Hotel Pangeran Pekanbaru is a 4-star hotel in Pekanbaru City which uses several Online Travel Agent (OTA) companies as online reservation media, with one of the highest reservation comes from Traveloka. The purpose of this study is to assess the electronic quality service of Traveloka's website as an online reservation media at Hotel Pangeran Pekanbaru. The six dimensions of e-service quality by Tsang et al. (2010) include: (1) Website Function; (2) Quality and Information Content; (3) Need Fulfillment and Responsiveness; (4) Safety and Security; (5) Appearance and Presentation; and (6) Customer Relationships are implemented as a measure of the quality of an OTA's electronic service. This research is a descriptive quantitative study using data collection methods of survey and online questionnaire as a research tool. Online questionnaires were distributed to 100 guests of Hotel Pangeran Pekanbaru who had made online reservations through the Traveloka website. The results of this study indicate that the respondents' perceptions of Traveloka website's e-service quality as an online reservation media for Hotel Pangeran Pekanbaru were classified as "high" with an average score of 3.56. Although the overall value of e-service quality on the Traveloka website is classified as "high", at the e-service quality value from the respondent's profile perspective, there is a minority group of 1% who answered that the quality of electronic services was in the "medium" category.
Keywords: electronic service quality, online travel agent, Traveloka, online reservation, online booking


Non-linear effects in hyperspectral data are the result of varying illumination conditions, angular dependencies of reflection, shadows and multiple scattering of incident light. Common classification algorithms like Spectral Angular Mapper (SAM) and Adaptive Coherence Estimator (ACE) struggle to produce good results under these conditions. In this paper, we evaluate our fast Semi-supervised Invertible Manifold Alignment, introduced in [1], on multiple commonly available hyperspectral remote sensing data sets. Additionally, we test it on our new benchmark data set for multitemporal analysis. We show that linear SAM classification on SIMA-transformed data is superior to linear classification on the original data in all cases. Also, SIMA-transformation with subsequent SAM classification produces comparable results to a multi-class Support Vector Machine (SVM), with the benefit of maintaining physical interpretability of the transformed data.


Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming increasingly popular and experienced a high growth all over the world. A medicinal plant, Swertia chirata, has been widely use as herbal medicine in Asian countries and some parts of the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of Swertia chirata and to assess the cytotoxicity using brine shrimp lethality test. Plants were extracted using ethanol. Disc diffusion technique was used to determine antimicrobial activity. Crude extraction of the whole plant showed significant antimicrobial activities against some clinical bacterial isolates. Plant extracts at a concentration of 100 μg disc-1 were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and 30 μg disc-1 concentration of Chloramphenicol was used as a positive control. Zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella arizonae were 10 mm, 6 mm, 9 mm and 7 mm respectively. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the crude extract was determined by serial dilution technique which showed 128 μg/ml, 64 μg/ml, 128 μg/ml and 128 μg/ml respectively. Plant showed no significant cytotoxitcity with LC50 >5000 μg.The results obtained revealed inhibition against some gram positive and gram negative bacteria and low cytotoxicity value indicates its effective use as traditional medicine plant. Thus, Swertia chirata which possesses antimicrobial activity, with low cytotoxicity, will be of use in complementing a standard antimicrobial drug and will contribute to the current status of the public health where emergence of drug resistance is a major problem.


Although some researchers have addressed the question of what motivates citizens to become involved in lower tier planning in the UK, the phenomenon is not yet fully understood. A lack of hard data, combined with some mutually contradictory arguments in the field, makes for imperfect analysis, and this can potentially undermine the effectiveness of individual engagement in Neighbourhood Plans (NPs). This paper focuses on what motivates citizens to participate in the process of creating NPs in North West England, and explores past theories on individual motivation. This study achieved its research aims through extensive research of the relevant literature, combined with an empirical study of five neighbourhoods in North West England. The main conclusion drawn from the dissertation is that there are complex and multiple motivations of people participating in NPs, and these impetuses are affected by a range of political, environmental and socio-economic factors. This research offers opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of NPs for researchers and NP stakeholders alike.


—This paper proposes a learning method of object and scene categories based on probabilistic latent component models in conjunction with semi-supervised object class labeling. In this method, a set of object segments extracted from scene images of each scene category is firstly clustered by the probabilistic latent component analysis with the variable number of classes, next the probabilistic latent component tree is generated as a classification tree of all the object classes of all the scene categories, and then object classes are incrementally labeled by propagating prior scene category labels and posterior object category labels given to representative object instances of some object classes as teaching signals. Through experiments by using images of plural categories in an image database, it is shown that the method works effectively in learning a labeled object category tree and object category composition of scene categories and achieves high performance for object and scene recognition.


Extracted from text ... 221
The human immunodeficiency virus pandemic has now
reached proportions unimaginable 22 years ago when the
first AIDS cases were reported in Los Angeles.1 At the end of
2002, UNAIDS reported 42 million adults and children to be
living with HIV / AIDS worldwide. Disturbingly, the greatest
burden of the disease is on sub-Saharan Africa where 70%
(29.4 million) of the affected people live.2
The consequences of this pandemic are devastating and
face the ordinary South African daily: chronic illness and
disability with loss of income for those lucky enough to have
a job, abject poverty, and death, leaving ..


We have developed a new method, called 2D flow index mapping (2D-FIM), for quantitative imaging of functional hemodynamic indices, such as resistive index (RI), by retrospective analysis of power Doppler flow waveforms from one complete cardiac cycle. To evaluate this method, a feasibility study was performed in renal transplant patients undergoing routine duplex examination and normal volunteers. Baseband quadrature-demodulated ultrasound echoes were acquired from the parenchyma of the transplant kidneys (n=9) and from normal native kidneys (n=4). The RI values computed from arterial Doppler signals were measured using 2D-FIM. These indices showed a high correlation (Pearson's r =0.8, P<0.0004) with the values measured using spectral Doppler waveforms. Our preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of 2D-FIM in renal transplant patients. Further refinement of these methods could lead to visualizing the functional hemodynamics in various complex vascular beds as well as for a more complete functional hemodynamic assessment in renal transplant patients. Keywords-Resistive Index; 2D flow index mapping; renal transplant; power Doppler; functional color Doppler


Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States have been increasing at record levels and exhibit unequal spatial patterning across urban populations and neighborhoods. Research on the effects of residential and nearby neighborhoods on STI proliferation has largely ignored the role of socially connected contexts, even though neighborhoods are routinely linked by individuals' movements across space for work and other social activities. We showcase how commuting and public transit networks contribute to the social spillover of STIs in Chicago. Examining data on all employee-employer location links recorded yearly by the Census Bureau for more than a decade, we assess network spillover effects of local community STI rates on interconnected communities. Spatial and network autoregressive models show that exposure to STIs in geographically proximate and socially proximate communities contributes to increases in local STI levels, even net of socioeconomic and demographic factors and prior STIs. These findings suggest that geographically proximate and socially connected communities influence one another's infection rates through social spillover effects.


Urban green infrastructure has various benefits known as ecosystem services such as regulating, cultural, provisioning and supporting services. Among the provided benefits there are decrease of air temperature, increasing humidity and mitigating urban heat island as regulating services; human-nature relations as cultural services; improving air quality, carbon sequestration as provisioning services and photosynthesis, nutrient and water cycling as supporting services. The high intensity of the urbanization process across the last decades coupled with weak legislative frameworks resulted both in large areas affected by urban sprawl and densification of the existing urban fabric. Both phenomenon generated loss in open spaces, especially green areas. In the context of the sustainable urbanization promoted by HABITAT Agenda, the knowledge related with the distribution, size and quality of urban green areas represents a priority. The study aim is to identify small urban green areas at local level at different time moments for a dynamic evaluation. We focused on small urban green areas since they are scarcely analysed even if their importance for the urban quality of life Is continuously increasing given the urbanization process. We used satellite imagery acquired by Planet Satellite Constellations, with a spatial resolution of 3.7 m and daily coverage, for extracting green areas. The images were processed using Geographic ObjectBased Image Analysis (OBIA) techniques implemented in Esri ArcGIS Pro. The spatial analysis we performed generated information about distribution, surfaces, quality (based on NDVI) and dynamic of small urban green areas. The results are connected with the local level development of the urban areas we analysed, but also with the population consumption pattern for leisure services, housing, transport or other public utilities. The analysis can represent a complementary method for extracting green areas at urban level and can support the data collection for calculating urban sustainability indicators.


We convert the Chinese medical text attributes extraction task into a sequence tagging or machine reading comprehension task. Based on BERT pre-trained models, we have not only tried the widely used LSTM-CRF sequence tagging model, but also other sequence models, such as CNN, UCNN, WaveNet, SelfAttention, etc, which reaches similar performance as LSTM+CRF. This sheds a light on the traditional sequence tagging models. Since the aspect of emphasis for different sequence tagging models varies substantially, ensembling these models adds diversity to the final system. By doing so, our system achieves good performance on the task of Chinese medical text attributes extraction (subtask 2 of CCKS 2019 task 1).


Water temperature affects plants in many ways. A change of temperature alters metabolic activity and even affects aquatic ecosystems. From houseplants to aquatic plants, water temperature plays a part in growth and development Water temperature has a direct effect on the growth of aquatic plants. An unnatural introduction of warm water into a water body is called thermal pollution. Thermal pollution alters the population dynamics of aquatic plants. Also, some aquatic plants float to the surface in warm water. In this study we strongly explained that water temperature can fluctuate in every season which directly affect aquatic ecosystem .water temperature is taken from the month jan 16 to june 16 which ranges from28oC-42oC that shows large variation in plankton growth.


In this paper, we compare various approaches to stock price prediction using neural networks. We analyze the performance fully connected, convolutional, and recurrent architectures in predicting the next day value of S&P 500 index based on its previous values. We further expand our analysis by including three different optimization techniques: Stochastic Gradient Descent, Root Mean Square Propagation, and Adaptive Moment Estimation. The numerical experiments reveal that a single layer recurrent neural network with RMSprop optimizer produces optimal results with validation and test Mean Absolute Error of 0.0150 and 0.0148 respectively.


This article explores the connection between teaching effectiveness and participation in teacher learning communities (TLCs) in the context of a second-level co-educational urban school. In particular, it examines the role of educational leadership in their development and concomitantly toward the enhancement of teaching and learning. Seven teachers contributed to the research across two existing TLCs at the site school. It emerged that relationships and respect amongst the participants are pivotal to their effectiveness. It also transpired that both learning communities that were the focus of this study are characterized by a democratic style of leadership. Such however was possibly largely on account of the leadership style that this study found to be present in the school. Particular importance was attached to the significance of "professional relationships" for effective TLCs. It is recognized that further research on the nature of these relationships in the context of a constantly developing and changing education system will be beneficial and of the concomitant leadership styles that will provide the optimum context for these relationships to flourish.


In this paper we provide a set of stability conditions for linear time-varying networked control systems with arbitrary topologies using a piecewise quadratic switching stabilization approach with multiple quadratic Lyapunov functions. We use this set of stability conditions to provide a novel iterative low-complexity algorithm that must be updated and optimized in discrete time for the design of a sparse observer-controller network, for a given plant network with an arbitrary topology. We employ distributed observers by utilizing the output of other subsystems to improve the stability of each observer. To avoid unbounded growth of controller and observer gains, we impose bounds on the norms of the gains.


Molten salt reactors, in the configuration presented here and called Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR), are particularly well suited to fulfil the criteria defined by the Generation IV forum, and may be operated in simplified and safe conditions in the Th/233U fuel cycle with fluoride salts. The characteristics of TMSRs based on a fast neutron spectrum are detailed in this paper, focusing on their excellent level of deterministic safety. We aimed at designing a critical TMSR able to burn the Plutonium and the Minor Actinides produced in the currently operating reactors, and consequently to convert this Plutonium into 233U. This leads to closing the current fuel cycle thanks to TMSRs started with transuranic elements on a Thorium base, i.e. started in the Th/Pu fuel cycle. We study the transition between the reactors of second and third generations to the Thorium cycle in a European frame.


The phytochemistry of Achornea cordifolia leaf extract using different solvents was studied using standard methods. The effects of the leaf extract on some pathogenic bacteria and fungi were also examined. The Phytochemical screening of the leaves shows the presence of useful ethno-botanical bioactive substances such as tannin, saponin, flavonoid, cardiac glycoside and anthraquinone, while alkaloid, phlobatanin and terpene also tested for were absent. The butanol fraction of the extract gives the highest zone of inhibition (13.0 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are in parity. The control, gentamycin injection gives 12.5 mm, 11.0 mm and 12.0 mm respective zones of inhibition against the Staphylococcus aureus, Eschariclia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Also, the butanol fraction of the extract shows highest zone of inhibition of 17.0 mm against Candida albican, while ethanolic extract gives 13.0 mm zone of inhibition against Trichophyton violaceum.


This study had been done to comprehend inner voice phenomena in psychopathology, especially suicide ideation in normal people. Using quantitative method, inner voice and self-esteem instruments have been developed and given to 196 students Faculty of Psychology Universitas Indonesia. The results showed that there is significant correlation between inner voice and self esteem and no sex differences in inner voice and self esteem between participants. In general, subjects inner voice state is in underestimate self-esteem, despite most of the subjects have high self-esteem. keywords: inner voice, self-esteem, suicide, ideation, students, correlation


The study aims to describe applying learning of integrated science with inquiry model, describe of  student's abilities on the cognitive achievement after following study of integrated science with inquiry model, describe student's ability performance, and describe of student's response to the activities of integrated science with inquiry model. Experiment design was one group pretest and posttest design. Analyze data used quantitative and descriptive qualitative, limited tryout was implemented in SMPN 1 Maduran Lamongan for grade VIII G counted 33 students. The result of study showed that indicate class management of study get score 3,28 or is  good category. Dominant student's activity is doing experiment equal to 22,42%. While for the ability performance of student get score 83,84% and 79,10% with good category. Result of cognitive ability showed that 28 students (89%) that understanding of the concept, while 5 students (11%) which not yet understood from 33 students following lesson. There are  can be concluded that applying learning of integrated science with inquiry model have been managed as according to step of inquiry model  is good category and dominant student's activity according to inquiry model that is doing experiment. Student's response to learn of integrated science with inquiry model is good. Keyword:  Learning of integrated science, inquiry, achievement, students' response


The synthesis of metal nanocatalysts exsolved from A-site deficient lanthanum strontium titanate (La0.4Sr0.4)(NixTi1−x)O3−γ (LST, x = 0, LSTN, x = 0.06, 0.25 and 0.5) perovskites and their catalytic properties are presented. These perovskites were doped in the B-site with varying amounts of nickel to obtain a stable perovskite structure (LSTN) theoretically. The exsolution of metal was investigated under different conditions to control particle nucleation. Results on the catalytic activity of the metal-exsolved material in repetitive redox cycles showed that the LSTN materials catalyze the production of H2 and CO in the half-cycle of reduction and oxidation, respectively, while the LST material could not. The macroscopic result obtained was complemented by in situ infrared studies at a molecular level. Our studies indicated that the LSTN materials are promising solid oxygen carriers for the conversion of methane in a novel process with highly efficient gas separation. The insights developed here were beneficial for the design of other materials capable of exsolution and for the applications of these materials ranging from catalysis, fuel cells, and beyond.


A general-purpose Global Research Data Infrastructure (GRDI) for all sciences and research purposes is not conceivable for the next decade as there are too many discipline-specific modalities that currently prevail for such generalisation efforts to be effective. On the other hand, a more pragmatic approach is to start from what currently exists, identify best practices and key issues, and promote effective inter-domain collaboration among different components forming an ecosystem. This will promote interoperability, data exchange, data preservation, and distributed access (among others). This ecosystem of interoperable research data infrastructures will be composed of regional, disciplinary, and multidisciplinary components, such as libraries, archives, and data centres, offering data services for both primary datasets and publications. The ecosystem will support data-intensive science and research and stimulate the interaction among all its elements, thus promoting multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary science. This special issue includes a set of independent papers from renowned experts on organisational and technological issues related to GRDIs. These documents feed into and compliment the GRDI2020 roadmap, which supports a Global Research Data Infrastructure ecosystem.


The increasing market demand, abroad and domestically in the form of "instant tea" (food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetics), and also support from the higher government through GPATN program makes the oopportunitiesof tea small holder groups into tea agro-industry business is quite huge.But infact, this opportunity cannot be utilized properly bytea small holder. Most of the tea small holders still sell their products in the form of freshflush. This research was conducted toinvestigate the constrain of tea small holder in agroindustry development.The study was conducted using a survey descriptive study approach. Selected location research is located at the center of tea small holder in West Java province, i.e.District of Garut (Subsdistrict of Cisurupan), Cianjur (Subdistrict of Sukanagara) and Bandung (District of Pasirjambu). In this research, the data were collected by study of literature and interviews with relevant parties, i.e. officials at government agencies, cooperatives, manufacturers, associations of tea farmers, tea small holder groups, and tea farmers. Tea farmers are taken randomly from each subdistrict sampled. Proportionally, samples are taken based on the size area of tea central region, and from those each district about 30 tea farmers were taken. Lucyana Trimo, Sri Fatimah, dan Endah Djuwendah Rekayasa Hijau – 137 Data were analyzed descriptively, with a system thinking approach. One of the tool system thinking approaches used in this research is causal loop modeling, in particularly Causal Loop Diagram. Result of the research showed that the obstacles of tea small holder in developing agro-industrial were : 1) the lack of availability of tea flush as raw material for agro-industry, 2) the lack of knowledge to increase value added of tea flush, 3) the lack of capability in the providing capital and equipment in processing the tea flush, and 4) the lack of government support in promoting the tea small holder's products (e.g., Doing product promotion fromthe tea small holder in the goverment meetings or activities; such as by using those products


Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is the most prevalent esophageal cancer type in the United States, and TNFα/mTOR pathway is known to mediate the development of EAC. Additionally, aberrant activation of Gli1, downstream effector of hedgehog pathway, has been observed in EAC. In this study, we found that activated mTOR/S6K1 pathway promotes Gli1 transcriptional activity and oncogenic function through S6K1-mediated Gli1 phosphorylation at Ser84, which releases Gli1 from its endogenous inhibitor, SuFu. Moreover, elimination of S6K1 activation by mTOR pathway inhibitor enhances the killing effects of the hedgehog pathway inhibitor. Together, our results established a crosstalk between mTOR/S6K1 and the hedgehog pathways, which provides not only a new mechanism for non-canonical hedgehog pathway but also a rationale for combination therapy for EAC.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 989. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-989


Female sex workers and other women at high risk of acquiring HIV have the right to sexual and reproductive health, including the right to determine the number and timing of pregnancies. We conducted a literature review to examine the data that exist regarding the family planning and reproductive health needs of female key populations, the underlying determinants of these populations' vulnerability to poor reproductive health outcomes, and the obstacles they face in accessing high-quality reproductive health services. Findings indicate that female key populations experience high rates of unmet need for family planning and safer conception services, unintended pregnancies, sexual violence, and abortion, and that they practice inconsistent condom use. Restrictive policy environments, stigma and discrimination in health care settings, gender inequality, and economic marginalization restrict access to services and undermine the ability to safely achieve reproductive intentions. We offer recommendations for structural, health system, community, and individual-level interventions that can mitigate the effects of these barriers and improve reproductive health outcomes.


This paper presents how a Controlled Mud Level (CML) Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) system was used to place Horizontal Open Hole Gravel Packs (HzOHGP) in low Pore Pressure Frac Gradient (PPFG) margin reservoirs. This industry-first accomplishment took extensive preparation and precise on-site coordination between CML and gravel pack operations. In the target reservoirs, the margin between the pore and fracture pressures is too small to place gravel packs using conventional methods. CML was identified as an opportunity to resolve this problem. A primary design phase goal was to develop a deep understanding of the flow paths and fluid properties at every stage of the gravel pack operation. This information is critical to evaluating the frictional pressure drops effecting the pressure in the open hole. The team developed procedures that incorporated step rate tests and real-time downhole measurements to calibrate the friction models, which were then used to precisely control the CML during the pumping jobs. CML was able to limit the downhole treating pressures to stay within the low PPFG limits. The post-job analyses showed that total screen coverage was achieved for all the jobs in the campaign, demonstrating the project team's high level of coordination, cooperation, and cross-discipline understanding. While the industry had adopted CML and HzOHGP systems separately prior to this project, this operation marks the first time they have been combined.


Social Network Mixing Patterns In Mergers & Acquisitions - A Simulation Experiment In the contemporary world of global business and continuously growing competition, organizations tend to use mergers and acquisitions to enforce their position on the market. The future organization's design is a critical success factor in such undertakings. The field of social network analysis can enhance our uderstanding of these processes as it lets us reason about the development of networks, regardless of their origin. The analysis of mixing patterns is particularly useful as it provides an insight into how nodes in a network connect with each other. We hypothesize that organizational networks with compatible mixing patterns will be integrated more successfully. After conducting a simulation experiment, we suggest an integration model based on the analysis of network assortativity. The model can be a guideline for organizational integration, such as occurs in mergers and acquisitions.


Model bicrystals made by adhering pieces of near-single-crystal styrene-isoprenestyrene (SIS) cylindrical block copolymer (BCP), produced by a roll-casting process; yield various types of pure tilt grain boundaries. The study of the deformation of the bicrystals, each containing one grain boundary, enables a deeper understanding of the influences grain boundaries and the incompatibilities between them have on mechanical behavior. Mechanical properties and deformation of near-single-crystal systems provide a reference base for the expected bicrystal behavior. We consider various aspects of incompatibility that can arise from joining two highly anisotropic grains together (i.e. Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, deformation mode(s)). Experimentally, the structure of grain boundaries was characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM). In deformation experiments, optical microscopy was employed to examine the deformation gradient in the specimen and in situ small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to monitor the microdomain structural evolution. Finally, finite element simulations illustrated the state of strains of the bicrystal. The symmetric (45-45) bicrystal turns out to be the most complex system, despite of the simplest geometry. Due to the opposite orientation of the grains, the deformation of the symmetric bicrystal results in a rigid translation of the grain boundary. A triangular shaped influence region indicates that the influence distance varies along the grain boundary length. A portion of the influence region has limited expansion and is slightly sheared along the grain boundary. Another portion of the influence region experiences high tension. For the asymmetric (90-45) bicrystal, the deformation is mostly influenced by the difference in deformation modes: dilation vs. shearing. The distortion due to deformation in the diagonal grain induces rotation and advances the deformation in the perpendicular grain near the grain boundary. For the asymmetric (90-0) bicrystal, the most influential factors are the Young's modulus and the Poisson's ratio. The much softer perpendicular grain assumes most of the deformation by extensive dilation and lateral contraction. Near the grain boundary, the perpendicular grain is constrained by the rigid parallel grain such that its deformation is impeded. The influence region in the perpendicular grain is narrow and invariant along the grain boundary length. Thesis Supervisor: Professor Edwin L. Thomas Title: Morris Cohen Professor of Materials Science and Engineering


The concepts resilience and adaptive capacity have gained currency in ecology, climate change, disaster risk reduction and related development discourse; yet there has been almost an absence of clarity in the understanding, substance, definition as well as applicability of these concepts in livelihoods theory and practice – where they can potentially contribute far-reaching insights vis-a-vis long-term response to livelihoods adversity in different communities. Drawing upon literature from several disciplines utilising these concepts, this article traces the roots and evolvement of the resilience and adaptive capacity concepts and suggests indicators and pillar processes towards their integration into livelihoods thinking. This article therefore mainly contributes towards the conceptualisation and understanding of a focused 'resilience and adaptive capacity' construct in livelihoods analysis.


Cloud and rain water were collected at Tlamacas (3900 m above sea level), a site on the northern flanks of Popocatepetl volcano, 70 km southeast of Mexico City. Ten cloud events were sampled in September 1992 (five from 9-11 September, five from 29-30 September), eight from 19-21 July (1994) and three from 25-26 July (1995). During 9 to 11 September, cloud production was orographic, while during 29 to 30 September cloud production was associated with a cold front. On 19 to 21 July 1994 and 25 to 26 July 1995, cloud production was orographic. The results showed that cloudwater had a higher ionic concentration than rainwater, with two exceptions, in agreement with previous studies. The ionic concentrations in cloud and rain water seem to indicate a clear dependency on air mass origin and trajectories. Clouds in which back trajectories show passage over zones with little or no pollution produced cloudwater with low ionic concentrations (29 and 30 September). On 10 Sept. 1992, the winds had a strong easterly component, eliminating significant contamination from crater fumaroles. This meteorological situation yielded extremely clean rainwater.


A guide to resources that will help you to research Aboriginal Australian family history. Select references to online databases, books and journals held by the Library are given here. These sources can be used to supplement family history research by setting an historical context.


ABSTRACT A local orthogonal polynomial expansion (LOrPE) of the empirical density function is proposed as a novel method to estimate the underlying density. The estimate is constructed by matching localised expectation values of orthogonal polynomials to the values observed in the sample. LOrPE is related to several existing methods, and generalises straightforwardly to multivariate settings. By manner of construction, it is similar to local likelihood density estimation (LLDE). In the limit of small bandwidths, LOrPE functions as kernel density estimation (KDE) with high-order (effective) kernels inherently free of boundary bias, a natural consequence of kernel reshaping to accommodate endpoints. Consistency and faster asymptotic convergence rates follow. In the limit of large bandwidths LOrPE is equivalent to orthogonal series density estimation (OSDE) with Legendre polynomials, thereby inheriting its consistency. We compare the performance of LOrPE to KDE, LLDE, and OSDE, in a number of simulation studies. In terms of mean integrated squared error, the results suggest that with a proper balance of the two tuning parameters, bandwidth and degree, LOrPE generally outperforms these competitors when estimating densities with sharply truncated supports.


Nuclear transport is an essential, highly selective process in eukaryotic cells which guarantees the bidirectional communication between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Emerging evidence suggests that aberrant expression of nuclear transport factors may contribute to cancer formation and progression. We could recently show that the nuclear exporter Cellular apoptosis susceptibility (CAS) is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the functional implications of which remain, however, not completely understood. Here, we integrated proteomics, transcriptomics and functional assays with patient data to further characterize the role of CAS in HCC. We found that CAS depletion in HCC cells led to deregulation of integrins, particularly integrin-beta1, and resulted in reduced cell migration and invasion. Moreover, we determined that high expression levels of CAS in HCC cases were associated with macroangioinvasion and poorer patient outcome. Our data indicate that CAS is linked to integrin signaling and correlates with an aggressive HCC phenotype. Citation Format: Juliane Winkler, Carsten Sticht, Amanda DiGuilio, Eva Maria Eiteneuer, Kerstin Holzer, Stephanie Rossler, Norbert Gretz, Kai Breuhahn, Peter Schirmacher, Alessandro Ori, Stephan Singer. Cellular apoptosis susceptibility (CAS) regulates integrin-beta1 and is required for tumor cell migration and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2015 Oct 23-26; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A46.


Question

When can we assume that inter-specific trait variation is higher than intra-specific trait variation in plant community ecology?

Location

Old-growth deciduous forest in the Gault Nature Reserve, Mount St. Hilaire (Quebec, Canada,45′32.957″ N, 73′08.884″ W), with a shorter environmental gradient than normally exists in community studies.

Methods

We measured 15 functional traits on all tree saplings occurring in 39 (5–7-m radius) sample plots. Using variance decomposition from mixed models and from sums of squares of community-weighted traits, we determined the relative importance of temporal, spatial, inter-specific, intra-specific and intra-individual variation in each trait. In total, we collected trait information on 3317 leaves from 786 twigs sampled on 422 saplings.

Results

For 12 of 15 traits, over 50% of the total variance existed between species and inter-specific variation was always the most important source of variation. However for 14 traits, intra-specific and environmental variation represented up to 28% of the total variation. Variation in community-weighted trait means was mostly generated by changes in species composition, but intra-specific trait variation was the dominate cause for leaf nitrogen, specific leaf area and tree branching. The intra-individual and temporal sources of variation were not important.

Conclusions

Trait variation should be dominated by inter-specific differences in most studies since they involve systems with more pronounced environmental gradients, higher species richness and more β-diversity than used here. However, in studies with short gradients, or when using more plastic traits, it will be necessary to measure trait values for each site. It is important to quantify the β-diversity of the environmental gradients in question in order to compare results across studies.


A linear dispersion relation in a highly collisional complex plasma, including ion drift, was derived in the light of recent PKE-Nefedov wave experiment performed under microgravity conditions onboard the International Space Station. Two modifications of dust density waves with wave frequencies larger than the dust-neutral collision frequency were obtained. The relevance to the space observations was analyzed and a comparison of theory and observations was made for two different complex plasma domains formed by small and large microparticles. Good qualitative agreement is found between the measurements and the theoretical dispersion relations. This allows a determination of the basic complex plasma parameters.


We report the observation of a necrotizing pneumonia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus harboring the Panton-Valentine leukocidin-encoding gene in a previously healthy neonate, with favorable clinical outcome in spite of extensive radiologic lesions. The case was linked to a cluster of 3 neonates colonized by Panton-Valentine leukocidin-producing, methicillin-resistant S. aureus through cross-transmission in the nursery, underlining the need to comply with standard infection control precautions in the maternity ward.


Each of n experts communicates with a principal about the privately observed quality of the expert's own project via cheap talk, with new independently drawn projects available each period until the principal adopts one. Even when experts are very biased in that they only receive a positive payoff if their own project is selected, we show that informative equilibria may exist, characterize the set of stationary equilibria, and find the Pareto dominant symmetric equilibrium. Experts face a tradeoff between inducing acceptance now versus waiting for a better project should the game continue. When the future is more highly valued experts send more informative messages, increasing the average quality of an adopted project and resulting in a Pareto improvement, while communication is harmed and payoffs can decline when there is more competition be-


Real-Time SDN-based BVT enables baud-rate tunability to combat the filtering effect of the legacy filters for interoperability between fixed-grid/flexigrid. Based on the passed filters and link-distance, SDN controller configures BVTs to maximize the link capacity.


It has been found that arsenic trioxide (ATO) is effective in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). However, long QT syndrome was reported in patients receiving therapy using ATO, which even led to sudden cardiac death. The underlying mechanisms of ATO-induced cardiotoxicity have been investigated in some biological experiments, showing that ATO affects human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels, coding rapid delayed rectifier potassium current (I Kr ), as well as L-type calcium (I CaL ) channels. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which these channel reconstitutions induced the arrhythmia in ventricular tissue remains unsolved. In this study, a mathematical model was developed to simulate the effect of ATO on ventricular electrical excitation at cellular and tissue levels by considering ATO's effects on I Kr and I CaL . The ATO-dose-dependent pore block model was incorporated into the I Kr model, and the enhanced degree of ATO to I CaL was based on experimental data. Simulation results indicated that ATO extended the action potential duration of three types of ventricular myocytes (VMs), including endocardial cells (ENDO), midmyocardial cells (MCELL), and epicardial cells (EPI), and exacerbated the heterogeneity among them. ATO could also induce alternans in all three kinds of VMs. In a cable model of the intramural ventricular strand, the effects of ATO are reflected in a prolonged QT interval of simulated pseudo-ECG and a wide vulnerable window, thus increasing the possibility of spiral wave formation in ventricular tissue. In addition to showing that ATO prolonged QT, we revealed that the heterogeneity caused by ATO is also an essential hazard factor. Based on this, a pharmacological intervention of ATO toxicity by resveratrol was undertaken. This study provides a further understanding of ATO-induced cardiotoxicity, which may help to improve the treatment for APL patients.


Monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a two-dimensional direct band gap semiconductor with unique mechanical, electronic, optical, and chemical properties that can be utilized for novel nanoelectronics and optoelectronics devices. The performance of these devices strongly depends on the quality and defect morphology of the MoS2 layers. Here we provide a systematic study of intrinsic structural defects in chemical vapor phase grown monolayer MoS2, including point defects, dislocations, grain boundaries, and edges, via direct atomic resolution imaging, and explore their energy landscape and electronic properties using first-principles calculations. A rich variety of point defects and dislocation cores, distinct from those present in graphene, were observed in MoS2. We discover that one-dimensional metallic wires can be created via two different types of 60° grain boundaries consisting of distinct 4-fold ring chains. A new type of edge reconstruction, representing a transition state during growth, was also identified, providing insights into the material growth mechanism. The atomic scale study of structural defects presented here brings new opportunities to tailor the properties of MoS2 via controlled synthesis and defect engineering.


Background Despite current prevention efforts, outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections in neonatal units remain high globally, with a considerable burden of mortality and morbidity. Methods We searched Medline, Cochrane Library and Outbreak database to identify studies of neonatal healthcare-associated outbreaks between 2005 and 2015 that described interventions to control outbreaks. All studies were evaluated using the ORION guidance. Results Thirty studies were identified including 17 102 infants of whom 664 (3.9%) became infected. No single intervention was identified that reduced duration or mortality. Studies that introduced multiple interventions had significantly reduced case fatality ratio and outbreak duration compared to those that used basic surveillance only. Low and low-middle income countries reported the fewest interventions to control outbreaks and these studies were also associated with higher mortality than that found in middle and high income countries. Conclusions Systematic reporting and formal evaluation of interventions used to reduce healthcare-associated neonatal infection outbreaks is key to identifying containment strategies worldwide.


Dye-diffusion test for semiquantitative staphylocoagulase assay. Ever since 1903, when Leob reported the ability of staphylococci to produce coagulase, an enzyme capable of clotting plasma, numerous workers have demonstrated the practical applicability of this phenomenon as an indicator of potential pathogenicity of these organisms. Two general procedures for coagulase determination are the tube method (2) and the slide method (1). Recently, a capillary tube method (3) and a nephelometric method (5) were introduced. The common weakness of these methods is the difficulty in detecting various degrees of coagulation. Since different degrees of coagulase activity exist among staphylococcal strains, it would be helpful to establish a more quantitative method of coagulase assay. A rapid, simple dye-diffusion test for semiquantitative estimation of coagulase activity is described. Two drops (ca. 0.1 ml) of Staphylococcus aureus culture were added by means of a sterile Pasteur pipette to a glass tube (5 X 15 mm), sealed at one end and containing 4 drops (ca. 0.2 ml) of reconstituted plasma solution (Difco). The mixture was stirred with a toothpick (previously sterilized by autoclaving) to ensure homogeneity. The tube with plasma and culture was placed in an incubator at 37 C for 2 hr to permit coagulation to occur. A drop of crystal violet solution (4) was added to the tube after the reaction time and allowed to diffuse for an arbitrary standard diffusion time of 1.5 hr. A basic assumption of this test is that the rate of diffusion of the dye is inversely proportional to the amount of coagulation. A scale was established to calibrate the degree of coagulation of plasma by S. aureus. From the bottom of a number of tubes, measurements were made of the length of clear zone, representing clots formed by different amounts of activity of coagulase produced (Fig. 1). This eight-point scale is more meaningful and reproducible than the existing 0, +, + +, + ++, + + + + designation proposed by F. J. Turner


We herein report the case of a 50-year-old woman who presented with persistent fever and a large mass in her right breast. Haematology, liver function, and other blood test results were abnormal. Computed tomography and positron emission tomography indicated that the lesion had spread to multiple organs. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed that the patient had plasmablastic lymphoma, an invasive and rare form of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and an underlying infection by the Epstein-Barr virus. After three rounds of CHOPE chemotherapy, followed by hyperCVAD and ESHAP, the patient achieved rapid and complete remission. This case is unusual in that the patient presented with a large breast mass and her recovery was extremely rapid.


The rapid emergence of new bacterial diseases negatively affects both human health and agricultural productivity. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying these disease emergences are shared between human- and plant-pathogenic bacteria, not much effort has been made to date to understand disease emergences caused by plant-pathogenic bacteria. In particular, there is a paucity of information in the literature on the role of environmental habitats in which plant-pathogenic bacteria evolve and on the stress factors to which these microbes are unceasingly exposed. In this microreview, we focus on three molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenicity in bacteria, namely mutations, genomic rearrangements and the acquisition of new DNA sequences through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). We briefly discuss the role of these mechanisms in bacterial disease emergence and elucidate how the environment can influence the occurrence and regulation of these molecular mechanisms by directly impacting disease emergence. The understanding of such molecular evolutionary mechanisms and their environmental drivers will represent an important step towards predicting bacterial disease emergence and developing sustainable management strategies for crops.


Making computer-generated (CG) images more difficult to detect is an interesting problem in computer graphics and security. While most approaches focus on the image rendering phase, this paper presents a method based on increasing the naturalness of CG facial images from the perspective of spoofing detectors. The proposed method is implemented using a convolutional neural network (CNN) comprising two autoencoders and a transformer and is trained using a black-box discriminator without gradient information. Over 50% of the transformed CG images were not detected by three state-of-the-art spoofing detectors. This capability raises an alarm regarding the reliability of facial authentication systems, which are becoming widely used in daily life.


Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) are an important class of receptors involved in regulating different cellular functions. The usual pathway of RTK activation involves specific ligand binding, dimerization and trans-autophosphorylation. Recently, RTK has been extensively studied as they have potential applications in targeted cancer therapy. RTK-based therapeutic strategies are promising because dysfunction of RTK is connected to a variety of diseases. More specifically, RTK has been widely associated with different types of cancer and related diseases. The chapter aims to cover recent advances and challenges in RTK related research, to get an overview of the problems and possibilities associated with targeted therapy. This will help in deciphering novel therapeutic applications in the future.


Background This study aimed to investigate the actual weight change documented as a goal of treatment after patients were newly diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We hypothesized that patients with OSA and classified as overweight and obese based on BMI would fail to achieve significant weight loss over a two- to five-year period. Methodology This retrospective review included adults aged 18 years or older who were newly diagnosed with OSA in 2015, as indicated by a full nocturnal polysomnogram and using the 4% rule for the definition of hypopnea. Data collected were between January 01, 2015, and December 31, 2020. Patients received either usual care for weight reduction or bariatric surgery to assess the overall weight loss and identify barriers. Statistical analysis included independent t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests and related samples McNemar change statistics, Cox proportional hazards regression, and Kaplan-Meier curves to analyze age, gender, ethnicity, and weight differences between usual care and bariatric surgery groups. Results The number of participants included for usual care and bariatric surgery was 100 and 24, respectively. Over five years, 87% of the usual care patients remained in the same BMI classification, 7% lowered their classification, and 6% raised theirs. For usual care patients, the average net weight per individual of 2.19 kg gained represented a 1.96% weight change. Bariatric patients lost an average net weight of 30.40 kg (22.39%). Cox proportional hazards regression showed that the overall model fit was statistically significant (χ2 = 55.40, degrees of freedom [df] = 9, and P-value < 0.001). The significant variables were time-dependent weight change and ethnicity. The Kaplan-Meier curve revealed that weight loss reduced over time in treatment. Conclusions This study confirmed that despite the direction to lose weight, only 7% of OSA patients lowered their BMI classification. Patient instruction and provider-driven weight loss strategies seem equally ineffective to achieve sustained weight reduction among high-risk groups. More research is needed to investigate optimal strategies that include interprofessional collaborative practices for sustained weight loss.


This paper deals with the operation of doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) with an integrated active filter capabilities using grid-side converter (GSC). The main contribution of this work lies in the control of GSC for supplying harmonics in addition to its slip power transfer. The rotor-side converter (RSC) is used for attaining maximum power extraction and to supply required reactive power to DFIG. This wind energy conversion system (WECS) works as a static compensator (STATCOM) for supplying harmonics even when the wind turbine is in shutdown condition. Control algorithms of both GSC and RSC are presented in detail. The proposed DFIG-based WECS is simulated using MATLAB/Simulink. A prototype of the proposed DFIG-based WECS is developed using a digital signal processor (DSP). Simulated results are validated with test results of the developed DFIG for different practical conditions, such as variable wind speed and unbalanced/single phase loads.


Many pathological processes are not directly correlated to dramatic alterations in protein levels. The changes in local concentrations of important proteins in a subset of cells or at specific loci are likely to play a significant role in disease etiologies, but the precise location might be unknown, or the concentration might be too small to be adequately sampled for traditional proteomic techniques. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is a unique analytical method that combines analysis of multiple molecular species and of their distribution in a single platform. As reproducibility is essential for successful biomarker discovery, it is important to systematically assess data quality in biologically relevant MALDI IMS experiments. In the present study, we applied four simple tools to study the reproducibility for individual sections, within-group variation, and between-group variation of data acquired from brain sections of 21 animals divided into three treatment groups. We also characterized protein changes in distinct regions of the striatum from six-month-old rats treated neonatally (postnatal days 9–10) with the cyanobacterial toxin β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA), which has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. The results showed that optimized experimental settings can yield high-quality MALDI IMS data with relatively low variation (14% to 15% coefficient of variance) that allow the characterization of subtle changes in protein expression in various subregions of the brain. This was further exemplified by the dose-dependent reduction of myelin basic protein in the caudate putamen and the nucleus accumbens of adult rats neonatally treated with BMAA (150 and 460 mg/kg). The reduction in myelin basic protein was confirmed through immunohistochemistry and indicates that developmental exposure to BMAA may induce structural effects on axonal growth and/or directly on the proliferation of oligodendrocytes and myelination, which might be important for the previously shown BMAA-induced long-term cognitive impairments.


• The most variable virus gene encodes the spike (S) protein that mediates virus attachment to and entry into cells, and is the target of neutralising antibodies and a robust T cell response. A D614G mutation in the S1 subunit of the S protein possibly enhances virus transmission and is now dominant in virus strains circulating globally. No genome changes have been identified that are shown to affect virulence. • Whole genome sequencing is a valuable addition to test, track and trace, and is encouraged. For instance it:


Cicatrizing ectropion of the eyelid is an uncommon condition, possibly resulting in significant ocular morbidity. A potential cause can be a systemic disease, including autoimmune blistering disease (ABD). We herein report a case with a sixteen-year follow-up of a patient with a chronic cicatrizing unilateral ectropion caused by linear IgA bullous dermatosis (LABD). LABD is an ABD, characterized by the accumulation of IgA anti-basement membrane autoantibodies. It has a varied presentation; however, localized or ophthalmic manifestations have been infrequently described. The case demonstrates the benefits of immunohistochemistry in obtaining the correct diagnosis, and difficulties in the medical and surgical management of a recurrent cicatricial ectropion caused by chronic systemic disease.


This paper investigated the determinants of consumer choices of fluid milk products in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The study was carried out in Dar es Salaam; the most populated city in the country (about 4 million residents). Specifically, the study sought to (i) explore locally and imported milks brands in the market; (ii) to examine fluid milk intake level amongst consumers (iii) examine characteristic features of locally processed milk products present in the market (iv) assess consumer choice responses to characteristic features of fluid milk products. A survey of 384 consumers was conducted, complemented by interviews of key stakeholders; importers of milk product, processors and wholesalers of local brands. It was found that the Dar es Salaam fluid market is dominated by imported milk brands and products mainly from Kenya and South Africa.  The dominant imported fluid milk was Ultra Heat Treated (UHT) with 6 to 12 months shelf-life. Local processors had limited access to UHT technology and thus produced short-lived milk which was dependent on refrigeration. A number of intrinsic and extrinsic consumption drivers which determined consumer responses were identified to include product form, price, packaging, taste/flavour and availability. Milk consumption was far lower than recommended by FAO/WHO mainly due to low level of consumer income and awareness/education. The study concludes that consumer responses to fluid milk products is determined driven mainly by intrinsic and extrinsic product characteristics and there is low consumption rate of milk in the market. A number of recommendations were put forward mainly directed towards enhanced product consumption promotion. Keywords: Fluid Milk Products Consumption, Dar es Salaam Milk Market, Milk Consumer Choice Responses, Milk Product Characteristics


Cardiovascular risks attributable to oral contraceptive use may now be subdivided into those that appear to be secondary to the estrogen component, i.e., venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and those linked to the progestin component, i.e., small vessel disease including myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accident. It appears that venous risk is attributable to subtle changes in clotting factors, while arterial risk may be secondary to changes in glucose and lipid metabolism. In order to determine which women are at greatest risk from oral contraceptive use, Spellacy et al. has developed a risk scoring form that aids in the screening process. After excluding women with an absolute contraindication to pill use, women at greatest risk for cardiovascular disease related to oral contraceptive use are those with a family history of hyperlipidemia, gestational or overt diabetics, hypertensives, and smokers over the age of 35. The gradual reduction by manufacturers of the steroid content of oral contraceptives appears to have lessened the incidence of adverse effects. Our current knowledge of risk factors permits the clinician to reduce exposure to oral contraceptive-related mortality by as much as 86 per cent. As we continue to search for ways to reduce risk among oral contraceptive users, it is important to note that more than 25 per cent of women are still taking formulations containing 50 micrograms of estrogen. It becomes the responsibility of the practicing physician to "step-down" these patients to lower-dose preparations such as the multiphasics. Such preparations also represent optimal therapy for first-time pill users.


This research set out to analyze the women entrepreneurs and survival of small–scale enterprises in Nigeria. The objective of this paper is to determine the extent of women entrepreneurs and survival of SSEs in Nigeria. One Hundred and Twenty Eight (128) questionnaires were retrieved for analysis. Data collected were analyzed using multiple regressions. The results revealed that Women entrepreneurs experience and women entrepreneurs' level of education have significant effect on the survival of small scale enterprises in Nigeria. The study therefore, concluded that an increase in training or improvement in the activities of women entrepreneurship will lead to a significant increase in the maintenance and sustainability of SSEs in Nigeria. This paper recommended that since, women entrepreneurs experience and high level of education led to the survival of SSEs in Nigeria therefore, the Nigerian government should provide an avenue for adequate funding, training on entrepreneurship, provision of infrastructural facilities and enabling environment in order to enhance the women entrepreneurial activities as this would translate to increase in an income generation, provision of employment and reduction of poverty in Nigeria.


Between 1988 and 1996, the number of cases of pertussis reported in the United States has ranged between 2,719 and 7,796, considerably higher than levels reported between 1976 and 1980.1 The highest attack rate of pertussis occurs in children <1 year of age, but approximately 25% of cases reported in 1996 were in persons >15 years of age. Pertussis is highly contagious; secondary attack rates exceed 80% among highly susceptible household contacts.2 Pertussis is a worldwide problem; the World Health Organization estimated that in 1994 approximately 40 million cases occurred worldwide, with 360,000 children dying.3


This work aimed to study the impact of Alton Kopri wastewater on the Lesser-Zab River water. Specifically, the study aimed to determine the impacts of the formed wastewater on the Lesser-Zab River using the mass balance principle (MBP) and provide appropriate solutions to this problem. Fresh samples from Alton Kopri wastewater and the Lesser-Zab River water were collected from February 2013 to September 2013. The samples were analyzed for temperature, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, total acidity, chloride, turbidity, solids, dissolved oxygen, 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, and sulfate. Results presented graphically demonstrated that Alton Kopri wastewater can be classified as mediumto strongtype wastewater, whereas the Lesser-Zab River can be categorized as a moderately polluted river and moderately hard to hard water. The application of MBP revealed that Alton Kopri wastewater affected the Lesser-Zab River water; hence, appropriate solutions were outlined to minimize the impact of the former on the water resource and treatment of the latter. © 2018 TJES, College of Engineering, Tikrit University DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.25130/tjes.25.1.04 ريثأت ىلع يربوك نوتلا ةنيدمل يحصلا فرصلا هايم رهن هايم لفسلأا بازلا


Adaptivevirtual cut-throughis considered as a viable alternative towormhole switchingfor fast and hardware-efficient interprocessor communication in multicomputers. Computer simulations are used to show that our implementation of a minimal-path fully-adaptive virtual cut-through algorithm outperforms both deterministic and adaptive wormhole switching methods under both uniform random message distributions and clustered distributions such as the matrix transpose. A hardware-efficient implementation of adaptive virtual cut-through has been implemented using a semi-custom-designed router chip that requires only 2.3% more area than a comparable deterministic wormhole router chip. A network interface controller chip, which is crucial to our adaptive virtual cut-through method, has also been designed and is under fabrication.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of mitochondrial pathways on apoptosis in colon carcinoma cells induced by Tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand and offer evidences for TRAIL application in clinic.

METHODS
Apoptosis, integration of mitochondria (including DeltaPsim, cardiolipin), activity of Caspase-9 and release of cytochrome c in colon carcinoma cells SW1116 treated with TRAIL, were detected by means of flowcytometry, fluorometer method and western-blot at the different time point.

RESULTS
After treated with TRAIL for 4 hours, the apoptosis index was 32.98%, and the damage of mitochondria occurred with DeltaPsim, cardiolipin decreased, and the activity of Caspase-9 and cytochrome c increased. The Caspase-9 activity at 24 hour was (48.12+/-2.21)micromol.L(-1).h(-1).mg(-1) protein. Mitochondrial damage induced by TRAIL could be inhibited by Caspase inhibitor Z-VAD. fmk.

CONCLUSION
Mitochondrial pathways involved in the apoptosis of colon carcinoma cell induced by TRAIL. Cytochrome c was released and Caspase-9 was activated in the Caspase-dependent manner after the damage of mitochondrial.


Today, researchers are looking at new ways to treat severe infections caused by resistance to standard antibiotic therapy. This is quite challenging due to the complex and interdependent relationships involved: the cause of infection–the patient–antimicrobial agents. The sessile biofilm form is essential in research to reduce resistance to very severe infections (such as ESKAPE pathogens: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanni, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp). The purpose of this study is to elucidate the mechanisms of the occurrence, maintenance, and suppression of biofilm infections. One form of biofilm suppression is the efficient action of natural antagonists of bacteria—bacteriophages. Bacteriophages effectively penetrate the biofilm's causative cells. They infect those bacterial cells and either destroy them or prevent the infection spreading. In this process, bacteriophages are specific, relatively easy to apply, and harmless to the patient. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) support the mechanisms of bacteriophages' action. AMPs could also attack and destroy infectious agents on their own (even on biofilm). AMPs are simple, universal peptide molecules, mainly cationic peptides. Additional AMP research could help develop even more effective treatments of biofilm (bacteriophages, antibiotics, AMPs, nanoparticles). Here, we review recent unconventional agents, such as bacteriophages and AMPs, used for eradication of biofilm, providing an overview of potentially new biofilm treatment strategies.


Public health efforts to prevent tobacco use among young people have typically attempted to change individual behaviour. More recently, it has become evident that macro-level behaviour change strategies which impact on the wider social environment are more effective in changing behaviour. In most states, retailer compliance laws restrict the sale and distribution of tobacco products to minor consumers. Indiana's Tobacco Retailer Inspection Program (TRIP), a state government programme, was established to put environmental controls in place by restricting youth access to tobacco products. TRIP involved conducting random, unannounced tobacco retailer outlet inspections, with violators being fined, and compliant retailers rewarded. This study examines the associations among retailer inspections, retailer compliance and access to tobacco by youthful consumers. Inspection data from 2001 to 2003 were analysed using chi-square statistics and analysis of variance. Findings indicate that randomly selected retail outlet inspections are associated with increased sales restrictions to youth. The researchers conclude that strong tobacco sales regulations and enforcement will reduce illegal sales of tobacco products to minors.


In this paper, we consider boundary control of a fractional order wave equation. Both integer order and fractional order boundary control laws are investigated. When delayed boundary measurements are used for boundary control, the Smith predictor is applied. Through extensive hybrid symbolic and numerical simulation, combined with parameter optimization, for the first time, we confirmed that (1) small time delay in boundary control law can destabilize the controlled system; (2) the Smith predictor can compensate the delay effect; and (3) fractional order boundary control can outplay its integer counterpart in terms of transient performance.


Abstract. Nearly all studies of lizard behavior have been conducted on adults. Therefore, an important part of the lizard life cycle has been overlooked, the neonate stage. Lizards hatch at about the same time, briefly causing high density and increased chances that neonates engage in aggressive encounters. We studied the behavior of neonate Little Brown Skinks (Scincella lateralis) by staging a series of dyadic encounters between pairs of neonates in the laboratory. Two neonates were confined in an observation chamber on either side of a partition for 48 h. The partition was then removed, a single retreat was placed in the center of the observation chamber, and the behavior of the two neonates was recorded for 60 min. Neonate Little Brown Skinks almost never showed aggressive behaviors, such as biting and chasing, exhibited by adults. Neonates segregated themselves on opposite sides of the observation chamber when active on the surface, but frequently simultaneously occupied the retreat, something that almost never happens in adults. Limited data on species of skinks that form stable aggregations suggest that retreat sharing by neonates or juveniles may be common in members of the Scincidae.


Background During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, antibody screening is a critical tool to assess anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunity. We examined variation in antibody titers associated with age and sex among patients with confirmed COVID-19. Methods Blood IgG levels were tested in 1081 patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) tests between 1 September and 31 December 2020. Patients who did not experience reinfection were identified. Serum IgG levels were measured by immunofluorescence assay. Antibody positivity and antibody titers were analyzed according to time since infection, sex, and age. Results The mean (standard deviation) age was 41.2 (14.2) years and 41.2% of patients were women. The lowest antibody positivity rate between the first and ninth month post-infection was detected in the sixth month. The lowest antibody titers among patients aged 20 to 80 years occurred in those aged 30 to 39 years. The IgG titer was positively correlated with age in years (r = 0.125) and decades (r = 0.126). Conclusions Six months after infection, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers increased. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers also increased with age. Immunity and pathogenicity should be investigated in addition to antibody positivity rates and antibody titers.


The first extension of the virtual fields method to the identification of heterogeneous stiffness properties from 3D bulk full-field displacement data is presented in this paper. Data are provided by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Two main issues are addressed: 1. the identification of the stiffness ratio between two different media in a heterogeneous solid; 2. the identification of stiffness heterogeneities buried in a heterogeneous solid. The approach is based on a finite element discretization of the equilibrium equations. It is tested on experimental full-field data obtained on a phantom with the stimulated echo MRI technique. The application deals with the characterization of a stiff spherical inclusion buried within a lower modulus material. Results concerning the ratio between the modulus of the inclusion and the modulus of the surrounding material are in close agreement with the reference. Results concerning the reconstructed modulus distribution across the whole investigated volume are also quite promising. The inclusion location and the ratio of the average moduli are in agreement with the reference. However, the resulting modulus distribution is highly variable. This is explained by the fact that the approach relies on a second order differentiation of the data, which tends to amplify noise. It is eventually proved that noise can be removed by using filtering algorithms.


This work provides an overview of the hypogean fauna from the Madeira archipelago, presenting a list of obligated cave-dwelling species. A total of 6 troglobiont species in 5 orders have been described to date. The cave fauna in Madeira can be considered poor when compared with either the local epigean fauna or the cave fauna of other Macaronesian archipelagos. Curious is the occurrence of one wood-louse cave species (Trichoniscus bassoti), which apparently is the only troglobite living in more than one Macaronesian archipelago (Canaries and Madeira). Major problems related to the conservation of cave fauna are discussed, but it is clear that the protection of this specialized fauna requires the adequate management of surface habitats.


Production of novel eco-composite nano-mortars for architectural finishing, designed to combat environmental pollution affecting building shells, is reported. Specimens consist of a natural hydraulic lime mortar matrix doped with various kinds of nanophotocatalysts, produced from valorized industrial wastes: TiO2-hexaferrite from Fe3O2, and Ti(SO4)2-hydroxyapatite from Atlantic codfish bones. Samples were characterized and their photocatalytic activity was evaluated. Analysis showed that industrial wastes may be usefully reused to produce a new generation of sustainable, cheap and multifunctional novel building materials.


Background: One of the biggest current challenges for Primary Health Care is dealing with the increased demand for chronic diseases that have resulted in greater disabilities in the population.Objective: To investigate the relationship between sociodemographic factors, musculoskeletal pain and its characteristics and the type of care in primary health care with self-reported disability.Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study, interviewing individuals selected from spontaneous demand for health care in two types of care, the health center and family health. Disability was investigated using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 and characteristics of intensity, frequency, duration, number of pain sites and regions. Measures of association between predictors and disability were performed with non-parametric statistical tests, and non-parametric regression models were presented for pain characteristics and for the general population.Results: 6.0% of the overall sample had severe level of disability, health center users had more self-reported disability than family health users (p<0.001). Fewer years of life (p=0.034) and lower per capita income quintile (p=0.014) were associated with greater disability. The most intense pain and in the greatest number of places increased the disability score by 1.8 (CI95%=1.0-2.6) and 6.3 (CI95%=0.1-12.2) points, respectively.Conclusion: Users who had more disabilities sought out spontaneous demand care units of the health center type, had lower per capita income, presented musculoskeletal pain of worse intensity and in a greater number of places.


In the present study, we have found that the cell lysate from cultured human normal keratinocytes from foreskin (HFKs) hydrolyzed alpha-N-benzoyl-DL-arginine beta-naphthylamide (BANA), and the BANA hydrolysis occurred most under conditions of 37 degrees C and pH 6.0. This activity was strongly inhibited by leupeptin, which is an inhibitor to cathepsin B. These results suggested that the cell lysate from cultured HFKs contained cathepsin B-like enzyme activity. This is the first report to demonstrate that cathepsin B-like enzyme activity was expressed in the cell lysate from human normal keratinocytes.


Selection of pre-treatment technology for desalination in seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) applications tends to polarise opinion. Conventional technology represents the status quo while membrane filtration adopts the role of the challenger, with a rapidly developing track record. Two issues limit the wider adoption of membrane pretreatment. Firstly it is considered expensive in terms of capital cost, though it does provide operational cost savings. Secondly there are misgivings about whether membrane filtration alone provides sufficient pre-treatment, since preparing a feed suitable for RO requires more than the removal of fine particulates.


The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of discriminating a high level of school adjustment in low-income school-aged children using interpersonal-related variables(mother attachment, peer attachment) and self-related variables(ego-resiliency, self-control). The subjects were 335 children in fourth, fifth and sixth grades in 4 elementary schools in Daegu. Mean(SD), t-test, and stepwise discriminant analysis were used for data analysis. Base on the results of the discriminant analysis, the discriminant functions suggested that the best predictor for distinguishing between a high level of school adjustment in low-income school-aged children and a low level of school adjustment was ego-resiliency. Self-control, mother attachment and peer attachment reliably separated the groups. And using ego-resiliency, self-control, mother attachment and peer attachment as predictors, the discriminant analysis correctly classified 92.3% of the participants.


Recently, unsupervised deep-learning showed improved performance in estimating the "Intra-Voxel incoherent motion" (IVIM) signal decay model parameters from Diffusion-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DW-MRI) data compared to classical methods. However, such deep-learning models do not generalize well on acquisitions with a high signal to noise ratio (SNR). In this work, we introduce SUPER-IVIM-DC, a supervised deep learning network coupled with a data consistency term to improve the capacity of deep-learning-based models to generalize the IVIM signal decay model. We demonstrated an improvement in model generalization, accuracy, and homogeneity using simulation, phantom, and in-vivo experiments.


Under favourable growth season and by suitable technical means, regeneration and continuous growth of new bark after girdling has been observed in many trees. Differentiation of the secondary xylem varies after arteficial treatment. Thus , the authors consider that (1) under appropriate conditions most trees could be girdled on a large scale with subsequent new bark regeneration and continued growth, (2) after removal of the phloem the living cells of the secondary xylem, i.e., wood parenchyma cells, may function in transporting nutrients from the treecrown downwards, and (3) finally, after girdling or when cultured in vitro, both immature xylem and phloem can dedifferentiate into meristematic tissue that further develops vascular tissue.


Abstract The relationship between wall layers in dinoflagellate cysts was investigated with transmission electron microscopy. A simple method is described in which small cysts (<100 μm) were identified, isolated, and encapsulated in colored agarose. The individual cysts, now visible to the naked eye, were easy to track throughout the multi-step protocol. The routine TEM protocol for biological material was modified and simplified for dinoflagellate cysts, and is described in detail. This method ensures that all samples can be retained, an important consideration when working with rare or unique specimens. Specimens of Hystrichosphaeropsis Deflandre 1935 were orientated for sectioning relative to the natural plane of settlement of the cyst. Serial sections demonstrated that the relationship between the endophragm and periphragm is complex and irregular. Interpretation of micrographs and some common misinterpretations of artifacts are illustrated and discussed. The protocol is presented in detail and illustrated so that an inexperienced person, with the assistance of an electron microscopy unit, could successfully carry out the procedure. The technique has been used with minor adaptations to prepare a range of biological materials and palynomorph specimens for transmission electron microscopy.


Using a large dataset of firm-bank and ownership information for 23 European countries over 2008-2015, we study the dynamics of bank relationships after corporate acquisitions and the effects of changing banks on firm performance. Foreign acquirers do not rely on internal capital markets but keep targets' domestic banks. With more domestic banks, firms increase fixed capital and trade credit. In contrast, domestic acquirers remove domestic but add foreign banks. The latter mainly help reduce the cost of financing. We further explore firm and bank heterogeneity and confirm cost of financing and information asymmetry as plausible reasons to change bank.


Neural Radiance Field (NeRF) is a popular method in data-driven 3D reconstruction. Given its simplicity and high quality rendering, many NeRF applications are being developed. However, NeRF's big limitation is its slow speed. Many attempts are made to speeding up NeRF training and inference, including intricate code-level optimization and caching, use of sophisticated data structures, and amortization through multi-task and meta learning. In this work, we revisit the basic building blocks of NeRF through the lens of classic techniques before NeRF. We propose Voxel-Accelearated NeRF (VaxNeRF), integrating NeRF with visual hull, a classic 3D reconstruction technique only requiring binary foreground-background pixel labels per image. Visual hull, which can be optimized in about 10 seconds, can provide coarse in-out field separation to omit substantial amounts of network evaluations in NeRF. We provide a clean fully-pythonic, JAX-based implementation on the popular JaxNeRF codebase, consisting of only about 30 lines of code changes and a modular visual hull subroutine, and achieve about 2-8x faster learning on top of the highly-performative JaxNeRF baseline with zero degradation in rendering quality. With sufficient compute, this effectively brings down full NeRF training from hours to 30 minutes. We hope VaxNeRF -- a careful combination of a classic technique with a deep method (that arguably replaced it) -- can empower and accelerate new NeRF extensions and applications, with its simplicity, portability, and reliable performance gains. Codes are available at https://github.com/naruya/VaxNeRF .


ABSTRACT A small number of educational programmes for university students include field experience in Antarctica. These programmes contain a range of educational objectives, approaches and academic assessment related to the field component and the intended on-site learning for students. However, it is possible that the on-site experiences of students in these programmes have an influence on later decisions and behaviour beyond the course itself in the years following participation. This paper investigates the possibility of such influence for students who participated in ship-based tourism field trips to the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent locations (South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and South Shetland Islands) and explores whether students link their participation to particular post-course outcomes. It examines how participants report being affected by a trip to the Antarctic Peninsula, particularly in terms of later decisions regarding learning, professional lives, and environmental behaviour. Influences noted by respondents include effects on choices made in relation to academic pursuits and career paths, as well as development of their environmental values through increased awareness of tourism impacts, Antarctic region sustainability issues, and global issues such as climate change.


ers, 1940. $1.50. This is stated to be history of labor relations during the World War of 1914-18, intended to be an object lesson in an imminent present crisis. It is a partisan leftwing tract, however, the temper of which may be seen by its immediate reference to &dquo;The Wilson-Wall Street war arms,&dquo; by its reliance on William Z. Foster as a chief authority, by its reference to Gompers as &dquo;the rich man's representative and war organizer within the labor movement,&dquo; and by its naming of Sidney Hillman as assuming the role of Gompers in the present situation. Its self-assurance and one-sidedness


Aim: to study the effect of a pulsed magnetic field (PMF) on the expression of key tumor suppressor genes, such as aPc, MLH, and MGMt in human t98G glioblastoma cell line. material and methods. the PMF with the intensity of 15 and 300 mt was used alone and in combination with ionizing radiation at a single dose of 10 Gy. to perform ionizing radiation, theratron Equinox 60 co unit Best theratronics Ltd., Ottawa, canada) was used. the source of the pulsed magnetic field was Neuro-Ms / D therapeutic advanced device of the Neurosoft company. Live and dead cells were determined in NanoEntekJuliFl cell counter (Korea) using a 0.4 % trypan blue solution to stain dead cells. total RNa was extracted according to the protocol of the manufacturer trizol with changes: the aqueous phase was separated with trizol reagent twice. the quantitative measurement of the isolated RNa was carried out on a Qubit 2.0 fluorimeter using a kit of reagents with the Quant-it RNa assayKit RNa intercalating dye (Life technologies, usa). the expression of MLH, aPc, and MGMt genes was evaluated by Rt-PcR using a cFx96 amplifier (BioRad, usa). Data were analyzed using the cycle threshold (ct) method with normalization for tBP gene expression in each sample. Relative expression of the genetic locus (Exp) was calculated by the 2-Δct method. statistical analysis of the results was carried out using the statictica v10 software package. Results. One day after exposure to PMF, significant differences in the MGMt expression level compared to the control were found (p<0.05). a significant decrease in the transcriptional activity of the MGMt gene in glioblastoma cells was observed with PMF intensity of 15 mt, and correlated with the cell mortality rate. No changes in the mortality rate were observed after radiation exposure combined with 15 mt PMF. However, the mortality rate decreased from 18.7 % to 15 % after radiation exposure combined with 300 mt PMF. Conclusion. the effect of reduction in the transcriptional activity of MGMt in t98G glioblastoma cells and the effect of PMF as a monofactor on their viability characterize the magnetic susceptibility of tumor cell mechanisms. Given the multidirectional nature of the combined interaction of ionizing radiation and PMF, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of choosing and justifying the role of biotropic parameters of PMF in order to exclude a negative effect on the treatment.


At the beginning of 2001 the Lithuanian telecommunications sector found itself in the second half of the monopoly term for the public fixed communications services and networks market. Though at that time the incumbent operator had another two years before its exclusive rights in the fixed telephone communication market came to an end, and the old numbering system (a heritage from the soviet era) was still in use, it was quite clear that national numbering had to be changed in essence. On the one hand the numbering system used at that time was likely to limit both rapidly growing mobile telephone operators and the development of the incumbent operator itself, and on the other hand it was sure to limit entering of the potential providers and operators of telephone services into the telecommunications market. It should be noted that at the end of the year 2000 the process of establishing an independent telecommunications regulatory institution – the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) – was already commenced, and after the CRA was established in the spring of 2001, the National Telephone Numbering Plan of Lithuania was approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on 6 June of the same year. The implementation of the said Numbering Plan rested with the newly established institution – the Communications Regulatory Authority. The new Numbering Plan had to replace the old numbering system in essence. The old system was not sufficiently user-friendly – numbering of mobile telephone was not separated from the numbers of the fixed telephone services, disagreements over the interpretation of the national prefix often occurred. By means of the new Numbering Plan it was sought to ensure a certain protection of the users of services (customers, in particular), i.e., the Numbering Plan had to be acceptable to the customer, it had to be clear and understandable, as well as it had to guarantee the possibility for telecommunications operators and providers of services to enter the marke


Increasing presence of retail investors, in the Indian financial markets, calls for extensive study on their investment habits and behavior. The current study tries to understand the impact of the demographic characteristics of the individual investor on risk appetite, investment habits and selection of mutual funds as an investment choice. The study also investigates the impact of the demographic characteristics on choice of risky investment options Vs. Non risky options and all the investment options together. Statistical tests used have been used to conclude that the demographic variables age and income have an influence on the investment choice of mutual funds. Based on the results of tests conducted on the data collected it was found that income levels of a respondent have an influence on the selection of the risky investment choices. It has been found that the previous literature has mainly focused on the relation between the demographics and selection of mutual funds alone or only single class of financial instruments. The current paper has categorized the investment into risky and non-risky, to study the association of the categories with the demographics of the sample. However the test was conducted with a sample size of 100. The sample selection method used in the study was convenience sampling. Similar studies can be conducted with a larger sample size. Stratified sample or cluster sampling method or stratified sampling method could be used to have a better representation of the population. It would be interesting to study how the data would behave on a larger scale. Further studies in the same line are very important on many fronts .Considering the importance of the retail investor in a developing economy like India; the current study would help us to understand the retail investor better. A better understanding of the behavior of the end user, will help the finance professionals to design more custom made financial products in the coming future.


As the first step toward implementing strategies to improve mobility in urban centers, governmental authorities must assess their present situation in order to identify the most effective actions that should be included in their short and long-term plans. However, there is not a well-established methodology to carry out such an assessment. The already existing ones are subjective, incomplete, costly, and hard to implement, especially for the case of Latin American (LATAM) countries. This paper proposes a comprehensive methodology to carry out this assessment. It uses recent advances in information technologies and includes the use of web map services, telematics data, and low-cost vehicle emission tests. As an example of application, a mobility assessment was carried out for Saltillo, a medium-sized city in northeastern Mexico, which is considered a typical city in LATAM countries. Results indicate that this methodology can be replicated at a low incremental cost and that it leads towards the identification of the most sustainable (economic, environmental, and social) actions that should be implemented in these cities considering their local circumstances.


Background:
 Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD), is one of the major complications after organ transplantation. The aim of this study is to study the incidence, various risk factors especially EBV status, histopathological types, management, and outcomes of PTLD following kidney transplantation in the pediatric groups.
 Methods:
 Following the PRISMA guideline, we performed a comprehensive literature search on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and clinicaltrials.gov from the past ten years on May 04, 2020. We used the MeSH terms of organ transplantation and lymphoproliferative disorders. The initial search revealed 1741 articles. We excluded all case reports, case series, pre-clinical trials, review articles, and meta-analysis. We found five retrospectives observational, one retrospective questionnaire survey, one prospective observational, and one prospective trial study. We extracted the data for baseline characteristics, the reason for transplantation, recipient & donor EBV status, immunosuppression used, type & stage of PTLD, organ system involved, duration between transplant and PTLD diagnosis, treatment, response to therapy, adverse effects of therapy and mortality.
 Results:
 We included eight studies with a total (n) number of 1713 post-kidney transplant pediatric patients, out of which 148 (8.63%) patients who developed PTLD as a complication of transplantation were studied(table 1). Among the 148 patients diagnosed with PTLD, 96 (64.86%) were males, 49 (33.1%) female participants and 3 (2.2%) were unknown. 34/148 (22.97%) PTLD recipients were EBV (+), 86 (58.1%) EBV (-) and 28 (18.9%) unknown at the time of transplant. EBV status for donors was known in only 2 studies, showing 7/99 (7.1%) to be EBV (+) at the time of transplant. Höcker et al. have shown that antiviral prophylaxis with ganciclovir/valganciclovir in the first year post-renal transplant reduces the risk of EBV viremia. Post-transplant immunosuppressive drugs included tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, sirolimus, cyclosporine, IL-2R antagonist, methylprednisolone, basiliximab, daclizumab, anti-thymocyte globulin/anti-lymphocyte globulin, OKT3. In some cohorts, rituximab and antiviral prophylaxis with ganciclovir or valganciclovir were also used in some patients. The median time from transplant to the diagnosis of PTLD from five studies with 125 patients was 16 months (0.9m-186m). Longmore et al. reported a bimodal distribution curve, with 50% presenting with early PTLD, i.e. after a median duration of 313 days and 50% presenting late after a median duration of 8 years. The histopathological types of PTLD were diagnosed via biopsy samples, showing predominance with polymorphic type 48 (32.4%), followed by monomorphic type 45 (30.4%), early lesion 4 (2.7%), Kaposi like PTLD 1 (0.67%) and Hodgkin lymphoma 1 (0.67%). The histological testing results from two of the studies also showed that 18/19 (94.7%) of diagnosed PTLD samples were EBV positive. PTLD was managed with reduction or cessation of the immunosuppressive drugs, anti-CD20 antibodies, chemotherapy for lymphoma, and in some cases mTOR inhibitors, intravenous immunoglobulins, and surgical resection. Data from 5 studies show the mortality rate of 12/51 (23.5%) among PTLD groups. The survival rate from 2 studies was 100% among 17 PTLD patients and 1 study showed a 5-year survival rate of 85% among 92 PTLD patients. Cleper et al. in their study concluded that the type of PTLD might have a significant effect on the outcome, as ¾ (75%) deaths in the PTLD group were attributed to anaplastic T-cell type.
 Conclusions:
 Our analysis shows the EBV infection is closely associated with a higher risk of PTLD development. Recipients' EBV seronegativity and positive EBV status of the donor have been shown to increase post-transplant EBV infection risk which is associated with a higher risk of PTLD development. Furthermore, our study shows that PTLD may occur in less than a month to more than 15 years of renal transplant. The polymorphic type was the most common and Hodgkin lymphoma-type, the least commonly reported PTLD type. The main therapeutic approach is the reduction or cessation of immunosuppression.

 Anwer: Incyte, Seattle Genetics, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals, AbbVie Pharma, Astellas Pharma, Celegene, Millennium Pharmaceuticals.: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.