Studying the ambient solar wind, a continuous pressure‐driven plasma flow emanating from our Sun, is an important component of space weather research. The ambient solar wind flows in interplanetary space determine how solar storms evolve through the heliosphere before reaching Earth, and especially during solar minimum are themselves a driver of activity in the Earth's magnetic field. Accurately forecasting the ambient solar wind flow is therefore imperative to space weather awareness. Here, we present a machine learning approach in which solutions from magnetic models of the solar corona are used to output the solar wind conditions near the Earth. The results are compared to observations and existing models in a comprehensive validation analysis, and the new model outperforms existing models in almost all measures. In addition, this approach offers a new perspective to discuss the role of different input data to ambient solar wind modeling, and what this tells us about the underlying physical processes. The final model discussed here represents an extremely fast, well‐validated and open‐source approach to the forecasting of ambient solar wind at Earth.


ABSTRACT For the hyperthermophilic and barophilic methanarchaeonMethanococcus jannaschii, we have developed a medium and protocols for reactor-scale cultivation that improved the final cell yield per liter from ∼0.5 to ∼7.5 g of packed wet cells (∼1.8 g dry cell mass) under autotrophic growth conditions and to ∼8.5 g of packed wet cells (∼2 g dry cell mass) with yeast extract (2 g liter−1) and tryptone (2 g liter−1) as medium supplements. For growth in a sealed bottle it was necessary to add Se to the medium, and a level of 2 μM for added Se gave the highest final cell yield. In a reactor M. jannaschii grew without added Se in the medium; it is plausible that the cells received Se as a contaminant from the reactor vessel and the H2S supply. But, for the optimal performance of a reactor culture, an addition of Se to a final concentration of 50 to 100 μM was needed. Also, cell growth in a reactor culture was inhibited at much higher Se concentrations. These observations and the data from previous work with methanogen cell extracts (B. C. McBride and R. S. Wolfe, Biochemistry 10:4312–4317, 1971) suggested that from a continuously sparged reactor culture Se was lost in the exhaust gas as volatile selenides, and this loss raised the apparent required level of and tolerance for Se. In spite of having a proteinaceous cell wall,M. jannaschii withstood an impeller tip speed of 235.5 cms−1, which was optimal for achieving high cell density and also was the higher limit for the tolerated shear rate. The organism secreted one or more acidic compounds, which lowered pH in cultures without pH control; this secretion continued even after cessation of growth.


During zebrafish development, zygotic gene expression initiated at the midblastula transition converts maternal information on embryo polarity into a transcriptional read-out. Expression of a homeobox gene, vega1, is activated at midblastula transition in all blastomeres, but is down-regulated dorsally before gastrulation. Ubiquitous expression of vega1 is maintained in bozozok mutants, in which the dorsal-specific homeobox gene bozozok/dharma (boz/dha) is disrupted and organizer formation is impaired. Vega1 inhibits expression of boz/dha and organizer-specific genes, and causes ventralization resulting in a headless phenotype. In contrast, VP16-vega1, a fusion including the Vega1 homeodomain and VP16 activation domain, elicits ectopic expression of organizer genes and suppresses several aspects of the boz mutant phenotype. We propose that boz/dha-dependent down-regulation of vega1 in the dorsal region is an early essential step in organizer formation in zebrafish.


In this paper, a new structural for Phase Locked Loop based on adding a non linear element is introduced. The proposed PLL, denoted by NPLL, is similar to the standard PLL except that it incorporates a nonlinear element in its loop. The proposed NPLL enhancements speed and stability of system by adjusting direct gain. Assess the performance of the proposed structure, various tests performed and results compared standard phase locked loop . Many tests, results of several of which are reported in this paper, show the superior performance of the NPLL.


The significance of home is broadly recognised as representing selfhood, safety and autonomy. For older people, especially those with dementia, the ability to age in place at home can be threatened by a necessary move into a care home. Home has heightened importance for people with dementia. We know most people want to stay in their own homes, but there is limited research which explores what home means for people with dementia when they move into care homes. Based in a care home in regional New South Wales, Australia, this study used the arts-based method, body mapping, to explore what home meant to people with dementia and/or cognitive impairment. Seven body maps were co-created by current residents (four), family members and supporters (six) and researchers (three). The findings of the body-mapping process highlighted that home is much more than a physical location. Home meant having the ability to carry out practices and rituals, use objects, maintain relationships and experience sensations that are personally meaningful, and which differ from one person to the next. Their body maps revealed that in care homes, people could not 'do home' anymore because many of the practices, objects, people and places that mattered to them were no longer accessible. Body mapping was a useful method that facilitated the exploration of a holistic expression of home that would not have been possible with more traditional methods. For people with dementia, home was not only embodied and spatial, but also temporal, helping us to understand the ways in which care homes might facilitate a greater sense of home for people with dementia.


Abstract This synoptic study for the period 22 September to 3 October 1974 involves a case analysis of an unforeseen major precipitation episode. This apparently resulted from the merging of an inactive propagating short–wave trough that moved cast-northeastward out of the subtropics and an inactive extratropical low moving southeastward. Prior to the amalgamation of the two systems, weak upward vertical motion fields allowed only specks of high clouds to be associated with each. Almost immediately with the merging of the two systems, a rapid increase in upward vertical motion around the upper-level extratropical system took place, as evidenced on VHRR satellite imagery by the sudden development of rather organized middle and high cloudiness. Within 24 hours, a distinct vortex comprising all cloud levels was evident on satellite photographs. During the next 24 hours, a major rain-producing storm developed. The major impact of this storm was an abrupt end to the California dry season.


Open attribute value extraction for emerging entities is an important but challenging task. A lot of previous works formulate the problem as a \textit{question-answering} (QA) task. While the collections of articles from web corpus provide updated information about the emerging entities, the retrieved texts can be noisy, irrelevant, thus leading to inaccurate answers. Effectively filtering out noisy articles as well as bad answers is the key to improving extraction accuracy. Knowledge graph (KG), which contains rich, well organized information about entities, provides a good resource to address the challenge. In this work, we propose a knowledge-guided reinforcement learning (RL) framework for open attribute value extraction. Informed by relevant knowledge in KG, we trained a deep Q-network to sequentially compare extracted answers to improve extraction accuracy. The proposed framework is applicable to different information extraction system. Our experimental results show that our method outperforms the baselines by 16.5 - 27.8\%.


The earthquake of December 7, 1988, in the Soviet Socialist Republic of Armenia occurred at 0741:25 UT or about 11:41 A.M. local time, with the worst effects in the region between Leninakan and Kirovakan, where there was great destruction and loss of life. The preliminary focus calculated by the National Earthquake Information Center of the U.S. Geological Survey, Golden, Colo., is 41.00°N, 44.20°E, constrained to a focal depth of 10 km. This position is about 38 km northeast of Leninakan and 18 km north northwest of the town of Spitak. The first reported Soviet determination put the preliminary epicenter midway between Leninakan and Spitak about 18 km from each [Markov, 1988].


In the title compound, C16H14NS+·I−, the cation has an E configuration about the C=C double bond of the ethylene unit. The dihedral angle between the thiophene ring and the quinolinium ring system is 11.67 (11)°. A weak C—H⋯S intramolecular interaction involving the thiophene ring generates an S(5) ring motif. In the crystal structure, the iodide ion, located between the cations arranged in an antiparallel manner, forms weak C—H⋯I interactions. The crystal structure is further stabilized by a π–π interaction between the thiophene and pyridine rings; the centroid–centroid distance is 3.6818 (13) Å.


OBJECTIVES
To present our experience with post-transplantation necrotic infarction involving large areas of the renal parenchyma, causing caliceal fistula, and the therapeutic possibilities aimed at achieving graft survival.

METHODS
690 kidney transplants were reviewed: of these 6 had post-transplantation segmental renal infarction with subsequent parenchymal necrosis involving 25 to 40% of the organ and associated with urinary tract necrosis in two cases. The patients were treated conservatively by partial graft resection, the calyces were closed separately and the lining repaired with vascularized parietal peritoneal flaps or lyophilized patches of human dura mater sealed with fibrin glue and substitution of the necrotic urinary tract in two cases.

RESULTS
One patient died a few minutes after the operation from cardiorespiratory causes. In the remaining 5 patients, the fistula was resolved definitively. Five years postoperatively, the salvaged parenchyma is functioning well and dialysis has not been required.

CONCLUSIONS
Partial graft resection, followed by separate closure of the calyces, lining repair with parietal peritoneum or lyophilized human dura and fibrin glue and substitution of the urinary tract, if compromised by necrosis can salvage renal grafts with wide areas of necrosis.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the application and early outcome of a custom-made unipolar partial tarsal replacement in a dog with an extensive medial talar ridge OCD.

ANIMAL
A 7-month-old, 25 kg male Rhodesian Ridgeback with progressive left hindlimb lameness (grade III-IV/IV) and diagnosis of talar OCD.

METHODS
The dog presented with progressive lameness attributed to extensive medial talar ridge OCD. Due to the severity of the lesion, a resurfacing procedure was chosen. Based on CT data, a bi-layered resurfacing implant consisting of a titanium socket and a polycarbonate urethane bearing surface was constructed. For intraoperative guidance, a set of matching drill guides were 3D-printed, along with some models of the affected talus, to allow for dry-lab training. Surgical implantation using a medial malleolar osteotomy to approach the lesion was without complications. Orthopedic follow-up examinations were conducted at 10 days, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months. Radiographic examinations were included at the 6-week, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups.

RESULTS
Function improved considerably during the follow-up period with a lameness grade of 0-I/IV at the 12-month follow-up. ROM differed by 15° in flexion compared to the contralateral side, while there was no difference in extension. Moderate periarticular fibrosis was present at 12 months. Implant positioning was unchanged at follow-up-radiographic examination and there was only mild progression of osteoarthritis (OA).

CONCLUSION
Patient specific instrumentation - guided tarsal OCD resurfacing with a synthetic patient-specific implant may be an effective treatment option.


Abstract This work investigates the use of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for identification of New Zealand plant leaf material from artefacts. Micro-CT was explored as a result of difficulties in preparing transverse sections from aged plant material artefacts to compare with reference slides for microscopic identification of plant species. Plant names in te reo Māori (Māori language) are followed by the English name and botanic name, and are subsequently referred to by Māori names. The three plants investigated (harakeke, New Zealand flax, Phormium tenax, J. R. Forst & G. Forst; tī kōuka, cabbage tree, Cordyline australis, (Forst.f.) Endl,; kiekie, Frecinetia banksii A.Cunn.) were/are commonly used by Māori for the manufacture of objects often found in cultural institutions. Contemporary and historical specimens (from artefacts) of plant leaf material were investigated. Contemporary specimens were viewed using micro-CT and showed identifiable features compared with micrographs of transverse sections from reference material. Diagnostic features of each plant species were then named and measured, providing the basis for development of an identification key using both visual and objective criteria. Positive identification of historical specimens using this key varied across plant species and according to level of ageing and processing. Despite this, micro-CT had several advantages over traditional transverse sections: samples were not prepared for, or altered by, analysis, and numerous cross sections across the entire sample could be easily viewed to locate identifiable characteristics. Although measurable criteria supplied apply only to the three named New Zealand plant species, this paper provides methods that could be applied to the identification of other aged plant leaf material. Knowledge of plant anatomy at the level of major cell and tissue types (e.g. mesophyll, sclerenchyma, vascular tissue, and epidermis) is sufficient for the level of analysis carried out in this study.


Fibroblast growth factor 21 is a pleiotropic hormone secreted mainly by the liver in response to metabolic and nutritional challenges. Physiologically, fibroblast growth factor 21 plays a key role in mediating the metabolic responses to fasting or starvation and acts as an important regulator of energy homeostasis, glucose and lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity, in part by its direct action on the central nervous system. Accordingly, pharmacological recombinant fibroblast growth factor 21 therapies have been shown to counteract obesity and its related metabolic disorders in both rodents and nonhuman primates. In this systematic review, we discuss how fibroblast growth factor 21 regulates metabolism and its interactions with the central nervous system. In addition, we also state our vision for possible therapeutic uses of this hepatic-brain axis.


In anticipation of the introduction of high modulus materials in the Swiss standards, a research project has been carried out for the evaluation of these bituminous mixtures. Three full-size test sections were built in a test hall for ALT named Halle-fosse: Two sections with two different high modulus bituminous mixtures (named EME, abbreviation of the French designation of the mixture: Enrobe a Module Eleve) as base layer, whereas the third section, used as reference, had a standard bituminous material base layer. The three structures were designed to have an equivalent fatigue resistance and were submitted to loading with a traffic simulator. This device, a truck axle, permits to simulate heavy traffic on roads. Strains were measured for different types of loading at different temperatures, in order to assess the response of the structure. Equivalency factors for both types of EME mixtures were established using, as a basis, the French design method.


Important applications of electromagnetic energy are induction and dielectric heating. New directives and standards in Europe are threatening such applications. The authors discuss the details and shortcomings of the standards and compare these with the actual electromagnetic environment. The standards involve higher costs and may slow down future applications. Guidelines are presented for compliance with equipment electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and with human safety when exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF).


The isolated bile duct preparations, which contain the duodenal circular muscle, and the proper bile duct muscle preparations in the dolphin (Stenella caeruleoalbus) were used and their longitudinal motilities were recorded by means of strain gauge transducer. 1. Raising the intraluminal pressure produced the augmentation of the motility of the bile duct preparation. 2. Acetylcholine and carbamylcholine caused the increase of the motility of the bile duct preparations. After atropinization the excitatory response was completely abolished. 3. Adrenaline caused the inhibitory response more predominantly than the excitatory one in the bile duct preparations, while in the proper bile duct muscle preparations it induced the excitatory response more predominantly than the inhibitory one. Phenylephrine produced mainly the excitatory effect in both preparations, while isoprenaline did chiefly the inhibitory one. These experimental results suggest that activation of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors in the bile duct muscle causes the excitatory and inhibitory responses, respectively. 4. Transmural electric stimulation induced both excitatory and inhibitory responses in the bile duct preparation. The former response was abolished after atropinization, while the latter one was not. It may be, therefore, suggested that the excitatory response was induced by stimulation of cholinergic neurons, while the inhibitory one was produced by that of the adrenergic fibers and non-adrenergic inhibitory neurons.


ACUTE nonspecific mesenteric lymphadenitis is a common cause of pain in the abdomen of children. Notwithstanding Aird's 1 plea, made in 1945, for a wider recognition of this condition, it is still infrequently diagnosed; this is probably due to the fact that despite a typical clinical picture and a constant macroscopical pathology the etiology of the lesion is unknown. Accurate diagnosis can be achieved in a large percentage of cases provided there is a clear conception of the condition. Aird 1 stated: "A considerable number of children in whom a diagnosis of non-specific adenitis has been made in the outpatient department were not admitted, but were confidently allowed to go home." AGE INCIDENCE Acute mesenteric lymphadenitis occurs most commonly between the ages of 3 and 15 years, with a peak incidence at both extremities of this age group. It is in the younger patients—3 to 6 years—that the greatest difficulty


A vast majority of the country's workforce is in the unorganised sector, and consequently unprotected. In the absence of economic opportunities where they live, many migrate across the states of India to seek casual employment. Brick production depends almost entirely on migrant workers, half of whom are women. This paper looks into the socio-economic status of women workers in the brick industry of Haryana and underlines the fact that these workers have a very tough life. While bearing and rearing children remains their primary responsibility, they are invariably involved in economic activities for survival, thus playing roles in both production and reproduction.


Most elders in Malaysia prefer to consume ulam as side dishes with rice. The bitter taste of ulam attracts people to give good perception in certain plants and use them for alternative medicine or supplement. Most of them believe, bitter plants have good potential in medicinal aspect and contribute great benefits for human. They also believe, by eating bitter vegetables they may improve their health condition. Our objectives are to figure out the right scientific name and their botanical description of the bitter plant species consumed by the locals. Secondly, we investigate the traditional knowledge and method uses by the locals in consuming the bitter plants. To achieve this, we conducted a survey by interviewed 50 respondents for traditional knowledge on wild edible bitter plants commonly used by villagers based on purposive sampling. After plants identification in the field, botanical descriptions were documented and herbarium specimens were prepared. The keys and iconographies from experts had been referred and details were most helpful. From our research, we identified 17 species from 15 families of the edible bitter plants as alternative medicine by villagers. The botanical description of 17 species were successfully made as an important source for better reference related to edible bitter plants in Besut. Traditional knowledge of elders had been revealed, where it will be useful for research and development of sustainable natural product of edible bitter plants in future.


The main thrust of this book is that independent sector treatment centres (ISTCs) were set up as a covert way of introducing private providers into the NHS, rather than offering patients more choice of where to receive surgical care.


Before the advent of sulfanilamide and its derivatives into the field of ocular therapy, patients with gonorrheal ophthalmia in St. Luke's Hospital No. 2 were treated by copious and frequent irrigations of the conjunctival sacs, local applications of antiseptics and injection of nonspecific foreign proteins. Of the last-mentioned substances, milk was subjected to the most thorough trial. With its use in the treatment of gonorrheal ophthalmia, formerly cured in from one to two months with local therapy alone, only about two weeks is now required for the eyes to become clinically cured and for conjunctival smears to fail to show gonococci. A year ago, prompted by the encouraging reports 1 appearing in medical literature on the use of sulfanilamide and sulfanilyldimethylsulfanilamide in the treatment of gonorrheal ophthalmia, we began giving sulfanilamide, in addition to the usual local treatment and foreign protein therapy, to our hospitalized patients with gonorrheal ophthalmia. The


Petroleum-based plastics are mass produced to meet customers' demand due to their low cost and versatility. However, plastic waste has become a serious environmental problem. Hence, degradable plastics from renewable sources (e.g. biomass) are now trending for their "green" properties. In this paper, properties of biofilms made from whole seaweed (WS), Kappaphycus sp. and pure kappa-carrageenan powder (PC) were compared. Glycerol, as plasticizer, was added at differing amounts (1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%, v/v) and their appearance, physical and mechanical properties, solubility, and biodegradability were studied. As results, for colour difference and transparency, WS-1% showed higher ?E at 17.09 ± 0.85 with highest opacity at 13.73 mm-1 and least ?E was at 2.73 ± 0.13 for PC-5% with opacity at 0.49 mm-1. For mechanical properties, PC-1% has the highest tensile strength and elastic modulus at 26.63 ± 2.18 MPa and 253.53 ± 19.43 MPa, respectively, whereas WS-5% has the lowest at 0.71 ± 0.15 MPa and 2.47 ± 0.44 MPa, respectively. As for biodegradability, by the first week, WS-5% lost 80% of its weight and PC-1% only lost 3%. Overall, PC biofilms showed better quality in terms of mechanical and physical properties but WS biofilms were faster to degrade and dissolve in water. Glycerol concentration affects most of the properties except for mechanical properties for WS and solubility of both. This study suggests that PC may be a better base material for stronger biofilms but WS are a better choice from environmental and cost aspects.


Following the refurbishment of a care home for people with dementia, this paper reports the findings of a small qualitative study (n=25) of staff perceptions of the impact of the improved environment on both staff and residents. Findings suggest that, whilst there was perceived beneficial impact for residents, there appeared to be more mixed impact for staff. In addition, there were differing views on what constituted 'homeliness' and it was generally recognised that environmental factors alone did not assure a good quality of life and care. Given the recent investment by Government on improving the environment for people with dementia, these findings highlight the importance of taking a more holistic approach to changing practice.


Over half of schools surveyed in the United States reported one environmental problem affecting indoor air quality. This study investigated environmental concerns in schools, teacher-reported symptoms, and performance in relation to thermal environment, lighting, and noise conditions in New York State classrooms. This cross-sectional study consisted of telephone surveys among teachers from 428 NYS public schools. Survey contents included teacher demographics, employment characteristics, and environmental factors. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) of health symptoms for classroom conditions including thermal environment, lighting, and acoustics. Although too dry, too hot or cold were major thermal concerns, 78% of the teachers reported that they can't control temperature through thermostat. Over 50% of NYS teachers reported almost all health symptoms worsening during workdays. We found the top five most common health symptoms reported by NYS teachers are all allergy related symptoms. Additionally, all extreme thermal factors were significantly associated with work-related symptoms in teachers. "Too dry" had the highest risk for allergic symptoms (OR: 2.49, 95%CI: 2.01-3.10), and then followed by any noise (OR: 2.46, 95%CI: 1.80-3.36) associated with voice-related health, and "lighting too dim" (OR: 2.38, 95%CI: 1.77-3.19). Future studies are needed to confirm these findings.


Circulating apolipoprotein J (apoJ) is a 70 kDa glycoprotein comprised of disulfide-linked alpha and beta subunits derived from a single precursor. Post-translational modifications that occur prior to apoJ secretion were assessed, with specific focus on carbohydrate type, the timing of proteolytic cleavage, and the importance of glycosylation on the cleavage and secretion processes. ApoJ was initially resolved as a single chain, intracellular precursor of 58 kDa which contained N-linked oligosaccharide but no O-linked oligosaccharide. The precursor was converted to an intracellular 70 kDa glycoprotein, which became the major intracellular form of apoJ prior to secretion. Maturation of the 58 kDa precursor involved conversion of high-mannose carbohydrate to complex-type carbohydrate containing sialic acid, as well as intracellular cleavage to yield alpha and beta subunits. This cleavage event occurred at a late stage of carbohydrate modification, most likely in the trans-Golgi or a post-Golgi compartment. The maturation and secretion of apoJ occurred rapidly, with a half-time of 30-35 min. Tunicamycin treatment of cells resulted in an unglycosylated doublet comprised of one single chain and one cleaved form of apoJ. The unglycosylated apoJ species were secreted rapidly with a half-time of 20 min. Both cleavage and secretion were independent of glycosylation.


The goal of this dissertation is to attain a fast texture synthesis technique able to generate visually pleasing results from a sample texture for a wide range of texture categories. Computer graphics applications often use textures to decorate virtual objects in order to increase realism without modifying geometric details. In recent years, texture synthesis has been a useful tool to generate large textures starting from a sample texture. Texture synthesis is also used to fill holes in damaged pictures, or to generate illimitable textures in interactive applications such as games and simulators. In our dissertation, we present our contributions in texture synthesis and editing. The contributions are in three directions, a pixel-based texture synthesis technique, a patch-based texture synthesis technique, and a patch-based texture synthesis and editing technique. For the Pixel-Based technique, we were inspired by the observation that the most common artefacts which occur when synthesizing textures are high- frequency discontinuities. Our technique tries to avoid these artefacts by forcing at least one of the direct neighboring pixels in each causal neighborhood to match within a predetermined threshold. This does not only avoid deterioration of the visual quality, but also results in faster synthesis timings. We demonstrate our technique on a variety of stochastic and structured textures. This causal neighborhood matching is also applied for selecting patches in the Patch-Based technique. This forces the selection of the most suitable patches, and reduces the search space in a very efficient and strict way. In our last technique, irregular patches are copied from the source texture and stitched in the target texture based on the Voronoi diagram cells around main features. The interior part of the feature is not touched, while the cutting and stitching is performed on the background between the features. The technique is fast enough to be used interactively and to edit textures in a simple and easy way.


A novel high-gain dual-band antenna for radio frequency identification (RFID) reader applications covering free ISM bands of 2.45 and 5.8 GHz is presented in this letter. The antenna is composed of a U-shaped copper strip with unequal arm, a printed rectangular ring, and the ground plane. A good impedance bandwidth of 120 MHz has been achieved from 2.37 to 2.49 GHz for the lower band, while the upper band covers 420 MHz (from 5.55 to 5.97 GHz). The U-shaped feeding strip excites the rectangular ring effectively by providing a good impedance matching with over 85% of total antenna efficiency in both the frequency bands and also 9.56 and 10.17 dBi gain in the lower and higher frequency band, respectively.


The development of the strategic management field has been outlined in many 'histories' in recent years. This article analyses a sample of those histories using a Critical Discourse Analysis framework in order to understand how they are constructed, what common textual features they exhibit and what effects they may have on the future development of the field. Our analysis shows a neglect of historiographic method in the construction of the histories and a tendency to present the field as progressing in a teleological, evolutionary fashion. We suggest that the histories are constructed in order to support the continuing development of the field and to secure its demarcation from other fields, and that this may demonstrate a degree of self-interest on the part of strategy scholars.


Sir: We have read the interesting article by Pietschmann et al about the serum osteocalcin concentrations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.' In their work there was no mention of the time at which blood samples were taken for osteocalcin determination. Several studies have shown a circadian rhythm of serum osteocalcin in normal adults, with peak values during the night and a nadir during the morning hours.2 3 Therefore, in our opinion, if osteocalcin is used as a marker in clinical investigations of bone metabolism it is important to mention the time at which blood was collected for its measurement. Otherwise, interpretation of results may be difficult and comparison with values obtained in other studies impossible. J M NOLLA A ROZADILLA Department of Rheumatology Hospital of Bellvitge University of Barcelona Spain Correspondence to: Dr J M Nolla, C/Numancia 95-99, Esc A, 9', 2a 08029 Barcelona, Spain.


Two ethyl phenylpiperazine substituted isochromans and a related benzoxepine were discovered to have antipsychotic-like properties in animal screening models. Further evaluation of these compounds disclosed that, like neuroleptics, they blocked dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase, displaced 3H-spiperone in vitro, altered dopamine synthesis, and decreased conditioned avoidance and intracranial self-stimulation behavior. In contrast to classical neuroleptics but like clozapine, these compounds did not block apomorphine or amphetamine-induced chewing stereotypy in rats, raise serum prolactin concentrations, or increase 3H-spiperone binding after chronic dosing. However, unlike clozapine, the compounds of this series did not displace 3H-spiperone in either of two in vivo paradigms nor did they alter striatal acetylcholine concentrations. Taken together these data suggest that these isochroman and benzoxepine analogs would most probably not cause neuroleptic extrapyramidal side effects or prolactin elevations clinically. However, due to their atypical nature, their antipsychotic potential can only be assessed with certainty by careful clinical studies.


Background:In this study, the authors determined the effect of magnesium sulfate on intrathecal glutamate concentrations, hindlimb motor function, and histopathology after a transient episode of spinal cord ischemia. Methods:Fifty-two New Zealand White rabbits underwent spinal cord ischemia for 30 min. Fifteen minutes before ischemia, animals received intrathecal magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) (3 mg/kg) or placebo (artificial cerebrospinal fluid). Intrathecal microdialysis samples were measured for glutamate using high-performance liquid chromatography. Neurologic function and spinal cord histopathology were assessed throughout the recovery period. Results:Intrathecal glutamate levels in placebo-treated animals were higher after spinal cord ischemia compared with sham- and MgSO4-treated animals. MgSO4-treated animals had increased lower extremity motor function compared with the placebo group (64.7% vs 14.3%, P < 0.01). Histologic examination of placebo-treated animals revealed significant motor neuron cell loss at thoracolumbar levels by Day 7 (P < 0.05), whereas lower lumbar regions displayed significant neuron loss on Day 1. Spinal cords from MgSO4–treated animals exhibited less neuronal loss in lumbar regions. Similar effects were present in the thoracolumbar segments on Day 7. A significant correlation existed between diminished neuronal loss and hind leg movement (Tarlov score) and demonstrates that the neurologic outcome after MgSO4 treatment was related to lower lumbar ventral horn cell survival (r2 = 0.812, P < 0.001). Conclusions:These results demonstrate that MgSO4 affords significant spinal cord motor neuron protection by diminishing acute neuronal loss at the foci of the ischemic injury (L3–L6) with delayed neuronal degeneration in adjacent spinal cord regions (T7–L2).


To determine whether a therapeutic dose of iodine 131 affects the results of 24-hour radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) testing, we reviewed records of hyperthyroid patients previously treated with 131I at Michigan State University and its affiliated hospitals. We identified 26 patients who had had clinical evaluation and determination of the serum thyroxine (T4) level, triiodothyronine resin uptake (T3RU), and RAIU (using 131I) within two weeks before and several months after the therapeutic dose of 131I. Before treatment, all patients had clinical hyperthyroidism, with an elevated T4 level and increased T3RU and RAIU. After treatment with 131I, eight patients (31%) had an RAIU that was discordant with their clinical and biochemical (T4 and T3RU) assessment. In six patients (23%) of the RAIU was inappropriately high, and in two patients (8%) it was inappropriately low. Since we did not identify any other factors known to interfere with the results of RAIU testing, we conclude that a therapeutic dose of 131I, may by itself increase or decrease a subsequent RAIU determination; therefore, after treatment with 131I, RAIU is not a good diagnostic index of thyroid activity.


This paper considers the problem of decentralized H infin reliable control design via dynamic output feedback for interconnected large-scale systems with actuator faults. Based on the analysis of a more practical model of actuator failures, i.e. a continuous gain faults, sufficient conditions for the existence of the decentralized H infin reliable control synthesis via dynamic output feedback are given. The design can guarantee asymptotic stability and H infin performance of the resulting closed-loop systems whether actuator failures happen or not. The results can be obtained by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities. A simulation example is presented to show the design procedure and its effectiveness.


Vincristine, a kind of anticancerous drugs, interferes with development of microtubles and synthesis of nucleic acid and proteins in cells, and destructs cytoplasmic membrane so that mitosis of cancer cells is inhibited. Unfortunately these anticancerous effects by vioneristime are not limited to specific cancer cells, so several side effects are produced. This study was performed to explore the effects of vincristine on the fine structure of cytoplasmic organelles and cartilagenous matrix in proximal epiphyseal plate of the tibia in rat. The results were as follows: 1. Cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) were fragmented and sacculated, and membrane-bound ribocomes of RER were detached at 3 and 6 hours after vincristine treatment. Severely dilated, fagmented and sacculated cisternae of RER were found at 12 hours after vincristine treatment, and at 24 hours after vincristine treatment a few cisternae were framented and sacculated. At 72 hours after vincristine treatment cisternae of RER were parallely well arraged. 2. Golgi complex was atrophied at 3, 6, and 12 hours after vincristine treatment, while at 72 hours after vincristine treatment the cisternae of Golgi complex were made of 5-6 layers. 3. Mitochondria with disorganized mitochondrial cristae and outer membrane-losed mitochondria were found at 3 hours after vincristine treatment. At 6 and 12 hours after vincristine treatment mitochondria had possessed disorganized cristae, and a few mitochondria with disorganized cristae were. observed at 24 hours after vincristine treatment. While at 72 hours after vincristine treatment mitochondria were shown distinct cristae and double membranes. 4. Phagosome were begun to observe at 3 hourse after vincristine treatment, and at 24 hourse after vincristine treatment many phagosomes were found, while at 72 hours after vincristine treatment a few phagosomes were observed. 5. In the cartilagenous matrix large-sized matrix granules were decreased and collagen fibrils were dispersed at 3, 6, and 12 hours after vincristine treatment, while at 72 hours after vincristine treatment many large-sized matrix granules and numerous matrix it is suggested that although vincristine may induce the degenerative changes of the chondrocyte, resulting in changes of components of the cartilagenous matirx, these toxic effects may be regressed with time.


This study estimates systematically the dynamics of electrical power demand functions for two countries India and china using singularity spectrum analysis. In order to demonstrate the capability of fractal approach on electrical power demand, we choose Wavelet Transform Modulus maxima (WTMM) technology and results imply that this method is powerful in studying the singularities of time series signals. We show that the WTMM, the so called multi-resolution analysis, can determine the singularity spectrum of multi-fractal measures from the scaling behavior of the partition function, and account for the multi-fractal nature of the time series obtained from the chaotic phenomena. Applying the WTMM we will be able to verify that the electrical demand is a persistent series and this method can be used to compare the quality of the process in two different places. The correlation dimensions found tells us that the series obtained for china is long-range correlated than India with long term memory. This lays that China power generating system is better suited to satisfy oscillations in the demand.


We study a recently proposed optically induced electrokinetic colloidal particle patterning technique that can pattern/translate or trap particle clusters on an electrode surface using high power laser beams and under an applied AC field. By exploring variations in particle density, with changes in various factors, using Voronoi tessellations we show that the role of various forces changes dramatically with conductivity. For low conductivity (∼2 mS/m) solutions we show that particle density increases with frequency primarily due to a lowering of the induced dipole moment of the particle.Copyright © 2009 by ASME


In 105 postmenopausal women with clinical suspicion of osteoporosis single photon absorptiometry (SPA) of the forearm and fracture percentage of the thoracic and lumbar spine were estimated. SPA was performed on the commonly used mid-radius site as well as on a modified distal radius site where radius and ulna are separated by five mm. Spine fracture percentage was inversely correlated with mid-radius SPA (r = -0.49) but more closely with distal radius SPA (r = -0.61). With bone mineral density values above 0.400 g/cm2 on the distal radius, no fractures were found. Between 0.325 and 0.400 g/cm2, 35% of the patients showed vertebral fractures but only up to a maximum of 30%. Below 0.325 g/cm2, 89% of the women had crushed vertebrae, often more than 30% of those measured. In conclusion, these results indicate that modified distal radius densitometry is superior to the commonly used mid-radius measurement and has some predictive value for the presence of vertebral fractures.


This case study examines the role of media in the enactment of the Clean Air Act of 1999 (CAA). Through the intervention of the Bantay Kalikasan (Nature Watch), the environmental advocacy arm of ABS-CBN (the largest broadcasting network of the Philippines), the clean air discourse became a public issue. It not only campaigned actively for the law by initiating roadside information teams, but it also initiated the 5M–signature campaign in support of the CAA's enactment into law. Most of all, it amplified the discursive health and moral debates popularized by the Clean Air coalition concerning incinerator. Environment is not exactly a mainstream issue in the Philippines, but the media possess the essential resources to make any dire environmental issue a public concern. As soon as the media realize their discursive power to popularize any technical environmental concern, the more realizable the future will be for a more viable and more continuous environmental policy not only for clean air.


Learning Objectives: The hemodynamic effects of propofol (PROP) and dexmedetomidine (DEX) infusions in mechanically ventilated, septic patients without shock have been minimally described. The purpose of this study was to compare the development of clinically significant hemodynamic instability (hypotension and/or bradycardia) caused by infusions of PROP and DEX in mechanically ventilated septic patients, initially presenting without shock. Methods: A retrospective study of 95 adults (64 PROP, 31 DEX) with sepsis admitted to ICUs at 2 medical centers from July 2013 to September 2017. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of development of clinically significant hypotension (SBP decrease to <90 mmHg or by 30 mmHg from baseline or a decrease in MAP by 10 mmHg from baseline) or clinically significant bradycardia (HR decrease to <50 beats per minute or 30 bpm from baseline) in septic patients without shock. Primary and secondary outcomes were analyzed by student t-test for continuous data and Pearson's chi-square or Fischer's exact test, as appropriate, for categorical data. All analyses were performed using Spss.v23. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups other than the DEX group contained more patients with liver failure and higher baseline SOFA scores, while the PROP group baseline MAP before sedation was higher. Patients in the PROP and DEX groups developed clinically significant hemodynamic events at similar frequencies, with similar rates in significant hypotension (55.6% vs 67.7%, p=0.26) and numerically more bradycardic events occurring in the DEX group (6.3% vs 19.4%, p=0.06). While hypotension rates were similar between groups, the degree of hypotension was greater in the PROP group with an average SBP decrease of 47 mmHg vs 34.7 mmHg in the DEX group (p=0.031). Mortality at 28 days was similar between groups (39.1% vs 35.5%, p=0.74). There was no difference in hospital length of stay or ICU length of stay between groups. Conclusions: Patients with sepsis receiving PROP or DEX experienced similar rates of clinically significant hemodynamic events. While the rates of hypotension between groups were similar, the degree of hypotension was greater in the PROP group. Clinicians should consider these findings when choosing sedation for critically ill patients with sepsis without shock.


Even though eating breakfast is an important factor in health and nutrition, especially during growth stages, skipping breakfast in children and adolescents has increased. An important issue to consider in skipping breakfast is the definition of an adequate or substantial breakfast. To examine what constitutes an adequate breakfast in Korean students, we analyzed breakfast consumption of children and adolescents using alternate definitions of breakfast based on calorie contents and food items eaten in the morning. A total of 1344 participants aged 7-18 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHNS) 1998 and 1942 participants from the KNHNS 2001 were included. 84% of students surveyed in 1998 consumed some food, while in 2001; it was down to 79.8%. Students that ate a breakfast which included food from at least two of the main five food groups and had a breakfast intake of food energy greater than 15% of the DRIs were 65.8% in 1998 and 53.1% in 2001. However, when breakfast was defined as the consumption of food from three or more food groups and a intake of food energy greater than 15% of the DRIs, students eating breakfast were 51.2% in 1998 and 39.6% in 2001. As the definition of eating breakfast becomes stricter and includes more foods or more calories, the percentage of students who eat breakfast declines. These results show that using various alternate definitions allow us to assess skipping breakfast in better detail and suggest references for the desirable breakfast.


A field programme on light conditions in ice-covered lakes and optical properties of lake ice was performed in seven lakes of Finland and Estonia in February-April 2009. On the basis of irradiance measurements above and below ice, spectral reflectance and transmittance were determined for the ice sheet; time evolution of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmittance was examined from irradiance recordings at several levels inside the ice sheet. Snow cover was the dominant factor for transmission of PAR into the lake water body. Reflectance was 0.74-0.92 in winter, going down to 0.18-0.22 in the melting season. The bulk attenuation coefficient of dry snow was 14-25 m -1 ; the level decreased as the spring was coming. The reflectance and bulk attenuation coefficient of snow-free ice were 0.1-0.4 and 1-5 m -1 . Both were considerably smaller than those of snow cover. Seasonal evolution of light transmission was mainly due to snow melting. Snow and ice cover not only depress the PAR level in a lake but also influence the spectral and directional distribution of light.


An algorithm for the optimal solution of consistent and inconsistent linear inequalities is presented, where the optimality criterion is the maximization of the number of satisfied constraints. The algorithm is developed as a nonenumerative search procedure based on two new theorems established in this paper. It is shown that the number of iterative steps before termination is strictly less than that required by an exhaustive search. Experimental results with various types of data establish the computational tractability of the procedure under nontrivial conditions.


Background: Asthma is a major health problem in children and most troublesome during severe or persistent symptoms. Children with problematic severe asthma have a disproportionate consumption of health care, despite high-dose treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Little is known about children with impaired asthma control or problematic severe asthma in regards to prevalence in a normal population, characterisation and classification, and health effects measured as health-related quality of life (HR-QoL).

Aim: The overall aim of this doctoral thesis was to evaluate the burden of symptoms and factors associated with impaired asthma control in schoolchildren.

Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 3 015 children up to 12 years of age from the prospective birth cohort BAMSE, and children from the Severe asthma study with problematic severe asthma (n = 56) and, for comparison, controlled asthma (n = 39). Parental questionnaires collected data on environmental exposures, asthma symptoms and treatments. In the BAMSE study, asthma control was classified based on parental reports and according to a modified GINA classification. The prevalence of severe asthma with dispensed high-dose ICS was estimated through the Swedish drug register. Evaluations with component-resolved allergy diagnostics, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (BHR), blood count of eosinophils and HR-QoL were applied in the Severe asthma study.

Results: In the BAMSE cohort, a high proportion of children with asthma were classified as impaired in their asthma control (partly or uncontrolled) at 8 years, 84% of 323, and at 12 years, 53% of 329, (p 4 times in last year (52% vs. 38%, p = 0.002) at 12 years compared with at 8 years, but fewer with nocturnal symptoms (36% vs. 82%, p < 0.001) and less acute healthcare utilization (15% vs. 34%, p < 0.001) at 12 years. Severe asthma was prevalent in 0.4% of children in a normal urban population at age 12, or 4% among children with asthma.

Children with impaired asthma control at both 8 and 12 years in the BAMSE cohort (n = 91) and children with problematic severe asthma had more often a family history of allergic disease and comorbidity of rhinitis than children with controlled asthma.

Multi-sensitization to animal-derived components was more pronounced in problematic severe asthma than in controlled asthma, 25% vs. 8% (p = 0.03), and was associated with increased eosinophil inflammation as compared with children sensitized to fewer animal-derived components, FeNO 38 ppb vs. 25 ppb (p = 0.002), blood eosinophils 0.65 vs. 0.39 (p = 0.021), and BHR 112 vs. 28 (p = 0.002).

Children with problematic severe asthma were more impaired in HR-QoL than children with controlled asthma 5.4 vs. 6.7 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: A high proportion of schoolchildren reported impaired asthma control. Children with problematic severe asthma have impaired HR-QoL, with effects of limitations in daily activities and reduced emotional well-being. Common factors associated with children having impaired asthma control at both 8 and 12 years and problematic severe asthma were family history of allergic disease and comorbidity of rhinitis.


ABSTRACT Host immunity influences clinical manifestations of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection. In this study, we demonstrated that HTLV-1-transformed tumors could develop in immunocompetent rats by blocking a costimulatory signal for T-cell immune responses. Four-week-old WKA/HKm rats were treated with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to CD80 and CD86 and subcutaneously inoculated with syngeneic HTLV-1-infected TARS-1 cells. During MAb treatment for 14 days, TARS-1 inoculation resulted in the development of solid tumors at the site of inoculation, which metastasized to the lungs. In contrast, rats not treated with MAbs promptly rejected tumor cells. Splenic T cells from MAb-treated rats indicated impairment of proliferative and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses against TARS-1 in vitro compared to untreated rats. However, tumors grown in MAb-treated rats regressed following withdrawal of MAb therapy. Recovery of TARS-1-specific T-cell immune responses was associated with tumor regression in these rats. Our results suggest that HTLV-1-specific cell-mediated immunity plays a critical role in immunosurveillance against HTLV-1-transformed tumor development in vivo.


Breast cancer has a high incidence and mortality rate worldwide. Several viral vectors including lentiviral, adenoviral and adeno-associated viral vectors have been used in gene therapy for various forms of human cancer, and have shown promising effects in controlling tumor development. Claudin1 (CLDN1) is a member of the tetraspan transmembrane protein family that plays a major role in tight junctions and is associated with tumor metastasis. However, the role of CLDN1 in breast cancer is largely unexplored. In this study, we tested the therapeutic potential of silencing CLDN1 expression in two breast cancer (MDA-MB-231 and MCF7) cell lines using lentiviral vector mediated RNA interference. We found that a CLDN1 short hairpin (shRNA) construct efficiently silenced CLDN1 expression in both breast cancer cell lines, and CLDN1 knockdown resulted in reduced cell proliferation, survival, migration and invasion. Furthermore, silencing CLDN1 inhibited epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) by upregulating the epithelial cell marker, E-cadherin, and downregulating mesenchymal markers, smooth muscle cell alpha-actin (SMA) and Snai2. Our data demonstrated that lentiviral vector mediated CLDN1 RNA interference has great potential in breast cancer gene therapy by inhibiting EMT and controlling tumor cell growth.


Analysis of lignin in seawater is essential to understanding the fate of terrestrial dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the ocean and its role in the carbon cycle. Lignin is typically quantified by gas or liquid chromatography, coupled with mass spectrometry (GC‐MS or LC‐MS). MS instrumentation can be relatively expensive to purchase and maintain. Here we present an improved approach for quantification of lignin phenols using LC and absorbance detection. The approach applies a modified version of parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC2) to 2nd derivative absorbance chromatograms. It is capable of isolating individual elution profiles of analytes despite co‐elution and overall improves sensitivity and specificity, compared to manual integration methods. For most lignin phenols, detection limits below 5 nmol L−1 were achieved, which is comparable to MS detection. The reproducibility across all laboratory stages for our reference material showed a relative standard deviation between 1.47% and 16.84% for all 11 lignin phenols. Changing the amount of DOM in the reaction vessel for the oxidation (dissolved organic carbon between 22 and 367 mmol L−1), did not significantly affect the final lignin phenol composition. The new method was applied to seawater samples from the Kattegat and Davis Strait. The total concentration of dissolved lignin phenols measured in the two areas was between 4.3–10.1 and 2.1–3.2 nmol L−1, respectively, which is within the range found by other studies. Comparison with a different oxidation approach and detection method (GC‐MS) gave similar results and underline the potential of LC and absorbance detection for analysis of dissolved lignin with our proposed method.


Residual soils are weathering products of rocks that are commonly found under unsaturated conditions. The properties of residual soils are a function of the degree of weathering. A series of index properties, engineering properties, mercury porosimetry tests and scanning electron microscope (SEM) examinations were performed on residual soils from two major geological formations in Singapore. The results indicate that the variation in the index and engineering properties as well as microstructural characteristics of the residual soils with depth can be related to the degree of weathering. An increase in the degree of weathering results in an increase in pore volume and produces a larger range of pore-size distribution. The variation in the pore volume and the pore-size distribution through a profile of weathered rock can be used as an indicative measure of the variation in the degree of weathering with depth. D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


Most schedulers in parallel job scheduling do not put (job) schedulability into consideration when prioritizing jobs. Performance evaluation is mostly done using average values of the measurement metric. Using the average metric value may conceal relative job starvation details hence giving a shallower understanding of scheduler performance. We propose a greedy multi-cluster scheduler that uses the (estimate of) job schedulability and the time a job has spent in the queue to compute its priority. We compare the performance of our scheduler with that of Fit Processor First Served (FPFS) scheduler. We also study the sensitivity of its performance to parameter changes. We observe that (i) within some parameter ranges, our scheduler outperforms FPFS; (ii) for big jobs, our scheduler outperforms FPFS; for small jobs, FPFS outperforms our scheduler and (iii) our scheduler is fairer than FPFS.


A successful application of statistics to medical sciences is our experience with analysis of data from the Cornell Medical Index-Health Questionnaire. (1-13). K. Fukamachi and T. Kanehisa of Kyushu University translated the Cornell Medical Index Questionnaire and tried to establish a diagnostic rule to distinguish neurotic and mentally unhealthy patients from mentally healthy patients at the department of internal medicine at Kyushu University hospital. I was approached for suggestions. After some analysis I decided to reduce the data to a bivariate form. The first component was the square root of the number of physical complaints. The reason was an intuitive one based on various scatter diagrams and also on the outcome of a preliminary statistical analysis made by Dr. Fukamachi regarding a comparison of numbers of complaints between mentally healthy patients and in healthy ones in various categories. They collected data for several years and had accumulated data on 50 solidly diagnosed psychosomatic cases and 50 nonpsychosomatic cases. I drew lines representing the linear discrimination function and added two more lines indicating what are called the "doubtful regions" in the terminology of Rao (14). Thus there are four regions. If the data fall in the first region, the patient is diagnosed suffering from psychosomatic illness; this is the region consisting of points deviating significantly from the mentally healthy patients' mean vector. The second region is one where patients are tentatively diagnosed suffering from psychosomatic illness; in this region the points do not lie a significant distance from those for "healthy" patients, but the value of the linear discriminant function indicates the patient has a psychosomatic complaint. The third and fourth regions are for patients provisionally diagnosed and de-


Several studies explored the effects of paracetamol (acetaminophen) ingestion on endurance performance, but their findings are conflicting. Therefore, this review aimed to conduct a meta-analysis examining the effects of paracetamol ingestion on endurance performance. Five databases were searched to find relevant studies. The PEDro checklist was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Data reported in the included studies were pooled in a random-effects meta-analysis. A total of ten studies with good or excellent methodological quality were included in the meta-analysis (pooled n = 141). All included studies had a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. In the main meta-analysis, there was no significant difference between the effects of placebo and paracetamol on endurance performance (Cohen's d = 0.09; 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.04, 0.22; p = 0.172). However, an ergogenic effect was found when we considered only the studies that provided paracetamol 45 to 60 min before exercise (Cohen's d = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.21; p < 0.001). In a subgroup analysis that focused on time-to-exhaustion tests, there was a significant ergogenic effect of paracetamol ingestion (Cohen's d = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.33; p = 0.006). There was no significant difference between placebo and paracetamol in a subgroup analysis that focused on time trial tests (Cohen's d = 0.05; 95% CI: −0.12, 0.21; p = 0.561). In conclusion, paracetamol ingestion appears to enhance performance (a) in time-to-exhaustion endurance tests and (b) when consumed 45 to 60 min before exercise.


Examines a new approach to job‐shop sequencing problems. This is based on a network scheduling technique on the premiss of limited resource availability to achieve minimum total processing time. The method utilizes a resource allocation procedure based on random activity (job element) selection and the method of finding the optimal solution is that of selecting the trial run with the minimum time duration. With its random nature of selecting activities at the completion of one or more activities, the greater the number of trial runs, the greater the chances are of getting the exact solution which would have been derived had the more conventional mathematical techniques been used. Also aims to find solutions to the more practical job sequencing problems, which are difficult to solve using existing heuristics, mathematical methods and procedures. Highlights these practical examples in the different sections.


We investigate compositional structures in data embeddings from pre-trained vision-language models (VLMs). Traditionally, compositionality has been associated with algebraic operations on embeddings of words from a pre-existing vocabulary. In contrast, we seek to approximate representations from an encoder as combinations of a smaller set of vectors in the embedding space. These vectors can be seen as"ideal words"for generating concepts directly within the embedding space of the model. We first present a framework for understanding compositional structures from a geometric perspective. We then explain what these compositional structures entail probabilistically in the case of VLM embeddings, providing intuitions for why they arise in practice. Finally, we empirically explore these structures in CLIP's embeddings and we evaluate their usefulness for solving different vision-language tasks such as classification, debiasing, and retrieval. Our results show that simple linear algebraic operations on embedding vectors can be used as compositional and interpretable methods for regulating the behavior of VLMs.


The COVID-19 epidemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, broke out in December 2019 in the province of Wuhan, China. On March 12, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. Although typical symptoms of the disease include fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath, complaints such as anosmia and dysgeusia also occur. The swab polymerase chain reaction tests, which were taken from the nasopharynx, became negative among asymptomatic individuals from the third day onward, whereas virus positivity was still detected among symptomatic individuals from the 12th to 20th days. Risk factors such as chronic diseases increase the rate of acute respiratory distress syndrome during COVID-19. It has been reported that the virus is transmitted more commonly through the contact of respiratory secretions. Thus, it has been reported that there is an increased risk of virus transmission particularly to physicians who are frequently exposed to aerodigestive secretions, such as otorhinolaryngologists, gastroenterologists, pneumologists, dentists, speech therapists, ophthalmologists, and infectious diseases physicians. Promising results have been reported from vaccine development studies currently in process. Although in some countries, vaccinations have been almost completed, there are a few countries where it has not started yet. Therefore, it is believed that it will take months or years for vaccines to be produced, distributed, and reach all people worldwide. During this period, it is our aim to protect our patients, hospital teams, and ourselves by examining and assessing the experiences of our international colleagues.


Magnesium (Mg) is the second most abundant cation in living cells. Over 300 enzymes are known to be Mg-dependent, and changes in the Mg concentration significantly affects the membrane potential. As Mg becomes deficient, starch accumulation and chlorosis, bridged by the generation of reactive oxygen species, are commonly found in Mg-deficient young mature leaves. These defects further cause the inhibition of photosynthesis and finally decrease the biomass. Recently, transcriptome analysis has indicated the transcriptinal downregulation of chlorophyll apparatus at the earlier stages of Mg deficiency, and also the potential involvement of complicated networks relating to hormonal signaling and circadian oscillation. However, the processes of the common symptoms as well as the networks between Mg deficiency and signaling are not yet fully understood. Here, for the purpose of defining the missing pieces, several problems are considered and explained by providing an introduction to recent reports on physiological and transcriptional responses to Mg deficiency. In addition, it has long been unclear whether the Mg deficiency response involves the modulation of Mg2+ transport system. In this review, the current status of research on Mg2+ transport and the relating transporters are also summarized. Especially, the rapid progress in physiological characterization of the plant MRS2 gene family as well as the fundamental investigation about the molecular mechanism of the action of bacterial CorA proteins are described.


We have investigated the expression of E-selectin and ICAM-1 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) at 5 hr, 24 hr, 48 hr and 72 hr post-irradiation. Cells were irradiated (IR) with a single dose of 10 Gy and expression of molecules quantified by flow cytometric analysis. Preliminary results indicate that ICAM-1 is upregulated at 48 hr. Post-IR in both cell types. We did not observe upregulation of E-selectin post-IR. Consistent with this latter finding, in vitro parallel plate flow chamber assays (shear stress of 0.5- 2.0 dynes/cm/sup 2/) revealed a lack of HL-60 rolling on HUVECs and HMECs monolayers 5 hr. post-IR. Thus, our finding suggest that, in response to radiation ICAM-1 is upregulated, but not E-selectin.


Here we report the first example of associated short-faced bear fossils from South America. The specimens represent three individuals referable to the Ensenadan (early to middle Pleistocene) species Arctotherium angustidens (Ursidae, Tremarctinae), the giant South American short-faced bear. Although the fossil record of short-faced bears in South America is very rich, they have not previously been recorded in association. These three individuals were found in a cave during quarry exploitation. We suggest that these bears represent the first record of a family group and open the discussion about cave utilization and hibernation or torpor by South American short-faced bears.


Abstract Background Sjögren's syndrome is a rheumatological condition. Diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome can be challenging given the overlapping nature of clinical presentations. Currently, minor salivary gland biopsy is considered the definitive test for diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome. Various surgical techniques have been described, targeting biopsy of minor salivary glands from the lower lip. Identification of minor salivary glands is often difficult because of bleeding. One common complication of minor salivary gland biopsy is lip paraesthesia from iatrogenic sensory nerve injury. Objectives To describe a minor salivary gland biopsy technique in a bloodless operative field using a chalazion ophthalmic clamp under local anaesthesia, and to report our clinical outcomes. Methods A prospective study was performed on patients who underwent minor salivary gland biopsy using a chalazion ophthalmic clamp between July 2017 and April 2018. Results The study included 23 patients. The histopathological reports positively identified minor salivary glands for all patients. In nine cases, the histological findings were positive for Sjögren's syndrome. No lip paraesthesia complications were reported post-operatively. Conclusion This technique facilitates a superior yield, ensures adequate sampling of appropriate glands for histopathological analysis, and minimises the complications associated with traditional techniques.


Abstract. Forest thinning, which removes some individual trees from a forest stand at intermediate stages of the rotation, is commonly used as a silvicultural technique and is a management practice that can substantially alter both forest canopy structure and carbon storage. Whilst a proportion of the standing biomass is removed through harvested timber, thinning also removes some of the photosynthetic leaf area and introduces a large pulse of woody residue (brash) to the soil surface, which potentially can alter the balance of autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration. Using a combination of eddy covariance (EC) and aerial light detection and ranging (lidar) data, this study investigated the effects of management thinning on the carbon balance and canopy structure in a commercially managed oak plantation in the south-east of England. Whilst thinning had a large effect on the canopy structure, increasing canopy complexity and gap fraction, the effects of thinning on the carbon balance were not as evident. In the first year post thinning, the peak summer photosynthetic rate was unaffected by the thinning, suggesting that the better illuminated ground vegetation and shrub layer compensated for the removed trees. Peak summer photosynthetic rate was reduced in the thinned area between 2009 and 2011, but there was no significant difference between sectors. Ecosystem respiration fluxes increased in the thinned relative to the unthinned area in the post-thinning phase.


Hip fractures are a common clinical problem with substantial morbidity and difficult recovery. Preexisting malnutrition has been shown to be common in those patients and a substantial risk factor for poorer outcomes, increased length of stay, and mortality. Additionally, great variability exists in reported malnutrition prevalence rates owing to the variety of nutrition screening and assessment tools utilized globally to identify malnutrition in these patients. Although previous data and a recent Cochrane review have not proven the value of nutrition supplements, we highlight several articles that show an opportunity for improvement in the nutrition care of patients sustaining hip fractures along with a multicenter randomized trial demonstrating the value of carefully designed nutrition intervention. There is also evidence that malnourished patients with hip fracture are still being undertreated. Current guidelines are reviewed, and continued efforts on the part of the clinicians to follow the guidelines as well as lowering the barriers to high-quality nutrition research is discussed.


Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral in the Earth's crust, and it is not confined to the historic and current asbestos mining areas, but rather quite commonly encountered in certain geological environments across the world. That diseases developed as a result of high exposures suffered by miners and asbestos products workers is incontrovertible. In addition, asbestos contamination as a result of past production and use is considered a serious issue where remediation is normally required. However, the risk to health of living on soil and rock where asbestos is encountered as a result of the natural occurrence of small quantities of asbestos minerals is less obvious. The picture becomes even less clear when the minerals are subject to intensive investigation, since our generally accepted definitions of asbestos are themselves put to the test. The discovery of asbestos or related minerals has consequences beyond any immediate risks to health, including profound effects on the value of and ability to use or enjoy property. This review examines the issue of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) as it has developed in the United States of America and elsewhere, including some superficial insights into the reactions of communities to the presence of NOA. These responses to 'contamination' by nature deserve further in-depth study.


Experience with 149 insertions of Margulies spirals and 47 Saf-T-Coils in 192 Swiss women from 1965 to 1968 is reviewed. Because of fear of malignancy and sterility with IUDs they were recommended only to avoid sterilization in women who wanted no more children and who could not tolerate pills. Each patient received the IUD was treated for exocervicitis if needed but was not checked for leucocytosis VS or exocervical smear and was examined in the 2 subsequent cycles then once yearly. There were 2 pregnancies 17 expulsions (10 within the first month) 29 removals (2 immediately for pain 4 within 1 month 6 between 1-3 months 17 between 3 months and 2 years). Thus there were 24% expulsions or removals usually for metrorrhagia. 40 other women tolerated bleeding rather than use another method. Some women expressed worry guilt or fear of pregnancy 2 had pseudopregnancy but almost half were fully satisfied with IUDs.


Introduction: DM and heart failure (HF) are lethal, with limited diabetic therapy options. Sodium-glucose linked transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been reported to have CV benefits in at risk DM patients. We are the first to study the CV effects of SGLT2 inhibition in patients with DM and HF. Methods: In this randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial, 56 patients (mean age: 67.1 years, males: 66%) with DM and echocardiographically confirmed HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) on regular diuretic therapy were assigned to dapagliflozin 10mg OD or placebo for one year. Primary endpoint was the difference in left ventricular (LV) volumes between both groups using cardiac MRI. Secondary endpoints include LV mass, LV ejection fraction (EF), weight, BP and diuretic use. Outcomes were analysed using linear regression controlling for baseline values, age, sex and renal function. Results: There was no difference between dapagliflozin and placebo in the primary endpoints of LV end diastolic volume (LVEDV) or LV end systolic volume (LVESV); +4.71mls; 95% CI: -17.to 26.50 and +1.52mls; 95% CI: -15.68 to 18.72 respectively. However, when an interaction term for starting LVEF was added to the model, dapagliflozin significantly lowered LVEDV, LVESV and LV mass in those with starting LVEF ≥ 45%; -15.59mls; p=0.019, -15.20mls; p=0.016 and -4.87gm/m 2 ; p=0.026. Patients on dapagliflozin had weight reduction; -1.90kg; 95% CI: -3.83 to +0.04; p=0.054, lower diastolic BP; -6.34mmHg; 95% CI: -11.35 to -1.32; p=0.014 and higher hemoglobin; +1.23 g/dl; 95% CI: 0.65 to 1.82; p Conclusions: Our data show dapagliflozin treatment resulted in weight and blood pressure reduction among patients with DM and HFrEF. There was evidence to suggest that dapagliflozin may cause LV reverse remodelling in DM patients with mild, but not with more severe HFrEF. Disclosure J.S.S. Singh: None. I. Mordi: None. M. Mohan: None. S.J. Gandy: None. E. Pearson: Speaker9s Bureau; Self; Eli Lilly and Company. J.G. Houston: None. A.D. Struthers: Research Support; Self; AstraZeneca. Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca. C.C. Lang: None.


Previous work suggested that glucosylceramide (GlcCer) plays a role in the regulation of cell differentiation of HT29 human colon tumor cells. In the present study, we investigated the role of GlcCer in the cellular release of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), a marker for cell differentiation. This was done by modulating the intracellular level of the glycolipid, according to two different approaches. The cells were treated with D,L-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (PDMP), which resulted in a specific lowering of the cellular GlcCer pool. Alternatively, by exogenous addition of a short-chain analog of the lipid, hexanoyl(C6)-GlcCer, the cellular pool was enhanced. The results demonstrate that PDMP causes an increase in the release of CEA, while exogenous C6-GlcCer suppresses its release. Furthermore, the enhanced release of CEA in the presence of PDMP, could be completely reversed upon exogenous addition of C6-GlcCer. Control experiments reveal that a potential interference of the well-known modulator of cell physiology, ceramide (Cer), can be excluded. Long-term depletion of GlcCer resulted in a change in a morphological feature of differentiation of the cells, i.e. an increase in apical membrane surface with microvilli brush borders, accompanied by an enhanced expression of the cytoskeletal protein villin. These results, together with the observations on modulation of the differentiation marker CEA by GlcCer, provide support for the conclusion that GlcCer interferes with the differentiation of HT29 cells.


The authors present a case of phantom tumour of the lung. This is a type of pleural effusion where fluids accumulate in the interlobar fissures, typically in the transverse fissure. Its prompt recognition avoids additional, unnecessary or expensive examination and treatment mistakes.

LEARNING POINTS
Phantom tumour of the lung should be considered as a differential diagnosis for a radiographic opacity because it can be misdiagnosed as a lung mass or consolidation.Its rapid disappearance after management of the underlying condition, in this case of cardiac decompensation with diuretics, confirms the diagnosis.Prompt recognition avoids additional, unnecessary or expensive examination and treatment mistakes.


The GREC-NEG Task at Generation Challenges 2009 required participating systems to select coreference chains for all people entities mentioned in short encyclopaedic texts about people collected from Wikipedia. Three teams submitted six systems in total, and we additionally created four baseline systems. Systems were tested automatically using a range of existing intrinsic metrics. We also evaluated systems extrinsically by applying coreference resolution tools to the outputs and measuring the success of the tools. In addition, systems were tested in an intrinsic evaluation involving human judges. This report describes the GREC-NEG Task and the evaluation methods applied, gives brief descriptions of the participating systems, and presents the evaluation results.


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Preliminary data indicate that apparent diffusion coeffi-cient (ADC) values may be useful in identifying and grading primary cerebral tumors. We tested the hypothesis that ADC values can be used to differentiate tumor, edema, and normal brain tissue. METHODS: Fifteen patients with high-grade cerebral astrocytomas underwent conventional MR imaging, diffusion-weighted MR imaging, and proton MR spectroscopy. We defined tumor as an area containing the highest choline/creatine and choline/N-actetyl aspartate ratios, contrast enhancement, and abnormal T2 signal intensity. Edema was defined as tissue with normal proton MR spectra, no enhancement, and high T2 signal intensity. Normal brain was assumed if tissue had normal proton MR spectra, no enhancement, and normal T2 signal intensity in the hemispheres ipsilateral or contralateral to tumor. ADC maps were calculated and regions of interest were manually placed over areas of tumor, edema, and normal tissue. Comparisons were made by analysis of variance. For post hoc testing, the Tukey method was used to correct for the effect of multiple comparisons, and significance was accepted if P was less than .05. RESULTS: When ADC values were analyzed as a group, significant differences were found between tumor (131 + 45) and normal brain tissue (ipsilateral to tumor, 92 + 22; contralateral to tumor, 78 + 5) but not between tumor and adjacent edema (129 + 45). A plot of individual data points showed considerable overlapping among the three types of tissue sampled. CONCLUSION: As a group, ADC values helped to distinguish high-grade glioma from normal tissue but could not be used to separate high-grade glioma from surrounding edema. Individually, ADC values overlapped considerably and were not useful in our patients. The utility of ADC values (as obtained in this relatively small study) is questionable in patients with high-grade cerebral astrocytomas.


BACKGROUND
There is evidence that impairment of prostanoid metabolism might be involved in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps (NPs). Prostanoids are synthesized by 2 cyclooxygenase (Cox) enzymes, one constitutive (Cox-1) and another inducible (Cox-2).

OBJECTIVE
The aim of these studies was to investigate Cox-1 and Cox-2 regulation in NPs of aspirin-tolerant human patients compared with that seen in nasal mucosa (NM).

METHODS
Cultured explants from human NPs and healthy mucosa from patients undergoing polypectomy and corrective nasal surgery, respectively, were examined for Cox-1 and Cox-2 expression by means of semiquantitative competitive PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS
Cox-1 mRNA was spontaneously upregulated in cultured NM but not in NPs. A spontaneous but delayed upregulation of Cox-2 mRNA was found in NPs (24 hours) compared with that seen in NM (6 hours). After cytokine stimulation (IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha), the induction of Cox-2 mRNA and protein was also faster in NM (1 hour) than in NPs (4 hours).

CONCLUSION
These data showing an abnormal regulation of Cox-1 and Cox-2 in NPs from aspirin-tolerant patients reinforce the concept that prostanoid metabolism might be important in the pathogenesis of inflammatory nasal diseases and suggest a potential role for this alteration in the formation of NPs.


Background and aim: Ischemic stroke is one of the main causes of death worldwide and permanent global disability. On the basis of existing literature data, we carried out studies in an effort to explore how miR-140-5p affects ischemic stroke and whether the mechanism relates to toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB).Methods: Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was employed to establish a mouse model of ischemic stroke in vivo, while primary neurons were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) to set up an ischemic stroke model in vitro. RT-qPCR was performed to detect the miR-140-5p expression and Western blot was employed to detect the expression TLR4, NF-κB, and apoptosis-related factors. Then, based gain-function of experiments using miR-140-5p mimic and TLR4 overexpression plasmid, neurological function score, TTC staining, TUNEL staining, as well as flow cytometry were carried out to evaluate the effects of miR-140-5p and TLR4 on MCAO mice and OGD neurons. Meanwhile, dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to validate the relationship between miR-140-5p and TLR4.Results: miR-140-5p expressed at a low level and TLR4 at a high level in ischemic stroke. It was verified that miR-140-5p targeted TLR4 and downregulated its expression. miR-140-5p overexpression was observed to inhibit the apoptosis of neurons under OGD exposure and restrain the progression of ischemic stroke, while TLR4 overexpression promoted the apoptosis and disease progression. Besides, miR-140-5p overexpression led to a decrease in NF-κB protein level, which was increased by TLR4 overexpression. Conclusion: In conclusion, from our data we conclude that miR-140-5p overexpression may be instrumental for the therapeutic targeting of ischemic stroke by alleviating neuron injury with the involvement of TLR4/NF-κB axis.


Supply chain management (SCM) is a backbone of manufacturing firms, it enable them to manage all tasks throughout business process. Therefore, investigating the barriers for supply chain management has become significant to assist them for better practicing for SCM. However, the main aim of this paper is to describe the current technology, relationship, and alignment barriers within manufacturing companies in Yemen. A quantitative method was adopted using a questionnaire and a sample of 65 Yemenis respondents who belong to the medium management level of the manufacturing companies in Yemen. Data was analyzed using the SPSS Generally, the findings revealed that Suppliers' and customer geographical distance from own facilities represent the most barriers to manufacturing companies in adopting SCM in Yemen. Discussions of the findings, implication and limitation of the study were also included.


The upturned ends now featured on many airplane wings are saving airlines billions of dollars in fuel costs. Called winglets, the drag-reducing technology was advanced through the research of Langley Research Center engineer Richard Whitcomb and through flight tests conducted at Dryden Flight Research Center. Seattle-based Aviation Partners Boeing -- a partnership between Aviation Partners Inc., of Seattle, and The Boeing Company, of Chicago -- manufactures Blended Winglets, a unique design featured on Boeing aircraft around the world. These winglets have saved more than 2 billion gallons of jet fuel to date, representing a cost savings of more than $4 billion and a reduction of almost 21.5 million tons in carbon dioxide emissions.


Guatemala, one of the largest economies in Central America, made significant progress in achieving macroeconomic and democratic stability after a 36-year civil war. Prudent macroeconomic management enabled an annual average growth of 4.2 percent between 2004 and 2007. However, the global economic crisis of 2008-2009 had a significant impact on the country. Remittances - a key driver of Guatemala's economy, dropped by 9.5 percent in 2009. Exports to the US, its main trade partner, also fell. Guatemala is also challenged by significant exposure to natural disasters. Between 1902 and 2005, the country experienced 62 natural disasters, which affected approximately six million people. Since 1969, Guatemala has been building institutions in order to better respond to events affecting its macroeconomic stability. Since 2005, the country has taken significant steps to move from a reactive to a proactive approach to addressing disaster risk by investing in risk mitigation measures.


Abstract The subtidal frequency response of sea level to atmospheric forcing along the coastal region between Cape Hatteras and Charleston is investigated for a four-month period: 1 September-31 December, 1974. It is found that low-frequency sea level fluctuations are preferentially forced by wind stress components which are aligned with the local topography. Also, a localized, one-dimensional model of sea surface response to a clockwise rotating wind for the Charleston coastal regime is developed. The phase spectrum of the alongshore wind component versus sea level as predicted by the model is shown to compare favorably to that derived from actual observations at Charleston, an open ocean coastal site. The model results and observations also suggest that wind-induced fluctuations of coastal sea level are trapped within 40 km of the coast by the combined effects of friction, Coriolis force and bottom topography. The outer shelf is dominated by fluctuations which are less related to wind stress and are att...


ABSTRACT The glucose/mannose-phosphotransferase system (PTS) permease EIIMan encoded by manLMN in the dental caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans has a dominant influence on sugar-specific, CcpA-independent catabolite repression (CR). Mutations in manL affect energy metabolism and virulence-associated traits, including biofilm formation, acid tolerance, and competence. Using promoter::reporter fusions, expression of the manLMN and the fruRKI operons, encoding a transcriptional regulator, a fructose-1-phosphate kinase and a fructose-PTS permease EIIFru, respectively, was monitored in response to carbohydrate source and in mutants lacking CcpA, FruR, and components of EIIMan. Expression of genes for EIIMan and EIIFru was directly regulated by CcpA and CR, as evinced by in vivo and in vitro methods. Unexpectedly, not only was the fruRKI operon negatively regulated by FruR, but also so was manLMN. Carbohydrate transport by EIIMan had a negative influence on expression of manLMN but not fruRKI. In agreement with the proposed role of FruR in regulating these PTS operons, loss of fruR or fruK substantially altered growth on a number of carbohydrates, including fructose. RNA deep sequencing revealed profound changes in gene regulation caused by deletion of fruK or fruR. Collectively, these findings demonstrate intimate interconnection of the regulation of two major PTS permeases in S. mutans and reveal novel and important contributions of fructose metabolism to global regulation of gene expression. IMPORTANCE The ability of Streptococcus mutans and other streptococcal pathogens to survive and cause human diseases is directly dependent upon their capacity to metabolize a variety of carbohydrates, including glucose and fructose. Our research reveals that metabolism of fructose has broad influences on the regulation of utilization of glucose and other sugars, and mutants with changes in certain genes involved in fructose metabolism display profoundly different abilities to grow and express virulence-related traits. Mutants lacking the FruR regulator or a particular phosphofructokinase, FruK, display changes in expression of a large number of genes encoding transcriptional regulators, enzymes required for energy metabolism, biofilm development, biosynthetic and degradative processes, and tolerance of a spectrum of environmental stressors. Since fructose is a major component of the modern human diet, the results have substantial significance in the context of oral health and the development of dental caries.


Results of detailed investigation of 100 vomiting dogs, including the use of either or endoscopy and radiology as a means of diagnosis are presented. Endoscopy proved to be better of the two investigative aids as it allowed widespread examination of the gastric mucosa, but it was decided that both methods should be applied as they compliment each other. Many of the canine patients examined endoscopically were found to have bile present in their stomachs or actively refluxing, which was interpreted as a duodenogastric reflux gastritis in these vomiting dogs. However, a number of control dogs also had bile reflux identified to varying degrees. A number of dogs were found to have peptic ulcers that had been caused or exacerbated by the ingestion of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Most were managed successfully by the short term administration of receptor antagonists and the cessation of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug therapy. However, the severity of the degenerative joint disease required the continued use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with the concomitant use of H2 antagonist in one dog to prevent the unwanted gastric-side effects. The results of the studies on the vomiting dogs indicated clearly that gastric abnormalities in this species are, as yet, not fully understood and the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of gastric abnormalities warrants further investigation. The effect on the gastric mucosa of the administration of acid, bile and two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin and carprofen) individually and in combination was studied in the rat. It was found that carprofen appeared to cause as much damage as aspirin and that this damage was exacerbated by the concomitant administration of bile. The effect of prior treatment of the rats with famotidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, or sucralfate, a mucoprotective drug, before challenge with aspirin and carprofen both appeared to effect changes in the mucosa, but that sucralfate appeared to be slightly better in its effect on the gastric mucosa, though this was not statistically significant.


This paper presents some results of a five year monitoring programme on Zooplankton in the River Rhine at the Dutch sampling stations Lobith (German/Dutch border) and Maassluis (at the discharge of the river into the North Sea). During the entire period the Zooplankton composition showed an apparent seasonal pattern at both stations. This pattern was characterized by low densities during the winter and higher densities during the summer with an obvious spring peak. Zooplankton was dominated by rotifers with Brachionus angularis, B. calyciflorus, Keratella quadrata and K. cochlearis as dominant species. The possible role of environmental factors (flow rate and chlorophyll- a content) as controlling factors for Zooplankton dynamics is indicated.


Background: SGLT inhibitors reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease regardless of diabetes status. Although the SOLOIST-WHF and SCORED trials enrolled high CV risk patients with T2DM, participants had a wide range of baseline A1C values. Thus, the present analysis evaluated the effects of sotagliflozin relative to placebo on cardiovascular (CV) death and total HF-related outcomes by baseline A1C range.
 Methods: SOLOIST-WHF had no baseline A1C entry criteria (baseline median = 7.1%, range = 4.5, 15.0%), while SCORED randomized patients with T2DM and an A1C ≥7% at screening (8.3%, 6.5, 17.3%). Natural cubic splines from Poisson regression models estimated the relationships between continuous A1C and the primary endpoint for both studies: total number of CV deaths, hospitalizations for HF, and urgent visits for HF.
 Results: Within each trial, patients with higher baseline A1C experienced higher event rates (spline effect p=0.0349 and 0.0014 for SOLOIST-WHF and SCORED, respectively). Sotagliflozin reduced the primary outcome in each trial (p for treatment <0.0001 for both SOLOIST-WHF and SCORED) and this did not differ across A1C (p for interaction >0.10; Figure).
 Conclusion: Sotagliflozin was effective in reducing the risk of CV death and HF-related events independent of baseline A1C.

 R.Aggarwal: None. D.L.Bhatt: Board Member; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Research Support; Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sanofi, Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim Inc., AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk. M.Szarek: Consultant; Amarin Corporation, ESPERION Therapeutics, Inc., Other Relationship; Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Research Support; Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Regeneron, Sanofi, Bayer Inc. M.J.Davies: Employee; Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. P.L.Banks: Employee; Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. B.Pitt: Consultant; Bayer Inc., AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Vifor Pharma Management Ltd., Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., KBP Bioscience, Merck & Co., Inc. P.G.Steg: Advisory Panel; Merck & Co., Inc., Consultant; Sanofi, Amarin Corporation, Amgen Inc., BMS, PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Novartis AG, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., AstraZeneca, Research Support; Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


The temperate forest of Quercus spp. Santa Rosa is one of the most extensive forests in central Mexico. In this forest, charcoal is produced traditionally by rural communities. This study evaluated the impact of the activity of charcoal production in three sampling sites of the forest, soil from the impact site, land adjacent to the site of charcoal production and control soil without charcoal production activity on physicochemical and microbiological properties. We determined pH, concentration of macro-and micro elements was performed by calculating microbial colony forming units (CFU) of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and promoting growth of plants rhizobacteria (PGPR). Finally, we determined microbial biomass by fumigation-incubation method. On the floor of coal production, an increase in pH, the concentration of cations forming bases (Ca2+ and K+) and a high regard microbial fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes, but the microbial biomass and organic matter content was higher in the control soil, in terms of RPCP only isolated in the soil adjacent to coal production site and the control soil. The physicochemical changes produced by the warming effect of soil significantly affected the microbial community favoring the reduction or elimination of dominant groups sensitive to high temperatures that are actively involved in the dynamics of soil processes.


This research is to find out the management of lecturer resource development in the lecturer recruitment section at STKIP Bina Bangsa Getsempena (STKIP BBG) Banda Aceh. This research uses a qualitative approach with a case study method. The research subjects consisted of chairperson, assistant chairperson, quality assurance agency, head of the research institute, head of the study program, and lecturers at the STKIP BBG Banda Aceh. Qualitative research data analysis techniques in data collection using data analysis techniques, descriptive-inductive and reflective models specifically used in this study. The results of this study are the management of lecturer resource development at STKIP BBG Banda Aceh, starting from the beginning of the recruitment and selection process. In this process STKIP BBG Banda Aceh conducted an internship for lecturers to be placed in every part of the campus, hoping to explore the potential of the lecturer. The recruitment depends on the needs of lecturers and in each study program, which is to meet the needs of the ratio of lecturers and students .