Between January 1985 and December 1988, a total of 701 children were admitted to The Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY for treatment of acute asthma. Eleven of these patients (age range between 8 months and 15 years) went into respiratory failure. All cases of respiratory failure were successfully treated with intravenous isoproterenol. Only one patient needed mechanical ventilation. Treatment with isoproterenol was safe and effective without any complications. We present our experience in the use of isoproterenol in treating children with respiratory failure secondary to status asthmaticus. A brief review of the literature is included.


Worst-case execution time (WCET) analysis has reached a high level of precision in the analysis of sequential programs executing on single-cores. In this paper we extend a state-of-the-art WCET analysis technique to compute tight WCETs estimates of parallel applications running on multicores. The proposed technique is termed integrated because it considers jointly the sequential code regions running on the cores and the communications between them. This allows to capture
the hardware effects across code regions assigned to the same core, which significantly improves analysis precision. We demonstrate that our analysis produces tighter execution time bounds than classical techniques which first determine the WCET of sequential code regions and then compute the global response time by integrating communication costs. Comparison is done on two embedded control applications, where the gain is of 21% on average.


Wheat is the most important staple crop in the world.It is rich in protein and provides daily requirement of energy. Both grassy and broad-leaf weeds infest wheat which are the most important factor of low grain yield of wheat. Rumex dentatus, Phalaris minor and Avena fatua are the commonly occurring and problematic weeds of wheat. Several methods of the weed control have been devised. Among these, chemical method is the common one. However, in recent years, the use of chemicals has increased consumer concern and their use is becoming more restrictive due to environmental pollution, occurrence of microbial resistance, residual toxicity problems, carcinogenic effects and high inputs. For eco-friendly weed management strategies, there is a growing trend toward the search for alternatives to chemical herbicides. One such alternative strategy to manage the weeds is the use of natural herbicidal constituents of fungi. The present study was carried out to investigate the herbicidal potential of metabolites of four Trichoderma species. This book is especially useful for those who are involved in organic farming.


ABSTRACT Background Alcohol and tobacco are among the leading substances that are misused together and shared genetic vulnerability is likely. Increased susceptibility to nicotine self-administration has been shown in alcohol-preferring rat-lines. However, a nicotine-preferring (nP) rat-line has not been studied for alcohol preference. Objectives To evaluate alcohol preference and intake in male and female nP rats. We hypothesized that nP rats and females would drink more ethanol than control rats and males, respectively. Methods nP rats are being selectively outbred for high oral nicotine intake at Ege University. Seventeen nP (18th generation) and 20 naïve female and male SD rats, not previously exposed to alcohol or nicotine, were used. Twelve-week-old rats were given intermittent access to 20% ethanol in a 2-bottle-choice-procedure for six weeks. After one week withdrawal, six weeks of oral nicotine self-administration was applied. Results nP rats drank significantly more ethanol than controls and their preference for ethanol over water was higher. Female rats' ethanol intake was higher than males'. The nP rats' nicotine preference and intake were higher than controls, and they gained less weight. Conclusion We have shown for the first time that nP rats also have high alcohol intake. Our results support the hypothesis that shared genetic factors may underlie concurrent addiction to nicotine and alcohol and have translational value in understanding their misuse. Considering the increased vulnerability for alcohol use disorder in smokers and sex differences observed, early preventive measures in families with a history of tobacco addiction, specifically targeting female members, could have public health benefits.


We propose a simple data augmentation protocol aimed at providing a compositional inductive bias in conditional and unconditional sequence models. Under this protocol, synthetic training examples are constructed by taking real training examples and replacing (possibly discontinuous) fragments with other fragments that appear in at least one similar environment. The protocol is model-agnostic and useful for a variety of tasks. Applied to neural sequence-to-sequence models, it reduces error rate by as much as 87% on diagnostic tasks from the SCAN dataset and 16% on a semantic parsing task. Applied to n-gram language models, it reduces perplexity by roughly 1% on small corpora in several languages.


Rice (Oryza sativa) seeds were analysed to determine their potential transmission of pathogenic and saprophytic microorganisms. In four and three hundred lots (stocks) of seeds, in 1998 and 1999 respectively, proceeding from mechanical drying sheds, none presence of Pyricularia oryzae was detected. It did not happen that way for Drechslera spp., whose presence was detected in 8.3% and 28% of the lots, in 1998 and 1999; within these ones the affected seed average was 1.3% in both years. Fusarium sp. appeared in 41% and 48% of the lots, in 1998 and 1999, respectively; the affected seed percentage, within these lots, oscillated between 1.7 and 2.4%. Regarding Arthrobotris sp. and Curvularia sp. the percentage of both, affected stocks and affected seed within these ones, were lower than 2%. About saprophytic microorganisms, Alternaria appeared in 51% of the stocks in 1998, and in 38% in 1999, while Nigrospora did it in 39% and 33%. The affected seeds average per stock was about 2%. These low seed infection percentage seems a consequence of the mechanical drying process, that disables parts of the inoculum seed. On the other hand, harvested grain samples from trials established to promote the infection of Pyricularia oryzae in 1998, 1999 and 2000, showed that this pathogen was not present in any of these three years, in line with the seed results mentioned above. However, Pyricularia was present in 55% of the harvested grain samples in 2001 trial, as well as in 40% of the seeds. Seed can be a way of transmission of fungi if proceed from campaigns with a high level of inoculum in field.


The idea that imagination plays a key role in biblical interpretation has become increasingly important over the last few decades. The ability of readers to project from their present-day into an ancient narrative might be promoted by psychological functions that foster imagination, and by specific theological beliefs such as Charismaticism, which are associated with experiential and analogical hermeneutics. This study of 857 Anglican clergy examined the extent to which the Jungian psychological function of intuition and the practice of Charismaticism are associated with readers being able to imagine themselves into a New Testament healing story. The results provided evidence to support the idea that one way in which readers might tackle Mark 9:14-29 is to imagine themselves into the story, possibly by identifying with one of the characters in the narrative. The propensity to do this is partly related to psychological type preferences, with intuitives being more likely to imagine themselves into story. Independent of psychological preferences, Charismaticism also promotes imaginative engagement and identification with characters, and this is especially so for identification with Jesus and with the disciples. Empirical studies of this sort help to remind interpreters that interpretative preferences may be linked to individual differences in psychology and experience.


The purpose of this paper was to critically examine the scholarship of the marketing discipline and profession in Kenya. The paper empirically analyses secondary literature and scholarly articles related to scholarship in the marketing field. From the results, it is clear that several challenges are facing marketing scholarship in the country. Specifically, the declining number of marketing scholars and lecturers mainly attributed to leaning institutions concentrating on research and neglecting the teaching aspect. The results provided are not exhaustive and therefore there is need for further research preferably primary descriptive study on the subject in order to shed more light.


Noting that intellectuals often value power more than truth, the author uses examples from American foreign policy to discuss the failure of the intellectual community to involve itself responsibly with current social problems. He suggests that the schools should deal objectively with moral issues while defending themselves, if need be, against both government propaganda and the indifference of intellectuals.


Encouraging active transport contributes to both environmental sustainability and public health objectives. However, due to a myriad of physical, societal and personal factors, shifting car trips to the bicycle is notoriously difficult especially in societies where car use is deeply engrained in both the social and urban fabric. It is therefore important to explore novel approaches to promote utilitarian cycling.  Past studies have suggested there may be a link between cycling for recreation and cycling for transport. If this is the case, one could hypothesise that policies that promote recreational cycling may also indirectly promote utilitarian cycling.  This study begins to explore this important research question by investigating whether recreational cyclists are more amenable to utilitarian cycling than non-cyclists, using a case study of commuting in the Wellington Region of New Zealand.  Behaviour theory, based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, provided the conceptual framework for a mixed methods analysis of Wellington Region commuters. Empirical modelling of commuter cycling behaviour showed that almost all antecedents of the behaviours of recreational cyclists are closer to those of commuter cyclists than to non-cyclists. Qualitative analysis provided further evidence that recreational cyclists are more prepared and willing to cycle their commute than non-cyclists.  It is concluded that, for the study sample, recreational cyclists are indeed more amenable to commuting by bicycle than non-cyclists in the Wellington region.


Current research has generally concentrated on the motivations of environmental policies on local green innovation while ignoring the effect they may have on green innovation in neighboring places. To obtain a thorough understanding and explanation of the influencing mechanism of environmental regulation (ER) on green innovation efficiency (GIE), the super-slack based measure-data envelopment analysis (Super-SBM-DEA) method was applied to evaluate Chinese provinces' GIE, a spatial Durbin model was developed to evaluate the effect of ER on GIE from the perspective of the "local neighborhood" effect, and a mediating effect model was built to analyze the transmission mechanism of the neighborhood effect of ER on GIE. The study indicated that China's regional GIE is high in the east and low in the west, with large spatial variability and significant positive spatial clustering characteristics. The effect of ER on local GIE is "U" shaped, while the influence on green innovation efficiency in neighboring areas is an inverted "U" shape. The influence of environmental regulation on GIE in neighboring areas is mainly achieved through the transfer of local polluting industries to neighboring areas. Based on the results, policy recommendations from the perspectives of choosing environmental regulation tools and transferring polluting industries are made to promote and realize the coordinated development of ER and green innovation.


This paper proposes methods for accelerating DPA by using the CPU and the GPU in a parallel manner. The overhead of naive DPA evaluation software increases excessively as the number of points in a trace or the number of traces is enlarged due to the rapid increase of file I/O overhead. This paper presents some techniques, with respect to DPA-arithmetic and file handling, which can make the overhead of DPA software become not extreme but gradual as the increase of the amount of trace data to be processed. Through generic experiments, we show that the software, equipped with the proposed methods, using both CPU and GPU can shorten the time for evaluating the DPA resistance of devices by almost half.


Introduction Livestock farming and its negative impacts are increasingly criticized by society; its evolution toward more sustainable systems is therefore a key aspect of the transition of agro-food systems. It is necessary to rethink livestock systems' research and innovation processes and develop innovative solutions. Including citizens, non-professionals of the sector, who are less influenced by the current organization of the agricultural sector could be an opportunity to generate innovative solutions, but they have been kept away from research and innovation processes so far. Methods In this context, we implemented a co-design process involving researchers, livestock professionals, and citizens in a participatory research project aiming at producing knowledge and developing innovative solutions for the future mountain dairy systems. For this, we have adapted the KCP design method known to promote the exploration of innovative solutions, support the agro-ecological transition, and build a common horizon. Results The analysis of this collective dynamic and its outputs allowed us to highlight the positive contribution of citizens during the design process, even if they are not livestock experts. The citizens participated in the formulation of new knowledge by questioning the researchers and livestock professionals and were less influenced by the current system. This contributed to the exploration of original and varied solutions for livestock farming systems. Discussion This experimentation offers perspectives for including citizens in agro-food systems research and innovation process. It also opens up interesting perspectives for the fields of citizen science and co-design research.


Russia's spatial development strategy has a geopolitical dimension and aims to streamline it, accelerate socio-economic development of regions, and integrate them more closely, defining a list of macro-regions and their composition, and identifying priority geostrategic areas and cross-border geostrategic areas of the country. However, the status of these territories is not filled with real geopolitical content as a major transport hub, which determines their geostrategic character in matters of national security. On the example of the Astrakhan region, we studied the peculiarities and prospects of development of geostrategic territories in modern geopolitical processes of the Greater Caspian Region. The methodological basis of the study is a comparative analysis of the adopted legislative documents "Strategies of Socio-Economic Development of Regions of the Russian Federation" in 2005, the Spatial Development Strategy of Russia until 2030 (from 2016) and the Spatial Development Strategy of Russia until 2025. A number of criteria have been identified as essential: "borderland", concentration of socio-economic development efforts in a particular region, ensuring Russia's national security. The Astrakhan region represents the middle priority geostrategic transboundary territory of the Russian Federation and the world at large. In the framework of the implementation of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea of 12.08.2018, the Astrakhan region may be granted certain priority competences deriving from the provisions of the Convention and defining the status of the Caspian Sea. In modern geopolitical conditions the Astrakhan region acts as a kind of buffer of national security in the South of Russia, providing geostrategic and political interests of the country, which allow fully vesting the studied region with a special geostrategic status "a priority geostrategic territory of the Russian Federation".


Age at marriage of girls is gradually increasing in Nepal, but still there is a lower age at marriage in the Terai. This paper aims to investigate the reasons for early marriage of girls among some families in Nepal with particular focus on the Terai and seeks answer to the research question 'What are the prominent sociodemographic and cultural factors that influence marriage timing of women in Nepal?'
Findings from empirical data analysis reveal that determination of marriage timing is a complex phenomenon. There are several factors that influence marriage timing of women in Nepal. Although bivariate analysis shows a further elaborative list of factors, multivariate analysis confirms the effect of each variable while controlling the effect of other variables. The prominent factors influencing marriage timing of women are age, place of birth, age at menarche, education of women and their mothers, and caste or ethnicity, and religion.
The significant differences in the risk of marrying early among caste and religion groups, and the significantly higher risk among caste/ethnic groups of Terai origin and Muslims who reside mainly in the Terai, are supported by the distinct sociocultural differences with more strict marriage norms and practices prevalent among these groups. The low educational level of these groups in general and women in particular further increases their risk of marrying at an early age. An education level of some secondary and above seems to be a protective factor against early marriage, but many of the caste and ethnic groups (except Terai highcastes) and Muslims of Terai have substantially low education, particularly among women. Lower age at menarche of girls of Terai origin may also be associated with early marriage as age at menarche and age at marriage of girls were positively associated. The lower age at menarche of girls of Terai caste groups in particular seems to be an important factor creating pressure on parents to arrange marriage of their daughters at an early age.


Understanding the preferences of scuba divers is crucial for authorities to establish appropriate management plans and for service providers to offer a wide range of recreation opportunities to promote long-term industrial sustainability. This study categorized diving preferences into two subgroups (physical and biological) to explore the association between diving preferences and divers' sociodemographic characteristics, as well as diving experiences through multiple regression analysis. Questionnaire surveys were administered, with 398 completed responses successfully collected from diving hotspots in Hong Kong. Results revealed that divers' sociodemographic status, particularly monthly salary, could affect their physical and biological preferences. Meanwhile, divers' diving experience was found to be a significant predictor in figuring out their biological preferences. However, no relationship between diving experience and physical preference was identified in this study. These results could inform management authorities in implementing ecological and environmental protection because biological conditions are considered the most attractive motivation for divers to dive in Hong Kong. Similarly, these results may help managers better understand divers' recreation needs based on different sociodemographic characteristics and diving experiences to create diverse recreation opportunities while enhancing their satisfaction by avoiding the negative impacts associated with identified preference attributes.


The distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in brain tissues of rats exposed to deltamethrin insecticide has been examined by histochemical NADPH-diaphorase staining techniques on frozen sections. After injection of deltamethrin (12. 5 mg/kg, i. p. ). a reproducible sequence of toxic signs of hyperexcitability were elicited. The observation and image analysis showed that, within brajn sections of rats exposed to deltamethrin, the numbers and the total staining areas of the NOS positive neurons were greatly increased, especially in cerebral cortex, hippocampal formation and paraventric-ular nucleus. In addition, the density of single neuron and the processes were also increased. The results suggested that deltamethrin may induce the NOS expression or activate the NOS activity. The NOS activation may involve in the chains responsible for the excitatory neurotoxicities induced by deltamethrin.


A halophilic archaeon, Haloarcula sp. strain S-1, produced extracellular organic solvent-tolerant alpha-amylase. Molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 70 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This amylase exhibited maximal activity at 50 degrees C in buffer containing 4.3 M NaCl, pH 7.0. Moreover, the enzyme was active and stable in various organic solvents (benzene, toluene, and chloroform, etc.). Activity was not detected at low ionic strengths, but it was detected in the presence of chloroform at low salt concentrations. On the other hand, no activity was detected in the presence of ethyl alcohol and acetone.


Previous studies on facial recognition have considered widely separated populations, both geographically and culturally, making it hard to disentangle effects of familiarity with an ability to identify ethnic groups per se.We used data from a highly intermixed population of African peoples from South Africa to test whether individuals from nine different ethnic groups could correctly differentiate between facial images of two of these, the Tswana and Pedi. Individuals could not assign ethnicity better than expected by chance, and there was no significant difference between genders in accuracy of assignment. Interestingly, we observed a trend that individuals of mixed ethnic origin were better at assigning ethnicity to Pedi and Tswanas, than individuals from less mixed backgrounds. This result supports the hypothesis that ethnic recognition is based on the visual


Ependymal areas were studied in the lateral brain ventricles of the rat central nervous system and were labelled with a code. The presented suggestion using the coding for individual ependymal areas in rat ventricle may solve the significant problem in experimental studies, i.e. how to secure the mutual comparison of the same type of ependymal areas or ependymal cells. The periventricular structures represent a basic and stable part of brain nerve tissue and they are localized most closely to the studied part of the ventricle wall. For this quality they were chosen as reference nerve tissue for the labelling of the ependymal areas and they were used for the creation of the code. The code is composed from letters "Lv" (lateral ventricle) and "E" (ependymal area) followed by the abbreviation of the latin name of the periventricular structure, e.g., the corpus callosum abbreviation is "cc". The code of the ependymal area over the corpus callosum is thus "LvE-cc". The proposed labelling of the ependymal areas may offer several advantages, such as: (i) better characterization of ependymal areas in the future; (ii) preventing the interchange of different types of ependymal areas or ependymal cells; and (iii) avoiding a false interpretation in experiments.


Apoptotic cells are regarded as inert bodies that turn off intracellular processes and functional capabilities. The objective was to study adhesion by eosinophils in relation to the apoptotic process. Eosinophils were cultured for up to 72 h. The living cells were separated from the apoptotic cells, and their adhesion to transfected cell lines expressing vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1), intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), E‐selectin and laminin was measured. To relate the functional studies with cell structure, the surface receptor expression of β1‐ and β2‐integrins was investigated by flow cytometry. Apoptotic eosinophils evidenced an increased expression of the α‐chain of the laminin receptor and CD49f and an increased ability to adhere to a laminin‐coated surface. Adhesion to the endothelial cell adhesion receptors E‐selectin, VCAM‐1 and ICAM‐1 was absent in apoptotic eosinophils and was paralleled by a low expression of CD11b, CD29, CD49d and CD66b. The specifically increased adhesion to laminin and expression of the laminin receptor α‐chain is a unique feature of apoptotic eosinophils. When an eosinophil goes into apoptosis, it still possesses the ability to interact with its environment. Our results point to new ideas as to how the apoptotic eosinophil behaves in apoptosis.


Aim. The study was to synthesize qualitative researches on the experiences of nursing students when deliver care to the dying patients.Background. Nurses play important roles in caring the dying patients and their families. Difficulties students confronting when facing the dying patients challenge the quality of death education in nursing curriculum. Better understanding the experiences of students would enhance teachers' ability in helping students. More and more researches focus on the students' experiences to explore the feelings and views of the students when delivering terminal care. Design. Meta-synthesis. By using keywords nursing students, experience, care, end-of-life and dying, the search strategy was to find relative studies published between 2005-2017 in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Science Direct, OVID, and Chinese Academic Database. Two independent reviewers assessed the quality of retrieved papers, using the Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (QARI). Results. 31 full papers were assessed, 19 studies were included in this meta-synthesis. Conclusion. The systematic review indicated when caring for the dying, nursing students undertook great pressures which came from unskilled nursing techniques, insufficient communicating abilities, and inadequate acceptance for death. Nursing educators should equip students with more knowledge about the dying symptom control, trust students in supplying them more chances to deliver care for the dying, and train students in communication skills. Students appreciated to be the witness of caring power, understood the meaning of nursing career and found out the importance of reflection on their own life and death.


Recent studies of autism and schizophrenia examining the factor structure of the subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised have identified a factor that is thought to assess social cognitive (SC) processes or social context. The objective of the current study was to determine whether a similar factor could be identified using confirmatory factor analysis of the 14 Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (WAIS-III) subtests in the standardization sample. A five-factor model that included an SC factor along with verbal comprehension, perceptual organization, working memory, and processing speed factors provided the best fit of the data. The SC factor was composed of the Picture Arrangement, Picture Completion, and Object Assembly subtests when all 14 WAIS-III subtests were included. These results provide support for the construct validity of SC factors measured by the WAIS-III in the standardization sample, although additional research is necessary to determine its stability across age groups and clinical populations, as well as its sensitivity to various forms of brain dysfunction.


Aim: Substances containing synthetic cannabinoid are known with different names in various countries and abuse of these substances increase day by day. Different combinations of these substances make difficult to predict clinical effects. In this study, the aim is to evaluate the awareness of emergency department physicians on the clinical presentation of people using these substances. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was applied to 100 physicians in emergency departments; the survey did not involve any scales but only contained the following three options: "Yes," "No," and "No idea." Results: The average age of physicians was 34,5±6,8 and the average work experience in the emergency department was 6,4±5,2 years. The proportion of research assistants was 42%; 29% of the physicians were experts while the other 29% were practitioners. The rate of the physicians with true knowledge abouth varied clinical appearances of drug abuse was 68%. The percentage of physicians who had no idea about the variable contents of this substances was 44%. 80% of the physicians knew that it is necessary to report these cases as "Criminal cases." Conclusion: Due to the rapid increase in the use of substances containing synthetic cannabinoid, physicians should consider welcoming new information and improve their knowledge on these substances and their properties. Keywords: Substance Dependence; Hospital Emergency Service; Legal Medicine.


'Dr Google' has the busiest medical clinic in the world. The doors are always open; ready to consult; ready to cure curiosity; ready to inform decisions in life. After two or three clicks, visitors can navigate their symptoms. Three or four clicks and they're often facing a brain tumour or unforseen pregnancy.


In order to evaluate groundwater environment for appropriate and sustainable use, impact assessment should be carried out with considering global climate change in future by using groundwater flow and water quality model. In this study, generally used type of two dimensional saturated groundwater flow model and advection-dispersion equation for Total Nitrogen (T-N) are used. Precipitation data is supplied from GCM calculation results (MRI-AGCM3.2s), where single mesh can almost cover study area because spatial resolution of this data is 20km. In consideration of GCM's spatial accuracy and in order to obtain probabilistic estimation from simulation results calculated by a lot of precipitation information, rainfall data surrounding meshes of target area are applied. A risk of groundwater drawdown and water quality deterioration is evaluated with time and space domain by using multiple calculation results. These results are analyzed by using of probabilistic distribution function (PDF).


Few involved in wound care will have escaped the considerable interest which has been generated by the resurgence in honey. Equally, there will be many clinicians around the globe who are wondering why all the fuss, as they will have been using honey all along. However, even with the advent of 'medical-grade' honey, combined with considerable research into the numerous potential modes of action, there remains a lingering scepticism regarding the value of honey as a justified, modern intervention in wound care. The purpose of this brief review is to summarise the ongoing chemical, biochemical and microbiological research and to correlate it with clinical outcomes. The purpose being to present the enquiring clinician with an evidence summary with which clinical choices may be made. While much of the early research was into generic honeys, one particular source, manuka, appears especially effective, and as such this has been the focus of recent studies.


zog's relationship to Africa, Asia and Latin America, his unacknowledged debt to cinéma vérité, or the discussion of lesser-known works such as Gesualdo—Death for Five Voices (1995). But, as with the endless questions raised by engagement with Herzog, there could be much more. Building on all the impressive scholarship leading to, and represented by, this volume, I would urge contemporary scholars to concentrate as well on the more recent Werner Herzog—the popular-culture phenomenon, the man of the people. The new Herzog has directed Nicole Kidman in Queen of the Desert, has voiced an environmentalist short, Plastic Bag (Ramin Bahrani, 2009), and played a campy Hollywood villain in Jack Reacher (Christopher McQuarrie, 2012); Herzog's range is extreme, from Wagnerian opera to The Simpsons. You can even buy this Herzog Companion online from Walmart for $189.47. Surely a poetic visionary, Werner Herzog is not a loner but an ingenious and playful collaborator. He is also a film-industry trouper, having created a parallel œuvre by voicing DVD commentaries for his films, now on the market in a boxed set. As he told Slate.com, "I did these voice-overs only because audiences love it. They want it and they expect it, and I do not want to withhold it from them. Because I work for an audience. That's what I do" ("Brow Beat," Slate's culture blog, 4 August 2014). Not exhausting all the ways to look at the artist but deepening many of them and pointing toward more, this book succeeds in demonstrating that Herzog is inexhaustible—in all senses of the word.


This paper examines the potential effect of public financing of campaigns on encouraging citizens to run for office in state legislative elections. Using new data from a survey of community leaders in three states, it examines factors that influence the decision to run for state representative, looking especially at whether the availability of public funds induces strategic candidates to enter a race. The findings indicate that public subsidies are likely to encourage ambitious and quality candidates, but not necessarily those who are most likely to win. Moreover, public subsidies may encourage those who face high "psychic�? costs of soliciting campaign contributions, but not necessarily those have difficulty raising money. There is no evidence that public subsidies will boost candidacies from those in under-represented groups such as women, minorities and low income individuals. It is likely to increase the number of liberal candidates. The implications of these findings are discussed.


The middle ear poses unique challenges when finding suitable materials for ossicular reconstruction, primarily because of its link to the external environment via the eustachian tube, which leads to a greater potential for exposure to infectious agents. In this animal study, the biocompatibilities of titanium and glass-ionomer cement were assessed in the middle ear of the rabbit after being implanted as total ossicular replacement prostheses (TORPs) or as free pins. Animals were sacrified after 28, 84, 168, 336, or 504 days or 2 years, and a cutting saw technique was used to prepare slides for light microscopy. Slides were examined for mucosal coverage and any sign of foreign body reaction. Both materials showed good acceptance in the middle ear. After 28 days, the TORPs were covered by middle ear mucosa. As expected, it took a longer time (up to 504 days) to cover the free implants. An interesting finding was the growth of new bone on both the surface of the titanium implants and the glass-ionomer prostheses. The results of this animal study indicate that both titanium and glass-ionomer cement are favorable materials for ossicular replacement prostheses.


Plakoglobin (β-catenin) and β-catenin are highly homologous proteins that function in cell-cell adhesion and signaling. Both proteins exist in a cadherin-associated form, which mediates adhesion, and in a distinct cytosolic/nuclear form, which plays a signaling role. Despite their interactions with common cellular partners, β-catenin has well documented oncogenic potential while plakoglobin expression is generally associated with tumor/metastasis suppression. The underlying mechanisms for this activity of plakoglobin are unclear. We previously showed that plakoglobin expression in oral squamous carcinoma cells (SCC9-PG) resulted in a mesenchymal-epidermoid transition, which was concurrent with increased N-cadherin and decreased β-catenin levels. Comparison of the RNA and protein profiles of SCC9 cells and SCC9-PG transfectants identified a number of differentially expressed proteins and transcripts, which suggested that plakoglobin regulates gene expression. Closer analysis of the mRNA profiles of SCC9 and SCC9-PG cells identified several p53 target genes that were differentially expressed upon plakoglobin expression, suggesting that plakoglobin may regulate gene expression in conjunction with p53. Here, we describe the ability of plakoglobin to regulate three potential p53 target genes: the tumor and metastasis suppressors 14-3-3α and Nm23 and the tumor promoter SATB1. We show, by RT-PCR and Western blot, that plakoglobin expression results in increased 14-3-3σ and Nm23 and decreased SATB1 mRNA and protein levels. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments show that plakoglobin and p53 interact, and that these interactions occur in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) indicate that plakoglobin and p53 associate with the promoters of these target genes. Finally, luciferase reporter assays confirm that plakoglobin regulates the expression of these p53 target genes. Taken together, the results of these studies provide strong evidence that plakoglobin plays an active role in regulating gene expression, a function that has not often been associated with plakoglobin. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1185. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1185


Acoustic recording of echolocation activity of bats is a means of monitoring bat activity or habitat use over time and space. Advances in technology permit long-term monitoring of echolocation activity relatively cheaply and there is much interest in developing acoustic monitoring protocols for long-term monitoring of bat populations. There are many challenges to using acoustic recordings for monitoring underlying changes in bat populations, but acoustic recordings can be used to evaluate changes in use and activity. There has been much recent attention and effort to develop automated species identification/classification and to make these tools available through both commercial software or free online. More work needs to be done, however, before automated species classification can be implemented for monitoring bats on continental or global scales. Here, I provide a brief overview of current popular systems for long-term echolocation monitoring and discuss some of the challenges and advantages of current acoustic monitoring systems. Key words:  bats, detector systems, echolocation activity, acoustic monitoring, ultrasonic signals.


A military hospital was known in Cambrai since 1708. It was located in the very old "Chateau de Selles" after the end of the First Empire with 150 to 300 beds. This hospital was very useful during the war between France and Germany in 1870, but it was not used by the french army during the two world wars, Cambrai beeing the two times invested by the german army. Named "Percy Hospital" during the eighteenth century, it received the name "Parmentier" in 1913. After the Second World War, it was used as an asylum for old men, then converted into courts of justice at the end of the twenteenth century.


The essay deals with the relationships among pilgrimage, travelling, ethnography, tourism and other forms of mobility. I argue that it is not useful to distinguish strictly between the categories of pilgrimage and tourism. Furthermore, I try to challenge the boundaries between religious and secular motion to attain more complex view of the matter. I utilize examples from San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala; Mariazell, Austria; and the Viennese palace of Albertina to explore the multidimensionality of the subject and simultaneously to depict its similarities. The journeys to the extraordinary, unusual or exceptional experiences share some common aspects such as the power of metanarratives or the effect of psychosocial reinforcement. Here I focus on how the images and discourses are culturally constructed and used by pilgrims, tourists and travellers. Finally, I emphasize that the journeys provide psychic strengthening and social capital to the actors.


Substance abuse among university students is increasing globally. Nigeria, with her peculiar class of university students who are younger than global average is not left out. This paper reports a qualitative Intervention research that utilized narrative inquiry instrument to explore the interface of substance abuse issues, disciplinary dilemmas and family involvement at a private university in Nigeria. This research identified challenges and concerns amongst administrators, parents, students and student support services staff. Primary Socialization and Critical theories formed the theoretical backdrop for the research. The participants in the study were members of administration and disciplinary committee (n=10). Parents (n=10), students (n=20) and student support staff (n=10). The findings showed early onset of substance abuse at an average age of 17, which coincides with the average of entry into Nigerian universities. Alcohol and Marijuana was the most preferred drug of choice. 50% of the student participants had family history of substance abuse involvement and 80% was alcohol use. Parental responses such as reduced levels of trust, strained relationships and withdrawal of support and privileges were motivators for students to engage in treatment. Implementation of institutional disciplinary measures for involvement of student with substance abuse such as suspension or expulsion was also indicated as motivators to engage in treatment and maintenance of sobriety, however both parents and students identified the provision of services such as drug screening, counseling and family conferences as having long term impact on staying sober. Both parents and students recommended strict monitoring measures to reduce the incidences of substance abuse on the university campus. The Nigerian cultural value and above global average of parental involvement was a strength that informed the recommendation for a collaborative approach between the university and families of students involved with substance abuse. The responses of university administrators indicated struggles between service and disciplinary responses. The study concluded by proposing a model of approach with practice guidelines for a collaborative approach between the university and families of students involved with substance abuse. Collaborative "junctions" with parents were delineated without compromising the institutional policy on substance abuse.


The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) continues to support research leading to resolutions of generic safety issues (GSIs) that have been identified by its management systems. In one research effort, the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) developed personal computer-based programs capable of assisting in GSI resolutions. These programs provide a low cost, standard means of performing probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) calculations, which determine the values (e.g., the averted risks) of proposed GSI resolutions. In conjunction with the development of these computer programs, INEL has researched the limitations of PRA analysis for evaluating GSIs. This research consisted of performing an issue by issue review of each GSI that has been identified by the NRC, in order to provide answers to a list of standard questions concerning each GSI. 3 refs., 4 figs.


OpenFlow is a clean-slate Future Internet architecture that decouples control and forwarding layers of routing, which has recently started being deployed throughout the world for research purposes. This paper presents an optimization framework for the OpenFlow controller in order to provide QoS support for scalable video streaming over an OpenFlow network. We pose and solve two optimization problems, where we route the base layer of SVC encoded video as a lossless-QoS flow, while the enhancement layers can be routed either as a lossy-QoS flow or as a best effort flow, respectively. The proposed approach differs from current QoS architectures since we provide dynamic rerouting capability possibly using non-shortest paths for lossless and lossy QoS flows. We show that dynamic rerouting of QoS flows achieves significant improvement on the video's overall PSNR under network congestion.


AIMS
Cerebral embolism is a possible serious complication during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this prospective pilot study was to analyse the incidence and possible impact of cryo ablation on cerebral lesions and possible differences to radiofrequency (RF) ablation during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

METHODS AND RESULTS
Pulmonary vein isolation was performed in 89 patients, either with the cryoballoon technique (n = 45) or with RF ablation (n = 44). Phenprocoumon was stopped 3 days before intervention and replaced by subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin. During the catheter procedure, an infusion of unfractionated heparin was maintained to achieve an activated clotting time (ACT) of > 300 s. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed 1 day before and after PVI, and at 3-month follow-up. Chronic lesions were observed in 11 patients (12.3%) before PVI without statistically significant difference between the two groups. None of the patients had neurological symptoms during or following the procedure. Seven patients (7.9%) developed acute lesions 1 day after PVI, without statistically significant difference between the group treated by cryoenergy (8.9%) and RF ablation (6.8%). Patients with acute lesions were significantly older compared with those without acute cerebral lesions. No additional cerebral lesions during follow-up were observed.

CONCLUSION
A considerable portion of patients with AF but without any neurological symptoms had chronic cerebral lesions before PVI. Additional acute lesions could be added after the procedure. Both ablation techniques showed additional cerebral acute lesions with no neurological symptoms after PVI.


This paper proposes a formal model of the Android permission scheme. We describe the scheme specifying entities and relationships, and provide a state-based model which includes the behavior specification of permission authorization and the interactions between application components. We also show how we can logically confirm the security of the specified system. Utilizing a theorem prover, we can verify security with given security requirements based on mechanically checked proofs. The proposed model can be used as a reference model when the scheme is implemented in a different embedded platform, or when we extend the current scheme with additional constraints or elements. We demonstrate the use of the verifiable specification through finding a security vulnerability in the Android system. To our knowledge, this is the first formalization of the permission scheme enforced by the Android framework.


Leymus mollis (Trin.) Pilg. (2n = 4x = 28, NsNsXmXm) potentially harbours useful genes that might contribute to the improvement of wheat. We describe M862 as a novel wheat-L. mollis alien disomic substitution line from a cross between wheat cv. 7182 and octoploid Tritileymus M47. Cytological observations indicate that M862 has a chromosome constitution of 2n = 42 = 21II. Two 4D chromosomes of wheat substituted by two L. mollis Ns chromosomes were observed, using the GISH and ND-FISH analyses. Molecular marker, 55K SNP array and wheat-P. huashanica liquid array (GenoBaits®WheatplusPh) analyses further indicate that the alien chromosomes are L. mollis 4Ns. Therefore, it was deduced that M862 was a wheat-L. mollis 4Ns(4D) alien disomic substitution line. There were also changes in chromosomes 1A, 1D, 2B and 5A detected by ND-FISH analysis. Transcriptome sequencing showed that the structural variation of 1D, 1A and 5A may have smaller impact on gene expression than that for 2B. In addition, a total of 16 markers derived from Lm#4Ns were developed from transcriptome sequences, and these proved to be highly effective for tracking the introduced chromosome. M862 showed reduced height, larger grains (weight and width), and was highly resistance to CYR32 and CYR34 stripe rust races at the seedling stage and mixed stripe rust races (CYR32, CYR33 and CYR34) at the adult stage. It was also resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB). This alien disomic substitution line M862 may be exploited as an important genetic material in the domestication of stipe rust and FHB resistance wheat varieties.


We propose a multiple access scheme based on time division duplexing (TDD) for peer-to-peer speech communications in a short-range mobile ad hoc network of wireless nodes. This reservation-based packet-switched scheme aims to improve the utilisation of radio channel by taking into account the on-off patterns of speech. The TDD frame suggested for the channels is divided into a control sub-frame and an information sub-frame. The busy indication control packets used to indicate the slot reservation is aimed at disseminating the channel status to new nodes joining the network and to ensure a collision-free data channel.


In this paper, we propose two efficient statistical sampling techniques for estimating the total power consumption of large hierarchical circuits. We first show that, due to the characteristic of the sampling efficiency in Monte Carlo simulation, granularity of samples is an important issue in achieving high overall efficiency. The proposed techniques perform sampling both temporally (across different clock cycles) and spatially (across different modules) so that a smaller sample granularity can be achieved while maintaining the normality of samples. The first proposed technique, which is referred to as the module-based approach, samples each module independently when forming a power sample. The second technique, which is referred to as the cluster-based approach, lumps the modules of a hierarchical circuit into a number of clusters on which sampling is then performed. Both techniques adapt stratification to further improve the efficiency. Experimental results show that these techniques provide a reduction of 23/spl times/ in simulation run time compared to existing Monte-Carlo simulation techniques.


Although current theories all point to distinct neural systems for sequence learning, no consensus has been reached on which factors crucially define this distinction. Dissociable judgment-linked versus motor-linked and implicit versus explicit neural systems have been proposed. This paper reviews these two distinctions, yet concludes that these traditional dichotomies prove insufficient to account for all data on sequence learning and its neural organization. Instead, a broader theoretical framework is necessary providing a more continuous means of dissociating sequence learning systems. We argue that a more recent theory, dissociating multidimensional versus unidimensional neural systems, might provide such framework, and we discuss this theory in relation to more general principles of associative learning and recent imaging findings.


The products from raw materials of plant origin are a great source of the biologically active compounds with a wide range of activities and properties, especially antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. Typically, bioactive compounds of plants are produced as secondary metabolites and are sourced mostly as essential oils and hydrosoles. Lately, new, unique and innovative product name fluidolat® are developed by Śmigielski and his co-workers at the Technical University of Lodz [1,2]. These are components which unquestionably has many positive aspects, mostly high application potential, health benefit, biological activity and sensory value. In this article general characteristic of essential oils, hydrosoles, and fluidolat®, as well as a few words about their application and biological activity are presented.


Background Both EUROASPIRE studies revealed the suboptimal management of coronary patients regarding lifestyle changes and prophylactic use of cardiovascular drugs. We report here on the mortality follow-up of the EUROASPIRE I cohort over a median period of 4.4 years. Design and methods The EUROASPIRE I cohort consisted of a consecutive sample of patients aged ≤ 70 years from nine European countries, hospitalized because of coronary artery bypass graft, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, acute myocardial infarction or myocardial ischaemia. Baseline data, gathered in 1995–96 through standardized methods, were linked to cause-specific mortality as registered up to 1 April 2000 in 3343 patients. Results After adjustment for age, gender and diagnostic category according to Cox modelling, smoking, previous coronary heart disease and diabetes proved significant predictors of total, cardiovascular (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. Obesity, low education, raised blood pressure, elevated total cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol, however, were not significantly associated with higher mortality rates. In multivariate analysis, smoking and diabetes emerged as the strongest predictors of CVD [risk ratios (RR) 2.2 and 2.5 respectively] and CHD mortality (RR 2.4 and 2.4 respectively). Conclusions The results of the mortality follow-up of the EUROASPIRE I patients underline the importance of smoking and diabetes in the secondary prevention of CHD. Failure to find statistically significant associations between other classical risk factors, such as blood pressure and plasma lipid levels, and mortality may be related to the extensive use of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs in this cohort.


Background The novel nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist finerenone holds promise to be safe and efficient in the treatment of patients with heart failure and/or chronic kidney disease. However, its effects on vascular function remain elusive. Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the functional effect of selective MR antagonism by finerenone in vascular cells in vitro and the effect on vascular remodeling following acute vascular injury in vivo. Methods and results In vitro, finerenone dose-dependently reduced aldosterone-induced smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, as quantified by BrdU incorporation, and prevented aldosterone-induced endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis, as measured with a flow cytometry based caspase 3/7 activity assay. In vivo, oral application of finerenone resulted in an accelerated re-endothelialization 3 days following electric injury of the murine carotid artery. Furthermore, finerenone treatment inhibited intimal and medial cell proliferation following wire-induced injury of the murine femoral artery 10 days following injury and attenuated neointimal lesion formation 21 days following injury. Conclusion Finerenone significantly reduces apoptosis of ECs and simultaneously attenuates SMC proliferation, resulting in accelerated endothelial healing and reduced neointima formation of the injured vessels. Thus, finerenone appears to provide favorable vascular effects through restoring vascular integrity and preventing adverse vascular remodeling.


This paper proposes an improved Ad-hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol based on node-grade to reduce the energy consumption of nodes in wireless sensor networks. The improved AODV called Grade-AODV (G-AODV) assigns a grade to each node according to the hop distance of the node to the sink node. The lower grade a node has, the closer it is to the sink. Each node is restricted to receive the route request (RREQ) packet from the nodes which have larger grade than itself. Therefore, the proposed G-AODV can reduce the energy consumption of nodes from two aspects: 1) the useless broadcast of RREQ can be avoided; 2) each packet uses less network resources because the route paths with less hop distance are set up. The performance of G-AODV is evaluated by simulation through OPNET modeler. The simulation results show that the G-AODV has better performance than AODV in view of the utilization and lifetime of network.


A soybean variety, Kariyutaka was found to form much more precocious flower buds than those of the other six genotypes used in this study when in vitro cultured at 26°C with 16/8 h light/dark regime (fluorescent tubes at an intensity of about 100 mmols s 1 m ). In addition, it was a suitable genotype for soybean transformation because it was highly sensitive to Agrobacterium and it exhibited excellent shoot regeneration. Its transformation frequency (about 1%) was comparable to that of a variety Thorne, which is known as one of the suitable cultivars for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Because transgenic shoots of Kariyutaka formed in vitro precocious flower buds, T1 seeds were obtained in only six months after co-cultivation with Agrobacterium. A few copy numbers of transgenes were inheritable to T1 generations. T1 plants also produced seed within 2–3 months when grown at the same regime as in vitro culture. Hence Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using Kariyutaka can be recommended as a model method for the rapid development of transgenic soybean lines.


The authors examined the associations between the performance of upper- and lower-extremity motor tasks across task complexity and motor symptom severity, overall disease severity, and the physical aspects of quality of life in persons with Parkinson's disease. The performance was assessed for three lower-extremity tasks and two upper-extremity tasks of different levels of complexity. The motor symptoms and overall disease severity correlated significantly with all motor tasks with higher correlation coefficients in the complex tasks. Thus, the strength of the association between disease severity or severity of motor symptoms and motor performance is task-specific, with higher values in complex motor tasks than in simpler motor tasks. Mobility-related and activity-of-daily-living-related quality of life correlated with lower-extremity tasks of low and medium complexity and with the complex upper-extremity task, respectively; this suggests that Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 is capable of differentiating between the impact of gross and fine motor function on quality of life.


The ability to make radar signature databases portable for use within similar sensor systems is critical to the affordability of future airborne signature exploitation systems. The capability to hybridize measured and synthetic signature database components will maximize the impact of the investment required to build complex radar signature databases. Radar target scattering mechanisms can be modeled and the signature signal model analyzed as a random process to enable portability and hybridization. Modal mutual information is developed as a measure of similarity for future use in the comparison of measured field data to modeled synthetic data. The inherent qualities of mutual information to be used in the context of the automatic target recognition problem are demonstrated using synthetic signature sets comprised of both "similar targets" and "dissimilar targets."


Development of a modified BEMT model for the analysis of helical bladed vertical axis tidal turbines
Mohammad Fereidoonnezhad1, Seán Leen1, Stephen Nash1, Tomas Flanagan2, Patrick McGarry1
1 School of Engineering, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
2 ÉireComposites Teo., Údarás Industrial Estate An Choill Rua, Inverin, Galway, Ireland
E-mail: email@example.com

Keywords: Blade element momentum theory, Helical vertical axis tidal turbine, FEA Analysis
Classical blade element momentum theory (BEMT) formulations are not capable of accurately simulating complex blade geometries, such as spiral or helical blade geometries. In this paper, we develop a modified BEMT model to calculate hydrodynamic forces acting on the helical vertical axis tidal turbines. Our framework accounts for curved blade geometries where the leading edge is not orthogonal to the freestream velocity, and chord vectors are not in the azimuthal-radial plane. We validate the model using experimental data for a prototype VAWT. We then perform a parametric analysis of helical bladed VATT designs. Both the helix angle of the blade and the relative orientation of the chord strongly influence the power output of a turbine. Our modified BEMT model also predicts that an increase in blade helix angle results in reduced power fluctuations. Additionally, computed fluctuations in tangential and normal forces acting on blades are shown to reduce significantly with increasing blade helix angle, suggesting a reduction in risk of fatigue failure. We also uncover a complex distribution of normal and tangential forces along the length of a helical blade. Fluctuating hydrodynamic forces computed by our modified BEMT model are input into a finite element (FE) framework to compute the stress state in a fibre reinforced composite blade material for a range of blade azimuthal positions. Analyses reveal that blade deflections are three orders of magnitude lower than the turbine radius, suggesting that sufficient structural stiffness is achieved by the blade design. Results also uncover stress concentrations in the region of strut-blade connection, revealing a higher risk of fracture and fatigue failure at this location.


In 2017, a Total Diet Study was conducted in the Netherlands in which mycotoxins were analysed in foods and beverages consumed by 1- and 2-year-old children. These mycotoxins were aflatoxins, Alternaria toxins, citrinin, ergot alkaloids, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, patulin, sterigmatocystin, trichothecenes, and zearalenone. Long-term exposure was calculated by combining concentrations in foods and beverages with consumed amounts of these products. Analysed foods and beverages with a concentration below the detection limit that could contain the mycotoxin, were assigned a concentration equal to half this limit value. To assess if the exposure could result in a possible health risk, the high long-term exposure (95th percentile) was compared with a health-based guidance value (HBGV) or a margin of exposure (MOE) was calculated. Exposure to aflatoxins, Alternaria toxins, ochratoxin A and T-2/HT-2 sum may pose a health concern. Foods that contributed most to the exposure of these mycotoxins were bread, biscuits, breakfast cereals, chocolates, dried fruit, follow-on formula and fruit juices.


Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, including monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have limited efficacy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. In the randomized phase II PREDICTOR trial, we aimed at identifying predictive and pharmacodynamics biomarkers of 2-4 weeks afatinib (an irreversible pan-HER inhibitor) versus no treatment in the pre-operative setting (NCT01415674). We previously reported a 59% metabolic response rate on PET imaging in the afatinib arm. We report here the evaluation of predictive genomic and transcriptomic biomarkers of afatinib efficacy.
 Patients and Methods: All patients (41 in the afatinib arm and 20 in the no treatment arm) underwent a pre-treatment biopsy. We performed targeted DNA sequencing using an in-house NGS panel of 571 genes on baseline biopsies from 56 patients, and RNA-sequencing (RNAseq) in 54 patients. In the afatinib arm, 26 patients had paired pre- and post-treatment tumor samples. DNA and RNA alterations were correlated with metabolic response to afatinib using PET imaging, as well as overall survival (OS).
 Results: Most frequent molecular alterations, including known activating mutations and/or focal amplifications for oncogenes or homozygous deletions and inactivating mutations for tumor suppressor genes, involved genome integrity (TP53 [70%]), cell cycle (CCND1 [38%], CDKN2A [32%], CDKN2B [14%]), senescence (TERT [23%]), Wnt signaling (NOTCH1 [16%]), and the PI3K pathway (PIK3CA [14%]). In the afatinib arm, metabolic response was observed in 1 out of 7 patients (14%) and in 19 out of 28 patients (68%) in the Wnt altered and unaltered groups (p = 0.03, fisher exact test), respectively. In the whole cohort of patients, homozygous deletions of both CDKN2A and CDKN2B correlated with shorter OS, with 6-year survival of 22% in the CDKN2A/B altered group and 70% in the CDKN2A/B wild-type group (p = 0.004; log-rank test). In the afatinib treated patients, using a generalized linear mixed model with a patient as random effect and a quasi-binomial family, the ratio of B cells expression levels in the post-treated versus pre-treated samples was significantly higher in responder as compared to non-responder patients (p = 0.001).
 Conclusions: Wnt signaling pathway alterations and treatment-related dynamic changes in B cells proportions were identified as predictive and pharmacodynamics biomarkers of afatinib efficacy. CDKN2A/B homozygous deletions were associated with a poor prognosis in HNSCC patients treated with upfront surgery.
 Citation Format: Grégoire Marret, Maud Kamal, Jocelyn Gal, Stéphane Temam, Jerzy Klijianenko, Jean-Pierre Delord, Caroline Hoffmann, Gilles Dolivet, Olivier Malard, Jerôme Fayette, Olivier Capitain, Caroline Even, Sébastien Vergez, Lionel Geoffrois, Frédéric Rolland, Philippe Zrounba, Laurent Laccourreye, Joël Guigay, Nicolas Aide, Valérie Bénavent, Constance Lamy, Elodie Girard, Marta Jimenez, Ivan Bièche, Christophe Le Tourneau. Randomized phase II trial of pre-operative afatinib in non-metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients: Identification of predictive biomarkers of response [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1237.


Songket shawl is handcrafted hereditary in South Sumatra, but is also a manufacture shawls for songket which is also typical of Palembang. Songket shawls  device consists of makers crutch, stick motif maker, dividers, and bobbin. Furthermore, researchers will apply a calculation using the splay tree algorithm to identify, to detected and stop the process of command at the time of semi-otomamatis will be work, researchers will also discuss well with experts. Semi-automation weaving machines are expected to contribute the craftsmen to improve results weaving  it's , such as looms and supplies sensors and application programs that can be used and then will make the craft of weaving typical areas of South Sumatra. This research is expected to produce a patent for songket and scarf with a semi-automatic machine patents and developed with several motifs. This research will measure  are performance of semi-automatic by showing  results of measurement of the strength or speed DC motor to throw and pull the threads, be it gold thread and yarn. Limar, regulated Pulse Width Mudulation (PWM) so that the performance of motor speed can be adjusted, from measurement results are known in the hurling thread from a distance of 0 - 30 cm. When a thread already determined the maximum distance that the duty cycle of the PWM value of 0 cm distance position obtained 0 % duty cylce and from a distance of 30 cm till maximum gained 3.12% duty cycle. Furthermore, measuring the value of the AT Mega 8 is connected to the amplifier IC L293D DC motor with which the process of making a semi automatic loom requires a 12 MHz crystal so that the cycle speed to 12 MHz/12 = 1 MHz, which means time is 1 microsecond pulse period. Loom's will be connected to a computer for programming process as data base in terms of the AT Mega 8 language in use, so that the output of the weaving songket shawl can be arranged with advance determined motives that would be desirable is useful to prevent or protect hurling thread - the thread excessive, so that motifs are in use should be appropriate.


Methodology for testing natural compounds for determination of antifungal activity had been developed with adaptations. The most used are bioautography and agar diffusion with a complex and no defined media. In this study, different methods for determination of antifungal activity of natural products are discussed and the use of M27-A2 microdilution test from CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, 2002), as general standard methodology for testing plant extracts activity is recommended.


This report discusses the basis of the original Marshall design criteria established by the Waterways Experiment Station and criteria used by the Asphalt Institute and Virginia Department of Highways and Transportation. Marshall test properties are discussed in detail, particularly the related physical concepts. Special attention is paid to obtaining the proper aggregate gradation through the use of the 0.45 power chart and the proper number of sieves for gradation control. Finally, 1979 field Marshall data from the eight construction districts are analyzed to provide an indication of the revision needed in the design criteria used by the Department. Use of these revised criteria is illustrated in a suggested design procedure.


Aim. To study the effectiveness of the surgical tactic «Damage control» in providing medical care to victims of motor vehicle accidents with associated mechanical injuries of various locations. Methods. 85 victims of motor vehicle accidents with associated mechanical injuries of various locations from 2006 to 2010 were the subjects of the clinical study. Depending on the surgical approach, which was chosen on the basis of assessment of the severity of the condition and injuries, the patients were divided into two groups. The first (main) group included 35 (41.2%) victims, in whom the stepwise tactic of trauma elimination «Damage control» was used. The second (comparison) group consisted of 50 (58.8%) patients, in whom the traditional tactic of simultaneous treatment of all lesions during the surgical intervention was applied. An analysis of the dynamics of clinical indicators, incidence of complication development and mortality was conducted depending on the chosen surgical treatment tactic. Results. The overall incidence of complications in the early postoperative period in the first group was lower by 38.0% and the mortality - by 7.7%. Conclusion. The use of the «Damage control» surgical tactic is effective in the complex treatment of victims of motor vehicle accidents with associated mechanical trauma.


Ethylene dibromide (EDB), a potential carcinogen, has been used in gasoline mixtures to avoid the accumulation of metallic lead in engines. Ethylene dibromide is present in the environment and in groundwater. Previous analysis has shown that EDB levels have reached up to 16 microg L-1 in the groundwater at two fuel spill plumes in the vicinity of the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR) Base and up to 1.69 microg L-1 in the Coonamessett and Quashnet Rivers in Cape Cod, MA (U.S. Air Force IRP, Fact Sheet #98-10, 1998). Groundwater and river water from this area are used to flood some local cranberry bogs for irrigation and harvesting of cranberry fruits. The potential sorption of EDB by cranberry fruits during harvest has caused concern but information regarding its occurrence is not available. In this study, low levels of EDB (0.04-0.15 microg kg-1) were found to be associated with cranberry fruits that were exposed to EDB at levels ranging from 3 to 12 microg L-1 at 10, 20, and 30 degrees C for up to 7 days. Rinsing EDB-exposed cranberry fruits twice with deionized water or once with 0.01 M NaCl solution reduced the amount of EDB associated with the cranberry fruits by 65-72% to a level of 0.02 microg kg-1. Therefore, the EDB most likely is associated with the water residue on the surface of the cranberry fruit rather than being absorbed into the flesh of the fruit during the EDB exposure.


In 1922 Becker found an exact solution for shock waves in gases using the Navier-Stokes-Fourier constitutive equations for a Prandtl number of value 3/4 with constant transport coefficients. His analysis has been extended to study some cases where an implicit solution can be found in an exact way. In this work we consider this problem for the so-called soft-spheres model in which the viscosity and thermal conductivity are proportional to a power of the temperature η,κ∝T^{σ}. In particular, we give implicit exact solutions for the Maxwell model (σ=1), hard spheres (σ=1/2), and when σ (the viscosity index) is a natural number.


Site-directed mutagenesis was used to change E190 of sheep liver 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase to A, D, H, K, Q, and R to probe its possible role as a general acid catalyst. Each of the mutant proteins was characterized with respect to the pH dependence of kinetic parameters. Mutations that eliminate a titrable group at position 190, result in pH-rate profiles with no observable pK on the basic side of the V/K6PG profile. Mutations that change the pK of the group at position 190 result in the expected pK perturbations in the V/K6PG profile. Kinetic parameters obtained at the pH optimum in the pH-rate profiles are consistent with a rate-limiting tautomerization of the 1,2-enediol of ribulose 5-phosphate consistent with the proposed role of E190. Data are also consistent with some participation of E190 in an isomerization required to form the active Michaelis complex.


The corrosion rate of Nd-Fe-B magnets is found to vary with O, C, and N contents. The corrosion rate rapidly decreases with increasing oxygen content and reaches the minimum when the oxygen content is between 0.6 and 1.2%. The corrosion rate rapidly decreases as the carbon content increases up to about 0.06% and then gradually decreases as the carbon content increases up to about 0.1%. Further increase in the carbon content up to about 0.15% slowly increases the corrosion rate and then increases the rate substantially with further carbon increase (>0.15%). Therefore, the proper carbon content for a low corrosion rate is 0.10+or-.04%. The effect of carbon content on the corrosion rate becomes smaller when the oxygen content increases in the alloy. The effect of nitrogen content on the corrosion rate is less dramatic when it is less than 0.1%, i.e. the corrosion rate decreases with increasing nitrogen content up to 0.10% when oxygen and carbon contents are properly high, whereas the corrosion rate increases when the carbon and oxygen contents are low. If the nitrogen content exceeds 0.1% in a low C and O alloy, the corrosion rate increases dramatically. The results of this investigation indicate that the corrosion rate reaches the minimum when O>or=0.6% (preferably 0.6 to 1.2%), C=0.06 to 0.14%, and N=0.05 to 0.10%. >


Biodegradable materials utilized in current orthopedic sports medicine fixation devices are required to maintain mechanical properties for at least 12 weeks to facilitate tissue healing and then ideally degrade with eventual replacement by surrounding tissue (bone). Current materials exhibit excessive longevity, which limit the potential for bone replacement, an ideal outcome in clinical procedures where revisions are a possibility. This study investigates material property modification of poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) by calcium carbonate. Modification of the degradation rate of PLGA by calcium carbonate (16, 36, 51% w/w) was demonstrated and the percentage of calcium carbonate within the polymer optimized at 36% (w/w). The optimized formulation was molded into a fixation screw and in vitro degradation demonstrated a gradual loss in molecular weight but with a pull-out strength retention beyond 12 weeks. Significant mass loss then occurred after 26 weeks. Physical testing, insertion torque, and failure torque indicated that this composite also had sufficient initial mechanical properties required for screw in type fixation devices. The combination of mechanical properties and degradation behavior suggests that this material may have potential to be utilized in orthopedic fixation devices that are placed in bone.


We show that if the presently observed L/E-flatness of the electron-like event ratio in the Super-Kamiokande atmospheric neutrino data is confirmed, then the indicated ratio must be unity. Further, it is found that once CP is violated the exact L/E flatness implies: (a) the CP-violating phase, in the standard parametrization, is narrowed down to two possibilities ±π/2, and (b) the mixing between the second and the third generations must be maximal. With these results at hand, we argue that a dedicated study of the L/E-flatness of the electron-like event ratio by Super-Kamiokande can serve as an initial investigatory probe of CP violation in the neutrino sector. The assumptions under which these results hold are explicitly stated.


The paper presents a follow‐up to the saga of organizational culture, first chronicled in two issues of the Leadership & Organization Development Journal in 1996 and tracing culture's development from the organization development model through to the interest in total quality management (TQM), forming a link between the three concepts. Since the 1996 articles, culture as a concept has proceeded to develop in many new directions. In revisiting organizational culture after five years, this paper attempts to show how it has branched out from TQM and has since been associated with business process reengineering, organizational learning, and knowledge management; all of which claim to involve either changing a culture or working with an existing culture. Discusses also the role of culture in the emerging ideas and perspectives of strategic alliances, sustainability and future organizations. It is argued that the culture saga is far from finished. While many of its components may turn out to be no more than passing fads and fashions, culture has proven itself to be an enduring concept that, as it has travelled many paths in the past, will travel many different paths in the future.


Recent analyses of the Lamb shift data in muonic deuterium ($\mu^- d$) have shown that precision atomic spectroscopy determines a more accurate radius of the deuteron than scattering experiments do. This precision can be used to determine the D-state probability, $P_D$, in deuteron accurately. To demonstrate the method, we evaluate the nuclear structure corrections of order $\alpha^4$ within a few body formalism for the $\mu^- p n$ system in muonic deuterium using different values of $P_D$ and find $P_D$ close to 2\% to be most favoured by the $\mu^-d$ data.


Mutations in the Neuroligin-3 (Nlgn3) gene are implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction but its cellular expression in the GI tract remains to be characterised. Localisation of NLGN3 protein is challenging in intestinal tissue due to the lack of target-specific antibodies. Here, we combined RNAScope in situ hybridization for Nlgn3 mRNA and immunofluorescence for markers of all mouse enteric neurons, cholinergic submucosal neurons, non-cholinergic submucosal neurons, nitregic and calretinin-containing myenteric neurons as well as glial cells. We also developed a quantitative 3-dimensional image analysis method to measure Nlgn3 mRNA cellular expression levels in enteric neurons and glia. We show that Nlgn3 mRNA is expressed in most submucosal and myenteric neurons as well as in enteric glia. The R451C mutation reduces Nlgn3 mRNA expression levels in cholinergic, nitrergic and calretinin enteric neuronal subpopulations but does not affect Nlgn3 mRNA expression in VIPergic submucosal neurons. In summary, we show that the autism-associated R451C mutation in Nlgn3 reduces Nlgn3 mRNA expression in the mouse enteric nervous system (ENS). These findings could shed light on the pathophysiology of GI dysfunction in ASD.


Following the early pioneering efforts of Juvenelle' and Neptune2 in the field of lung reimplantation and transplantation, a number of reports have appeared in the recent literature of the prolongation of survival of whole-lung homograftsS-* with the use of various immunosuppressive agents. To date, there have been no studies of the prolongation of survival of homotransplanted lobes. The left lower lobe was chosen as the test organ for this study, since it appears to offer a number of theoretical advantages over the use of whole lungs in future human application. This report concerns itself with a segment of our experience dealing with left lower lobe transplantation, and attempts to correlate the histologic changes seen after homotransplantation with the function of the lung graft and with the effects of drug therapy. These observations are a part of a broader study, the goal of which is the prolongation of the functional survival of transplanted pulmonary tissue by combining antimetabolite drug treatment with the use of specifically chosen donors and recipients who have been found to share transplantation antigens.


Abstract Laying the groundwork for a larger project, this essay brings together for the first time a working corpus of diptychs connected with the Angevin court in Naples in the later thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Comprising both surviving diptychs and diptychs now lost but recorded in inventories, this body of material reveals that objects of this type were commissioned and collected in significant numbers at the Neapolitan court, in a range of sizes, mediums, and subjects, and were produced by workshops linked not only to Naples but also to central Italy, Genoa, and the Eastern Mediterranean. In turn, diptychs in Naples raise larger questions about the histories, materialities, and meanings of the format in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries in Europe and the Mediterranean. Above all, the objects brought together here press us to set diptychs in motion through networks of artworks, artists, and patrons on the move across the Mediterranean.


In preparation of antenna testing for future space exploration missions, ESA ESTEC decided to upgrade its Compact Antenna Test Range into the mm-wave region. As a goal, the same functionality as at lower frequencies should be realized. That means: full (octave) frequency band coverage, sweep or step frequency capability, high dynamic range in the order of 70-80 dB, computer controllable and compatibility with the existing HP8530 receiver equipment. The 110 170 GHz band was chosen as a first step to test the concept. With a transmitter, based on a PLL-locked Backward Wave Oscillator, and a receiver based on sub-harmonic mixing in combination with multiplexing of the LO, a system was created with unsurpassed performance in terms of band coverage and dynamic range.


Measurement of thermal thresholds provides a means of assessing neurological deficit and in particular of recognising a neuropathic process affecting unmyelinated and small myelinated fibres of the peripheral nerve. These groups of fibres cannot be tested by nerve conduction studies but are particularly susceptible to disease in diabetes. Thresholds for thermal sensation on the sole of the foot were measured in 33 men presenting with erectile dysfunction. All 15 men with erectile dysfunction, which had been considered on clinical grounds to be neuropathic, had abnormal thermal thresholds. Diabetics with non-neuropathic erectile dysfunction had normal results. Whereas tests of unmyelinated sensory fibre function were abnormal in all those with neuropathic erectile dysfunction, electrophysiological measurement of the bulbocavernosus reflex was normal in five of nine men with diabetic neuropathic impotence.


In the past few years, two coronavirus epidemics have occurred, which are SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. COVID- 19 (Corona virus disease-2019) is a disease caused by novel Coronavirus i.e. SARS CoV2. It is called novel because this strain of corona virus does not match with the previously identified Coronavirus strains. On January 30, 2020 the outbreak was declared by the WHO as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Coronaviruses spread by coughing, sneezing and close personal contact (Human to human transmission). It can present as a mild illness, Pneumonia or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). It can cause psychological problems like fear or phobia, acute stress reaction, chronic stress, anxiety, depression and even precipitation of existing illnesses. The problems may also arise due to caregivers or family burden. Health workers may also suffer from chronic stress, depression or burnout. The psychosocial problems which are going to arise after pandemic is over will put a new challenge to mental health workers. The problems will be peculiar due to loss of job or unemployment, financial stresses, malnutrition, appearance of medical illnesses (like obesity, metabolic syndrome etc.), career related issues among students, isolation and quarantine.


With the tremendous growth in popularity and bandwidth of the Internet, VoIP technology has emerged that allows phone calls to be routed over Internet infrastructure rather than the traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) infrastructure. The issues faced by law enforcement authorities concerning VoIP are very different from that of traditional telephony. Wiretapping is not applicable to VoIP calls and packet capturing is negated by encryption. This article discusses experimental work carried out to explore methods by which electronic evidence may be collected from systems where VoIP conversations play an important role in suspected criminal activity or communications. It also considers the privacy issues associated with the growing use of VoIP.


Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a potentially fatal disease that is caused by SARS-COV2. Various types of stress have developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and have confronted many parents with challenging tasks. In aim of this study was to assess the parental stress during COVID-19 quarantine and its impact on the parenting practices during this critical period. Patients and methods This was a cross-sectional study in which 194 participants (parents of children aged 3–12 years) were recruited using a convenience and snowball sampling method through some Facebook and WhatsApp groups targeting parents with the required age. Cohen-Perceived Stress Scale Parenting practices during COVID-19-related questions were used to assess parenting stress and practices. Results More than two-thirds of participants were stressed (67%) according to the perceived stress scale. There was statistically significant difference between the age group of parents and perceived stress, P- value of 0.032. There was statistically significant difference between perceived stress and ways of punishment with a P value of 0.03. Majority of parents encouraged hobbies (71.1%) while less than half of the parents talked kindly with children, played with them, and described what happened to them (47.4, 41.8, and 46.4%, respectively). Conclusion Parental stress during quarantine is a significant risk factor on child abuse and maltreatment. It significantly affects the different domains of the parenting practices which consequently affect the child's behavior.


The present investigation aimed to evaluate the histomorphometric features of the skin of the Iranian native sheep (Bakhtiari breed). A total of 24 apparently healthy Iranian Bakhtiari sheep, aged 1-2 years were analysed and categorised on the basis of sex (12 females and 12 males). Samples were taken as small pieces from different regions of the skin, fixed and stained with H&E. The quantitative evaluations of different regions of skin were carried out using lattice line graticule (5 × 5) and light microscopy. The Student t- test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyse the data and detect significant differences. Results showed that the volume densities of different histological structures varied between sexes and among the different regions. No significant differ - ence was observed in volume densities of sebaceous glands, arrector pili muscles and blood vessels, but the other parameters studied differed significantly among the regions. Except for the arrector pili muscle and connective tissue, the volume densities of other tissue structures were significantly affected by sex.


This article narrows the gap between physical sensing systems that measure physical signals and social sensing systems that measure information signals by (i) defining a novel algorithm for extracting information signals (building on results from text embedding) and (ii) showing that it increases the accuracy of truth discovery—the separation of true information from false/manipulated one. The work is applied in the context of separating true and false facts on social media, such as Twitter and Reddit, where users post predominantly short microblogs. The new algorithm decides how to aggregate the signal across words in the microblog for purposes of clustering the miscroblogs in the latent information signal space, where it is easier to separate true and false posts. Although previous literature extensively studied the problem of short text embedding/representation, this article improves previous work in three important respects: (1) Our work constitutes unsupervised truth discovery, requiring no labeled input or prior training. (2) We propose a new distance metric for efficient short text similarity estimation, we call Semantic Subset Matching, that improves our ability to meaningfully cluster microblog posts in the latent information signal space. (3) We introduce an iterative framework that jointly improves miscroblog clustering and truth discovery. The evaluation shows that the approach improves the accuracy of truth-discovery by 6.3%, 2.5%, and 3.8% (constituting a 38.9%, 14.2%, and 18.7% reduction in error, respectively) in three real Twitter data traces.


Purpose: Multiple Canadian jurisdictions have curtailed public funding for outpatient physiotherapy services, impacting access and potentially creating or worsening inequities in access. We sought to identify evaluated organizational strategies that aimed to improve access to physiotherapy services for community-dwelling persons. Method: We used Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review methods, including a systematic search of CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Embase for relevant peer-reviewed texts published in English, French, or German, and we performed a qualitative content analysis of included articles. Results: Fifty-one peer-reviewed articles met inclusion criteria. Most studies of interventions or system changes to improve access took place in the United Kingdom (17), the United States (12), Australia (9), and Canada (8). Twenty-nine studies aimed to improve access for patients with musculoskeletal conditions; only five studies examined interventions to improve equitable access for underserved populations. The most common interventions and system changes studied were expanded physiotherapy roles, direct access, rapid access systems, telerehabilitation, and new community settings. Conclusions: Studies evaluating interventions and health system changes to improve access to physiotherapy services have been limited in focus, and most have neglected to address inequities in access. To improve equitable access to physiotherapy services in Canada, physiotherapy providers in local settings can implement and evaluate transferable patient-centred access strategies, particularly telerehabilitation and primary care integration.


SYAIFUL BAHRI. Biopellet Properties of Agathis Wood Fortified with Its Loosen Bark. Supervised by NYOMAN J WISTARA and GUSTAN PARI. The agathis bark is expected to increase the energy content and durability of the resulting biopellet. The present research was aimed to analyze chemical components of agathis and to determine the quality of agathis wood biopellet fortified with its loosen bark. The klason lignin, extractives, holocellulose and αcellulose content of wood and bark of the agathis were determined following the standard procedures of TAPPI T 222 0m-88, TAPPI T 204 0m-88, and Browning (1967), respectively. Biopellets of 15 mm diameter were prepared with pelletizing pressure of 1500 psi. The moisture content, ash content, density, durability, and calorific value of the resulting biopellet were compared to those required by DIN EN 14961-2 and 51731 standards. The α-cellulose and holocellulose content of the agathis bark were found lower than these of its wood. However, its klason lignin, extractive, and ash content were higher than these of its wood. The resulting biopellet retained the density of 0.61-0.71 g/cm, moisture content of 0.42-4.52%, ash content of 0.79-2.73%, durability of 21.26-44.59%, and calorific value of 45244628 kcal/kg. Except for that of the biopellet density and durability, all parameters satisfied the requirements of DIN EN standards. Thermal analysis of biopellet showed that water loss occurred at 36-100 C and significant mass decomposition between 100 up to 475 C with the weight loss of 77.34-80.51%. No further decomposition was found at above 480 C.


This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors as add-on to metformin and sulfonylurea treatment for type 2 diabetes management. The literature search was conducted in electronic databases and meta-analyses of mean differences in the changes from baseline in selected disease endpoints (efficacy endpoints) or odds ratios (for safety endpoints) were performed to compare outcomes between SGLT2 inhibitor- and placebo-/comparator-treatments. Seven studies (5,143 patients; age 56.75 years [95% CI: 56.19, 57.37]; body mass index 29.53 kg/m2 [28.23, 30.83]; and 51.87% [50.46, 53.57] males) were included. Compared to placebo, SGLT2 inhibitors significantly (p < 0.00001) reduced glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; -0.79% [95% CI: -0.90, -0.68]), fasting plasma glucose (FPG; -1.73 mmol/L [-1.86, -1.60]) and body weight (-1.85 kg [-2.11, -1.59]) after 52-78 weeks of treatment. There were no significant differences in reduction of either HbA1c, FPG or body weight between 18-24 weeks and after 52-76 weeks of treatment. Treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors as add-on to metformin and sulfonylurea was also associated with significant reductions in blood pressure and triglycerides and increase in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Incidence of hypoglycemia was significantly higher, but incidence of hyperglycemia was significantly lower in SGLT2 inhibitor group. Overall, drug-related adverse events were more common in SGLT2 group mainly due to higher incidence of genital tract infections.


After acknowledging the existence of different definitions of migrant, this work addresses the issue of achieving estimates that are comparable across time and space. Consequently, the first part of the work focusses on the definitions of migrant adopted by widely used statistical sources of migration data (ISTAT, UN, IOM, WORLD BANK, EUROSTAT). The second part critically analyses the migration data provided by ISTAT, EUROSTAT and UN, respectively referring to Italy, Europe and the world. As regards UN data on international migrations, the countries that define migrants by citizenship were kept separate from those that define them by place of birth. Finally, a comparison is offered between the data on immigration in Italy provided by UN (defined by place of birth) and those provided by ISTAT (defined by citizenship).


At present, Islamic banking in Indonesia is growing up fastly and very fantastic with the unique financial management system. The global monetary crisis have brought it's cleverness in the Islamic banking development besouse the world societies, the experts, and the prudence makers desire to apply shariah concept seriously. The Islamic financial institutions (including Islamic banking) appear as one of Shariah concept applications with no refusal. Even it's excepted because of the real influence, so that Islamic banking is prospecting in the future. Its offers the real investment and benefit (revenue) by profit – lost sharing system. The interest-free concept in Islamic banking operation makes it different from conventional banking that based on interest-fee.
Besides, the application of Good Corporate Governance in Islamic banking is expected to be able to increase the precious for stakeholders. The GCG aplication is excpected to increase publics trust to Islamic banking financial management system, maintain the growth of Islamic financial industries and the stability of whole financial system, and bring the Islamic finance institutions into of playing field level that equal with other international finance institutions.


How organizations legitimate their actions under conditions of institutional change is a central yet little understood question. To address this gap, this paper investigates how incumbent firms legitimate investments in both novel and conventional technologies during periods of institutional and technological transition. We examine the rhetorical strategies that energy incumbents employ to gain legitimacy for their investments in renewable (legitimacy-gaining or novel) and non-renewable (legitimacy-losing or conventional) technologies. Employing a mixed-method content analysis of 483 press releases on strategic energy investments, published by the world's largest energy firms during the time period 2010 to 2015, we find that incumbents utilize two different types of hybrid rhetoric to justify their investments. For investments in non-renewables, incumbents use pragmatic blending, appropriating the clean rhetoric traditionally associated with challenger technologies and combining it with justifications highlighting performance-oriented outcomes. The rhetoric used for investments in renewables involves visionary blending, combining rhetoric related to corporate strategy with sustainability rhetoric. We furthermore argue that these hybrid rhetorical strategies are observed when the legitimacy trajectories of two technologies intersect. Our study contributes to the research on rhetorical institutionalism, incumbents' role during institutional change, and technology legitimacy.