A low-oxygen-pressure annealing process which enables fluorine to be removed from YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub x/ thin films prepared by sequential deposition of BaF/sub 2/, Cu, and Y constituents onto MgO single-crystal substrates has been examined. The annealing process is performed in the absence of water vapor. X-ray diffraction and Auger electron spectroscopy analyses of films obtained at various steps during the annealing have shown that the reduction of fluorine starts during the first stages of annealing. Possible chemical reactions characterizing this process are discussed.<<ETX>>


There is much controversy about the incidence and clinical significance of a segmental intramyocardial course of the left anterior descending coromy artery, also known as myocardial bridging. The prevalence of myocardial bridging is highly variable in necropsy series, but a 1980 pooling of several series revealed a prevalence of 27%. In contrast to this rather fi-equent postmortem occurrence, the angiographic prevalence is much lower, ranging from 7.5 to 9.7%? Because 70-95% of the total coronary blood flow occurs during diastole, it is postulated that the finding of systolic coronary compression is usually not of clinical ~ignificance.~ However, this condition may occasionally be the sole cardiac anomaly in patients with sudden death, as illustrated in the case report by Cutler and Wallace. Corrado et aL4 described an intramyocardial course of the coronary artery in 6 of 12 young subjects who died suddenly. Ferreira et aL5 suggested that the functional significance of myocardial bridges is related to their depth. This hypothesis was supported by the observation of Morales et a1.,6 who found that the deep intramyocardial course of the left anterior descending coronary artery was associated with sudden cardiac death in 13 of the 22 patients with ischemic myocardial changes. Six of these 13 patients died suddenly during exercise. However, it would be difficult to assess the depth of the myocardial bridges angiographically because of differences in projections. Another important point about myocardial bridges is the size of the intramyocardial segment. According to Becker? citing the work of Weiler and Risse, the intramyocardial segment was much smaller in size than the proximal and distal epicardial parts in four hearts obtained by Weiler and Risse from a series of selected forensic autopsies. This combination of an intramyocardial course with hypoplasia of the involved segment, which could be of important clinical relevance, was present in the patient described by Cutler and Wallace.


Purpose of reviewAn increasing number of patients are placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for respiratory or cardiac failure. Sound understanding of physiology and configuration of ECMO is essential for proper management. This review covers different monitoring parameters and tools for patients supported with different types of ECMO. Recent findingsEmphasis is placed on monitoring saturations at different sites depending on type of ECMO support. The main monitoring tools detailed in this review are echocardiography and pulmonary artery catheters. SummaryThe review will help physicians better assess adequate ECMO support by using the appropriate parameters for each type of configuration.


We show that when we use highly dispersed oxides called fumed silica, a pressure-induced structural transition occurs at lower pressures (2–8 GPa) than would normally be expected for bulk a-SiO2 (over 10 GPa). Furthermore, this transition finally results in a transparent monolith at 6–8 GPa, accompanied by densification, even at room temperature. We suggest that this novel polymorphic modification of a-SiO2 results from the highly reactive nature surface strained Si–O bonds that are formed particularly in the compressed fumed silica samples.


This article models the process of structural transformation and catching-up in a demand-led Southern economy constrained by its balance of payments. Starting from the Sraffian Supermultiplier Model, we model a dual-sector small open economy with a traditional and a modern sector, and that interacts with a technologically advanced Northern economy. We propose two (alternative) autonomous elements that define the growth rate of this demand-led economy: government spending and exports. Drawing from the Structuralist literature, productivity in the technologically laggard Southern economy grows by absorbing technology from the Northern economy, by both embodied and disembodied spillovers, and potentially closing the technology gap. The gap affects the income elasticity of exports, bringing a supply-side mediation to the growth rates in line with the Balance of Payments Constrained Model. We observe that a demand-led government policy plays a central role in structural change, pushing the modern sector to a larger share of employment than what results under export-led growth. Such demand policy is the only way in which partial catching up (in productivity and GDP per capita) can result, and this is facilitated by a global market place in which the balance of payments constraint is relatively soft.


Indocyanine green (ICG)-based dynamic contrast-enhanced fluorescence imaging (DCE-FI) can objectively assess bone perfusion intraoperatively. However, it is susceptible to motion artifacts due to patient's involuntary respiration during the 4.5-minute DCE-FI data acquisition. An automated motion correction approach based on mutual information (MI) frame-by-frame was developed to overcome this problem. In this approach, MIs were calculated between the reference and the adjacent frame translated and the maximal MI corresponded to the optimal translation. The images obtained from eighteen amputation cases were utilized to validate the approach and the results show that this correction can significantly reduce the motion artifacts and can improve the accuracy of bone perfusion assessment.


The vestibulo-ocular response (VOR) to rotatory stimuli was studied by electro-oculography in 41 patients with congenital nystagmus. The pattern of the VOR and the gain of the slow component velocity (peak eye velocity/peak chair velocity) were normal in 55 per cent of the patients. In 10 per cent of patients an abnormal pattern of the VOR in which the eyes deviated tonically in the direction of the slow component of the VOR was found. In these patients a mild defect in the generation of vestibular fast components might be present since the slow component velocity (SCV) appeared to be normal, but the amplitude and frequency of fast components were decreased. Thirty-two per cent of patients demonstrated persistence of an intense nystagmus with eyes opened in the dark. However, summation of the smooth movement velocity of the nystagmus and the SCV of a probably normal VOR could be demonstrated. The VOR was basically normal in patients with congenital nystagmus with or without associated ocular lesions.


ABSTRACT This article deals with the so-called Schleswig-Holstein campaign, whereby about 800 – mostly female – young Germans arrived in Sweden in 1950–1951. The campaign was a German initiative, emphasising vocational training for young and unemployed refugees and expellees, even though it ended up in a more pragmatic labour recruitment. Firstly, the article investigates the international relationship between West German and Swedish labour-market authorities, and secondly, it concentrates on industrial relations in the Swedish garment industry. Thirdly, on local level it focuses on the streamlined clothing factory Algots in Borås. Thereby, the article deals with the mutual interplay between migration and industrial relations. It clarifies how industrial relations on different levels of society intersected and reciprocally moulded a framework for the actors involved in the migration process. Contrariwise, the article illuminates how the campaign affected the industrial relations. It also observes to what extent perceptions of gender, age, ethnicity, and class among the actors involved influenced their argumentation and agency.


Background: Ruptured uterus is a common cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Further studies may help in the development of preventive strategies.
Objective: To determine the frequency, cause and management outcome of ruptured uterus at a zonal hospital.
Method: A retrospective study (April 1, 1993-March 30, 2001) was done to describe the frequency, cause, treatment, complications, and maternal and fetal mortality associated with ruptured uterus. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from delivery registration books, operation room records, and patient cards.
Result: A total of 54 cases of ruptured uterus and 5,980 hospital deliveries were recorded for a ratio of 1:110. Causes of rupture were: cephalopelvic disproportion (53.7%), malpresentation and malposition (25.9%), instrumental (3.7%), pitocin induced (3.7%), uterine scar (11.2%) and placenta percreta (1.8%). Most were multipara and rupture was complete in 94.4%. Site of rupture was in lower uterine segment in 58.5% and left lateral in 24.5%. Ten cases (18.5%) had associated bladder injury. Total abdominal hysterectomy was performed in 20 (37%), subtotal abdominal hysterectomy in 13 (24.2%) and repair in 21 (38.9%) cases. Vesicovaginal fistula and wound infection were common post-operative complications. Maternal case fatality rate was 11.1% and fetal case fatality rate was 98.1%. Ruptured uterus contributed 24% of all causes of maternal deaths in the hospital within the study period.
Conclusion: This calls for an integrated effort to prevent the causes of uterine rupture and ensure prompt management to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2002;16(3):241-245]


At the building scale, the use of green roof has shown a positive impact on urban runoff (decrease and slow-down of the peak discharge, decrease of runoff volume). The present work aims to study the possible impact of green roof at a larger scale compatible with urban management issues (quarter, catchment). A methodology has been proposed to assess the green roof impact at such a scale. It combines a method to define green roofing scenarios by estimating the maximum roof area that can be covered and a modelling tool able to simulate the hydrological behaviour of green roof. This module has been integrated into the SWMM urban runoff management model. This methodology was applied to two urban catchments (Haut-de-Seine county, France) affected by flooding and combined sewage overflow hazards respectively. The results show green roof can be useful to reduce the frequency and the magnitude of such problems depending on the covered roof surface. Combined with other infrastructures, they represent an interesting solution for urban water management in the future.


We propose a new converter control scheme for a converter-inverter system. The strategy is to fully utilize the inverter dynamics in controlling the converter dynamics. We obtain the power dynamics for both converter and inverter systems, and control the converter power so that it matches the required inverter power exactly. Then, in the ideal case, no power flows through the DC-link capacitors, and thus the DC-link voltage does not fluctuate even though a very small amount of the DC-link capacitance is used. In forcing the converter power to match the inverter power, we utilize the master/slave control concept. We control the DC-link voltage level indirectly through the stored capacitor energy in order to exploit the advantage of the linear dynamic behavior of the capacitor energy. This helps us to circumvent a complex control method in regulating the DC-link voltage. Through simulation and experimental results, the superiority of the proposed converter control scheme is demonstrated.


Objective To observe the effects of resveratrol (Res) on the antioxidative function and estrogen level in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse model. Methods First, we examined the effects of Res on an AD mice model. SAMP8 mice were selected as the model, and normal-aging SAMR1 mice were used as the control group. The model mice were randomly divided into three groups: a model group, high-dose Res group (40mg/kg, intraperitoneal (ip)), and low-dose Res group (20mg/kg, ip). After receiving medication for 15 days, the mice were subjected to the water maze test to assess their spatial discrimination. The spectrophotometric method was used to detect the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) as well as the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Quantitative PCR (q-PCR) was used to detect SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA level changes. Western blot analysis detected HO-1 and Nrf2 protein expression. Second, we researched the effect of Res on the estrogen level in the SAMP8 model mice. The model mice were randomly divided into four groups: a model group, estrogen replacement group (0.28 mg/kg, intramuscular (im), estradiol benzoate), high-dose Res group (5 mg/kg, im), and low-dose Res group (2.5 mg/kg, im). The mice were injected, once every three days, for 5 weeks. Q-PCR was used to detect brain tissue mRNA expression changes. Western blot analysis detected ERα, ERβ, and ChAT protein expression. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was used to detect the expression of E2 and amyloid β protein (Aβ) in brain tissue. Results Compared with the control treatment, Res could improve the spatial abilities of the mice to a certain extent and also increase the expression of SOD, GSH-Px, CAT, and HO-1 at the mRNA level (P<0.05). In addition, enhanced SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activities and HO-1 protein levels and decreased MDA content (P<0.05) were detected in the brain tissue of the Res-treated mice. The cytoplasmic Nrf2 content in the Res-treated mice was also decreased while the nuclear Nrf2 content and the nuclear translation rate of Nrf2 were increased (P<0.05). Res could decrease the expression of ERβ in the brain tissue at the mRNA and protein levels and the expression of Aβ in the brain tissue at the protein level. Res could also increase the mRNA and protein expression of ERα and ChAT and the protein expression of estradiol in the brain tissue. Conclusion Res can increase the antioxidant capacity of AD models through the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. In addition, Res can enhance estrogen levels in an AD model. These findings provide a new idea for the treatment of AD.


Samples offarm shrimp and pond water were collectedfrom Chi/aw. Totalbacterial counts of coliforms and Escherichia coli are reportedfor these samples.Pathogens Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Salmonella along with qualitativemicroflora are also reported.The bacterial counts of water rangedfrom 5 x 102/gto 8.8 x 103/g whereasthat of shrimp rangedfrom 2.0 x IO"/g to 9.0 x lO'/g. E. coli. ranged from 3 toII/g for prawns 3/I00ml. to 49/I00ml. for pond water. Two shrimp sampleswere positive for v. parahaemolyticus bacterial counts, coliforms or E. colicounts did not show any correlation with water salinity, which rangedfrom 14-18ppt,Gram positive bacteria were predominant in shrimp and were representedby Micrococci (41.8%). Corynebacterium (19.3%) and Bacillus (14.2%).Common gram-negatives were Vibrios (19.2%) and Pseudomonas (5%).


Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders that are characterized by susceptibility to bone fractures, and range in severity from a subtle increase in fracture frequency to death in the perinatal period. Most patients have defects in type I collagen biosynthesis with autosomal‐dominant inheritance, but many autosomal‐recessive genes have been reported. We applied whole‐exome sequencing to identify mutations in a Korean OI patient who had an umbilical hernia, frequent fractures, a markedly short stature, delayed motor development, scoliosis, and dislocation of the radial head, with a bowed radius and ulna. We identified two novel variants in the BMP1 gene: c.808A>G and c.1297G>T. The former variant caused a missense change p.(Met270Val) and the latter variant caused the skipping of exon 10. The hypofunctional nature of the two variants was demonstrated in a zebrafish assay.


Abstract We present the seasonal cycle of the Antarctic surface energy balance (SEB) using 4 years (1998–2001) of automatic weather station (AWS) data. The four AWSs are situated on an ice shelf, in the coastal and inland katabatic wind zone and the interior plateau of Dronning Maud Land. To calculate surface temperature we use a SEB closure assumption for a surface skin layer. Modelled and observed surface have a root-mean-square difference of 1.8 K at the plateau AWS (corresponding to an uncertainty in the SEB of 5Wm–2) and <1 K (3Wm–2) at the other sites. The effect of wind-speed sensor freezing on the calculated SEB is discussed. At all sites the annual mean net radiation is negative and the near-surface air is on average stably stratified. Differences in the seasonal cycle of the SEB are mainly caused by the different wind climates at the AWS sites. In the katabatic wind zone, a combination of clear skies and strong winds forces a large wintertime turbulent transport of sensible heat towards the surface, which in turn enhances the longwave radiative heat loss. On the coastal ice shelf and on the plateau, strong winds are associated with overcast conditions, limiting the radiative heat loss and sensible heat exchange. During the short Antarctic summer, the net radiation becomes slightly positive at all sites. Away from the cold interior, the main compensating heat loss at the surface is sublimation. In the interior, summer temperatures are too low to allow significant sublimation to occur; here, surface heat loss is mainly due to convection.


Concepts, principles, and techniques of online training. Emphasizes transfer of knowledge acquisition via online learning. Development of online training programs.


In this paper we propose a method for data compression and its subsequent regeneration using a polynomial regression technique. We approximate data received over the considered area by fitting it to a function and communicate this by passing only the coefficients that describe the function. In this paper, we extend our previous algorithm TREG to consider non-complete aggregation trees. The proposed algorithm DUMMYREG is run at each parent node and uses information present in the existing child to construct a complete binary tree. In addition to obtaining values in regions devoid of sensor nodes and reducing communication overhead, this new approach further reduces the error when the readings are regenerated at the sink. Results reveal that for a network density of 0.0025 and a complete binary tree of depth 4, the absolute error is 6%. For a non-complete binary tree, TREG returns an error of 18% while this is reduced to 12% when DUMMYREG is used


Objective: To identify patterns in trial testimony that may reflect on the intentions or expectations of tobacco manufacturers with regard to the introduction of potential reduced exposure products (PREPs). Design: Research was conducted using the Deposition and Trial Testimony Archive (DATTA) collection of trial testimony and depositions housed online at Tobacco Documents Online (www.tobaccodocuments.org). Relevant testimony was identified through full-text searches of terms indicating PREPs or harm reduction strategies. The role and function of PREPs in testimony were classified according to common and contrasting themes. These were analysed in the context of broader trial arguments and against changes in time period and the market. Results: Analysis of testimony suggests that the failure of PREPs in the market tempered initial industry enthusiasm and made protection of the conventional cigarette market its major priority. The "breakthrough" character of PREPs has been de-emphasised, with trial arguments instead positioning PREPs as simply another choice for consumers. This framework legitimises the sale of conventional brands, and shifts the responsibility for adoption of safer products from the manufacturer to the consumer. Likewise, testimony has abandoned earlier dramatic health claims made with regard to PREPs, which had undermined industry arguments regarding efforts to reduce harm in conventional products. More recent testimony advocates the broad acceptance of independent guidelines that would validate use of health claims and enable the industry to market PREPs to consumers. Conclusion: Trial testimony reflects the changing role and positioning of PREPs by the tobacco industry. The findings are of particular importance with regard to future evaluation and potential regulation of reduced harm products.


This paper presents a monolithic 4H-SiC BJT latched emitter-coupled logic (ECL) comparator for high temperature analog-to-digital conversion. The comparator consists of a low-gain pre-amplifier, a track and latch stage and an output buffer. For low-speed input signals, the comparator input offset voltage is 3.9 mV at 27 °C and monotonically increases up to 9.1 mV at 500 °C. The single-ended output swing is 5.5 V at 27 °C and 3.9 V at 500 °C. The minimum comparison time is around 1μs from 27 °C to 500 °C. The whole comparator dissipates 464 mW in average over the considered temperature range with a 15 V power supply. It consumes 2.25 × 0.84 mm2 chip area (with the bond pads included).


A method for photoacoustic tomography is presented that uses line integrals over the acoustic wave field from a photoacoustic source for the reconstruction of a three-dimensional image. The line integrals are acquired with an optical line sensor based on a Mach–Zehnder interferometer. Image reconstruction is a two-step process. In the first step data from a scan of the line outside the object are used to reconstruct a linear projection of the source distribution. In the second step the inverse linear Radon transform is applied to multiple projections taken at different directions. This study focuses on the first step comparing two different open scan curves of the line detector around the object and corresponding two-dimensional reconstruction algorithms. An open curve, such as a 180° arc or an 'L' formed by two lines, establishes a limited view problem for which limitations exist concerning the stability of the reconstruction. Using experimental data from phantoms, time domain direct and iterative reconstruction algorithms as well as frequency domain (FD) algorithms are compared. The results indicate that although the image quality for all algorithms is similar, the FD algorithms offer much faster reconstruction speed, whereas the time domain algorithms allow for a refinement of image quality by including special correction procedures.


The topography of first-order catchments in a region of western Amazonia was found to exhibit distinctive, recurrent features: a steep, straight lower side slope, a flat or nearly flat terrace at an intermediate elevation between valley floor and interfluve, and an upper side slope connecting interfluve and intermediate terrace. A detailed survey of soil-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat)-depth relationships, involving 740 undisturbed soil cores, was conducted in a 0.75-ha first-order catchment. The sampling approach was stratified with respect to the above slope units. Exploratory data analysis suggested fourth-root transformation of batches from the 0–0.1 m depth interval, log transformation of batches from the subsequent 0.1 m depth increments, and the use of robust estimators of location and scale. The Ksat of the steep lower side slope decreased from 46 to 0.1 mm/h over the overall sampling depth of 0.4 m. The corresponding decrease was from 46 to 0.1 mm/h on the intermediate terrace, from 335 to 0.01 mm/h on the upper side slope, and from 550 to 0.015 mm/h on the interfluve. A depthwise comparison of these slope units led to the formulation of several hypotheses concerning the link between Ksat and topography.


Alnaimat S, Shattal SA, AlthunibatO, Alsbou E, Amasha R. 2017. Iron (II) and other heavy-metal tolerance in bacteria isolated from rock varnish in the arid region of Al-Jafer Basin, Jordan. Biodiversitas 18: 1250-1257. This study deals with enumeration, identification and molecular characterization of bacterial species tolerant of iron (II) and other heavy metals that isolated from rock varnish collected from the arid region of Al-Jafer Basin, Jordan. Based on conventional culture-dependent methods, six isolates exhibited a high degree of tolerance to iron (II) and other heavy metals with a minimum inhibitory concentration (550–600 mg/L) to iron, (500-550 mg/L) to lead, (350 mg/L) to copper, (400-450 mg/L) to chromium, (150-200 mg/L) to silver, and (150-200 mg/L) to mercury, in solid media. The results showed that all isolates could tolerate 2000 mg/L Fe2+ expressed as maximum tolerance concentration (MTC). The multiple metal resistances of these isolates were also associated with multiple antibiotic resistances. These iron tolerant isolates were shown to be capable of growth at temperatures ranging from 30 to 40°C and pH values ranging from 5 to 9 with some differences between the six isolates. On the basis of morphology and of 16S rDNA gene sequencing and phylogeny analysis, the iron-tolerant isolates were identified as Bacillus zhangzhouensis (DVCr1), Staphylococcus warneri (DVCr6), Bacillus cereus (DVCr7), Staphylococcus pasteuri (DVCu2), Brevibacterium frigoritolerans (DVPb) and Bacillus altitudinis (DVCr10). The 16S rDNA sequences from five of the six strains were submitted to GenBank and are available under the accession numbers KX781139, KX781140, KX781141, KX781145 and KX781148. The results highlight the high potential of a non-polluted habitat like rock varnish to provide new microbial communities that could be used for enhanced bioremediation of heavy metals from a contaminated site.


Abstract The nature of father-child relationships is considered here by focusing on the influence of household structures and current partners on such relationships—especially if children were born from different sexual relationships. The main concern of this article is to examine how men see their fathering roles in different household contexts, such as when they live with the mother of their children, when they do not live with the mother(s) of their biological children, and/ or when they live (or have a relationship) with women who have children from previous relationships. Various father-child-relationships are distinguished, such as fathers who give only financial contributions to the upkeep of children; who live with children on a daily basis; who have sporadic contact with children; and cases where fathers have no contact with their biological children. This research is placed within the context of the South African goldmining industry, based on in-depth interviews with thirty mineworkers conducted during 2002 and 2003.


The aim of this work is to complement a previous article by Vila (1998) presenting long-term observations of the behavior of seismic noise. We start by computing the Fourier transforms (FFTs) of time series (30-min length, one series per day) of the last 6 years of operation in an attempt to confirm whether the observations follow the pattern observed in the previous analysis. The analysis of the microseismic peak using 6 years of data confirms a long time (seasonal) variation of the amplitude, showing in addition the same variation in the frequency at which the maximum occurs. This points out the necessity of clarifying some of the observations in Vila (1998), and some modification in the conclusions is also necessary. A detailed analysis of the behavior of several spectral components of the seismic noise reveals that the seasonal component is presented in the frequency range 0.05-2.0 Hz. The amplitude of the seasonal component has a clear frequency dependence, being higher for frequencies close to the microseismic peak. The main differences between the spectral components are in accordance with its own amplitude level. No significant differences between the behavior of noise of the three components have been reported. Although for the geographical location of the station, the seasonal component is present in the atmospheric pressure, all attempts of correlation with seasonal components for diverse frequencies of the noise spectra have failed. This indicates that the pressure seasonal component cannot be related directly to the same component of the very long term noise spectral evolution.

Manuscript received 18 January 2002.


Retaining vets in farm practice has been identified as a key strategy to maintain an adequately trained and experienced workforce to provide animal health services for livestock enterprises and government. This qualitative study aimed to explore vets' experiences of UK farm animal practice and their perceptions of the factors that influenced their career choices. Thematic analysis of free-text survey responses from 187 vets working in farm practice and 141 who had given up farm work identified four main themes: affect (experiences of feeling or emotions), personal life, the job and the bigger picture. Those who stayed in farm practice described satisfaction with their career and enjoyment of physical, outdoor work in rural communities. Choosing to give up farm work was influenced by both personal and professional circumstances and related frequently to management issues in practice. Veterinary businesses also face challenges from the broader agricultural and veterinary sectors that affect their ability to support and retain vets. The findings presented build on previous quantitative analysis of factors associated with retention and demonstrate the complexity of individual vets' career choices.


Cutaneous fibrosis is one of the main features of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Recent findings correlated abnormal collagen V (Col V) deposition in dermis with skin thickening and disease activity in SSc. Considering that Col V is an important regulator of collagen fibrillogenesis, understanding the role of Col V in the first two years of the skin fibrosis in SSc (early SSc) can help to determine new targets for future treatments. In this study, we analyzed the morphological, ultrastructural and molecular features of α1(V) and α2(V) chains and the expression of their coding genes COL5A1 and COL5A2 in collagen fibrillogenesis in early-SSc. Skin biopsies were obtained from seven consecutive treatment-naïve patients with SSc-related fibrosis and four healthy controls. Our data showed increased α1(V) and α2(V) chain expression in the reticular dermis of early-SSc patients; however, immunofluorescence and ultrastructural immunogold staining determined a significant decreased expression of the α1(V) chain along the dermoepidermal junction in the papillary dermis from early-SSc-patients in relation to the control (12.77 ± 1.34 vs. 66.84 ± 3.36; p < 0.0001). The immunoblot confirmed the decreased expression of the α1(V) chain by the cutaneous fibroblasts of early-SSc, despite the increased COL5A1 and COL5A2 gene expression. In contrast, the α2(V) chain was overexpressed in the small vessels (63.18 ± 3.56 vs. 12.16 ± 0.81; p < 0.0001) and capillaries (60.88 ± 5.82 vs. 15.11 ± 3.80; p < 0.0001) in the reticular dermis of early-SSc patients. Furthermore, COLVA2 siRNA in SSc cutaneous fibroblasts resulted in a decreased α1(V) chain expression. These results highlight an intense decrease in the α1(V) chain along the dermoepidermal junction, suggesting an altered molecular histoarchitecture in the SSc papillary dermis, with a possible decrease in the expression of the α1(V)3 homotrimeric isoform, which could interfere with the thickening and cutaneous fibrosis related to SSc.


This track started with the first Cloud Computing session in WETICE2009 with the observation that the cloud computing evolution depends on research efforts from the infrastructure providers creating next generation hardware that is service friendly, service developers that embed business service intelligence in the network to create distributed business workflow execution, assure service delivery on a massive scale with global interoperability while dealing with non-functional requirements such as security, availability, performance, compliance, cost and fluctuations both in resources and workloads. It was pointed out that the architecture and evolution of the cloud is increasing data enter complexity by piling up new layers of management over the many layers that already exist. Current session proves the epigram by Jean-Baptiste (1849) "plus ça change, plus c'est la mêeme chose." Literally "The more it changes, the more it's the same thing". In this conference, one paper presents the result of the discussions started in these sessions in 2009 that led to a policy based dynamic workflow orchestration independent of the infrastructure orchestration which eliminates the need for moving Virtual Machine images and interfaces to myriad infrastructure management systems at runtime. The architecture is derived from the well-understood and time-tested distributed systems such as cellular organisms, human organizational structures and telecommunication networks. In addition, eight full papers and three short papers continue to make progress on current state of the art. Based on the papers presented in these sessions over the last six years, we boldly predict that we are on the verge of a synthesis of the thesis of current state of the art and the anti-thesis of increasing complexity to address scaling and fluctuations in distributed systems.


OBJECTIVES
To present the clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular cytogenetic findings of prenatally diagnosed interstitial deletion 10q25.2-q26.1. The majority of distal 10q deletions are pure terminal deletions with breakpoints in 10q25 and 10q26. Only four patients have been described so far with interstitial deletions involving bands 10q25.2-q26.1.

METHODS
Postmortem physical examination and autopsy of the foetus after medically terminated pregnancy. GTG-banding, reverse painting, and FISH analysis with BAC clones on amniocyte metaphases were performed to determine the extent of the deletion.

RESULTS
At 20 weeks the eutrophic female foetus showed pronounced microretrogeny and hypertelorism, clubfeet as well as minor internal anomalies like pancreas anulare, atypically lobed liver, and missing choleocystis. Cardiac anomalies were not observed and the genitalia were of a normal female. The deletion encompasses 6-Mb and is associated with hemizygosity for 30 genes, including the genes for beta-tectorin, the beta-1 adrenergic receptor, and the alpha-2A adrenergic receptor.

CONCLUSION
An interstitial deletion del(10)(q25.2q25.3 approximately 26.11) was confirmed by FISH with mapped BAC clones. Clinical and molecular cytogenetic analyses of further interstitial 10q deletions are necessary to assess whether the phenotypic manifestations differ between deletions that are interstitial compared to those that include also the terminal region of chromosome 10.


This book offers a magisterial analysis of Europe's development since the end of the Cold War. A major work of modern history and political analysis, "The New-Old World" punctures both domestic and American myths about continental Europe. Surveying the post-Cold War trajectory of European power and the halting progress towards social and economic integration, Perry Anderson draws out the connections between the EU's eastward expansion, a foreign policy largely subservient to America's, and the popular rejection of the European Constitution. As a neoliberal economic project, pushed forward by a succession of centrist governments, the European Union cannot afford to allow its peoples a free choice that might dash elite schemes of a post-national democracy. Anderson explores Hayek's suggestion that protecting a market economy might require exactly this kind of inter-state structure, out of reach of popular opposition. With landmark chapters on France, Germany, Italy and Turkey, and a wide-ranging survey of current theories of the Union, "The New-Old World" offers an iconoclastic portrait of a continent that is now being increasingly hailed as a moral and political exemplar for the world at large.


This paper describes a genetic algorithm that was developed for optimizing plans in a robotic competition. The algorithm was used both as a static planner, making plans before matches, and as a dynamic replanner during matches, a task with much stricter demands of efficiency. The genetic algorithm was hybridized with a local search technique, which experiments proved essential to finding good solutions in this complex task. To enable rapid response under environmental changes, a heuristic for immediate response and a contingency planning module were also implemented. Experiments proved that the algorithm was able to generate good plans, and continuously modify them in light of a rapidly changing environment.


Abstract:This article examines how Charlotte Delbo, a concentration camp survivor and resistance member, employs a structure of comparison in Les Belles lettres (1961) and in Mesure de nos jours (1971). In the former, Delbo recirculates letters about the Algerian War that were published in the French media between 1959-1961. In these letters, World War II is frequently invoked as a point of reference, setting up a structure of juxtaposition between it and the conflict in North Africa. While event and event are compared in Les Belles lettres, testimony and testimony are compared in Mesure de nos jours, a volume comprised of brief testimonial vignettes describing the process of reintegration in France after the Holocaust. Although Les Belles lettres is generically and thematically distinct from Mesure de nos jours, its composition offers insight into the ways that Delbo stages comparison as a process.While the benefits and drawbacks of drawing comparisons between the Holocaust and other events have been subject to extensive debate, this article explores acts of comparison with regard to Holocaust literary testimony, a genre predicated on a certain degree of incomparability by virtue of its mission to communicate personal experience(s). Through a close-reading of juxtaposition and cross-reference in Mesure de nos jours, I argue that Delbo offers a conceptual apparatus for integrating disparate and conflicting recollections into a single continuous act of memory. I contend that the staging of contrasting dialogue in Mesure de nos jours not only accounts for, but builds contradiction and discrepancy into the form of testimony itself, thus allowing for difference to enrich, rather than diminish, what it means to bear witness.


4-1BB is a T cell costimulatory receptor which promotes T cell expansion and survival. We studied the anti-tumor effects of adoptively transferred tumor-specific T cells expanded ex vivo using herpes simplex virus (HSV) amplicons encoding either 4-1BBL (HSV.4-1BBL) or B7.1 (HSV.B7). Lewis Lung Carcinoma cells expressing ovalbumin (LLC/OVA) were transduced with HSV.4-1BBL, HSV.B7, or control HSV and used to stimulate GFP+ OVA-specific CD8+ T cells (OT-1). Naïve or ex vivo-stimulated OT-1 were then transferred into LLC/OVA-bearing mice. Mice given 4-1BBL-stimulated OT-1 had significantly decreased tumor volumes compared to untreated mice (P<0.0001) or mice given naïve OT-1 (P=0.0003). Transfer of B7-stimulated OT-1 did not control tumor growth. Higher percentages of OT-1 were seen in the blood, draining lymph nodes, and tumor for the 4-1BBL-stimulated OT-1 group compared to other groups at 8 days post transfer. BrdU incorporation of 4-1BBL-stimulated OT-1 was markedly increased within the tumor bed. Splenocytes from the 4-1BBL-stimulated OT-1 group showed increased cytolytic activity against LLC/OVA and higher numbers of OT-1 cells, which expressed CD44 and the memory marker Ly-6C, compared to controls. Tumor-specific T cells stimulated ex vivo using tumor transduced with HSV.4-1BBL expand efficiently in vivo resulting in tumor eradication and the generation of tumor-specific memory T cells.


Much social theory takes for granted the core conceit of modern culture, that modern actors—individuals, organizations, nation states—are autochthonous and natural entities, no longer really embedded in culture. Accordingly, while there is much abstract metatheory about "actors" and their "agency," there is arguably little theory about the topic. This article offers direct arguments about how the modern (European, now global) cultural system constructs the modern actor as an authorized agent for various interests via an ongoing relocation into society of agency originally located in transcendental authority or in natural forces environing the social system. We see this authorized agentic capability as an essential feature of what modern theory and culture call an "actor," and one that, when analyzed, helps greatly in explaining a number of otherwise anomalous or little analyzed features of modern individuals, organizations, and states. These features include their isomorphism and standardization, their internal decoupling, their extraordinarily complex structuration, and their capacity for prolific collective action.


For technical systems in the electricity and paper and pulpindustries, asset management is emerging as a new approachaddressing how to exploit physical assets with long operativelives in the most profitably way. An important problem forasset management staff is knowing when to carry out areplacement or renewal. This is a difficult question whichrequires taking into consideration parameters of totallydifferent natures–e.g. reliability data, operatingcosts, condition information from technical systems, theenvironment and rules and regulation. An incorrect estimate ofa residual lifetime can result in a premature renewal withaccompanying high capital costs. If, however, renewal isdelayed, a breakdown may occur which can cause major damage totechnical equipment and a loss of income due to outages.This work presents a formal model that calculates expectedcosts of different long-term strategies when managing technicalsystems. It is shown that with relatively few inputs, which inmany cases are easy to collect or estimate, a good picture canbe developed that shows the amount of resources a company willneed in the future in terms of renewals of their technicalsystems. The foundation for this work is a case study and aliterature review; the objective was to study what methods andmodels are in use today when estimating residual lifetime oftechnical systems. Also, aspects that influence long-term assetmanagement were investigated. Lessons learned from the casestudy and literature review were then used to develop a dynamicmodel, the Dynamic Lifetime Analysis model (DLA model).This model is based on a probabilistic and dynamic riskanalysis of a technical system, linking different aspects ofrisk management strategies to specific characteristics of thephysical system. Furthermore it is shown how this model,coupled with specific value judgments, can be used to designoptimal long-term strategies. When taking more than onetechnical system under consideration the model shows that it isnot always the most effective, from a system viewpoint, torenew it too close to a possible breakdown. If there is aperiod predicted to incur high investment, it can, at times, bebetter to do an early renewal thereby maintaining resources ata constant level. The thesis also describes how to work withlong-term strategic decisions in a structural manner in orderfor the actors on a deregulated market to stay competitive.Key Words:Residual lifetime estimation, Assetmanagement, Maintenance, Technical systems in power and pulp-and paper industries, Long terms renewal strategies.


Strategies for improving spectral efficiency in wireless communications, while maintaining quality of service, are proposed. The idea is to make the communication system adapt to the encountered environment. To this end, a time-varying channel model explicitly characterizing changing environments is developed. Under this model, methods for tracking channel stationarity are proposed based on analysis of variance and minimum description length. Tracking enables efficient construction of variable-size data bursts for improved equalization at the receiver. The performance is evaluated first in a training-based equalization framework, then extended to a semi-blind situation. In either case, the obtained results demonstrate feasibility of variable-size burst construction for improving spectral efficiency. The proposed methods are applicable to burst-by-burst or block-based equalization systems, without the requirement of feedback.


Evaluation of parasites associated with mudskipper Periophthalmus spp. sold in selected waterfront markets in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State, was undertaken. A total of 110 live mudskippers were sampled and examined for the presence of ecto- and endo-parasites. The gobiid fish sampled were identified into three species; P. modestus, P. koelreuteric and P. papilio. The mean length and weight were noted, pectoral fins, gills and intestine were examined for the presence of parasites. The abdominal cavities and mesenteries were examined for migratory juvenile nematodes and metacercariae. Normal saline was used to process gut content for microscopic examination. Inferential statistics was used to analyze data. Result revealed that P. modestus, P. papilio and P. keulreuteric had prevalences of 80.0%, 76.7% and 86.0% respectively. The parasites encountered were Dactylogyrus spp. and Gyrodactylus spp. ( Monogeneans); Diplostomium spp. (Digenean); Diphyllobotrium spp. and Proteocephaus spp. (Cestodes) and Capillaria spp., Goezia spp. and Daemodora spp. (Nematodes). The result showed that Capillaria spp . had the highest parasite mean intensity and parasite mean abundance of 2.71 and 1.04 respectively. Also, Goezia had the highest parasite mean prevalence of 50%. At p>0.05, the endo-parasites were statistically significant level. Keywords : Parasites; Periophthalmus spp.


&NA; We have compared our local, pedicled, and free‐flap reconstructions for 90 skull base defects performed over the past 10 years. The pericranial flap was found to provide a reliable dural seal. Free‐flap reconstructions exhibited a significantly higher incidence of uncomplicated primary wound healing (95 versus 62.5 percent) and a much lower incidence of flap loss (0 percent), cerebrospinal fluid leak (5 percent), meningitis, and abscess (0 percent) when compared with defects reconstructed with pedicled myocutaneous flaps. We conclude that microvascular freetissue transfer is the safest, most economical procedure when faced with moderate to large composite defects of the cranial base.


The editing and analysis of large concept maps require techniques that focus simultaneously on different areas of the diagrams. These maps are often built as graph-based diagrams in which relations are one of the primary objects of study. Therefore, smooth transition between views focussing over different areas is needed. This, however, is not supported by currently available techniques and tools.This paper proposes a technique, named Integrated Multi-Views (IMV), to address this issue. The technique offers an articulated coherence between component views, allowing arcs to flow independent of view boundaries. Redundant and irrelevant information is also automatically eliminated. IMV further permits the modification and navigation of views, supporting overlapping areas of focus in the underlying working diagram. The article initially presents the context and background work. In particular, it briefly describes a couple of tools where the technique was applied. Then, the problems with existing methods are discussed and the proposed solution is described. Finally, related work is presented and conclusions are drawn.


Part I. Bacterial Adhesins and Adhesive Structures: 1. Surface protein adhesins of staphylococci T. J. Foster 2. Mechanisms of utilisation of host signalling molecules by respiratory mucosal pathogens Mumtaz Virji 3. Surface structures of oral streptococci involved in adhesion Roderick McNab, Pauline S. Handley and Howard F. Jenkinson 4. Regulation and function of phase variation in Escherichia coli Ian Blomfield 5. Regulation of capsule expression Clare Taylor and Ian Roberts 6. Role of pili in Haemophilus influenzae adherence, colonization, and disease Janet R. Gilsdorf Part II. Effect of Adhesion on Bacterial Structure and Function: 7. Transcriptional regulation of meningococcal gene expression upon adhesion to target cells Muhamed-Kheir Taha 8. Induction of protein secretion by Yersinia enteroclitica through contact with eukaryotic cells Dorothy E. Pierson 9. Functional modulation of pathogenic bacteria upon contact with host target cells Andreass U. Kresse, Frank Ebel and Carlos A. Guzman Part III. Consequences of Bacterial Adhesion for the Host: 10. Adhesion, signal transduction and mucosal inflammation Catharina Svanborg et al. 11. Adhesion of oral spirochaetes to host cells and its cytopathogenic consequences Richard P. Ellen 12. Interactions between enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and epithelial cells Elizabeth L. Hartland, Gad Frankel and Stuart Knutton 13. Host cell responses to Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Richard Lamont.


The decline in trade union influence over the past two decades raises the question of whether pay levels in lower-skilled jobs now lie outside the unions' sphere of influence, as tacitly acknowledged by their acceptance and later endorsement of the principle of the statutory minimum wage. This article examines pay levels among lower-skilled jobs in the private sector in Britain using the Workplace Employee Relations Survey of 1998. It shows that trade unions still had a positive impact upon pay levels in lower-skilled jobs and identifies those forms of unionism associated with the largest premiums. However, the article also shows that the activities of trade unions did little to counteract the forces generating the lowest levels of pay.


In this critical assessment of the 'museology of science' I cherry-pick recent scholarship and practice to unpack the functions of science collections. Some practices (exhibition, engagement, study) have already attracted considerable attention, others not yet (storage); but all tend to be considered separately as case studies from particular institutions and for particular disciplinary audiences. Juxtaposing different reasons to collect reveals both the tensions inherent in science collections and the opportunities these collections afford, especially around their materiality. This is why we have collected science, and why we should continue.


In a retrospective study on the surgical management of clubfoot based on clinical and radiographic assessments, 171 feet in 137 patients were reviewed. The surgical procedure was selected according to the degree of the deformity. The more severe cases (group A, 75 feet) were surgically treated according to Turco's one-stage posteromedial release, whereas the milder degrees of deformity (group B, 96 feet) were corrected by elongation of the Achilles tendon with posterior capsulotomy. The mean age of the patients at surgery was 12.5 months in group A and 5.2 months in group B. The mean follow-up time for both groups was 12.2 years. At follow-up, 24 feet (41%) in group A and 52 feet (68%) in group B required repeat surgery. In group A the results were good in 51 feet (68%), fair in 15 (20%), and poor in 9 (12%). In group B, good results were obtained in 44 feet (45%), barely satisfactory results in 25 (27%), and poor results in 27 (28%). It is suggested that the accurate correction of talocalcaneonavicular and calcaneocuboid malposition is a prerequisite for successful surgical treatment of clubfoot. There was a tendency for a better result in group A when the patients were surgically treated between 6 and 12 months of age.


The purpose of this longitudinal study was to closely examine the economic status of households that include individuals with intellectual disabilities in South Korea as well as the factors contributing to their poverty dynamics. The 2008 and 2012 panel data from the Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled were used to determine the income movement, poverty dynamics, and income patterns of families in the sustained nonpoverty and sustained poverty groups. Data from 87 households that include individuals with intellectual disabilities was used for analysis. Income mobility was assessed using a transition matrix between 2008 and 2012, and poverty and nonpoverty were determined based on the absolute poverty standard. Poverty dynamics were classified by the changes in poverty status in 2008 and 2012, including sustained poverty, sustained nonpoverty, poverty exit, and poverty entry. Income patterns were composed of earned income, social insurance, property income, and transfer income. The results showed that 66.7% of the households including individuals with intellectual disabilities showed no movement in income distribution and 82.8% of these families stayed in the lowest income distribution for both periods. The demographic characteristics of education level, multiple disabilities, and change in the number of employed members of the household were related to poverty dynamics. The ratio of earned income in the sustained nonpoverty group was significantly higher than that of the sustained poverty group, whereas the public transfer income ratio was significantly higher than in the sustained-poverty group in 2008 and 2012. To reduce the prevalence and severity of poverty among households with individuals with intellectual disabilities, opportunities and quality of employment need to be secured, not only for individuals with intellectual disabilities, but also for their supporting family members.


The investigation is confined to the last period of Endre Nemes' work, when after an abstract phase, he returned to creating deeply complex figurative works. During this period he consistently prepared his public works of art (as he also did with his paintings) by using collage on a small scale. The study examines how meaning and significance are generated in both material, plastic and iconic strata of the pictures and how the collage and the monumental work are related to each other. On all these levels, Nemes brings together disparate elements: materials, forms of expression and motifs with completely different origins. But it can also be demonstrated that these elements are united into pictorial structures characteristic of the artist. One recurrent feature that can be shown is the way in which the pictorial elements primarily represent themselves, as material objects, as plastic means of expression and as iconic representations. From this point of view, Nemes's work is revealed largely as dealing with man's creation of pictures throughout the ages. (Less)


Abstract We describe the external morphology of the tadpole of the frog Physalaemus moreirae. We also provide a review of internal oral features, chondrocrania, and a characterization of the genus based on larval traits. The internal oral features and the external morphology of P. moreirae are most similar to P. jordanensis, a species allocated to the P. gracilis group. None of the larval traits supports the current intrageneric arrangement of species, because several features are shared by species belonging to different species groups. We argue for the inclusion of larval traits in future phylogenetic studies in order to understand the evolution of larval characters.


Background: Studying dentistry environment is important to assess stress causes, which is harmful for educational system. Objectives: The present study was accomplished to evaluate the level of stress caused by studying environment and related factors in dental students of Yazd, IR Iran. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study accomplished on 150 dental students. Data collecting tools were the specific and standard questionnaire "Dental Environment Stress (DES)" and demographic questionnaire. For statistical analysis, t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey post hoc test and Pearson correlation coefficient test were used. Collected data was analyzed using SPSS ver.17. Results: The total average of stress score was 1.4 ± 0.6 (Maximum: 4). Among the stressful fields, the maximum and minimum averages were related to academic job (1.8 ± 0.8) and personal factor (1.07 ± 0.7). Besides, there was a statistical significant difference in the average of stress score between girl and boy students (P = 0.04). In addition, there was a statistical significant difference between student's stress score in different academic years (P = 0.003), which was significantly more in students of fifth and sixth years of study. Conclusions: Stress had a moderate level in dental students of study, which requires more attention. Due to the most level of stress in students of fifth and sixth years, it is recommended to take specific actions for this sensitive period of dentistry education.


Aims To study long-term, whole population 'real-world' clinical outcomes of ranibizumab therapy in treatment-naïve eyes for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Methods Data collected prospectively from a single centre serving a defined population using an electronic medical record included: demographics, Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity (ETDRS VA) at all visits, injection dates, central 1 mm retinal thickness, and operative and postoperative complications. Results 1483 eyes from 1278 patients were included in this study. The median age at the time of the patient's first injection was 82.5 years, 64.9% of patients were female, and another ocular pathology was present in 7.3% eyes. The baseline VA was 23–39, 40–54, 55–70 and >70 ETDRS letters for 17.3%, 23.1%, 42.7% and 16.9% of eyes, respectively. The median VA in all baseline VA groups improved after the loading phase but declined back to the baseline level by 2–5 years. The rate of endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection was 1 in 2124 injections. Conclusions These long-term real-world data demonstrate that in general VA increases during the loading phase but returns to near baseline levels after 2–5 years of treatment for each baseline VA category. Patients should be identified and treated as early as possible, since presenting VA predicts the VA maintained after 5 years of treatment. National Institute of Health and Care Excellence guidance advising treatment only for eyes with vision below 70 letters does not promote best long-term VA outcomes for patients.


The 1,3,4‐thiadiazole nucleus is one of the most important and well‐known heterocyclic nuclei, which is a common and integral feature of a variety of natural products and medicinal agents. Thiadiazole nucleus is present as a core structural component in an array of drug categories such as antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, analgesic, antiepileptic, antiviral, antineoplastic, and antitubercular agents. The broad and potent activity of thiadiazole and their derivatives has established them as pharmacologically significant scaffolds. In this study, an attempt has been made with recent research findings on this nucleus, to review the structural modifications on different thiadiazole derivatives for various pharmacological activities.


Purpose: Transcription factor RUNX1 is essential for normal hematopoiesis. High mutation frequencies of RUNX1 gene in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) have been described, whereas the biologic significances of the mutations were not investigated. Here, we aimed to correlate the biologic activities of the RUNX1 mutants with the clinical outcomes of patients. Experimental Design: We examined the mutational status of RUNX1 in 143 MDS and 84 CMML patients. Then, we studied the DNA and CBFβ binding abilities of all the RUNX1 mutants identified by using electrophoretic mobility shift assay and co-immunoprecipitation assay, and also determined their activities on target C-FMS gene induction by Western blotting and luciferase reporter assay. Using luciferase reporter assay, the relative biologic activities of each RUNX1 mutant could be quantified and correlated with the patient outcomes by statistical analyses. Results: We observed that most RUNX1 mutants had reduced abilities in DNA binding, CBFβ heterodimerization, and C-FMS gene induction. The relative biologic activities of RUNX1 mutants were grouped into high- and low-activity mutations. Correlation of the activities of RUNX1 mutants with the clinical outcomes revealed that patients harboring lower activities of RUNX1 mutants had a higher risk and shorter time to secondary acute myeloid leukemia transformation in MDS and CMML. In multivariate analysis, low RUNX1 activity remained an independent predictor for secondary acute myeloid leukemia–free survival in MDS patients. Conclusions: The biologic activity rather than the mutational status of RUNX1 might be an indicator in predicting outcome of patients with MDS and CMML. Clin Cancer Res; 21(15); 3541–51. ©2015 AACR.


The immune system has been for long considered a marker of health. The age-related decline in its function results in a greater incidence of infections, autoimmune diseases and cancer. Nevertheless, it is still not known if immune function can be used to accurately estimate the rate of aging of an individual. A set of 14 immune function variables were measured in 214 healthy individuals ranging from 19 to 88 years old. All immune variables were selected as independent variables for the prediction of age by multiple linear regression (MLR). The Immunity Clock was constructed including the following 5 immune variables: natural killer activity, phagocytosis and chemotaxis of neutrophils and chemotaxis and proliferative capacity of lymphocytes reaching an adjusted R 2 of 80.3% and a standard error of the estimate of 4.74 years. The Immunity Clock was validated in a different group of healthy individuals (N=106) obtaining a Pearson´s correlation coefficient of 0.898 (p < 0.001) between chronological age and the age estimated by the Immunity Clock, the ImmunolAge. Moreover, we demonstrate that women with anxiety (N=10) show a higher ImmunolAge than their chronological age whereas healthy centenarians (N=8) show a lower one. In addition, the Immunity Clock provided here proves to be useful for monitoring the effectiveness of a nutritional intervention lasting one month, by detecting a diminished ImmunolAge in the same individuals. Further research will be needed to ascertain if the Immunity Clock is a passive marker of the aging process or it plays an active role in it.


An involvement of substance P and its receptor, the neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor in the mediation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced fever has been shown earlier, but no studies have been performed, in which, the development of LPS-induced fever was compared between NK1 knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) mice. Adult NK1 KO and WT mice of both sexes were used. In a telemetry system, we investigated the circadian changes of deep body temperature (Tb) and locomotor activity in freely-moving NK1 KO and WT mice. In a separate set of experiments, mice were habituated to staying inside conical restrainers, then in loosely restrained NK1 KO and WT mice, their Tb and autonomic thermoeffector responses to intraperitoneal LPS (or saline) infusion were recorded. Freely-moving NK1 KO mice were hyperactive during periods of the night, which was accompanied by increased Tb, whilst there was no difference in either the locomotor activity or deep Tb between KO and WT mice during the light phase of the day. Injection of LPS resulted in a marked fever response in the mice of both genotypes (p <0.05). However, when injected with LPS, the increase of Tb in NK1 KO mice was significantly attenuated compared to controls (38.1 ± 0.2 vs. 38.5 ± 0.2°C; p <0.05). The attenuation of the fever response was caused by a reduced elevation of the heat production (oxygen consumption) in the NK1 KO mice as compared to their WT littermates (173 ± 9 vs. 189 ± 6 ml/kg/min; p <0.05). We conclude that the absence of the NK1R results in increased Tb and locomotor activity during the night with no alterations during the light phase of the day. The fever response of the NK1 KO mice is attenuated, which is, at least in part, caused by their reduced LPS-induced elevation of heat production.
This work was supported by the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (Grants PD105532 to A.G.), by the European Union (SROP-4.2.4.A/2-11-1-2012-0001 to E.Pi. and V.T.) and the Janos Bolyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (to A.G).


Hatten, Betty A. (The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas), and S. Edward Sulkin. Intracellular production of Brucella L forms. II. Induction and survival of Brucella abortus L forms in tissue culture. J. Bacteriol. 91:14–20. 1966.—Intracellular survival of altered brucellae, possibly L forms, was not greatly affected by penicillin or streptomycin in concentrations ranging from 5.0 to 40 μg/ml, but a combination of these two antibiotics (2.5 to 20 μg/ml each) reduced the number of positive L-form cultures. Tetracycline (2.0 μg/ml) decreased the number of positive L-form cultures at about the same rate as combinations of the higher concentrations of penicillin and streptomycin. Various concentrations of tetracycline (0.1 to 2.0 μg/ml) with 5.0 μg/ml of penicillin or streptomycin significantly reduced the number of positive L-form cultures. L forms were recovered for several days after elimination of bacteria from the cultures by all of the antibiotics tested. L-form production was not dependent upon the presence of antibiotics in the culture medium, but they were recovered in greater numbers when bacteria were still present in the hamster kidney cells. Addition of thallium acetate to infected cells (at varying intervals of time after infection) to control bacterial growth and conversion to the L phase during cellular disintegration decreased the number of positive L-form cultures obtained over a 10-day period. Comparison of the antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria recovered from infected tissue culture cells with the stock strain of Brucella abortus indicated that some resistance to penicillin and tetracycline had developed. A marked resistance to streptomycin was observed in those bacteria recovered from cells maintained in the presence of this antibiotic.


ABSTRACT The ecological properties and zoogeographical composition of the Elateridae fauna of the Eastern Black Sea region is presented. During field studies, 53 species belonging to five subfamilies and 23 genera were collected. Among these, 13 species are recorded for the first time from the research area and detailed locality records for Turkey were given for two of them. With the addition of previously reported one subfamily, 11 genera and 61 species from research area in present literature, it is exhibited that there are six subfamilies, 34 genera and 114 species belong to Elateridae fauna of the Eastern Black Sea region, which represents almost 23.1% of Elateridae fauna of Turkey. Most of the Elateridae fauna of the Black Sea region comprises from the species of subfamilies Elaterinae and Dendrometrinae. The genus Athous is the most species-rich genus. Results of this study also exhibit that, species numbers of research area represents 25.3% of total species numbers of detected genera of Turkey. Artvin province is the most species-rich part of research area. The Black Sea region of Turkey shares the most species in common with the European part of the Western Palaearctic region.


The broad outline of the systematics of the endemic Pacific island land snail family Partulidae has been understood for some time. The family is divided into three genera: Eua has four species, confined to Tonga and Samoa; Samoana has about 23 species, widely but sporadically distributed in Polynesia and the Mariana Islands; Partula has about 100 species, distributed from Belau to the Society Islands. This review integrates this systematic and biogeographic knowledge with work on ecology, population genetics and speciation that has concentrated especially on the recently speciated Partula spp. of Moorea in the Society Islands. Explanations of Moorean diversity (much of which seems unrelated to ecological factors) based on parapatric speciation and the evolution of morph ratio clines in the absence of isolation have predominated, although without incontrovertible support. Unitary explanations are probably not appropriate. Rather little is known of the basic biology of partulids. They are generally arboreal; feed on a wide range of partially decayed and living plant material; and are relatively long-lived, slow reproducing, ovoviviparous, cross- or self-fertilizing hermaphrodites. The phylogenetic and geographical origins of the three genera are unknown. Partula may have evolved, somewhere unknown, from Samoana, which evolved from Eua in the Tonga-Samoa region, this being the region of origin of Eua; but the opposite sequence has also been postulated. The question is unresolved. Origins of the Moorean species are better understood as their inter-relationships are relatively clear. Rather few dispersal events probably took place and the Society Island fauna as a whole may be derived from but two colonization events - first by a Samoana sp. and later by a Partula sp., both of which then speciated in situ - with a few intra-archipelago colonization events taking place subsequently, predominantly in a southwesterly direction from the older to the younger islands. Many of the questions posed by the group may never be answered. Some species, notably those of Moorea, are already extinct in the wild; others are severely threatened. Artificial introductions of both plants and animals, combined with urban and agricultural development, have had significant impacts, but ill-conceived biological control programmes, targeted at the Giant African Snail, Achatina fulica, constitute currently the most serious threat. However, significant areas are still open to research. Analysis of DNA variation, combined with modern ideas of Pacific biogeography, should allow the whole range from the broad origins of the fauna to the detailed evolution within groups of species to be addressed. Some species may yet be relatively secure in the wild and allow field studies, but extraction of DNA from museum specimens provides an exciting opportunity to continue unravelling the evolutionary history of these endangered snails and to contribute further to our understanding of evolutionary processes and the biogeography of the Pacific.


This presentation will explore methods of creating and displaying 3D images in relation to Content Management Systems and online collections. Examining the creation of 3D models through various platforms, we will discuss the interaction and feasibility for implementation of several common 3D formats. The online display of 3D models has been in use for several years, most notably in archaeological reconstruction projects and more recently in digital imaging within the field of medical science. For this presentation, a 3D model is a visual representation that can be manipulated with various tools, which enable it to be turned, rotated and magnified among other functions. Apart from large-scale examples, the use of such models has yet to be fully utilized for the online display of cultural heritage objects and in particular within Content Management Systems such as CONTENTdm and Digital Commons.  The 3D file formats that this presentation will address necessarily carry over into the display of 3D models. Discussion will then also consider the relationship between these file formats and external or internal methods of display. This presentation will also address recent developments in the area of 3D model representation and how subsequent applications may change.


Channel capacity is one of the important ways to analyze the performance of wireless communications system. This paper wills examine the channel capacity of Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) system based on spatial diversity. We investigate the channel capacity for various distance and spacing of both transmitter and receiver antenna. The investigations of channel capacity are included with different distance between transmitter and receiver sides and different antenna spacing.


This paper considers scale resolution models for iris pattern segmentations based on edge detections. Edges in images can be mathematically defined as local singularities. Until recently, the Fourier transform was the main mathematical tool for analysing singularities. However, the Fourier transform is global and as such not well adapted to local singularities and it is hard to find the location and spatial distribution of singularities with Fourier transforms. It shows how vibration could be further minimized in the improved Mixed Radix Algorithm, by deriving a numerical algorithm for noise minimization in signal processing systems for faster pattern recognition. It is also proved analytically that this derived algorithm for noise minimization converges.


The N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) is working on replenishing seed and herbarium collections of cultivated plants and their wild relatives through collection missions in various regions of Russia. The collections are replenished with both live specimens (plantlets, runners, cuttings, bulbs, seeds, etc.), and with herbarium specimens of crop wild relatives (CWR). The Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is characterized by a variety of natural conditions and resources, while many territories are difficult to reach by transport. Collection missions were carried out by VIR in the territory of Yakutia from 1972 to 1990. Field research in the territory of the republic is relevant to this day.In 2020, field research in the area of the projected bridge crossing over the Lena River near the city of Yakutsk resulted in collecting 18 samples of wild relatives of fruit, vegetable, essential oil, oil and fiber, forage legume, and cereals crops (live plants and seeds), as well as 45 CWR herbarium specimens. CWR (species of currants, onions, horseradish, water sorrel, tarragon wormwood, etc.) were found in floodplain habitats and on river banks, some were collected in ruderal biotopes, near settlements, less often in forest phytocenoses, and on steppe meadow slopes. All the samples were included in VIR collections. The phytocenoses from which CWR were collected, were comprehensively described.


Founded in 1852, Carbondale is the home of the main campus of Southern Illinois University. The city is located in Jackson County, Illinois.


We present a transfer-matrix method capable of simulating the effects of nonuniform gratings on the filtering, amplification, and bistability characteristics of distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor laser amplifiers. The linewidth enhancement factor is incorporated in a way that allows direct gain-tuning of the bistability hysteresis. As an example, we compare a /spl lambda//4 phase-shifted DFB amplifier with and without spatial chirp. For amplifiers driven to yield the same unsaturated peak amplifier gain, positive linear chirp widens the spectral range of low-threshold switching and increases the switching contrast.


Familial dysautonomia (FD), a disease of the autonomic and sensory nervous systems, involves mutations in the protein IκB kinase complex‐associated protein, which is a component of the human Elongator acetylase complex. We suggest a hypothesis in which defects in tubulin acetylation and impairment of microtubule‐based protein trafficking may be an underlying cause of FD. In addition, an Arabidopsis homolog of the Elongator subunit ELP3 has been found to bind to the αβ‐tubulin heterodimer, suggesting that α‐tubulin may be a cytoplasmic target of Elongator acetylase activity. Studies of synergistic double mutants in yeast indicate a novel role for Elongator in cytoskeletal dynamics, although this is probably because of an effect on actin rather than microtubules. Finally, we suggest that tubulin deacetylase inhibitors may prove useful in the treatment of FD.


High-resolution lidar wake measurements are part of an ongoing field campaign being conducted at the Scaled Wind Farm Technology facility by Sandia National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory using a customized scanning lidar from the Technical University of Denmark. One of the primary objectives is to collect experimental data to improve the predictive capability of wind plant computational models to represent the response of the turbine wake to varying inflow conditions and turbine operating states. The present work summarizes the experimental setup and illustrates several wake measurement example cases. The cases focus on demonstrating the impact of the atmospheric conditions on the wake shape and position, and exhibit a sample of the data that has been made public through the Department of Energy Atmosphere to Electrons Data Archive and Portal.


Simulation optimization refers to the iterative procedure in search of the optimal parameter when the objective function can only be evaluated by stochastic simulation. STRONG (Stochastic Trust Region Response Surface Convergent Method) is a newly developed design-of-experiments based simulation optimization method. It incorporates the idea of trust region method (TRM) for deterministic optimization into the traditional response surface methodology (RSM) to eliminate the human intervention required by RSM and to achieve the desired convergence. In the earlier paper, we proved the convergence of STRONG and demonstrated its computational efficiency. The original STRONG assumes the stochastic response follows a normal distribution. This paper relaxes the normal assumption and develops a framework called STRONG-X which is applicable for generally distributed additive noise with bounded variance. The convergence of STRONG-X can be proved and the generality of STRONG-X makes it an appealing method.


Measuring the effects of policy and social inequality is complicated because inequalities and policies may have delayed or accumulative effects on health. The objective of this study is to build on the body of work on population mortality and income inequality by investigating the association between income inequality and mortality at the city level at two points in time (1980 and 1990) as well as to determine whether indicators of 1980 social policies of cities are associated with 1990 mortality rates due to delayed or accumulative effects. We found that 1980 income inequality and police spending is associated with increased premature mortality for 1990. In conclusion, there appear to be long-term consequences of city levels of income inequality on population health, although this relationship is incompletely understood. While a lack of information on how inequality operates on health should not preclude us from making policy decisions aimed at creating greater social equality, for example, through improvements in education, we would benefit from longitudinal research on specific macroeconomic and environmental factors, inequality, and health. Establishing such causal relationships is critical in creating social policies that optimally promote health and well-being.


Purpose: Deficits in phonological working memory and deficits in phonological processing have both been considered potential explanatory factors in specific language impairment (SLI). Manipulations of the lexicality and phonotactic frequency of nonwords enable contrasting predictions to be derived from these hypotheses. Method: Eighteen typically developing (TD) children and 18 children with SLI completed an assessment battery that included tests of language ability, nonverbal intelligence, and two nonword repetition tests that varied in lexicality and frequency. Results: Repetition accuracy showed that children with SLI were unimpaired for short and simple high-lexicality nonwords, whereas clear impairments were shown for all low-lexicality nonwords. For low-lexicality nonwords, greater repetition accuracy was seen for nonwords constructed from high over low-frequency phoneme sequences. Children with SLI made the same proportion of errors that substituted a nonsense syllable for a lexical item as TD children, and this was stable across nonword length. Conclusions: The data show support for a phonological processing deficit in children with SLI, where long-term lexical and sublexical phonological knowledge mediate the interpretation of nonwords. However, the data also suggest that while phonological processing may provide a key explanation of SLI, a full account is likely to be multifaceted. S pecific language impairment (SLI) is generally defined in terms of impaired language ability in the absence of any impairment to nonverbal abilities 2000). Children with SLI display deficits such as being late in acquiring their first words, having smaller vocabularies in general, and showing problems with some or all of the grammatical components of language. One task that is used extensively to distinguish between children with SLI and their peers is nonword repetition. Administering this task is relatively straightforward: The child repeats aloud nonsense words that are spoken to them. By varying the construction of nonwords, it has been found that, relative to their peers, children with SLI have difficulty producing long nonwords (e.


Summary A healthy 20 yr old woman presented for evaluation following a cervical smear which showed viral effects typical of human papilloma virus. Colposcopy showed changes of cervicitis with the main finding on histologic examination of biopsy material being an acute and chronic cervicitis associated with typical features of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Viral identification was confirmed by immunoperoxidase staining, in situ hybridization and electron microscopy. The patient was lost to follow up for 18 mths. Following this, a repeat colposcopy again showed inflammation, with cervicitis, mild dysplasia and CMV inclusions on biopsy. Full immunological work‐up, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) study, was performed and was normal. Only 11 other cases of endocervical biopsies with histological evidence of CMV inclusions were found in the literature, although the reported rate of detection of genital CMV in women on culture is 4–12%. In the 9 cases where information was available, endocervical inflammation was present. One patient was on immunosuppressive medication for systemic lupus erythematosus and another was found to have Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (17% of total). These cases demonstrate that although histologic examination is an insensitive marker for CMV within the cervix, its presence may signify immunodeficiency and so immunological assessment of a patient with this finding is advisable.


The purpose of this paper is to promote the construction of digital healthy cities and improve the living standards of urban residents. Based on this, this paper analyzes the development of healthy cities, and studies community public health safety emergency management and nursing insurance service optimization methods for healthy urban environment construction. First, the concept of digital healthy urban environment construction is discussed. Then, the role of environmental health is discussed. Finally, two methods are designed to study the emergency management of public health safety and nursing insurance services in urban communities under the condition of environmental health. The results show that in the environmental health score of the city, the scores of X1 (the urban air quality excellent rate) and X6 (citizens' satisfaction with the environmental quality) were relatively low between 2016 and 2018, below 0.5 points. The scores for the remaining 3 years were relatively high, above 0.5. The scores of X2 (green coverage rate of built-up area), X3 (average grade sound effect of environmental noise in urban area), X4 (harmless treatment rate of domestic waste) and X5 (centralized treatment rate of domestic sewage) were relatively high from 2016 to 2018, above 0.5 points, and relatively low in the remaining 3 years, below 0.5 points. Meanwhile, residents are very satisfied with information collection and information management in public health and safety emergency management, and the number of very satisfied people is basically more than 40%. Satisfaction with resource allocation and privacy management is high, and the number of very satisfied people is basically above 30%. However, the satisfaction with risk perception and management measures is very low, and the number of very satisfied people is basically below 20%. It shows that the current construction of the community's public health and safety emergency management system is relatively poor in terms of X2–X5, while the development of X1 and X6 is relatively mature. The research not only provides a reference for the construction and improvement of a digital healthy city, but also contributes to the improvement of the healthy life of urban residents.


With cloud computing, cheap storage and technology advancements, an enterprise uses multiple applications to operate business functions. Applications are not limited to just transactions, customer service, sales, finance but they also include security, application logs, marketing, engineering, operations, HR and many more. Each business vertical uses multiple applications which generate a huge amount of data. On top of that, social media, IoT sensors, SaaS solutions, and mobile applications record exponential growth in data volume. In almost all enterprises, data silos exist through these applications. These applications can produce structured, semi-structured, or unstructured data at different velocity and in different volume. Having all data sources integrated and generating timely insights helps in overall decision making. With recent development in Big Data Integration, data silos can be managed better and it can generate tremendous value for enterprises. Big data integration offers flexibility, speed and scalability for integrating large data sources. It also offers tools to generate analytical insights which can help stakeholders to make effective decisions. This paper presents the overview on data silos, challenges with data silos and how big data integration can help to stun them.


Abstract When responding to a writing task, writers spend a significant amount of their time not writing. These periods of physical inactivity, or pauses, during writing provide observable and measurable cues as to when, where, and how long writers halt to plan and/or revise their texts. Consequently, examining writers' pausing patterns can provide important insights into the cognitive processes that writers employ when composing and the impact of various individual, task, and contextual factors on those processes. This article discusses theory and research on writers' pausing behavior; how pause analysis can be used to investigate second language (L2) learners' writing processes; challenges in researching writers' pausing behavior (e.g., defining pauses); and some strategies to address these challenges. Next, the article illustrates how L2 writers' pause data can be collected, analyzed, and interpreted, using keystroke logging data from a research project that aimed to examine the effects of task type, L2 proficiency, and keyboarding skills on L2 learners' writing processes when writing on the computer. The article concludes with a call for more research on L2 writers' pausing behavior, particularly how L2 writers' pausing behavior relates to L2 writing outcomes and development across learners, contexts, and time.


As access to supercomputing resources is becoming more and more commonplace, performance analysis tools are gaining importance in order to decrease the gap between the application performance and the supercomputers' peak performance. Performance analysis tools allow the analyst to understand the idiosyncrasies of an application in order to improve it. However, these tools require monitoring regions of the application to provide information to the analysts, leaving non-monitored regions of code unknown, which may result in lack of understanding of important regions of the application. In this paper we describe an automated methodology that reports very detailed application insights and improves the analysis experience of performance tools based on traces. We apply this methodology to three production applications and provide suggestions on how to improve their performance. Our methodology uses computation burst clustering and a mechanism called folding. While clustering automatically detects application structure, folding combines instrumentation and sampling to augment the performance analysis details. Folding provides fine grain performance information from coarse grain sampling on iterative applications. Folding results closely resemble the performance data gathered from fine grain sampling with an absolute mean difference less than 5% without overhead of fine grain.


The prime objective of this work is to interpret the effects of different kinds of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on thermal and thermo-mechanical properties of E-glass/carbon fabric reinforced hybrid composites. MWCNTs enhanced composites are fabricated by vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding method. The thermal and thermo-mechanical characterizations are carried out using a differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetric analyzer and dynamic mechanical analyzer, while the morphological structure is examined by scanning electron microscope. The results show that the addition of MWCNTs and changing the fabric stacking sequences do not have effects on the phase changes of the materials but have reducing effects on the void ratio. Besides, it is observed that the added MWCNTs increase the degradation temperature of the composite material and the modulus values. The pristine MWCNT is found more effective on thermal and thermo-mechanical properties of composite structures than functionalized ones.


In three patients with advanced renal disease (inulin clearance, 4.6 to 9.1 ml/min) and systemic manifestations of secondary hyperparathyroidism, concentrations of serum calcium and phosphorus were maintained within our normal limits (9 and 3.5 mg/100 ml, respectively) with phosphate-binding antacids and orally given calcium carbonate. The result was progressive disappearance of symptoms related to secondary hyperparathyroidism, healing of osteitis fibrosa, and normalization of serum concentrations of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone.


Influential writings in nursing tend to align with views held and privileged in the scientific community. By taking this stance nurses resist changes that would advance the discipline and give voice and visibility to marginalized people in society who seek the socially relevant service that nursing purports to offer. The difficulty stems not only from the failure to question the dominance of particular approaches for knowledge generation over others, but also from the failure to recognize that our questions are constructed to support rather than to challenge existing knowledge. Revisioning a pivotal article--"The focus of the discipline of nursing"--enhances its usefulness for nursing curricula.


This pilot-study investigated the usefulness of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) 8-week programme for HIV-positive individuals experiencing mild-moderate symptoms of depression. A total of 17 participants, aged 18-65 were recruited. This study used a mixed research design (One-way repeated measures; thematic analysis). Outcome measures included the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (depression sub-scale) assessing severity of depressive symptoms and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II) assessing levels of psychological flexibility. In addition participants were asked to share experiences of how treatment had affected their ability to manage symptoms of depression and HIV-diagnosis (acceptance, control, coping and relationships were amongst the themes extracted). Results suggested that there was significant reduction in depressive symptoms between post-treatment and all other three conditions (beginning of treatment, baseline one and baseline two). Similarly a significant increase in psychological flexibility was reported at post-treatment phase. The theoretical, clinical and research implications are discussed.


Measurements of K-shell ionisation probabilities of Co, Cu and Ge by proton impact (400-600 keV) have been performed at scattering angles of about 90', 135', and 170'. With the coincidence set-up used it was possible to measure 27 data points within tolerable accelerator run times (10-15 h per data point). The results are compared with various theoretical predictions. The SCA calculations of Kocbach correctly describe the data within experimental errors. It is clearly shown that the influence of the recoiling target nucleus has to be included to obtain agreement between theory and experiment.


Currently, an increasing number of initiatives are observed aiming at enriching automation environment with modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The desired solutions should lead to increasing and facilitating interoperability of production systems and their components. To realize this vision, a key component is an open and standardized communication platform. Meanwhile, OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) is accepted as communication solution, especially because of its capabilities to create extensible information models. As part of the ongoing research project OPC4Factory, semantically rich OPC UA interfaces based on specific information models for a robotized manufacturing cell are developed. In addition to the static hierarchical structure, the information model should also describe the dynamic behavior of the modeled system. State machines provide proven means to model the dynamic behavior of manufacturing machines. However, whether a transition of a state machine can be executed often depends on certain conditions. In UML, these conditions are reflected by guards. Unfortunately, a similar functionality is neither provided by the current OPC UA specification nor by companion standards. For this reason, an amendment to the OPC UA information model is introduced, enabling guards in OPC UA. Thereby, new object and reference types allow to model operations in an OPC UA server's address space. Exposing this information has several advantages over hiding it in the server's source code regarding the required implementation effort as well as the client's possibilities to react to rejected transition requests.


Biological thought requires at least both a concept of organism and a concept of evolution to be causally efficient; this is above and beyond any materialistic cause or causes, however formulated. Although the concept of evolution has been much debated and developed over the last century and a half, the concept of organism has been neglected, despite promising modern beginnings with the works of W. E. Ritter and others. The independent efforts of five biologists, including Ritter, to develop a concept of organism are outlined, key works are cited, and some similarities and differences of their approaches are outlined. E. S. Russell's teleology of organism, far from being a failed worldview, is considered to be a major significant step towards a more complete biology. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 112, 354–365.


Exaggerated subthalamic beta oscillatory activity and increased beta range cortico-subthalamic synchrony have crystallized as the electrophysiological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease. Beta oscillatory activity is not tonic but occurs in 'bursts' of transient amplitude increases. In Parkinson's disease, the characteristics of these bursts are altered especially in the basal ganglia. However, beta oscillatory dynamics at the cortical level and how they compare with healthy brain activity is less well studied. We used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to study sensorimotor cortical beta bursting and its modulation by subthalamic deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease patients and age-matched healthy controls. We show that the changes in beta bursting amplitude and duration typical of Parkinson's disease can also be observed in the sensorimotor cortex, and that they are modulated by chronic subthalamic deep brain stimulation, which, in turn, is reflected in improved motor function at the behavioural level. In addition to the changes in individual beta bursts, their timing relative to each other was altered in patients compared to controls: bursts were more clustered in untreated Parkinson's disease, occurring in 'bursts of bursts', and re-burst probability was higher for longer compared to shorter bursts. During active deep brain stimulation, the beta bursting in patients resembled healthy controls' data. In summary, both individual bursts' characteristics and burst patterning are affected in Parkinson's disease, and subthalamic deep brain stimulation normalizes some of these changes to resemble healthy controls' beta bursting activity, suggesting a non-invasive biomarker for patient and treatment follow-up.


The Software Product Line approach offers benefits such as savings, large-scale productivity and increased product quality to the software development because it is based on software architecture reuse which is more planned and aimed to a specific domain. The management of variability is a key and challenging issue, since this activity helps identifying, designing and implementing new products derived from software products line. This work defines a process for the variability management of software product line, called GVLPS. After modeling the variability, extracting the variants from use case diagrams and features, the next step is to specify the variability that was identified. Finally, the proposed process uses a variability mechanism based on adaptive object model and reflection as support in the creation of variants. The proposed process uses as case study the software system of a hypothetic space vehicle, the Brazilian Satellites Launcher (LSB).