensive with a specific three-dimensional architecture of the fibrin. PRFhas also shown increased levels of numerous cytokines and growth factors that influence bony regeneration.OBJECTIVES: The aim in this study was to compare between fracture healing using miniplates with and without PRF membrane in bilateralmandibular fractures clinically and radiographically.MATERIALS AND METHODS: all twelve patients had bilateral mandibular fractures. Each patient was treated as follows: (Study Group):The mandibular fracture on the right side was treated by using the conventional 2.0 mm miniplates and screws with placement of PRFmembrane. (Control Group): The mandibular fracture on the left side was treated by using the conventional 2.0 mm miniplates and screws.Follow-up was carried out every week during the first month, then at three months, and six months postoperatively.RESULTS: none of the patients in either of the groups had an infection or signs of nonunion within the follow- up period. There was nostatistically significant difference in the mean value of pain score between the fractures in the two groups. In both groups, edema was limitedto the area of operation and resolved completely by the end of 4th week postoperatively. On immediate, 3 and 6 months postoperatively, themean bone density in the study group was statistically significantly higher than the control group, but the percentage change in the bone densityfrom immediate postoperative to 3 months, immediate postoperative to 6 months and from 3 to 6 months was not statistically significantcomparing the two groupsCONCLUSIONS: PRF application on the fracture line in the mandible may be helpful in improvement of the fracture healing but comparingthe two groups, the pattern of improvement was nearly the same along time.KEYWORDS: Alveolar bone, Fish oil, Induced rheumatoid arthritis, Freund's complete adjuvant


Mitochondrial alterations are detected in most neurodegenerative disorders and may contribute to the dysfunction and demise of neuronal cells. Because glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is considered to be a critical factor in regulating neuronal cell survival and death, we studied the effects of modulating GSK-3 activity in cultured neurons treated with the mitochondrial inhibitor, rotenone. Interestingly, chronic inhibition of GSK-3 protects against rotenone-induced apoptosis in cultured neuronal cells. In an attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying this neuroprotection, we demonstrated that chronic inhibition of GSK-3 reprograms the metabolism of neuronal cells, leading to an enhancement of glycolysis. This effect was accompanied by the induction and accumulation of hexokinase II (HKII) in the mitochondria. Interfering with either the mitochondrial binding of HKII or HKII expression significantly diminished the neuroprotection evoked by GSK-3 inhibition, and importantly, HKII overexpression is sufficient to protect against rotenone-induced cell death. Thus, mitochondrial HKII is a promoter of neuronal survival under the regulation of GSK-3. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effect of HKII may be relevant to neurodegenerative diseases in which glucose hypometabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction are prominent features.


Epidemiological studies assessing cadmium (Cd) body burden by determining its creatinine-corrected level in urine strongly suggest that non-occupational Cd exposure can boost systemic oxidative stress and inflammation, and is a major mediating factor in the pathogenesis of various common cancers, vascular disease, and other health disorders. Cadmium's effects in this regard often appear to reflect competition with zinc for binding to regulatory proteins. Indeed, increased intakes of zinc counteract Cd toxicity in rodent models. Zinc's protective impact in this regard is mediated in part by induction of metallothionein; this sequesters Cd is such a way as to reduce its intestinal absorption and alleviate its pathogenic effects. Zinc's Cd antagonistic effects may rationalize epidemiology associating increased zinc intakes with lower cancer risks. The significant 27% decrease in total mortality noted in zinc-supplemented subjects (80 mg daily) in the AREDS1 study might also be partially attributable to Cd antagonism. In light of growing evidence that Cd is a major mediator of a number of life-threatening disorders throughout the world, and that zinc can notably lessen its pathogenicity, a large and long-term controlled trial of high-dose zinc supplementation in an older population, with mortality as its primary endpoint, can be strongly recommended. Targeting a population with relatively high Cd exposure, such as that of Japan, would be most appropriate in this regard.


Inosine diphosphatase (IDPase) isoforms associated with Golgi membranes were studied in sycamore cell culture. These enzyme isoforms were solubilized with Triton X-100 and purified by chromatography using DEAE-Toyopearl and SOURCES columns. The isoforms were separated into two distinguishable fractions (peak I and 2) by SOURCE S column c.hromatography. Furthermore the peak l contained at least two isoform bands detected by nativePAGE analysis The apparent molecular sizes of these three isoforms were estimated by both gel filtration and SDSPAGE to be 50 kDa, indicating that the Golgi membrane bound IDPase has a monomeric structure. These IDPase isoforms required divalent cations (Ca~7+. Mg2+, C02+, Mn~~+) for their hydrolyzing activity, and were inhibited by ATP. IDP, UDP, and GDP were effective substrates for these enzymes. It is clearly indicated that the sycamore Golgi membrane bound IDPase is a nucleoside diphosphatase.


Genetic variation in bacterial populations is remarkably sensitive to environmental influences, including simple, nutritional differences. Not only the rate but also the kind of mutational changes is biased by the nutritional state of bacteria. Here we investigate the mutational consequences of a universal variable for free-living bacteria, namely the growth rate. By controlling growth in chemostats, the rate and mix of mutations was investigated for populations of Escherichia coli subject to different specific growth rates. Both aerobic and anaerobic cultures were compared with see if growth rate is a factor in the commonest respiratory conditions for E. coli. We find mutation rates are raised markedly with decreasing growth rate. Base pair substitutions and 1-bp insertions and deletions increase with reduced growth rate, but less so in anaerobic cultures. Insertion sequence movements are particularly sensitive to growth rate, with IS2 being optimal at intermediate growth rates whereas IS1 and IS150 movements are highest at the slowest tested growth rate. A comprehensive comparison of growth rate effects, as well as six other environmental factors, provides the most complete picture yet of the range of mutational signatures in bacterial genetic variation.


Iron overload has been well recognized to cause oxidant-mediated cellular/tissue injury; however, little is known about the effects of iron overload on the blood coagulation system. We encountered an unexpected bleeding tendency in rats fed a high-iron diet in a set of studies using iron-modified diets. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of hemorrhagic diathesis induced by dietary iron overload in rats. Six-week-old F344/DuCrlCrlj male rats were fed a standard (containing 0.02% iron) or a high-iron diet (containing 1% iron) for 6 weeks and were then sampled for hematological, blood biochemical, coagulation, and pathological examinations. Serum and liver iron levels increased in rats fed the high-iron diet (Fe group) and serum transferrin was almost saturated with iron. However, serum transaminase levels did not increase. Moreover, plasma prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were significantly prolonged, regardless of the presence of hemorrhage. The activity of clotting factors II and VII (vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors) decreased significantly, whereas that of factor VIII was unaltered. Blood platelet levels were not influenced by dietary iron overload, suggesting that the bleeding tendency in iron-overloaded rats is caused by secondary hemostasis impairment. In addition, hemorrhage was observed in multiple organs in rats fed diets containing more than 0.8% iron. Our results suggest that iron overload can increase the susceptibility of coagulation abnormalities caused by latent vitamin K insufficiency.


Motivation Cross-(multi)platform normalization of gene-expression microarray data remains an unresolved issue. Despite the existence of several algorithms, they are either constrained by the need to normalize all samples of all platforms together, compromising scalability and reuse, by adherence to the platforms of a specific provider, or simply by poor performance. In addition, many of the methods presented in the literature have not been specifically tested against multi-platform data and/or other methods applicable in this context. Thus, we set out to develop a normalization algorithm appropriate for gene-expression studies based on multiple, potentially large microarray sets collected along multiple platforms and at different times, applicable in systematic studies aimed at extracting knowledge from the wealth of microarray data available in public repositories; for example, for the extraction of Real-World Data to complement data from Randomized Controlled Trials. Our main focus or criterion for performance was on the capacity of the algorithm to properly separate samples from different biological groups. Results We present CuBlock, an algorithm addressing this objective, together with a strategy to validate cross-platform normalization methods. To validate the algorithm and benchmark it against existing methods, we used two distinct data sets, one specifically generated for testing and standardization purposes and one from an actual experimental study. Using these data sets, we benchmarked CuBlock against ComBat (Johnson et al., 2007), YuGene (Lê Cao et al., 2014), DBNorm (Meng et al., 2017), Shambhala (Borisov et al., 2019) and a simple log2 transform as reference. We note that many other popular normalization methods are not applicable in this context. CuBlock was the only algorithm in this group that could always and clearly differentiate the underlying biological groups after mixing the data, from up to six different platforms in this study. Availability CuBlock can be downloaded from https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/77882-cublock Contact firstname.lastname@example.com, firstname.lastname@example.com Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at bioRxiv online.


Machine learning (ML) algorithms will be enablers in revolutionizing traditional methods of materials optimization. Here, we broaden the use of ML to assist the construction of Fenton-like single-atom catalysts (SACs) by developing a methodology including model building, training, and prediction. Our approach can efficiently extract synthesis parameters that exert a substantial influence on Fenton activity and accurately predict the phenol degradation rate k of SACs with a mean error of ±0.018 min-1. The extended synthesis window with accelerated learning enables the realization that the heating temperatures during SAC synthesis significantly influence the Fe-N coordination number, which ultimately dictates their performance. Through ML-guided optimization, a highly efficient SAC dominated by Fe-N5 sites with exceptional Fenton activity (k = 0.158 min-1) is identified. Our work provides an example for ML-assisted optimization of single-atom coordination environments and illuminates the feasibility of ML in accelerating the development of high-performance catalysts.


Quorum sensing (QS) is a form of cooperative social behaviour which relies on extracellular signalling molecules that elicit the QS response across many cells and controls the development of many cooperative traits including biofilm formation. The main aim of this work is to review the published work on cooperative social behaviour of Bacillus subtilis and especially its QS system ComQXPA. This QS system involves four interacting components: the signal-processing enzyme ComQ, the ComX signal, the ComP receptor and the ComA transcriptional regulator. Phosphorylated ComA controls the transcription of many genes including those responsible for the production of surfactin and extracellular matrix, essential for biofilm formation. The ComQXPA QS shows a high degree of genetic polymorphism, which manifests itself in the separation of Bacillus subtilis strains into four different communication groups (pherotypes). The information exchange is possible between members of the same pherotype but not across pherotypes. We have recently suggested that this phenomenon is at least in part driven by the ecological divergence of strains, but may also be induced by frequency-dependent selection. The ComQXPA QS system controls the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components: polysaccharides, proteins and nucleic acids. We will address the present understanding of the ECM structure-function relationships in B. subtilis biofilms and review published results on regulation, composition and distribution of ECM components. Despite many important recent discoveries on regulation of B. subtilis biofilm development, we know little about the molecular interactions in the ECM and the role they play in the QS and stability of the biofilm. Future research needs to address these questions better.


Ultra-thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) films show remarkable potential for use in chemical vapor sensing devices. Electronic devices fabricated from TMD films are inexpensive, inherently flexible, low-power, amenable to industrial-scale processing because of emergent growth techniques, and have shown high sensitivity and selectivity to electron donor analyte molecules important for explosives and nerve gas detection. However, for devices reported to date, the conductance response to chemical vapors is dominated by Schottky contacts, to the detriment of the sensitivity, selectivity, recovery, and obscuring their intrinsic behavior. Here, we use contact engineering to transition the contacts in a MoS2 FET-based chemical vapor sensor to the 1T conducting phase, while leaving the channel in the 2H semiconducting state, and thus providing Ohmic contacts to the film. We demonstrate that the resultant sensors have much improved electrical characteristics, are more selective, and recover fully after chemical vapor exposure-all major enhancements to previously MoS2 sensor devices. We identify labile nitrogen-containing electron donors as the primary species that generate a response in MoS2, and we study the dynamics of the sensing reactions, identifying two possible qualitative models for the chemical sensing reaction.


Frequency-domain numerical modeling of the seismic wave equation can readily describe frequency-dependent seismic wave behaviors, yet is computationally challenging to perform in finely discretized or large-scale geological models. Conventional finite-difference frequency-domain (FDFD) methods for solving the Helmholtz equation usually lead to large linear systems that are difficult to solve with a direct or iterative solver. Parallel strategies and hybrid solvers can partially alleviate the computational burden by improving the performance of the linear system solver. We develop a novel multiscale FDFD method to eventually construct a dimension-reduced linear system from the scalar Helmholtz equation based on the general framework of heterogeneous multiscale method (HMM). The methodology associated with multiscale basis functions in the multiscale finite-element method (MsFEM) is applied to the local microscale problems of this multiscale FDFD method. Solved from frequency- and medium-dependent local Helmholtz problems, these multiscale basis functions capture fine-scale medium heterogeneities and are finally incorporated into the dimension-reduced linear system by a coupling of scalar Helmholtz problem solutions at two scales. We use several highly heterogeneous models to verify the performance in terms of the accuracy, efficiency, and memory cost of our multiscale method. The results show that our new method can solve the scalar Helmholtz equation in complicated models with high accuracy and quite low time and memory costs compared with the conventional FDFD methods.


Introduction Stroke has been the leading cause of death in China for decades. This study described the trends in stroke mortality in China from 2004 to 2019. Methods Data was obtained from the National Disease Surveillance Point (DSP) system. A descriptive analysis was conducted. The adjusted mortality rate (AMR) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of stroke were calculated. Results From 2004 to 2019, the ASMR substantially decreased, with a reduction of 39.8%, but the AMR stayed relatively stable. The mortality rate of stroke in rural areas was consistently higher than in urban areas. A geographical gradient in mortality of stroke was also apparent, with an increased rate in the western part of China and a decreased rate in the eastern part of China. In central China, the rate remained relatively stable. Conclusions Although the ASMR of stroke continued to decline in China, the stagnant crude mortality rates suggested that China had not achieved sufficient decline to offset the demographic forces of population growth and ageing. More vigorous and effective prevention and treatment strategies are urgently needed to mitigate the disease burden of stroke in China, especially in areas with high stroke burden and limited resources.


Thermal asymmetric interlaced polymerase chain reaction (TAIL-PCR) was performed to amplify the uncharacterized regions adjacent to the nusG-rplKAJL-rpoB gene cluster of citrus greening organism (GO) isolates from different locations in Japan and Indonesia. Conventional PCR was used to amplify the internal nusG-rplKAJL-rpoB gene cluster of these isolates, and the complete sequence of this 6.1-kb fragment was determined. Comparisons with other bacterial sequences showed that the fragment is the tufB-secE-nusG-rplKAJL-rpoB gene cluster. The organization of this gene cluster is similar to that of the homologous cluster found in Escherichia coli. Except for three nucleotide changes, the sequence was identical among Japanese and Indonesian isolates. A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay based on the conserved sequence of the nusG-rplKAJL-rpoB gene cluster was developed for the detection of the GO. The LAMP product was rapidly detected on nylon membranes by staining with AzurB. LAMP could detect as low as about 300 copies of the nusG-rplKAJL-rpoB fragment of the Japanese and Indonesian isolates of GO. The LAMP-based detection method, which does not depend upon a thermal cycler and electrophoresis apparatus, will be useful for under-equipped laboratories, including those found in extension centers and quarantine offices.


Epidemiological studies suggest that higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with lower risk for several cancers, including breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancers. To mitigate confounding, genetic instrumental variables (IVs) have been used to estimate causal associations between 25-hydroxivtamin D and cancer risk via Mendelian randomization (MR). We provide a systematic review of 31 MR studies concerning 25-hydroxyvitamin D and cancer incidence and mortality identified from biomedical databases. MR analyses were conducted almost exclusively in European-ancestry populations and identified no statistically significant associations between higher genetically predicted 25-hydroxyvitamin D and lower risk for total cancer or colorectal, breast, prostate, lung, or pancreatic cancers. In recent studies including ≥80 genetic IVs for 25-hydroxyvitamin D, null associations were reported for total cancer (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] per 1-standard deviation increase: 0.98 [0.93–1.04]), breast (1.00 [0.98–1.02]), colorectal (0.97 [0.88–1.07]), prostate (0.99 [0.98–1.01]), and lung cancer (1.00 [0.93–1.03]). A protective association was observed for ovarian cancer in the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (0.78 [0.63–0.96] per 20 nmol/L increase, p-trend = 0.03), but not in the UK Biobank (1.10 [0.80–1.51]). Null associations were reported for other tumor sites (bladder, endometrium, uterus, esophagus, oral cavity and pharynx, kidney, liver, thyroid, or neural cells). An inconsistent protective association for cancer-specific mortality was also observed. Results from MR analyses do not support causal associations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and risk for cancer incidence or mortality. Studies including non-White populations may be valuable to understand low 25-hydroxyvitamin D as a modifiable risk factor in populations with a higher risk of common cancers, including African ancestry individuals.


Boston Public Schools (BPS) closed for in-person learning in March 2020 due to COVID-19 and didn't fully reopen until the 2021–2022 school year. Due to the age of schools and absent ventilation systems, coupled with decades of disinvestment in the infrastructure, BPS entered the pandemic with serious challenges impacting the health of students and staff. These challenges were magnified by an infectious airborne virus. Instead of using this opportunity to improve ventilation systems, BPS opted to invest in an air quality monitoring system. This system only confirmed what was already known—there is poor ventilation in most school buildings. It did not lead to correction of new or long-standing problems. This failure has harmed the BPS community, which includes primarily low-income Black and Brown families. This article describes Boston's school system, its track record of inadequate attention to infrastructure, and explores pitfalls of focusing on evaluation instead of correction.


154 children with intestinal enzymopathies have been investigated. 57 of them were with celiac disease, 52--with multi-enzymatic deficiency syndrome (celiac + disaccharides deficiency), 45--with disaccharidase deficiency syndrome. The typical changes in blood of children with intestinal enzymopathies were presented in decreasing of MCV, MCH, MCHC and increasing of RDW. The study of ferrokinetics has shown that an anemia was caused by deficiency in many elements with predominance of iron-deficiency erythropoesis. The most sensitive and reliable indicators of early detection of latent anemia without decrease in hemoglobin level were ferritine content, the coefficient of saturation of transferrine and transferrin's receptors.


Since pursuing the pleasant life for people, there is an increase of desire to appreciate outstanding scenery with the difference in certain level for perception and understanding of human on landscaping, However, the quality of landscaping has become artificial with the pleasance to be declining due to the urbanization. This study was applied at the site around High One Resort area in Gohan-eup, Jeongseon-gun Gangwon-do for analyzing the areas sensitive to the landscaping change as well as degree of requirement for landscape management for forest landscape management with the focus on presenting the zoning method and the management class classification method. Even if the forest is the same, the function of it is different depending on land use or what resource is placed that the forestry function is found out to present the management plan for each forestry function in the subject site and the result of the management grade classification is analyzed in overlapping to the forestry function level. As a result, from the landscaping management requirement and visual absorption analysis, the result formulated for upper, middle and lower zones to classify the final forestry landscape management degree into 1-4 grades and the management plan is presented on the respective 1-4 grade area for each forestry function. By applying the technique to set the management grade, it was possible to formulate the result to provide the means for integrated management in consideration of the forestry function and management of forestry landscape and resources.


BACKGROUND Variations in the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene have been reported as risk factors for numerous conditions, including cardiovascular disease, thrombophilia, stroke, hypertension and pregnancy-related complications. Moreover, it was reported there is an association between breast cancer and mutations in MTHFR-C677T. However, whether there is an association between MTHFR gene polymorphism and granulomatous lobular mastitis or not has been rarely investigated. AIM To analyze the association between MTHFR gene polymorphism and granulomatous lobular mastitis. METHODS Fifty-one patients with granulomatous lobular mastitis admitted to The First Hospital of Kunming were selected as study samples. Their hospitalization time ranged from February 2018 to February 2019. The 51 patients were included in the experimental group, and another 51 women who underwent physical examination at The First Hospital of Kunming in the same period were included in the control group. Deoxyribonucleic acid and MTFR genetic polymorphism testing were performed in each group. The association between MTHFR gene polymorphism and granulomatous lobular mastitis was observed. RESULTS There were significant differences in genotype frequency and allele frequency of C/C and C/T between the experimental group and the control group (all P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in frequency of T/T genotype between the two groups (P > 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in genotype frequency and allele frequency of A/A, A/C and C/C between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION MTHFR gene C677T locus polymorphism is closely related to granulomatous lobular mastitis.


【A rock slide in amount of 100 tons in weight happened at 7: 10 a.m., 4th October 1982, on the southwestern ridge of Mt. Seunghag, Busan City. The original rock mass of the rock slide is located 850m west from the Dangri Crushed Stone Quarry. The geology of the area consists of agglomerate, andesite, andesitic tuff, and shale hornfels of the Cretaceous Yucheon Group. The rock blocks were first shifted along the steep joint plane on an andesite outcrop at the site and then to the eastern foot of the mountain slope where some private houses are placed. The mountain slope is covered with thick superficial soil. A slided monolithic-block with 83 tons in weight from the rock slide met with an accident of striking against a house with a tremendous force, to which much damage was done as much as its half was destroyed. The rock-slided block pierced the board-floored room only posited at the center and by the bedroom of the house making a pass like a bullet hole, and hence cut a big pine tree with 24 centimeters in diameter at a distance of 26 meters down the house. However nobody was killed or injured in the stricken house, though seven family members were stayed therein at the very time of accident. They really met a rare opportunity in an unhappy disaster. Measurements of the rock slide were made in the course of the field survey. The monolithic mass was transported by way of saltation, rolling, and sliding to a distance of 300 meters down along the slope dipping 30 $^{\circ}$ east. It took about 16 seconds front tile outcrop to the terminal. The acceleration value of the monolithic rock slide is 2.35m/sec $^2$ .】


ABSTRACT Macrolide resistance was detected in 64 of 77 (83.1%) Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from South Korea. Seven (10.9%) isolates contained only mef(A), 32 (50%) contained only erm(B), and 25 (39.1%) contained mef(A) and erm(B). Nineteen isolates containing mef(A) and erm(B) belonged to serotype 19F, and seven isolates were identical to the Taiwan19F-14 clone.


Information is generated at very high speed in today's Digital Era. Images have vast share in Information generated, so it's important to reduce the image file size for storage and effective communication. Image compression technique helps in reducing storage and bandwidth requirement for transmission. Optimization of Image compression algorithms is the basic crux of this paper. DCT is most popularly used lossy image compression technique. It has disadvantage that at higher compression ratio the quality of image is lost. DCT is applied to set of images, followed by DWT. The resultant compression metrics are calculated and visual quality of image is analyzed. Experimental analysis shows reduction in storage space requirement and effective optimization using different methodology.


Looking on the international market for animal genetic we find a lot of companies, which are offering their products worldwide by own official representatives. Examples may be the North American organisations ABS or Semex or even CRV from the Netherlands. But also in pigs such enterprises like PIC are acting in many countries of the world. Therefore it seems to be necessary to have a closer view on the development of animal breeding companies in the last 20 years. Our breeding organisations were founded about 1900 and worked on a regional level up to 1970 or 1980. These regional acting organisations more and more worked together on a national level. Up to 1990 the breeding values were calculated on regional base in Germany with different models and programmes in different regions. For German Fleckvieh we had sire evaluation for the whole breed throughout Germany since 1995. For this reason the links between the different regions were not very tight, and the import of genetics from another region was limited to outstanding sires, which promised a good proof in the own region. At the same time the Interbull centre in Uppsala in Sweden worked on the topic of comparing breeding values from different countries for other countries. In the first step they calculated equations for the conversion of the EBV from different countries. A few years later the MACE method was developed and gives us now a good impression whether a sire from New Zealand may be the right for our region or not. Nowadays a proof in one region is a good base for a worldwide sale of semen of this bull. Regarding this level of development an international strategy is possible and necessary in animal breeding and not only in marketing.


BACKGROUND
Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) need safe and effective topical treatments.

OBJECTIVE
To assess safety and efficacy of roflumilast cream in patients with mild to moderate AD.

METHODS
In this phase 2, proof of concept trial, patients (N=136) aged ≥12 years with AD were randomized to once-daily roflumilast cream 0.15%, roflumilast cream 0.05%, or vehicle cream for 4 weeks. Absolute change from baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score at week 4 (primary endpoint), percentage change and responder rates, Validated Investigator Global Assessment-AD (vIGA-AD), and safety were assessed.

RESULTS
At week 4, mean absolute changes in EASI were −6.4 (P=0.097 vs vehicle), −6.0 (P=0.356), and −4.8 with roflumilast 0.15%, roflumilast 0.05%, and vehicle, respectively. Significant improvements were observed for percentage change from baseline in EASI, patients reaching 75% improvement in EASI, and patients achieving vIGA-AD score of "clear" or "almost clear." Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 2 (2.2%) patients receiving roflumilast (mild rash and moderate application site pain). Only 1 (1.1%) patient receiving roflumilast discontinued study/drug due to an AE.

LIMITATIONS
Small number of patients.

CONCLUSIONS
Results support additional larger clinical trials of roflumilast cream to assess its potential as a once-daily, nonsteroidal topical AD treatment.

CLINICALTRIALS
gov identifier NCT03916081 J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(2):139-147. doi:10.36849/JDD.7295.


Computers and the concomitant capability they have provided for making copyrighted works available in digital form in networked environments have created many new kinds of expressive opportunities. Computer technology together with communications technology has enabled authors to create digital libraries and hypertext publishing systems.t Active development of such systems is now underway. 2 While some difficult technical problems must be solved to build these systems, technical obstacles are thought to be surmountable. Less clear, however, is what kind of intellectual property scheme can be used to make digital library or hypertext publishing systems commercially viable. An intellectual property system works well when it embodies a reasonably accurate model of how people are likely to behave. Copyright law is based on a relatively simple and straightforward model of author and reader behavior. 3 Authors are motivated to produce interesting and


The State of Washington adopted the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) in 1971 to acknowledge 'the necessary harmony between humans and the environment in order to prevent and eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere, as well as to promote the welfare of humans and the understanding of our ecological systems.' The lofty goals are implemented through an informational mandate, under which SEPA requires agencies to make informed environmental decisions in a process of open and public study of environmental impacts. One challenge to SEPA's informational approach is known as 'piecemealing.' Piecemealing involves the practice of dividing a proposal into small, component parts and separately studying the adverse impacts from each part. Of course, because the impacts of small pieces of a project often appear negligible, isolated environmental review of such parts rarely receives attention. The danger of piecemealed review is found in the resulting informational gaps: piecemealed review avoids analysis of both the project as a whole and of the cumulative impacts that result from the component parts. Although state and federal courts have rejected piecemeal review, the courts have been inconsistent in their identification and treatment of piecemeal review, causing uncertainty in the role that SEPA's informational goals are intended to serve. This Article explains how the practice of piecemealed environmental review detracts from the informational approach of SEPA, as well as the difficulties that courts have faced in identifying it.


Diskussion af historieskrivning med bl.a. Helsingfors Gymnastikklubb og olympismens historiske faser fra slutningen af 1800-tallet og frem som eksempler. Health, pleasure, brotherhood – and where are the contradictions? On unity and diversity in Finnish sports Some recent publications of Finnish research tell important stories about the otherness and heterogenity of sport in Finnish history. But they also do more than this. Some fundamental questions are being raised about the nature of history, about tradition, change and disappearance. How does research understand its own relation to the organised "unity" of Olympic sport – and to the diversity of conflicting body cultures? And how do researchers find their place or move between an integration into the "monotheism of achievement", an individual subjectivity and the solidarity of cultural struggle?


We examine how the EU can act as a great power in its own right even in the absence of military capability and how its institutional structure conditions this ability. We first theorize EU great power politics. Based on theories of corporate action, the EU constitutes a strong market power in its own right and a weak security power. While it is institutionally ill-equipped to purposefully mobilize its market power to pursue high-politics goals, its communitarized external relations may inadvertently challenge important security interests of other great powers. Second, we show that the EU acted as an inadvertent great power vis-a-vis Russia in its Ukraine policy which was primarily driven by the supranational decision-making apparatus and low-politics considerations, but engendered a bipolar power struggle with Russia over Ukraine. The risks inherent in EU inadvertent great power politics are deeply engrained in the EU's institutional structure and therefore difficult to mitigate.


The nursing process is a formalized, systematic approach to providing and documenting nursing care and is an integral component of any documentation. This article discusses the nursing process and its relation to ambulatory surgery documentation, as well as the impact of standards of health care organizations on the documentation process for the perioperative patient in the ambulatory surgery setting.


Predictive models were developed to effectively estimate the RC exterior joint's shear strength using gene expression programming (GEP). Two separate models are proposed for the exterior joints: the first with shear reinforcement and the second without shear reinforcement. Experimental results of the relevant input parameters using 253 tests were extracted from the literature to carry out a knowledge analysis of GEP. The database was further divided into two portions: 152 exterior joint experiments with joint transverse reinforcements and 101 unreinforced joint specimens. Moreover, the effects of different material and geometric factors (usually ignored in the available models) were incorporated into the proposed models. These factors are beam and column geometries, concrete and steel material properties, longitudinal and shear reinforcements, and column axial loads. Statistical analysis and comparisons with previously proposed analytical and empirical models indicate a high degree of accuracy of the proposed models, rendering them ideal for practical application.


The evolution of the emergency medical services system in the United States accelerated rapidly between 1960 and 1973 as a result of a number of medical, historical, and social forces. Current emergency medical services researchers, policy advocates, and administrators must acknowledge these forces and their limitations and work to modify the system into one that provides uniformly high-quality acute care to all patients, improves the overall public health through injury control and disease prevention programs, participates as a full partner in disease surveillance, and is prepared to address new community needs of all types.


1. Ocean warming challenges marine organisms' resilience, especially for species experiencing temperatures close to their upper thermal limits. A potential increase in thermal tolerance might significantly reduce the risk of population decline, which is intrinsically linked to variability in local habitat temperatures. 2. Our goal was to assess the plastic and genetic potential of response to elevated temperatures in a tropical bivalve model, Pinctada margaritifera. We benefit from two ecotypes for which local environmental conditions are characterized by either large diurnal variations in the tide-pools (Marquesas archipelago) or lower mean temperature with stable to moderate seasonal variations (Gambier archipelago). 3. We explored the physiological basis of individual responses to elevated temperature, genetic divergence as well as plasticity and acclimation by combining lipidomic and transcriptomic approaches. 4. We show that P. margaritifera has certain capacities to adjust to long-term elevated temperatures that was thus far largely underestimated. Genetic variation across populations overlaps with gene expression and involves the mitochondrial respiration machinery, a central physiological process that contributes to species thermal sensitivity and their distribution ranges. 5. Our results present evidence for acclimation potential in P. margaritifera and urge for longer term studies to assess populations resilience in face of climate change.


Previously, an elegant method based on the generation of echo modulation curves (EMC) demonstrated a very high accuracy of T2 measurements. However, the original approach considered EMC dictionary modelling only for a single slice mode of multi-echo spin echo (MESE) sequence. For some applications, such as T2 mapping of cartilage in small joints, contiguous MRI is required. As a result, slice cross-talk effect may affect the accuracy of T2 estimation. In this work, we report a modified version of the EMC technique, which can be used to quantify T2 values for zero-gap multi-slice MESE acquisitions in tissues with long T1.


Introduction The audibility of a target sound embedded in another masking sound can be improved by adding sound energy that is remote in frequency from both the masker and the target. This effect is known as comodulation masking release (CMR) [1] and is observed when the remote sound and the masker share coherent patterns of amplitude modulation. While a large body of data has been presented, the mechanisms underlying CMR are not clear. Neuronal suppression at a cochlear level, the detection of modulation beatings within auditory channels, and across-channel comparisons of temporal envelope information have been suggested to contribute to CMR. The present study extends an earlier model that includes an equalization-cancellation (EC) stage for the processing of modulations across the audio-frequency channels by a non-linear peripheral filtering stage. In the framework of the model, the combination and interaction of three main mechanisms were assessed: (i) suppression, (ii) within-auditory-channel cues related to amplitude modulations, and (iii) across-auditory-channel processes at higher, retro-cochlear stages. Experiments are presented to examine the relative role of these mechanisms. In particular, the influence of level and effects of auditory grouping on CMR were investigated.


Abstract Heterogeneity is a key feature of malignancy associated with adverse tumour biology. Quantifying heterogeneity could provide a useful non-invasive imaging biomarker. Heterogeneity on computed tomography (CT) can be quantified using texture analysis which extracts spatial information from CT images (unenhanced, contrast-enhanced and derived images such as CT perfusion) that may not be perceptible to the naked eye. The main components of texture analysis can be categorized into image transformation and quantification. Image transformation filters the conventional image into its basic components (spatial, frequency, etc.) to produce derived subimages. Texture quantification techniques include structural-, model- (fractal dimensions), statistical- and frequency-based methods. The underlying tumour biology that CT texture analysis may reflect includes (but is not limited to) tumour hypoxia and angiogenesis. Emerging studies show that CT texture analysis has the potential to be a useful adjunct in clinical oncologic imaging, providing important information about tumour characterization, prognosis and treatment prediction and response.


This research article is aimed at describing how individuals in certain nationalities behaviorally cope with Covid-19 in 2021. In this article we are trying to show that the dilemmas caused by Covid-19 are shared amongst all but that the reconciliation approaches are culturally defined. The key trend discovered is that reconciliation, rather than choosing between two desired states, leads to more sustainable results in fighting this virus. Through our data gathered in 23 nations, we give evidence to the fact that reconciliation is accompanied by lower death rates. Moreover, Asians seem to be better at doing so, which is reflected in their mortality rate. Russia is not doing so well according to their own participants. We argue that cross-cultural awareness and learning have been key to handling of the Covid-19 crisis well. Countries who refused to do so, are harming their citizens. One of the challenges of this pandemic has been that we hardly seem to learn from alternative approaches abroad, and on top of that there is a lack of effective leadership.. Our research methodology was based on asking one's individual perception on how the society in which they live copes with specific issues; ranging from compliance to flexibility, from individual accountability to group solidarity, etc. The nomothetic questions were formulated in order to investigate opposing approaches to certain dilemmas. The results are statistically significant and give interesting insights for dealing more effectively with future pandemics.


The integration of adequate information and communication technologies (ICT) in the right place and at the right time plays a determining role regarding language learning efficiency. The development of language competencies and the training and teaching of English for Military Purposes to officers, public officials and civil servants can be efficiently realized in organized forms partly by networking the already existing multimedia learning material for Military English and by dynamic database extension. In the second semester of the academic year 2007/2008 an e-learning military English language teaching package was developed in the Moodle open source learning management system, implemented and used within the framework of a pilot project. This paper presents the concept of the MILES -Military English Learning System -, deals with the software components used for the implementation. Furthermore, this paper gives details of the course developments, the evaluation opportunities, it summarizes some experience of the project, analyzes the usability of the material as well as the learning habits of the end users.


With regard to the shortcomings of present storage stability test, a new instrument was developed and was used in studying the storage stability ofSBS modified asphalt. Test results indicate that there is not relation between single asphalt component with compatibility, and the 48th hour is not the worst time of the isolation of modified asphalt. Also the tube test overestimated the possibility of segregation. So it is necessary to modify the active test method.


Ginger is one of the important agricultural commodities for the Indonesian economy. Ginger contains (Zingiber officinale, Rosc) oleoresin and essential oils. This research aims to find out whether the type of solvent and mass of ginger affects the result and characteristic of oleoresin produced. The method has been used in this research is solid-liquid extraction (leaching). The variables used are solvent types (Ethanol, N-Hexane, Ethanol:Hexane) with a volume 1000 ml and mass of ginger (100, 150, 200, 250, 300 grams).  The results showed that Ethanol solvent produced the highest yield of 11,663% at a ginger mass of 100 grams, while n-hexane solvent produced the smallest oleoresin yield of 1,5474% at a ginger mass of 300 grams. Analysis of oleoresin quality characteristics consists of density value, solubility in alcohol, contained components, refractive index and optical rotation is carried out on extract with the highest yield. The extract was analyzed using GC-MS to determine its content. The result of analysis showed the presence of gingerol (58,97%) and shogaol (4,65%) on extract. In addition to the optical rotation value, oleoresin has quality characteristics that are in accordance with the established quality standards.


Background: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is an established modality in the treatment of chronic wounds, open fractures, and post-operative wound problems. This method has not been widely used due to the high cost of equipment and consumables. This study demonstrates an indigenously developed apparatus which gives comparable results at a fraction of the cost. Readily available materials are used for the air-tight dressing. Materials and Methods: Equipment consists of suction apparatus with adjustable pressure valve set to a pressure 125-150 mmHg. An electronic timer switch with a sequential working time of 5 min and a standby time of 3 min provides the required intermittent negative pressure. Readily available materials such as polyvinyl alcohol sponge, suction drains and steridrapes were used to provide an air tight wound cover. Results: A total of 90 cases underwent 262 NPWT applications from 2009 to 2014. This series, comprised of 30 open fractures, 21 post-operative and 39 chronic wounds. The wound healing rate in our study was comparable to other published studies using NPWT. Conclusion: The addition of electronic timer switch will convert a suction apparatus into NPWT machine, and the results are equally effective compared to more expensive counter parts. The use of indigenous dressing materials reduces the cost significantly.


The brain of rats flown aboard the biosatellite Cosmos-782 was sampled immediately postflight and taken under neurochemical study. It was shown cytospectrophotometrically that the absolute content of RNA decreased by 20% in the cytoplasm of cerebellar Purkinje cells and remained unaltered in glial cells-satellites, and that the protein content did not change. In the frontal cortex (homogenates) the concentration of sulfhydryl groups decreased by 26%, activity of nonspecific cholinesterase by 33%. The activity of the latter in the cerebellum also diminished.


Nowadays Iraq has encountered serious challenges, including war, terrorism, and economic crisis. This problem has seriously reduced the ability of this country to provide a decent life for its citizens and this perfectly highlights the necessity of various aspects of livability. Based on this view, in this research environmental livability is assessed as one of the important aspects of livability. With this purpose in mind, in this paper A.H.P model was used to determine the relative importance of criteria and GIS was used to overlay the layer and to create the environmental livability map. The methodology used in this research is descriptive, comparative, analytical, and field work as well as a questionnaire, and the data used in this research are taken from the statistical book published under the title of Iraqi Household Socio–Economic Survey (IHSES) in 2012. Sample size is 25,488 households. The criteria used are the percentage of households of Iraqi governorates that are affected and are close to the following conditions: 1smoke and gases, 2dust, 3bad odor, 4noise, 5garbage and dirt, and 6stagnant water. The final map classifies the governorates into five classes in terms of livability (relatively unsuitable, unsuitable, strongly unsuitable, very strongly unsuitable, and extremely unsuitable). Achieved weight of A.H.P model shows that garbage and dirt (0.249) and stagnant water (0.221) are the most important criteria. Results obtained from the final maps show the households of Nineveh, Al-Qadisiyah, and Missan governorates to have the worst condition in terms of environmental livability.


OBJECTIVE
Maximal safe resection is the goal of surgical treatment for high-grade glioma (HGG). Deep-seated hemispheric gliomas present a surgical challenge due to safety concerns and previously were often considered inoperable. The authors hypothesized that use of tubular retractors would allow resection of deep-seated gliomas with an acceptable safety profile. The purpose of this study was to describe surgical outcomes and survival data after resection of deep-seated HGG with stereotactically placed tubular retractors, as well as to discuss the technical advances that enable such procedures.

METHODS
This is a retrospective review of 20 consecutive patients who underwent 22 resections of deep-seated hemispheric HGG with the Viewsite Brain Access System by a single surgeon. Patient demographics, survival, tumor characteristics, extent of resection (EOR), and neurological outcomes were recorded. Cannulation trajectories and planned resection volumes depended on the relative location of white matter tracts extracted from diffusion tractography. The surgical plans were designed on the Brainlab system and preoperatively visualized on the Surgical Theater virtual reality SNAP platform. Volumetric assessment of EOR was obtained on the Brainlab platform and confirmed by a board-certified neuroradiologist.

RESULTS
Twenty adult patients (18 with IDH-wild-type glioblastomas and 2 with IDH-mutant grade IV astrocytomas) and 22 surgeries were included in the study. The cohort included both newly diagnosed (n = 17; 77%) and recurrent (n = 5; 23%) tumors. Most tumors (64%) abutted the ventricular system. The average preoperative and postoperative tumor volumes measured 33.1 ± 5.3 cm3 and 15.2 ± 5.1 cm3, respectively. The median EOR was 93%. Surgical complications included 2 patients (10%) who developed entrapment of the temporal horn, necessitating placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt; 1 patient (5%) who suffered a wound infection and pulmonary embolus; and 1 patient (5%) who developed pneumonia. In 2 cases (9%) patients developed new permanent visual field deficits, and in 5 cases (23%) patients experienced worsening of preoperative deficits. Preoperative neurological or cognitive deficits remained the same in 9 cases (41%) and improved in 7 (32%). The median overall survival was 14.4 months in all patients (n = 20) and in the newly diagnosed IDH-wild-type glioblastoma group (n = 16).

CONCLUSIONS
Deep-seated HGGs, which are surgically challenging and frequently considered inoperable, are amenable to resection through tubular retractors, with an acceptable safety profile. Such cytoreductive surgery may allow these patients to experience an overall survival comparable to those with more superficial tumors.


Allometric changes in shape were analyzed in two species of the genus Myrmica using geometric morphometics. The pattern of allometry was visualized by thin plate splines (TPS) analysis. In 291 worker ants, 41 landmarks and 252 semilandmarks were fixed in images from four aspects: dorsal head, frontodorsal clypeus, dorsal mesosoma and lateral petiole. To explore how shape varies with size, a multivariate regression on centroid size was performed using the scores of all partial warps (PWs) from all four aspects. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to compare the pattern of allometry between species, using all PWs from pooled coordinates of the two species as varieties, centroid size as the covariate and species as the grouping factor. For all four aspects in each species, the null hypothesis of isometry was rejected (i.e., allometry was present) since the multivariate regressions were statistically significant. The amount of shape variation accounted for by the regressions differed considerably between the species studied and among the four aspects, ranging from 2.62 % for the petiole of M. vandeli to 13.95 % for the mesosoma of M. scabrinodis. There were no significant differences between the two species in the allometric patterns of head and clypeus aspects (MANCOVA test). In a multivariate ordination, removing the allometric effects reduced overlap between species only a little or not at all. Geometric morphometrics allows the visualization of the allometries of particular shape components that would probably remain undetected by a conventional morphometric analysis.


Abstract : Terrorists are known to use the Internet for communications, planning, recruitment, propaganda, and reconnaissance. They have shown interest in carrying out cyberattacks on U.S. critical infrastructures, although no such serious attacks are known publicly to have occurred. The discovery of the Stuxnet malware in July 2010, and its analysis over the next several months, was widely believed to have been a landmark event in cybersecurity, because it showed that cyberattacks against industrial control systems, hypothesized for a long time, are actually possible. After Stuxnet, there were public concerns that terrorists might be encouraged to acquire capabilities for similar cyberattacks. This monograph examines cyberterrorism before and after Stuxnet by addressing questions of: 1. Motive Are terrorists interested in launching cyberattacks against U.S. critical infrastructures? 2. Means Are terrorists building capabilities and skills for cyberattacks? 3. Opportunity How vulnerable are U.S. critical infrastructures?